During the Nintendo Switch generation, Nintendo had no trouble delivering a steady stream of first-party games created using what is likely a reliable pipeline. Often, we have heard how the Japanese company likes to sit on completed games for months, only to release them when deemed appropriate, but this could become a thing of the past moving forward as the Japanese company's studios focus on the Nintendo Switch 2, according to what former employees Kit and Krysta revealed during their podcast. "That totally happened, though in the past where a lot of these things they just socked away in the […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/nintendo-switch-2-development-shocked-playstation-pressure/
There's a high-stakes game of chicken afoot at Samsung, with its management and unionized workers both trying to strengthen their hand via a series of moves and countermoves ahead of a planned showdown next month. Even so, Samsung workers appear to have won the latest round by successfully disrupting nearly a fifth of the output at the highly mechanized Samsung memory fabs as well as nearly three-fifths of the output at the more labor intensive foundry lines. Samsung workers recently managed to curtail output at the tech behemoth's memory fabs and foundry lines by 18.4 percent and 58.1 percent, respectively […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/samsung-braces-for-unprecedented-chaos-after-union-rally-knocks-out-58-of-foundry-output-in-a-single-day/
HitPaw VikPea is an AI video enhancer that upscales footage to 4K/8K, sharpens details, reduces noise, and repairs damaged clips. It restores low-light and old videos, improves colors with automatic correction and colorization, and stabilizes shaky shots with frame interpolation up to 60 FPS. Use cloud GPU acceleration for 10x faster rendering, batch process multiple files, and export without re-encoding common formats. Available on Windows, Mac, and mobile, VikPea also offers an API to integrate pro-grade enhancement into your workflow.
Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/omni-hotels-expands-in-raleigh-with-new-600-room-property-driving-downtown-growth-and-convention-travel/
Omni Hotels Expands in Raleigh with New 600-Room Property, Driving Downtown Growth and Convention TravelOmni Hotels & Resorts announces the...
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Perth Airport Australia joins global airports for travel alert as security lockdown over suspicious item disrupts passengers in 2026Perth Airport...
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Nepal Government Mandates 45% Student Fare Discount on Public Transport, Ensuring Affordable Education Access Nationwide for Millions of LearnersNepal Government...
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William P. Hobby Joins Miami, Raleigh-Durham, Seattle, and Portland Airports in Elevating In-Flight Culture with World-Class Brews – Perfect for...
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After an innovative back step, Samsung appears to be in the mode of course correction. Samsung is developing the Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldable smartphone, and the cover screen features a smaller camera hole than the Z Fold 7.
Samsung insider IceUniverse just revealed that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 selfie camera hole is just 2.5mm (diameter). It’s significantly smaller than the 3.7mm of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, with CAD rendering showcasing the difference.
The source hints at a technological shift inside Samsung, which may have led the hole to shrink. This change will offer even more functional estate on the cover screen of the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold smartphone this year.
Samsung introduced an under-display camera with the Galaxy Z Fold 3. The technology evolved gradually until the Galaxy Z Fold 6. However, Samsung removed it, starting with the Z Fold 7, and the Z Fold 8 may follow the legacy.
Image – Z Fold 7 (Top) | Z Fold 8 (Bottom)
The CAD image aims to show the difference in the camera hole’s diameter. If other aspects are true, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will feature thinner side bezels. The camera system design may remain the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Samsung is expected to unveil three foldable phones this year. A new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide could join the Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 this July. The company may hold an Unpacked event on July 22 in London, a strategic shift in venue.
Related article:
The post UDC isn’t returning, but Galaxy Z Fold 8 to shrink selfie camera hole appeared first on Sammy Fans.
The post Clarity Act News: Why Crypto’s Most Important Bill Is Stalling at 50/50 Odds Despite Presidential Backing appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
The Clarity Act is running late again. What lawmakers described just weeks ago as nearly done has now slipped into May, and the crypto industry is no longer staying quiet about it.
Analyst Dan Gambardello said this week that the delay has taken over conversations across the industry, with pressure mounting directly on Senate Banking Republicans to bring the bill to markup without further stalling.
More than 100+ major players, including Coinbase, Ripple, Kraken, Circle, and Chainlink Labs, have signed a joint letter urging immediate action. Gambardello stressed that this is not just routine lobbying but a coordinated industry-wide effort after years of bipartisan groundwork.
For many, the bill represents a long-awaited framework to bring clarity around regulation, jurisdiction, and market structure. Yet despite being at the final stage, it continues to face delays.
Gambardello walked through how the timeline has kept slipping. Back in late 2025, expectations were set for completion by year-end. Moving into 2026, optimism grew with projections of an 80–90% chance of passage by April.
That didn’t happen.
Through March and early April, updates kept pointing to a deal being “very close,” but now the bill is likely moving into May. Gambardello stressed how quickly sentiment shifts, where even strong probabilities can break down as new developments emerge.
The latest delay is largely tied to ongoing disagreements between banks and crypto firms, particularly around stablecoin yield rules. Senator Tom Tillis has pushed for more time to resolve these issues.
Gambardello, however, objected to further delays, arguing that the U.S. risks falling behind if action is not taken soon. He called on leadership, including Senator Tim Scott, to move the process forward.
The latest update on the Clarity Act shows mixed signals, as the bill’s possibilities are shifted towards next month. Senator Bernie Moreno, as reported by Eleanor Terrett, said he expects the bill to be “done by the end of May,” suggesting confidence from within the Senate despite ongoing delays.
While Senator Cynthia Lummis said that, “We have bipartisan support. We have the president’s support. This is our moment. let’s get this done.”
So in short, if they’ve finally reached bipartisan approval, this could be the biggest thing to happen to Crypto – ever.
Nearly a year after launching its gamer-centric GT 30 Pro, Infinix is back with a successor. The brand new GT 50 Pro brings a refined design, improved cooling and larger battery capacity. Staying true to its gaming phone heritage, GT 50 Pro is equipped with a dynamic RGB light array on its back. It is integrated with the all-new HydroFlow liquid cooling system, which covers a 6,437mm² area, ensuring optimal thermal management. GT 50 Pro is equipped with MediaTek’s Dimensity 8400, featuring an all-big core CPU architecture, faster GPU and better NPU performance. The...
The United Kingdom has produced some tremendous heavyweights in recent years, ending a near century-long curse and having success in the division ever since. When predicting how a clash between two of the country’s best in Lennox Lewis and Tyson Fury, Roy Jones Jr said that it would be a ‘great fight’. Bob Fitzsimmons became […]
The post Roy Jones Jr sums up Tyson Fury’s chances of beating a prime Lennox Lewis appeared first on Boxing News.
Rico Verhoeven faces an almighty challenge when he collides with reigning and unified heavyweight world champion, , in just his second professional boxing bout. However, there is one well-ranked heavyweight that believes that the Dutchman will come out on top. Whilst recognised as a legendary kickboxer, Rico Verhoeven’s boxing credentials are far less impressive, with […]
The post Top heavyweight predicts major upset in Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven title fight: “I know his game” appeared first on Boxing News.
Galatasaray, pazar günü ligde Fenerbahçe'yi konuk edecek. Sarı-Lacivertliler, Osimhen'in kolundaki koruyucu materyalin futbolcu sağlığını tehdit ettiğini düşünüyor. Peki FIFA bu tarz durumlarda ne diyor?
Fenerbahçe'nin, Victor Osimhen'in kolunda kullandığı koruyucu materyalin rakip oyuncuların sağlığını tehdit ettiği gerekçesiyle TFF'ye başvuru yaptığı belirtilmişti. Hatırlanacağı üzere; Nijeryalı yıldızın kolunda Liverpool deplasmanında kırık oluşmuştu. Takımını uzun süre yalnız bıraktı. Ancak şu anda koruyucu ekipmanla sahaya çıkabilecek düzeyde. Hatta Gençlerbirliği'ne karşı da şans buldu.
İLK 11'DE OLACAK
Pazar günkü Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derbisinde de Victor Osimhen'in ilk 11'de başlaması bekleniyor. Peki FIFA bu tip durumlara ne diyor? Aslında konuyla ilgili çok sayıda örnek var. Gençlerbirliği sınavında Osimhen'in kolundaki sert atelin üzerinde yumuşak bir ped bulunuyordu. Benzer sıkıntıları yaşayan çok futbolcu oldu.
FIFA BİR ŞEY DEMİYOR
Sert koruyucu materyallerin üzerine belirli bir seviyede yumuşak pedler ekleniyor. Böylece futbolcular sahaya çıkabiliyor. FIFA'dan daha önce bunun aksi yönünde bir karar gelmedi. Özetle, Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe karşılaşmasında Nijeryalı futbolcunun oynamasını engelleyecek bir durum gözükmüyor.
Türkiye Kupası'nda kaybedilen Gençlerbirliği maçında gözyaşlarına boğulan Günay Güvenç'e çok uzaklardan destek geldi. Dries Mertens, eski takım arkadaşına telefon açtı.
Gençlerbirliği'ne kendi evinde kaybeden Galatasaray, Türkiye Kupası'na veda etmişti. Hatalı bir gol yiyen Günay Güvenç ise gözyaşlarına boğulmuştu. Onu takım arkadaşları teselli etmeye çalıştı. Ancak alınan bilgilere göre; o anda yanında bulunmayan eski bir arkadaşı da onu unutmadı.
ÇOK İYİ KALECİSİN
Galatasaray'la mukavelesi bittikten sonra futbolu bırakan Dries Mertens'in, Gençlerbirliği sınavının ardından Günay'a telefon açtığı öğrenildi. Belçikalı efsanenin, "Sen çok iyi kalecisin. Herkesin zaman zaman böyle maçları olur. Bunları kafana takma" ifadelerini kullandığı belirtildi.
ŞAŞIRDI VE MUTLU OLDU
Günay Güvenç ise bu telefon konuşmasına hem şaşırdı hem de çok mutlu oldu. Mertens, aktif kariyerine noktaladıktan sonra ailesiyle birlikte dünya turuna çıkmıştı. Fakat Galatasaray'la bağları hiçbir şekilde kopmadı. İstanbul'a maç izlemeye geldi. Sosyal medya ve telefon aracılığıyla da eski takım arkadaşlarıyla iletişimini sürdürüyor.
CIES'in scouting raporunda Christ Inao Oulai parlamıştı. Fildişi Sahilli yetenek; Avrupa'nın 5 büyük ligi dışında, dünyanın en iyi U20 oyun kurucu orta sahaları arasında yer aldı. Listenin 10. basamağında bulunuyordu.
CIES, 2025'te Avrupa'nın 5 büyük ligi dışındaki 20 yaş altı oyun kurucu orta sahalar arasında bir araştırma yapmıştı. Ve Trabzonsporlu Christ Oulai, listenin 10. basamağında yer almıştı:
1- Rodrigo Mora (18 yaş): Porto
2- Konstantinos Karetsas (18 yaş): Genk
3- Otto Ruoppi (19 yaş): Kups
4- Vasilije Kostov (17 yaş): Kızılyıldız
5- Alphadjo Cisse (19 yaş): Catanzaro
6- Ognjen Ugresic (19 yaş): Partizan
7- Filip Rozga (19 yaş): Sturm Graz
8- Gilberto Mora (17 yaş): Club Tijuana
9- Jonathan Asp Jensen (19 yaş): Grasshopper
10 Christ Oulai (19 yaş): Trabzonspor
NOT: Rapor 2025'te yayınlandığı için bazı oyuncuların yaşlarında şu anda farklılıklar bulunuyor. Örneğin Oulai 20 yaşına girdi...
YENİDEN GÜNDEME GELDİ
Bu rapor, yeniden gündeme geldi... Özellikle Avrupa ekiplerinin listedeki genç yetenekler için 2026 yazında ciddi teklifler sunacağı konuşuluyor. Hem top kullanan hem adam geçen hem de topları geri kazanan Christ Oulai'ye, İngiltere kulüplerinden ilgi olduğu biliniyor...
70 MİLYON EURO BEKLENİYOR
Listenin zirvesindeki Rodrigo Mora için Porto'nun 70 milyon euro seviyesinde beklentisi var. Oulai, Trabzonspor'daki performanslarının ardından Fildişi Sahili Milli Takımı'nın da önemli parçalarından biri haline gelmişti. Bordo-Mavililer onu bu sezon başında Bastia'dan 5.5 milyon euroya transfer etti. Satışı halinde çok daha fazlasını kazanmaları bekleniyor.
NOT: CIES (Uluslararası Spor Çalışmaları Merkezi), İsviçre'nin Neuchatel kentinde bulunuyor. 1995'te kurulan bağımsız bir spor araştırma ve eğitim merkezi...
Galatasaray'da Osimhen, Trabzonspor'da ise Onuachu Nijeryalı... Fenerbahçe'nin, Sevilla forması giyen Akor Adams'ın menajeriyle bir görüşme gerçekleştireceği öğrenildi. Eğer transfer biterse, ligimizde ilginç bir durum oluşacak.
Fenerbahçe yaz dönemi için golcü çalışmalarını sürdürüyor. Ve duruma göre; bu bölgeye 2 takviye yapılabilir. Sarı-Lacivertliler'de birçok isim gündemde... Ancak Sevilla forması giyen Akor Adams'da çarpıcı gelişmelerin yaşandığı öğrenildi. İddiaya göre; oyuncunun menajeriyle İstanbul'da bir görüşme yapılacak.
SEVİLLA İLE TEMAS
Bu esnada Sevilla Kulübü'yle de pazarlıkların sürdüğü ifade edildi. 26 yaşındaki futbolcunun La Liga temsilcisiyle 30 Haziran 2029 tarihine kadar mukavelesi var. Eğer transfer tamamlanırsa; Galatasaray (Osimhen) ve Trabzonspor'un (Onuachu) ardından Fenerbahçe'nin forvet hattında da bir Nijeryalı bulunacak.
5.5 MİLYONA ALMIŞLARDI
1.90 boyundaki forvet bu sezon 27 lig sınavına çıktı. Sahada 1.840 dakika kaldı. 8 gol ve 3 asisti bulunuyor. Ayrıca Nijerya Milli Takımı'yla da 13 maça çıktı. Ülkesi adına 5 gol kaydetti. Akor Adams'ın tahmini piyasa değeri 12 milyon euro civarında... Sevilla onu 2025'in Ocak ayında Montpellier'den almıştı. O dönemde 5.5 milyon euro bonservis bedeli ödediler.
Real Madrid Kulübü, milli futbolcumuz Arda Güler'in kas zedelenmesi problemi yaşadığını açıklamıştı. Arda, Dünya Kupası'nda Ay-Yıldızlı ekibimize katılacak. Fakat bu kez de farklı bir sıkıntı söz konusu...
Real Madrid Kulübü'nden, "Arda Güler'e yapılan testler sonucunda, oyuncunun sağ bacağındaki uyluk kasında bir kas zedelenmesi tespit edildi" açıklaması gelmişti. Marca gazetesi ise milli futbolcunun sezonu kapattığını belirtmişti. Peki Milli Takımımız açısından durum ne olacak?
BİR İYİ BİR KÖTÜ HABER
Öncelikle Arda Güler, Dünya Kupası'nda takım arkadaşlarına katılacak. Bu bizim açımızdan sevindirici bir gelişme... Fakat 21 yaşındaki orta saha oyuncusu, dev organizasyona aynı zamanda önemli bir maç eksiğiyle gelecek... Temennimiz, temposunu yeniden kazanma konusunda fazla vakit harcamaması...
RAKİPLER VE FİKSTÜR
A Milli Futbol Takımımız, Dünya Kupası'nda D Grubu'nda yer alacak. Rakiplerimiz ve maç fikstürü ise şöyle:
14 Haziran: Avustralya-Türkiye (07.00)
20 Haziran: Türkiye-Paraguay (06.00)
26 Haziran: Türkiye-ABD (05.00)
Arda Güler'in varlığı, Ay-Yıldızlılar için çok önemli... Dünya Kupası'nda öncelikli hedefimiz; grup aşamasında başarılı olmak... Sonrasında da tarih yazmak istiyoruz.
Galatasaray'dan kiralık olarak Udinese'ye transfer olan Nicolo Zaniolo'nun geleceği netlik kazandı. Kulüp cephesinden transfer açıklaması geldi.
Udinese Sportif Direktörü Gianluca Nani, Galatasaray'dan satın alma opsiyonuyla kiralanan Nicolo Zaniolo'nun geleceğiyle ilgili açıklamalarda bulundu. Nani, İtalyan oyuncunun opsiyonunu kullanmayı ve kadroda tutmayı planladıklarını söyledi.
Gianluca Nani'nin açıklamaları şöyle:
-Özellikle teknik kalitesinden şüphemiz yoktu ve iyi bir performans gösterdi. Ayrıca kendisi de istekli, yani bu yönde ilerleyeceğiz. Şu anda bunu konuşmak için erken, bu bizim hakkımız, yani bizim seçimimiz ve şu anda başka konulara odaklanmış durumdayız.
-Kapımızı çalanlara nazik davranırız, onlara bir fincan çay ikram ederiz ancak Nicolo Zaniolo'yu satmayacağız.
SEZON PERFORMANSI
Udinese'de bu sezon 31 maçta süre bulan Nicolo Zaniolo, 6 gol attı ve 6 asist yaptı.
Google updated their spam reporting tool to warn they won't process reports that contain personal information.
The post Google Won’t Act On Spam Reports If They Contain Personal Information appeared first on Search Engine Journal.
“Mançester Yunayted”in zədəli futbolçusu Matteys de Liqt məşqlərə başlayıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
De Liqt ötən ilin noyabrında “Kristal Pelas”la matçda (2:1) zədə almışdı.
Müdafiəçi bu mövsüm Premyer Liqada 13 oyuna çıxıb.
Premyer Liqaya vəsiqə uğrunda mübarizə aparan “Mingəçevir” qeyri-peşəkar davranışı ilə gündəmə gəlib.
Bölgə təmsilçisi martın 17-də qapıçı Orxan Sadıqlı ilə yollarını ayırdığını elan edib. İddiaya görə, klub “Səbail”lə matçda buraxılan şübhəli qoldan sonra qolkiperlə vidalaşmağa qərar verib. Səslənən iddia rəsmi təsdiqini tapmayıb, tərəflərin yollarını ayırması da bir futbol klubunda yaşanacaq normal haldır.
Anormal olan nədir? Sadıqlı ilə yolların ayrılmasına baxmayaraq, qapıçının adı I Liqada son üç oyunda iştirak ərizəsində yer alıb. O, ehtiyat oyunçu kimi matçları kənardan izləyib.
Klub qolkiperlə yolları ayırıbsa, nə üçün hələ də komandadadır? Bağışlanıbsa, niyə rəsmi açıqlama yoxdur? Ümumiyyətlə, klub bu məsələdə sosial şəbəkə hesablarında edilən paylaşımdan əlavə, hansı rəsmi addımı atıb?
I Liqada son illərin rəqabətli mövsümü keçir. “Mingəçevir” sona 4 tur qalmış 42 xalla 3-cü sıradadır və ikinci pillədən bir xal geri qalır. Liqada gümüş medalları qazanan komanda elitaya vəsiqə uğrunda Premyer Liqanın 11-cisi ilə bir oyundan ibarət pley-off oynayacaq.
Fransalı hücumçu Kərim Benzema sabiq klubu “Lion”a qayıtmayacaq.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Əl İttihad”da çıxış edən forvard bununla bağlı sosial şəbəkədə qatıldığı canlı yayımda bildirib. O, futbolçu kimi Fransa klubuna dönməyəcəyini qeyd edib.
Benzema 2005-2009-cu illərdə “Lion”da forma geyinib. O, daha sonra “Real”, “Əl Hilal” kimi klublarda da çıxış edib.
AFFA-nın baş katibinin müavini Elçin Məmmədov UEFA-nın Nyon şəhərindəki baş qərargahında Klubların Lisenziyalaşdırma Komitəsinin iclasında komitə üzvü qismində iştirak edib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, iclasda UEFA-nın Klubların Lisenziyalaşdırılması və Maliyyə Dayanıqlığı üzrə qaydalarda nəzərdə tutulmuş dəyişikliklər, həmçinin müasir futbolun aktual mövzularından olan çoxsaylı klub sahibliyi (multi-club ownership) məsələləri əsas müzakirə predmeti olub.
Səfər çərçivəsində E.Məmmədov, həmçinin UEFA-nın müxtəlif departament rəhbərləri ilə işgüzar görüşlər keçirərək gələcək əməkdaşlıq perspektivlərini müzakirə edib.
Azərbaycan II Liqasında XXIV turun təyinatları açıqlanıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Xankəndi” – “Qaradağ Lökbatan” matçını FIFA referisi İnqilab Məmmədov idarə edəcək.
26 aprel (bazar)
“Ağstafa Gəncləri” – “Kür-Araz”
Hakimlər: Nahid Xasıyev, Tural Bayramov, Rizvan Süleymanov, Samir Hüseynov
Hakim-inspektor: Zöhrab Qədiyev
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Seymur Səlimli
Ağstafa şəhər stadionu, 16:30
“Dinamo” – “Şirvan”
Hakimlər: Pərviz İbrahimov, İlkin Mustafazadə, Vüsal Xəlilzadə, Nəriman Ağayev
Hakim-inspektor: Anar Salmanov
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Asif Əliyev
Binə qəsəbə stadionu, 16:30
27 aprel (bazar ertəsi)
“Araz Saatlı” – “Göygöl”
Hakimlər: Rəsul Babayev, Rəşad Quliyev, Sadiq Əliyev, Samir Musayev
Hakim-inspektor: İmanxan Sultani
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Namiq Əliyev
Saatlı OİK stadionu, 16:00
“Sheki City” – “Ağdaş”
Hakimlər: Maqsud Şamıyev, Ruslan Babayev, Hüseyn Vəliyev, Sərxan İsmayılov
Hakim-inspektor: Rövşən Əhmədov
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Erkin Hüseynov
Zaqatala OİK stadionu, 16:30
28 aprel (çərşənbə axşamı)
“Xankəndi” – “Qaradağ Lökbatan”
Hakimlər: İnqilab Məmmədov, Orxan İbişov, Mirnihad Seyidov, Kamil Aydınov
Hakim-inspektor: Asim Xudiyev
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Törə Əhmədova
Şamaxı OİK stadionu, 16:00
“Şəmkir” – “Quba”
Hakimlər: Murad Səlimov, Sevda Nuriyeva, Əhməd Əhmədsoy, Vüqar Alıyev
Hakim-inspektor: Babək Quliyev
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Azər Əsgərov
Şəmkir OİK Stadionu, 16:30
“Çelsi”nin futbolçusu Enzo Fernandes yayda klubu tərk edə bilər.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Mançester Siti” argentinalı yarımmüdafiəçinin xidmətində maraqlıdır. Bu barədə “The Athletic” nəşri məlumat yayıb.
“Mançester Siti” klubdan ayrılacağı açıqlanan Bernardu Silvanın əvəzinə Enzonu transfer etmək niyyətindədir.
25 yaşlı futbolçunun “Çelsi” ilə müqaviləsi 2032-ci ilin yayına kimidir. O, klubda vitse-kapitandır.
Dortmund “Borussiya”sının sabiq baş məşqçisi Edin Terziç İspaniyada çalışa bilər.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis “Atletik”də baş məşqçi postuna əsas namizəddir. Bu barədə insayder Fabrizio Romano məlumat yayıb.
Bilbao klubu yayda çalışdırıcısı Ernesto Valverdenin ayrılacağını açıqlayıb. La Liqa təmsilçisinin nümayəndələri postu Terziçə tapşırmağı düşünür.
Edin Terziç 2018-2014-cü illərdə “Borussiya”da işləyib.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus are interested in Milan midfielder Ardon Jashari, who has had a troubled debut season at San Siro.
Juventus are looking for a new central midfielder for next summer, and Gazzetta reports that Swiss international Jashari is one of the names on the Bianconeri’s agenda.
According to the pink paper, the Milan midfielder is being monitored by the Bianconeri, who are determined to sign a new deep-lying playmaker for the 2026-27 campaign.
Jashari joined Milan from Club Brugge last summer in a deal worth €34m plus add-ons, but the Swiss midfielder suffered a serious fibula injury after just a few days of training, affecting his whole season.
Jashari has only played 657 minutes across all competitions this season, playing just 13 matches and spending 15 on the bench.
Juventus were already interested in Jashari last year and would consider a deal with Milan this summer if the financial terms are favourable.
The likes of Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Marseille) are also Juventus targets, and the Serie A giants have already begun talks with Bernardo Silva’s entourage, as the midfielder’s contract with Manchester City ends in June 2026 and won’t be renewed.
Reports in Italy claim that Roma sporting director Frederic Massara is also expected to leave the club after Claudio Ranieri, which would boost Francesco Totti’s chances of returning to the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma are undergoing a major management overhaul, as Senior Advisor Claudio Ranieri is expected to leave the club following a public spat with coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
According to Gazzetta, Roma will confirm Ranieri’s departure on Friday, either with an official statement or through a press conference.
Ranieri’s exit will likely lead to Massara’s departure as well, given that the Roma sporting director is also on bad terms with Gasperini.
The coach expressed concerns about injury management and transfer decisions, and the latest discussions with the club owners have resulted in him prevailing over the club directors.
Gazzetta adds that Massara and Ranieri’s exits will pave the way for Totti’s return to the club.
The Roma legend had dinner with Gasperini in March, and the coach has already confirmed his availability to work with the former striker at the Stadio Olimpico.
Manchester United’s interim manager Michael Carrick has hinted he wants to stay in the job as he’s happy with the role he’s in.
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The former Middlesbrough boss has performed well since taking over from Ruben Amorim, though it remains to be seen if he’ll be named the club’s permanent manager beyond the current deal he’s on until the end of the season.
Speaking in his press conference today, Carrick suggested he’d like to continue, but he doesn’t currently have any updates on the situation, and he’s not in a particular hurry to talk with the board about it as he’s just focused on continuing to deliver results for Man Utd…
? Michael Carrick has made it pretty clear he wants the job…what are Manchester United waiting for? ? pic.twitter.com/5KiFtGMy1V
— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) April 24, 2026
When asked about staying on as United manager beyond the end of the season, Carrick didn’t give too much away apart from saying how much he’s enjoying the job.
“I’ve said it many times, I enjoy being here,” Carrick said.
“I enjoy the role I’m in. We’ve had some good results and we’re in decent shape.
“There’s a lot to go, we want to keep improving … I’ll see, you know … there’s only so much I can say in terms of that but I’ve said it many times I enjoy being here, I love being here, it’s a real privilege to be in the position I am.”
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He added: “Genuinely it’s not something in terms of deadlines that I’m really chasing. I think it’ll become clear when it’s going to become clear.
“I’m here at the moment to help the team and help the club get results. At the moment we’re doing alright .. and that’s genuinely all I’m focused on right now.”.
Carrick clearly seems like he’d be happy to take the job, so it will be interesting to see if United decide to gamble on him.
| Carrick manager stats | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win % |
| Man Utd (caretaker) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 |
| Middlesbrough | 63 | 24 | 49 | 46.3 |
| Man Utd (interim) | 8 | 2 | 2 | 66.7 |
The former England midfielder is relatively inexperienced, and the Red Devils may favour a bigger name who’s won things at the highest level.
At the same time, there’s no ignoring that Carrick has a fine record since taking over, so it could be that he’s the better option due to his long association with the club and experience of winning things in the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
The post Michael Carrick drops hint over keeping Manchester United manager’s job appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Manchester United reportedly have Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton on their list of midfield targets this summer, and he’s keen to leave for a club in the Champions League.
Wharton has impressed a great deal during his time at Selhurst Park, becoming a key player in the club’s FA Cup win last season and winning four caps for England.
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Still only 22 years of age, Wharton looks like he has a big future in the game, and it makes sense that he’s now eyeing a big move.
Man Utd are one of his admirers, with Wharton now said to be keen to leave Palace in order to move to a Champions League team, according to the Sun.
We recently used our Transfer Fit rating system to rate United’s midfield targets, with Wharton coming second only to Elliot Anderson on our list.
The England international has, however, also been linked with Liverpool by talkSPORT, who suggest his asking price would be around £80m.
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It clearly won’t be cheap or easy to sign Wharton, who will likely attract a lot of interest this summer, but he certainly makes sense as someone for MUFC to make a priority.
The Red Devils need to rebuild their midfield as Casemiro prepares to leave, with an upgrade also needed on the unconvincing Manuel Ugarte.
All in all, Wharton seems like one of the best candidates out there, even if it also makes sense for the club to keep alternatives in mind.
The Sun’s report also mentions names like Sandro Tonali, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Carlos Baleba.
We’ve also recently been informed about United looking at Benfica’s Richard Rios, and AZ Alkmaar wonderkid Kees Smit.
Out of all these names mentioned, who would your pick for United’s new midfielder be? Let us know in the comments!
The post £80m Manchester United transfer target wants to leave current club for one key reason appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Arsenal reportedly look to have been handed a boost as Newcastle United will be without two key players due to injury this weekend.
According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, Eddie Howe’s side will have to make do without both Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento for Saturday’s trip to the Emirates Stadium.
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See below for details from Hope’s post on X, as he says Gordon is out with a hip injury, while Livramento is sidelined with a thigh problem…
? NUFC INJURY UPDATE
? Anthony Gordon (hip) & Livramento (thigh) OUT of Arsenal
?? "Anthony hasn't trained this week. It's not a serious injury. Hopefully he'll make the next one" says Howe
?? "Not a bad injury. Wait & see if he plays this season. Another scan at wknd" #fpl https://t.co/9c4ewudtLL
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) April 24, 2026
Newcastle fans won’t be pleased with this update as their team is already on a poor run of form and surely set for a long afternoon against Arsenal.
Gordon in particular has been one of the Magpies’ best players this season, with the England winger a consistent threat out wide and someone who can chip in with goals.
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Livramento has also performed well in the NUFC back four, so the club’s fans will no doubt hope they can return as soon as possible to give the side a strong end to the season.
Both Arsenal and Newcastle go into tomorrow’s game in poor form, but the Gunners will surely be the favourites to pick up three points.
Mikel Arteta’s men are in an extremely close title race with Manchester City, have have just one win in their last six games in all competitions.
Back-to-back league defeats to Bournemouth and Man City have seen Arsenal lose momentum in the title race, but this will be an opportunity to lift the mood.
Newcastle are 14th in the Premier League table, and are on a run of four defeats in a row in all competitions, while their record in their last 12 league games is pretty dire, with just three wins, one draw, and eight defeats.
It’s certainly far from an ideal time for Newcastle to have to cope without Gordon and Livramento, but if AFC can’t pick up a comfortable three points in a game like this then their title hopes are surely over once and for all.
The post Boost for Arsenal as injured Newcastle United duo out of Emirates clash this weekend appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the Elliot Anderson to Manchester City saga, with Manchester United also still there.
Although nothing is advanced with Man City and Nottingham Forest yet, it seems that Pep Guardiola’s side would be willing to make a big offer for Anderson this summer.
Romano says City are leading the race for the England international’s signature, as has also been reported by Sky Sports.
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See below for Romano’s post on X about Anderson as he also says Man Utd could still be in the running if things with City don’t work out…
? Manchester City are prepared to make a very important financial proposal to Elliot Anderson, leading the race as revealed since March.
Manchester United still attentive and keen if Man City deal won’t happen.
Nothing advanced with Forest yet.
? https://t.co/ROyOiETBSV pic.twitter.com/DWsjkk3PtD
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 24, 2026
“Manchester City are prepared to make a very important financial proposal to Elliot Anderson, leading the race as revealed since March. Manchester United still attentive and keen if Man City deal won’t happen. Nothing advanced with Forest yet,” Romano said.
It could be that City’s major offer will eventually end up deciding this saga, but while it’s looking good for the Sky Blues, it’s not a done deal yet and a lot can change.
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If Anderson is to leave Forest this summer, he clearly looks set to have his pick of elite clubs, with City surely the most tempting destination.
The 23-year-old would likely be given a key role in Guardiola’s side, who need a long-term replacement for Rodri, who is not getting any younger and who has had injury problems in recent times.
United could also be a decent opportunity for Anderson, though, as they would likely build their midfield around him for many years to come.
The Red Devils haven’t had a lot of success lately, but they should at least be back playing in the Champions League next season after an improved run of form under interim manager Michael Carrick.
The post Fabrizio Romano reports on “very important financial proposal” to end City & United transfer saga appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Gary Lineker's final game in English football was in May 1992, a few months before Gary Neville made his debut for Manchester United.
But while two of England's most capped internationals never crossed paths on the pitch, they have since emerged as rivals in business.
Lineker and Neville are now two of the biggest players in a rapidly changing media industry, each with their own digital empires, via their Goalhanger and Overlap platforms respectively.
So what lies behind this phenomenon? Is it the future of sports media? And which of them is winning? BBC Sport takes a closer look.
The recent acquisition by Neville's 'The Overlap' network of United influencer Mark Goldbridge's YouTube channels was a reminder of the influence the former Manchester United defender-turned Sky pundit now wields in football's media industry.
"We are building what we believe will become one of the most exciting independent football communities in the world - one that gives fans direct, personality-led content," said co-chair Neville at the time.
Having co-founded the sports entertainment production company Buzz16 a decade ago, Neville launched YouTube platform The Overlap in 2021.
Featuring the long-form discussion show 'Stick to Football', alongside interviews and fan debates, and sponsored by Skybet, it went on to become one of the UK's most popular football content channels, claiming 2.2 billion views across all platforms in 2025, and with ambitions to become the "biggest non-live football platform in the world".
With Buzz16 also producing content for a range of broadcasters, including the BBC's WSL coverage, and TNT's rugby union programming, the Overlap has branched out into cricket and rugby spin-offs, and even secured live Bundesliga rights.
This year a majority stake in the business was sold to Global - one of Europe's biggest commercial radio companies.
And a few weeks later came the deal with content-creator Goldbridge, a former policeman whose real name is Brent di Cesare.
Largely known for viral clips of his expletive-laden rants during streamed 'watchalongs' of United matches, his two YouTube channels have amassed 3.7 million subscribers.
Buzz16 generated £11.6m in revenue last year. But that is short of the £14m that Goalhanger - the production powerhouse co-founded by former BBC Match of the Day presenter Lineker in 2014 - was reported to have earned from a deal with Netflix.
It meant the streaming giant will show Lineker's 'The Rest Is Football' podcast each day from a studio in New York during this summer's World Cup.
With 250,000 paying members, Goalhanger claims it gets more than 75 million downloads of its podcasts each month, and reportedly had profits of more than £3m in the second half of 2024.
Last year it partnered with DAZN to be able to show action from the Club World Cup, and also has a three-year deal with Spain's La Liga, with rights to weekly clips. It has also secured minority investment from a private equity company, as it seeks US expansion and new formats.
Like Neville, Lineker's network has developed spin-offs, but the Goalhanger brand extends well beyond sport.
At the time of writing, its various podcasts dominate the top 40 of the Spotify podcast charts with its shows on politics (1st, 8th and 11th), history (6th), entertainment (9th) football (13th), and science (38th).
The Overlap's Stick to Football is at 17th. On Apple's charts, Goalhanger enjoyed an even tighter grip with the top four podcasts.
On YouTube however, The Overlap is ahead with 1.66m subscribers, three times more than The Rest is Football. The Overlap will also record shows from the US during the World Cup.
"I don't think we're rivals necessarily, but I've no problem if people want to think that," says Scott Melvin, who co-founded and runs The Overlap alongside Neville.
"They've done unbelievably well," he says when asked about Goalhanger.
"They're market leaders in the podcast space, whereas we're a 'video-first' business. They were 'eyes optional', and now pivoting into some video. We've always said we're 'ears optional'."
Lineker's Goalhanger co-founder Tony Pastor agrees that the two companies "have some similarities but in many ways we're very different".
"We've taken a broader approach in terms of genres," he explained.
"Our biggest show in the UK is The Rest Is Politics, and our biggest show worldwide is The Rest Is History. We don't really compete with Buzz16, we have different business models. I'm a massive fan of what they do."
So what kind of challenge does Lineker and Neville's success pose to mainstream broadcasters?
"They are still niche, small businesses, admittedly with huge influence over fans and reach, but their turnover is very modest so they aren't taking on the big legacy media brands when it comes to hard business numbers", says Jimmy Worrall, who recently launched The Football Boardroom podcast after setting up a media business with former England manager Gareth Southgate.
"That said, they are taking eyeballs, and tapping into the shifting patterns of fans, and the way they consume sports news.
"Don't forget they don't have the real gold (premium live content).
"They are all trying to diversify and because they are nimble and entrepreneurial, and now have access to capital, they can now buy growth as well as take risk on new shows, both have speed to market and they could conceivably grow to be some significant media businesses if they invest heavily and quickly.
"They will need to constantly evolve, that is for sure." Worrall adds that The Rest is Football will be expected to perform a crucial function for Netflix during the World Cup, when the appetite for the streaming giant's content could drop off.
"It definitely makes life tricky for the established broadcaster," says Roger Mosey, a former BBC executive, when asked about the rise of athlete-driven content.
"The mainstream broadcasters are bound, overall, to be impartial - they can't be 'Manchester United TV' or 'the anti-VAR channel' or whatever.
"And they are still governed by regulation and their traditions, which means that they can't be as vigorous or sweary or impassioned as a podcast can."
During the 2024 Euros, Lineker faced scrutiny for being more outspoken about England's performances on his podcast than he was when presenting BBC coverage during the same tournament.
His 30-year relationship with the BBC then ended last year amid controversy over a social media post about Zionism.
In contrast, Neville continues to work for Sky as its leading pundit. Goldbridge has insisted he will continue to say what he wants since being acquired by The Overlap.
But is there a risk that an outburst about United could conflict with Neville's role at Sky, or his relationship with United or their fans?
"If I was Sky, I would be watching Stick to Football every week knowing there's no commercial upside but potential brand downside if the editorial tone is off brand because the talent is inextricably linked to Sky," says Worrall.
"If I was Neville I would be watching Mark Goldbridge thinking the same, except he has the commercial upside as well.
"It's one thing having a fan rant at the performance of the club, it's another to have one of the most decorated players in their history fund and facilitate that rant. That won't be an easy one to square off."
"We see it as being separate", insists Melvin. "There's no point investing in Mark and turning him into a traditional presenter. What we want to do is grow his channels with him."
Another factor was to have more of a daily offering via Goldbridge's channels.
"When [former United manager] Ruben Amorim was sacked we didn't have a Stick To Football show scheduled for 10 days so we didn't talk about it until then", recalls Melvin.
"We can't do that. We have to be able to be agile."
Lineker and Neville are part of a much wider trend that has seen a number of football personalities launch their own media channels and businesses in order to communicate directly with fans while retaining control over their content.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand - who left his role with TNT Sport to pursue his own content production business - has said global digital platforms allow pundits to circumvent the limits that accompany traditional broadcasts in terms of programme durations, and rights-holder based territories.
"I am sure others will follow although it's one thing building a media platform around a sports star's 'brand' (low risk and high return), while they are playing, and another building a real media business - which requires money, huge amounts of effort, people to manage, and significant risk," says Worrall.
"Building a business takes an immense amount of effort and it's not for everyone. But there is no reason why players or former players can't do it if they have the passion and motivation to do so.
"I don't think the industry has peaked by any stretch but I do think even the most successful podcasts will peak and then drop - they will have a lifecycle.
"And to make a podcast work is much more complex than people think: committed talent, aligned business model, high production values, constant innovation, research, social activation, audience engagement, infrastructure and subject matter or an entertainment format that serves an audience and has some form of longevity, and talent-led shows ultimately become outdated."
And what of the smaller content creators and production companies who are now trying to compete with Goalhanger and The Overlap?
"It's not a 'winner takes all' market," says Mike Carr, who runs Crowd Network, which develops digital sports media brands with former stars such as England cricketer Stuart Broad and rugby player Ben Youngs.
"It's still really early in terms of audience growth, especially on YouTube. There's still huge room to build - what Lineker and Neville have done is help to educate brands and audiences on the power of the space.
"What we do is slightly different. Rather than seeing them as competition, they have helped to accelerate the market."
"I hope Goalhanger proves that if you get your content offering right you can achieve the kind of scale that supports a successful modern media business," says Pastor.
"We've created 80 jobs which is great, but we've also proven that millions of people still want to listen to and watch long form, intelligent, hopefully entertaining content. And that has to be good news for everyone."
The AFC Champions League final will feature an unexpected challenger to reigning champions Al-Ahli , where it features Ivan Toney. Japanese outsiders Machida Zelvia have risen from relative obscurity to take on the continent’s elite - and done so with a pragmatic style that has made them unpopular at home even as it carried them to Asia’s biggest match.
Just 13 years ago, Machida were playing in the Japan’s fourth tier. Over the past decade, significant backing from a major Japanese technology company helped fuel a remarkable climb through the divisions.
In 2024, the club reached the J1 League for the first time and immediately challenged established heavyweights such as Vissel Kobe and Sanfrecce Hiroshima for the title, even opening up a five-point lead at one stage. They eventually faded late in the campaign to finish third, but their message to the rest of Japanese football was clear.
That breakthrough season laid the foundations for a historic run the following year. In the Emperor's Cup, Machida eliminated major opposition including Kashima Antlers, FC Tokyo and Vissel Kobe on their way to lifting their first major domestic trophy.
That success, combined with another strong league campaign, earned Machida their debut appearance in the AFC Champions League Elite. A lack of continental experience did little to slow them down. They topped Group B - made up of the competition’s 12 eastern-region clubs - and continued to outperform more established opponents.
In the knockout rounds, South Korea’s Gangwon were the next side to fall before Machida booked their place in the finals stage, staged entirely in Saudi Arabia. From there, the Japanese club brushed aside highly fancied Arab opposition, eliminating @Al-Ittihad Club in the quarter-finals and Al-Shabab in the semi-finals.
Machida’s surprise run has been built on a style rarely associated with Japanese football. Rather than the technical, possession-based approach traditionally seen in the country, they favour compact defending and ruthless efficiency.
Their organisation is reflected in a defensive record of just seven goals conceded in 11 matches. In the knockout rounds, they scored only three times - but conceded none - progressing from every tie by the narrowest of margins.
“It would be better if we could build from the back and score more goals,” head coach Go Kuroda admitted. “But this is my ideal style. Instead of playing beautiful football, we have to threaten opponents and make them fear us. Technique and tactics come afterwards.”
Alongside their reactive setup, Machida have also leaned heavily on classic South American-style gamesmanship - something that has further contributed to their reputation as outsiders within Japanese football culture. It may not be popular, but the results speak for themselves.
Machida’s underdog story is strengthened further by the background of Kuroda himself. Before taking charge of the club and leading them to promotion from the J2 League, the 55-year-old had never managed professionally.
Instead, he built his reputation across more than two decades in school football, winning three national high school championships with Aomori Yamada High School between 1995 and 2022.
That success earned him his opportunity at Machida - and his appointment has since proved inspired.
This Saturday, Kuroda and Machida Zelvia have the chance to complete one of the competition’s most unlikely stories. The anti-heroes of this year’s tournament now face the task of ending the recent dominance of Saudi Arabia’s big-spending clubs and returning Japanese football to the top of Asia.
Credit to the original reporting by the Daily Mail, whose detailed update has brought renewed attention to Rafael Leao and his uncertain future at AC Milan. As the summer transfer window approaches, the sense across Europe is that one of the continent’s most dynamic wide players could be on the move.
“Leao is one of the best wingers in Europe and is expected to play a leading role for Portugal at this summer’s World Cup in USA,” the report states, underlining both his current standing and looming global platform.
Interest is not casual. Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Real Madrid are all monitoring the situation closely, each assessing how Leao might fit into evolving attacking structures.
The quoted £60 million valuation has raised eyebrows, though not for the reasons one might expect. “That’s viewed as excellent value by many elite clubs for a 26-year-old of Leao’s calibre in the current market,” according to the article.
In a landscape where attacking talent often commands inflated fees, this figure presents a rare alignment of quality and affordability. Clubs are alert to timing too. The possibility of a standout World Cup could inflate his price significantly, prompting a push to secure a deal early.
Photo IMAGO
From Milan’s perspective, the situation reflects broader financial realities. “Milan are understood to be open to offers for a number of their top players as they look to balance the books,” a line that speaks volumes about modern squad management.
Despite speculation, clarity has emerged on internal dynamics. “Leao has not fallen out with coach Max Allegri nor has he been offered to Barcelona,” the report confirms, dismissing some of the noise surrounding his future.
Still, with two years left on his contract, this summer represents a critical decision point.
Leao’s versatility remains a key attraction. Able to operate wide or centrally, his pace and directness suit multiple systems. “He has scored 80 goals for Milan since joining from Lille for £30m in 2019,” a return that highlights both consistency and growth.
At Liverpool, succession planning around Mohamed Salah is ongoing. Manchester United seek attacking reinforcement, while Real Madrid are looking to refresh their forward options.
As the window nears, Leao’s situation feels poised at a tipping point, shaped by timing, finances and opportunity.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Anfield (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Got a question about Liverpool? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts
The biggest talk of college athletics over the last few weeks has been around the possibility of the NCAA moving to a 5-in-5 rule, meaning five years to play five years of your college sport.
There is plenty of momentum for this to go through, as redshirt years have practically become non-existent, but will the NCAA make the move official?
According to a new report, it seems we will start to get some answers early next week.
Per Jon Rothstien, the Division 1 Board of Directors will receive a report about the age-based eligibility report from the D1 Cabinet on Monday. This could prove to be a big day for how this rule would play out, and potentially other issues, such as if current players would be grandfathered in (like Otega Oweh).
Source: The D1 Board of Directors will meet Monday & receive a report from the D1 Cabinet on the age based eligibility proposal (5 in 5).
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 24, 2026
Multiple options are being reviewed regarding parameters for this potential rule & when it will be implemented if passed by a future vote.
There are still plenty of questions surrounding this, especially regarding whether current seniors will be eligible to participate in that fifth year. For Kentucky, that could change the game, especially if they can retain Oweh for another season if he doesn’t head to the NBA.
Sounds like we will start to get some more info on how that will go in the next few weeks.
The Chargers upgraded their edge rusher room with the selection of Akheem Mesidor. Heading into Day 2, Los Angeles still has a few positions to address, namely guard.
With that said, here is my best guess at what general manager Joe Hortiz could do with their second and third round selections.
The Mesidor pick showed that the Chargers aren't afraid to take older players, likely because they believe their window to win is now. So I would expect Pregnon, who has played 39 games at left guard at USC and Oregon over the last three seasons, to be more on the radar than someone like Iowa's Gennings Dunker, who would be moving to guard for the first time. Pregnon is a bigger, slower guard who may not fit perfectly into Mike McDaniel's offensive scheme, but his weight-room numbers (655-pound squat and 465-pound bench) and durability will be appealing to Jim Harbaugh as a culture fit. The Athletic's Dane Brugler has compared Pregnon to Bills guard O'Cyrus Torrence, who went 60th overall in 2023 due to concerns over his fit in a zone scheme, but he's developed into a starter for a Buffalo squad that ran zone concepts 44 percent of the time in 2025. Pregnon could be on a similar path.
After addressing their two primary needs, LA could look to find a trade back in the third round. Pittsburgh, New England, and Baltimore make sense as partners, as all three are flush with picks (the Steelers have 12, while the other two have 11). Here, I have the Chargers trading the 86th pick for 95, 171, and 247 to fill in their missing fifth and seventh round selections. Rivers has strong character feedback from NFL teams, as reported by The Athletic's Dane Brugler, and his instincts in both man and zone coverage on the outside or in the slot are appealing traits. The Chargers value instincts and experience on the boundary at corner, which makes Rivers a natural fit despite his 5'9" size (LA doesn't place as much of an emphasis on size at the position).
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Predicting the Chargers' Day 2 picks
Arne Slot warned on Friday that "margins are small" in the Premier League as Liverpool aim to strengthen their push for a place in next season's Champions League.
The Reds are fifth in the table after two straight league wins, five points clear of Brighton, who have played a game more.
The top five teams in the Premier League gain automatic entry into next season's Champions League.
Liverpool face a tough task on Saturday against Crystal Palace, whom they have failed to beat in three meetings so far this season.
Slot was asked at his pre-match press conference whether he was planning for next season after a disappointing title defence but was keen to shift the focus back onto the current campaign.
"Of course there are conversations going on about next season but my complete focus is, and still should be, on this season, because margins are small," said the Liverpool boss.
"One or two results can make a big difference, as we saw, because I think two weeks ago we weren't five points clear of the number six, and two results later we are, so it can also go both ways.
"So my full focus is on Palace, which is needed because, as you know, we've played them three times already this season and we're unable to beat them once."
Liverpool lost to Oliver Glasner's side on penalties in the season-opening Community Shield before defeats in the Premier League and the League Cup.
The Reds have picked up vital wins against Fulham and Everton this month but have also suffered demoralising defeats against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Manchester City in the FA Cup.
"In the last eight games we picked up 16 points, and it doesn't always feel like that, because in between we have to play PSG, Man City," said Slot. "But our recent league form is acceptable."
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker has not played since mid-March due to injury but Slot said he was close to a return and could be ready to face Palace.
Number two goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is sidelined with an injury he picked up last week against Everton, meaning that Freddie Woodman would deputise for Palace if Alisson were not fit.
Slot brushed aside speculation linking Alisson with a move away from Anfield at the end of the season.
"We don't react to rumours in this room," said the Dutchman.
"We only react when facts need to be told, and that's not the situation at the moment.
"But the main focus for Ali is, I think, very clear -- that's getting back into goal as soon as possible for the club he loves to play for, and then he wants to be in goal for the country he loves to play for, and that's Brazil."
jw/bc
Fifa has no plans to replace Iran with Italy at this summer's World Cup according to sources, after the switch was proposed by US president Donald Trump's special envoy.
There has been ongoing uncertainty over Iran's participation in the tournament because of the war with US and Israel.
US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the Financial Times: "I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup.
"I'm an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion."
Fifa did not comment officially on Zampolli's suggestion but highlighted a statement made by Fifa president Gianni Infantino last week where he said: "The Iranian team is coming, for sure."
When asked about the proposal, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters: "Nothing from the US has told them they can't come.
"The problem with Iran would be not their athletes, it would be some of the other people they would want to bring with them, some of whom have ties to the IRGC [Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps].
"We may not be able to let them in, but not the athletes themselves."
The Iranian embassy said Zampolli's suggestion showed "moral bankruptcy" by the United States.
"Italy has earned its greatness in football on the pitch, not thanks to political privileges," the Iranian embassy said on X.
"The attempt to exclude Iran from the World Cup only reveals the 'moral bankruptcy' of the United States, which is afraid even of the presence of 11 young Iranians on the field of play."
The FT reported Zampolli's plan was suggested to smooth things over between the US and Italy after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised Trump over his comments towards Pope Leo XIV.
Four-time champions Italy have failed to qualify for their third successive World Cup following a qualification play-off defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina last month.
Iran are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
The tournament, which begins on 11 June, is being hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Under Fifa rules, the world governing body has "sole discretion" on what happens if a team withdraws or is excluded from the competition.
Article six of its World Cup regulations also says: "Fifa may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association."
Italy's economy minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said the idea put forward by Zampolli was "shameful", while the country's sports minister Andrea Abodi told La Press: "Firstly it is not possible, secondly it is not appropriate... You qualify on the pitch."
The Italian Olympic Committee president Luciano Buonfiglio also disagreed with the idea, saying he would feel "offended".
"In order to go to the World Cup, you have to earn it," Buonfiglio added.
Speaking last week in Washington, Infantino said: "We hope that by then the situation will be a peaceful (one). That would definitely help. But Iran has to come if they are to represent their people. They have qualified, and they're actually quite a good team as well. They really want to play, and they should play. Sports should be outside of politics."
In March, following a visit to Iran's team in Turkey, Infantino confirmed their games would be played in the US as scheduled, after the Iranian football federation said it was "negotiating" with Fifa to relocate the country's matches to Mexico.
On Wednesday, Al Jazeera reported government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said Iran was "fully prepared" to participate in the tournament.
Zampolli made a similar request to Fifa for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when he was a United Nations ambassador.
In March, Iran said it would not take part in the tournament, citing safety concerns after US and Israeli air strikes.
Trump has previously said that Iran would be "welcome" at the World Cup - though signalled he felt they should not be involved "for their own life and safety".
The White House World Cup Taskforce has been approached for comment.
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 17:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Listen to full match commentary of Arsenal v Newcastle on BBC Radio 5 Live at 17:30 BST on Saturday
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Got a question about Newcastle? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts
Birmingham City will hope to end their season on a high note as they aim to extend their unbeaten run to a fourth game against Bristol City at St Andrew's on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Blues has lost their previous three games before starting an undefeated streak with a victory over Wrexham on 12 April (W2 D1).
However, Bristol City are experiencing the opposite. Having won both their opening games under new boss Roy Hodgson, they have not claimed all three points in any of their previous three (D2 L1).
How to watch World Snooker Championships 2026: Live stream, TV channel, schedule, results and prize money originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The best players in world snooker are back at the famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, United Kingdom, for the 2026 World Snooker Championships.
Zhao Xintong enters the tournament as the reigning champion having come through qualifying last year to go on to beat Mark Williams 18-12 in the final.
There's plenty of the biggest names in the sport taking to the table over the next few days, including seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan aiming for a record-breaking eighth title.
As snooker's biggest global event continues, The Sporting News has all your scheduling, TV and streaming details covered from the 2026 World Snooker Championships.
The World Snooker Championship is also the jewel in the crown for broadcasters as the sport's most prestigious and must-see event, and as such the BBC in the UK are providing plenty of coverage in 2026. They will be showing matches across multiple channels (Two, Four, and the Red Button), as well as on BBC iPlayer.
For snooker fans who want to live stream the action from The Crucible over the next few days, HBO Max is the place to go. They've got full access to every single frame, as well as build-up and post-match analysis both live and on catch-up, allowing subscribers to tune into the action via TNT Sports.
The 2026 World Snooker Championships is a 17-day long event which began on Saturday, April 18.
With 32 players competing at the World Snooker Championships two matches will take place per session during the first round. The second round will commence on Thursday, April 23, followed by the quarterfinals on Tuesday, April 28, and the semifinals on Thursday, April 30.
The final will take place across two days with the first half being played on Sunday, May 3, before culminating on Monday, May 4 crowning this year's champion.
Final
| Match Start Date | Match |
|---|---|
| May 3 | TBC vs. TBC |
Semifinals
| Match Start Date | Match |
|---|---|
| April 30 | TBC vs. TBC |
| April 30 | TBC vs. TBC |
Quarterfinals
| Match Start Date | Match |
|---|---|
| April 28 | TBC vs. TBC |
| April 28 | TBC vs. TBC |
| April 28 | TBC vs. TBC |
Round of 16
| Match Start Date | Match |
|---|---|
| April 26 | Mark Selby vs Wu Yize |
| April 26 | John Higgins vs Ronnie O’Sullivan |
| April 26 | Hossein Vafaei vs Judd Trump |
| April 25 | Chris Wakelin vs Neil Robertson |
| April 24 | Kyren Wilson v Mark Allen |
| April 24 | Zhao Xintong vs Ding Junhui |
| April 24 | Barry Hawkins vs Mark Williams |
| April 24 | Xiao Guodong vs Shaun Murphy |
Round of 32
| Match Start Date | Match result |
|---|---|
| April 22 | Mark Selby10-2 Jak Jones |
| April 22 | Neil Robertson 10-6 Pang Junxu |
| April 22 | Hossein Vafaei 10-3 Si Jiahui |
| April 21 | Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-2 He Guoqiang |
| April 21 | Judd Trump 10-5 Gary Wilson |
| April 21 | Chris Wakelin 10-6 Liam Pullen |
| April 20 | Shaun Murphy 10-9 Fan Zhengyi |
| April 20 | Wu Yize 10-2 Lei Peifan |
| April 20 | Kyren Wilson 10-7 Stan Moody |
| April 19 | John Higgins 10-7 Ali Carter |
| April 19 | Ding Junhui 10-5 David Gilbert |
| April 18 | Mark Williams 10-4 Antoni Kowalski |
| April 18 | Xiao Guodong 10-6 Zhou Yuelong |
| April 18 | Barry Hawkins 10-4 Matthew Stevens |
| April 18 | Mark Allen 10-6 Zhang Anda |
| April 18 | Zhao Xintong 10-7 Liam Highfield |
As was the case last year, the total prize fund for the 2026 World Snooker Championship is £2,395,000 across 32 competitors. The winner of the competition will receive £500,000, with the runner-up receiving £200,000.
Every player competing at this year's World Snooker Championship is in line to receive at least £20,000, with the individual who records the highest break in the tournament to see their overall winnings topped up with another £15,000.
Wisconsin volleyball filled a major 2026 roster need on Wednesday when Italian libero Anna Bardaro signed with the Badgers.
As reported by John Steppe of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bardaro is a 5-foot-10 libero who will turn 21 by the start of the 2026 season and brings high-level international experience to Madison after competing for Italy’s U21 team. She posted 22 digs against Japan in the semifinals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship.
Bardaro also played for the Imoco Volleyball Conegliano club from 2023 to 2025, with her teams winning titles in the Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup, CEV Women’s Champions League, and World Club Championship. She was on Cuneo Granda Volley’s 2026 roster. Bardaro said in an Instagram reel, “Can’t wait to see you in Wisconsin.” She added, “Excited to be a Badger.”
Her addition gives coach Kelly Sheffield the needed depth at a specialist position where Wisconsin previously had only 2025 starter Kristen Simon on the 2026 roster. Bardaro joins Simon as the two liberos after UW lost Maile Chan and Aniya Warren to the transfer portal after the season.
We are excited to have you join the Badger family, Anna!!! pic.twitter.com/SM1sNfDYhS
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) April 22, 2026
Wisconsin also added Florida transfer Jaela Auguste and UC-Santa Barbara transfer Eva Travis, plus incoming freshmen Halle Thompson, Audrey Flanagan, Lynney Tarnow, Kymora Scott, and Jane Manecke. Manecke verbally committed in March and signed in April, and she is the only newcomer not already on campus.
Next, Wisconsin will sort out the back-row rotation around Simon and Bardaro as the offseason additions blend into the roster heading toward 2026.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin Volleyball adds 2026 Recruit Anna Bardaro from Italy
Where will Cade Klubnik be drafted? What scouting reports say about 2026 NFL Draft chances originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Cade Klubnik should hear his name called at the 2026 NFL Draft. Where, however, is yet to be determined.
The former Clemson QB finished a rather streaky career, despite finishing with a total of 10,000 passing yards. He has flourished when he has time to think before passing, but that is a rarity in today's NFL.
The 2024 season, his junior year, was when Klubnik showed his potential. The Austin, Texas, native finished third in the ACC in pass yards (3,639) and threw for 36 TDs. However, his senior year saw just 16 touchdown passes thrown, and he threw for under 3,000 yards. This has caused his draft stock to take a hit, but he could still be a viable backup QB for an NFL franchise willing to take a chance on him.
Here's a look at where the former Clemson Tiger may be taken in this year's NFL Draft.
NFL DRAFT RANKINGS 2026:QBs | WRs | TEs | EDGE | RBs
While the 2026 QB class incoming to the NFL is far from what it's been in years prior, Klubnik has still had a tough time showing why he deserves a starting QB job in the NFL. His junior year at Clemson was solid, as he finished third in the ACC with 3,639 passing yards and led the Tigers to the College Football Playoff before falling to Texas in the first round.
Besides that, his collegiate career left more to be desired from a quarterback under Dabo Swinney. His field vision is lacking compared to other QBs in this class, and he is very streaky. Under pressure, he falters and can hold his team back in the long run. According to ESPN, he completed only 48.5% of his passes under true pressure.
When he is given extra time to throw the ball, Klubnik can excel. However, in the NFL, that is far from a given. The league's best QBs are known for their precise and quick decision-making, two things Klubnik has shown to lack when it truly matters. Klubnik will most likely be a mid-late round selection as a team's backup QB.
Here are some of the more prominent scouting reports on Klubnik's NFL prospects.
Much was expected of Klubnik after a strong showing in 2024, but his play and production declined in 2025. He’s undersized but athletic and shows an ability to attack zone windows with adequate velocity over the first two levels. He can make some timing throws with anticipation when in rhythm. However, when the first read isn’t there, his field vision is average and he’s not good enough off-platform/out of structure to succeed at a high enough rate. The accuracy numbers to most areas of the field fall below the mark, but tape study shows a high drop count by his receivers.
Klubnik has stretches of hot and cold play throughout games, similar to a streaky 3-point shooter. His clean throwing release allowed him to distribute the ball evenly to all his targets in the underneath areas the Tigers operated in. Klubnik is also a threat as a runner when forced to break the pocket. His mechanics tend to wane when facing pressure, and his accuracy becomes scattershot. Klubnik completed only 48.5% of his passes when facing true pressure. There were mixed opinions of Klubnik entering the season, but thoughts of him being a middle-to-late round passer have become more of a consensus.
Klubnik is best when throwing off play action or RPO concepts. These plays allow him to read the field with a little extra time and identify false steps by second-level defenders to attack the voids within the coverage. Feeling pressure inside the pocket for Clemson's third-year starter comes and goes. Sometimes he feels and evades, other times, he's locked into a read and takes unnecessary sacks. He struggles with post-snap reads. Too often, Klubnik believes what the defense is showing pre-snap, and the transition post-snap after the picture changes creates delayed reads and confusion for the QB.
- Damian Parson, Bleacher Report
Here's where he's projected to land in several Day 2 mock drafts.
MORE 2026 NFL DRAFT:
Through four seasons at Clemson, Klubnik is a member of the 10,000-yard club. He has thrown for over 70 TDs and averaged over 200 yards per game across 49 total games. His best finish with the Tigers came in 2023, when Clemson lost to Texas 38-24.
Here's a look at the numbers behind his four-year collegiate career with the Tigers:
| Year | Games | Pass yards | TDs | INTs | CMP% | QBR |
| 2022 | 10 | 697 | 2 | 3 | 61.0% | 120.1 |
| 2023 | 13 | 2,844 | 19 | 9 | 63.9% | 126.3 |
| 2024 | 14 | 3,639 | 36 | 6 | 63.4% | 148.2 |
| 2025 | 12 | 2,943 | 16 | 6 | 65.6% | 130.0 |
| TOTAL/avg | 49 | 10,123 | 73 | 24 | 64.0% | 136.8 |
AFC Ajax are already deep into planning as they look to revive their sporting project after a disappointing season, with the aim of returning to European competition.
And, according to SPORT, Ajax’s new sporting director, Jordi Cruyff, intends to strengthen the squad with the help of FC Barcelona.
Indeed, the former Blaugrana director is exploring both permanent transfers and loan deals involving players who may not feature in the first team or could leave from the reserve side.
In the Netherlands, there is a clear belief that Cruyff’s strong relationship with Barcelona will be key in fostering collaboration between the clubs – with the Dutch side already in talks to face the Catalans in the Joan Gamper Trophy this year.
Ajax could provide an ideal environment for young Barcelona players to develop after their time in the reserve team, as well as for first-team players who are unlikely to remain.
As per the report, several names are under consideration, and in particular, the possibility of goalkeeper Inaki Pena, currently on loan at Elche, joining stands out as a deal that could benefit all parties.
Inaki Pena is on Ajax’s radar. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The La Masia graduate is seen as a realistic option following a difficult year in goal for the Dutch giants.
One of the club’s major ambitions would be Marc Casado, although his valuation makes a transfer highly unlikely.
Another player considered out of reach is Roony Bardghji. The Swedish winger is expected to leave Barcelona this summer in search of more playing time.
In this case, the player will decide his future, and it appears he may prioritise either remaining in Spain or joining a Champions League club.
Ajax are particularly interested in recruiting from the academy. Jordi Cruyff is very familiar with players developed at La Masia, and there is a clear preference in this regard: winger Shane Kluivert.
Barcelona believe he could take a step forward in the Netherlands and adapt well, although it remains to be seen whether he will leave on loan this summer or be retained.
Jofre Torrents and Guille Fernandez are two other players who could also be on Ajax’s radar.
Saturday, 25 April
Colwyn Bay v Penybont; 12:45 BST: Colwyn Bay, who were promoted to the JD Cymru Premier at the start of the current season, have secured their place in the play-offs for the first time. Mike Wilde's side finished the season in fifth spot but are without a win in their last three games. Rhys Griffiths' Penybont, who are bidding to qualify for Europe for the third time, failed to win during phase two and lost 3-1 at Colwyn Bay in February with the reverse fixture finishing goalless.
Sunday, 26 April
Barry Town United v Haverfordwest County; 17:00 BST: Barry are bidding to reach Europe for the first time since 2020 and having finished third in the Cymru Premier table a victory over Haverfordwest on Sunday would see them at home in the play-off final the following weekend. Barry won five games during phase two, as did County who finished seventh to claim the final play-off spot. Tony Pennock's side have won the play-offs twice in the last three seasons to qualify for the Europa Conference League.
Premier League news conferences: Latest team news after Howe & Slot updates
The Jack Link’s 500 is Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, so how will the weather look?
The green flag waves at 3 p.m. Sunday, and race day is looking good! We will also break down the weekend forecast for those of you hoping to enjoy the festivities.
Talladega is one of my favorite races of the year. And no, it is not because of "Talladega Nights" — although I do love that movie. Below is the day-to-day forecast:
Friday And Saturday
Should you want to head down early to camp out at Talladega, something I long to do, the weather is largely looking to agree this weekend. For Friday, expect a great day with a high in the 80s. While showers could move in Friday overnight, lasting until early afternoon Saturday, it will clear up by the evening. Temperatures on Saturday will be a little cooler, with the high expected to climb to the upper 70s.
(More: Talladega Weather)
Sunday (Race Day)
The forecast has improved greatly since earlier this week. Patchy fog should give way to sunny skies with a high in the 80s. The following graphic is an hour-by-hour forecast for the area, and you are going to like what you see:
As a meteorologist, I am always curious when the weather impacts sports.
The Jack Link's 500, previously known as the Geico 500, is one of the most important races in the first half of the year. But 2020 told a different story.
Initially, the race was delayed that year from April to June because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But when June rolled around, there ended up being rain delays and eventually a reschedule to the following Monday. And it rained on that Monday as well, causing even more delays.
The Talladega area generally sees its wettest months between December and March, with April still seeing a respectable average monthly rainfall of 4.77 inches.
Rob Shackelford is a meteorologist and climate scientist at weather.com. He received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia studying meteorology and experimenting with alternative hurricane forecasting tools.
Manchester United boss Marc Skinner says he is hopeful Ella Toone will be involved in Sunday's crucial Women's Super League trip to Tottenham.
Toone has not played since the end of December because of a hip complaint.
The injury ruled her out of United's run to the Women's Champions League quarter-finals and also two England camps that resulted in Sarina Wiegman's side charging to the top of their World Cup qualifying group.
However, as they head into the WSL run-in, when victories in their final three matches, including a last-day trip to Chelsea, will seal a place in next season's Champions League play-offs, Skinner is optimistic Toone will be back.
"Tooney will train [on Friday]," said Skinner. "We are hopeful she may be involved this weekend, which would be fantastic."
Skinner also confirmed Sweden full-back Anna Sandberg was available after recovering from the knee injury that has kept her out for two months, while striker Ellen Wangerheim is available after a month out with a shin problem.
Beaten in the League Cup final and the FA Cup by Chelsea and the Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich, United were also defeated at Old Trafford by Manchester City the last time they played in WSL.
It has brought more focus on Skinner, whose contract runs to 2027, with some supporters believing he has taken the team as far as he can.
Now the longest-serving WSL manager, Skinner defended his work but opted not to look beyond the end of the season.
"You enter a job like Man Utd and of course you are open to scrutiny," he said.
"But we also live in a world where there is a constant 'look at the negative side'.
"Actually, the positive side is we have created history at this club and we have to continue to do so.
"My job is to prepare my team for these next three games and to try and win them.
"Regardless of what people think, I know who I am, I know what I do and I know what our focus will be. I am ready to take on the challenge of these next three games and get my team to do the same.
"After that, who knows what happens?"
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed
Arsenal 2025/26 Premier League run-in fixtures, schedule, predictions and results in the battle for title originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Arsenal headed into the final 10 matches of the Premier League season with a healthy lead but everything still up for grabs. Now, the picture looks very different.
A dramatic 2-2 draw against bottom side Wolves at Molineux in mid-February opened the door a little wider to Manchester City, but Mikel Arteta's men regained their poise with London derby wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea on back-to-back weekends.
However, consecutive defeats to Bournemouth and City may well have caused irreparable damage. Is 2026 when the Gunners end the pain of three consecutive second-place finishes and win their first Premier League title for 22 years, or have they blown it?
Here, The Sporting News has a breakdown of Arsenal's title run-in schedule, fixtures and results, along with our predictions for each fixture.
MORE: Ruud Gullit says modern football is 'garbage' — but Arsenal's success tells a different story
Arsenal went into their final nine games of the Premier League season with a five-point lead over Manchester City in second place.
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Result |
| Mar. 4 | Brighton | A | W 1-0 |
| Mar. 14 | Everton | H | W 2-0 |
| Apr. 11 | Bournemouth | H | L 2-1 |
| Apr. 18 | Man City | A | L 2-1 |
| Apr. 25 | Newcastle | H | _ |
| May 2 | Fulham | H | _ |
| May 9 | West Ham | A | _ |
| May 17 | Burnley | H | _ |
| May 24 | Crystal Palace | A | _ |
MORE:How many points do Arsenal need to win the Premier League title?
Here's a run-down of Arsenal's Premier League run-in schedule, along with our predictions as to how things will play out.
A deflected goal from Bukayo Saka settled a combative but largely uninspiring contest on the south coast. The travelling Arsenal fans celebrated the win, and City's draw at home to Nottingham Forest, as though they had won the league already.
Result last season: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
Prediction this season: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
Final score: Brighton 0-1 Arsenal
Everton remain in the hunt for the European positions and have been a tough nut to crack under David Moyes. Nevertheless, it was hard to imagine how they hurt Arsenal in an attacking sense and this game might quickly turn into an attack vs. defence exercise.
Arsenal toiled for 89 minutes before Viktor Gyokeres came off the bench and snatched a lead, and Max Dowman's dramatic late goal sealed the three points in historic fashion. The victory extended the Gunners' lead to nine points after City were held to a 1-1 draw at West Ham.
Result last season: Arsenal 0-0 Everton
Prediction this season: Arsenal 2-0 Everton
Final score: Arsenal 2-0 Everton
Bournemouth beat Arsenal home and away last season, but the Cherries have blown hot and cold this term, the loss of key personnel understandably seeming to have caught up with them. On home turf, this should have been an assured win for the Premier League leaders.
And yet, it was anything but. Arsenal looked sluggish and fearful throughout the match, while Bournemouth played with a swagger. The Gunners went behind twice, and while Viktor Gyokeres was able to bag a penalty to nullify the first deficit, Alex Scott's second-half winner was a bridge too far, and Arsenal struck worry in the hearts of their supporters with this defeat.
Result last season: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
Prediction this season: Arsenal 3-1 Bournemouth
Final score: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
The big one. Arsenal have not won at the Etihad Stadium since 2015 and suffered a sapping loss in the 2026 Carabao Cup final to Pep Guardiola's men. Avoiding defeat three years on could have left City with a gap too big to bridge.
They couldn't get it done. Although Kai Havertz cancelled out Rayan Cherki's opener, Erling Haaland secured a 2-1 win that might just swing the title race in City's favour.
Result last season: Man City 2-2 Arsenal
Prediction this season: Man City 1-1 Arsenal
Final score: Man City 2-1 Arsenal
Newcastle were unfortunate to lose 2-1 after a late Arsenal comeback at St James' Park last September and beat Arteta's side home and way in last season's Carabao Cup semifinals. Eddie Howe's men have toiled badly of late, but they could be dangerous if the Gunners have any sort of mental or physical hangover from the City game.
Result last season: Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle
Prediction this season: Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle
Final score: _
Marco Silva's Fulham have been a pest for the Premier League's leading lights this season. Nevertheless, it will go down as a huge waste if Arsenal do not make their back-to-back home games count directly after facing City.
Result last season: Arsenal 2-1 Fulham
Prediction this season: Arsenal 1-0 Fulham
Final score: _
Another London derby and opposition who have enjoyed success against Arsenal in the past. West Ham's 2-0 mid-season win in 2023/24 loomed large in the final analysis. Factor in a fired-up Hammers crowd as they battle relegation, and this one could be tricky.
Result last season: West Ham 2-5 Arsenal
Prediction this season: West Ham 2-2 Arsenal
Final score: _
West Ham are fighting relegation, but an overmatched Burnley are mathematically doomed after their loss to Man City. Arsenal can take the opportunity to tee off in a race where goal difference could prove to be key.
Result last season: N/A
Prediction this season: Arsenal 5-0 Burnley
Final score: _
An all-capital clash closes Arsenal's campaign. If this was the Palace from the start of 2025/26, bathed in the glow of FA Cup and Community Shield success, this might look like an awful season-closer. As it is, Oliver Glasner will be one game from the exit door and his team have nothing to play for domestically.
Result last season:Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal
Prediction this season: Crystal Palace 1-3 Arsenal
Final score: _
The table below is based on our predicted results for Arsenal and Manchester City. If we're anywhere close to being right, it promises to be one of the closest title races in Premier League history.
| Pos | Team | Points | Matches Played | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Arsenal | 83 | 38 | 78 | 30 | +48 |
| 2. | Man City | 83 | 38 | 81 | 34 | +47 |
And here is the real league table as it stands. Let's see how wrong we end up being...
| Pos | Team | Points | Matches Played | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Man City | 70 | 33 | 66 | 29 | +37 |
| 2. | Arsenal | 70 | 33 | 63 | 26 | +37 |
Half of the picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft changed hands before the selection was made.
Of the 32 picks, 16 of them were traded, resulting in eight teams having no first-round pick, six teams having two first-round picks, and the Jets having three first-round picks.
The Falcons, Bengals, Broncos, Packers, Colts and Jaguars all entered the draft without a first-round pick, having previously traded theirs. The Bills and 49ers traded out of the first round during draft night.
Six teams drafted two players on Thursday night: The Browns took offensive lineman Spencer Fano and wide receiver KC Concepcion. The Titans took wide receiver Carnell Tate and defensive end Keldric Faulk. The Giants took linebacker Arvell Reese and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. The Chiefs took cornerback Mansoor Delane and defensive tackle Peter Woods. The Cowboys took safety Caleb Downs and defensive end Malachi Lawrence. The Dolphins took offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor and cornerback Chris Johnson.
The Jets had three first-round picks: With their own pick they took linebacker David Bailey, with the Colts' pick acquired in the Sauce Gardner trade they took tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and then they traded back up into the late first round to draft wide receiver Omar Cooper.
All of the teams with multiple first-round picks missed the playoffs last season. They know they have big roster rebuilds ahead, and they hope they've added an infusion of young talent to get those rebuilds moving.
Man City 2025/26 Premier League run-in fixtures, schedule, predictions and results in the battle for title originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After falling away badly midway through the 2024/25 season, Manchester City are back in Premier League title contention.
Liverpool's success last time around ended Pep Guardiola's historic run of four in a row and six titles in the previous seven seasons.
Now, as the 2025/26 campaign enters the home stretch, City have leaders Arsenal in their sights.
Guardiola's men were dominant 2-0 winners Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final on March 22 and claimed a potentially pivotal victory in the league showdown on April 19.
Here, The Sporting News has a breakdown of Manchester City's title run-in schedule, fixtures and results, along with our predictions for each fixture.
MORE: 'I have battles every day': Pep Guardiola primed for latest Man City title fight
Arsenal went into their final nine games of the Premier League season with a five-point lead over Manchester City in second place. City have a game in hand against Crystal Palace that is yet to be rescheduled.
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Result |
| Mar. 4 | Nottingham Forest | H | D 2-2 |
| Mar. 14 | West Ham | A | D 1-1 |
| Apr. 11 | Chelsea | A | W 3-0 |
| Apr. 18 | Arsenal | H | W 2-1 |
| Apr. 25 | Burnley | A | W 1-0 |
| May 4 | Everton | A | _ |
| May 9 | Brentford | H | _ |
| May 17 | Bournemouth | A | _ |
| May 24 | Aston Villa | H | _ |
| TBC | Crystal Palace | H |
Here's a run-down of City's Premier League run-in schedule, along with our predictions as to how things will play out.
City twice took the lead against Forest only to be pegged back by two excellent goals from the visitors' best midfielders, Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson. They may have heard the celebrations from Arsenal fans at the AMEX Stadium all the way up in Manchester.
Result last season: Man City 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Prediction this season: Man City 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Final score: Man City 2-2 Nottingham Forest
West Ham have enjoyed an uptick in form since the turn of the year but remain embroiled in the relegation battle. This also wasn't an away game to strike too much fear into City, who had won eight and drawn three of their 11 matches at the London Stadium since the Hammers left Upton Park almost a decade ago.
And yet, the dropped points loom large in the title race as Bernardo Silva's goal was cancelled out almost immediately by Kostantinos Mavropanos's equaliser before halftime, and City could not find a winner. Nine points back in the title race, it will take a miracle for them to come back now.
Result last season: West Ham 1-3 Man City
Prediction this season: West Ham 1-2 Man City
Final score: West Ham 1-1 Man City
Aside from the obvious, this was City's toughest remaining game. Chelsea snatched a last-gasp point at the Etihad Stadium in January and needed a positive result to bolster their bid for Champions League football. In the end, City romped to a comfortable win after blowing Chelsea away in the second half.
Result last season: Chelsea 0-2 Man City
Prediction this season: Chelsea 2-2 Man City
Final score: Chelsea 0-3 Man City
The big one. The general consensus was that if City were to win this, they win the whole thing. However, this is not a juggernaut title race like the ones Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp shared, and further twists, turns and slip-ups are anticipated after this blockbuster.
Still, City's win feels absolutely monumental in terms of this particular battle.
Result last season: Man City 2-2 Arsenal
Prediction this season: Man City 1-1 Arsenal
Final score: Man City 2-1 Arsenal
Burnley had their relegation confirmed as Erling Haaland scored the only goal early on. City were unable to bolster their goal difference any further, edging ahead of Arsenal at the top on goals scored.
Result last season: N/A
Prediction this season: Burnley 0-3 Man City
Final score: Burnley 0-1 Man City
David Moyes has made Everton a horrid team to play against and City's first trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium could prove to be an any-means-necessary assignment.
Result last season: Everton 0-2 Man City
Prediction this season: Everton 0-1 Man City
Final score: _
Brentford might remain in European contention at this point and Keith Andrews' side will consider themselves a touch unfortunate to have nothing to show for two fine efforts against City in the the Premier League and Carabao Cup so far this season. This could turn into the short of shootout Guardiola will be keen to avoid at this time of year.
Result last season: Man City 2-1 Brentford
Prediction this season: Man City 4-2 Brentford
Final score: _
Bournemouth's 2-1 win over City at the Vitality Stadium last November started their mid-season downfall. Both clubs are in different places now and the Cherries have lost three keenly contested encounters since. Still, this feels like a dangerous game on the penultimate weekend and a probable free hit for Andoni Iraola's freewheeling side.
Result last season: Bournemouth 2-1 Man City
Prediction this season: Bournemouth 2-2 Man City
Final score: _
On the final day in 2022, City had Aston Villa at home and needed a win to be sure of the title. They fell 2-0 down midway through the second half before sensationally coming back to win 3-2. The prospect of a repeat, if anyone's heart can take it, should factor in that Unai Emery has made Villa a far better team four years on.
Result last season: Man City 2-1 Aston Villa
Prediction this season: Man City 3-1 Aston Villa
Final score: _
City's advantage of a game in hand is a dubious one until a place can be found for the Palace match in the calendar. Arsenal's dramatic 2-2 draw at Wolves on February 18 was a rearranged match brought forward from Carabao Cup final weekend. City vs. Palace could not be similarly moved due to the London club having a Conference League playoff encounter that midweek.
With Palace in the Conference League semifinals and City potentially on track for the FA Cup final, there could be no slot for this match until the final midweek of the season. By that point, Palace and their departing manager Oliver Glasner might have checked out entirely.
Result last season: Man City 5-2 Crystal Palace
Prediction this season: Man City 4-0 Crystal Palace
Final score: _
The table below is based on our predicted results for Arsenal and Manchester City. If we're anywhere close to being right, it promises to be one of the closest title races in Premier League history.
| Pos | Team | Points | Matches Played | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Arsenal | 83 | 38 | 78 | 30 | +48 |
| 2. | Man City | 83 | 38 | 81 | 34 | +47 |
And here is the real league table as it stands. Let's see how wrong we end up being...
| Pos | Team | Points | Matches Played | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Man City | 70 | 33 | 66 | 29 | +37 |
| 2. | Arsenal | 70 | 33 | 63 | 26 | +37 |
KC Concepcion isn't worried about the pressures of the game. He's been living with anxiety his entire life.
In a letter to NFL general managers, the Texas A&M wide receiver and 24th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft made a point to put the elephant in the room back under the carpet.
Concepcion has a stutter. And he made it clear he will not let that define him.
"By now you’ve probably heard that I stutter," he said in his letter. "Everyone has. And look, I get it. It’s a good story. I’m not mad at it. And I appreciate the love. But every time I’ve sat down for an interview that’s where we start, and that’s where we end. The stutter. The stutter. The stutter. My stutter is part of who I am, but it’s not all of who I am. So, I figured … since I’ve got the pen this time, let me tell you the more complete story.
"Here’s who I also am: I’m the best receiver in this draft. Period. I run crisp routes. I catch everything thrown anywhere near me. I work my tail off every practice, every drill. I get in and out of my breaks fast. And I will outwork ANYBODY you put in front of me."
The newest Cleveland Brown mentioned his father being in and out of prison in the letter and talked about having to pick up responsibilities that no one should at his age.
Like his stutter, he didn't let him define him.
In fact, he embraced it all.
"I wouldn’t change any of it, though," Concepcion said. "Because all of that has built character and compassion and fearlessness within me. It’s made me into someone I’m genuinely proud to be. Someone who doesn’t quit. Ever."
His dad put a football in his hands in Charlotte when he was in elementary school, and it never left.
As you can imagine, it beat him down, but again he didn't let it define him.
"My mom, she would do her best to comfort me," he said. "She’d tell me to keep my chin up, and she would always remind me that, no matter what anyone tried to say … there was nothing at all wrong with me. She’d do everything she could to boost my confidence. And tell me that tomorrow was another day."
Weekends became Concepcion's nirvana.
"Weekends meant I got to wake up early and go into my stealth mode," he said. "I’d tiptoe down the steps before my mom and my little brothers got up. Then I’d open up the pantry all quiet and pull stuff out and be grabbing different things from the fridge. It’d be like: pancake mix — check, bacon — check, eggs — check, those Pillsbury cinnamon rolls that come in that weird cardboard canister that pops when you open it — check.
"I’d do the pancake mix first, get that all ready. (It’s pretty easy to mess up pancake mix, btw. Especially when you’re like 8 or whatever.) Then I’d put the bacon in the toaster oven. When the bacon was ready, I’d swap in the cinnamon rolls and make the pancakes on the skillet. I’d have another skillet going with scrambled eggs. Then, when I had everything ready, I’d plate it all and trudge back upstairs and yell out to my family…. 'Goooooood morning, everybody!!!!!!!!! It’s that time again!!!!!! Breakfast in bed!!!!! Get it while it’s hot!!!!!!!!'"
Football became his sanctuary.
"When I put on those cleats and that helmet, none of the other stuff followed me out there," he wrote. "Not the overdue bills, not my dad being away, none of it. Out there it was just — what can you do? And what I could do was run.
"I’d basically run wild on whatever team we’d be playing. But since I was the quarterback, I had to be giving the plays to our offense in the huddle. And I remember at one point, when I was really little, I noticed that I’d sometimes have trouble getting the words out, or the numbers. My teammates would be looking at me like…. “Hurry up! Hurry!! Just say it!!!”
If you are a Browns fan and you are not OVER THE MOON about your team picking KC Concepcion, shame on you pic.twitter.com/9gZccJKUEf
— AgKnocks (@AgKnocks) April 24, 2026
There was a summer when his stutter went away.
Unfortunately, as soon as school started it came back, and it's been there ever since.
"I’d love to tell you I had a bunch of teachers looking out for me, or other grownups at school who would help me deal with all the teasing, but that wasn’t really the case," he said. "There also wasn’t anyone I knew or could look up to who was dealing with anything similar. So I basically just kind of figured things out on my own. And back then, how I would deal with my situation is, a lot of times … I’d basically just not talk. Especially around people I didn’t know. And when I did have to speak up, I learned how to clap back. I had those comebacks ready, man!"
On the field no one cared, so that's where Concepcion concentrated his efforts.
When he saw the high-fives in the crowd and the smile on mom's face, it made him even more determined.
It's also why he has no worries about excelling in Cleveland and becoming the wide receiver the Browns envision.
Concepcion has been fighting his whole life, so let the doubters doubt.
"I know that this letter is supposed to be meant for GMs, but I also know who else might be reading it," he said. "So, to any kid out there who is carrying something heavy right now — a stutter, something that makes you feel different, anything that’s ever made someone look at you sideways … just know this: My success … it is your success, too. I want you to come along on this journey with me. Because you and me? We’re not weird. There is nothing wrong with us. Whatever makes you different — that’s not the thing holding you back. That’s your thing. Own it. Be you, fully. Without apology.
"I had to grow up fast and fight hard to get here, for sure. And I’d do it all again. You can do the same thing and reach whatever goals you set for yourself. I’m living proof of that. Before I get out of here, I do want to say, once again, for all to hear, that I’m the best receiver in this draft. But, at the end of the day, I’m so much more than just a football player. And any team that picks me is going to realize that immediately. So if you’re a GM out there reading this, put me on your team, and let’s get to work.
"You’re not going to regret calling my name. Never. And I mean never.
"Did I stutter?"
Brad Bournival can be reached by email at bbournival@usatodayco.com and is on X at @bbournival.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns pick KC Concepcion wrote letter to GMs about his stutter, past
Supporter unrest is once again part of the matchday narrative at Liverpool FC. Planned demonstrations over rising ticket prices, including a coordinated yellow card protest, are expected to feature prominently.
Arne Slot addressed the situation with measured clarity. Rather than framing it as conflict, he positioned it as a natural aspect of football culture.
“I think as long as I’m in football there are disagreements,” Slot said. It was a pragmatic acknowledgement that differing perspectives exist within any club ecosystem.
Crucially, Slot drew a distinction between protest and support. Reflecting on a previous demonstration, he noted that fan backing remained unwavering throughout the match.
“They are still there to support the team,” he said in the original source. This duality defines modern supporter behaviour. Fans can challenge decisions off the pitch while remaining fully committed during the game itself.
For players, that distinction is vital. The atmosphere inside the stadium continues to play a significant role in performance levels, particularly in high-pressure fixtures.
From a managerial standpoint, the priority is shielding players from distraction. Slot’s comments suggest confidence that the squad can maintain focus regardless of external noise.
He highlighted the importance of crowd support, especially for individuals stepping into key roles. “A player like him… definitely needs a lot of support from our fans,” he said, referencing potential changes in the starting line-up.
This emphasis underlines a broader truth. Fan energy, whether expressed through protest or encouragement, directly influences matchday dynamics.
Ticket pricing remains a sensitive issue across football. Clubs face increasing financial pressures, while supporters demand accessibility and fairness. The tension between those positions is unlikely to disappear.
Slot’s approach, as outlined in the original source, avoids taking sides. Instead, he frames all parties as acting in the club’s best interests. “We always have the best interest for the club,” he stated.
This neutral stance allows the focus to remain on football. Results, performances, and progression ultimately shape the broader narrative.
For Liverpool, maintaining momentum on the pitch is essential. Continued positive results would help stabilise the environment, even as off-field debates persist.
The upcoming fixture therefore carries significance beyond three points. It is an opportunity to reinforce unity, even amid disagreement.
Photo by Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images
Spanish outlet AS reports that Mikel Merino has been seen at Arsenal’s training ground without crutches, and that it’s estimated he’ll be able to run again in two or three weeks.
If there are no setbacks in the player’s recovery, it’s expected that he should be ready for the World Cup.
AS add that Merino had to have a screw inserted in his heel as part of his operation, but the doctors and the player himself are convinced he’ll be fit in time for this summer’s tournament.
Photo by Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images
This update follows another recent report from Spain, with Sport claiming it was far from certain that Merino would feature at the World Cup.
Sport added that Spain boss Luis De La Fuente is prepared to wait until the last possible moment to include the player, but there are no guarantees.
It seems AS are more confident, and perhaps their timeline even suggests the player could play for Arsenal before the season is out. But taking the two reports in aggregate, maybe the most realistic outcome is that Merino reaches full fitness just as the club season comes to an end.
Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
Merino had scored six and assisted three goals for Arsenal before his injury in January, but he’s already missed three months of football since then. It appears likely he’s facing another month out before a potential comeback.
When does F1 return? Next race date following break, full calendar schedule 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The new F1 season is only three weeks into the campaign but we're now set for an unscheduled month-long break.
Mercedes are the early pace setters so far with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell occupying the top two spots in the drivers' standings.
Across 22 race weekends, six of them including sprint races, fans will follow every twist and turn of the campaign with defending champion Lando Norris yet to get to grips with his new car.
But they'll have to wait a little longer before the season resumes. Here's everything you need to know about when F1 will return.
Following the conclusion of the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29, the F1 circuit was set to continue in Bahrain (April 10-12) and Saudi Arabia (April 17-19).
However, in mid-March, F1 announced after "careful evaluations" that it is not safe to hold either race because of the ongoing conflict across the region.
With Iran at war with the US and Israel, safety of those in the Middle East and those travelling to surrounding countries has been the priority. Logistically, it was also proving a headache for teams as equipment and chassis would have needed to travel through the blocked Strait of Hormuz.
The races will not be rescheduled or replaced, meaning the F1 season will be reduced to 22 races.
Saudi minister of sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal said the country had been ready to host the event.
"We respect the decision taken by Formula 1 regarding the 2026 race calendar," he said.
"However, Saudi Arabia was fully prepared to host the race once again in Jeddah, building on the success of the five editions we have delivered so far.
"We want the international sporting community to know that the Kingdom remains a trusted partner and destination for global sport."
With the cancellation of the two races it means there will be a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on 27-29 March and Miami on 1-3 May.
Here's how to watch F1 in 2026 in USA:
In the United States, Apple has the exclusive rights to F1 for the 2026 season.
New subscribers to Apple TV can sign up for a 7-day FREE trial. If you've bought an eligible Apple device recently, you can also get up to three months of the streaming service totally free. After that, the subscription will cost $12.99/month.
For the 2026 season, Apple TV will host all Free Practice, Qualifying, Sprint sessions, and Grands Prix with select races and all Free Practice sessions throughout the season available to watch for free in the Apple TV app.
F1 TV Premium, F1’s own premier content offering, will continue to be available in the US via an Apple TV subscription only and will be free for those who subscribe.
The first race for the season took place in Australia in March.
It will be a 22-round campaign with the United States hosting three races, the most by any nation.
Madrid is the latest addition to the race calendar. Meanwhile, there are six sprint weekends in 2026.
| Date | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| March 6-8 | Australia | Melbourne |
| March 13-15 | China | Shanghai (Sprint) |
| March 27-29 | Japan | Suzuka |
| May 1-3 | USA | Miami (Sprint) |
| May 22-24 | Canada | Montreal (Sprint) |
| June 5-7 | Monaco | Monaco |
| June 12-14 | Spain | Barcelona-Catalunya |
| June 26-28 | Austria | Spielberg |
| July 3-5 | Great Britain | Silverstone (Sprint) |
| July 17-19 | Belgium | Spa-Francorchamps |
| July 24-26 | Hungary | Budapest |
| August 21-23 | Netherlands | Zandvoort (Sprint) |
| September 4-6 | Italy | Monza |
| September 11-13 | Spain | Madrid* |
| September 24-26 | Azerbaijan | Baku |
| October 9-11 | Singapore | Singapore (Sprint) |
| October 23-25 | USA | Austin |
| October 30 - November 1 | Mexico | Mexico City |
| November 6-8 | Brazil | Sao Paulo |
| November 19-21 | USA | Las Vegas |
| November 27-29 | Qatar | Lusail |
| December 4-6 | Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina |
What could be a busy three-day NFL draft for the Cleveland Browns got underway Thursday in Pittsburgh with Round 1.
The Browns made a trade and two picks during Round 1, which began with the Las Vegas Raiders taking quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana, with the No. 1 overall pick. Soon a bunch of Ohio State Buckeyes got drafted, four in the first 11 picks, including three within a four-pick stretch — receiver Carnell Tate (Titans, No. 4), linebacker Arvell Reese (Giants, No. 5) and linebacker Sonny Styles (Commanders, No. 7).
Meanwhile, the Browns addressed two big needs — with tackle Spencer Fano and wide receiver KC Concepcion — in the first round. But with only 32 players off the draft board, the work has just begun for Cleveland and the rest of the NFL. Another 68 players will be drafted on Friday, April 24, when the draft resumes with Rounds 2 and 3.
Here's what you need to know:
Here's where to watch Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, April 24:
What to know: How much will NFL draft rookies be paid? Wage scale, contract by round
The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What time does the NFL Draft start tonight? Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday
A moment that can only be described as the absolute pinnacle of embarrassment — the Pittsburgh Steelers were on the phone with top-wide receiver prospect Makai Lemon during the 2026 NFL Draft, ready to make their No. 21 selection without realizing the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to No. 20 for the talented playmaker. And Lemon just confirmed the humiliating draft story.
Following the draft moment, Lemon revealed that he was talking with the Steelers until he realized his phone was still ringing. And sure enough, it was the Eagles ready to make him their 20th overall draft pick after trading with the Dallas Cowboys.
"Yeah, first I answered the phone, and it was the Steelers," Lemon said via NBC Sports. "And then my phone kept ringing. I look, and it's the Eagles. They traded up, and then they were going to pick me. I feel like everything happened for a reason."
The Steelers, having their original selection preference in Lemon stolen out from under them, wound up reaching on Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor with the 21st overall pick.
Pittsburgh's front office had plenty of opportunities to trade up for Lemon throughout the 2026 NFL Draft and have no one to blame but themselves for this disastrous blunder.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' NFL Draft mistake confirmed by Eagles WR Makai Lemon
The New York Giants selected the best player on the board when they were on the clock at No. 5 during the first round of the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday night.
Almost every expert to a man chimed in about the steal the Giants had just gotten in Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese. But that wasn't how their star wide receiver, Malik Nabers, saw things, though. He wanted the team to take Reese's teammate, safety Caleb Downs.
Nabers was appearing on a Bleacher Report livestream and was clearly shocked and upset when the Giants selected Reese over Downs.
Here you guys go.
— Nikki Gist (@NikkiNic9384) April 24, 2026
Reese clip from Nabers. Found it on IG.
Credit 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/HSOxSWiyhM
Although Nabers' question was a legitimate one, it was unprofessional for him to criticize the team publicly. The matter was cleared up shortly after when Giants head coach John Harbaugh said that Reese would start at inside linebacker. He has a position after all.
Nabers wore his emotions on his sleeve again when the Giants passed on Downs at No. 10, selecting Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa. To add to Nabers' misery, the rival Dallas Cowboys traded up to take Downs at No. 11.
"I'd rather get him than play against him. Oh my God," said Nabers. "And the fact that it's like the very next pick, like you guys were up on the clock. I even told him, I said, 'I'm coming to get you.'
"I gotta play against this thing again. He's doing a thing. He's so good. He's a -- oh, he's good, but he's, he's very good. He's very good. I'm -- bro, he's very good. We all got him number 1. He's very good."
Nabers likely received a prompt phone call for his emotional reactions and comments because he sprang to social media in damage control mode.
First off, we have to stop overreacting. I would never intentionally take away from the biggest moment/night of Arvell’s life. Very excited to see him play on the team and happy that we have another dawg on the squad!! #gobigblue
— Malik (@whyguard13) April 24, 2026
NEVER ONCE WAS NOT HAPPY CHILLAT🤣🤣🤣
— Malik (@whyguard13) April 24, 2026
Unfortunately for Nabers, the Internet is forever.
But the reaction among Giants fans has been quite mixed. Some are frustrated with Nabers' commentary, wishing he would think more before he speaks, while others feel his stance was valid. The Giants obviously disagreed with the latter, as his social media commentary hints at a quick phone call from the team's public relations department.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' Malik Nabers enters damage control mode after viral draft video
The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t have another blockbuster move on Thursday night as the first round of the NFL draft unfolded.
Those Bengals, as expected, did not trade back up into the first round to compensate for the loss of the 10th overall pick while acquiring Dexter Lawrence via trade.
And looking at the best prospects remaining, that’s probably a good thing. Here’s an updated look at a Bengals seven-round mock draft, starting with Round 2, using the simulator from Pro Football Network.
There’s a perception the Bengals must draft a linebacker no matter what in the second round. But Lawrence’s addition in the trenches will really help the guys already on the roster.
More concerning is cornerback, where they have yet to find a nickel starter. D'Angelo Ponds could be that guy as a rookie, which means they would get to keep Dax Hill in his very natural-feeling starter spot on the boundary.
Boring? Maybe. But the Bengals need to start thinking about life after Ted Karras. Connor Lew is one of the supposed starting-caliber centers in this year’s class, so he might be able to help right away, if needed. Keep in mind the Bengals’ unexpected cut of Matt Lee recently.
Yes, yes, boring. But it’s hard to pass on a guy with experience at left and right tackle right here. Offensive tackle depth is more important than ever. The Bengals’ top swing-tackle backup option is…Cody Ford. Isaiah World might have starter potential eventually, too.
Tight end depth is something the Bengals need to be thinking about in this draft. Mike Gesicki is a big slot guy and Drew Sample is one-dimensional in the other direction as a blocker. Erick All has the injury woes. Marlin Klein is a 6’6” target with some really interesting upside.
Like tight end and wideout, the Bengals quietly need some better depth at running back. Adam Randall is notable for his background as a former wideout, which makes him a versatile weapon out of the backfield.
Undersized but massively productive, Red Murdock would be a possible impact player on special teams right away while beefing up the depth at linebacker.
Another shot at cornerback. No such thing as too many of those. Depth is quietly a big need. Preston Hodge could get in the mix in the slot and on special teams.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Cincinnati Bengals updated NFL mock draft after first round
To celebrate 10 years of the NHS Couch to 5K app, we spoke to four runners who started with the programme and are now attempting the 2026 London marathon.
They share their stories behind why they took up running and the inspirations that keep them going, mile after mile.
In 2021, Sheila Mitchell, from North Yorkshire, read an article about strength declining with age.
Her daughters suggested she try Couch to 5K to help counter it.
Previously a regular squash player, Sheila never felt running was for her and admitted she thought it sounded "boring".
But with her daughters' support, she downloaded the app and although at the start running for 30 seconds felt like "forever", it slowly got easier.
Sheila's daughter Holly was living with her at the time and supported her through the programme.
Holly had competed in triathlons, but struggled with her mental health and alcohol addiction.
She died aged 34 in November 2021.
"When we lost Holly, I turned to running," said Sheila, now 68. "It was my lifesaver."
When Sheila took breaks from running, she returned to Couch to 5K to get moving again.
While watching the 2023 London marathon, Sheila decided she wanted to enter, to use her running to raise money in Holly's memory.
Sheila ran her first marathon in 2024 for the Samaritans, aged 66, and loved it so much she signed up for the following year.
Injury meant Sheila had to defer her place, but she will be running the 2026 marathon to raise money for the NSPCC, a charity close to Holly's heart.
She said: "Here I am, running my second marathon. And that's all come from Couch to 5K.
"It's never too late to try."
James Dyer, from Biggleswade, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2023. Now 29, he is running his first marathon to raise money for Diabetes UK.
He started Couch to 5K in 2020 to stay fit and get some fresh air.
To start with, he said "the idea of doing a 5K felt really daunting".
However, James learned how to pace his runs using the programme and after completing a 5K Race for Life, decided to push himself further.
After a few unsuccessful London marathon ballot entries, he received an email about charity places and said choosing Diabetes UK was "a no-brainer".
James' own diabetes diagnosis "came as a bit of a surprise" after he mentioned to his GP that he felt tired all the time.
"Everything flipped on its head because I had to relearn a lot," he said.
James now manages his insulin with daily injections and factors his diabetes into his running, especially when it comes to fuelling.
In the days before a long run, James loads up on carbohydrates and consumes an energy gel roughly every half hour during the run itself.
After completing Couch to 5K, he said he felt "really proud of himself" and now feels a sense of empowerment in his marathon training.
"Even though a lot of things have changed over the past three years, fundamentally I am still the same person and I can do it."
Following a breast cancer diagnosis and her second pregnancy, Alicja Bunio felt "a real need" to get her body moving again.
Somebody mentioned Couch to 5K and so, while undergoing cancer treatment, she began the programme.
Alicja, 40, from Milton Keynes, started her running journey doing a 700m lap near her house.
"I remember struggling," she said.
"But very quickly I realised I was extending the distance, and something clicked."
For Alicja, the positive instructions and motivation from the app helped her keep running.
"I really loved having a person telling me what to do and cheering me on."
One year on from her cancer diagnosis, Alicja completed a half marathon.
"It was the most incredible feeling," she said.
"To have something to work towards, first with Couch to 5K and then building up, has made a huge difference to me.
"To my physical health, of course, but even more so to my mental health."
Listen to the Couch to 5K podcast here.
Alicja has now joined her local running club and in 2024 she entered the London marathon to raise money for Breast Cancer Now.
Although the training was hard, she described the race as an incredible experience.
"I didn't think I would be here really, so to be here, running a marathon - what a privilege it is."
London 2026 will be Alicja's second marathon.
Her advice to anyone at the start of their running journey is to begin slow.
She said: "Give yourself time and grace.
"Regardless of pace, it's about being out, meeting people and moving your body."
In 2024, Janine Anderson's son finished the London marathon, turned to her and said "now it's your turn".
All three of Janine's children have completed the marathon, raising over £15,000 for Heart Research UK in memory of their father, Brendan, who died from an undiagnosed heart condition in 2013.
Following her son's prompting, Janine, 63, applied for the 2026 London marathon though Heart Research UK in July 2025.
She said: "I haven't run since my early 20s.
"I downloaded the Couch to 5K app and thought 'I've just got to take it little by little'."
Janine's children joined her on some of her runs and, steadily, the running became "a bit addictive".
Once she had finished the initial programme, she added a kilometer each week, building up to a half marathon in December 2025.
"Since I finished Couch to 5K, I've done 750km, in my mish-mash way of doing it," she said.
As someone who has gone from Couch to 5K to a marathon in under a year, Janine's top tip is to download the app.
"I think it would be hard to do on your own, without any support," she said.
"I really liked that it started so small.
"The app was brilliant."
You can download the Couch to 5K app for Apple and Android.
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AC Milan presents the Sunday Stadium Crew, a new capsule collection that reinterprets the matchday tradition that brings together generations and fans from all over the world in a modern way. A ritual that becomes a shared experience, made up of gestures and habits both inside and outside San Siro, strengthening the sense of belonging to the Rossoneri community.
The Sunday Stadium Crew is a line characterised by a soft, contemporary fit, featuring essential and versatile pieces to be worn before, during and after the match: from the crew‑neck sweatshirt in two colourways to the trousers, from the 100% cotton white T‑shirt to coordinated women's tank top and cyclist shorts. A collection designed for the whole family, further enhanced by a Mini Me range dedicated to the youngest fans.
"This capsule collection is for our supporters, who carry their passion for our Club with them every day and at every moment," says Valerio Rocchetti, E-commerce, Retail and Merchandising Director of AC Milan. "The collection further strengthens our brand's positioning as a cultural and lifestyle institution, capable of going beyond the pitch while staying true to its identity."
With the Sunday Stadium Crew, AC Milan becomes the first Italian club to create an apparel collection made from organic cotton certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and FAIRTRADE, underscoring the Club's commitment to best practices in environmental, social and economic sustainability.
The capsule collection is available online at store.acmilan.com and at official stores.
As soon as this year’s NFL draft ends, the attention shifts to Arch Manning.
Manning — Texas Longhorns quarterback and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning — appears poised to be the prize of 2027’s tantalizingly deep QB draft.
And his status as a blue-chip prospect is about much more than his royal (football) bloodlines.
“The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has impressive physical tools and overcame some early-season processing bumps,” ESPN draft guru Matt Miller wrote of Manning in a recent 2027 lookahead.
“He can dial up velocity on his throws or layer the ball deep over the top, while also showing the strength and agility to be an effective runner. He’ll be regarded as the No. 1 quarterback prospect and perhaps the No. 1 overall player.”
Manning, the son of Cooper Manning, is set to be a redshirt junior. He is entering his second season as Texas’ full-time starter.
Going into last season, many pegged Manning as the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 draft.
But amid that hype, Manning struggled early on in 2025, losing against loaded Ohio State and lowly Florida while throwing five interceptions in his first five games.
Manning’s play improved dramatically as the season went on, and he finished the year with 3,163 passing yards, 26 touchdowns against seven interceptions, 399 rushing yards and 10 more TDs on the ground.
He was at his best in the Longhorns’ Citrus Bowl win over Michigan, passing for 221 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 155 yards and two scores.
Manning then opted to return to Texas for 2026, even though some analysts believe he would have been the first QB taken in this year’s draft — even over Heisman-winning Fernando Mendoza, who just led Indiana to a national championship.
“I felt like I developed a lot this year, especially toward the back half,” Manning said in December. “I want to keep it going. There’s no reason to leave. I think I’ve got a lot more football left to play, and I’m excited to still be a part of this team.”
Much can change in 12 months, and Manning does technically have another year of NCAA eligibility after his one. But should he go No. 1 overall, Manning would be the third member of his family to be the first pick in an NFL draft.
The Indianapolis Colts took Peyton Manning first overall in 1998, while the San Diego Chargers did the same with Eli Manning in 2004 before trading him that same night to the Giants. Of course, both won two Super Bowls, with Eli spending his entire 16-year career with the Giants.
Arch Manning is much more of a dual threat than his superstar uncles, and by the end of last season, he was among the most productive passers in the country.
He currently headlines a star-powered 2027 QB class that is also expected to include Oregon’s Dante Moore, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers.
This year’s draft is considered much lighter at quarterback — Mendoza is the only QB viewed as a premium prospect — which is why several teams plan to address the position in 2027 rather than in 2026.
With another season of development, Manning could be even more in-demand this time next year.
“He’s a young man who’s gotten better as the season’s gone on, and not only physically, but mentally, maturity-wise,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said in December. “I would think he’s going to want another year of that growth to put himself in position for hopefully a long career in the NFL.”
Real Madrid will face off against Real Betis later tonight in La Liga, hoping to keep their slim hopes of a late title push alive.
The Merengues are nine points behind leaders FC Barcelona with six games left to be played in the season. But with the Clasico still to come and the Catalans losing their best player, Lamine Yamal, to an injury, there may be some hope for a turnaround.
Real Madrid go into the game on the back of a 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves earlier in the week. Having brought an end to a four-game winless run, the Spanish capital giants will be eager to bag three more points tonight at Estadio de La Cartuja.
The last time these two teams met, Real Madrid secured a thumping 5-1 victory over Real Betis, courtesy of a brilliant hat-trick from academy graduate Gonzalo Garcia.
However, manager Alvaro Arbeloa has lost two key players heading into tonight’s match as both Eder Militao and Arda Guler are out for the season with hamstring injuries. Rodrygo Goes and Thibaut Courtois remain unavailable as well.
So, there will at least be a couple of changes to the starting lineup compared to Tuesday night’s game against Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu. With that being said, here’s how Real Madrid could take the field against Manuel Pellegrini’s men.
With Courtois still not available, Andriy Lunin will continue in the Real Madrid goal. The Ukrainian has failed to keep a single clean sheet so far this season and will be hoping to change that tonight.
Meanwhile, amidst all the rumours of a tense relationship between himself and Arbeloa, Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal could finally get a start at right-back ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
A rare start for Dani Carvajal? (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
With Militao getting ruled out, Antonio Rudiger should come into the team at centre-back, where he will partner Dean Huijsen. David Alaba and Raul Asencio, back from his illness, will be options on the bench.
On the left side of the defence, there could be a change with Fran Garcia getting an opportunity ahead of Alvaro Carreras.
With Arda Guler missing out, there could be a slight tweak in the Real Madrid midfield in terms of shape, as Arbeloa could revert to a three-man setup and add a forward on the pitch.
Aurelien Tchouameni, who has been one of Real Madrid’s top performers this term, will occupy the deepest position in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham will take up the remaining two positions in midfield, providing attacking impetus to the team from the centre.
With Guler’s spot vacant, Brahim Diaz is expected to get the nod against Real Betis, given his solid showings in recent weeks. The Moroccan international ought to take up the right flank for Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja.
Kylian Mbappe, set to make his 100th appearance for Real Madrid, will operate as the centre-forward, while Vinicius Jr. will take up his customary role on the left wing.
The likes of Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono will hope to get some minutes off the bench.
Matt Fitzpatrick entered the Zurich Classic with his brother, Alex, as the favorites.
No one has won on the PGA Tour more than Fitzpatrick this season, and he entered New Orleans off the back of a playoff win over Scottie Scheffler at the RBC Heritage.
The Zurich is of great significance for the Fitzpatricks, as a win would give Alex, who currently plays on the DP World Tour, a two-year exemption on the PGA. So Matt, the world number three, desperately wanted to play well.
Their opening round did not go to plan. They are in T30, six strokes behind the leaders. And Matt Fitzpatrick was incredibly frustrated by the way they ended their round.
Round one of the Zurich Classic was a fourball format, where birdies were essentially pars. A lightning pace was set in the early window, as Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer finished 14-under.
The Fitzpatrick brothers couldn’t match that pace early, going one-under through four, and despite picking up form on the back nine, they inexplicably bogeyed the par five 18th to fall back to eight under.
That wasn’t good enough, according to Matt Fitzpatrick, who shared his thoughts on the round afterward: “I felt like it was a little slow to start with. We didn’t have enough balls on the green, early balls on the front nine to give ourselves chances. I thought we did a bad job on the back.
“I’ve holed two long and lucky putts really on sort of 16, 17 there, which is a nice bonus, but would have been nice to take an advantage on 18 and make a birdie.
“Yeah, really disappointing way to end with two balls in perfect position. It’s not good enough, really.”
Alex Fitzpatrick added, “Yeah, he hit the nail on the head. Obviously frustrated. The two putts kind of helped us get to nine. I kind of didn’t feel like I had my game today, so it was nice that he kind of played well and kind of carried us a little bit there.
“Yeah, overall frustrated. To do what I did on the last, there’s so much green to the left and a lot of grass over there. You know, to hit the shot I did was, yeah, not good enough. Hopefully, come out firing tomorrow and see what we’ve got.”
He’s a recent DP World Tour winner, but a win at the Zurich Classic would change everything for Alex Fitzpatrick.
Not only would he receive a two-year exemption for the PGA Tour and be able to enter fields alongside his brother, but he would also get entry to every single signature event for the rest of the year. These events have a $20 million purse and no cut, making them priceless opportunities for players.
And in addition to that, Fitzpatrick would also receive entry to the upcoming PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. He only has one major appearance in his career, an impressive T17 at The Open Championship, so a win in New Orleans would present some incredible opportunities.
After their opening round, the Fitzpatricks have a lot of work to do, so hopefully they can regain some ground in Friday’s alternate-shot.
The Twins swap out two left-handers ahead of Rays series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After dropping their series with the New York Mets, the Minnesota Twins turn to face the Tampa Bay Rays. Before their three-game series with the Rays, the Twins are getting back one of the core members in their bullpen.
According to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes, left-hander Kody Funderburk will return to the Twins bullpen on Friday. The 29-year-old was placed on the paternity list on Tuesday and has a 1-1 record and a 2.00 ERA in 12 games.
To clear a space for Funderburk on the active roster, left-hander Kendry Rojas was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul. Rojas was added to the roster when Funderburk went on paternity leave and pitched two innings and walked three in the Twins' 3-2 loss to the Mets on Wednesday.
More News:Red Sox option 22-year-old to clear spot for No. 1 prospect
The move to option Rojas makes sense, as he will be able to build himself up to join the starting rotation if needed. Right-hander Mick Abel landed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, and the Twins need someone to replace him.
Left-hander Connor Prielipp would be an option, as he, too, was recalled to join the Twins on Wednesday. Prielipp threw four innings in the loss on Wednesday, allowing two earned runs and striking out six.
Abel’s spot in the rotation will come up on Monday against the Seattle Mariners. Pitching on Wednesday would put Prielipp to start.
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Dodgers Tyler Glasnow's breaking pitches have helped him succeed originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow blanked the San Francisco Giants in a masterful performance on Thursday. The former All-Star (2024) threw eight shutout innings, allowing one hit, a walk, and striking out nine.
Glasnow’s impressive performance was due to his curveball/knuckle-curveball being on point. Six of Glasnow’s nine strikeouts came on the curveball.
“I think early on, trying to throw for strikes, to throw a little slower, like spike it, and then when I want to put a guy away with it, I'll just keep both fingers on it, just try to throw it hard,” Glasnow said postgame to SportsNet LA. “But I think that got a little better as the game went on, as a little inconsistent, but I had good feel with it overall.”
More News:Red Sox option 22-year-old to clear spot for No. 1 prospect
Out of 84 knuckle-curveballs Glasnow has thrown, hitters are batting .160 with a .360 slugging percentage and have struck out 10 times against it. On his normal curveball (31 pitches), hitters have not gotten a hit and struck out seven times.
Glasnow’s usage rate of his breaking pitch has shifted dramatically from last season to this season. In 2025, Glasnow used his breaking ball 22% of the time, while he’s upped it to 30% this season. Using his curveballs as much as his four-seam fastball (37%) seems to be an effective mix for Glasnow.
Overall, Glasnow is 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA and has struck out 33 in 33.0 innings. This hot start by Glasnow and the effective use of his curveball/knuckle-curveball could have him pitching in the Mid Summer Classic this summer.
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Bo Bichette's 'desire' to help the Mets could be weighing on him originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Despite winning two straight games, the New York Mets haven’t received much production from infielder Bo Bichette. A two-time All-Star (2021 and 2023), Bichette has not lived up to the three-year ($126 million) contract he signed in the offseason.
In his first 25 games as a Met, Bichette is hitting .238 with a .584 OPS and one home run. Not known for his strikeouts, Bichette is striking out at a high rate, 22.6%, which is above his career average of 19.5%.
Out of the norm for Bichette, who is a career .292 hitter, the 28-year-old said after Thursday’s win that he needs to “make adjustments and get to the player I need to be at."
More News:Red Sox option 22-year-old to clear spot for No. 1 prospect
"The desire to help a new team, the desire to perform at the level you know you can perform at,” Bichette said to SNY. “I don't know if any of that was weighing on me. Still need to get better, make adjustments and get to the player I need to be at"
This is Bichette’s second season in three years where he’s struggled out of the gate. In 2024, Bichette hit .219 with a .589 OPS and one home run in 25 games in April.
That season proved to be an injury-riddled season for Bichette, limiting him to 81 games. 2024 was also the first season Bichette really struggled, batting .225 with a .598 OPS.
With shortstop Francisco Lindor expected to miss a chunk of time with a calf injury, the Mets need Bichette to step up his production.
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Arne Slot revealed there is a chance Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker returns from a hamstring injury in time to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
But Slot did not provide assurances over the Brazilian’s long-term future at Anfield as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract and amid reports he could move away this summer.
Alisson has been sidelined since Liverpool’s Champions League win over Galatasaray last month while an injury to Giorgi Mamardashvili means third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman may be required on Saturday.
Mamardashvili suffered a nasty cut during the win at Everton last weekend, which forced Liverpool to hand Woodman his Premier League debut for the club as a second-half replacement.
“Giorgi will definitely not be available for tomorrow and also for the upcoming weeks. Ali is close to a return of play, so let’s see if tomorrow comes too early,” Slot said.
Liverpool recently triggered a one-year extension to Alisson’s contract until 2027 but reports surfacing from Italy have suggested Juventus could target the Brazil international this summer.
“I am only focused on the short-term future and that is getting him back into goal as soon as possible,” Slot said. “The answer is going to be that all these rumours that are out there about him and about probably me and about others, we don’t react to rumours in this room, also not in my conversations with Richard [Hughes, the sporting director].
“We only react when facts need to be told and that is not the situation at the moment. The main focus for Ali is very clear, that is getting back in goal as soon as possible for the club he loves to play for and then he wants to be in goal for the country he wants to play for, that is Brazil. I think that is already the short and mid-term future.”
Two permanent managers, two underwhelming transfer windows, intense fan unrest, and the return, exit and return again of Martin O'Neill.
Yet, in a month's time, Celtic could be celebrating a league and cup double after one of the most turbulent seasons in their recent history.
The Parkhead side's sprint to the finish begins with the visit of Falkirk on Saturday, kicking off their post-split Premiership schedule, before concluding with a Scottish Cup final against Neil Lennon's Dunfermline next month.
O'Neill's men go into their final five league fixtures in third place, just three points behind leaders Hearts. However, their below-par performances have led pundits such as Chris Sutton to believe they have no chance of retaining their crown.
That view was likely shared by the entire fanbase when St Mirren fought back from two down at Hampden to take Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final to extra time.
But a four-goal blitz in the space of just six minutes sealed a 6-2 victory for Celtic, and suddenly a campaign that has felt cursed is refuelled with hope.
Since O'Neill's return following the dismal reign of Wilfried Nancy, the team have simply been getting by, relying on multiple late winners.
Luck ran dry on the sandy Tannadice pitch a month ago when Celtic slumped to an abject 2-0 defeat against Dundee United - a result that felt like the end their title challenge. However, back-to-back wins since then have kept them in touch.
Sutton says his former side will have to be perfect to win the title. To achieve that, their unconvincing displays will surely have to improve against a high-standard top six, with crucial home clashes against Rangers and Hearts to come, as well as trips to Hibernian and Motherwell.
Although league titles have often been all but wrapped up by this stage in recent campaigns, the fact only one Celtic side have managed to win all their post-split fixtures in the past five years highlights the size of the challenge.
And when you factor in that the overall calibre of the top half is at its highest level in a number of seasons, while the reigning champions' level has dropped, the task only becomes more difficult.
But much of Celtic's squad and their manager are made of the right stuff when it comes to the mental aspect of a title fight.
After a potentially morale-boosting extra-time period on Sunday, this weekend will provide a clearer picture of their credentials.
The midfield is one area that Manchester City will look to strengthen this summer. With Bernardo Silva set to leave the club, and question marks surrounding the futures of players such as Mateo Kovacic, Tijjani Reijnders, and Nico, it is easy to see why City will look to bolster their engine room this summer. Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson appears to be City’s top midfield target entering the summer transfer window. There is no doubt that City will have a list of midfielders they have their eyes on in case a move for Elliot Anderson doesn’t materialize.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been mentioned as a player whom City admire. The Argentinian midfielder is a proven commodity in the Premier League and seems well-suited to life at Manchester City.
Sam Lee, Mario Cortegana, and Laurie Whitwell have reported for The Athletic that Manchester City are considering Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez as a potential transfer target for this summer. Furthermore, it is reported that City’s interest in the World Cup winner is at an early stage. It is also reported by The Athletic that City are exploring moves for other midfielders such as Elliot Anderson.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also reported on Manchester City’s interest in a summer move for Enzo Fernandez. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “Enzo Fernandez has been discussed internally at Manchester City, but they have different other top targets like Anderson, and Tonali is appreciated. They made checks on Enzo before. No negotiations; if they miss out on other targets, they might look at him as an opportunity.”
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is a proven commodity as a player. During his time at Chelsea, Fernandez has shown that he is one of the elite midfielders in the Premier League. The Argentinian midfielder can operate as a number six or an eight, and he is superb at dictating matches from midfield. Enzo Fernandez reads the game well out of possession, and like all Argentinian players, he is tough in a challenge and feisty when required. Also, Fernandez is a goal threat when arriving late in the opponent’s penalty area. The strengths of Enzo Fernandez as a player are well-known. Given that he is an elite midfielder, it isn’t a surprise to discover that City have an early interest in the Chelsea midfielder.
However, if Manchester City did decide to move for Enzo Fernandez, it is a move that wouldn’t come cheap. Chelsea will not want to lose such an influential player as they continue the rebuild of their squad. Chelsea’s hand may be forced if Enzo Fernandez does pursue a summer exit from Chelsea. Even then, Chelsea will demand a kings ransom to sell Enzo Fernandez. For now, it seems that City are focused on a move for Elliot Anderson, and it is hard to see City spending large sums on two midfielders this summer. In my opinion, City would only move for Enzo Fernandez if a City move for Elliot Anderson doesn’t come together.
Enzo Fernandez is the latest midfielder to be named as a potential Manchester City transfer target. Enzo Fernandez is a fine player, but for now, the World Cup winner seems to be a player City like rather than one they seem certain to move for.
Anthony Gordon is a ‘concrete’ option of Bayern’s transfer shortlist this summer, reports Christian Falk.
The Newcastle United winger is understood to be attracting serious attention from clubs across Europe.
That’s due in no small part to the Premier League-based outfit facing increased pressure under Financial Fair Play rules.
Gordon has reportedly ‘signalled’ that he could make the move over to the German top-flight amid links with FC Bayern.
However, the potential money involved in the transfer could prevent the Bundesliga champions from sealing a deal.
“It is TRUE: Anthony Gordon is highly-rated on Bayern’s shortlist. Now, there will be talks about money, so it’s very concrete!” Falk exclusively informed CF Bayern Insider.
“Gordon signalled that he could make a move to the Bundesliga, so I think perhaps this is partly Harry Kane’s doing. Normally, English national players rarely come to the German top-flight.
“That all said, the transfer fee Newcastle end up demanding for the winger could harm Bayern’s hopes of signing Anthony Gordon. There were many rumours of an €80m [£69.3m] fee. The Times now suggest it’s actually closer to €75m [£65m]. I think this would be too expensive for Bayern Munich.”
We know that Bayern would be keen on bringing Anthony Gordon to Munich this summer if possible.
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However, ultimately, they will be prepared to consider cheaper alternatives. Even if it means the Bavarians can only bring in an out-and-out left-sided winger as backup to Luis Diaz, instead of a versatile attacking option.
Christian Falk went on to add: “Of course, there’s always the possibility that if Anthony Gordon pushes for a move to Bayern and Bayern only, then perhaps Newcastle could be encouraged to lower the asking price.
“As things stand, Bayern Munich are in a good place with Luis Diaz, Harry Kane and Michael Olise, and with Jamal Musiala behind them. These are all positions Gordon can play, although he would be another option, so spending too much money would be difficult for FC Bayern.”
Signing Gordon would afford Vincent Kompany and his coaching staff a great deal of wiggle room with the starting-XI options.
However, if push came to shove, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Bayern Munich have, perhaps, the strongest forward line in Europe.
* Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz’s stats across all competitions in the 2025/26 season
The England international would no doubt improve matters in Munich.
But it’s not necessarily the end of the world if Bayern’s recruitment team is instead forced to pursue options they’d need to spend time developing.
Liverpool have given the surest sign yet that Alisson Becker will be sold. The Reds have made a bold move.
Moving to sign anyone from Manchester City is a bold move. Liverpool have rivalled them for the title plenty of times over the years - you typically don't see the club's swap players and risk boosting their rival.
And so it's interesting that Liverpool have made an initial move to sign James Trafford. Goal report that they've expressed their interest in the goalkeeper who looks set to leave this summer.
Trafford only signed for City ahead of this season but they would go on to complete a deal for Gianluigi Donnarumma at the deadline. That ripped away Trafford's no.1 spot and it means he's looking to move on in the summer.
Liverpool's interest is particularly interesting as it comes at a time when Alisson Becker is heavily linked with a move to Juventus. It certainly appears that the Reds are entering the market for a new goalkeeper - something that only makes sense if the Brazilian departs.
We've actually suggested that a move for Trafford makes sense in the circumstances and it appears Liverpool see things the same way. But in doing so, it's the surest sign yet that Alisson is indeed leaving the club.
The Reds triggered a one-year extension on his contract to keep him until 2027. However, it now looks as though that was simply to guarantee a transfer fee for him when he departs later this year.
The end of the road, then.
Season Stats and Injury Update
As of 23 April 2026, Alisson Becker has made 25 Premier League appearances this season, recording eight clean sheets and an 81% pass completion rate. He has also kept four clean sheets in six Champions League matches. However, the 33-year-old is currently recovering from his second hamstring injury of the campaign. Reports suggest he is targeting a return for the fixture against Manchester United on 3 May, with Freddie Woodman expected to deputise this weekend.
Contract and Juventus Agreement
Despite Liverpool recently triggering a one-year extension to keep him at Anfield until June 2027, Alisson’s departure appears imminent. As of late April, reports indicate he has reached a verbal agreement to join Juventus this summer. Liverpool have reportedly set a €15 million asking price, though negotiations continue regarding Juventus's ability to match his €8 million annual salary.
International Standing
Alisson remains Brazil’s undisputed number one under Carlo Ancelotti. Despite his recent injury lay-off, he has confirmed he will be in "full playing condition" for the 2026 World Cup this June, where he is set to lead the Seleção.
Former England captain Owen Farrell has added to the hype around teenage sensation Noah Caluori, praising his confidence and physical prowess on show in an astonishing breakout season.
The 19-year-old scored five tries against Sale twice this season - on his first Prem start for Saracens in the fixture last October, and again this weekend as Saracens ran rampant in a 85-19 win, a record victory for the club in this division.
The winger’s exploits handed Mark McCall’s side a lifeline in their bid to reach the Prem play-offs and made his case for inclusion in the senior England squad this summer. McCall: “I think that’s one of the better wing performances in the Premiership that I have seen to be honest, for a long time, and I have seen a lot.
“We have had Ashy [Chris Ashton], Sean Maitland and David Strettle at the club, but I am not sure I have seen as much from one player in one game, albeit it was a game that blew out.”
Farrell has now added his name to the list of Caluori’s admirers, telling The Telegraph: “Everyone sees all the high-ball stuff and his finishing, but he has at times done an unbelievable job coming off his wing and taking some tough carries as well.
“The highlighted bits that everyone sees are not just the only thing that he does. He is big and strong as well, and he makes a difference all over the field.”
Caluori has 17 Prem tries this season from just six starts, and clearly outshone Tom Roebuck, England’s current right wing, in the latest victory over Sale.
His rise has been all the more remarkable given just three weeks prior, the teenager - an England under-20 international - was on loan at Ampthill in the Champ.
Farrell highlighted his confidence and willingness to improve as key attributes, adding: “He’s obviously special. When he speaks, he knows he wants to get better. He knows he has to, he knows he wants to learn more and he wants to do it as quickly as possible. But he’s great in terms of how much he backs himself at the same time, I would have never been like that when I was younger.”
Farrell also dismissed talk of his own possible return to the England set-up, saying: “I’ve not given it a lot of thought, and I don’t know if I need to do anything different other than what I am doing anyway, which is just trying to get on and be the best that I can be and the best help I can be around here.
“It [the World Cup] is a long way off at the minute. I know everybody wants to talk about it and rightly so, but I just want to crack on with what I am doing.”
Andy Halliday reckons there would be no better way for Rangers captain James Tavernier to sign off than winning the title.
Tavernier, who announced he would leave the club at the conclusion of this season, has won one league title in his 11 years at Ibrox and now has just five games left at the club.
Halliday was the full-back's team-mate in over 100 games and also believes the 34-year-old's impact at the club won't be properly appreciated until he has left.
"I think there's no better way to end an 11-year career at Rangers than by lifting the trophy as a captain at the end of the season," Halliday said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"I'm sure Hearts and Celtic have loads to say about that.
"It's always really surprised me how kind of split the Rangers fans' opinion over James Tavernier is.
"Over the 11 years, he's arguably been the best player in the majority of the seasons and I feel as if they had more James Taverniers in those seasons, Rangers would have won a lot more trophies than they did.
"The fact of the matter is, I feel as if he's almost critiqued due to team success rather than what he's been like as a player.
"But he's been an incredible servant, over 550 games, 150 goals as a right-back, taking the club to the Europa League final as captain, finishing the Europa League as top goalscorer in the tournament.
"Obviously, the real kind of negative for him is the fact that he feels as if, as a captain, he's probably not won enough at Rangers."
Despite Tavernier having started less frequently this season, Halliday points out: "He's got 20 goal contributions.
"So he still had such an impact on the pitch any time he's played.
"I remember Connor Goldson saying this years ago when Rangers won the League Cup final, and fans talked about it, but I think it's so true that Rangers fans won't appreciate James Tavernier until he's gone.
"I think in five years' time, when you look back at what he'd done at Rangers, then you really start to see a lot of positive messages about him."
Man United injury list: Players out, potential return dates, predicted lineup for next game vs. Brentford originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Michael Carrick enjoyed a strong start to life as Manchester United interim manager, but now, the pressure is on to deliver Champions League qualification over their remaining games.
Ruben Amorim was sacked on January 5, the day after a 1-1 draw at Leeds United after which the Portuguese went public with his apparent frustrations at the way things were being done at the club.
Darren Fletcher took charge for the 2-2 Premier League draw at Burnley and the 2-1 FA Cup third-round defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion — a result that effectively ended any remaining hope of silverware this season.
Carrick has since done an effective job in steadying the ship and steering United towards the top five. They sit third in the standings ahead of this weekend, with an eight-point gap to Brighton in sixth, who have played a game more. However, last week's narrow win at Chelsea was part of a potentially tough run of matches that includes the visits of Brentford and Liverpool to Old Trafford in the space of a week.
Here is how their injury list looks, when they can expect players to be back, and what their predicted lineup looks like for their next game.
MORE:Should Michael Carrick get the permanent Man United managerial job?
Below is the latest injury picture for Man United, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Yoro sustained a knock in training last week that kept him out of the Chelsea win. Carrick said there was "a possibility" of the defender being available for Brentford when he spoke to the media four days before the game, but there is no guarantee.
De Ligt has not featured since the reverse fixture at Palace at the end of November. Carrick has insisted for a few weeks that the player is "getting there", but the back issue is proving difficult to overcome. United posted an update on April 23 showing the centre-back working with a ball on the training pitches, so there are signs that his recovery is progressing.
Dorgu suffered a hamstring injury during the second half of the win at Arsenal, in which he scored a spectacular goal. The Athletic reported on January 27 that the winger could be out for up to 10 weeks. Carrick later confirmed it would be at least "a few weeks," although he would not speculate on a precise time frame. Dorgu returned to individual training on the pitch in the opening days of April, and while Carrick is happy with his recovery, the player is not expected back just yet.
Maguire was shown a straight red card against Bournemouth after being judged to have pulled Evanilson to the ground and denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Such an offence carries a one-game ban as it was not serious foul play, causing him to miss the Leeds game. However, Maguire was then hit with an improper conduct charge, which meant he was also suspended for the Chelsea match.
Martinez was shown a red card for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair in the loss to Leeds, with the offence considered violent conduct under the rules. That means he must serve a three-match ban and miss the matches against Chelsea, Brentford, and Liverpool.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Lammens (GK)
Dalot, Mazraoui, Heaven, Shaw
Casemiro, Mainoo
Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha
Sesko
Top-flight German football is being shown live on the BBC this season after rights were secured to broadcast Friday night Bundesliga matches through to 2027.
The coverage continues on Friday, 24 April when Marie-Louise Eta seeks her first win as Union Berlin head coach as her side travels to Champions League chasing RB Leipzig.
Matches will be available to watch live on the BBC Sport website, app and on BBC iPlayer every Friday, with clips of the biggest in-game moments across BBC Sport's social media channels.
RB Leipzig are in some very good form, having only lost three of their 15 Bundesliga matches in 2026. With four wins on the bounce, the Red Bulls sit third in the table, with five points separating them and fifth placed Hoffenheim who will be looking to take one of the Champions League places for the 2026/27 season.
Leipzig have regained their confidence after an inconsistent Winter period. Wins against some of Germany's elite, including a 5-0 home win against Hoffenheim and a 3-1 away win last time out against Eintracht Frankfurt has put them in a strong position to secure Champions League football again after missing out last season for the first time in seven years.
Union Berlin will be looking to new head coach Marie-Louise Eta to turn their season around, who have been in poor form since the start of the 2026. Since the start of the year, Union have only won two of their 15 Bundesliga matches and gained 11 points, which has seen them slip to 11th in the table and five points separating them and St. Pauli in the relegation play-off position.
Eta didn't get off to the start she would have wanted, losing 2-1 at home to Wolfsburg in her first match in charge, and a bounce back against in-form RB Leipzig may be a hard ask from her players. However, Eta will take faith in the fact Union Berlin have shown their resilience against some of Germany's strongest sides, picking up 8 points against the league's current top four, including wins over RB Leipzig and Stuttgart.
This match has been played out 18 times, with a near even split between the two sides. Leipzig have come away with all three points on eight occasions whereas Union Berlin have won this fixture seven times. Should Union Berlin win on Friday night, it will only be the second time they have done the league double over Leipzig, after winning 3-1 earlier in the season.
List of confirmed fixtures and dates with more to be announced in due course:
(Kick-off times 19:30 GMT)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass — Immediately after the New England Patriots selected Utah's Caleb Lomu, the offensive tackle received a message from a current player on his new team.
And it was one he will be working very closely with.
"Will Campbell already sent me a text," Lomu told reporters on a video call on Thursday night. "I haven't been able to respond yet, but I love that. Being able to come into a room, they just drafted him last year."
So, did the two know each other before this?
"Will Campbell? No, we didn't know each other before," Lomu explained. "He was probably the first person to text me when I looked at my phone after, then it kind of started to blow up a little bit. But I've never talked to him before.
"I do follow him on social media, and I've always followed his journey from college. So, the fact I'm able to go to work with him now is, it's amazing. But we didn't know each other beforehand."
But that didn't stop Campbell who was beyond excited to get another protector in the room.
"I actually didn't read the whole thing, but it was kind of just on my page, but it said just ‘Congratulations, can't wait to work with you," Lomu said. "So, I'm excited to be able to reply to that and text him back."
But, that wasn't all. Campbell also shared a post on his Instagram story, celebrating the team's pick while writing, "let's get it @caleblomu."
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Caleb Lomu shares special moment with Will Campbell after pick
Who is Sonny Styles?
The Washington Commanders made Styles their 2026 first-round choice at No. 7 on Thursday night. The former Ohio State Buckeye had been mocked to be selected in the top five, but fell to the Commanders at No. 7 when the Kansas City Chiefs traded up with Cleveland, passing the Commanders to draft the highest-rated corner, Monsoor Delane.
Sonny Styles 43.5" vertical 🔥🔥
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 26, 2026
#1 highest since 2003 for anyone 6'4"+
#1 highest since 2003 for anyone 240+ lbs
FREAK!!pic.twitter.com/mNXIDr5OLc
Here are some interesting facts about the newest Commander's linebacker selected Thursday by GM Adam Peters.
Sonny Styles high school basketball highlights pic.twitter.com/dndSn1nFju
— Mr. Ohio (@MrOH1O) April 22, 2026
Here is Styles' first interview as a Washington Commander:
"I was there a few weeks ago, I told Coach Quinn hopefully I'll be back soon."
— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
Now it's official for Sonny Styles heading to the @Commanders 🙌
2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/57Yni7P6qp
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Who is Sonny Styles?
Intel says that optimisation is critical for modern PC games – Software is holding back hardware Intel’s Robert Hallock has been discussing PC game optimisation and its impact on modern CPU performance. He argues that software optimisation plays a much larger role than it did before, and that PC gamers underestimate its impact. In an […]
The post Intel claims software optimisation hide up to 30% of CPU gaming performance appeared first on OC3D.
The all-new BYD Atto 3 crossover was revealed at the Beijing Auto Show 2026 with a peak power of 240 kW (326 hp) and up to 630 km of range.
The post All-new BYD Atto 3 debuts in China with 326 hp, 630 km range, and flash charging appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.
David Zinsner, Intel CFOIntel Foundry operating loss in Q1 was $2.4 billion, improved $72 million quarter-over-quarter as better yields across Intel 4, Intel 3, and 18A drove higher gross margins. This was mostly offset by increased operating expenses associated with an intentional step-up in Intel 14A investments to support both internal and external customer evaluations. As a reminder, Intel Foundry carries the bulk of the cost associated with the early ramp of Intel 18A, and we expect Intel Foundry's operating loss to improve through the year as 18A continues to ramp into volume and yields improve further. Within the quarter, Intel Foundry delivered output above our expectations, drove steady improvements in yields, and met key 14A milestones.
Until the PlayStation 5 era, Sony’s strategy was focused on delivering first-party games that stayed on the console to drive hardware sales. However, in a new interview with Back Pocket conducted during ALT. Games, where he also detailed how his 11-year PlayStation Studios run ended with Jim Ryan firing him, former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida revealed that the change in strategy was essentially forced by increasing AAA budgets, and actually helped the development of all first-party titles. “When I was working on the game development side, first-party at PlayStation, from the strategy standpoint, we are not allowed to bring our […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/shuhei-yoshida-shuts-down-playstation-purists-pc-ports-never-hurt-ps5/
A price freeze is already rumored to be a part of the iPhone 18 launch discussion, with Apple expected to become the most popular smartphone maker in the world if it doesn’t make its upcoming devices pricier due to the ongoing DRAM shortage. However, that’s not the only reason why the company’s upcoming flagship series could pick up in droves, because the Cupertino firm is reportedly planning a swath of chip and memory upgrades, including bringing its first 2nm SoCs to market, the A20 and A20 Pro. The iPhone 18 could ship with 12GB RAM as standard, with Apple also planning to […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/all-iphone-18-models-planned-with-various-chip-and-memory-upgrades/
Gang of Dragon, the new game by YAKUZA creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, might be in serious danger of being canceled. As spotted on Reddit, the official YouTube channel and trailers have been suddenly deleted. The Steam page is still up, though, the last flicker of hope that the game's development might continue. Gang of Dragon was unveiled just a few months ago, at The Game Awards 2025, but it was admittedly already in trouble. After his departure from SEGA in 2021, Nagoshi founded a new studio with NetEase's help the following year. However, in early 2025, reports began circulating that NetEase […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/gang-of-dragon-youtube-channel-deleted-canceled/
ASUS has become the first motherboard maker to enable AMD's next-gen EXPO 1.2 technology support on its X870 motherboards, bringing faster DDR5 memory standards to Ryzen platforms. ASUS First To Land AMD EXPO 1.2 Memory Technology Support on Its X870 Motherboards: Offers CUDIMM & Ultra Low-Latency DDR5 Support ASUS has released its new "2301" BETA BIOS, which includes one big feature that will be coming to current and upcoming AM5 motherboards: support for AMD EXPO 1.2. This technology will play an important role when coupled with the next-gen Ryzen "Zen 6" CPU family. Currently, the EXPO 1.2 support is in […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/amd-expo-1-2-lands-on-asus-x870-motherboards-cudimm-low-latency-ddr5-memory-ready/
It looks like the rumored new Game Pass tier will be officially called Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition. The leak came from the Discord datamining GitHub, and that's because, apparently, this version of Game Pass will soon be bundled with the Discord Nitro subscription. The following lines were discovered by the dataminers: This is supposedly the Triton/Duet tier that was previously datamined via Xbox Cloud Gaming by @redphx, the author of Better xCloud, a free and open-source tool that improves the Xbox Cloud Gaming and Remote Play experiences. In fact, Redphx also spotted the Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition name […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/xbox-game-pass-starter-edition-discord-nitro-leak/
Clarity AI replaces your analytics stack with AI agents that connect to your databases, CRM, and files, then automatically build pipelines, models, and production-ready dashboards. Ask questions in plain English and get validated insights, narratives, and recommendations. Atlas learns your metrics and terminology over time to deliver faster, trusted answers and proactive anomaly detection. Atlas is your team's AI data analyst, capable of running your full analytics stack and taking teams from zero to decision-ready insights in minutes.
Mironik is an AI website builder that generates complex sites in seconds while giving you pixel-perfect visual control. It outputs clean, developer-friendly code using native Flexbox and CSS Grid, and maps your prompts directly into functional components like accordions and tables. Once you finish refining, deploy instantly on enterprise-grade infrastructure with built-in Stripe and OpenAI integrations.
Minor Hotels has announced the debut of its experiential luxury brand in the United States with Anantara Miami Resort & Residences. Rising 650 feet above Biscayne Bay, the landmark development signals a defining moment for the […]Kuwait has reopened its airspace at Kuwait International Airport after a nearly two-month closure, with flights set to resume gradually, the state-run news agency Kuna said as reported by Gulf News. The move marks the start […]AmaWaterways has announced its most ambitious expansion to date, growing its global fleet to more than 50 ships by 2032, with 15 new ships in Europe and more than 60 percent capacity growth beyond the […]The U.S. Travel Association issued the following statement after some civil and human rights groups were actively warning people against travelling to the United States. The statement is as follows: Let’s say the quiet part […]oneworld® has welcomed Hawaiian Airlines as its newest member airline, becoming the third US-based carrier alongside Alaska Airlines and American Airlines and adding Honolulu as a global hub. With Hawaiian Airlines on board, oneworld’s global […]Southeast Asia’s cruise industry demonstrated strong economic value in 2024, generating US$10 billion in total output representing five percent of global cruise industry output. The region delivered US$2,564 per passenger visit – 2.4 times the […]SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) has successfully concluded its 2026 SITE Incentive Summit in Bogotá, Colombia, bringing together a curated group of global buyers and suppliers for an intimate programme of business connection, education […]Jordan Joins UAE, Oman, Lebanon, Sudan, Bangladesh and Others as Hamad International Airport Doha Reopens Flights, Airlines Resume Operations from...
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Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/luxury-hotels-innovate-with-longevity-focused-experiences-to-meet-traveler-expectations/
Luxury Hotels Innovate with Longevity-Focused Experiences to Meet Traveler ExpectationsDiscover how luxury hotels are embracing longevity to enhance long-term health...
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Oman Joins UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia And More Countries In Middle East In Mounting Emergency Again Freezes...
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Finland Considers Introducing Local Tourism Taxes as Visitor Numbers Surge: Everything You Need to KnowFinland considers introducing local tourism taxes...
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Qualcomm posted a video on X recapping every Samsung flagship that ran on Snapdragon, which ends up teasing the potential Galaxy S27 Ultra chipset.
Sixteen years is a long time in this industry, and Qualcomm knows it. The video posted by the chipmaker ends with the words, “and there’s so much more to come.”
Samsung has been playing chipset politics for years.
The Galaxy S26 series brought Exynos back to the lineup after a brief exile, though the company kept Snapdragon inside the S26 Ultra. Smart move, given how badly some Exynos launches have gone historically.
With whispers circulating that Samsung could eventually push its in-house silicon into every slot across the S series, Qualcomm clearly felt it was time to speak up, and it chose nostalgia as the weapon.
Earlier reports already pointed toward Samsung using the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, internally tagged as the SM8975, inside the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Samsung won’t unveil the S27 series until early next year, so there’s still runway for plans to shift.
The US chip designer is apparently preparing two variants of its next flagship chip, and the Pro version looks like Samsung’s pick for its top-tier model.
Qualcomm’s posting video at this moment isn’t random. These companies don’t post retrospective timelines out of sentiment. They post them to apply pressure, to signal confidence, to remind a partner publicly that leaving would be a story.
The Ultra has always been where Samsung puts its best foot forward. Qualcomm wants to make sure that the foot is wearing its chip.
Related article:
The post Qualcomm’s 16-year Snapdragon recap ends with a Galaxy S27 hint appeared first on Sammy Fans.
The post XRP Price Outlook Turns Bullish as Spot Demand Surges: Is $2 the Next Target? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
XRP price outlook is turning bullish as spot demand continues to expand, with price holding firmly above its demand zone, reinforcing a structure that is now tilting toward bullish continuation. While cumulative spot CVD has climbed to $1.39 billion, Binance perpetual CVD has dropped near -$392 million, reflecting growing short exposure across derivatives. Meanwhile, the coin price is holding steady near $1.43, with no signs of structural weakness.
As demand continues to absorb supply and short positioning builds, the divergence is no longer passive, it is shaping into a directional imbalance. With pressure building beneath resistance and support holding firm, the XRP price setup now hinges on a break higher, bringing $2 into focus.
While spot buyers continue to accumulate, derivatives traders are increasingly positioning against the move. As spot CVD has added over $300 million in recent weeks, real demand remains consistent across exchanges. Meanwhile, Binance perpetual CVD continues to trend deeper into negative territory, reflecting growing short exposure.
With long liquidations already clearing excess leverage earlier in the cycle, the market is no longer crowded on the bullish side. As funding conditions stabilize, positioning is shifting toward a healthier balance. This divergence is constructive. With demand strengthening and shorts building exposure, the market is forming conditions that typically support continuation rather than rejection.
Following the extended decline within the descending channel, XRP established a base near the $1.30–$1.35 demand zone, where accumulation began to take shape. While the channel structure initially dictated direction, repeated support holds within this region confirmed that selling pressure was being absorbed. Meanwhile, price compression near the lower range signaled a gradual shift away from continuation lower.
As accumulation progressed, XRP transitioned into a tightening range beneath resistance, steadily building pressure toward breakout. With the latest move, XRP price is attempting to hold above this zone while aligning with short-term moving averages.
Currently, XRP is stabilizing near the 20-day EMA, which is beginning to flatten, reflecting a shift from downtrend to early expansion. While price continues to hold above $1.30 and maintain higher lows, the structure remains constructive. As a move above the $1.50–$1.60 region confirms breakout acceptance, continuation toward $1.80 becomes likely, with the $2.00 level emerging as the next major upside target. However, a loss of the $1.30–$1.25 region would weaken the structure and shift price back into consolidation.
While the XRP price structure remains stable, derivatives participation is beginning to rebuild. As Binance open interest rises toward $449 million, now above its 30-day average near $420 million, positioning is gradually expanding. Meanwhile, the Z-score near 0.96 suggests that participation is increasing without reaching excessive levels.
With open interest building in a controlled manner, the market is reflecting gradual positioning rather than speculative excess. Meanwhile, the absence of extreme leverage reduces the likelihood of forced volatility disrupting structure. As participation continues to recover alongside price stability, the setup supports a constructive phase where positions are being built for continuation rather than short-term speculation.
As XRP continues to hold above its demand zone, the broader structure remains aligned with accumulation rather than breakdown. While spot demand continues to expand and derivatives positioning remains skewed, the divergence is reinforcing a setup that typically resolves through expansion. Meanwhile, the lack of downside continuation strengthens the case for sustained support.
With structure stabilizing and pressure building beneath resistance, the path toward a higher move remains open. However, once resistance begins to give way, the move is unlikely to remain contained, bringing the $2 level into focus as the next major upside target.
The post U.S State Wisconsin Sues Coinbase, Polymarket, Kalshi, & Others Over ‘Illegal Betting’ appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
U.S state Wisconsin filed a lawsuit against the five major platforms, including Coinbase, Polymarket, Kalshi, Robinhood, and Crypto.com, claiming their prediction markets violate state gambling laws. The case argues these “event contracts” are actually sports bets.
This adds pressure on the industry and raises a simple question: are these platforms real trading tools, or just gambling in disguise?
According to the complaint filed by the state, these platforms are offering products that closely resemble sports betting, which is illegal in Wisconsin outside tribal casinos.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul accused platforms like Kalshi, Coinbase, Polymarket, Robinhood, and Crypto.com of violating state gambling laws
He said that labeling these products as “event contracts” does not change what they actually are. According to him, these platforms are still facilitating illegal sports betting.
“The state says it wants to halt their alleged facilitation of illegal sports betting, a form of unlawful commercial gambling, in Wisconsin.”
Kaul also made it clear that no company is above the law. He argued that firms are simply using financial language to hide gambling activity. The state is now asking the court to stop these platforms from offering such services to users in Wisconsin.
Prediction platforms claim users are trading financial contracts based on real-world outcomes. But Wisconsin disagrees.
The lawsuit shows that:
Because of this, the state argues these contracts should be treated as traditional bets under local law.
Just in: Wisconsin DOJ is suing Kalshi, Robinhood, Coinbase, Polymarket, https://t.co/FZDqOPWpCL, and their affiliates. State says it wants to "halt their alleged facilitation of illegal sports betting, a form of unlawful commercial gambling, in Wisconsin."
— Jason Calvi (@JasonCalvi) April 23, 2026
Therefore, the lawsuit has been filed in Dane County, asking the court to declare these platforms illegal in Wisconsin. It also seeks to block them from offering sports-related contracts to users in the state.
The companies strongly deny the allegations. They say users are not gambling but trading on outcomes, similar to financial markets. Platforms like Robinhood and Kalshi argue that their services are regulated at the federal level by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Kalshi, in particular, claims its contracts are legal financial instruments traded on a regulated exchange, not gambling products.
This creates a direct conflict between state and federal views.
This is not the first time prediction markets have faced legal trouble. Other states like Nevada and New York have already raised similar concerns, calling these contracts no different from gambling.
If Wisconsin wins, it may force platforms to change or limit their services in multiple states.
But if companies win, prediction markets could expand more freely across the U.S.
iQOO could soon launch a new smartphone in China powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset. While the official name remains unclear, a new leak suggests it could be a new Neo 11 series phone. The leak also reveals several key specifications of the upcoming device. According to tipster Digital Chat Station, the handset is expected to feature a 6.83-inch flat AMOLED display with a 2K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. iQOO Neo11 While the tipster hasn’t confirmed the device’s name, several comments on the post suggest it could be part of the new Neo 11 series. Some users...
seems to have a new fight date set as he continues his surge towards the heavyweight throne, and talk not turns to who will step through the ropes with him. Itauma has not fought beyond six rounds in his 14-fight professional career, but now finds himself on the cusp of a shot at the coveted […]
The post Former heavyweight champion admits he’s not ready to face Moses Itauma yet appeared first on Boxing News.
Undefeated German contender is deemed by many to be the number two heavyweight on the planet, behind dominant and reigning unified champion Oleksandr Usyk. Kabayel got his hands on the WBC Interim heavyweight title when he knocked out Zhilei Zhang last February, continuing a rich vein of form which saw him halt Arslanbek Makhmudov and […]
The post Agit Kabayel changes fight plan to target one fight next: “That’s the best option” appeared first on Boxing News.
Süper Lig'de 2026'ya girdiğimiz andan itibaren en çok gol pozisyonu yakalayan takım Beşiktaş (141). Ancak Siyah-Beyazlılar; Galatasaray ve Fenerbahçe kadar gol sevinci yaşamadı.
Süper Lig'de 2026 yılında en fazla gol pozisyonu yakalayan takımlar ve attıkları gol sayıları şöyle (Toplam):
Beşiktaş- 141 (24 gol)
Fenerbahçe- 129 (29 gol)
Galatasaray- 126 (30 gol)
Başakşehir- 126 (21 gol)
Trabzonspor- 112 (24 gol)
Samsunspor- 105 (14 gol)
Rizespor- 104 (21 gol)
Kartal, 141 gol pozisyonuyla bu alanda zirvede yer alsa da, toplamdaki gol sayısı Galatasaray ve Fenerbahçe'nin gerisinde kaldı.
TRABZONSPOR'LA AYNI
Beşiktaş, 141 pozisyondan 24 gol çıkarırken, Trabzonspor aynı sayıya sadece 112 pozisyonda ulaştı. Listedeki en ilgi çekici takımlarından biri de hiç şüphesiz Çaykur Rizespor... Karadeniz temsilcisi, son dönemlerdeki çıkışını gollere de yansıttı. 104 pozisyonda 21 kez sevinç yaşadılar.
DERBİ ÖNCESİNDE
Bilindiği üzere pazar günü ligde Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derbisi oynanacak. İki ezeli rakibin, 2026 yılında attıkları gol sayılarının arasında sadece 1 fark var. Sarı-Kırmızılılar, 126 pozisyondan 30 gol çıkardı. Sarı-Lacivertliler ise 129 pozisyonda 29 kez tabelayı değiştirdi.
2026 yılı içinde Süper Lig'de duran toplardan en fazla gol atan takım Fenerbahçe oldu. Sarı-Lacivertliler'i takip eden ekip ise Trabzonspor...
Süper Lig'de 2026 yılı içinde duran toptan en fazla gol atan takımlar şöyle sıralanıyor (Toplam):
Fenerbahçe- 13
Trabzonspor- 9
Rizespor- 9
Alanyaspor- 9
Galatasaray- 8
Beşiktaş- 7
Gaziantep FK- 7
NOT: Duran toplara penaltılar da dahil edildi.
Bu kulvarda Fenerbahçe'nin ciddi bir üstünlüğü bulunuyor.
KARŞI KARŞIYA GELECEKLER
Galatasaray ve Fenerbahçe, pazar günü Süper Lig'de karşı karşıya gelecek. Bütün Türkiye, Ali Sami Yen'deki derbiden çıkacak sonucu merakla bekliyor. Elbette, duran toplar da zorlu maçın gidişatını değiştirebilir. Şu anda Sarı-Lacivertliler bu konuda daha önde gözüküyor...
TOPLAMDAKİ GOL DURUMU
2025-2026 sezonunun geneline baktığımızda Galatasaray 30 haftada toplam 69 gol attı. Fenerbahçe'de ise bu rakam 68... Yani arada sadece tek gollük fark var. Savunma anlamındaki hikaye ise biraz farklı... Yenilen gollerdeki durum şöyle:
Galatasaray: 23
Fenerbahçe: 30
Kocaelispor sezon başında Joseph Nonge'yi Juventus'un B takımından bedelsiz olarak kadrosuna katmıştı. 20 yaşındaki orta saha oyuncusu, Süper Lig'deki performansıyla dikkat çekiyor.
Süper Lig'in 30. haftasında en fazla başarılı dripling yapan oyuncular şöyle sıralandı:
Joseph Nonge- 8
Dan Agyei- 5
Christopher Lungoyi- 4
Matteo Guendouzi- 3
Loide Augusto- 3
Denis Makarov- 3
Calegari- 3
Kocaelisporlu Joseph Nonge, bu kategoride farkını gösterdi.
TOP KAPMADA DA BİRİNCİ
Süper Lig'in 30. haftasında rakip sahada en fazla top kazanan oyuncularda da Nonge zirveyi ele geçirdi:
Joseph Nonge- 11
Habib Keita- 9
N'Golo Kante- 7
Anthony Dennis- 7
Filip Mladenovic- 7
Andri Fannar Baldursson- 6
Kocaelispor, 30. haftada Göztepe ile 1-1 berabere kalmıştı. Joseph Nonge, mücadelesiyle dikkatleri üzerine çekti.
BEDAVA GELDİ!
Joseph Nonge, sezon başında Juventus'un B takımından bedelsiz olarak Kocaelispor'a gelmişti. 20 yaşındaki orta saha oyuncusuyla 30 Haziran 2028 tarihine kadar mukavele yapıldı. Belçika U21 Milli Takımı'nın da bir parçası olan 1.84 boyundaki futbolcuyu bazı kulüplerin izlediği konuşuluyor.
2026 yılına girildiği andan itibaren Süper Lig'de en az gol yiyen takım Galatasaray oldu. Elbette bunda birçok futbolcunun emeği var. Fakat Uğurcan Çakır ekstra öne çıkarılabilir.
Süper Lig'de 2026 yılında kalesinde en az gol yiyen takımlar ve kalelerinde gördükleri gol beklentileri şu şekilde:
Galatasaray- 11 (14.98)
Konyaspor- 12 (17.47)
Trabzonspor- 12 (13.8)
Başakşehir- 13 (15.36)
Beşiktaş- 14 (14.94)
Fenerbahçe- 16 (13.62)
Kocaelispor- 17 (15.23)
Kasımpaşa- 17 (15.27)
MUSLERA SONRASINDA
Galatasaray, kalesinde yaşadığı 14.98'lik gol beklentisine rağmen 2026'da 11 gol yedi. Bunda da Uğurcan Çakır'ın ciddi bir katkısı oldu. Milli eldiven, sezon başında Trabzonspor'dan transfer edilmişti. Sarı-Kırmızılılar, seneler süren Fernando Muslera döneminin ardından kalede yine aradığını buldu.
FENERBAHÇE FAZLASINI YEDİ
Bu listede en çok ilgi çeken takım aslında Fenerbahçe... Sarı-Lacivertliler, 13.62'lik gol beklentisine rağmen 2026'da 16 gol yedi! Brezilyalı kaleci Ederson'un performansı uzun süredir tartışılıyor. Kanarya; ezeli rakipleri Galatasaray, Beşiktaş ve Trabzonspor'dan daha fazla gol yedi.
Süper Lig'de 2026 yılına giriş yaptığımız andan itibaren ağları en fazla sarsan isim; Trabzonspor'dan Onuachu (10). Ancak Beşiktaşlı Orkun Kökçü'nün, gol beklentisine oranla skor katkısı gerçekten ilgi çekici...
Süper Lig'de 2026 yılında en fazla gol atan oyuncular ve ürettikleri gol beklentileri şu şekilde:
Paul Onuachu- 10 (6.72)
Mohamed Bayo- 8 (5.98)
Orkun Kökçü- 7 (3.1)
Dorgeles Nene- 7 (3.87)
Anderson Talisca- 7 (5.07)
Davie Selke- 7 (5.96)
Hyeon-gyu Oh- 6 (3.04)
Serginho- 6 (3.3)
Adrian Benedyczak- 6 (3.77)
Eldor Shomurodov- 6 (5.52)
Victor Osimhen- 6 (6.26)
PAUL ONUACHU İSTİKRARLI
Trabzonsporlu Onuachu, toplamda 22 golle harika bir sezon geçiriyor. Bu 22 golün 10'unu 2026'da buldu. Orkun Kökçü'nün ilginç yanı ise 3.1'lik gol beklentisinden tam 7 kez tabelayı değiştirebilmesi... Beşiktaş'a devre arasında gelen Güney Koreli forvet Oh da iyi bir katkı verdi: 6 gol (3.04 gol beklentisi).
NENE'DEN BÜYÜK ÇIKIŞ
Fenerbahçe'den Dorgeles Nene, 24 Süper Lig sınavında şans buldu. 1.395 dakikalık görev süresine 10 gol sığdırdı. Bunların 7'sini, 2026 içinde kaydetti. Onun gol beklentisi ise 3.87'ydi... 23 yaşındaki Malili kanat oyuncusunun ayrıca 7 de asist katkısı bulunuyor...
Bir dönem Galatasaray forması giyen Johan Elmander hafta sonu oynanacak Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derbisi hakkında açıklama yaptı.
Süper Lig'de bu hafta önemli bir maç oynanacak. Lider Galatasaray derbide Fenerbahçe'yi ağırlayacak. Dev mücadele öncesi sarı-kırmızılıların eski futbolcusu Johan Elmander açıklama yaptı.
Johan Elmander'in açıklamaları şöyle:
-Galatasaray'ı hala takip ediyorum. Derbi için anahtar demek istiyorum. Şampiyonu büyük oranda belirleyecek maç. Galatasaray maçı kazanırsa her şey kendi elinde olur. Bence hafta sonu oynanacak derbiyi Galatasaray 2-1 kazanacak. Galatasaray şampiyonluk için çok iyi görünüyor. Fenerbahçe'ye karşı kazansalar bile işler zor. Galatasaray'ın yüzde 65-70 olarak şampiyonluk ihtimali var diye düşünüyorum. Oyuncuların derbide ne yapacaklarını bildiğini düşünüyorum.
-Galatasaray'la ilgili çok güzel anılarım var. Taraftarların sesi, gollerden sonra sevinçlerim... Deplasmanda Fenerbahçe maçları çok önemliydi. Oynamak zorlaşıyordu. Bazı maçlarda gol attığım için şanslıydım. Ama derbiler çok farklıdır her şey olabilir. Taraftarlar çok farklı, coşkulu. Bu tarz şeyler çok özel. Geçmiş derbilerde oynamak için çok mutluyum.
OKAN BURUK AÇIKLAMASI
-Okan Buruk çok arkadaş canlısı, iyi biri çok. Sahada duruşu ve karizması çok iyi. Oyunu okuyabiliyor, teknik geliştirebiliyor. Kulüp için önemli bir isim. Ben Galatasaray'dayken kazanmak çok iyiydi. Benim için amca gibi biri olan Fatih Terim vardı. Galibiyetler alıyorduk Fatih Terim ile ara ara hala görüşüyoruz.
-Galatasaray'ın kadrosunu izliyorum ve beğeniyorum. Tek bir oyuncuyu öne çıkaramam ama birlikte iyiler. Derbide öne çıkacak oyuncu olacağını düşünmüyorum. Frikik, korner bunlar çok önemli olacak belki de maçın kaderini değiştirecek. Fenerbahçe şu an ikinci, iyi işler yaptılar ama Galatasaray hala önde.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu futbolda haftanın fikstürünü yayınladı.
Süper Lig'de 31 ve Trendyol 1. Lig'de 37. hafta maçları oynanacak. Nesine 2. Lig Kırmızı Grup'ta 34, Beyaz Grup'ta da 38. hafta karşılaşmalarıyla normal sezon tamamlanacak.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonunun açıklamasına göre liglerde haftanın programı şöyle:
Trendyol Süper Lig
Bugün:
20.00 RAMS Başakşehir-Kasımpaşa (Başakşehir Fatih Terim)
Yarın:
14.30 ikas Eyüpspor-Gaziantep FK (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan)
17.00 Zecorner Kayserispor-Çaykur Rizespor (RHG EnerTürk Enerji)
20.00 Göztepe-Hesap.com Antalyaspor (Isonem Park Gürsel Aksel Spor ve Sağlıklı Yaşam Merkezi)
26 Nisan Pazar:
14.30 Natura Dünyası Gençlerbirliği-Kocaelispor (Eryaman)
20.00 Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe (RAMS Park)
27 Nisan Pazartesi:
17.00 Corendon Alanyaspor-Samsunspor (Alanya Oba)
20.00 Beşiktaş-Mısırlı.com.tr Fatih Karagümrük (Tüpraş)
20.00 TÜMOSAN Konyaspor-Trabzonspor (MEDAŞ Konya Büyükşehir)
Trendyol 1. Lig
Yarın:
13.30 İmaj Altyapı Vanspor FK-İstanbulspor (Van Atatürk)
13.30 Serikspor-Atakaş Hatayspor (Serik İsmail Oğan)
16.00 Adana Demirspor-Eminevim Ümraniyespor (Yeni Adana)
26 Nisan Pazar:
16.00 Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü-Manisa FK (Aktepe)
16.00 SMS Grup Sarıyer-Esenler Erokspor (Yusuf Ziya Öniş)
16.00 Özbelsan Sivasspor-Alagöz Holding Iğdır FK (BG Grup 4 Eylül)
16.00 Atko Grup Pendikspor-Boluspor (Pendik)
16.00 Erzurumspor FK-Özbeyli Bandırmaspor (Erzurum Kazım Karabekir)
16.00 Sakaryaspor-Arca Çorum FK (Yeni Sakarya Atatürk)
16.00 Amed Sportif Faaliyetler-Sipay Bodrum FK (Diyarbakır)
Nesine 2. Lig
Kırmızı Grup
Yarın:
13.00 Ankara Demirspor-Güzide Gebzespor (Sincan 15 Temmuz Milli Birlik)
15.00 Somaspor-Akedaş Kahramanmaraş İstiklalspor (Soma Nazım Yavuz)
15.00 Aliağa Futbol-Bursaspor (Aliağa Atatürk)
15.00 KCT 1461 Trabzon FK-Menemen FK (Ortahisar Yavuz Selim)
15.00 Mardin 1969 Spor-Fethiyespor (Mardin 21 Kasım Şehir)
15.00 Arkent Arnavutköy Belediyesi Futbol-ISBAŞ Isparta 32 Spor (Bolluca)
15.00 Muşspor-Adanaspor (Muş Şehir)
Beyaz Grup
Bugün:
15.00 Karacabey Belediyespor-Bucaspor 1928 (Karacabey M. Fehmi Gerçeker)
Yarın:
13.30 Batman Petrolspor-Kepezspor (Batman)
15.00 Altınordu-Sultan Su İnegölspor (Metin Oktay Yerleşkesi Serpil Hamdi Tüzün Sahası)
15.00 Beyoğlu Yeni Çarşı Spor Faaliyetleri-Merkür Jet Erbaaspor (Bayrampaşa Çetin Emeç)
15.00 MKE Ankaragücü-İskenderunspor (Eryaman)
15.00 Seza Çimento Elazığspor-Anagold 24Erzincanspor (Elazığ)
15.00 GMG Kastamonuspor-Muğlaspor (Gazi)
15.00 Kızılkaya Tarım Şanlıurfaspor-Sincan Belediyesi Ankaraspor (Şanlıurfa 11 Nisan)
15.00 Karaman FK-Beykoz Anadoluspor (Yeni Karaman)
Kasımpaşa forması giyen Galatasaray'ın eski oyuncusu Kerem Demirbay, Socrates Dergi Youtube kanalına, sarı-kırmızılılara dair açıklamalarda bulundu. Demirbay, Galatasaray'ın futbol anlayışını da yorumladı.
Galatasaray'ın eski futbolcusu Kerem Demirbay, Socrates Dergi Youtube kanalına açıklamalarda bulundu. Demirbay, Zaha ve Ziyech'in Galatasaray kariyerine de değinirken tecrübeli futbolcu Galatasaray'ın başarı odaklı olduğunu belirtti.
Kerem Demirbay'ın açıklamaları şöyle:
-İnsan dokunuşları konusunda Nagelsmann, Okan Buruk seviyesinde. İnanılmaz, hocam gibi. Xabi Alonso'da biraz o eksik gibi. Futbolda bence en önemli şey bu. Okan hoca inanılmaz yapıyor bunu; insanlara, oyunculara dokunuşu çok farklı ve kaliteli. Bu konuda Nagelsmann ile aynı yani.
ZAHA AÇIKLAMASI
-Wilfried Zaha birebirde en güçlü topçulardan. Ama nedense burada seviyesinin altında oynadı. Keşke benim mentalitem ona verilse, onun da bazı yeteneği bana verilse. Hele hele hızı, inanılmaz bir topçu aslında ama yeteneğinin altında oynayan bir oyuncu.
''GALATASARAY'A TOK GELDİ''
-Hakim Ziyech saf yetenek olarak üst sıralarda ama sanki Galatasaray'a biraz tok geldi gibi. Yaşamış etmiş ama Galatasaray öyle bir kulüp değil. Galatasaray kazanma üzerine kurulmuş bir kulüp. Çalışanı da her şeyi, bir enerjide buluşuyorlar, bir nokta, o da kazanmak. Burada rahat etmek, oturmak, 'Ben tatile geldim' yok, bir maç sonra zaten taraftar yerle bir ediyor, haklı da. Beklenti vardı, veremeyince saldılar.
Futzal üzrə Azərbaycan çempionatında (Yüksək Liqa) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 18-ci turunun oyun cədvəli açıqlanıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Azərbaycan Futzal Federasiyasının rəsmi saytı məlumat yayıb.
24-cü turun görüşləri aprelin 30-da “Olimpik Star”da keçiriləcək. Əvvəlcə “Şuşa” “Neftçi” İK ilə üz-üzə gələcək. Günün digər oyunu U-19 millimizlə “Baku Fire” arasında baş tutacaq.
Son çempion “Araz-Naxçıvan” isə meydana çıxmadan 3 xal qazanacaq. Belə ki, “Lənkəran” komandası çempionatdakı çıxışını dayandırdığına görə, rəqibinə avtomatik qələbə yazılacaq.
Yüksək Liqa
18-ci tur
30 aprel
Şuşa – Neftçi İK
Bakı. “Olimpik Star”. Saat 14:30.
U-19 – Baku Fire
Bakı. “Olimpik Star”. Saat 16:30.
Xallar: Neftçi İK – 46. Araz-Naxçıvan – 43. Baku Fire – 32. Şuşa – 18. U-19 – 12. Lənkəran – 0.
Bombardirlər: Allef Mayolli (“Neftçi” İK) – 26. Sadeq Caviditavar (“Şuşa”), Ədalət Ələkbərov (“Araz-Naxçıvan”) – 23 qol.
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan çempionatında (Premyer Liqa) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 29-сu turunun iki oyununa təyinatlar açıqlanıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Peşəkar Futbol Liqasının (PFL) rəsmi saytı məlumat yayıb.
Sabah – aprelin 25-də keçiriləcək görüşlər FİFA referilərinə tapşırılıb.
Turun qalan görüşləri aprelin 26-da və 27-də keçiriləcək. Həmin görüşlərin təyinatları isə böyük ehtimalla sabah açıqlanacaq.
Premyer Liqa
29-cu tur
25 aprel
“İmişli” – “Sumqayıt”
Hakimlər: Elçin Məsiyev, Elşad Abdullayev, Pərvin Talıbov, Alik Yunusov.
VAR: Elvin Bayramov.
AVAR: Müslüm Əliyev.
Hakim-inspektor: Anar Salmanov.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Eldar Məmmədov.
Quba Olimpiya İdman Kompleksinin stadionu, 16:00.
“Qəbələ” – “Araz-Naxçıvan”
Hakimlər: Kamal Umudlu, Namiq Hüseynov, Vüsal Məmmədov, Ruslan Quliyev.
VAR: Vüqar Həsənli.
AVAR: Əkbər Əhmədov.
Hakim-inspektor: Orxan Məmmədov.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Elçin Məmmədov.
Qəbələ şəhər stadionu, 18:30.
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan İkinci Liqasında 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 24-cü turununun təyinatları müəyyənləşib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Peşəkar Futbol Liqasının (PFL) rəsmi saytı məlumat yayıb.
24-cü turun görüşləri aprelin 26-da, 27-də və 28-də keçiriləcək.
İkinci Liqa
24-cü tur
26 aprel
“Ağstafa Gəncləri” – “Kür-Araz”
Hakimlər: Nahid Xasıyev, Tural Bayramov, Rizvan Süleymanov, Samir Hüseynov.
Hakim-inspektor: Zöhrab Qədiyev.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Seymur Səlimli.
Ağstafa şəhər stadionu, 16:30.
“Dinamo” – “Şirvan”
Hakimlər: Pərviz İbrahimov, İlkin Mustafazadə, Vüsal Xəlilzadə, Nəriman Ağayev.
Hakim-inspektor: Anar Salmanov.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Asif Əliyev.
Binə qəsəbə stadionu, 16:30.
27 aprel
“Araz Saatlı” – “Göygöl”
Hakimlər: Rəsul Babayev, Rəşad Quliyev, Sadiq Əliyev, Samir Musayev.
Hakim-inspektor: İmanxan Sultani.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Namiq Əliyev.
Saatlı Olimpiya İdman Kompleksinin stadionu, 16:00.
“Şəki” – “Ağdaş”
Hakimlər: Maqsud Şamıyev, Ruslan Babayev, Hüseyn Vəliyev, Sərxan İsmayılov.
Hakim-inspektor: Rövşən Əhmədov.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Erkin Hüseynov.
Zaqatala Olimpiya İdman Kompleksinin stadionu, 16:30.
28 aprel
“Xankəndi” – “Qaradağ Lökbatan”
Hakimlər: İnqilab Məmmədov, Orxan İbişov, Mirnihad Seyidov, Kamil Aydınov.
Hakim-inspektor: Asim Xudiyev.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Törə Əhmədova.
Şamaxı Olimpiya İdman Kompleksinin stadionu, 16:00.
“Şəmkir” – “Quba”
Hakimlər: Murad Səlimov, Sevda Nuriyeva, Əhməd Əhmədsoy, Vüqar Alıyev.
Hakim-inspektor: Babək Quliyev.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Azər Əsgərov.
Şəmkir Olimpiya İdman Kompleksinin Stadionu, 16:30.
“Sabah” qapıçısı Stas Pokatilovu komandada saxlamaq istəyir.
Futbolpress.az-ın məlumatına görə, “bayquşlar” qazaxıstanlı qolkiperlə danışıqlara başlayıb. Müqaviləsi yaya qədər olan Pokatilova daha bir illik sözləşmə təklif olunub.
Stas özü də komandada qalmaq və yeni mövsümdə avrokuboklarda oynamaq niyyətindədir.
Pokatilov ötən ilin əvvəlindən “Sabah”da çıxış edir. O, bu mövsüm 39 oyunda 38 qol buraxıb.
Səudiyyə Ərəbistanı millisinin baş məşqçisi açıqlanıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, komandanın sükanı Georgios Donisə tapşırılıb. Bu barədə Səudiyyə Ərəbistanı Futbol Federasiyasının mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Donis bu postda Erve Renarı əvəzləyib.
Səudiyyə Ərəbistanı yığması yayda ABŞ, Meksika və Kanadanın ev sahibliyi edəcəyi dünya çempionatında H qrupunda Uruqvay, İspaniya və Kabo-Verde ilə qarşılaşacaq.
Mundial 11 iyunda start götürəcək.
“Koventri” klubunun baş məşqçisi Frenk Lempardın adı “Çelsi” ilə hallanır.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Çempionşipdə lider olan və elitaya vəsiqə qazanan klubun rəhbəri Daq Kinq mütəxəssislə bağlı çıxan xəbərlərə münasibət bildirib:
“Lempardın qazandığı nəticə ortadadır. Futbol da bir karuseldir və indi onu bir neçə klubla hallandıracaqlar. Qısa zamanda məşqçi dəyişikliyini sevmirəm. Bu, hardasa işlərin səhv olduğuna işarədir.
Frenk də burda xoşbəxtdir və düşünürəm ki, özü üçün rahat yer tapıb”.
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa is expected to start on the bench for Napoli in a home game against Cremonese, and even Rasmus Hojlund is in doubt due to minor fitness issues.
It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 BST) at the Stadio Maradona today, and it’s the opening match of Serie A Round 34.
The Partenopei have earned just one point in the last two games and come to this match without David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Antonio Vergara and Romelu Lukaku.
According to Italian sources, including Sky Sport Italia, Hojlund is not fully fit and might need rest, prompting Antonio Conte to possibly start Giovane up front.
Hojlund will be tested in a training session this morning, but remains slightly favourite to start in the Partenopei’s attack.
Anguissa is also not fully fit, so he’s expected to go to the bench, which means Scott McTominay will play in central midfield and Alisson Santos will be deployed as an attacking midfielder alongside Kevin De Bruyne.
Cremonese are desperate for points in the race for survival and have travelled to the Stadio Maradona without injured striker Jamie Vardy and Faris Moumbagna.
The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2, DAZN and HBO Max in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.
Napoli (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Olivera, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Gutierrez; De Bruyne, Alisson Santos; Hojlund.
Cremonese (4-4-2): Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Luperto, Pezzella; Barbieri, Bondo, Maleh, Vandeputte; Bonazzoli, Sanabria.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola would consider becoming the Italy coach in the summer despite having one year left in his contract with the Premier League giants.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would happily listen to an offer to become the new Italy coach, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Azzurri will appoint a new head coach after June 22, when the new FIGC President will be elected.
Gazzetta reports that Guardiola’s future at Manchester City is far from certain despite having a contract expiring in June 2027.
The pink paper indicates that if Pep were to leave Manchester City, he would not accept an offer from another club, as he would prefer to take a break to recover from the stress of many years at the Etihad Stadium.
This, however, doesn’t necessarily mean the Spaniard would take a sabbatical, as he already did in 2012; and a national team job would be an ideal compromise.
Gazzetta reports that Guardiola, a former Brescia and Roma midfielder, has built a strong bond with Italy and would be open to considering an offer to become the Azzurri coach.
Gazzetta recalls that back in 2018, Guardiola refused to rule out coming to Italy as a coach one day, even if, a few years later, he admitted: “Every nice thing happening in Italy makes me happy, but I think I’ll rather go to Italy on holiday than to coach.”
Italy legend Bonucci, a former assistant of Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, said Guardiola should be the first option for the new FIGC President: “I think it’s very hard, but dreaming doesn’t cost anything.”
Ranieri leaves, Gasp has won
Friedkin’s acceleration: ahead with the coach, could pave the way for Totti’s return.
Guardiola the Italian
Pep loves our country, and the national team attracts him
His farewell to Manchester City is taken for granted in Spain, and reviving the Azzurri is a big challenge. Trump’s envoy wants Italy at the World Cup. A choir of no and FIFA’s scepticism.
Tomori: ‘My Devil will win again.’
Jashari: Spalletti wants one more playmaker, open track
Conte today, Inter make the counting
Napoli against Cremonese to postpone Chivu’s party. Muharemovic says yes to the Nerazzurri.
Ranieri waves goodbye
Breakup at Roma
The rapport between the senior advisor, critical of Gasp, and the Friedkins ended yesterday
Looking for a shared solution
Two weeks after Claudio’s claims, which led to the dispute with Gian Piero, there was a decision to split up. More power and responsibility to the coach: Massara at risk.
Juve, there’s also De Gea
Not just Alisson: the Fiorentina keeper indicated by Spalletti
If Liverpool don’t release the Brazilian for free, the alternative is ready. Luciano relies on his international experience for the Champions League. The ex-Roma is the priority, but he wants to avoid a breakup with the Reds.
Conte changes: Napoli with Ali
Cremonese at the Maradona: Anguissa out, the Brazilian to play as an attacking midfielder with De Bruyne. Hojlund’s doubt: Giovane is ready.
Chivu, the first gift is in defence
Principle of agreement with Muharemovic, now the agreement with Sassuolo is needed. Deal can be closed at 25m.
Gasp pushes Ranieri out
The coach’s sponsor has become his enemy due to injury management and the market. Friedkin’s advisor is on the verge of leaving after the controversies became unbearable. Massara resigns too?
Milan-Juve: Scudetto moves
The two clubs will fight for the best placement behind Inter on Sunday, but are already preparing for a market that signals ambition for next season, with common targets. Maddaloni suggests Kim for the defence.
Toro and Vlasic negotiate a new contract
Inter, here’s Koné to enhance Calha
The Turkish remains the leader for future talents. The Roma star is incoming to protect him.
US President Donald Trump will appear at an event for holders of the TRUMP memecoin after the White House previously said it wasn’t locked into his schedule.
Besides freezing crypto, the strike force also seized a Telegram channel used to recruit unsuspecting job seekers and took down 503 fake crypto investment websites.
Stablecoin issuers must invest a minimum of $10 million into Morgan Stanley’s money market fund, MSNXX, to access the stablecoin reserve offering.
The White House’s office of technology policy said that foreign entities are using proxy accounts and jailbreaking techniques to distill capabilities from American AI models.
Jane Street has filed to dismiss Terraform’s insider trading suit, arguing the reasons for Terra’s collapse have already been litigated.
Mantle, EtherFi Foundation, Golem Foundation, Lido DAO, Ethena, LayerZero, Ink Foundation and Tyrdo have all made pledges to the “DeFi United” recovery effort.
The Cole Palmer transfer situation has been making headlines for some time now, and I can confirm that Manchester United have a genuine and concrete interest in the Chelsea star.
As has been widely reported, there is the sense that Palmer would be open to a move back to Manchester, having left United’s rivals City for Chelsea a few years ago.
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Numerous current Chelsea players are disillusioned with the current Blues project, but I cannot currently confirm that Palmer is one of them. Sources close to the player are not yet giving much away on his future.
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Meanwhile, sources close to Chelsea insist the England international is simply not for sale. They point to his long-term contract, running until 2033, which was signed in August 2024.
Even in that scenario, though, the Blues would be looking for a fee in the region of £150m, which is simply not feasible for United or any other club in the PSR era.
“United’s interest in Cole Palmer is real and concrete,” one source told me. “But I can’t see it being one for this summer. There’s been a lot of media noise, but that might be part of laying the groundwork for a deal in the future. Realistically nothing can happen now unless the player really pushes for a move.”
“Chelsea letting Cole Palmer go is a non-starter,” another source said. “He’s under contract until 2033 and he’s the face of this project. It may well be that he’s keen to move back to Manchester at some point, but at the moment this is just media speculation and not confirmed by the player.”
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Although the 23-year-old remains very highly thought of in the industry, he’s only managed 10 goals in all competitions this season, down from 18 last term, and 25 the year before.
In the long run, Palmer could well be the ideal candidate to replace Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford, but United might do well to wait one more season to see if he rediscovers his best form.
On top of that, the Red Devils remain keen to keep Fernandes for one more season at least, so there’s not necessarily an obvious role for Palmer to take up right now anyway.
The post Sources: Man United have “real and concrete” interest in signing Chelsea’s Cole Palmer appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Liverpool have been told they can likely beat Bayern Munich to the transfer of Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon this summer.
According to Christian Falk in his latest exclusive CF Bayern Insider column, Gordon is likely to cost around £65m and that would be too expensive for Bayern.
Although the German football expert has confirmed that Gordon is on Bayern’s list and tempted by the move, likely due to the influence of England teammate Harry Kane, it could depend on the price.
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Bayern don’t look like they urgently need another attacking signing, but Gordon has been in fine form so could be tempting if the opportunity arises for a reasonable fee.
For now, however, Liverpool have been tipped as being in a better financial position for this deal, while Falk also noted that the 25-year-old has an affinity to the Reds as he comes from a family of LFC supporters.
“It is TRUE: Anthony Gordon is highly-rated on Bayern’s shortlist,” Falk said. “Now, there will be talks about money, so it’s very concrete!
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“Gordon signalled that he could make a move to the Bundesliga, so I think perhaps this is partly Harry Kane’s doing. Normally, English national players rarely come to the German top-flight.
“That all said, the transfer fee Newcastle end up demanding for the winger could harm Bayern’s hopes of signing Anthony Gordon. There were many rumours of an €80m [£69.3m] fee. The Times now suggest it’s actually closer to €75m [£65m]. I think this would be too expensive for Bayern Munich.
“Of course, there’s always the possibility that if Anthony Gordon pushes for a move to Bayern and Bayern only, then perhaps Newcastle could be encouraged to lower the asking price. As things stand, Bayern Munich are in a good place with Luis Diaz, Harry Kane and Michael Olise, and with Jamal Musiala behind them. These are all positions Gordon can play, although he would be another option, so spending too much money would be difficult for FC Bayern.”
He added: “It’s true that Gordon’s prior relationship with, and affinity for, Liverpool Football Club could be a problem for Bayern Munich.
Liverpool are still one of the top clubs in Europe and they have a lot of money to spend. By contrast, Bayern don’t want to spend so much money this summer. If they can’t get an agreement with Newcastle and Liverpool are able to put more money on the table than Bayern Munich, then you can understand why the Magpies would argue they shouldn’t sell Gordon cheaply to Munich when they can get more money from Liverpool. This could be a problem.”
Liverpool clearly have the bigger issues in attack right now, so it seems a move to Anfield makes more sense for everyone involved.
Of course, Newcastle won’t be at all keen to sell the England international, especially after also eventually having to let star player Alexander Isak move to Anfield last year.
Still, Gordon looks like he could be an important addition to Arne Slot’s squad, helping replace Mohamed Salah in that front three, whilst also providing an upgrade on other unconvincing attacking players like Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo.
Gordon would surely play more often there than at Bayern, where there is so much high-quality competition for a place in the starting XI.
The post New: Liverpool can out-bid Bayern Munich for £65m attacker transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Bayern Munich may reportedly be tempted by the chance to sign Xavi Simons if he ends up being available on the cheap this summer.
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Simons only joined Tottenham last summer, but has struggled in what has been a hugely disappointing campaign for the north London club as a whole.
If Tottenham ended up getting relegated, it’s easy to imagine that Simons might be one of the big names they let go for below what his ordinary market value would be.
Writing for CF Bayern Insider, Christian Falk suggested this could be an opportunity that tempts Bayern, who were interested in the Netherlands international when he was at former club RB Leipzig.
Bayern like Simons, but considered him too expensive before, so Falk insists this would only be of interest to them for the right price, or if they miss out on other targets.
“It’s a question worth asking in terms of whether someone like Xavi Simons would appeal if Tottenham were to be relegated this season,” Falk wrote.
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“Vincent Kompany and Max Eberl both like the player. However, he was simply too expensive to sign from RB Leipzig last summer. Uli Hoeneß, the former president of Bayern Munich (but still part of the supervisory board), shared a nice story about this particular topic. We knew Kompany paid a visit to Tegernsee (an hour away from Munich), where Hoeneß lives, along with Christoph Freund, the sporting director. They were asking permission to sign Simons. However, Uli Hoeneß simply said you can’t sign Simons, but you can have some apple pie!
“This summer, we have to see! Xavi Simons has to be really cheap for Bayern to even consider it. In the meantime, there are a few other names on the shortlist that are more highly rated. Of course, if FC Bayern can’t sign their top options and Simons is affordable, then perhaps this could be an option. But not for the moment.”
Spurs fans probably won’t be too keen to see Simons go, as the 23-year-old could still have a very bright future ahead of him.
At the same time, however, with only five goals and six assists this season, there’s no doubt he’s been a little underwhelming in his time in English football so far.
If there’s money to be made on Simons, then perhaps THFC should consider it, as it could allow them to rebuild in numerous other areas in what surely has to be a busy summer of changing up this struggling squad.
The post Expert rates Bayern Munich’s chances of signing Tottenham star appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Karim Benzema (38) has ruled out returning to formative club Olympique Lyonnais, as a player, however, he has said that he would be open to returning in a coaching capacity once he hangs up his boots.
Benzema continues to perform in the Saudi Pro League. The Frenchman began the season with Al-Ittihad before moving to Al-Hilal. In all competitions this season, he has 24 goals in 29 games. His current contract with Al-Hilal runs until 2027.
Benzema has been linked with a return to Lyon, where he began his career. Prior to leaving to join Real Madrid back in 2009, he made 148 appearances for OL, scoring 66 goals. He will not add to those figures, however. “I can’t [return to OL],” said Benzema during a live stream interview with rapper Rohff, broadcast on Instagram.
The former France international continued, “Why not go and work there after, but as a player, no. As a manager? I don’t know. Maybe. I would first like to manage the youth teams. I don’t like the training that they have. I would like to be close to the young players, I want to explain to them how I see football.”
Whilst Benzema continues to be linked with a return to Europe, a return to OL is now off the table.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Alisson Becker could return against Crystal Palace this weekend.
The Brazil international has missed the last threePremier League games with a hamstring injury, including last weekend's Merseyside Derby win at Everton, which saw replacement Giorgi Mamardashvili suffer a knee issue.
Third-choice Freddie Woodman was introduced as a substitute to make his Liverpool league debut, and firstPremier League appearance in five years.
Woodman had been expected to start against Palace this weekend, but Slot has confirmed Alisson is unexpectedly back in contention.
The Dutchman revealed that Mamardashvili is facing 'weeks' on the sideline with his issue.
"No Giorgi [Mamardashvili] will definitely not be available tomorrow and not for the upcoming weeks," Slot said at hispre-match press conference.
"Alli [Alisson] is close to returning to play. Let's see if tomorrow comes too early.
"That leaves Freddie [Woodman] as an option who is definitely fit."
Everton U21s play Watford U21s at Walton Hall Park on Friday evening in a playoff game that sees mid-table PL2 sides playing the top finishers in the league below PL2. kick-off is at 7 pm.
Although the U21s completed their regular PL2 season of 20 games last week, they finished 18th out of 29 to qualify as one of eight Category 1 Academy sides in a bizarre playoff bracket which sees them pitted against the Top 8 finishers in the Professional Development League 2, who are all Category 2 Academy sides.
There's no promotion or relegation in jeopardy from this but the ultimate winners will be able to lift the PL2 Challenge Cup. While it doesn't carry the weight of the "PL2 Champion" title, it is a formal piece of professional football silverware that could adorn the rather barren trophy cabinet at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Official Members of Everton Footbal Club who can't attend this evening will be able to watch a live stream of the clash on Everton TV.
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When Newport County last faced Oldham Athletic, it marked the beginning of Christian Fuchs' reign as Exiles boss.
Bottom of the League Two table, four points from safety and winless in three, Fuchs was given a reminder of just how difficult a task he faced as Oldham ran out 3-0 winners last November against a depleted Exiles side that looked destined for the drop.
Now, in his final home game of the season, Fuchs has the chance to turn that painful first chapter into a story of survival against the same opponents who inflicted his first managerial defeat.
Victory for Newport on Saturday (15:00 BST) , coupled with defeats for both Barrow at Cambridge United and Harrogate Town at Walsall the same afternoon, would mathematically secure their Football League status.
It would be an achievement Fuchs - a Premier League champion with Leicester City as a player - has already said would rank among the proudest of his career.
But the 40-year-old former Austrian defender is not getting side-tracked by the fairytale-like symmetry that securing survival against the side he first faced would bring.
"It's stories that football tells us, but we're not in a make-a-wish foundation here," said Fuchs.
There were moments this season when survival would have felt close to miraculous.
Newport have spent large portions of the campaign stuck inside the relegation zone, only climbing out for the first time nine games ago.
Sitting one point and one place above the drop with two matches remaining represents real progress from County's dismal start under David Hughes.
"I don't think we're in a situation where we need to look for a Great Escape," Fuchs said when asked to compare this run-in to the famous 2016-17 survival act under former boss Michael Flynn.
"We have everything in our own hands, and we are above the drop zone.
"I don't see it as a Great Escape because they [the players] have worked now over the last months to get above the drop zone, and then now to have it in their own hands is already a big effort that we put in. Now it's about finishing it off."
Defeat at Cheltenham Town last weekend was a setback, particularly with Tranmere Rovers claiming their first win in 13 matches in mid-week against the Robins.
That result moved Tranmere to the brink of survival, three points clear of the Welsh club, who are vying for survival for the third consecutive season.
Despite this, Newport remains a point behind Crawley Town and a point ahead of the bottom two, leaving the Exiles firmly the writers of their own destiny knowing six points from six and they could not be caught by the sides below them.
And if things go his side's way, the job could indeed be finished by Saturday evening.
"It's about getting it right, putting on a good performance, making sure that from the first whistle until the last whistle [we give] everything," Fuchs said.
Fuchs says his side will not be side-tracked by events elsewhere on Saturday.
"Its nothing we can affect," said the Austrian.
"The bottom line is that even with the Tranmere game [in midweek] we still have everything in our own hands, and we have a really good opportunity this Saturday.
"We don't think about the other results to be honest, because you cannot affect those it's about what we can do and what we need to do. The only thing we can affect is our performance."
Like Cheltenham, Oldham arrive in south Wales with little tangible to play for - 11th in the table but an unassailable nine points off the play-off places - but Fuchs does not see that as an advantage.
"They can probably play with a lot more freedom now because they're not playing for anything anymore, but everybody always plays for three points. And that's something that has to do with pride," he said.
"I'm expecting an Oldham team that will be up for it, but we will be up for it as well."
Rodney Parade has not proved a fortress this year with County winning just five games on home turf, the joint third-worst record in the league, making the backing of the Amber Army ever more vital for Saturday.
"We need their support as always, and together we can make something good happen," Fuchs said.
Newport will be without striker Nathaniel Opoku, who is sidelined for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury, while fellow forward Courtney Baker-Richardson remains a doubt.
With two natural number nines a doubt, one of Bobby Kamwa or Michael Spellman could be deployed in a makeshift striking role as Fuchs hinted that they both have "a very important role" to play this weekend.
A tumultuous campaign could reach the conclusion everyone associated with County craves, and Fuchs says belief remains strong amongst the squad.
"We still have it in our own hands," he said. "That's a strong force to have but now it's about giving the answer on the pitch."
Can County survive, or will Fuchs be reminded of the scale of the task he inherited, just as he was in his very first match against the Latics?
Well documented and well rehearsed, Tony Adams has been through this line of questioning for some time. Three decades, in fact. It was the summer of 1996 – a home European Championships – when the then England captain reached rock bottom. After an excruciating penalty shootout exit against Germany, the talismanic centre-back embarked on a ghastly 44-day bender, mixing brandy with Guinness to avoid consistent vomiting. By August, aged 29, his alcohol addiction had gone too far.
“I felt so lonely and so desperate,” Adams recalls, now 30 years sober. “I was blacking out and it got into my psyche. I had this mask on, so no one saw it, but underneath I was dying. Everything had stopped working: the football, the drink. I felt scared, in terror, and I just didn’t want to be here. I had a moment where I broke down and cried – and that was a moment of clarity.”
Adams, refreshingly forthright and candid, speaks powerfully in adding: “I was stuck at that point of no return. We called it the ‘jumping-off point’ in [Alcoholics] Anonymous. I couldn’t work, my family had gone, and everything had collapsed. So fast forward 30 years, to now running around smiling at people on Sunday… that’s very special.”
Sixty-six England caps; 672 Arsenal appearances; 13 trophies. It’s quite the footballing haul. Now, four years on from his memorable two-month stint on Strictly Come Dancing, Adams is embarking on another mighty adventure in his 60th year. On Sunday, he will run the London Marathon, battling all the creaking of a metal knee in the process.
A larger-than-life figure in public, Adams will run for The Forward Trust, a charity he has chaired for 18 months, which helps people break the cycles of addiction, crime and unemployment. And he is keen to stress that, even on a day where the capital comes alive with annual fervour and exuberance from all corners, you never know what’s going on deep within.
“Even in a marathon with 50,000 people running, you never know who’s struggling,” he says. “I used to sit in rehab and try to guess who would ‘get it’. I was always wrong. Addiction is insidious; it’s buried inside. You can’t tell what someone is going through just by looking at them.
“Our charity is about real change. We’ve helped 1,000 people into employment last year and 35,000 people in total. Charities everywhere are struggling and we’re not a very ‘sexy’ charity. Alcohol and drug abuse are not high on the agenda. There’s no real funding for rehabilitation – but we’re trying to provide it.”
Beyond bygone stories of Arsenal’s infamous “Tuesday Club” of the 1990s, where the likes of Adams, Paul Merson, Ray Parlour and Lee Dixon embarked on heavy drinking sessions, Adams’s personal journey with sobriety reached a rather heart-rending chapter two years ago when his son Oliver, now 34, revealed the booze had taken hold of him too.
“When my son came to me and said, ‘I’m done, Dad’, I knew what I had to do,” Adams says. “That’s the difference compared to 30 years ago, when I reached out. Now, I know the solution. I can pass it on and he can pass it on to others. That’s why I do Chance [Adams founded the Sporting Chance Clinic in 2000, which provides addiction and mental health support for athletes] and The Forward Trust. It’s getting people to the right help.”
Now, Adams seems in arguably the best place he’s ever been. Or as he describes it, three days out from “plodding” around 26 miles, “life is pretty wonderful.” He has taken a “less is more” approach to training, having not completed a training run longer than 10 miles. Are alarm bells ringing? Not quite – Adams has been through this stage of anticipation before.
“I’m quite calm, I’m used to big events,” he says. “It’s not like Strictly – mentally, that was really tough. This will be a bit of fun, but you’ve got to be careful not to get carried away with the moment.
“My first trophy [the League Cup] was against Liverpool in 1987, but I was a young 21-year-old running around trying to win the game on my own. I left a big hole behind me and Ian Rush scored. That taught me a valuable lesson.”
Although insisting he is “not competitive”, Adams can’t help but mention the marathon time of John Terry – another former England centre-back captain, though 14 years younger – who clocked in at just over five hours last year. Adams is more conservative – “probably under six hours” – yet the Gunners legend does not need an invitation for a gentle jab at his London rivals.
“In my last game, in 2002 against Chelsea, I just did my job,” he says. “I got through the match, we won 2-0 and lifted another double. I’m approaching the marathon in the same way. I’m not going to run 26 miles in the first mile.
“I’ve been very lucky and won a lot in my career, but finishing the marathon would be equal to any achievement. This is personal, I’m on my own out there, but there’s a different responsibility to this one.”
Millwall are considering taking legal action after Westminster City Council used the Championship club's badge on an illustration of a Ku Klux Klan member.
The image appeared in a children's anti-racism booklet distributed in primary schools in the local area about the life of former footballer Paul Canoville, who was the first black player to play for Chelsea.
It shows a cartoon figure wearing a white hood and robes, which is typically associated with the white supremacist group, with the outfit also bearing Millwall's crest.
The figure is imposed next to a photograph of Canoville, with a speech bubble coming from the ex-player that reads: "Racism never went away. I was badly abused in a reserve match at Millwall, but then I could show the racists my 1984 2nd Division Champions medal!"
On Thursday, Westminster City Council apologised to the club for the "improper use of their logo and for any offence caused".
"We accept the use of this image was an insensitive way to illustrate the historic problem of racism within football," it said.
"The booklet has been removed from circulation, and we are reviewing processes to ensure this doesn't happen again."
In a message on X via the official supporters' club, Millwall said the "serious misuse of a registered club badge" created a "false and damaging image of the club".
Millwall said the council confirmed any remaining copies of the booklet they have will be destroyed and no more copies will be made and distributed.
"The club is still considering its legal position on the matter and are unable to comment further," it said.
The Paul Canoville Foundation said it was aware of the image, which was widely shared on social media, but stressed it had no involvement in the material's content, saying it was "not produced by, commissioned by, or approved" by the foundation or Canoville.
"Our involvement in the associated programme was limited solely to Paul's personal appearance; meeting students and sharing his lived experience," the foundation's chief executive officer Raphael Frascogna said in a statement.
"At no stage were we shown, consulted on, or asked to approve the content of the booklet, including any illustrations within it."
Frascogna added the illustration does depict a real incident Canoville experienced when playing for Chelsea reserves against Millwall reserves in the 1980s, "in which he was subjected to serious racial abuse by a number of individuals wearing Ku Klux Klan-style white hoods".
Former winger Canoville, now 64, played for Chelsea for five years from 1981 and scored 15 goals in 103 games, later retiring because of a knee injury aged 25 after a short spell at Reading.
Millwall are third in the Championship this season, level on points with second-placed Ipswich, who are in the automatic promotion places.
As part of OneFootball's collaboration series with Shoot Music we're interviewing an artist every week about their love of football.
This week it's Casper Starreveld, guitarist for Dutch rock band Kensington and huge Ajax fan.
Not only is Casper a supporters of Ajax, Kensington made history in 2018 as the only Dutch band to play a sold-out show at the club's iconic Johan Cruijff ArenA to 60,000 fans
When did you start supporting Ajax and why?
Around 1992 or ‘93, I was about six or seven years old, and the golden Louis van Gaal years inspired me a lot as a kid. First the UEFA Cup victory with Stefan Pettersson, but my big hero was Jari Litmanen, especially after the legendary Champions League campaign and victory in ‘94/‘95. I was starting to play football myself, and all I wanted was to be like Litmanen. Beautiful player, outstanding and underrated at the same time. A true Ajax legend.
What is your favourite memory of supporting Ajax as a child?
Patrick Kluivert scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final in ‘95. My family had a friend's dog over for a couple of days and he was so startled by our sudden cheers when we all jumped, that he bit my brother's leg! Chaos haha.
Close second is the Real Madrid away game in 2019. I watched it in a recording studio in Canada at midday, which was weird, but what a game.
It's now four years since Ajax were last Eredivisie champions - what's happened?
Many reasons I guess. Great talent leaves too soon. We need at least a couple of great years from young talent such as Jorrel Hato. Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek etc. There's no stable leadership within the club and a lot of chaos. Different opinions and vision. We also haven't brought in players that really raised the level or culture within the club, like Dušan Tadic or Hakim Ziyech did for instance.
On the other hand you've got a PSV that have everything together.
How do Ajax get back to the top of the Dutch game?
Keep investing heavily in the youth academy, that is in our DNA. Make sure we get that golden combination of young talent, supervised by seasoned veterans who are still in their prime - Daley Blind was great in that role. A good head coach with a strong vision, preferably attacking, but not unrealistic. I liked Francesco Farioli with his passion and drive, I think he could have done great things if he stayed.
Looking ahead to next season, who do you think is the right coach to lead the team in 2026/27?
I’m still rooting for Kjetil Knutsen. After a phenomenal campaign with Bodø/Glimt he’ll be hard to get, but let’s aim high!
Kensington’s new single, 'Livin' For', is out now.
You can follow the band on Instagram here: @kensingtonband
The first of seven rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft kicked off on Thursday night on Channel 2.
A handful of Georgia standouts have already been drafted and are heading to the NFL.
[NFL Draft 2026: Dates, times, draft order, how to watch on Channel 2]
So far, just one UGA Bulldog has come off the board.
Monroe Freeling was selected as the No. 19 overall pick during the first round by the Carolina Panthers.
Georgia Tech Guard Keylan Rutledge was also grabbed in the first round.
The Houston Texans drafted him as the No. 26 pick overall.
While he may not have played for a Georgia team in college, another Georgia native is heading to Texas.
Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs, a Gwinnett County native who attended Mill Creek High School, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys as the No. 11 overall pick.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
FC Barcelona Women already know the players selected for the first leg of the Women’s Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich. And the big news — and the most significant for Pere Romeu’s plans — is the absence of Aitana Bonmatí.
The current Ballon d’Or winner has not managed to recover in time from her physical discomfort and will miss the first clash on German soil, now focusing her efforts on being available for the return leg at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Despite the absence of the Sant Pere de Ribes native, the Blaugrana squad travel with their ambition intact and a fully reliable group. The squad list stands out for the presence of key figures such as Mapi León and Irene Paredes, who will lead the back line.
In midfield, the responsibility will fall on Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro, who arrives in perfect condition despite suffering an issue with the Spanish national team during the last FIFA international break.
The match will be played this Saturday, 25 April, at 18:15, and Barça will look to put the tie on track as they dream of reaching their sixth consecutive final.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
A 54-year-old ultra-marathon runner who had breast cancer says it is her ultimate ambition to complete the 100 Marathon Club challenge of the "Triple Crown".
Apryl Hammett, who works as a librarian at New Hall School in Chelmsford, will tick off her 100th road race at Sunday's London Marathon.
She has already completed more than 100 trail versions and 100 ultra-marathons, since she took up running 25 years ago.
"It has got harder as I have got a little bit older, but the target has kept me going, and I am almost there," she said.
Hammett, who is running in aid of the Alzheimer's Society after a close family member was diagnosed with dementia, said she took up running originally to lose weight.
"After I had finished breastfeeding my last daughter, I carried on eating too much. I was very overweight and something had to be done, as it was going to affect my health," she said.
"I had a choice — either go on a diet or take up exercise."
Apryl said she had a friend who recommended a pair of running shoes for her and she never looked back.
On Sunday, she will take part in her 465th marathon race (made up of road, trail and ultra-marathons). She said she would love to make it to 500 before she considers hanging up her running shoes.
"Road marathons are harder, particularly as you get older," she said.
"The surfaces are less forgiving [on your joints], unlike the grass. So it might be a lot of trail marathons that helps me reach the 500 milestone."
Libby May, events fundraising officer at the Alzheimer's Society said: "The money raised provides vital support to people living with dementia, and funds ground-breaking research and campaigns to make dementia the priority it should be.
"There are around a million people living with dementia in the UK. We simply can't reach everyone who needs us without the continued help of our incredible fundraisers like Apryl."
Indeed, April has been a busy month for Apryl...
She has completed her 98th (Brighton) and 99th (Norfolk) road marathons before her 100th in the capital, when she hopes to accomplish the rare feat of the triple crown of 300 races.
She will become the 20th person (and fifth female) to officially run 100 road, trail and ultra-marathons and claim their award patch.
So what was Apryl's toughest race?
"That was Grand Union Canal Race," she said, without hesitation.
The 145-mile (233km) ultra-marathon goes from the centre of Birmingham to the centre of London along the waterway's towpath.
"It took me 39 and a half hours. I had a lot of support from friends, which was lovely, as we ran throughout the night, without sleep," she said.
"We also had to contend with an electrical storm during the evening, which made it even more challenging but we got there - just."
Apryl said she will warm up for Sunday's race with yet another Parkrun - she has already clocked up more than 500 goes at the free 5km running events which take place across the world every Saturday morning.
She said running for her chosen charity would keep her going.
"The Alzheimer's Society have been so helpful to us, and they continue to help so many other families.
"Dementia is tough, not only for the person involved but also the people around them, supporting them."
In recent years, Apryl has had her own personal struggles with health after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and her husband Guy has been diagnosed with throat cancer.
"I love running, and being outdoors. I feel privileged to be able to do it and I hope to continue to run for many years.
"The London Marathon is just the best race. The crowds are phenomenal. It is so exciting when you hear people shouting 'Mrs H', or whoever's name it is.
"I have done the other two parts of the challenge, so my 100th road marathon in London to complete the triple crown will be an incredible experience."
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Dallas Stars (50-20-12, in the Central Division) vs. Minnesota Wild (46-24-12, in the Central Division)
Saint Paul, Minnesota; Saturday, 5:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Wild -135, Stars +114; over/under is 6
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Stars lead series 2-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Dallas Stars visit the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 2-1 lead in the series. The teams meet Wednesday for the eighth time this season. The Stars won 4-3 in overtime in the last matchup.
Minnesota has a 14-11-4 record in Central Division games and a 46-24-12 record overall. The Wild have a +33 scoring differential, with 268 total goals scored and 235 allowed.
Dallas has a 50-20-12 record overall and a 19-7-3 record in Central Division play. The Stars lead the Western Conference with 71 power-play goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Matthew Boldy has 42 goals and 43 assists for the Wild. Kirill Kaprizov has six goals and four assists over the past 10 games.
Jason Robertson has 45 goals and 51 assists for the Stars. Wyatt Johnston has scored seven goals and added four assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Wild: 5-4-1, averaging 3.6 goals, 5.8 assists, five penalties and 11.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
Stars: 8-2-0, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.4 assists, 5.3 penalties and 12 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game.
INJURIES: Wild: Yakov Trenin: day to day (upper-body), Mats Zuccarello: day to day (upper-body).
Stars: Nathan Bastian: out (hand), Roope Hintz: out (lower body), Tyler Seguin: out for season (acl).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Carolina Hurricanes (53-22-7, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Ottawa Senators (44-27-11, in the Atlantic Division)
Ottawa, Ontario; Saturday, 3 p.m. EDT
LINE: Senators -111, Hurricanes -109; over/under is 5.5
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Hurricanes lead series 3-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Carolina Hurricanes visit the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-0 lead in the series. The teams meet Thursday for the seventh time this season. The Hurricanes won 2-1 in the last matchup.
Ottawa has a 44-27-11 record overall and a 23-13-6 record on its home ice. The Senators have a 9-12-4 record in games they serve more penalty minutes than their opponents.
Carolina is 25-12-5 on the road and 53-22-7 overall. The Hurricanes are second in the league with 291 total goals (averaging 3.6 per game).
TOP PERFORMERS: Tim Stutzle has scored 34 goals with 48 assists for the Senators. Brady Tkachuk has two goals and five assists over the past 10 games.
Sebastian Aho has 27 goals and 53 assists for the Hurricanes. Logan Stankoven has scored seven goals and added five assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Senators: 5-3-2, averaging three goals, 4.6 assists, 3.6 penalties and 8.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game.
Hurricanes: 8-1-1, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.1 assists, 3.6 penalties and 7.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game.
INJURIES: Senators: Jake Sanderson: day to day (undisclosed), Artem Zub: day to day (undisclosed), Nick Jensen: out for season (lower-body).
Hurricanes: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Pittsburgh Penguins (41-25-16, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (43-27-12, in the Metropolitan Division)
Philadelphia; Saturday, 8 p.m. EDT
LINE: Flyers -119, Penguins -101; over/under is 5.5
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Flyers lead series 3-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-0 lead in the series. The teams meet Wednesday for the eighth time this season. The Flyers won the last matchup 5-2.
Philadelphia has a 43-27-12 record overall and a 15-9-5 record in Metropolitan Division play. The Flyers have committed 322 total penalties (3.9 per game) to rank seventh in NHL play.
Pittsburgh has gone 41-25-16 overall with a 13-7-9 record against the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins are 41-8-9 in games they score at least three goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Travis Konecny has 27 goals and 41 assists for the Flyers. Porter Martone has six goals and six assists over the last 10 games.
Sidney Crosby has 29 goals and 45 assists for the Penguins. Evgeni Malkin has scored six goals and added five assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Flyers: 9-1-0, averaging 3.8 goals, 5.9 assists, 4.8 penalties and 11.2 penalty minutes while giving up 1.8 goals per game.
Penguins: 3-7-0, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.6 assists, 4.7 penalties and 13.2 penalty minutes while giving up 3.5 goals per game.
INJURIES: Flyers: Rodrigo Abols: out (ankle), Nikita Grebenkin: out (upper body), Emil Andrae: day to day (upper-body).
Penguins: Filip Hallander: out (leg), Caleb Jones: out for season (shoulder).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Vincent Kompany could at long last get his Xavi Simons wish, but only if the player is affordable.
Christian Falk reports that the Dutch international is not the highest-rated name on Bayern Munich’s summer transfer shortlist.
However, a potential Tottenham relegation, coupled with a lowering of the attacking midfielder’s valuation, could tempt potential suitors from Germany.
Fans may remember that both Kompany and Bayern chief Max Eberl were attracted to the prospect of bringing Simons to Munich in the summer.
In the end, however, Uli Hoeneß put a stop to any such hopes, citing the need for the club to promote from within rather than splash an exorbitant amount of cash.
“It’s a question worth asking in terms of whether someone like Xavi Simons would appeal if Tottenham were to be relegated this season,” Falk exclusively informed CF Bayern Insider.
“Vincent Kompany and Max Eberl both like the player. However, he was simply too expensive to sign from RB Leipzig last summer. Uli Hoeneß, the former president of Bayern Munich (but still part of the supervisory board), shared a nice story about this particular topic. We knew Kompany paid a visit to Tegernsee (an hour away from Munich), where Hoeneß lives, along with Christoph Freund, the sporting director. They were asking permission to sign Simons. However, Uli Hoeneß simply said you can’t sign Simons, but you can have some apple pie!”
“This summer, we have to see! Xavi Simons has to be really cheap for Bayern to even consider it. In the meantime, there are a few other names on the shortlist that are more highly rated. Of course, if FC Bayern can’t sign their top options and Simons is affordable, then perhaps this could be an option. But not for the moment.”
It’s an intervention that keen observers would point out has worked in Bayern’s favour.
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Both Lennart Karl and Tom Bischof have emerged as strong contenders for a regular starting berth in the first-XI.
* Lennart Karl and Tom Bischof’s stats across all competitions in 2025/26
Would their opportunities have been curtailed by the availability of a technician like Simons?
Time is running out for Roberto De Zerbi’s relegation battlers.
Tottenham sit two points outside of safety (on goal difference), with five games to go in the 2025/26 Premier League season.
And the simple fact of the matter is that a good chunk of their elite stars simply won’t wish to hack life in England’s second-tier should the unthinkable happen.
In which case, Bayern may yet have competition for Xavi Simons’ signature either way – and for good reason!
* Xavi Simons’ stats in the 2025/26 Premier League season (Fotmob)
He’s been largely unable to show his best this season in north London, but we’ve seen plenty of flashes of brilliance to entice some of Europe’s elite clubs.
Take, for instance, Simons’ two-goal display against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Or his goal and assist against Brighton that came painfully close to taking Spurs out of the relegation zone.
There’s a player there for whoever wants to take a punt.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola would consider becoming the Italy coach in the summer despite having one year left in his contract with the Premier League giants.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would happily listen to an offer to become the new Italy coach, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: A general view as pyrotechnics are set off to recreate the Italy flag prior to the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
The Azzurri will appoint a new head coach after June 22, when the new FIGC President will be elected.
Gazzetta reports that Guardiola’s future at Manchester City is far from certain despite having a contract expiring in June 2027.
The pink paper indicates that if Pep were to leave Manchester City, he would not accept an offer from another club, as he would prefer to take a break to recover from the stress of many years at the Etihad Stadium.
This, however, doesn’t necessarily mean the Spaniard would take a sabbatical, as he already did in 2012; and a national team job would be an ideal compromise.
Gazzetta reports that Guardiola, a former Brescia and Roma midfielder, has built a strong bond with Italy and would be open to considering an offer to become the Azzurri coach.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 27: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, acknowledges the fans after the team’s victory during the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on April 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Gazzetta recalls that back in 2018, Guardiola refused to rule out coming to Italy as a coach one day, even if, a few years later, he admitted: “Every nice thing happening in Italy makes me happy, but I think I’ll rather go to Italy on holiday than to coach.”
Italy legend Bonucci, a former assistant of Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, said Guardiola should be the first option for the new FIGC President: “I think it’s very hard, but dreaming doesn’t cost anything.”
Former UFC title challenger, UFC analyst and podcaster Chael Sonnen recently made some comments and an accusation about Jorge Masvidal that has drawn a fiery response from "Gamebred."
Masvidal claims to be in talks with the UFC for a potential octagon return with a big opportunity. Sonnen accused the orginal BMF titleholder of lying.
“I have no problem with Masvidal lying, trying to get headlines. As a matter of fact, I support it,” Sonnen recently said on his YouTube channel.
“You don’t want to contradict your own lie; that’s where the problem comes. If you’re lying to get headlines, you’re not a liar, you’re a performer, and you’re entertaining," Sonnen continued.
"But you have to keep track of your story. Masvidal has been workshopping a story that ‘I’m back in the pool, under contract, fighting in the UFC, and got something massive coming up’. Flirted and danced, he was at the White House ... it’s a work, there’s no truth to it, and Masvidal is out of the UFC."
On Thursday, Masvidal responded to Sonnen's comments with an expletive filled reaction.
"For starters, this motherf**ker has some nerve. He’s transitioning into a woman and he’s talking sh*t to me? You lesbian ass motherf**er, and no disrespect to the lesbians, this motherf**ker needs to chill,” Masvidal said.
"Now that he’s a lesbian, he thinks I can’t slap him? I’ll still slap the f**k out of you, Chael, you lesbian in transition. Look at them f**king tits and glasses he’s wearing, he looks like one of my f**king aunts.
“I can’t take this guy seriously. The only serious thing this guy did was fighting Anderson Silva, lost, got triangle tapped, and he was on seven different PEDs. Dude, you can never talk to me. I’ve never had a positive exam for steroids in my life, shut the f**k up, Chael, you’re talking to a real fighter," Masvidal continued.
“I never said I’m ‘officially’ fighting at the White House, you f**king lying piece of sh*t. There was a lot of interest in that fight, at first, and there was a big chance I’d be on that card. They asked me for a few things, and then the date changed … not contradicting anything, it’s called ‘Rolling with the punches’. Now, the UFC has offered me something else."
FC Red Bull Salzburg have signed another talented youngster, Filip Matijasevic. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder will join us in Salzburg this summer from Serbian first-division club FK Cukaricki and has signed a contract until 30 June 2031.
The Serbian youth international, who played in his country's top flight at the age of 16, has already made 28 appearances and scored four goals for the team currently seventh in the Super Liga. He will join the Red Bulls squad this summer, while also having the opportunity to play for FC Liefering as a cooperation player.
Details
We are delighted to have brought another talented player, Filip Matijasevic, to Salzburg, whose career we have been following for some time. Despite his relatively young age, he has already gained considerable experience in professional football, but he will certainly be given the necessary time to settle in with us.
Marcus Mann
I'm very excited to be joining FC Red Bull Salzburg this summer. The club is known for its excellent work with young players. I want to seize this opportunity and will give everything I can to integrate as quickly as possible and be successful with my new team.
Filip Matijasevic
Samit Patel, who has announced his retirement from domestic cricket, says he "probably wouldn't have played" in a disapproved T20 league earlier this year had he known it would result in a ban.
Former England all-rounder Patel, 41, and Australian bowler Peter Siddle are both unable to play in the T20 Blast this summer after competing in the World Legends Pro T20 League in Goa.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) says players cannot play domestic cricket for 12 months if they have participated in a "disapproved" league such as this.
As a result, Patel has retired from domestic cricket in England but says he will still be playing franchise cricket elsewhere in the world.
"I probably wouldn't have played it [the World Legends League]," Patel told BBC Sport's Strategic Timeout programme.
"There was a lot of uncertainty about whether we could play or not but we can't get past that now. It just brought this stuff forward for me."
Patel played 60 times for England between 2008 and 2015 and made 629 appearances for Nottinghamshire over 22 years.
He then joined Derbyshire on a two-year white-ball deal in 2024 and was out of contract when he left the club at the end of last year's T20 Blast, but said he would have liked "one more year" of domestic cricket if he had not been dealt the ban.
"I would have played this summer," he said. "I had some chats with some counties, we weren't quite at a contract signing but we were in talks, so probably would've got a last-minute deal somewhere."
Patel and Ravi Bopara, who also retired earlier this year, are the only two players to have featured in every year of the Blast since it began in 2003.
Patel made his first-class and List A debuts for Nottinghamshire as a teenager in 2002, and was part of their County Championship-winning sides in 2005 and 2010.
He also won the One-Day Cup in 2013 when it was a 40-over tournament, and was instrumental in helping the Outlaws to double white-ball success in 2017, when he also earned the Professional Cricket Association's Most Valuable Player and the PCA Player of the Year awards.
Across all formats, Patel finished his Nottinghamshire career with more than 25,000 runs and took more than 800 wickets with his left-arm spin.
In his two years at Derbyshire, Patel scored 528 runs and took 33 wickets while he also represented Trent Rockets and Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.
Patel played six Tests, 36 ODIs and 18 T20s for England but fitness issues held him back from earning a regular place in the side.
He made his last England appearance in 2015, a Test match against Pakistan in Sharjah, and ended his career without playing a home Test.
Thorgan Hazard (33), younger brother of Eden, is set to join RC Lens at the end of the season, as per a report from Sacha Tavolieri.
The Belgium international came through the ranks at Lens, going on to make 16 appearances for the first team. He went on to join Chelsea in the summer of 2012, following his brother, who joined from Lille OSC. Hazard went on to play for the likes of Zulte Waregem, Borussia Monchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund, PSV Eindhoven, and RSC Anderlecht. He has played for the latter since 2023. This season, he has played 40 games for the Belgian side, scoring 15 goals and registering 11 assists.
However, with his contract at Anderlecht expiring at the end of the season, he is set to return to where it all began. Tavolieri understands that Hazard has already reached an agreement with Lens over a deal that will run until 2028. It is a free transfer for the Belgian forward.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
Real Madrid are scouring the market for a new centre-back heading into the summer transfer window.
While established names like Nico Schlotterbeck and Ibrahima Konate have been linked as the main targets, Los Blancos are also looking at young players with potential.
One such player on the Real Madrid sporting department’s radar happens to be Real Sociedad starlet Jon Martin.
Just 20 years old, the Spanish defender broke into the La Real senior setup last season and has already made 45 first-team appearances, 27 of which have come in the ongoing campaign.
Seen as a young player with great potential, Real Madrid are keen on Martin and could consider making a move for him.
However, according to SPORT, Real Madrid’s arch-rivals FC Barcelona have also entered the race to sign Martin.
Indeed, the sporting director of Barcelona, Deco, held an informal meeting yesterday with Inaki Ibanez, the agent of the Real Sociedad centre-back to assess his situation, although the Catalans’ priority remains Alessandro Bastoni.
Real Madrid, Barcelona want Jon Martin. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Martin is under contract at Real Sociedad until 2031 and, although he is developing rapidly and already has a market value of around €20 million, the release clause included in his latest renewal with the Basque club stands at €50 million.
Barcelona have positive reports on him and value his qualities. Although he is not left-footed, which is a profile the club is seeking to strengthen the centre of defence, he is still a player who appeals.
Sources close to the meeting indicate that it was an informal encounter, without any decisive nature, although they acknowledge that Jon Martín’s name was the main topic.
Even so, it was only an initial enquiry, as Barcelona have not communicated any concrete interest in signing the player.
While the Blaugrana continue to prioritise Bastoni, their meddling in the race for Martin could hurt Real Madrid. So, it remains to be seen how the situation develops in the coming weeks.
One Liverpool midfielder has finally made his return from injury.
Fitness issues have played a major role in shaping Liverpool’s season. While the total number of injuries hasn’t been excessive, the real problem has been their severity, with several key players sidelined for months, or even close to a full year.
Arne Slot has been forced to navigate repeated setbacks, making it difficult to consistently name his strongest XI, especially in attacking areas.
Right now, Hugo Ekitike remains out for the foreseeable future, leaving Alexander Isak to carry much of the goalscoring burden.
The young French forward has stepped up well in Isak’s absence, but the pressure of leading the line has understandably begun to show.
Slot’s challenge is compounded by a lack of reliable alternatives capable of operating as a central striker.
And that’s without factoring in the long-term absences of Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Wataru Endo, all of whom are ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Liverpool’s campaign might have looked very different had Slot been able to call upon a fully fit squad and rotate his options more effectively. The lack of depth, particularly during key moments in the season, has made an already demanding schedule even tougher to navigate.
What makes the situation more concerning is that injury problems haven’t been limited to the senior side, they’ve also hit the academy hard. Several promising young players have seen their development disrupted at crucial stages.
Jayden Danns, for instance, has endured another stop-start season dominated by time on the sidelines. Wellity Lucky suffered a serious setback just as he was beginning to edge closer to first-team involvement, halting his momentum at the worst possible time.
Meanwhile, Stefan Bajcetic has missed the entire campaign, focusing on recovery and rehabilitation rather than building on his early promise.
Amid all of this, there is at least some positive news.
James McConnell has now returned to action, taking an important step forward in his recovery. His comeback offers a timely boost, not just in terms of numbers, but also as a reminder that reinforcements, albeit from within, are finally on the way.
McConnell made a strong impression on Slot during the Dutchman’s first season at Anfield. The Liverpool boss regularly included the former Sunderland AFC academy player in matchday squads, with most of his minutes coming in cup competitions.
Jurgen Klopp was also a big admirer of the Liverpool youngster, even playing him in the League Cup final at Wembley.
Over the summer, McConnell committed his future by signing a new long-term deal before joining AFC Ajax on loan, where he linked up with John Heitinga.
However, his spell in the Netherlands was cut short in February, as injury forced a return to Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre.
But he's now finally back, and stepping up his recovery process.
McConnell has played two games in the last week - both friendlies for the Reds' U21 side.
Lewis Bower reported that he featured in a 6-0 win for Liverpool's reserve team, racking up 45 minutes under his belt.
And he followed that up by training with the first-team this week as per Jack Lusby.
Rayo Vallecano fans are used to anything involving their club having turned, for some time now, into a surreal situation.
Whether it’s paper-only tickets in the middle of 2026, the ownership’s constant snubs toward the fans, or the neglect of the facilities where the club plays and trains... “Miracle” sometimes falls short of describing how Rayo is where it is.
The latest episode happened last night. One of the goals at the Vallecas Stadium did not have the nets properly secured. What was the solution—improvised once again? A roll of medical tape and Dani Cárdenas standing on a ball to fix the mess and allow the match to start normally.
Unfortunately, this is not the only problem at the Vallecas Stadium, whose fans have criticized the lack of cleanliness and maintenance, as well as issues with the venue’s facilities and access points. To make matters worse, the scoreboard was not working last night and had to be replaced with a screen behind one of the goals.
Rayo Vallecano’s fans have more than earned their place in heaven, there is no doubt about that.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
MANHATTAN — Avery Johnson and Collin Klein exchanged their hugs at the Kansas State football facility upon the latter's hiring as head coach. The two are reunited, and Johnson chose to play his final season of eligibility in a Wildcats uniform.
The celebration around the reunion, when Klein played a large part in recruiting Johnson to Manhattan before he departed to become Texas A&M's offensive coordinator, has come and gone. The focus now shifts to the football field, where Klein will try to make up for lost time and elevate Johnson to the quarterback everyone thinks he can be.
At the end of their second spring camp together, their first since 2023, Klein spoke to the growth he saw in Johnson, particularly late in camp, when Johnson began to build better chemistry with his newer wide receivers.
"I think we've taken a little bit of a step here the last couple of days, but there's more out there," Klein said. "With his expectations in himself and all of us... There's more in us."
Johnson thought he had a "really good spring," noting that some days had their ups and downs, but appreciated the chance to grow. All he's concerned about is getting better each day and learning from mistakes.
The learning curve hasn't been too steep as he reacclimates to Klein's offense. During his four years at K-State, he's had four different offensive coordinators or co-offensive coordinators, along with three different quarterbacks coaches.
Johnson said the verbiage in Klein's offense is the only thing that has changed since his two years at Texas A&M, aside from a few new schemes.
"The offense has evolved, and it's been tough, but I think learning a whole new offense would be a lot harder," Johnson said. "It's been pretty good and pretty seamless for the most part."
New offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson has been in awe of Johnson's speed at the position, but has been pleasantly surprised by the quarterback's ability to move effectively within the pocket as a mobile quarterback; he hasn't seen Johnson be "skittish" and feel the need to take off and run unnecessarily.
Gleeson has still been able to see the play-making ability that makes Johnson one of the more explosive players at the position in college football.
"Avery does a really good job at being able to make explosive plays at quarterback and just subtly move and still be a thrower, even when there's some trash around his feet," Gleeson said. "I think he has a really cool balance of play-making ability and pocket movement that's needed when you want to be a great downfield thrower."
Johnson spoke of the enhanced freedom he'll have in Klein's offense, which he said he likes most. He'll get a chance to use his instincts and "not be robotic," allowing him to take off when he notices that he has room to run. At other times, he believes Klein will scheme up open plays as the "offensive mastermind" he thinks his coach is.
That should bode well for Johnson, who saw his numbers drop from 2024 to 2025, both on the ground and through the air. Meanwhile, Klein had Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed in the College Football Playoff, excelling as both a thrower and a runner.
Now that the celebration around the reunion has come and gone, it's all about making sure Johnson is in a position to lead the Wildcats on a possible CFP run.
"When it comes down to it, we need to do the little things right and play hard for all four quarters," Johnson said. "Anybody can beat anybody in this league, and we can't think anybody's gonna lay over us. We need to come down with the underdog mentality every game, not overlook anybody, and come out strong and start fast."
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Avery Johnson wants high expectations during final year at K-State
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Peter Woods addressed reporters in a press conference for the first time shortly after being selected 29th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. He shared his excitement for the opportunity to learn from multiple-time All-Pro Chris Jones.
"I feel like I'm never satisfied. I'm never where I want to be," said Woods, "That's just kind of my mindset, just because so much work to be done, so much to learn, blessed to be in a room with veteran Chris Jones and be under Andy Reid, who has done it so many times, so just the situation is probably more of a blessing than anything else."
The Chiefs acquired the No. 29 pick to select Woods from the Los Angeles Rams at the start of the offseason in the blockbuster trade that involved cornerback Trent McDuffie. The former Clemson standout understands his skillset but seeks mentorship from the Chiefs' star defensive lineman.
.@35Pwoo has the right mindset already. pic.twitter.com/dzP9jE4JQO
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 24, 2026
"I think that I'd be crazy to come into a league that I've never played in and think I know everything," said Woods, "I think that I have the talent, I have the mindset, and I have the leadership skills, the capabilities to come in and make an impact immediately. But we're talking about a hall of famer (Chris Jones), so I'm going to be a sponge."
Woods was a Second-team Associated Press All-American in 2025. He started 12 games, finishing with 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Peter Woods discusses seeking mentorship from Chiefs DL Chris Jones
The Tennessee Titans used their fourth overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate last night. Just before the night ended, the team traded back into the first round to select Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk. They acquired the 31st pick, along with picks #69 and #165, in exchange for picks #35, #66, and #101 from the Buffalo Bills.
That means the Titans will enter tonight without a second-round pick. They also dropped three spots from their original third-round selection. Last season, the Titans lacked a third-round pick heading into night two and proceeded to trade their high second-round pick (35th) to move back to #52 and add a third-round pick (#82). They don't have to worry about that this year, as they own the 69th pick in the third round tonight.
Barring another night two trade, the Titans will enter Day 3 of the draft on Saturday with six picks. They packaged their only fourth-round pick to move back into the first round, so now they will have three picks in the fifth round (#142, #144, and #165). Those will be followed by two picks in the sixth round (#184 and #194), before finalizing their draft with pick #225 in the seventh round.
History suggests that not all of those picks will remain in their current slots. They have already made a trade on the first night of the draft. That followed last year's draft, where Cam Ward (#1) and Chimere Dike (#103) were the Titans' only picks who were selected at their original draft position. Nonetheless, the Titans have plenty of selections remaining in the 2026 NFL Draft.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans remaining 2026 NFL Draft picks after Day 1
Dip Metress had long seen the writing on the walls when it came to the transfer portal in college basketball. He just didn’t know when it would start to impact how he managed the Augusta University men’s basketball team.
It happened during the 2025 offseason. Metress, who’s been the head coach of the Jaguars for 21 years, had two of his top three scorers transfer up to Division-I programs. It was the first time he ever had players enter the portal and leave his program.
Loyal followers of D-I men’s college basketball get to enjoy the excitement that comes with recruiting a talented player from the portal who one day may help lead their team to a deep March Madness run. For Metress and others within the Division-II landscape, they have to contend with a new reality: the proliferation of the transfer portal has made them simply a stepping stone for players to achieve their dreams.
“I don’t think any league is going to be the same,” Metress said on the transfer portal. “It’s something that’s a daily conversation, especially at our level.”
When the NCAA transfer portal debuted back in late 2018, it initially was a way to make the process of players declaring that they want to transfer more accessible and streamlined. An online database was created to do that.
Then in 2021, the NCAA created the “one-time transfer rule” that allowed players to transfer schools once without having to sit out a year and lose a year of eligibility. Three years later, the rules shifted to let players transfer multiple times without having to sit out a year.
It was those rule changes, according to Metress, that had a larger impact than initially implicated, particularly at the D-II level. Without any penalty for transferring, it incentivized players to switch schools whenever they found a better opportunity for themselves.
For players who were underrecruited out of high school that landed at a D-II, the current landscape allows them to treat the level the same way junior colleges were considered a stepping stone towards playing at the D-I level pre-transfer portal.
“I feel for these coaches because if they have a good player at the D-II level, especially with some size and the right skillset, he’s probably going to get poached by another coach,” said Eric Simpkin, a regional scout with the One Motive Sports agency. “Unfortunately, that’s just kind of the landscape of it now.”
Many of the players that get poached leave D-II because of the higher potential to transition to the professional game afterwards. If they have their sights set on the NBA and the talent to make it, then moving up to D-I is their best bet. For example, a player like Derrick White on the Boston Celtics, went from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (D-II) to the University of Colorado (D-I) en route to being drafted.
For those who aren’t quite NBA material, going overseas to play professionally is also a realistic option for them. But if that’s where they want to go, Metress argues, then D-II programs are still a viable option to get them to that goal. Keshun Sherill, a 2017 graduate and a four-year starter at Augusta, has played overseas for almost a decade.
While Metress can offer that potential pathway to his players, he, and many other D-II coaches, can’t come close to matching the type of NIL packages that players are receiving in the portal. High-major D-I programs can offer transfers well into seven-figures for their services.
Augusta University doesn’t have any NIL funding for players as of now. Few D-II programs can even offer players more than a few hundred dollars. With the type of life changing money that is now available, a D-II will almost always lose out on talent if that’s any type of priority for a player.
“It’s definitely been one of the factors with people,” said Evan Joyner, a sixth-year graduate student at Augusta who played at four different schools in his career. “They’re like, ‘Okay I average this much, and I seen somebody over here average the same, and they [make] this. If they’re getting this, I could potentially get this if I do the same thing.’”
At the D-II level, coaches will need to accept that players they recruit are no longer guaranteed to play all four years at that school. It’s much more likely to be two years, and if they have legit size and skill without any off-court issues, it’ll be one season. That’ll have to be in the sales pitch to players going forward because if not, coaches will lose out on talented guys, even if they are essentially a rental.
“I think coaches that aren’t doing that are probably going to fall behind,” Simpkin said. “All these kids want [to go] D-I, and they want to cash out while it’s so hot. Might as well lean into it.”
D-II coaches have always had to recruit from multiple avenues to field rosters. Metress routinely recruits talent from overseas in addition to high school players. He also has had the opportunity to get former D-I players who weren’t getting much playing time in the transfer portal.
However, with the rule changes that allow multiple transfers without having to sit a year, it’s much more unlikely that they come down a level without going to two or three D-I schools beforehand. If they do move down now, it’s more an indictment on them as a player than a lack of true opportunity.
“The transfers sometimes that we get at our level nowadays might be a little watered down,” Metress said.
The new landscape may also affect how high school players are recruited at the D-II level. High school seniors will still find their way onto rosters. But the type of player and their backgrounds coming into college, at least for Metress, will become a new factor on whether a kid will earn a scholarship to his program.
“Someone like me will look at a kid, and if he’s been to three different high schools, I’m probably not going to recruit him for Augusta. He’s a flight risk,” Metress said. “We try to look for kids that came to a high school and stayed at the same place, [with a] little more stability in their life.”
It isn’t the same world of college basketball that Metress stepped into 21 years ago. Instead of losing two players to the portal, the 2026 offseason saw five players leave Augusta with D-I aspirations. Things will only continue to stray away from what was once the norm. All that Metress and other D-II coaches can do is roll with the punches and try to adjust on the fly.
It might not be easy nor fair that they’ll have to adjust to a landscape that’s conducive for D-I programs. Yet, that’s always been the game that D-II’s have been forced to play. The growth of NIL and the transfer portal by the NCAA, unfortunately, just upped the difficulty.
“It’s always been a challenging level,” Metress said. “This is the way college basketball is. It is what it is. It doesn’t mean it’s okay. You’ve got to try to fix this. But that’s not my role.”
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: How D-II basketball programs are adapting to the transfer portal era
Just thought I’d empty out my reporter’s notebook while wondering if we’re watching the worst offensive team in Boston Red Sox history. Where have you gone, Ted Williams?
After nearly mercy ruling last year’s Class L finalist Waterford, a 12-0 shellacking for their fifth straight victory, the Norwich Free Academy softball team has made their first appearance in this season’s GameTimeCT Softball Top 10 poll.
A small group of media and coaches from around the state vote in the poll. Yes, I am a voter in both the softball and baseball polls. I had the surging Wildcats ranked pretty high on my ballot this week (we submit our ballot every Sunday). When the votes were counted, NFA vaulted into the No 10 spot. The top three teams in the poll - Cheshire, Masuk, and Foran - are defending state champions. The Wildcats only loss was against Masuk.
The GameTimeCT Softball Top 10 Poll
NFA’s fast start this season has been fueled by the standout pitching of junior twins Dakota and Olivia Bourdon, and terrific play and senior leadership from Aubrey Martin, Amelia Driscoll, and Sophie Miner.
Guided by head coach Tim Walsh, the Wildcats are also getting big contributions from juniors Jayden Johnston, Bella Ruta, Reilly York, Vivienne Przekop, Bella Cleary, and Bella Trask, and sophomore Alivia Bialowas.
NFA (7-1) captured their sixth straight victory on Wednesday, edging unbeaten Coventry, 4-3, at Depina Field in Norwich. Olivia Bourdon struck out four and went the distance to earn the pitching win behind a stout defense. She also had a big day at the plate. Bourdon hit a solo home run in the second inning and added a two-run double in the third.
Driscoll continued to swing a hot bat. The senior outfielder, who will play at the University of New England in the fall, went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
It’s great to see the defending ECC champion Wildcats getting some state recognition in this week’s Top 10 poll.
The state’s biggest professional sporting event - the Travelers Championship golf tournament - takes place on June 25-28 at the TPC at River Highlands in Cromwell.
There is no word yet on whether Masters champion Rory McIlroy is coming to the Nutmeg State, but the star-studded field already has commitments from defending champion Keegan Bradley, 2024 Travelers champion Scottie Scheffler, Players Championship winner Cameron Young, Collin Morakawa, Tommy Fleetwood, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, Chris Gotterup, Justin Thomas, and Xander Schauffele.
The great crowds at the Travelers has made it the second most attended PGA tour event annually, second only to the popular Waste Management Phoenix Open.
The Travelers has had many names and sponsors over the years: from the Insurance City Open to the Greater Hartford Open and the Sammy Davis Jr. Greater Hartford Open; from the Canon Greater Hartford Open to the Buick Invitational.
Golfers who have come to Hartford and raised a championship trophy include Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Ken Venturi, Bill Casper, Lee Trevino, Greg Norman, Phil Mickelson, and Jordan Spieth. Spieth holing his bunker shot for birdie on the first playoff hole to win the Travelers championship in 2017 is one of Connecticut’s greatest sports moments.
More: NFA tops Killingly for fourth straight baseball win
The Connecticut High School Coaches Association will hold its annual Hall of Fame awards dinner on May 7 at the Aqua Turf in Southington.
The CHSCA Class of 2025-26 Hall of Fame inductees are: Tom Brockett (football, Ansonia); Sal Coppola (baseball, Amity); Peter Corbett (indoor/outdoor track and field, Ellington); Arleigh Duff (cross country/outdoor track and field, Nonnewaug); Cathy Federowicz (volleyball, Seymour); Maureen (Mo) Meniscus (field hockey, Darien); Brian Reiff (swimming, Brookfield); Ken Smith (boys basketball, Windsor); Paul F. Sponheimer (football, Seymour); Arthur Wheelock (baseball, Rockville); and Bob Rumbold (retired sports media, WTIC-61 and WTNH-8).
The CHSCA award recipients include: Kristie Kaminski and Randy Brochu (Joseph J. Fontana Service Award); Tom Dyer (Thomas R. Monahan CHSCA Honor Award); and Joseph Calvanese CHSCA Sponsorship Award).
The Hall of Fame dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at chsca.org.
The Connecticut Sports Media Alliance will host its 83rd Gold Key Dinner on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington at 2 p.m. The Gold Key is presented to athletes, coaches and administrators who have made noteworthy career contributions to Connecticut’s rich athletic heritage. Receiving a Gold Key is comparable to being inducted into a state hall of fame.
This year, the CSMA is honoring five distinguished Gold Key recipients: Rachele Fico, Masuk and Louisiana State softball; Nick Giaquinto, Stratford, UConn football, Washington Super Bowl champion; James Jones, head basketball coach at Yale; Dave Wallace, Sacred Heart-Waterbury graduate and pitching coach of 2004 World Series champion Boston Red Sox; and Kara Wolters, UConn All-American, WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist.
Tickets for the 83rd Gold Key dinner are now on sale for $80. Send your check made payable to the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance and who you are there to see to the following address: CT Sports Media Alliance, P.O. Box 3234, Enfield, CT, 06083.
For more information or to pay through Venmo, contact John Holt at JohnDHolt@yahoo.com or call him at 508-740-4738.
More: Two new Eagles, and our all-state hoop stars | Zanor column
On April 28, 1976, the mighty J. Geils Band - Peter Wolf (lead vocals), J. Geils (guitar), Seth Justman (keyboards, organ), Magic Dick (harmonica, saxophone), Danny Klein (bass), Stephen Jo Bladd (drums) - were welcomed home as Boston’s rock-and-roll heroes. Mayor Kevin White declared J. Geils Band Day in the city and following an afternoon of celebrations, Geils rocked the Boston Garden with a surprise concert.
Four days before, the band’s live album “Blow Your Face Out” was released on Atlantic Records. The two-LP set, which was recorded from two 1975 concerts at the Boston Garden (Nov. 15) and Cobo Arena (Nov. 19) in Detroit, captured the J. Geils Band at the top of their game: a band whose high-energy, rip-roaring legendary concert performances whipped crowds into a frenzy.
Wolf talked with Goldmine Magazine writer Jeff Tamarkin about the band’s alliance with the city of Boston and their adopted hometown of Detroit.
“There were the Red Sox, the Bruins, the Celtics, Boston’s hometown sports teams, and then there was Geils,” Wolf said. “When the Geils band would roll into Detroit, it would be a nonstop party for seven days and seven nights. We’d be tail-draggin’ out of there. We’d really try to blow the roof off the place.”
Jimmy Zanor is a sportswriter for the Norwich Bulletin and can be reached at jzanor@norwichbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter@jzanorNB.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: NFA softball vaults into state Top 10, other thoughts | Zanor column
Symptoms of climate change, including rising global temperatures, are increasing the frequency of extreme heat and negatively affecting the game of golf.
Extreme heat during professional tournaments can pose health risks for players, caddies, officials and spectators, according to the International Golf Federation.
Heat stress, dehydration, and heat illness are growing concerns, particularly during multiday events that require hours of walking and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Heat-related illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, rhabdomyolysis, heat syncope, heat cramps, and heat rash.
Climate change is also affecting golf in other ways, according to various sources, including the Environmental Protection Agency.
More: Georgia football's Kirby Smart says playing Augusta is 'humbling'
Climate-driven pest and disease pressure is also increasing turf maintenance challenges, raising costs and altering course aesthetics.
Professional golf relies on water-intensive course maintenance, making the sport especially vulnerable to drought and tightening water regulations.
Research shows climate change-driven water scarcity has already forced golf courses, particularly in arid and semiarid regions, to reduce irrigated acreage, experiment with drought-resistant turf, or accept less visually pristine playing conditions, according to the United States Golf Association.
Storm-related disruptions also reduce tournament revenue by limiting spectator attendance and forcing cancellations or shortened events, increasing financial risk for tour operators and host clubs.
In response to a changing climate, professional golf organizations are adopting adaptation strategies, including redesigned courses, climate-resilient turfgrasses, improved drainage, smarter irrigation systems, and revised tournament scheduling, according to the United States Golf Association.
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Climate change impacts golf courses and tournaments
SouthCoast boys track and field teams will feature some up-and-coming stars this spring with the return of only three of the area’s top 12 athletes from a year ago.
Below are the names of 28 local boys track athletes we expect to have an impact on their respective teams in 2026.
Cast your vote for the 2026 Standard-Times early season Boys Track Athlete of the Year.
Editor's Note: Voting will end at 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 3.
Watch List: 28 boys track athletes taking the SouthCoast by storm this spring
VOTE: SouthCoast early season Girls Track Athlete of the Year?
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Vote SouthCoast early season Boys Track Athlete of the Year for 2026
May will bring a tantalising title fight betweenDavid Benavidez and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, as Benavidez aims to become a three-weight world champion.
In a Las Vegas main event, Ramirez puts his WBO cruiserweight title on the line against Benavidez, a former super-middleweight champion who is now moving up from light-heavyweight.
The unbeaten Benavidez (31-0, 25 KOs) will enter this fight on the back of a bullying stoppage of Anthony Yarde in November, while his Mexican opponent Ramirez (48-1, 30 KOs) last fought in June and outpointed Yuniel Dorticos.
Benavidez, 29, had set his sights on light-heavyweight stars Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, but Bivol’s next fight is set and a trilogy between the Russian and his compatriot Beterbiev is still on the cards. So, the American is climbing up to take on Ramirez, 34, who would arguably prove his biggest scalp yet – though the same would be true of Benavidez, if southpaw Zurdo can hand him his first loss.
Here’s all you need to know:
Benavidez vs Ramirez will take place on Saturday 2 May at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Timings for the event have not yet been announced, but the main card will likely begin at 1am BST on Sunday (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Saturday), with main-event ring walks following at around 4am BST on Sunday (8pm PT / 10pm CT / 11pm ET on Saturday).
The event will stream live exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view worldwide, at a cost of £24.99 in the UK, $79.99 in the US, and alternative costs in other countries. You can purchase the fight on DAZN here, where subscriptions are also available from £15.99 per month – although no subscription is needed to buy the pay-per-view.
Benavidez – 2/7
Ramirez – 5/2
Draw – 16/1
Via William Hill. Get all the latest boxing betting sites’ offers. The Independent vets betting sites for usability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.
Subject to change; ‘C’ denotes champion
Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (C) vs David Benavidez (WBO cruiserweight title)
Jose Resendiz (C) vs Jaime Munguia (WBA super-middleweight title)
Oscar Duarte vs Angel Barrera (super-lightweight)
Isaac Lucero vs Alan Gutierrez (super-welterweight)
Jorge Chavez vs Tito Sanchez (super-bantamweight)
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
In May, Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois will clash in the kind of fight that always entices boxing fans: an all-British heavyweight title bout.
Wardley enters the main-event showdown with an unbeaten record, having bailed himself out in his last two fights; against Justis Huni then Joseph Parker, the Ipswich boxer was down on the scorecards when he secured late knockouts.
The October win over Parker saw Wardley, 31, win the interim WBO title, which was later upgraded when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the regular belt. And Wardley may be able to edge closer to a fight with Usyk if he can overcome Dubois, 28.
Last time out, in July, Dubois suffered his second stoppage loss to Usyk, dropping the IBF title to the Ukrainian in the process. But Dubois remains a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division, and it feels like a KO is guaranteed when he faces Wardley.
Here’s all you need to know:
Wardley vs Dubois will take place on Saturday 9 May at the Co-op Live in Manchester. Timings for the event have not yet been announced, but the main card will likely begin at 7pm BST (11am PT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET), with main-event ring walks following at around 10pm BST (2pm PT / 4pm CT / 5pm ET).
The action will stream live on DAZN pay-per-view at a cost of £24.99. You do not need a DAZN subscription to purchase the event, but plans are available here and start at £15.99 per month.
Betting sites give a slight edge to the champion with Wardley odds-on for the win over Dubois, who is around the even-money mark with most bookies.
Wardley - 5/6
Dubois - 21/20
Draw - 18/1
Odds via Betfred. The Independent vets betting sites for usability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.
Subject to change; ‘C’ denotes champion
Fabio Wardley (C) vs Daniel Dubois (WBO heavyweight title)
Jared Anderson vs Solomon Dacres (heavyweight)
Jack Rafferty vs Ekow Essuman (super-lightweight)
Liam Cameron vs Bradley Rea (light-heavyweight)
Khaleel Majid vs Gavin Gwynne (super-lightweight)
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Augusta-area high school baseball is entering postseason competition. Baseball concluded its region play and declared its seedings over the weekend and teams are now gearing up for the GHSA-wide competition to start April 22.
The first, second, quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will be hosted by the higher seed in each matchup. The first round will be April 22-25, followed by the second found April 29-May 1, the quarterfinals May 5-6 and the semifinals May 14-15.
The championships are slated for May 22-23 and May 25-27. There will be four host sites for the finals. The classifications have not been set for each destination yet. AdventHealth Stadium in Rome, Synovus Park in Columbus and Georgia Southern University in Statesboro will host May 22-23 and May 25. Gwinnett Field in Lawrenceville will host May 25-27.
GIAA-wide competition does not begin until May 8-9 and will conclude May 28-20 at Georgia Southern University.
State tracker: Follow all the Augusta high school soccer teams in GHSA playoffs here
Here are the Augusta-area baseball programs with sights set into the postseason and their first-round opponents:
1-seed Grovetown vs. 4-seed Peachtree Ridge | DH Friday, April 24; 3:30 & 6:30 p.m.
3-seed Greenbrier vs. 2-seed Habersham Central | DH Thursday, April 23; 4:30 & 7:30 p.m.
4-seed Evans vs. 1-seed Loganville| DH Friday, April 24; TBA
28-seed Richmond Academy vs. 5-seed Jefferson | DH Friday, April 24; 5 & 7 p.m.
12-seed Harlem vs. 21-seed White County| DH Friday, April 24; TBA
3-seed Thomson vs. 30-seed Laney | DH Friday, April 24; TBA
9-seed Burke County vs. 24-seed Crisp County | DH Friday, April 24; 4:30 & 7 p.m.
31-seed Butler vs. 2-seed Morgan County| DH Friday, April 24; TBA
18-seed Aquinas vs. 15-seed Walker | DH Friday, April 24; 2 & 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Follow the Augusta high school baseball teams in GHSA playoffs here
MANHATTAN — Kansas State center Sam Hecht is expected to become the latest former walk-on to play for the Wildcats and go on to play in the NFL. He is expected to join that group when he's picked in the NFL Draft on April 24 or 25 in Rounds 3-7.
Hecht, a former preferred walk-on out of Mill Valley (Shawnee), passed on other FBS offers to play for the Wildcats. Previously an undersized tackle, Hecht worked toward being K-State's starting center over the last two seasons.
As a starting center, Hecht never allowed a sack. Now, he's considered one of the top center prospects in this year's NFL Draft.
Once drafted, Hecht will join an impressive group of former K-State walk-ons who went on to get selected. Here they are:
Cartwright played fullback at Kansas State after transferring from Trinity Valley Community College. He rushed for 570 yards and seven touchdowns in his two seasons with the Wildcats. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Washington football franchise with the 257th overall pick. He played for Washington from 2002-09 before spending two seasons with the Raiders.
Evans played defensive back for four years for the Wildcats, making 157 total tackles and seven interceptions. He was a First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2014 and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2015 draft with the 196th overall pick. He played in the NFL for three seasons.
A Manhattan native, McGraw developed into an All-Big 12 selection by the end of his K-State career. The safety was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2002 draft with the 57th overall pick.
Nelson is the most notable of the K-State walk-ons, considering his success with the Wildcats and in the NFL. He developed into one of the program's all-time greats, going from a walk-on safety to becoming a record-breaking receiver and a consensus first-team All-American. He was a second-round pick in 2008 by the Green Bay Packers, with whom he won a Super Bowl, became a Pro Bowler and had over 8,500 receiving yards over an NFL career that lasted a decade.
Sinnott went from a walk-on to becoming Pardon My Take's fullback of the year and being an All-Big 12 tight end by the end of his college career. He was drafted in the second round by the Washington Commanders in the 2024 draft with the 53rd pick. He's caught two touchdowns in two years.
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Sam Hecht joining former Kansas State walk-ons in NFL Draft
BATTLE CREEK ― The B.O.B. is ready for spring sports.
The Best Of Battle Creek series in the Enquirer is being expanded this year to include the top players on baseball and softball fields throughout the area.
Each week, throughout the spring, we are going to ask, "Who is the Best Of Battle Creek?" as we look at each position in baseball and softball among the city/area high school teams.
Nominations for each position have come from the city/area coaches with a little information on each player. It will be a tougher list to make this year as we expand the field to city and area teams, but once we do, then it will be up to the Enquirer readers to decide who is the B.O.B.
MORE: Lakeview baseball celebrating state titles, including 40th anniversary of 1986 squad
Each week we will give readers choices and open our online poll for voting, with a winner decided by the following Tuesday with polls closing at noon.
Next up are the pitchers for the city/area softball teams:
School: Athens
Class: Sophomore
Why she is the best pitcher in the city/area: Already a captain as a sophomore, Dakoda Carpenter is a leader from the circle for a young Athens team. She already h as 26 strikeouts in 19 innings and has also been a force at the plate, batting .312.
School: Harper Creek
Class: Senior
Why she is the best pitcher in the city/area: A four-year varsity player, Layne Churchill has 23 wins for her career as a pitcher. A force in the circle and the plate, the senior was all-conference, all-area, all-district and all-region a year ago.
School: Bronson
Class: Senior
Why she is the best pitcher in the city/area: A two-time all-state pitcher for Bronson, she was the league MVP a year ago. Already proving to be dominant once again this year, she is 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA and 33 strikeouts, while hitting .607 at the plate.
School: Climax-Scotts/St. Philip
Class: Freshman
Why she is the best pitcher in the city/area: Just a freshman, Alyse Langs has started her high school career strong on the rubber and the plate. In three starts, she is 3-0 as a pitcher with a 1.75 ERA. At the plate, she is hitting .625 with 12 RBIs.
School: Homer
Class: Senior
Why she is the best pitcher in the city/area: Payten Minix is a four-year standout for Homer with 52 career wins as a three-time all-conference and all-area selection. Minix has four wins this season already with 44 strikeouts and his batting .600. She is committed to play at Cleary University.
School: Pennfield
Class: Senior
Why she is the best pitcher in the city/area: An all-city pick last year, Alaina Simmons gives Pennfield veteran experience as a leader from the circle. Also earning all-conference honorable mention honors, Simmons is an important leader for a young Pennfield team.
School: Harper Creek
Class: Junior
Why she is the best pitcher in the city/area: A junior captain and returning all-city and all-league players, Aleena Stahlhood is the ace of the Harper Creek staff with 44 strikeouts against the 99 batters she has faced with six wins already. At the plate, she is hitting .625 with four home runs.
School: Union City
Class: Freshman
Why she is the best pitcher in the city/area: Having a breakout season as a freshman, Brooke Thomas is already leading the Union City pitching staff while also playing outfield. She has a one-hitter and a no-hitter in the early going and is hitting .471.
School: Coldwater
Class: Sophomore
Why she is the best pitcher in the city/area: Named the No. 1 pitcher in the state for her class in Michigan by Softball America, Layne VanAken has helped Coldwater get off to an 11-0 start as she is 6-0 from the circle. She has a 1.05 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 33 innings and just two walks.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Best of Battle Creak softball pitchers for 2026 season voting now open
GAYLORD ― The Gaylord softball program has built quite a name for itself over the past five seasons.
Winning back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024 made it clear across the state, but those around Northern Michigan had been well aware of the juggernaut the GHS team was becoming. The achievements they left behind tell the story: a 172-19 record over five seasons, the top two seasons in home runs hit by a team in MHSAA history (73 HR in 2023, 72 in 2024) and eight current players on college softball rosters.
Now, a relatively new group will fill attempt to fill those large shoes (or cleats) left behind, and while the coaching staff is not lowering the standard, the team understands that nothing will come easy just because of the name on the front of their jersey.
"I tell the girls that even though we're the Gaylord softball program, we're not the teams that have been here before," said senior Nora Bethuy. "We're going to have to work hard for every single thing we get."
Softball rankings Paw Paw new D2 No.1 in Michigan high school softball rankings
Athlete of the Week Vote for the Gaylord Herald Times Athlete of the Week, April 13-20
Last season: 24-8, Advanced to Division 2 regional finals (lost 10-0 to Escanaba).
Key departures: Aubrey Jones, Kennedy Wangler, Jenna Sircely.
Key returners: Nora Bethuy, Makayala Kozlowski, Lily Ryckman-Hall.
With a player like Aubrey Jones on the roster, a state championship was always the ceiling for the GHS softball team.
There was certainly more that went into back-to-back state titles than one dominant player, but it was players like Jones, her sister Jayden, and other standouts like Alexis Shepherd, Alexis Kozlowski and others down the lineup that made Gaylord the most feared softball team in the state, regardless of division.
Slowly but surely, those key players have graduated and moved on. The roster now only features two players from the state-title-winning rosters and only one starter from either title game (senior Nora Bethuy).
That may change outside expectations, but it won't affect how the coaching staff views their team or the standard they hold them to.
"We're not lowering the bar for them," coach Bill Bethuy said. "The expectations are still here, and we're going to have to work hard to get there."
Seniors Nora Bethuy, Makayla Kozlowski and Lily Ryckman Hall will be key to GHS reaching its larger goals. They've seen the level of commitment it took to reach the mountaintop back in 2023 and 2024 and bring that college-level talent that people expect from the GHS lineup.
This year, a state title may be a bit far out of reach, but it'll be up to this group to prove the ceiling is still high for the Blue Devils' program.
Saturday, April 25 at Dow Invite
Tuesday, April 28 vs. Sault Area
Wednesday, April 29 vs. TC St. Francis
Wednesday, May 6 at Alpena
Saturday, May 9 vs. TBD
Tuesday, May 12 at Petoskey
Thursday, May 14 at Shepherd
Tuesday, May 19 vs. Cadillac
Wednesday, May 20 vs. Kalkaska
Saturday, May 23 vs. TBD
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Gaylord high school softball 2026 season preview
NDSU players in the NFL: How Bryce Lance can join brother Trey, Christian Watson, more Bison alums originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
There are college football powerhouses. And then, there is North Dakota State, a buzzsaw of sorts at the FCS ranks.
The Bison might not have the name recognition of Ohio State, Notre Dame and Alabama. But rest assured; the program is more adept at winning national titles than all of them, hoisting 10 championships in the past 15 years. Whether helmed by Craig Bohl, Chris Klieman, Matt Entz or Tim Polasek, wins never appear too far from the Bison's grasp.
The Fargo-based program is renowned for its collective success. But a fair few individuals have seen their names shot up in lights, from one-time MVP candidates like Carson Wentz to more contemporary talents like Christian Watson, Grey Zubel and now, Bryce Lance.
With that, The Sporting News takes a look at NDSU's history in the NFL Draft, a billowing quilt certain to collect extra threads in the years.
MORE: Full list of every North Dakota State upset against a FBS opponent
There were 12 NDSU players who fielded snaps during the 2025 season. They are as follows:
A three-time FCS national champion with the Bison, Board has spent eight seasons in the league, turning out for four different franchises. Known as a special team specialist, Board inked a two-year, $6 million deal with the Giants ahead of the 2025 season. He played sparingly in the first two games of the season before being ruled out for the year with a chest injury. In March, New York released Board. He is still looking for a spot on an NFL team.
Hayes spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career at NDSU. The 6-foot cornerback transferred to Virginia following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hayes finished his collegiate career at Kansas State. The Buccaneers selected Hayes in the sixth round (No. 181 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 47 games across three years in Tampa Bay, recording 67 tackles, three pass deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Jones, a cornerback, anchored the Bison's defense across four seasons, tallying 83 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass deflections for the two-time national champions. He opted to transfer to Colorado State to live out the final two seasons of his collegiate career, achieving modest success in Rams colors. Jones signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent, making five appearances before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Lance enjoyed a brief -- but wondrous -- career at the Fargodome, capturing the Walter Payton Award as FCS's most outstanding player after leading NDSU to national championship glory. He opted out of the 2021 season, prioritizing his NFL Draft prep. His decision paid off handsomely; the 49ers selected Lance with the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Lance's NFL career has been marred by injuries and inconsistent performances. He's now a backup in Los Angeles, serving as Justin Herbert's understudy.
A two-time FCS champion and three-time first-team All-MVC fullback, Luepke was a dominant force at the collegiate level. He signed for the Cowboys in 2023 as an undrafted free agent. Luepke has made a marked impact across his three years in the league, inking a two-year, $7 million deal with Dallas at the start of the 2025 NFL season. Luepke is currently the fifth-highest-paid fullback in the NFL based on average annual value (AAV).
A second round pick out of Fargo, Mauch was the FCS' best offensive lineman during his time with the Bison. He, too, was a member of the NDSU side that captured three-straight national titles.
All told, Mauch spent six seasons with the Bison. He started each of his first 35 games with the Buccaneers before being cut down by a season-ending injury in Week 2 of the 2025 season.
Radunz, a hulking guard, found plenty of success during his time at NDSU, capturing three-straight FCS titles while picking up FCS All-American honors as a junior. Radunz's prowess as a pass-blocker earned him admirers. The Titans selected him in the second round (No. 53 overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has since emerged as a steady option on the line, starting 41 games across his career. In 2025, he signed with the Saints.
Like Jones, Sigle took his talents from NDSU to the Wildcats, joining Kansas State after his redshirt freshman year. He emerged as one of the Big 12's better defensive backs during his time in Manhattan, earning all-Big 12 honorable mention honors. The Niners selected Sigle in the fifth round (No. 160 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft. He started seven games for the playoff-bound 49ers in his maiden season, recording 52 tackles, two pass deflections and one fumble recovery.
Sundell is one of two standout Seahawks linemen on this list. A center, Sundell actually shined at left tackle during his senior year with the Bison, earning first-team All-American honors after moving down the line. Despite his versatility, Sundell failed to hear his name called during the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Maryville, Missouri native didn't pay too much mind, agreeing terms to a deal with the Seahawks in the offseason of 2024. Sundell made 12 appearances as a rookie then emerged as a starter ahead of the 2025 season. Sundell suited up for Seattle until Week 10, when he was cut down with a knee injury. He returned to action before the end of the year and started Super Bowl 60 as the Seahawks captured their second-ever Lombardi Trophy.
A rangy wide receiver with acrobatics flowing through his frame, Watson looks to be one of the league's better pass-catchers when healthy. He spent five seasons in Fargo, recording 2,140 yards and 14 touchdowns during his spell.
The Packers selected Watson in the second round (No. 34 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He has struggled for fitness across his time in the league, playing in 48 of a possible 68 games across his four-year career. Watson has yet to break the 700-yard plateau in his career. But his mix of speed and leaping ability has made him a favorite of Jordan Love's when he's on the field.
Wentz is perhaps the most successful of NDSU's active NFL talent, earning second-team All-Pro honors, a Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl ring across a glistening -- if inconsistent -- career. Wentz was sizzling during his time in Fargo, finishing his Bison career with five championship rings. The Eagles proceeded to select the hulking sidewinder with the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
By Wentz's second season, he was a star, emerging as an MVP candidate before being cut down by an ACL injury. Philadelphia went on to hoist the Lombardi Trophy -- albeit with Nick Foles under center.
Wentz returned to the starting post in 2018 and enjoyed a few decent campaigns. In 2020, he struggled, prompting the Eagles to deal him to the Colts in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick and 2022 first-round pick. Wentz shined during his lone season in Indianapolis, recording 3,563 yards and 27 touchdowns to seven interceptions. Despite this, he was shifted to the Commanders ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Wentz has primarily served as a backup in the years since his departure from Indianapolis. Nevertheless, his record is still glistening, especially in comparison to other Bison alums -- Wentz ranks first among former NDSU players in passing yards and passing touchdowns in the NFL.
Like Sundell, Zabel makes his bones on the popular front that is Seattle's offensive line. He, too, was a highly-accomplished college player, earning first-team All-American honors in 2024. The Seahawks selected him in the first round (No. 18 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Since his arrival, Zabel has taken his mantle as one of the league's finest guards. He started all 17 games in his rookie season, landing PFWA All-Rookie Team honors as a result of his skillset. Zabel also played a vital role in Seattle's momentous Super Bowl triumph.
MORE: Full, seven-round Mock Draft
All told, the Bison have had more than two dozen alums selected in the NFL Draft. Here's a look at the full history of NDSU's draft picks:
| Player | Drafted Team | Position | Year | Draft Pick No. |
| Carson Wentz | Eagles | Quarterback | 2016 | Round 1, Pick No. 2 |
| Trey Lance | 49ers | Quarterback | 2021 | Round 1, Pick No. 3 |
| Grey Zabel | Seahawks | Guard | 2025 | Round 1, Pick No. 18 |
| Steve Nelson | Patriots | Linebacker | 1974 | Round 2, Pick No. 34 |
| Christian Watson | Packers | Wide Receiver | 2024 | Round 2, Pick No. 34 |
| Stacy Robinson | Giants | Wide Receiver | 1985 | Round 2, Pick No. 46 |
| Cody Mauch | Buccaneers | Tackle | 2023 | Round 2, Pick No. 48 |
| Dillon Radunz | Titans | Tackle | 2021 | Round 2, Pick No. 53 |
| Phil Hansen | Bills | Defensive End | 1991 | Round 2, Pick No. 54 |
| Billy Turner | Dolphins | Tackle | 2014 | Round 3, Pick No. 67 |
| Lamar Gordon | Rams | Running Back | 2002 | Round 3, Pick No. 84 |
| Jabril Cox | Cowboys | Linebacker | 2021 | Round 4, Pick No. 115 |
| Cordell Volson | Bengals | Tackle | 2022 | Round 4, Pick No. 136 |
| Ernie Wheeler | Pirates | Defensive Back/Running Back | 1939 | Round 5, Pick No. 32 |
| Kyle Emanuel | Chargers | Linebacker | 2015 | Round 5, Pick No. 153 |
| Joe Haeg | Colts | Tackle | 2016 | Round 5, Pick No. 155 |
| Marques Sigle | 49ers | Safety | 2025 | Round 5, Pick No. 160 |
| Easton Stick | Chargers | Quarterback | 2019 | Round 5, Pick No. 166 |
| Doug Lloyd | Raiders | Running Back | 1991 | Round 6, Pick No. 156 |
| Josh Hayes | Buccaneers | Cornerback | 2023 | Round 6, Pick No. 181 |
| Joe Mays | Eagles | Linebacker | 2008 | Round 6, Pick No. 200 |
| Kevin Donnalley | Cardinals | Defensive Back | 1981 | Round 7, Pick No. 171 |
| Nick Schommer | Titans | Defensive Back | 2010 | Round 7, Pick No. 242 |
| Derrek Tuszka | Broncos | Defensive Lineman | 2020 | Round 7, Pick No. 254 |
| Chad Stark | Giants | Running Back | 1987 | Round 12, Pick No. 329 |
| Tyrone Braxton | Broncos | Defensive Back | 1987 | Round 12, Pick No. 334 |
| Jerry Mulready | Steelers | End | 1947 | Round 19, Pick No. 169 |
| Clarence McGeary | Packers | End | 1948 | Round 30, Pick No. 281 |
What time is Blazers vs. Spurs today? TV schedule, channel, live stream to watch Game 3 of NBA Playoffs series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
What at first looked like an easy matchup for the No. 2 San Antonio Spurs is now in question after a disastrous Game 2. The major headline of the evening was Victor Wembanyama's early exit due to NBA concussion protocol.
In Wembanyama's absence, the Spurs struggled to find a consistent scorer, with no one on the team scoring more than 18 points. The Portland Trail Blazers squeaked out a three-point victory as a result, with Scoot Henderson's 31 points leading the way.
The Blazers had a three-headed monster in Game 2, with Deni Avdija and Jrue Holiday scoring 14 and 16, respectively. The front court trio of Donovan Clingan, Toumani Camara and Robert Williams III combined for 30 points and 28 rebounds, giving the Blazers reliable options across the court.
It's currently unclear whether Wembanyama will return for Game 3, as there are still levels of concussion protocol that the center must clear. It will be up to the Spurs to fill in the gaps should they go through another string of games without Wembanyama on the floor.
Here's what you need to know about Friday's matchup between the Blazers and the Spurs, including broadcast information and start time.
Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs series between the Blazers and Spurs is set to tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
Blazers vs. Spurs Game 3 will not air on traditional television but will stream live on Prime Video.
Watch select 2026 NBA Playoffs games exclusively on Prime Video, which is included in the 30-day free trial for new Amazon Prime customers.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 19 | Game 1: Spurs 111, Blazers 98 | — | — |
| April 21 | Game 2: Blazers 106, Spurs 103 | — | — |
| April 24 | Game 3: Spurs at Blazers | 10:30 p.m. | Prime Video |
| April 26 | Game 4: Spurs at Blazers | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, DIRECTV |
| April 28 | Game 5: Blazers at Spurs | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, DIRECTV |
| April 30 | Game 6: Spurs at Blazers* | TBA | TBA |
| May 2 | Game 7: Blazers at Spurs* | TBA | TBA |
* If necessary
Click here for the updated 2026 NBA Playoffs bracket from The Sporting News.
Here are the key dates to know for the NBA Playoffs and offseason.
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Play-In Tournament | April 14-17 |
| First round begins | April 18 |
| Conference semifinals begin | May 4* |
| NBA Draft Lottery | May 10 |
| Eastern Conference finals begin | May 19* |
| Western Conference finals begin | May 20* |
| NBA Finals begin | June 3 |
| NBA Finals Game 7 (if necessary) | June 19 |
* Can move up depending on earlier series
Jadon Sancho has given the green light to a return to Borussia Dortmund this summer.
Sancho is set to become a free agent when his contract at Manchester United expires in the summer. He has spent the past two-and-a-half seasons out on loan, first with Dortmund and Chelsea, before joining Aston Villa for the 2025/26 campaign.
The winger has failed to do enough to persuade Villa to pursue a deal permanently, and a third spell at Dortmund now looks a concrete option.
Sancho has agreed in principle to return to the German side, despite rival offers, and is prepared to take a significant salary cut to facilitate the move. The 26-year-old has produced the best football of his career at the Westfalenstadion, where he returned 120 goals and assists in 158 games over two spells.
Sky Germany are reporting that the decision now rests on Dortmund, who have held initial exploratory talks with Sancho’s camp. Head coach Niko Kovac is keen to bring the winger back to the club, and a final decision will rest with managing director Lars Ricken.
A return to Germany would end an unhappy period in the Premier League for Sancho. He’s scored just 12 goals in 109 games in the Premier League, across three different clubs, since leaving Dortmund in a £72m deal in 2021.
Read – Iconic Performances: Lewandowski’s four-goal destruction of Real Madrid
See more – 📈 Power Rankings: Juventus on the up, Man United return
Franco Mastantuono was one of the most sought-after young players in world football during the summer, with several leading clubs hoping to add him to their squads.
The attacker had been impressing at River Plate at the time, and interest quickly grew from across Europe. According to reports, Arsenal were among the clubs considering a move for the Argentine talent.
However, after a significant battle for his signature, Mastantuono ultimately chose to join Real Madrid instead of the other sides pursuing him.
Many expected the youngster to make an immediate impact at the Bernabeu, and he initially made a promising start to life in Spain.
Despite that early progress, the 18-year-old has since found opportunities harder to come by. As the season became more demanding, he lost his place in the side and is now receiving very limited minutes.
That situation is unlikely to be what Real Madrid had hoped for when they secured one of the game’s brightest prospects.
Young players often require regular football to continue their development, and a lack of game time can slow important progress during formative years.
As reported by Fichajes, Real Madrid are aware that Mastantuono needs consistent opportunities and are now prepared to sanction his departure at the end of the season.
The report states that Madrid is open to sending him out on loan, although a permanent transfer could also be possible for the right fee.
That may reopen the door for Arsenal, who were previously linked with the player and could see an opportunity to strengthen with a highly rated young attacker.
A move to North London might offer Mastantuono a clearer pathway to regular football while allowing him to continue adapting to European competition.
Although still a teenager, he already possesses notable first-team experience, something that could make him a useful option for Arsenal if a deal were completed.
The Gunners have shown a willingness in recent seasons to invest in young talent with long-term potential, and Mastantuono would fit that profile.
Whether Arsenal decide to revive its interest remains uncertain, but his current lack of minutes in Madrid could create an opportunity that did not previously exist.
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Real Betis and Real Madrid go head-to-head in La Liga action on Friday night.
The visitors arrive aiming to put the pressure on Barcelona in the title race, while Betis battle for a top-five finish and potential Champions League qualification.
Real Madrid heads into this clash grappling with a significant “double injury blow” that has prematurely ended the season for two vital players.
Following their midweek victory over Alavés, the club confirmed that both Éder Militão and Arda Güler suffered grade two hamstring tears, sidelining them for the final six matches of the campaign.
They join a busy treatment room that includes goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is recovering from a thigh issue, and Rodrygo, who remains out long-term with a cruciate ligament injury. On a more positive note, manager Álvaro Arbeloa welcomes back Raúl Asencio, who has recovered from a bacterial illness.
Despite the absences, the squad remains formidable, with a projected lineup featuring Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior leading the attack, supported by a midfield of Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde, as they aim to break their recent winless streak at the Estadio de La Cartuja.
Real Betis enters this fixture with a boost in attack but lingering concerns in their defensive line.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini welcomes back former Manchester United winger Antony, who is available for selection after serving a one-match suspension.
However, the backline is under pressure; Junior Firpo is officially ruled out with a muscle injury, while Diego Llorente and Ángel Ortiz remain doubtful as they face late fitness tests for ankle and shoulder issues, respectively.
Midfielder Marc Roca is expected to push through ongoing foot discomfort to start, delaying a potential surgery until the season’s end. Currently battling for a Europa League qualification spot, Betis will rely on the creativity of Pablo Fornals and Abde Ezzalzouli to challenge Real Madrid.
Betis bounced back from a seven-game winless run in La Liga to beat Girona 3-2 last time out. The Spaniards came from behind to edge a five-goal thriller, courtesy of Rodrigo Riquelme’s 80th-minute goal. It was a much-needed result for Betis, whose top-four hopes faded amid recent results. Betis also suffered a disappointing Europa League quarter-final exit after losing 5-3 on aggregate to Braga.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s side got back on track with a 2-1 win over Alaves in midweek. After a disappointing and dramatic Champions League exit to Bayern Munich, Los Blancos are facing a season without silverware. Real trail Barcelona by nine points in La Liga with six games to go. An inconsistent run, which includes three defeats in eight La Liga games, has opened up a significant gap.
Real Betis: Valles; Bellerin, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Amrabat, Roca; Antony, Fornals, Ezzalzouli; Hernandez.
Real Madrid: Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Bellingham, Tchouameni, Diaz; Vinicius, Mbappe.
Real Betis host Real Madrid in La Liga on Friday 24th April 2026. Kick-off atEstadio Benito Villamarín is a stadium in Seville is 8pm BST.
The fixture will be broadcast live in the UK on Premier Sports.
Read – 📈 Power Rankings: Juventus on the up, Man United return
See more – Fantasy Premier League: FPL players to target for Blank Gameweek 34
There’s a big Fantasy Premier League blank gameweek this weekend with six teams out of action. FPL managers will be shuffling their squads to plug the gaps, with GW34 expected to be popular for remaining chips.
We’ve picked out five players to consider transferring in before the deadline.
Bruno Fernandes has been one of the most reliable assets in FPL again this season and is chasing down personal history.
The Portugal international has five double-digit hauls at Old Trafford in his last six home appearances, during a remarkable run towards the Premier League’s assist record. He’s got 18 assists for the season to date, and needs three more in the final five games to eclipse Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s single-season record.
If anyone is going to dig West Ham out of trouble, it will be Jarrod Bowen. Even in a struggling side this season, the captain has impressed. He’s scored eight goals and created eight more in the Premier League this season, while he’s been perennially involved in West Ham’s best moments at the London Stadium.
Bowen has been directly involved in seven of the club’s last nine games on home soil, with a goal and six assists. His set pieces have been problematic with opposition sides, particularly targeting the in-form Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Mohamed Salah has been largely overlooked for much of the campaign, with his 17.3% ownership far lower than recent seasons. The Egyptian’s drop-off has been stark, and he will leave Liverpool this summer.
However, Salah will have his sights on ensuring Champions League qualification first. He could be an option as those on a Free Hit reinvest funds saved from Erling Haaland’s absence.
Salah has 14 goals and assists in 17 career appearances against Crystal Palace. He’s also scored in three of his last four Premier League appearances.
Morgan Gibbs-White has been key to Nottingham Forest’s climb away from trouble and scored his first career hat-trick in last weekend’s win over Burnley. A trip to Sunderland on Friday night is not the easiest of tasks, but form is with the midfielder, who has six goals in six games. Gibbs-White has 12 goals in the Premier League, a leading total among midfielders. Nine of those goals have come in a 14-game run to start 2026.
Watkins is the most transferred-in player of the gameweek, with the Aston Villa forward having found form in recent weeks. The 30-year-old has scored six goals in his last five games across all competitions, adding an assist. Though Villa might have one eye on a looming Europa League semi-final next week, a Saturday lunchtime kick-off gives plenty of break between their trip to Fulham and the European tie.
Friday April 24th at 6:30pm BST.
Read – 📈 Power Rankings: Juventus on the up, Man United return
See more – Premier League Golden Boot: Haaland edges ahead in two-horse race
Real Madrid head to Real Betis in La Liga this evening knowing only a win will be enough to keep them in contention for the title.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s side have fallen nine points adrift of Barcelona in the title race, with just six games to go. Los Blancos are up against it to overhaul their eternal rivals, but will hope to put the pressure on with three points this evening.
Betis are fifth in the table, a position that could deliver Champions League football. Spain currently hold second place in UEFA’s seasonal co-efficient table and are on course for an additional place in the competition.
Alvaro Arbeloa remains without some big names, most notably Thiabaut Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper remains sidelined with a thigh issue, so Andriy Lunin will again deputise in goal.
Rodrygo remains a long-term absentee with an ACL injury that has also ended his World Cup hopes. The Brazilian has been joined in the treatment room by Eder Militao and Arda Guler, whose seasons is over. However, there is optimism that the duo can both return in time for the World Cup this summer.
Elsewhere, Raul Asencio could return to the squad after illness.
Real Madrid predicted XI: Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Bellingham, Tchouameni, Diaz; Vinicius, Mbappe.
Real Betis host Real Madrid in La Liga on Friday 24th April 2026. Kick-off at Estadio de La Cartuja is 8pm BST.
The fixture will be broadcast live in the UK on Premier Sports.
Read – 📈 Power Rankings: Juventus on the up, Man United return
See more – Fantasy Premier League: FPL players to target for Blank Gameweek 34
Antonio Conte was widely tipped to return to Juventus at the end of last season, with the Bianconeri believed to be seeking an upgrade in management after Igor Tudor’s time in charge.
Conte had just guided Napoli to the Serie A title, and there was strong speculation that Juventus hoped he would leave the Partenopei and make a return to Turin.
Reports at the time suggested he was unhappy in Naples, prompting Juventus to explore the possibility of taking advantage of the situation and appointing him as their next manager.
However, events took a different turn. Conte reportedly held important discussions with the Napoli owner before agreeing to a new contract, bringing an end to Juventus’ hopes of securing his return.
The manager has since remained in Naples, while Juventus are now under the guidance of Luciano Spalletti.
Spalletti is widely regarded as a leading coach and has already shown why he is held in such high esteem. His recent work has helped improve performances and restore optimism around the club.
Former Juventus executive Luciano Moggi has now revealed that he always believed Conte would not be making a return.
As reported by Calciomercato, he said: “When everyone was saying last year that Conte would go to Juventus, he told me he would never go, yet that hype went on for months and months.”
His comments suggest that, despite the widespread rumours, Conte’s position may have been clearer behind the scenes than many believed.
Although Conte would have represented an experienced and high-profile appointment, Juventus now appear to have moved forward with another accomplished figure on the bench.
Spalletti has brought fresh energy to the side and has overseen encouraging progress in recent weeks. Improvements in structure, confidence and individual performances have all been noted since his arrival.
That progress means Juventus supporters may now feel less disappointment about missing out on Conte, particularly if current momentum continues.
There is no certainty that Conte would have delivered stronger results than those already being produced under Spalletti.
Outcomes often judge football decisions, and Juventus now seem focused on building under their current manager rather than revisiting missed opportunities from the past.
Tottenham Hotspur are open to signing Joao Palhinha permanently from Bayern Munich, but want to renegotiate the terms of the deal.
Spurs signed Palhinha on a season-long loan deal last summer with an option to sign the Portugal international permanently. The potential fee involved is an initial €25m, which could raise to €30m with add-ons.
The North London side are not prepared to meeting that asking price, but have not ruled out a permanent deal. According to Sky Germany, Spurs are open to extending Palhinha’s time at the club, but only if Bayern lower the original asking price.
The 30-year-old has made 28 league appearances for Spurs this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
He has averaged more tackles per game than any player in the Spurs squad and ranks sixth in the Premier League for tackles won, despite only starting 19 games.
Bayern are open to his sale and will look to offload Palhinha to another Premier League team, if Spurs do not finalise a deal. Any transfer is dependent on Spurs surviving relegation this season.
Read – Fantasy Premier League: FPL players to target for Blank Gameweek 34
See more – 📈 Power Rankings: Juventus on the up, Man United return
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 03: Chrisean Rock attends Normal Culture presents: Evolutionary Inception Fashion Show hosted by Winnie Stackz on February 03, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victoria Sirakova/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesOn a weekend that is light in professional boxing events, Chrisean Rock's celebrity crossover fight could be the most compelling boxing card for fans to watch. The reality TV star makes her boxing debut against Zenith Zion. Interested? Here's all the info you need on the card and how you can watch.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. ET. It's unclear when Rock and Zion will walk to the ring, and if you're interested in this fight, you'll definitely want to see the ring walks. However, it's safe to imagine we could see Rock and Zion in the ring between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET.
The XRumble Fighting Championships card comes from Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack in Chester, Pennsylvania, just outside Philly. The event window runs until around midnight ET.
The PPV cost isn't too bad. If this were the price for real boxing PPVs, most fans wouldn't complain. For this fight, we'll see how many fans are interested enough to tune in.
The card is exclusively on TrillerTV PPV for $29.99, with replays included once you buy in. There’s no DAZN, ESPN+ or traditional cable option for this one, so TrillerTV is the only route if you want to catch Rock and Zion live.
Besides Rock, the other attraction for this card is the boxing debut of Fatimah Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s sister. We're looking at something of a variety fight night that might wind up as a guilty pleasure purchase for boxing fans.
Fatimah’s co-main opponent is Venus Marcial, and the undercard fills out with additional bouts, celebrity appearances and a ring-girl competition. Rock has been training under Calvin Ford, Gervonta Davis’ longtime coach, after an early viral sparring session with Ryan Garcia. Zion, a former AWA Women’s Television Champion from Philly, was selected out of 5,824 applicants who wanted the fight.
I'll never tell another boxing fan how to spend their money. If you're legitimately interested, go for it. I'll be watching and I'll have the results and perhaps highlights from the event.
The 3-round main event limits what either fighter can do, and both enter 0-0 with no pro experience, so manage expectations on the quality of the boxing itself. If the appeal for you is the spectacle side of the sport, this one is priced right for a curiosity buy.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Chicago Cubs (16-9, first in the NL Central) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (17-8, first in the NL West)
Los Angeles; Friday, 10:15 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Jameson Taillon (1-1, 3.97 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 21 strikeouts); Dodgers: Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 5.85 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 18 strikeouts)
LINE: Dodgers -163, Cubs +137; over/under is 9 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Chicago Cubs to start a three-game series.
Los Angeles has a 17-8 record overall and a 9-3 record at home. The Dodgers have the best team batting average in MLB play at .280.
Chicago has a 5-4 record in road games and a 16-9 record overall. Cubs hitters have a collective .357 on-base percentage, the highest percentage in the majors.
Friday's game is the first time these teams meet this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Andy Pages has a .337 batting average to lead the Dodgers, and has four doubles and five home runs. Max Muncy is 13 for 36 with four home runs and five RBIs over the last 10 games.
Nico Hoerner has seven doubles and four home runs for the Cubs. Alex Bregman is 14 for 43 with two doubles, a triple and three RBIs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Dodgers: 6-4, .263 batting average, 2.72 ERA, outscored opponents by 20 runs
Cubs: 9-1, .325 batting average, 3.46 ERA, outscored opponents by 33 runs
INJURIES: Dodgers: Landon Knack: 15-Day IL (undisclosed), Brock Stewart: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Jake Cousins: 60-Day IL (elbow), Gavin Stone: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Kike Hernandez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bobby Miller: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Brusdar Graterol: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Evan Phillips: 60-Day IL (elbow), Tommy Edman: 10-Day IL (ankle), Edwin Diaz: 15-Day IL (elbow), Blake Snell: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Mookie Betts: 10-Day IL (back), Ben Casparius: 15-Day IL (shoulder)
Cubs: Caleb Thielbar: day-to-day (hamstring), Jordan Wicks: 15-Day IL (forearm), Shelby Miller: 60-Day IL (elbow), Porter Hodge: 15-Day IL (elbow), Phil Maton: 15-Day IL (knee), Ethan Roberts: 15-Day IL (finger), Justin Steele: 60-Day IL (elbow), Christopher Austin: 60-Day IL (knee), Daniel Palencia: 15-Day IL (oblique), Hunter Harvey: 15-Day IL (tricep), Cade Horton: 60-Day IL (forearm)
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Seattle Mariners (11-15, fourth in the AL West) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (14-10, third in the NL Central)
St. Louis; Friday, 8:15 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Mariners: George Kirby (3-2, 2.97 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 27 strikeouts); Cardinals: Andre Pallante (2-1, 4.05 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 12 strikeouts)
LINE: Mariners -161, Cardinals +135; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals open a three-game series at home against the Seattle Mariners on Friday.
St. Louis has a 7-5 record in home games and a 14-10 record overall. Cardinals hitters have a collective .375 slugging percentage to rank ninth in the NL.
Seattle has an 11-15 record overall and a 1-8 record in road games. The Mariners have a 4-2 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.
The matchup Friday is the first meeting this season between the two clubs.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jordan Walker leads the Cardinals with eight home runs while slugging .607. Ivan Herrera is 11 for 38 with three home runs and six RBIs over the last 10 games.
Randy Arozarena has six doubles and two home runs for the Mariners. Cal Raleigh is 12 for 41 with two doubles, three home runs and four RBIs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cardinals: 6-4, .237 batting average, 4.70 ERA, outscored by three runs
Mariners: 4-6, .269 batting average, 4.13 ERA, outscored by five runs
INJURIES: Cardinals: Hunter Dobbins: 15-Day IL (knee), Matt Pushard: 15-Day IL (knee), Lars Nootbaar: 60-Day IL (heels)
Mariners: Victor Robles: 10-Day IL (pectoral), Logan Evans: 60-Day IL (arm), Carlos Vargas: 60-Day IL (lat), Miles Mastrobuoni: 60-Day IL (calf), Brendan Donovan: 10-Day IL (groin), Bryce Miller: 15-Day IL (oblique), Patrick Wisdom: 10-Day IL (oblique)
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Los Angeles Angels (12-14, third in the AL West) vs. Kansas City Royals (8-17, fifth in the AL Central)
Kansas City, Missouri; Friday, 7:40 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Angels: Yusei Kikuchi (0-2, 5.63 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 27 strikeouts); Royals: Noah Cameron (1-1, 5.40 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 17 strikeouts)
LINE: Royals -116, Angels -104; over/under is 9 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Kansas City Royals begin a three-game series at home against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.
Kansas City has an 8-17 record overall and a 6-7 record at home. The Royals are 1-5 in games decided by one run.
Los Angeles has a 12-14 record overall and a 7-7 record on the road. Angels pitchers have a collective 3.99 ERA, which ranks fifth in the AL.
Friday's game is the first time these teams meet this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Maikel Garcia has six doubles and two home runs while hitting .265 for the Royals. Vinnie Pasquantino is 6 for 39 with a double, a triple and three home runs over the past 10 games.
Nolan Schanuel has four doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs for the Angels. Mike Trout is 10 for 35 with a double and six home runs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Royals: 1-9, .236 batting average, 6.19 ERA, outscored by 25 runs
Angels: 4-6, .250 batting average, 3.98 ERA, outscored opponents by 14 runs
INJURIES: Royals: James McArthur: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bailey Falter: 15-Day IL (elbow), Maikel Garcia: day-to-day (elbow), Stephen Kolek: 15-Day IL (oblique), Carlos Estevez: 15-Day IL (foot), Jonathan India: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Alec Marsh: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
Angels: Kirby Yates: 15-Day IL (knee), Ryan Johnson: 15-Day IL (illness), Robert Stephenson: 60-Day IL (elbow), Grayson Rodriguez: 15-Day IL (arm), Ben Joyce: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Anthony Rendon: 60-Day IL (hip), Alek Manoah: 15-Day IL (finger)
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag is getting a full remake on PC and current-gen consoles Ubisoft has officially unveiled Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, a full remake of 2013’s Assassin’s Creed Black Flag. The game is due to launch on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on July 9th, with the PC version coming to the […]
The post Here’s what you need to know about Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced appeared first on OC3D.
BYD's flagship Great Tang EV: 950 km range, 3.9s acceleration, flash charging, pre-sale price starting from 36,200 USD.
The post BYD Great Tang EV pre-sales open: 950 km range, flash charging, 0-100 in 3.9s, from 36,200 USD appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.
Dongfeng Peugeot and Dongfeng Citroën bring four concept cars to 2026 Beijing Auto Show.
The post Dongfeng Peugeot and Dongfeng Citroën unveil four concept cars at 2026 Beijing Auto Show appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.
Saros protagonist Arjun, for all of the scattered bits and pieces of his backstory that Housemarque dripfeeds to the player, is a pretty awful main character when you take a step back from the sci-fi mythology and look over his shoulder at the way he interacts with his colleagues and chases after his missing partner. Arjun is a flawed man with anger issues toward his father, which manifest in the brief backstory vignettes players stitch together over the course of death and rebirth. The entire time I spent on Carcosa in his standard-issue space boots was watching a man who […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/saros-review-if-death-is-welcome-let-him-seek-it-there/
Intel has confirmed that it will have multiple internal chip tape-outs using the 14A process technology, which will be seen as the Foundry's cleverest move to date. Intel Wants More Customers To Use 14A, And What Best Way To Make It Possible By Exerting Confidence With Its Own Products Using the Technology. Intel has gained Tesla as a 14A customer, which is the Foundry's biggest win so far, and they also have multiple external customers lining up as the company finalizes its 0.9 PDK. But while the 14A interest is gaining momentum, Intel just added a multiplier to the equation, […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/intel-using-14a-tech-for-its-own-internal-chips-is-a-clever-move/
Intel has officially announced that its 18AP and 14A nodes are seeing big customer engagements, with 14A already securing a win at Tesla. Intel 18AP & 14A Were Chipzilla's Biggest Bets, & They're Paying Off With Tesla Just Being The Beginning of What's To Come! During its Q1 2026 earnings call, Intel's CEO Lip-Bu Tan confirmed the recent partnership with Elon Musk's SpaceX, xAI, and Tesla to support the Terafab project. It was already confirmed that the 14A process tech will be deployed at TeraFab, marking a huge confidence boost for the chipmaker, which has spent years finding big names […]
Read full article at https://wccftech.com/intel-14a-wins-tesla-major-customers-foundry-business-gamble-pays-off/
Ekcho lets you broadcast your voice under a pseudonym so you can speak freely without showing your real name or face. Create a voice name in seconds, record anything, and share it for others to play. Explore recent broadcasts in the feed and listen to what people really think. Speak without pressure, be heard, and keep your identity private.
Cognitive Rebase is an AI enablement program for engineering teams that replaces classroom workshops with adaptive tracks and micro-coaching. It teaches executable specs with TDD, context isolation via hexagonal design, and small, verifiable steps so teams ship deterministic, auditable AI-augmented code. Teams get an AI avatar coach or a clone of your leadership, team-wide onboarding, and weekly upskilling reports. Engagements range from self-guided tracks to a 6-month partner retainer.
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Cambodia Joins Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam in a Groundbreaking Tourism Revolution: Southeast Asia’s Boldest Move to Dominate Global Travel!Cambodia joins...
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Greece and UAE Strengthen Cultural and Heritage Tourism Ties through Climate Action, UNESCO Support and Joint Exhibitions, Boosting Tourism Growth...
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Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/south-africa-to-manage-kruger-national-park-travel-after-orpen-gate-bridge-washed-away-what-tourists-need-to-know/
South Africa to Manage Kruger National Park Travel After Orpen Gate Bridge Washed Away: What Tourists Need to KnowSouth Africa’s...
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Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/ethiopian-airlines-commemorates-80-years-of-service-with-special-lagos-event-reinforcing-africas-air-connectivity/
Ethiopian Airlines Commemorates 80 Years of Service with Special Lagos Event, Reinforcing Africa’s Air ConnectivityEthiopian Airlines celebrates its 80th anniversary...
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An alleged Galaxy Z Flip 7 has made its debut on Geekbench with Android 17-based One UI 9 operating system. This is the same software Samsung has been developing for the Galaxy S26 series inside its software labs.
Galaxy Z Flip 7 running One UI 9 atop Android 17 scored decent scores on Geekbench. The device reached 2275 in single-core and 7843 in multi-core. It’s said that the Flip phone was running firmware version F766USQU9CZDF.
Samsung’s SM-F766U entry is live on Geekbench, but it could also be a spoof listing, as mentioned by tipster MohammedKhatri. Judging from the chip specs, it seems a genuine device, powered by a deca-core Exynos 2600 processor.
Geekbench scores are largely identical to the models running Stable One UI 8. As the development progresses, the scores will improve as well.
Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 will receive One UI 9 Beta with Android 17 in the near future. The Beta Program will first arrive for the Galaxy S26 series. Meanwhile, the software will make its official debut with the Z8 series.
Google recently released Android 17 QPR1 Beta 1 for Pixel phones. One UI 8.5 is reportedly built on Android 16’s QPR2 version. The next major upgrade may not be actually major, just like the Android 16-based One UI 8.
Galaxy Z Flip 7’s entry follows the Galaxy S26 Ultra on Geekbench. We are actively seeing early visuals from the internal One UI 9 firmware. The development is going well, with the addition of new features also progressing.
The post Galaxy Z Flip 7 surfaces with next-gen Android 17 (One UI 9) software appeared first on Sammy Fans.
The post Bitcoin News: Strategy CEO Maps 30% Yield Model, Calls it Future of Digital Credit appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
MicroStrategy is pushing a new narrative around Bitcoin, with CEO Phong Le detailing how the firm is building a yield-driven system around BTC.
Le described the approach as a “digital credit ecosystem,” where capital is deployed into Bitcoin-linked strategies with target returns as high as 30%, and a portion of that yield is passed back to investors holding preferred shares like STRC.
Le broke the structure down clearly, drawing direct comparisons to traditional finance:
Step 1: Capital Base Is Built
The company first raises capital from investors, similar to how banks collect deposits. These investors become the “capital holders” in the system.
Step 2: Capital Is Deployed Into Bitcoin
Instead of issuing mortgages or car loans, Strategy allocates that capital into Bitcoin-related opportunities, targeting high-yield exposure (hypothetically ~30% ARR).
Step 3: Yield Is Generated From Deployment
The return comes from how that capital interacts with the Bitcoin ecosystem. While exact mechanisms aren’t fully detailed, the key idea is that Bitcoin becomes the base layer where returns are generated.
Step 4: A Portion Is Paid Back to Holders
Just like banks share interest with depositors, Strategy distributes part of the yield back to investors. Le referenced returns in the range of 7.5% to 11.5% going back to preferred shareholders.
Le directly compared this to banking models, where institutions issue loans at 5% to 30% returns, depending on risk, and pass a share of that yield to depositors.
The difference is that Strategy is not lending to consumers or businesses. Instead, it is allocating capital into Bitcoin as the core layer of yield generation.
“Banks earn 5-30% yields on loans, then share a portion with depositors. That is how the digital credit ecosystem works,” he said.
Phong Le is arguing that MicroStrategy isn’t a bank, but it’s using a similar playbook—taking capital, deploying it into Bitcoin to generate returns, and then sharing a portion of that yield back with investors. That’s what he calls “digital credit.”
“So that entire ecosystem of a bank, and we’re not a bank, right? But the ecosystem of a bank providing loans out, getting your percentage, and providing part of that back to a capital holder, that’s what digital credit is,” he added.
If this scales, Bitcoin shifts from just being held for gains to becoming part of a system where money flows in, earns yield, and pays out, like a credit market built on BTC.
It’s still early, but it gives enough room for investors to think that in the near term, Bitcoin could be positioned as the base layer for a new digital credit system.
Meta-owned WhatsApp keeps testing new features for its Android and iOS users, with the latest feature in the works being notification bubbles, which Google has supported on Android since Android 10. This revelation comes from the folks at WABetaInfo, who found that WhatsApp is testing the notification bubbles feature in its Android app. If you've used Meta-owned Facebook Messenger on Android, then you already know how notification bubbles work. When you receive a message from an individual or in a group chat, you'll see a floating bubble on the screen, regardless of whether you are on...
Fenerbahçe bugün Saracoğlu'nda Galatasaray derbisinin taktik idmanını Tedesco'nun isteğiyle nizami sahada yapmak istedi... ancak Alman teknik adam 'aşırı motivasyon strese dönüşüyor' sözleriyle idmanın taraftara açılmamasını istedi. Bunun üzerine Başkan Saran da "o zaman stat yok" dedi.
Galatasaray yönetimi Gençlerbirliği maçının hemen öncesinde taraftara açık bir idman yaptı... o idman sonrasında Mauro Icardi ne kadar sevildiğini ve takımın kaptanı olduğunu hatırladı. Ankara deplasmanında 3 puanı getirdi.
TEDESCO AÇIK İDMAN İSTEMİYOR
Fenerbahçe yönetimi ise aynı hafta 'taraftara açık idman' fikrini masaya yatırıldı. Geçmişteki mektup, baklava ve meşaleli uğurlama gibi ritüellerin saha sonuçlarına beklenen katkıyı sağlamadığını düşünerek açık idman kararını iptal etti.
Tedesco’nun 'aşırı motivasyon strese dönüşüyor' uyarısını dikkate alan sarı-lacivertli kurmaylar, taraftarın stadyum talebine olumsuz yanıt verdi.
DERBİ TAKTİĞİ İÇİN BU İDMAN
Tedesco'nun, Galatasaray maçı öncesinde taktiğini netleştirmek için nizami sahada taktik antrenman yapmak istemesi üzerine Fenerbahçe bugün Saracoğlu'nda bir idman yapacaktı. Tedesco stadyumda yapılması planlanan antrenmanın hem basına hem de taraftara kapalı olmasını istedi. Bunun üzerine Başkan Sadettin Saran da, "o zaman stat yok" diyerek son noktayı koydu.
Trabzonspor Başkanı Ertuğrul Doğan "iki transfer tamam" dedi. Akıllara bir süre önce Paul Onuachu'nun fiziksel gücünün rakipler üstündeki baskısını yerli bir isimle sürdürmek isteyen Trabzonspor'un, Ankaragücü'nün 1.91'lik genç devi Atakan Güner'i radarına aldığı haberleri geldi.
Trabzonspor Başkanı Ertuğrul Doğan, Samsunspor'u 2-0 yenerek yarı finale çıktıkları Türkiye Kupası maçı sonrasında, "su ana kadar iki transfer gerçekleştirdik. Önümüzdeki günlerde yeni transferler de olacak. Görüşmelerimiz devam ediyor. Burada isim vermem ama inşallah yakın zamanda tek tek bu anlaşmaları yapmaya devam edeceğiz" diyerek taraftarlar arasında coşkuya neden oldu.
Trabzonspor'da Onuachu'ya Türk veliaht! 1.91'lik 2005'li yerli golcü
O İSİM ANKARAGÜCÜ'NDEN ATAKAN MI?
Gelen bilgilere göre Doğan'ın bahsettiği transferlerden birisinin hücum hattına diğerinin defans hattına olduğu iddia edildi. Gelen bilgilere göre bu oyunculardan birisinin Paul Onuachu'nun rotasyonu için hem genç hem de yerli bir oyuncuyla anlaşmanın tamamlandığı bilgisi verildi.
Kısa süre önce Paul Onuachu’nun fiziksel gücünün rakipler üstündeki baskısını yerli bir isimle sürdürmek isteyen Trabzonspor'un, Ankaragücü’nün 1.91’lik genç devi Atakan Güner'i radarına aldığı haberleri gündeme gelmişti.
Sözleşmesinde 40 milyon euro'luk satın alma opsiyonu olan Andre Onana için Trabzonspor yönetimi Manchester United'a Şubat sonunda 10 milyon Euro teklif etti. O günden bu yana görüşmeler devam ediyor. Bordo-mavililer maksimum rakamı 20 milyon Euro olarak belirledi. Ancak iki taraf arasında henüz bir yakınlaşma olmadı.
Samsunspor deplasmanında Trabzonspor'u Türkiye Kupası'nda yarı finale taşıyan Andre Onana için yaklaşık 2 aydır devam eden operasyonda sona gelindi...
Kamerunlu eldiven için yönetim Şubat sonunda atağa kalktı. 40 milyon Euro’luk opsiyonu bulunan tecrübeli kaleci için Manchester United’a o dönemde ilk teklif yapıldı. Kamerunlu için ilk anda 10 milyon Euro'luk teklif yapıldı.
ANDRE ONANA'DA DEVREYE GİRDİ
Manchester United bu teklifi reddederken Onana için pazarlık yapılabileceğini ancak daha makul tekliflerle gelinmesini istedi... o günden sonra bir kaç kez daha görüşme yapıldı. Bordo-mavililer kendilerine göre makul United'a göre kabul edilemez tekliflerle kapıya geldi.
Onana da bu sürece dahil oldu. "Benim için ne kadar ödeyebilirsiniz" diye sordu. Trabzonspor yönetimi Kamerunlu kaleci için tüm kalemler dahil maksimum 20 milyon Euro ödeyebileceğini iletti.
İKİ TARAF BİRBİRİNE YAKIN DEĞİL
Bordo-mavili yönetimin umudu ise Onana'nın yaz transfer döneminde United'ın istediği rakamları ödeyecek takım bulamaması ve kendilerinin yapacağı 20 milyon euro'luk toplam teklifi kabul ederek bordo-mavili formayı giymeye devam etmesi. Şu an için United ile görüşmeler kesilmedi. Ancak iki tarafın birbirine yakın olduğu bir durum yok.
Son 25 dakikada oyuna giren Milot Rashica, ne Cengiz Ünder, ne Vaclac Cerny, ne de Jota Silva diyerek "ben varsam ben oynarım" performansı sergiledi. Alanyaspor karşısında istasyon olup Türkiye Kupası'nda Beşiktaş'ı yarı finale uçuranlar arasına girdi.
Beşiktaş'ın en fazla tartışılan isimlerinden Vaclav Cerny, Alanyaspor karşısında yokları oynadı... Çek oyuncunun 66 dakikada yapamadıklarını Rashica 25 dakika yaptı.
Sadece 9 kez topla buluşup 1 asist yapan ve 1 de büyük şans yaratan Rashica'nın aksine Cerny 42 kez topla buluşmasına rağmen hücum hattındaki tek olumlu hareketi 1 kilit pas atması oldu.
Cerny oyunda kaldığı sürede "deneyecek ama bitiremeyecek" havası verdi... Rashica ise oyuna girer girmez "daha temiz ve bitirici" olduğunu kanıtladı. 25 dakikada gelen 1 asist ve 1 büyük şans yaratarak, Cerny’nin 66 dakikadaki çabası için "boşa uğraştı" dedirtti. Beşiktaş’ın hücumdaki tıkanıklığını çözen Rashica topsuz oyundaki yer tutması ve son pas kalitesi ile kendini gösterdi.
SAĞ KANADI İSTASYON YAPTI
Cerny oyunda kaldığı süreçye 13 top kaybı ve 3 başarısız top kontrolü ile oynadı. 42 buluşmada 13 kayıp yani hemen her 3 toptan birinin rakibe teslim edilmesi hücum devamlılığını baltaladı.
Rashica sadece 1 top kaybı yaptı. Oyuna girdikten sonra Beşiktaş’ın sağ kanadı istasyon oldu.
Fenerbahçe ve Galatasaray'ın devrildiği Türkiye Kupası yolunda Beşiktaş sahasında Alanyaspor'u 3-0'la geçti... Oh 1 gol ve 1 asistin yanında, 6'da 6 ikili mücadele kazanıp 19'da 18 isabetli pas yaparak kendisini "yetersiz" olarak eleştirenlere cevap verdi.
Süper Lig'de "gidecek başka yeri olmayan" (4'üncü sıradan yukarısı da aşağısı da hemen hemen imkansız gibi) Beşiktaş, 6 maç sonra Alanyaspor'u yendi. 3-0'lık net galibiyet ile adını Türkiye Kupası'nda yarı finale yazdırdı. Kamuoyunda, "gelecek sezon yeter mi, yetmez mi?" tartışmalarının alında Hyeon-gyu Oh'un performansı parmak ısırttı.
HÜCUMUN YÖNETİCİSİ OLDU
Oh maçı 1 gol ve 1 asistle tamamladı... ancak bu katkıyı çok kısıtlı şansla maksimize etti. 4 şutundan sadece 1'i kaleyi buldu. O da gol oldu. 2 kilit pas ve 1 "büyük şans" yaratarak hücum organizasyonlarını yönetti. 19 pasın 18'inde isabet sağladı defans oyuncularının arasında ezilmedi. Baskıya rağmen başarılı pas istatistiği yakaladı. Paslarının 15'ini (14 başarı) rakip yarı sahada yaptı. Beşiktaş'ın baskı kurduğu anlarda panik yapmadı. Setleri doğru yönetti.
Zemindeki 6 ikili mücadelenin 6'sını da kazandı. Topu koruma ve geri kazanma konusundaki kararlılığını gösterdi... 4 top çalma/geri kazanma ve 2 pas arası ile savunma hattına nefes aldırdı. Hiç çalım yememiş olması da pozisyon bilgisinin ne kadar yerinde olduğunu gösteriyor.
5 kez faulle durdurulması da rakibin onu normal yollarla durduramadığının kanıtı gibiydi.
Fenerbahçe ve Galatasaray'ın elendiği çeyrek finallerde Beşiktaş 6 maçtır yenemediği Alanyaspor'u geçerek adını Türkiye Kupası'nda yarı finale yazdırdı. 45 ila 70'nci dakikalar arasında yenen baskıyı Sergen Yalçın defansı 5'leyerek çözdü. Taraftar ise sürekli değiştiği için stoperlerine tedirginliğine isyan etti.
Beşiktaş, Alanyaspor'u 3-0'la geçerek adını Türkiye Kupası'nda yarı finale yazdırdı. Maçtan sonra Sergen Yalçın, "Türkiye Kupası tutunabileceğimiz tek dal bizim için. Orayı da en iyi şekilde kullanmak istiyoruz" diyerek son şanslarını iyi kullanmak istediklerini itiraf etti.
Emirhan Topçu, "kupanın en büyük adayı bence biziz" diyerek daha iddialı bir açıklama yaptı. El Bilal Toure de, "kazanmamız gereken bir maçı kazandık ve yolumuza devam ettiğimiz için çok mutluyuz" diyerek yarı final ve final için inançlarından bahsetti.
PSİKOLOJİK KAZANIM
Fenerbahçe ve Galatasaray'ın Türkiye Kupası'na çeyrek finalde veda etmesinin ardından Alanyaspor karşılaşması Beşiktaş için hayati önem taşıyordu... çünkü siyah-beyazlılar bu sezon Sergen Yalçın'la iki kez boyun eğdiremediği rakibinı 6 maçtır yenemiyordu. 3-0'lık net skor ayrıca bir kırılmayı da sağladı. Psikolojik bir kazanım da oldu.
AŞIRI BASKI YENİLDİ
Kupada yarı final ve final için futbolculara ekstra motivasyonuna kaynağı yarattı. Beşiktaş buna rağmen öne geçmesini iyi kullanamadı. 45 ile 70. dakikalar arasında çok çekildi. Defans hattını 5’lemek zorunda kaldı. Oh’un güçlü performansı eksik noktalara dokundu. Stoper tandeminin sürekli değişmesi ise bir kez daha defans hattında tedirginliği gözler önüne serdi.
Türkiye Basketbol Federasyonu basketbolda haftanın programını açıkladı.
Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi'ne 28. hafta maçlarıyla devam edilecek.
Türkiye Sigorta Türkiye Basketbol Ligi play-in etabında ise ise yarın oynanacak Bulls Yatırım TED Ankara Kolejliler-Pizzabulls Cedi Osman Basketbol mücadelesiyle play-off'a katılacak son takım belirlenecek.
Türkiye Basketbol Federasyonunun açıklamasına göre liglerde haftanın programı şöyle:
Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi
Bugün:
19.00 Glint Manisa Basket-Fenerbahçe Beko (Muradiye)
Yarın:
Beşiktaş GAİN-Aliağa Petkimspor (Beşiktaş GAİN)
13.00 Anadolu Efes-Türk Telekom (Turkcell Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi)
18.00 Bahçeşehir Koleji-TOFAŞ (Sinan Erdem)
26 Nisan Pazar:
13.00 Karşıyaka-Safiport Erokspor (Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Karşıyaka)
15.30 Trabzonspor-Galatasaray MCT Technic (Hayri Gür)
18.00 Bursaspor Basketbol-Onvo Büyükçekmece Basketbol (TOFAŞ)
27 Nisan Pazartesi:
19.00 Yukatel Merkezefendi Belediyesi Basket-Mersinspor (Pamukkale Üniversitesi)
Türkiye Sigorta Türkiye Basketbol Ligi
Yarın:
16.00 Bulls Yatırım TED Ankara Kolejliler-Pizzabulls Cedi Osman Basketbol (Gölbaşı)
“Barselona” icarə əsasında komandada çıxış edən Markus Reşfordun transfer hüquqlarını almaq istəmir.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə “Cadena SER” məlumat yayıb. Kataloniya klubu hücumçu üçün müqavilə ilə məxsus olduğu “Mançester Yunayted”ə 40 milyon avro ödəmək niyyətində deyil.
Klub rəhbərliyi oyunçunun performansından razı deyil və yeni mövsüm üçün alternativ variantları nəzərdən keçirir.
Reşford bu mövsüm 44 oyunda 12 qol vurub, 13 məhsuldar ötürmə edib.
“Mançester Siti”dən ayrılacağı açıqlanan Bernardu Silva karyerasını İtaliyada davam etdirə bilər.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Yuventus” portuqaliyalı yarımmüdafiəçinin xidmətində maraqlıdır. Bu barədə insayder Matteo Moretto məlumat yayıb. Turin klubu 31 yaşlı futbolçu ilə danışıqlara başlayıb.
Bernardu 2017-ci ildən “Mançester Siti”də çıxış edir. O, “şəhərlilər”lə 453 oyunda 76 qol vurub, 77 məhsuldar ötürmə edib.
Azərbaycan futbolunda son illərin ən maraqlı mövsümü başa çatmaq üzrədir. Ölkə Kubokunda finalçılar, liqada isə demək olar, mükafatçılar məlumdur.
Çempionluğun taleyi böyük ölçüdə həll olunub. “Sabah” sona beş tur qalmış ikinci yerdə olan “Qarabağ”ı 13 xal qabaqlayır. Tarixinin ən yaxşı mövsümünü keçirən “bayquşlar” kubokda da finala yüksəlib.
“Qarabağ” və “Turan Tovuz” isə müvafiq olaraq iki və üçüncü sırada qərarlaşıb. Mövqelərin dəyişməsi real görünmür.
Dördüncü pillə uğrunda isə “Zirə” və “Neftçi” arasında gərgin mübarizə davam edir. Birincilər kubokda finala vəsiqə qazanıb və titulu qazanacağı halda, Avropa Liqasına “bilet” alacaq.
Turnir cədvəlinin sonuncusu olan “Karvan-Yevlax” liqanı tərk etməyə ən real namizəd sayılır. Komanda son turlarda qələbə qazanmasına baxmayaraq, ümumi potensialı nibkin düşünməyə əsas vermir. 11-ci yer – pley-off zonasında mübarizə “Qəbələ” və “Kəpəz” arasında gedir. Gəncəlilər xal baxımından öndədir, lakin “Qəbələ”nin döyüşkən oyunu komanda haqqında müsbət fikir formalaşdırır.
Sona yaxınlaşdıqca kritik oyunlarda kifayət qədər gərginlik müşahidə olunur. Xüsusilə həlledici oyunlarda verilən yanlış hakim qərarları əsəbləri tarıma çəkir. AFFA Hakimlər Komitəsinin sədri Rəhim Həsənov mübaliğəsiz hər həftə hansısa referinin səhvini etiraf edir. Lakin bir neçə cümlədən ibarət təsdiqləyici fikirlər təsirsiz qalır, nəticə dəyişmir. Bəlkə də, bu səhvlər mövsümün sonunda hansısa komanda üçün daha çətin situasiya yaradacaq.
Digər məqam isə qərarların sərgilənən yaxşı oyuna kölgə salmasıdır. Tək bir klub deyil, çempionatda geridə qalan 28 tur ərzində hər komandanın həm lehinə, həm də əleyhinə qərarlar verilib. Hər mövsüm təkrarlanan yanlış qərarlar futbolun bir parçasıdır. Dünya praktikasında da belədir. Məsələn, son dövrlərdə İspaniyanın “Barselona” klubu həm La Liqada, həm Çempionlar Liqasında hakimlikdən şikayətlənir. İngiltərə Premyer Liqasında “Mançester Yunayted” tez-tez hakim qərarlarından narazılığını bildirir. Eləcə də, Avropanın digər TOP-5 liqalarında oxşar hallar yaşanır. Azərbaycanda da bunun olması anormal deyil.
Səhvlər olub və bundan sonra da olacaq. Əsas məsələ yaranan situasiyalardan düzgün çıxış yolu tapmaq, gündəmi əlavə mövzularla deyil, futbolla məşğul etməkdir.
Şahin Cəfərov
Bu gün dünyanın yaşıl meydanlarında futbol oyunları keçiriləcək.
Futbolpress.az qarşılaşmaları canlı yayımlayacaq telekanalların siyahısını təqdim edir:
Türkiyə, Super Liqa
21:00 Başakşəhər – Kasımpaşa (Futbol 3, beİN Sports 1)
İtaliya, A Seriyası
22:45 Napoli – Kremoneze (Futbol 1)
İspaniya, La Liqa
23:00 Betis – Real (İdman TV)
İngiltərə, Premyer Liqa
23:00 Sanderlend – Nottingem Forest (beİN Sports 3)
PSJ-nin prezidenti Nasser Əl Xəlaifi müsahibə verib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Mundo Deportivo”ya danışan funksioner komandanın baş məşqçisi Luis Enrikeni tərifləyib:
“Ən uğurlu qərarlarımdan biri Enrikenin təyinatıdır. O, bütün lazımi keyfiyyətlərə malikdir. Möhtəşəm iş görür. Onun yanaşması və klubun sistemli işinin nəticəsində komanda ötən il Çempionlar Liqasını qazandı. Bu mövsüm də finalın bir addımlığındayıq. Böyük bir layihəmiz var və hamı buna inanır”.
Manchester City are reportedly now in pole position to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson ahead of the likes of Arsenal.
The England international has enjoyed a superb season in the Premier League and now looks highly likely to seal a big-money move this summer.
We’ve previously reported on Arsenal sensing an opportunity to rival Man City for Anderson, but it may be that this saga is now nearing its conclusion.
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According to the latest from Sky Sports, City are now understood to be in pole position to land Anderson ahead of rivals such as the Gunners and Manchester United.
This comes as three midfielders could leave the Etihad Stadium this summer, with Bernardo Silva’s departure already confirmed, while Sky Sports add that there is some uncertainty over both Mateo Kovacic and Nico Gonzalez.
City look like they need a midfielder of Anderson’s calibre to come in as the eventual long-term replacement for Rodri.
Even if the 23-year-old won’t come cheap, he’s one of the best in the business right now and could have a starring role at a top club like City for many years to come.
With that in mind, we got this score when running Anderson to City through our Transfer Fit rating system – read more about how it works here…
| Elliot Anderson | TOTAL SCORE: 21/25 |
| Transfer fee | *** |
| Performance | ***** |
| Achievements | *** |
| Career phase | ***** |
| Squad need | ***** |
Anderson pretty much ticks all the boxes and earns a 21/25 – a really high score, with the player only losing points for being expensive and for ‘achievements’ as he’s not yet played for a top club or won major trophies, though that should all come soon.
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It has seemed for some time now that one of the two Manchester clubs would be most likely for Anderson, so it’s not too surprising to see Arsenal missing out.
Still, the north London giants could arguably do with adding another midfielder this summer, with Mikel Arteta relying a lot on Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi this term.
Without much in the way of a reliable rotation option, this has led to Zubimendi in particular looking quite burnt out, with the Spain international losing form as the season has gone on.
Anderson could be ideal to come in and perhaps give Arsenal an upgrade in that department, but they’ll have to look elsewhere if he really is set for City.
The post Man City in pole position to sign Arsenal target as three players could leave appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly among the clubs exploring a potential transfer for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao this summer.
The Portugal international is having another strong season at the San Siro, contributing nine goals and three assists in total, and it seems he could be on the move in the near future.
Man Utd and Liverpool are looking into this opportunity as the Daily Mail claim Milan could let Leao go for just £60m, which is viewed as a potential bargain on the market.
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Leao has also recently been linked with Arsenal in a report from Football Transfers, and one imagines his situation will surely have clubs all over the world on alert.
Leao is an important player for Milan and surely someone they’d ideally like to keep, but with two years remaining on his contract, his value could soon start to go down.
See below as Fabrizio Romano recently quoted Rossoneri chief Igli Tare as playing down talk of the 26-year-old leaving, but perhaps the situation has now changed…
???? AC Milan director Igli Tare on Rafa Leão’s future: “Rafa has two years left on his contract and he’s very important for us”.
“His skills are not in doubt, this season he’s suffered from injuries”. pic.twitter.com/ilYRlMbKii
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 6, 2026
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If Leao won’t sign a new deal, then this summer could be Milan’s last chance to make significant money from letting him go.
It seems Leao has also had some injury troubles, so that’s another factor for the Serie A giants to consider in the months ahead, as there’s not much use in keeping someone if they’re not going to be available often enough, no matter how good they are.
On his day, Leao is a superb attacking talent who can operate out wide or up front, so it’s easy to imagine him having a big impact at clubs like United or Liverpool.
The former Lille man could be ideal to help LFC replace Mohamed Salah, who will be leaving this summer, and he’d be cheaper than some of the other options out there.
Leao could also possibly do a better job than Matheus Cunha at MUFC, adding more options to the team’s attack as Marcus Rashford will surely leave permanently after going out on loan this season and last.
The post 12 G/A star cleared to move for £60m: Man United & Liverpool on alert for bargain transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal has spoken out about his injury that is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season but probably not the World Cup.
Yamal had to go off with a hamstring problem in Barcelona’s win over Celta Vigo earlier this week, having scored the winning goal from the penalty spot before immediately signalling to the bench that he felt something.
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The 18-year-old was escorted off by medical staff as he went straight down the tunnel, but the current expectation is that he should be fit again for this summer’s World Cup, according to BBC Sport.
Yamal is also quoted in the report as sending a message to fans and teammates after the disappointing news that he’s set to miss the rest of the season.
The Spain international backed the rest of his team to do the job without him, and vowed to come back stronger next term.
“This injury leaves me off the field at the time I most wanted to be, and it hurts more than I can explain,” Yamal posted on social media.
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“It hurts not being able to fight with my team-mates, not being able to help when the team needs me. But I believe in them and I know they’re going to drop their souls in every game.
“I’ll be there, even if it’s from the outside, supporting, encouraging and pushing as one more. This is not the end, this is just a break. I’ll come back stronger, more eager than ever, and next season will be better.”
Yamal is one of the best players in the world at the moment, and Spain won’t want to be without him this summer as they look to win the World Cup.
The European nation will be one of the major favourites for the tournament, with Yamal already playing a key part in their success at Euro 2024 two years ago.
With 24 goals and 15 assists in all competitions this season, Yamal has been a joy to watch again for Barca this term and they’ll undoubtedly miss him towards the end of their campaign.
The post “It hurts more than I can explain” – Lamine Yamal breaks silence amid World Cup injury fear appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho has reportedly indicated that he’d be ready to return to Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer this summer.
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The 26-year-old is set to be out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of this season, which he has spent on loan at Aston Villa.
Sancho hasn’t made much of an impact during his spell at Villa Park, so it makes sense that he now looks set for another move, with Dortmund seemingly keen to bring him back for a third spell.
That’s according to Sky Sport Germany, who report that Sancho has given his approval for the move back to Dortmund, while the club’s manager Niko Kovac has also given his green light for the deal.
Although Sky’s report also states that Sancho has interest from elsewhere, it seems he’s making BVB his priority this summer.
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It’s not a done deal yet, but the report suggests that talks have been fairly advanced and that it’s all looking positive for the player to come back to Germany.
Sancho shone at Dortmund as a youngster, and also did well there in a brief return on loan a couple of years ago.
After such a difficult time at Man United, it could be a good move for Sancho to try going back to Dortmund again to revive his career.
Sancho looked like an exciting signing when he first joined the Red Devils, but he was perhaps unfortunate to come at a time when the club was generally going through a tricky transitional period.
Cristiano Ronaldo also joined that summer, and would have impacted the kind of role Sancho was able to play in the team’s attack, while manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also sacked not that long after he arrived.
Sancho is also far from the only big-name signing to struggle at United in recent times, with others like Paul Pogba, Angel Di Maria, Antony, and Andre Onana among the biggest flops of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
The post Positive talks: Man United star indicates he’s ready to accept transfer to Euro giants appeared first on CaughtOffside.
For so long, the talking point of the season was whether Arsenal really could win a quadruple. Then they lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City and an FA Cup quarter-final to Southampton – “enjoy your quadruple, pal” – in the space of a few days.
So a few weeks later, as City prepare to meet Southampton at Wembley on Saturday, perhaps the most intriguing question now is whether Pep Guardiola’s side can win a third treble of his reign, a treble bid which has snuck up on the blindside and caught us by surprise.
OK, it is not quite the treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup which City won in 2023. But winning the league, FA Cup and Carabao Cup would replicate their feat of 2019 and add an unexpected layer to Guardiola’s legacy, in what may turn out to be his final season at the Etihad Stadium.
Because City have not looked like a trophy-winning side for much of this season. They started November eighth in the league, nine points behind Arsenal. They scraped into the top eight of the Champions League standings.
But as is often the case, mid-season, Guardiola has landed on the right blend of players in a system that is proving hard to beat. Since they were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid last month, City have won all five matches including two victories over Arsenal, a 3-0 win over Chelsea and a 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool.
Wednesday’s profligate 1-0 win at Burnley was perhaps a reminder that City are nothing like Guardiola’s previous treble-winning sides, and maybe that is what would make this season’s successes all the more remarkable, for what is an unremarkable team. Victory sent them top of the league for the first time all season, and now attention shifts to Wembley.
Standing in their way on Saturday are the country’s in-form team. Southampton are unbeaten in their past 20 games in all competitions, a run stretching back to mid-January. Their form under 33-year-old manager Tonda Eckert has helped propel them from relegation trouble when he took charge in November to the play-off places, and with two games left of the Championship season, Saints still retain a slim chance of automatic promotion.
The Premier League may be the ultimate goal this season but the FA Cup holds a sentimental place in Southampton hearts, 50 years on from Bobby Stokes’ winning goal in the final which delivered the only major trophy in the club’s long history. Eckert would go down in Saints folklore if he could sink Arsenal and City on the way to lifting the trophy half a century later.
The young German coach was working in the club’s academy when manager Will Still was sacked, and initially took over as interim manager. At one stage Southampton appeared to be going the same way as Leicester, straight down from the Premier League to League One, as if their parachute had been sabotaged. But Eckert has worked wonders.
In many ways he is the opposite of Guardiola, who won every trophy in his playing career, not coaching until he was 36. Eckert has barely kicked a ball. He played Under-15 football with Antonio Rudiger and joined Hertha Berlin’s academy, but recently told the Guardian he pursued coaching because “I was intelligent enough to realise that I was not good enough” to make it as a professional player.
He began his coaching journey aged 19, as a university student, working as an analyst for the German national team during Euro 2012, and later joined the academies of FC Koln, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, where he missed working with Guardiola by a couple of years.
“It's an honour for me to stand on the sideline next to him,” Eckert said this week. “It’s a big stadium, obviously, but I don’t go there for the experience, I don’t go there as a spectator, we go there to challenge.”
How can Southampton possibly stop Guardiola’s City juggernaut? Eckert was open enough to elaborate on that problem. Dogged defending will be crucial, but that alone will not carry Southampton to the final.
“We will have some periods where you need to suffer, but accept at the same time that you might not touch the ball for a minute and just stay calm,” the manager said. “If you see where City scores their goals, most of them are within the width of the six-yard box, and most of them are inside the 18-yard box. There might be some moments where you just need to defend inside your box and be very clear on how to do that.
“And then there will be more than enough chances, we’re definitely going to have a couple of transition moments. We need to be crucial on the ones that they give to us, because it’s not going to be too many. I think you can’t rely only on defending in these games.
“We need to be brave enough and find another gear and the energy that when we do have the ball, we have spurts of play in possession. I think that we found quite a good combination of both of these aspects against Arsenal and that will be the key again on Saturday.”
City will be favourites to progress but Guardiola has a strange relationship with the FA Cup. On the one hand, this is a record eighth consecutive Cup semi-final for City, who are aiming to become the first side ever to reach four consecutive finals. But Guardiola has lost six of his seven FA Cup games at Wembley, and defeats by Manchester United and Crystal Palace in the past two finals were chastening.
Guardiola has won six Premier Leagues and five League Cups but has lifted the FA Cup only twice, a relatively low return in a decade of dominance. It is perhaps the only unfulfilled shelf in his overflowing trophy cabinet, and so this cup run has a little added significance beyond City’s treble pursuit.
And yet for Southampton, it means even more. “You can feel around the club for many, many weeks and months now that this year is very special,” said Eckert. “The competition itself is obviously always special, but now being the 50th anniversary of when we last won it, even more so.”
What channel is Braves vs. Phillies on today? Time, TV schedule, live stream to watch MLB Friday Night Baseball game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NL East standings early in the 2026 season are nearly a mirror image of 2025, with the Braves leading the way and the Phillies languishing at the bottom as the rivals open a weekend series.
Atlanta has the best record in MLB thanks in large part to its pitching staff, which boasts a 3.16 ERA, but the bats have made a difference, too. The Braves have scored more runs than any other team and only the Dodgers have hit more home runs.
As you might expect, the opposite has been true for a Philadelphia team that has borne no resemblance to last year's 96-game winners. The Phils' team OPS is a paltry .653, down more than 100 points from last year's final number and starting pitchers who aren't Cristopher Sanchez have posted a 6.57 ERA.
Andrew Painter will try to buck that trend for the visitors Friday, while Grant Holmes is set to get the start for Atlanta.
Who will start the weekend with a win? Here's everything you need to know to watch the series opener.
Braves vs. Phillies will not air on traditional television Friday. The game will stream live as part of Apple TV's "Friday Night Baseball" package.
New subscribers get their first week of Apple TV for free. After that, they can subscribe for just $12.99/month.
Subscribers can watch "Friday Night Baseball" with the Apple TV app, which is available on select smart TVs, Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, and gaming consoles.
First pitch of Braves vs. Phillies on Friday is set for 7:15 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Truist Park in Atlanta.
Apple and MLB have announced the "Friday Night Baseball" schedule through the end of June. See every upcoming game below.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| April 24 | Phillies at Braves | 7:15 p.m. |
| Cubs at Dodgers | 10:15 p.m. | |
| May 1 | Reds at Pirates | 6:45 p.m. |
| Royals at Mariners | 9:45 p.m. | |
| May 8 | Twins at Guardians | 7:15 p.m. |
| Cardinals at Padres | 9:45 p.m. | |
| May 15 | Blue Jays at Tigers | 6:45 p.m. |
| Yankees at Mets | 7:15 p.m. | |
| May 22 | Astros at Cubs | 2:20 p.m. |
| Tigers at Orioles | 7:15 p.m. | |
| May 29 | Twins at Pirates | 6:45 p.m. |
| Phillies at Dodgers | 10:15 p.m. | |
| June 5 | Guardians at Rangers | 8:15 p.m. |
| Royals at Twins | 8:15 p.m. | |
| June 12 | Diamondbacks at Reds | 7:15 p.m. |
| Braves at Mets | 7:15 p.m. | |
| June 19 | Cardinals at Royals | 8:15 p.m. |
| Twins at Diamondbacks | 9:45 p.m. | |
| June 26 | Cubs at Brewers | 7:45 p.m. |
| Dodgers at Padres | 9:45 p.m. |
I’ve been doing my best this week to catch up on some regular hoddle features I haven’t been able to get round to lately because of travel, work, etc.
Earlier this week we did a nice rundown of the EFL Championship, brought back Fitzie’s Film and TV Reviews and even did that video game hoddle that you all requested at the start of the season. I’m doing my best to tick off the boxes one by one. I need to update the Track of the Day playlist too.
(Don’t expect any hoddles in the near future on Where are they now? where hoddle HQ looks at past Spurs players – because I just don’t have the time)
But one I always like to revisit is What are you reading right now? where hoddle HQ checks in with you all on some of the books you’re currently reading.
I’m steadily making my way through A Year In the Death of Ricardo Reis by Jose Saramago, a novel about the final year of Ricardo Reis, one of the dozens of heteronyms (And one of the most famous) created by legendary Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa.
I’m only about a quarter of the way through the book so far but it is turning out to be a remarkable read. It features those beautiful, long-running sentences that Saramago is known for. The only problem is I haven’t had time in the last two weeks to pick it up.
That needs to change, and it will be a significant part of my weekend plans. I hope the next time we check in I’ll be nearly done (if not finished) with the book.
Anyways – do share some of the texts you’re reading!
Fitzie’s track of the day:Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave, by Dave Mason
And now for your links:
The Athletic ($$): “The lessons Tottenham Hotspur can learn from the Premier League’s Great Escapes”
Alasdair Gold: “Tottenham fined and warned by UEFA over ‘improper conduct’ and two other incidents”
The Independent: “How Rochdale and York stole the Premier League’s thunder with a title decider for the ages”
ESPN: “Soccer’s 2025-26 Watchability rankings, from Bayern Munich to Wolves”
The Telegraph: “BBC axes Football Focus after 52 years”
After an extended four-week break, MotoGP returns to action on 24-26 April with the Spanish Grand Prix. Jerez also marks the first European round of the 2026 season, and is expected to be the biggest test so far for Aprilia after it won the opening three rounds across Asia and the Americas.
Gresini's Alex Marquez arrives at his home round as the reigning Spanish GP winner, but has already ruled out a repeat of his 2025 victory.
That makes Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi the outright favourite again, but Marc Marquez has now confirmed he is back to full fitness.
Your time| Spanish GP | Apr 26 14:00 |
| FREE PRACTICE 1 | Apr 24 10:45 |
| PRACTICE | Apr 24 15:00 |
| FREE PRACTICE 2 | Apr 25 10:10 |
| QUALIFYING 1 | Apr 25 10:50 |
| QUALIFYING 2 | Apr 25 11:15 |
| SPRINT | Apr 25 15:00 |
| RACE | Apr 26 14:00 |
| Friday | |||||||
| FP1 | 09:45 | 10:45 | 04:45 | 01:45 | 18:45 | 17:45 | 14:15 |
| Practice | 14:00 | 15:00 | 09:00 | 06:00 | 23:00 | 22:00 | 18:30 |
| Saturday | |||||||
| FP2 | 09:10 | 10:10 | 04:10 | 01:10 | 18:10 | 17:10 | 13:40 |
| Qualifying | 09:50 | 10:50 | 04:50 | 01:50 | 18:50 | 17:50 | 14:20 |
| Sprint | 14:00 | 15:00 | 09:00 | 06:00 | 23:00 | 22:00 | 18:30 |
| Sunday | |||||||
| Race | 13:00 | 14:00 | 08:00 | 05:00 | 22:00 | 21:00 | 17:30 |
MotoGP has its own on-demand streaming service, offering live broadcast of practice, qualifying and the Sprint, as well as highlights. The MotoGP Video pass is available for an annual fee of 139.99 euros. Several local broadcasters also stream MotoGP races on their official websites.
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
1. QB Fernando Mendoza (Las Vegas Raiders)
The former Indiana quarterback was the overwhelming favourite to be the first overall pick and becomes the third player to be chosen first and win the Heisman Trophy - for the best player in college football - and national championship in the same year.
A similar quarterback to Tom Brady, although a little more athletic, Mendoza now gets to develop under veteran Kirk Cousins and his idol Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders.
2. LB David Bailey (New York Jets)
Several pass rushers were rated highly in this year's draft class and linebacker Bailey was the first off the board.
The Jets had the second-fewest number of sacks last season while Bailey registered 14.5 at Texas Tech - tied for the most in the top level of college football.
3. RB Jeremiyah Love (Arizona Cardinals)
There were rumours the Cardinals might go for quarterback Ty Simpson, but they opted for this year's top running back.
Love is explosive, elusive and also provides a receiving threat, scoring a combined 40 touchdowns over the past two seasons at Notre Dame.
4. WR Carnell Tate (Tennessee Titans)
Many tipped the Titans to make a defensive move, but instead they chose to get some firepower for quarterback Cam Ward, who struggled for most of his rookie season after being the first overall pick of last year's draft.
Tate helped Ohio State win the national championship in 2024 before posting career-high figures for receiving yards and touchdowns in 2025.
5. LB Arvell Reese (New York Giants)
There was some surprise to see pass rusher Reese still on the board at five, and the Giants could not let Tate's former Ohio State team-mate slip by.
After trading Dexter Lawrence last week, they have immediately restored depth to their defensive front with Reese joining Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns.
6. CB Mansoor Delane (Kansas City Chiefs, trade with Cleveland Browns)
The Chiefs traded cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams last month and used three picks to get into position for his potential replacement.
Delane was the top-rated cornerback in the draft having shown he has the speed, awareness and physicality to shut down receivers, as well as helping to stop the run game.
7. LB Sonny Styles (Washington Commanders)
The Commanders gave up the most yards per game last season and gave their defence a boost with the addition of Styles, who has been likened to San Francisco's Fred Warner.
He is another of Ohio State's national title winners from 2024 and has good pedigree with his father Lorenzo having spent six years in the NFL, winning the Super Bowl with the Rams in 2000.
8. WR Jordyn Tyson (New Orleans Saints)
Tyson's early college years were restricted by injuries, but he proved himself last season at Arizona State.
The Saints finished last season strongly with Tyler Shough at quarterback and Tyson now offers him a deep threat while easing the burden on fellow receiver Chris Olave.
9. OT Spencer Fano (Cleveland Browns)
The Browns got two extra picks from the Chiefs and were still able to get the first tackle off the board, which will give greater protection for whoever becomes next season's starting quarterback.
Fano is 6ft 5in and 311lb (141kg), and has played across the offensive line but has spent the past two seasons playing right tackle.
10. OT Francis Mauigoa (New York Giants)
Mauigoa is slightly bigger than Fano at 6ft 5in and 329lb (149 kg), and his selection means the Giants gained reinforcements on both sides of the ball inside the top 10 picks.
The right tackle from American Samoa will offer Jaxson Dart pass protection and even told the Giants' second-year quarterback that he "will die" for him.
11. S Caleb Downs (Dallas Cowboys, trade with Miami Dolphins)
12. OT Kadyn Proctor (Miami Dolphins)
13. QB Ty Simpson (Los Angeles Rams)
14. G Olaivavega Ioane (Baltimore Ravens)
15. DE Rueben Bain Jr (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
16. TE Kenyon Sadiq (New York Jets)
17. OT Blake Miller (Detroit Lions)
18. DE Caleb Banks (Minnesota Vikings)
19. OT Monroe Freeling (Carolina Panthers)
20. WR Makai Lemon (Philadelphia Eagles, trade with Dallas Cowboys)
21. OT Max Iheanachor (Pittsburgh Steelers)
22. LB Akheem Mesidor (Los Angeles Chargers)
23. DE Malachi Lawrence (Dallas Cowboys)
24. WR KC Concepcion (Cleveland Browns)
25. S Dillon Thieneman (Chicago Bears)
26. G Keylan Rutledge (Houston Texans, trade with Buffalo Bills)
27. CB Chris Johnson (Miami Dolphins, trade with San Francisco 49ers)
28. OT Caleb Lomu (New England Patriots, trade with Buffalo Bills)
29. DT Peter Woods (Kansas City Chiefs)
30. WR Omar Cooper Jr (New York Jets, trade with San Francisco 49ers)
31. DE Keldric Faulk (Tennessee Titans, trade with Buffalo Bills)
32. RB Jadarian Price (Seattle Seahawks)
A blind punk band frontman is set to run the London Marathon to raise money for a UK sight loss charity.
Phil Harrison, 69, from Paignton, in Devon, will run the route alongside his guide runner, Dr Julia Tysoe. Harrison, who is part of punk band Social Security, said he lost his sight in his left eye due to an injury during a "feisty rounders tournament" in his teenager years.
He later lost sight in his right eye following a cancer diagnosis when he was 60 years old.
"I feel good, I've been doing the training," he said. "I feel it's a real privilege to actually be part of something that's really amazing and positive, [I'm] really looking forward to it."
Harrison compared his vision to a kaleidoscope, and said "it's a bit like looking at a mirror that's been shattered".
He said he used to run solo, but kept falling over when his sight loss "really got bad".
"It shattered my confidence a bit."
He said he later got in touch with a guide runner who helped him get his confidence back.
Harrison is raising money for the UK sight loss charity, the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Harrison's guide runner, Tysoe, said it was a "privilege and a pleasure" to do the marathon.
"It will be hugely rewarding, I was delighted when he asked me," she said.
"I think the biggest challenge for this London Marathon is going to be being absolutely focused for the full distance.
"We've done a couple of half marathons together.
"I'm just hoping we've got the muscle memory and the distance in the legs."
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Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. are the two biggest names at Real Madrid at the moment, and remain one of the world’s strongest attacking units on paper.
When one looks back at Real Madrid’s history, however, the current duo still will not feature anywhere near the top for the club has had many attacking combinations in the past who were superior both on paper and in terms of numbers.
One of the greatest, on that front, was the partnership between Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale – a trio that led the team to multiple UEFA Champions League successes.
Benzema recently opened up to the media about his time at Real Madrid and how it was to share the field with Ronaldo when the Portuguese superstar was at the peak of his powers.
The Frenchman did not hold back in any capacity and clearly expressed how much fun he had playing with Ronaldo.
“Ronaldo? It was amazing to play with Cristiano,” the Real Madrid legend said ( h/t The Madrid Zone).
Two Real Madrid legends. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Speaking about what he learnt and picked up from the Portuguese legend, Benzema handed credit to learning several facets of his attacking game to him.
“I learned a lot from him, especially in terms of movements, runs inside the box, pressing and how to handle it.”
Finally, he expressed how it was atrocious seeing Ronaldo score goals for fun year after year at Real Madrid, more so as an on-field teammate.
“This guy was scoring more than 50 goals a season, it was unbelievable, man.”
While Ronaldo will still feature in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Benzema will not be at the event after he announced his international retirement back in 2022.
At the club level, however, the two legends continue to share the field, albeit as rivals in Saudi Arabia.
Recently rocked by the injury of Lamine Yamal, Barcelona are looking to see through the season safely, now that both Yamal and Raphinha are currently injured.
However, there might be some positive news as far as the fitness of Raphinha is concerned, as the forward is eyeing a return to action soon.
The Brazilian international had picked up an injury during the last international break, much to the frustration of Barcelona. But he has been making a quick recovery.
According to Diario SPORT (h/t FCB World), there is a chance Raphinha might be able to feature in Barcelona’s upcoming game against Osasuna.
The Catalans are slated to take on the Pamplona outfit at the start of next month, right after their next league game against Getafe tomorrow.
When will Raphinha return to the pitch? (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Raphinha is hoping he will be fit enough to at least play a few minutes against Osasuna, which will give him some rhythm needed to prepare for the big clash against Real Madrid.
Indeed, the former Leeds United star’s main objective will be to return to full fitness when Barcelona lock horns against Los Blancos in El Clasico.
The high-octane fixture is set to be played at Camp Nou on May 10, thus giving Raphinha more than two weeks to fast-track his recovery and make himself match-ready.
The Brazilian’s return could go a long way in boosting a Barcelona attack stifled by the injury of Yamal, who has been ruled out for the season.
Although Raphinha has not been in great form this year, his leadership and energy in the final third have always been invaluable for the Catalans.
In the meantime, the injuries to Raphinha and Yamal should bode well for lesser-used Barcelona stars such as Roony Bardghji, who is expected to receive more minutes in the coming matches.
BOSTON – The Boston Bruins got the start they wanted, but couldn’t capitalize late and are now behind in the series again.
The Bruins (1-2) dropped Game 3, losing 3-1 to the Buffalo Sabres (2-1) on Thursday night at the TD Garden. Tanner Jeannot (1) scored his first career playoff goal, and Jeremy Swayman made 25 saves, but three unanswered goals, along with the Bruins going 0-for-4 on the power play, lifted the Sabres ahead in the series.
“Yeah, [Alex Lyon] played good. But it was not, I think, it was not the issue. First of all, they were just a little bit better than us,” said head coach Marco Sturm. “I got to say, you know, I thought we were a little tight, right from the start. I could see it a little bit on the power play, too. But we were still in the game, and we were fine.”
“Just those little mistakes cost us the second goal there. But other than that, yeah, it was just unfortunate because we were excited to be at home, and for some reason, like I said, we didn’t play the way we did Game 1 and 2.”
According to Natural Stat Trick, the Bruins were held to 25 shot attempts at 5-on-5 and 45 overall, both their lowest totals of the series. They also only generated six high-danger attempts.
On Wednesday, Tanner Jeannot spoke about his excitement to get to the TD Garden and play his first home playoff game in front of the crowd. He showed up by scoring the first Bruins goal, which popped the crowd, but there was one thing that mattered more to Jeannot.
“It was a good, heavy shift. Good hits. We were playing a simple game all night long,” he said after the game on Thursday. “Nice to see one go in, but it’s about getting the win. Yeah, feels good to see one go in, but would have rather had the win.”
The fourth line is the only Bruins forward line to finish with a positive Corsi, generating six shot attempts while allowing five.
The Bruins generated chances on the power play; eight of their 25 shots came on their four power plays. They had 12 shot attempts. Nothing found the back of the net.
“We had the big opportunities on [the] power play,” Pastrnak said. “I think we got two power plays in the last six, seven minutes, you know. So we have to bury one of those. It’s on us, guys on the power play, to be better. Their goalie played well, but we have to make it a little harder on him as well.”
Pastrnak also said “every game was pretty much same scripted.”
The Bruins have opened the scoring in all three games this series, but two late pushes by the Sabres have tilted the series in their favor.
All three games have also featured heavy contact with goaltender Jeremy Swayman. He joked after the game that a younger him would have reacted differently.
“We addressed it. It happened today again,” Marco Sturm said. “Again, that’s one way they try to do. And they’ve been doing it for three games. It just seems like they didn’t get a call yet. I’m waiting too. But it’s obviously not in my control.”
Sturm on the contact against Jeremy Swayman: “We addressed it. It happened today again. Again, that's one way they try to do. And they’ve been doing it for three games. It just seems like they didn’t get a call yet. I’m waiting too. But it’s obviously not in my control.”… pic.twitter.com/UTC586HMga
— Jack Studley (@jackstudley13) April 24, 2026
It is the heavy-hitters, like Nikita Zadorov, Mark Kastelic, and Tanner Jeannot, who will step up and clear anyone out of Swayman’s way. Morgan Geekie did it in the first and was penalized for a cross-check.
“Obviously, we would love to play that way,” Kastelic said after the game. “I think the refs kind of, at the beginning of the game, set the tone with one of the calls there, and so, we’re trying to not go over the line and hurt our team by being in the penalty box, but it’s definitely hard because I think we thrive off that.”
Naturally, the Bruins are ready to move on to Game 4. They have shown resilience throughout the season, and they have done it once already this series.
Their head coach is confident that the Bruins can bounce back.
“We just got to, again, put this one behind. We’re going to address it in the next few days again,” Marco Sturm said. “Areas where we can do better, and then we’re going to bounce back. We’ve done it all year long. I think that’s going to be the biggest message. Nothing really changes. We did it in Buffalo. We did it all season long. We always bounce back, and we’re still in a pretty good spot.”
Sturm on his message ahead of Game 4: “We just got to, again, put this one behind. We’re going to address it in the next few days again.”
— Jack Studley (@jackstudley13) April 24, 2026
“We’ve done it all year long. I think that's going to be the biggest message. Nothing really changes. We did it in Buffalo. We did it all… pic.twitter.com/8UkhCs4rur
The Bruins have an extra day off, and they will stay off the ice on Friday. They return to practice on Saturday, then will play Game 4 at the TD Garden on Sunday afternoon.
The post Trailing Again: Breaking Apart Bruins Game 3 Loss appeared first on Boston Hockey Now.
We’re only 32 picks into the 2026 NFL Draft, which has 225 yet to come off the board over the course of Friday’s second and third rounds plus the final four on Saturday. Yet what occurred April 23 in Pittsburgh during Round 1 will go a long way toward shaping the legacy of this draft – one that isn’t necessarily expected to have a seismic impact on the league this year and perhaps not in the long run, either.
That will be up to the players, and time will determine whether it’s a pedestrian group, maybe one that winds up exceeding expectations … or even falling short of what already seems set as a low bar. Regardless, it’s never too early to give a microwaved assessment of something that probably can’t be fairly judged until at least 2029 – so let’s (prematurely) label the winners and losers of the 2026 draft’s first round:
2026 NFL Draft Round 1 grades: Analysis for every pick
No idea who that is. Arch Manning? Dante Moore? Joe Burrow? Get back to us in 2027. But Gang Green’s plan to construct a support system for the man who will doubtless end the franchise’s (almost) six-decade Super Bowl drought – even ending a playoff absence that extends to 2010, now the longest in major North American professional team sports, would be remarkable – seems to be off to a promising start. Pass rusher David Bailey became the franchise’s highest-drafted defender ever, coming off the board second overall – and a good defense is often among a QB’s best friends. But the Jets chose twice more in Round 1, getting Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq 16th overall and Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. after GM Darren Mougey snuck back into the bottom of the round at the 30th spot. A nice influx of talent, if not youngsters who will necessarily be ready to make major contributions in 2026 … which would only benefit a team clearly positioning itself to draft early again in 2027.
The draft’s presumptive No. 1 pick for – five? – months, he officially changed that LinkedIn profile to employed after officially joining the Las Vegas Raiders. Mendoza will almost doubtless be the face of this draft, for better or worse, forevermore, and simply has to become the first Silver and Black quarterback to notch a playoff win in nearly a quarter of a century to justify his investment. A word of advice: Don’t let Kirk Cousins keep you out at all hours on the slots and tables. Good luck, pal.
First, the Browns traded down from No. 6 to obtain some mid-round ammo. Then they drafted OL Spencer Fano ninth overall before getting game-breaking WR KC Concepcion at No. 24. If Sanders, who famously plummeted to Round 5 a year ago, fails to lock down the QB1 job this season, it almost certainly won’t be because Cleveland failed to load up on solid talent around him.
QB Ty Simpson’s No. 1 media advocate was vindicated – after the ESPN analyst and former NFL backup QB unabashedly stumped for the former Alabama passer throughout the pre-draft process – when the Rams picked him 13th overall despite intense speculation that Simpson wouldn’t hear his name called at all Thursday. Good luck, Ty. Congrats, Dan, who got to take a victory lap on ESPN’s air with Pat McAfee.
Dan Orlovsky was doing victory laps with Pat McAfee and the boys after the Rams selected Ty Simpson 😤 pic.twitter.com/x37hyrS0XE
— ESPN (@espn) April 24, 2026
Despite all of Thursday night’s trade activity, none of the deals involved a Round 1 selection for next year – which is expected to boast a lot more star power than this year’s draft. The Jets, who obtained valuable 2027 picks from the Colts and Cowboys at last year’s trade deadline, are currently the only team in possession of multiple first-round selections next year.
Having four players going off the board in the top 11 selections is quite the recruiting messaging for the Buckeyes. Suck it, oh-fer Michigan.
The top 11 picks included FOUR players from @OhioStateFB 😱 pic.twitter.com/jduy59pfyd
— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
He came off the board third overall, to the Arizona Cardinals, his draft slotting set to guarantee him more than $50 million – almost a 50% bump from the market-setting $36 million guarantee the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley collected with his most recent extension.
The Steel City hosted its first draft in more than 78 years – and it looked marvelous. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced at the end of the evening that Pittsburgh set a Round 1 attendance record of 320,000. Expect that figure to balloon – significantly – into the weekend.
Meanwhile, the local team apparently didn’t do as well as it had hoped. Per reports, the AFC North champs – still not necessarily sure who their quarterback will be in 2026 – were all set to take USC WR Makai Lemon with the 21st overall pick … not knowing a cross-state jump had occurred, the Philadelphia Eagles literally swooping in to sink their talons into Lemon after moving up from the 23rd spot to 20. Welp. But who knows? Sometimes the move you don’t make winds up serving you well, and fallback Max Iheanachor of Arizona State might actually address what could be a far more pressing need given the questions about the neck injury Steelers OT Broderick Jones is dealing with.
From the NFL Draft: A wild story, as the #Eagles trade up for Makai Lemon... while he was on the phone with the #Steelers. pic.twitter.com/r1R6pQnFgi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2026
He’s got a bag. He’s also headed to a literal and figurative football desert where the Cardinals appear to have plenty of running backs (James Conner, Tyler Allgeier, Trey Benson) but no long-term prospects at quarterback … nor much short- or intermediate-term hope in the NFC West, home of the Super Bowl champion Seahawks, who drafted Love’s former Notre Dame backfield mate (Jadarian Price) Thursday, and two other teams that won at least 12 games last season. Woof.
Dude. You don’t owe me an apology. An explicit one to the Patriots might be nice, and a public one to your family seems incumbent at this point. Either say more or say less. But this week’s approach clearly isn’t working at this point … though the internet’s ability to torpedo your rep certainly is.
Thursday was kind to Mansoor Delane, the Kansas City Chiefs trading up to get the former LSU cornerback with the sixth overall selection. Otherwise, Round 1 was largely unkind relative to the DBs. S Caleb Downs, widely projected as a top-five pick going into this draft, wound up going 11th overall to the Cowboys. Former Oregon S Dillon Thieneman also went lower than expected, landing in Chicago with the 25th selection. San Diego State CB Chris Johnson, who picked up steam late in the pre-draft process, snuck into Round 1, too, going to Miami two spots after Thieneman. Otherwise? Nada. Tennessee CBs Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood, Clemson CB Avieon Terrell and Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren were among the most notable players slipping into Day 2.
The fifth overall pick from the 2022 draft suddenly looks like the Giants’ No. 4 pass rusher after Arvell Reese joined him, Brian Burns and Abdul Carter on the depth chart. Thibodeaux, somewhat ironically the first pick of GM Joe Schoen’s tenure, is only under contract for one more season. He’s averaged fewer than six sacks per year to this point of his career, and it’s worth wondering if the Giants should expedite his departure by trying to obtain whatever future draft assets they can get for Thibodeaux.
Super Sunday will be staged in Sofi Stadium to cap the upcoming season – five years after the Rams won their only championship in L.A. … at SoFi. Reigning MVP Matthew Stafford and Co. certainly seem to have the requisite firepower to hoist another Lombardi Trophy next February, especially if they iron out their special teams issues. But drafting Simpson with the 13th overall pick, while perhaps a forward-looking move with Stafford evaluating his desire to continue playing on a year-to-year basis, almost certainly isn’t going to help the Rams much in 2026. Or 2027.
That would most definitely be Cam Ward. After weeks of widespread speculation that Love would be the pick here, there were quite a few 11th-hour projections – perhaps due to smoke inhalation – that Tennessee would go with a defender to supercharge Robert Saleh’s defense. But the Titans weren’t compelled to move up from the fourth spot to No. 3, where Love wound up going to Arizona, yet didn’t take Ohio State LB Arvell Reese or Sonny Styles, either – opting instead for Buckeyes WR Carnell Tate. The takeaway? The Titans did indeed place an emphasis on upgrading Ward’s weaponry … but failed to get the one that almost certainly would have had the biggest impact. They even traded back into the first round at No. 31 … but for DE Keldric Faulk, who can only help Ward indirectly, unlike Love’s former Irish teammate, Jadarian Price, who went to Seattle with the next and final pick of Thursday night.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL draft first round winners, losers include Jets, Browns, Steelers
RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi are on Manchester City’s attacking shortlist, according to Sky Sports.
Diomande is one of Europe’s most exciting wingers. He is Liverpool’s primary target to replace Mohamed Salah, while Bayern Munich are also targeting him.
Kroupi is enjoying a brilliant debut campaign, scoring 11 goals in 29 Premier League matches. He is the first teenager to score at least 10 goals in the competition since the 1999/2000 season.
The French striker has also been linked with Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
City are also considering a move for AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, who could be available for £60 million.
The Cityzens bolstered their attack by signing Antoine Semenyo in January. They may only pursue a forward this summer if there are departures.
City could be set for a midfield revamp, with uncertainty surrounding the futures of Rodri, Nico Gonzalez and Mateo Kovacic. They have also confirmed Bernardo Silva’s exit this summer.
Man City have made Nottingham Forest ace Elliot Anderson their primary target.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Ibrahim Maza, Hertha Berlin wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez are also under consideration.
City face competition from Manchester United and Arsenal for Anderson. However, it is now believed that they are in the pole position to sign him.
Anderson has been one of the best midfielders in the English top-flight, impressing with his defensive and ball-playing attributes.
He is expected to play a prominent role for England at this summer’s World Cup.
Anderson is reportedly valued in excess of £100m. He could become City’s most expensive signing if a deal goes through.
Interim head coach Calum McFarlane is well liked by the Chelsea players, and rated as a coach according to The Athletic.
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Following the sacking of Liam Rosenior on Wednesday, McFarlane has been placed in interim charge for the remainder of the season.
He oversaw games against Manchester City and Fulham earlier this season following the departure of Enzo Maresca, and picked up a point from those two games.
McFarlane will lead Chelsea out at Wembley for their FA Cup semi final against Leeds on Sunday, and he’ll be tasked with getting a response from the players.
Chelsea are on a run of five consecutive defeats without scoring in the league, and it’s arguably the lowest point under the ownership.
It’s a huge job for McFarlane given his lack of experience at the highest level, and the players will really need to step up and help him.
There was reportedly a lack of respect for Rosenior in the dressing room, as well as criticism over his training sessions.
However, The Athletic have reported McFarlane is actually well liked by the players and respected as a coach .
He will face the media on Friday afternoon ahead of the FA Cup semi final, where he’s sure to be met with a lot of questions.
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Chelsea players reportedly feel the next head coach needs to be a strong character who can command the respect of the dressing room.
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The Blues can’t afford to get another managerial appointment wrong, and it’s understood they are going to take their time before appointing the new head coach, with Andoni Iraola reportedly the early front runner.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
In this latest edition of The Detroit News' Gritiron Gang podcast, Nolan Bianchi and Richard Silva react to the Lions drafting Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the No. 17 pick in the first round.
Here are highlights from this week's show, also available on YouTube.
▶ 00:00: Varsity Ford of Ann Arbor
▶ 1:20: Brad Holmes pleased with Blake Miller pick
▶ 3:50: Holmes considered moving up to draft Miller
▶ 6:40: Miller had ironman streak at Clemson
▶ 11:10: Retooling the offensive line
▶ 14:40: Second-day options for Lions
▶ Ranking top offensive tackles for Lions in NFL Draft
▶ Who do the Lions take at No. 17? Mock draft 4.0
▶ Brad Holmes talks free agency, financial constraints
▶ Lions early free agency recap. Taylor Decker released
▶ Lions' Decker returning, NFL Combine coverage
▶ Ranking the Lions' positional needs entering 2026 offseason
▶ Five burning questions for Lions in offseason
▶ Breaking down the Lions' offseason moves
▶ Pros and cons of new Lions OC Drew Petzing
▶ Nolan and Rich assess Lions' offensive coordinator candidates
▶ John Niyo joins the show to discuss Holmes' news conference
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Lions podcast focuses on first-round draft pick Blake Miller
Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg has reported that both Leon Avdullahu and Albian Hajdari will extend their contracts at TSG Hoffenheim.
The journalist with expertise in transfers and negotiations believes the Kosovan duo will put pen to paper on new deals until 2031.
Furthermore, the midfielder and defender have also had their salaries adjusted and neither have a release clause agreed.
Interestingly, however, the pay-TV channel notes growing interest in Avdullahu from La Liga club Atlético Madrid and Serie A side Atalanta.
Meanwhile, veteran marksman Andrej Kramarić is also on the verge of agreeing on a new contract with the Sinsheim club.
It's believed the 34-year-old, who has netted 20 goals so far this season, will further his stay with the Sinsheim club by two years until 2028.
The Rams left many fans stunned and speechless when they drafted Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in Thursday’s first round, a quarterback routinely graded as a day two prospect who might only barely sneak into the end of day one. But the most surprising thing about the Rams drafting Simpson is that people were in shock despite the fact that L.A.‘s interest in him was one of the worst kept secrets of draft season.
We’ve known this pick could happen for months, but because Simpson was not as universally respected as Fernando Mendoza and other first round prospects, that meant that covering those reports was dismissed by some fans as “clickbait” of “media-driven narratives” for a “zero-percent chance” scenario.
Whether it was Louis Riddick sharing that the Rams “like Ty Simpson” or that several plugged-in analysts had mocked Simpson to the Rams or Tom Pelissero saying “don’t be shocked” if the pick is Simpson, the most common reaction to those reports looked like this, a comment left here at Turf Show Times:
“Don’t worry Rams fans the Rams would never draft Simpson in the 1st round NEVER! maybe in the 5th round. The Rams scouts have already watched his last 3 college games and he went from a 2nd round prospect to a day 3 prospect, mediocre arm strengths, poor decision making if he would have stayed at Alabama he wouldn’t even have been the starting quarterback there that’s all you need to know about Simpson.”
(I’m not crediting any of the comments to who wrote them only because I’m not trying to blow up anybody’s spot or call anyone out. This isn’t a shame post! It’s only a reflection on draft coverage of Ty Simpson and hopefully we all learned something about draft rumors for next time, including myself. However if you want me to credit your comment, I will.)
(Plus, your comments are funny! I’m not offended and neither are any of the other writers here. You’re funny and I encourage you to continue to unleash the beast in the comments section.)
As a Rams website, we cover news, opinions, and yes sometimes rumors about the Los Angeles Rams. During draft season, that means covering draft rumors, opinions, and news about what people are saying or hearing about what the Rams could do in the draft.
I would wager that Turf Show Times wrote more articles about Makai Lemon and the receiver class than we did about Ty Simpson. Which looking back on it now feels imbalanced because there weren’t as many signs that the Rams would actually draft Lemon as there were about Simpson.
Even so, covering rumors or opinions about why L.A. might actually like Simpson enough to pick him at 13 was often met with disdain by some fans who left comments that I think are accurately reflected in posts like these:
“I can’t wait for the draft to be over so we can stop hearing about Simpson to the Rams!”
“Can we stop with endless Ty Simpson to the Rams articles? It’s borderline rage-bait now.”
“For real this is the same continuation of last year when everyone and their mothers were mocking Jaylen Milroe to us at every corner it got from annoying to borderline asinine aggravating. Some people don’t how to quit the damn narratives.”
And who couldn’t appreciate this one…
“I’d rather have Bart Simpson.“
I get it!
There are, what, 90 days between the end of the Rams season and the start of the NFL draft, right? So we still have to fill 90 days worth of draft coverage. At the end of the day, we probably had about 8 articles dedicated to Ty Simpson, a player who—again I have to remind people of this—the Rams DRAFTED. Now that we know that the Rams actually drafted Ty Simpson, eight articles feels WAY TOO SHORT of what we should have done.
Ultimately, Simpson only took up about 4% of our draft coverage and that’s the player who the Rams actually drafted. Not just the player who they drafted, but he’s a quarterback!
The Rams just drafted a first round quarterback!
It’s a monumental occasion when a franchise drafts a first round quarterback. For many teams, it doesn’t even happen once per decade. It’s been 10 years since the Rams drafted Jared Goff and 16 years since they drafted Sam Bradford. Drafting a quarterback is a huge deal and this year the Rams did it again with Simpson, a potential outcome that we tried to give fair coverage to ahead of time despite the vitriol that came with speculating that the reports about L.A.‘s interest in him—from connecting his father to the team or a regular theme in national reporting that the Rams genuinely liked him a lot—because so many fans did not want it to happen.
I can only assume, but I bet that if Simpson was routinely mocked inside the top-10 picks that fans would be over the moon on Thursday night and that people would have welcomed pre-draft articles about the Rams drafting Simpson.
I’m not saying that Ty Simpson was a good pick.
I’m not saying that Ty Simpson was not a reach.
This actually has nothing to do with Simpson’s merit as the 13th overall pick or whether L.A. should have picked someone else, because that would make it sound like I’m “dunking” on people who said this would never happen.
I did not think the Rams would actually draft Ty Simpson at 13! If anyone should be dunked on, by all means dunk on me. I’ve been wrong about stuff more often than you.
This is only about the merit of covering pre-draft news regarding Ty Simpson and why those reports were dismissed as “clickbait” because Simpson was considered a reach, while the same amount of coverage about Lemon was “fine” because he was often mocked inside the top-10. At the end of the first round, what actually happened?
Ironically, Simpson went 13th and Lemon went 20th.
Now that we know where they actually went, it seems like Makai Lemon articles had far less merit than ones about Ty Simpson.
There were rumors that the Rams would trade up. Even rumors that the Rams would trade up for Jeremiyah Love. Those also had less merit than reporting their interest in Simpson. Kenyon Sadiq was okay. Highly-rated cornerbacks okay. But trading up meant getting prospects who were going higher in MOCK DRAFTS and were therefore more acceptable, and taking Simpson in the first round was a reach so far less palatable.
Now at the end of round one, the “never going to happen” happened.
Strangely though, we actually knew this would happen.
This is not dunking on anybody. This is not saying you were wrong.
This is a memorial service for pre-draft takes and an opportunity to reflect on a shocking outcome that was being said outloud for months.
“They aren’t taking Simpson, and for the umpteenth time when Stafford goes his replacement is already in the league.”
“Wasting a draft pick now on an uncertain QB who likely won’t play a down this entire season doesn’t help them win a Super Bowl.”
“(sarcasm font) Whaa? If ESPN says the Rams like Simpson……..take that right to the bank.”
“The Rams probably like him as a fourth round prospect. The Rams probably do not like him with the 13th pick. The idea of Ty Simpson as a first rounder is just bonkers. I’m sorry, but anyone talking about Ty Simpson at 13 doesn’t know ball.”
“Let them “like” any player. Doesn’t mean they are going to go all in with Stafford and then turn around and draft Simpson who admitted he’s coming out because he’s afraid of not winning the starter job at Alabama. Just trying to gin up some potential trade scenarios to ponder. I don’t see it and I REALLY hope they don’t draft him. unless he falls to the 4th round.“
“As long as he’s not one of our 1st round picks, I’m good”
“Would be a a terrible decision to draft a QB early. We can probably draft 4 starters at 13, 29, 61 and 93. They should be on DBs, WRs and maybe a S or OL.”
“This is some really early smokin’ from McSnead.”
“If the Rams truly are in “win-now” mode, then there won’t be a QB drafted in the 1st round, which likely means no Ty Simpson.“
“This is to get the Steelers to trade up with them and jump the Jets at 16 ; )”
“And? The Rams “Liked” a lot of players last Draft everyone was saying the same things last year about Rams linked to Jaxon Dart did we pick him? No. It’s going to be a defensive Draft the first 2-3 rounds.“
“I like Riddick, but he is a guy who pretends to be a real NFL GM”
Some comments were more positive though.
Blaine Grisak was a fan of the idea of Simpson:
“I really don’t see the issue with Simpson. His tape vs. Mizzou might be the best tape from any QB in 2025. Dealt with an injury over the back half of the year which correlated with his dip in level. He has good pocket movement and pre-snap coverage recognition. Genuinely think he’s a perfect fit in the offense. Struggled a bit with pressure which is to be expected with most young QBs…let along a pocket passer.“
I also have to add that SlowTightEnd said this, weeks before the McDuffie trade:
“We need to trade and pay for proven veteran defensive players who can step right in and perform at a high level.”
Nice call there from SlowTightEnd! The Rams traded for a proven defensive player in Trent McDuffie.
Louis Riddick on yesterday's NFL Draft Daily "I know personally they (Rams) like Ty Simpson. His skillset and makeup is exactly what they're looking for" pic.twitter.com/cnKTWXVRg9
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 14, 2026
“The Rams are not ever going to draft another rookie QB to be the heir apparent to Stafford. They learned with Goff. There’s to many veteran QB’s who will be easily available that can step in, especially given ask the new coaches in the league. Dump this whole idea of drafting a QB it’s not going to happen.”
“As an actual Rams fan (seems like there’s not many commenting on this article) I can’t see the team going after a rookie QB in the draft, much less the first round, or even at all to be honest. Mark my words, they will NOT be drafting the heir apparent to Stafford.”
“Considering the Rams were a good secondary and a WR 3 away from a SB I feel like drafting a qb in the first round would be very upsetting especially if the qb is simpson…”
“To me, for the Rams to draft Ty in the 1st round would be a total act of desperation on their part. I just don’t see that happening at all.”
“I think it would be really really really stupid to draft a QB in the 1st or 2nd round. What message does this send to Stafford?”
“Oh god. That is such a bad pick. All the weaknesses this team has and people want to use our first pick on a red shirt prospect. And the truth is that Ty Simpson might still be there in the second round assuming no team gets desperate enough to overdraft him.”
“taking Ty Simpson at 13 is absolute bonkers. Much better players will be on the board at 13.”
“Dollars to donuts, the Rams don’t draft a QB high, but make a trade for a vet when Stafford is done.”
“No how no way on Simpson. The guy is a project and at best a full time backup in the NFL.”
“Allar or Nussmeier will be there in the 3rd round. Simpson is overrated and a panic pick for anyone. CB at 13, OT or LB at 29 is the smart way to go. But knowing McSnead it will be WR & TE in the first.”
“Simpson’s best spot is somewhere he can sit and learn for a year. If McVay and co. feel like he’s the guy they want then I trust them on that.
The difference in a starting salary between pick 1 and pick 13 would give the Rams an extremely cheap QB for the length of the rookie deal, as opposed to potentially trading up to pick 1 in a future draft.“
“This Ty Simpson BS is getting as bad as everyone mocking Jalen Milroe to us all last year leading up to the draft smh this draft class sucks point blank Les will wait until 2027.”
“Simpson would not play a meaningful down for the Rams this season. This is a win now time with Stafford. It’s time to go all in which means improving the D. This is not complex. If the Rams don’t improve the D, they won’t win the Super Bowl. If they need a QB down the road, so be it but the future is now. The window of opportunity is open this next year. Time to go all in!!!!!!!!”
“I hope ur not serious with a QB rd 1?!! I think I read Simpson has all of 15 games under his belt. Not gonna happen. I agree in certain situations that is a great move- maybe even every year other than the current one. However, the Rams ARE at the precipice of the Super Bowl right? Few and far between are the off-seasons where ur team is right there AND has (2) 1st rounders plus (9 or 10?) more picks to reload with. I would imagine Stafford giving 1 more year at or near his current level.”
“The irony of making a post about media making things up and over-egging prospects is not lost on me when the last article posted (by the same author) is yet another nonsense piece complaining about Davante Adams’ salary. Something that no one in the Rams organisation has even hinted at being an issue this offseason. If people stopped making things up then Ken would quickly be out of a job.”
“Plain and simple, there is no QB for our Rams in this draft. The thing that’s even worse is next year we won’t even have a high enough draft pick to get one of the top QB’s unless we trade up.“
“Ty Simpson is not going in the first round to any team and certainly not to the Rams at thirteen, no matter how much Dan “When I Was Calling College Games I Once Said That A Field Goal That Missed Wide By Like Ten Yards ‘Good!’” Orlovsky would like us to think. It’s not gonna happen.“
Again, I take no offense and many of the comments are quite funny. If you want to take credit for any of the comments, by all means you can go for it!
Imagine how much better it would have been if the Rams had traded down first. Now all of a sudden that scenario that was hated before would be much preferable.
“Why don’t we trade down this article for one that’s actually relevant? If the Rams aren’t targeting Ty Simpson, and the logic behind the trade doesn’t hold water, why are we forcing a scenario just to make the headline work? Let’s draft content that fits the board instead of reaching for a player nobody has in the right range! The Rams shouldn’t trade for Ty Simpson the same way you shouldn’t microwave fish at work — it’s rude, unnecessary, and everyone suffers.“
“For the Love of God when is this ish gonna end?! It’s like these writers are doing it on purpose now.”
“Is there any reason why so many writers have bromance over Simpson?”
“In reality they should be able to trade down for a qb like Simpson into the 6th rd. And also in reality the Rams are not drafting this mediocre college QB at 13”
“I have a better idea – the Seahawks should draft Simpson with their 1st round pick!”
“Here’s a better title. Will Ty Simpson still be there for the Seahawks when they pick?”
“My 2 cents it doesn’t matter how far down they can trade and draft Simpson. They don’t need to draft him or any other QB high in this draft. They need to draft players who can contribute now. They can draft a QB in the late rounds in they want one.”
“Trade back just to pick Simpson??? That would be a complete sidestep.. Trading back should be for adding additional players that we actually need or that will definitely be part of the future(OL,DL,Edge). Where the hell did the Simpson ish come from??”
“We are the Rams.. When Stafford is done, then we go get our guy.”
“”Why would the Rams use a premium pick and take a QB that in most years, would not be in ANY discussion as a first round pick?“
“IMO it’s media/pundit driven narrative designed to stimulate clicks/reads. And the Rams are disseminating false info to influence the 1st rd picks.“
“Zero chance Simpson lands in LA, he’s going to end up AZ. He’s a much better prospect than fans realize a lot of NFL scouts n analysts love him some think he’s better than Mendoza with better tape than Mendoza. Hes perfect a modern west coast offense as his skills fit LaFluers offense like a glove. I think AZ is trading back likely with Dallas back to 12th for picks 20/92 and take Simpson. He’s going to be an excellent pro QB. His skill set is similar to a young 22yr old Drew Brees coming out of Purdue.”
“If no one else will say it, I will. Ty Simpson is not going to be a quality NFL starter. He’s a backup at best, his metrics and results with an all 5 star Alabama roster were average at best. This would be a mistake. The eye test alone tells the story. Rams can’t be serious with this pick unless it’s post round 3. Look at it with realistic glasses.”
“I still feel like Simpson is a mirage. Fool’s gold. He has one year of starting and his highlight is from the Chattanooga game. When John Gruden is in your corner, you know something is off. You don’t draft the “next Brock Purdy” in the high 1st round. Those guys are a dime a dozen.“
“No way in hell this happens. If it does, the “win now” deal is long gone. Also, why look to extend Stafford if they want to draft his replacement this year? They are a play maker away each on offense and defense, in my opinion to going very deep in the playoffs.“
“Even if they are interested in Simpson, taking him at 13 makes zero sense. Doubt anyone takes him until the 2nd round. You could trade back and take him if that’s what you want to do. But even taking him in the 20s would be a reach.”
“It was April Fools Day 3 weeks ago.”
“I’m thinking the Rams take Trey Smack at 13”
“Just heard McShay on Cowherd, and I’m not buying it. Points like Alabama doesn’t get the players it once did, so that’s why Simpson struggled, Snead trusts his preferred college scouts and can mold him, blah blah. If Rams could pull him by moving up in the second round, sure, but teams always overdraft QBs day of, so I seriously doubt that happens.”
“I wonder if the Rams paid McShay to post this.”
“What I can say is Ty Simpson is neither building for the future or winning now. Ty Simpson is the media hyping a mediocre prospect. If Milroe, who was a better prospect than Simpson went in the third, then why would the guy who couldn’t beat him for the starting job be a first rounder?”
“Sure, anything is possible, but I believe too many so-called “experts” with WAY too much time on their blogging hands”
“Mcshay is on shrooms not happening.”
“NFL is demandin more QB hype for ratings and the group speakers will provide that hype….line them pockets”
“McShay had Sheduer Samders getting drafted 33 over all, last year… He’s a fake expert.”
“Nothing could kill the win now mode more than pick Simpson at #13. JMO”
“Rams are tryin to win the SB this year…in their home stadium…and these regurgitators on tv think they are gonna draft a 4th rd QB who is barely over 6 ft tall with zero experience, that oozes practice squad material at pick #13….lmao As Whitney Houston once so eloquently stated…”Crack is Whack”“
“I expect fireworks. I wouldn’t be shocked if we come away with Simpson. I would be absolutely flabbergasted if we take Simpson with 13.”
“I can’t wait for the draft to be over so we can stop hearing about Simpson to the Rams!”
“Exactly….this is nothing but madeup hype on Simpson. The NFL needs QB hype to keep peoples attention.”
“Seahawk and Niner fans would LOVE it if the Rams drafted Simpson with the 1(13) pick!”
“Writers getting desperate!”
“They know they only have a few days of clicky time left cuz after the draft the NFL news really nose dives for a couple of months. JB can always bring back up Stafford spinal replacement surgery and guaranteed retirement again lol”
For what it’s worth, I thought this post all the way back in January was interesting. They called it immediately after Ty Simpson declared for the draft!
Now it is Ty Simpson time.
The Rams did draft Ty Simpson and he will sit behind Matthew Stafford for one year, maybe two, maybe three. It’s not what most of us expected even though the Rams kept telling us in no uncertain terms that it was going to happen.
The San Francisco 49ers and general manager John Lynch pulled off not one, but two trades on opening night of the 2026 NFL Draft. They left without any players, but they may have set themselves up for success the rest of the way.
The San Francisco 49ers started out with pick 27 in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night, but two trades later found themselves leaving without selecting any players through the first 32 picks.
How should 49ers fans actually feel about that?
General manager John Lynch pushed through two trades that added value and more picks later in the 2026 NFL Draft, but were they actually “wins” for the 49ers?
First, San Francisco traded down to pick 30 with the Miami Dolphins. Then three picks later they traded down to pick 33 (into the second round) with the New York Jets. Let’s dive into each trade to see where the 49ers truly stand.
First off, if the 49ers were willing to trade, it’s clear (and confirmed via sourcing and team pressers after the first round) that San Francisco missed out on a few target players they were hoping would make it to pick 27.
That was likely the primary driving force for the initial move down by San Francisco. However, when they did move, general manager Lynch made sure that the Dolphins had to pay.
What’s “market”? There are a number of NFL Draft trade charts that can help gauge “fair” value. The Rich Hill chart (similar to the ancient Jimmy Johnson chart) is a bit more old school, but has real NFL trades baked into it that guide normal trade value. Then there’s the Fitzgerald-Spielberger (and its similar cousin chart, the Harvard model). That one is far more analytics-based, mapped to optimize for on-field value versus rookie contract cost. Both charts, and even augmented versions that blend the two, agree. The 49ers won this one.
49ers sent: Pick 27, Pick 138
Dolphins sent: Pick 30, Pick 90
Rich Hill chart: 49ers gained 4% in value
Fitzgerald-Spielberger chart: 49ers gained 8% in value
A to Z Sports chart: 49ers gained 9% in value
It wasn’t a massive win, but if the 49ers didn’t see a huge edge in selecting any one player left on the board, adding value and more picks is a great thing.
Grade: B-
The first trade didn’t seem like a big win since it was just a small bump up and down between two teams. It made sense, but there wasn’t an obvious winner. However, with the Jets trade, the 49ers won big – at least according to a more analytical approach to cap management. Let’s take a look at what was exchanged, and the trade chart values.
49ers sent: Pick 30
Jets sent: Pick 33, Pick 179
Rich Hill chart: 49ers lost 4% in value
Fitzgerald-Spielberger chart: 49ers gained 25% in value
A to Z Sports chart: 49ers gained 8% in value
Why such a huge disparity between the trade charts here? One of the major issues with the Rich Hill trade chart is that it values late round picks like they’re essentially useless garbage. For instance, pick 179 is considered to be 25 times less valuable than pick 30. That’s an absurd assertion when comparing historical hit rates and cap impact of the rookie contracts.
The Fitzgerald-Spielberger recognizes the fact that pick 30 and 33 are essentially identical in value (especially when accounting for the drop-off in contract cost outside of round one). So, the 49ers are basically getting a fifth round pick for nearly free.
Our A to Z Sports value chart is a blend of both, that values later picks a bit more than the Rich Hill, but also more heavily weights real NFL trades that have ignored on-field value versus cap cost for decades (because most general managers are bad at this).
In short, the Rich Hill trade chart is wrong in this case. It was a huge win for Lynch and the 49ers, even if it doesn’t seem that way on the surface. The 49ers just added another cheap contract for nearly nothing.
Grade: A-
In summary, the 49ers trading down six total pick slots from 27 to 33 allowed them to move up 48 spots (from 138 to 90) and add pick 179 as well. Massive win on night one of the 2026 NFL Draft for the 49ers.
As expected, the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft featured multiple trades and surprises. The same is expected for Day 2, which takes place on Friday and gets underway at 7 p.m. ET. Several top prospects, including some projected as first-round picks, are still available.
Below we examine a new 2026 NFL mock draft, one that projects each selection in Rounds 2 and 3, from the San Francisco 49ers at No. 33 to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 100.
Related: 4 James Conner Trade Landing Spots After Cardinals Draft Jeremiyah Love
With a heavy run on offensive tackles, the 49ers slide back and land a first-round talent at the top of the second round while acquiring more draft selections. Had he not torn an ACL that forced him to miss the entire 2025 season, McCoy would have likely been a first-round pick. But now some NFL docs are worried about a potential degenerative knee condition too. If healthy, McCoy has CB1 potential, so it’s great value here at 33.
The Cardinals don’t get to solidify their offensive line or grab their potential QB of the future, so they stick with the best player available mantra. Love will help transcend the offense. C.J. Allen will do the same on defense, giving the Cards a linebacker capable of covering sideline to sideline.
Perhaps not liking their options at the end of the first or just believing they could still land one of their top targgets at 35, the Bills slide back a bit and still provide a big boost to their defense. McNeil-Warren was widely expected to be a first-round pick, yet the 6-foot-3 safety is somehow still on the board.
Now that they have Fernando Mendoza, it’s time the Raiders supply him with a strong supporting cast. While Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty will relieve pressure, the Raiders need a reliable go-to receiver. At 6-foot-4, Boston will be hard to miss, and he’ll give Mendoza or Kirk Cousins a big target for the red zone.
He won’t replace Dexter Lawrence as a pass-rusher, but adding Arvell Reese helps in that area. Meanwhile, the Giants land arguably the best run-stuffing defensive tackle in the draft with Kayden McDonald. There’s upside for him to develop into an above-average pass-rusher too.
The Texans are in desperate need of improved play from their nose tackles. Enter Lee Hunter, who’s a stout run defender that may not offer much on pass-rushing downs early on. Yet, Hunter uses strong hands to create havoc in the backfield, which should help him find an immediate role with Houston.
Myles Garrett is coming off a record-setting season. Imagine how much more effective he could be if he wasn’t facing frequent double-teams? T.J. Parker won’t just show up on passing downs, he’ll also make plays behind the line of scrimmage on rushing downs as well.
The Chiefs boost Patrick Mahomes‘ supporting cast in the early second with a 6-foot-2, 220-pound receiver who clocked a 4.4-second 40 yard dash. As someone who is quick, yet can generate YAC, there’s WR1 potential here for Bell in Kansas City.
The Bengals traded their first-round pick for an impact defender. Now it’s time to get Joe Burrow more help in the form of a more stable offensive interior. Emmanuel Pregnon is a very powerful blocker who should quickly develop into a sturdy pass protector.
The Saints wasted no time getting Tyler Shough a weapon in the first round. But with Cameron Jordan still unsigned in free agency, the Saints really need another top-notch pass-rusher. Howell is a quick, bendy pass-rusher who has a high ceiling, posting two seasons with 9.5 or more sacks in college.
An outside candidate to land at the end of the first, the Dolphins are thrilled to land Zion Young at 43, whom they were likely considering at 27 too. Young has a high floor as a run-stuffer, and there’s an even higher ceiling the 6-foot-6, 265-pound athlete could unlock as a pass-rusher too.
The New York Jets are having a fantastic NFL Draft, which is to be expected when you make three first-round picks. They’d be doing more jumping jacks if Colton Hood, a late-first-round talent, fell to 44. The feisty 6-foot cornerback would certainly be one of Aaron Glenn’s favorites thanks to his physicality and desire to never back down.
Empowering Lamar Jackson is the theme here. Baltimore already reinforced the offensive interior after losing Tyler Linderbaum. Now it’s time to get the former NFL MVP a reliable weapon who can be used all over the field. Bernard won’t wow anyone with any of his athletic measurables, but he does everything well.
There was some talk that the Bucs could address the MLB spot vacated by Lavonte David in the first round, but they understandably took Rueben Bain instead. However, now one could argue that Tampa Bay still gets the second-best linebacker prospect in Jacob Rodriguez who boasts a very high IQ as someone who’s played multiple positions (even QB).
After trading their first-round pick for Sauce Garder, this is the Colts’ first selection and they use it to strengthen a defense that fell apart down the stretch last season. Hill packs a punch at 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, yet he has the speed (4.51 40 time) to make explosive plays too.
Atlanta’s first selection after last year’s James Pearce trade addresses one of the Falcons’ biggest weaknesses. Miller learned from the likes of Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, and his non-stop motor will serve him well at the next level too.
The Vikings made a surprise pick, addressing arguably their greatest need in the first. Now they find a fix for their other glaring need. Stukes was mentioned as a fast draft riser and potential first-round pick, and coaches love his positional versatility. The 6-foot-2, defensive back is battle-tested covering the slot, and he clocked a freakish 4.33-second 40 time.
Seeking a long-term partner in crime opposite Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions may have finally found their fix in R Mason Thomas. While the 6-foot-2 pass-rusher is a bit undersized, he’s also one of the quickest speed rushers in the draft class. He’ll be effective on the turf at Ford Field.
McNeil-Warren may have been in under consideration in the first. Yet, the Panthers may have still found a starter in A.J. Haulcy at 51. He has excellent range, he might even develop into a ballhawk at the next level while still racking up tackles.
We can’t imagine a better scenario for a Packers team that recently admitted they’ll be adding cornerbacks through the draft. Terrell may not have CB1 potential, but he could quickly develop a reputation for being one of the best nickelbacks in football, and he’s the younger brother of Falcons standout A.J. Terrell.
The Steelers’ offensive line overhaul continues. Bisontis had an outside shot at landing at the ned of the first, but the Steelers are thrilled to land one of the best guard prospects in the draft class at 53.
After losing Jaelan Phillips to the Panthers in free agency, the Eagles had a need to add to their pass-rushing depth. Jacas got better each year at Illinois, capping off his college career with a 12-sack season. He’ll continue that growth in Philly.
Perfect Harbaugh pick. Dunker is a grinder who played tackle in college, but may project better at guard in the NFL. He’s a powerful people mover that Chargers fans will quickly become endeared to.
Jacksonville’s first pick of the draft, the Jaguars need more playmakers in their secondary. That’s part of why they were so eager to move up for Travis Hunter last year. That work continues with Cisse, who is an explosive athlete that boasts a high ceiling.
The Bears go to their cross-state rivals to find their next pass-rusher in Derrick Moore, who recorded a high pressure rate in his final season with the Wolverines. There’s hope he can build on his growth in Chicago.
It’s time to find a potential long-term replacement for Trent Williams. At 6-foot-7, 325 pounds, Tiernan clearly has an NFL body. Now he’ll get to learn from a future Hall of Famer.
With both of Houston’s starting linebackers set for free agency after the upcoming season, perhaps it’s time to invest in the future. Golday is an exciting prospect who stands 6-foot-4, yet boasts the athleticism to excel in coverage with a bit more experience.
Nicknamed “Big Citrus”, Orange is an intimidating presence at 6-foot-4, 325 pounds. He’s not only powerful, but also boasts a quick first step that could wreak havoc in the pros.
Davante Adams is headed into the final year of his contract. Puka Nacua is too. While the Rams would like to find another receiver who could develop into a starter, this may be Matthew Stafford‘s final season, so why not build a stronger supporting cast? Williams may be a slot-only receiver but the 6-foot athlete with 4.4 speed could develop into something more.
Denver’s first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, Denver continues their offseason theme of trying to maximize Bo Nix‘s potential. Eli Stowers may not have the burning speed of Kenyon Sadiq, but the 6-foot-4 tight end still clocked an impressive 4.51 40 yard dash and he should make an immediate impact in Denver.
The Patriots reinforced the offensive line earlier, now it’s time to reinforce Mike Vrabel’s defense by drafting the son of Jeremiah Trotter (also Eagles LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr’s brother). To no surprise, the former NFL player’s son has a high football IQ that coach Vrabel will appreciate.
After failing to find a trade down partner at 32, the Seahawks would surely like to try again here. But if they’re forced to stick and pick again, let’s go with D’angelo Ponds, who helped the Hoosiers win a national championship. He’s undersized at 5-foot-8, but Ponds makes up for it with splashy athleticism that includes a blistering 4.38-second 40 time.
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The Avalanche’s depth have carried the offense in this series. Quite frankly, this is by design.
Gone are the days of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen putting up historic scoring paces and Colorado still losing. Gone are the days of head coach Jared Bednar throwing his top line out for 23+ minutes per night in the playoffs.
In fact, the Avs defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Thursday to build a 3-0 series lead, and MacKinnon led the forwards with just 19:30 of total ice time.
MacKinnon hasn’t scored yet in this series. Martin Necas hasn’t scored yet in this series. Cale Makar has just one goal. Each of the Avs’ three biggest stars has one point through three games.
And that’s fine.
It’s fine when you have Artturi Lehkonen scoring two goals and adding an assist. It’s fine because Gabe Landeskog has two goals. Logan O’Connor has a big goal, as does Nic Roy. When you have this kind of depth, you’re not overly reliant on your top three stars. And that’s precisely what Chris MacFarland has spent the better part of the last 18 months building.
He built this a year ago, but it was put together too little too late. The move he made last year fueled a Presidents’ Trophy finish in this year’s regular season. Adding Roy and Nazem Kadri at the deadline filled the final holes. The team has chemistry, and pretty much everyone is already under contract for the upcoming season.
That balanced attack is a large reason why Colorado has the L.A. Kings on the brink of elimination. There is no denying that.
1. The Kings are playing MacKinnon, Necas, and Makar harder than anyone else on the Avs. We saw Makar sort of break free from it a little bit on Thursday, and it was part of why he scored a beautiful goal and was drawing penalties with his speed. I’m sure we’ll eventually get that from MacKinnon.
The problem for L.A. is, even if they’ve excelled at that, their depth hasn’t quite stepped up to match the Avs’.
2. Three of the Kings’ four goals in this series were scored on the power play. It was Artemi Panarin in Games 1 and 2, followed by Adrian Kempe in Game 3 on a play that was set up by Panarin. Their only even-strength goal was scored by second-line winger Trevor Moore. They’re not getting much help from anyone else.
That was part of the reason why Andrei Kuzmenko was inserted into the lineup. The winger finished with zeros across the board in 10:30 of ice time. His addition didn’t spark anything.
3. Bednar said after the game that Josh Manson is still being reevaluated for an upper-body injury. Manson didn’t play the tail end of the first period after taking a hit along the Kings’ bench from Joel Edmundson. He later returned several minutes into the second period, was on the ice when his team surrendered a goal, took a penalty, and that was it.
The team did not rule him out during the game, instead leaving his potential return up in the air. I’m not sure if there’s anything to read into that — if it means his injury isn’t serious, if it’s a little bit of playoff gamesmanship, or if, frankly, they just don’t know yet.
Losing him would sting. There’s no doubt about that. But if there were ever a time for an injury, this might be the most ideal time. The Avs have two days off before playing Sunday afternoon. Perhaps that’s enough time for Manson to get back. If not, and if they win without him and complete the sweep, he’ll have ample time to rest and recover before the second round (assuming it’s not a long-term injury).
Even if Colorado falls in Game 4, it’ll be another two days off before Game 5 at Ball Arena on Wednesday.
4. Speaking of extra time to rest, I wonder what a week between games could do for Kadri. The Avalanche’s third-line center hasn’t taken a single faceoff in the playoffs. He’s left that to Landeskog and Roy whenever his line is out there.
Kadri missed the last part of the regular season after blocking a shot with his hand. Even when he returned to prepare for the postseason, he’s had two fingers taped together. That’s likely what has been keeping him from taking draws, and why he’s not quite playing with that same jam we’re used to right now.
The playoffs are long. Any time off is a good thing. As Landeskog always used to say in 2022: Rest is a weapon.
5. When I saw Kadri’s taped-up fingers in the dressing room at Family Sports last week, I asked him how he felt skating with that. He smiled and responded with, “Well, I’ve played through worse.”
We all know what he was talking about.
6. Ross Colton finally entered the series after sitting the first two games. He took line rushes pregame and started the night with Brock Nelson and Valeri Nichushkin. But it looked like Bednar was pretty noncommittal with him keeping that spot permanently. At times, Parker Kelly still played with the second line. We even saw Landeskog play there.
Aside from Manson’s limited ice time because of an injury, Colton finished with a team-low 8:22. He played more minute at 5-on-5 than Jack Drury and Parker Kelly, but those guys also kill penalties.
7. My favorite stat of the night came from Natural Stat Trick.
The Los Angeles Kings were trailing for the entire 20 minutes of the third period. It was 2-1 coming in, 3-1 when Lehkonen scored shorthanded, and back to 3-2 when Kempe scored on the power play. Despite all of that, they had just two scoring chances and one high-danger at 5-on-5 in that entire period.
To put that into perspective, they had 10 and 9, respectively, through the first two periods, before Colorado locked it down in the third.
This is why the Avalanche were 41-0-0 in the regular season when leading at the second intermission. This is why they’re already 2-0 in that same category in the postseason. This is the maturity of the club, and the message of committing to defense from Bednar that trickles down to the core and right through the lineup.
8. Still no playoff goals for the Avalanche in three games. They are 0-for-8.
No power-play goals, but the game-winner from Lehkonen on Thursday was scored shorthanded. That’s the 2025-26 season in a nutshell.
9. Hat tip to Scott Wedgewood, who continues to be the reason why all of this is possible. Why it’s fine that the stars haven’t scored yet, and the power play is still a work in progress. Why Colorado is winning games by one goal and is on the verge of sweeping the Los Angeles Kings.
He has been incredibly fun this year.
10. I always love the inner battle of a series when it comes to the home team getting last change. To start Games 1 and 2 at Ball Arena, D.J. Smith sent out the Quinton Byfield line, and Bednar countered with Nelson’s line.
In Game 3 in Los Angeles, Bednar got started with MacKinnon, Necas, and Lehkonen, but Smith sent out the Byfield line. And throughout at least the first period, Byfield was consistently playing against MacKinnon. It looks like Smith went into home-ice advantage with a strategy to get the Anze Kopitar line away from MacKinnon to see if it sparks some offense at 5-on-5.
It didn’t work.
The post 10 Takeaways: The Avalanche’s Balanced Attack Is Fueling Their 3-0 Series Edge appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.
What do football fans in Norway, Dubai and Iceland have to offer a club in north Wales? In the case of Wrexham, the answer is a global following that defies the norms of football fandom.
How did a club in between the Welsh mountains become meaningful to fans in places with no obvious geographical or cultural ties to the city?
Club owners and actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac (formerly McElhenney) may have been the spark for some, the Welcome to Wrexham documentary series the catalyst for others, but sustained fandom requires something far deeper.
With Reynolds born in Vancouver, Mac hailing from Philadelphia and the pair having a heavy Hollywood presence, you may expect there to be many Wrexham fans in the USA and Canada. But what about beyond that?
The Norwegian Reds are the biggest official Wrexham supporters' group, with 440 members. Steinar Pedersen is the founder, having discovered the club through his friend's son - a sports scientist with Wrexham.
"Four years ago, when we were in non-league, Owen [Jackson] told me 'something big is going to happen - you have to start a Wrexham supporters' club in Norway'," Pedersen said.
Pedersen, a fan of Rosenborg in his home country, wanted to find out what all the fuss was about. After following the highs and lows of Wrexham's penultimate season in the National League - when they lost their play-off semi-final in extra time to miss out on promotion in 2022 - he had seen enough to want to start the Norwegian Reds.
"It started quite small, but after people watched the Welcome to Wrexham series, it just flew."
As for Dylan Owen, an expat originally from north Wales, Wrexham was all he'd ever known, having watched games at the Racecourse Ground since the early 1980s. So, when he moved to Dubai in the mid-90s, it was important that he carried Wrexham with him.
"Dubai being Dubai, we have a multitude of supporters for different clubs here," said the co-chairman of the Dubai Reds.
"A few of us Wrexham fans ran into each other in a bar where we'd always watch football… we couldn't watch the non-league football on TV so we'd wait for the results to come through together."
A fellow expat, and co-chairman, Rhys Davies decided to arrange a meet-up for the Wrexham fans, and so the Dubai Reds were formed. The fans now meet at an Irish pub in the Middle East to watch every match.
So was it the Hollywood influence that caused the fan groups to take off? Or was it the documentary series?
"It's the underdog story," explained Pedersen. "You want the small teams to succeed. It's a traditional club, and one of the oldest."
But it wasn't just the story that the Norwegian fans fell in love with.
"We can relate to the Welsh people. When we are there, it's almost like meeting another Norwegian. That's why we enjoy it so much when we visit, because we're almost the same.
"Norway is a small country with lots of hard-working people - we see ourselves the same.
"They are so welcoming - their hospitality and friendliness. That's why I love the Welsh people."
Paul Jones is the chairman of the Wrexham Supporters Federation (WSF), who hold regular meetings for the official fan groups and, in turn, feed back any thoughts to the club.
The WSF was formed in 2007, starting with UK-based groups such as London Reds and Manchester Reds. "Nowadays we're international," Jones says proudly.
"It's very surreal at times but I welcome it with open arms.
"It's gathered pace. Prior to Reynolds and McElhenney taking over the club the average American didn't even know what Wales was, never mind Wrexham - and that's totally changed."
There are 25 supporters' groups as part of the WSF - including the Bavarian Red Dragons, in Germany, and the Ukrainian Dragons. But, outside of the WSF, there are fan groups in Iceland, Thailand, Australia and more.
"The first time I visited Wrexham I fell in love with the people, first and foremost," explained Matthias Matthiasson, founder of the Wrexham Icelandic Supporters Club.
"It's an amazing town with amazingly kind people, and the people make the club.
"I absolutely feel an emotional connection to the club and the people of Wrexham.
"Soccer is the most popular sport in Iceland and, just like in Wrexham, the teams are nothing without the supporters."
Exposure from the success of Wrexham on the pitch, coupled with the Welcome to Wrexham documentary and Hollywood influence, has undoubtedly led to the club benefiting from the growing interest of overseas visitors.
Tourism in Wrexham had a standout 2024, generating £191m for the local economy - up 6.3% year-on-year. Visitor numbers reached more than two million, up 1.1%, including 1.63 million day visitors and 440,000 overnight stays.
Meanwhile, increased revenue at the football club is largely driven by its global traction - with latest accounts showing a record £33.3m turnover. A geographical split of the club's revenues shows that the UK contributed 40.5% - but the majority came from outside Europe (57.7%).
Since the start of the 2024-25 season, approximately half of their retail income has come from outside the UK.
Wrexham are also one of the most followed EFL clubs worldwide in terms of matchday streaming.
Since the new EFL broadcast deal came in at the start of the 2024-25 season, every Wrexham match has been selected for broadcast in the USA on CBS and Paramount+. That's all 46 League One games last season and all 44 Championship matches in this campaign, with Wrexham's final two fixtures - against champions Coventry and promotion-chasing Middlesbrough - also set to be broadcast.
"I will always support Wrexham no matter what," says Pedersen, who's hoping to plan his first trip to Wembley should Phil Parkinson's side secure a Championship play-off spot this season.
"Everybody's so happy with Rob and Ryan, and everything they have done for the club and for the city - they've brought hope."
In Dubai, Owen adds: "I can't think of a scenario where I wouldn't wake up and if Wrexham are playing, the first thing I do is check the results."
Back on home turf Jones, a Wrexham fan for six decades, hopes the growth of their fanbase continues regardless of the club's status: "The more the merrier - we're on an incredible journey and I think it's going to carry on beyond my years."
In the heat of Premier League battle, stars often find themselves on the receiving end of criticism and abuse from members of the crowd.
What is less common is for the league’s players to respond to the abuse, and in much rarer cases, to meet with those fans after the event.
Nonetheless, this is exactly what happened to former Manchester United star Gary Neville on Sky Sports’ The Overlap.
In April 2005, Manchester United lost 0-1 to Everton at Goodison Park as David Moyes’ side were chasing European football for the next season.
In a fiery game, which saw Wayne Rooney return to his former club, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes were both sent off as Everton’s Duncan Ferguson scored the only goal of the game.
Neville was shown his marching orders on 72 minutes when he kicked the ball at a man in the crowd, but it went on to hit a child instead of his intended target.
Twenty-one years later, the fan in question walked onto the show with Neville none the wiser as to who the man was.
Neville proceeded to ask him, “where have I met you before?” and the fan responded, “21 years ago this week. That is a clue.”
Neville retorted, “21 years ago this week, so what is that, 2004, April?” and the fan corrected him that it was, in fact, 2005.
Still unsure, the fan mentioned the words, “Goodison Park” and Neville finally remembered.
On recalling the events he exclaimed, “you a***hole. Oh my god. You can come and sit in for a bit. Roy (Keane) you might remember it. Scholsey [Paul Scholes] got sent off as well. 21 years ago in 2005, I am playing at Goodison Park and the ball goes over into the stand. I am playing right-back. Some guy – him – picks it up and literally launches the ball at me. It hits me in the stomach and bounces at my feet and boot it back at his head, missed him and hit a kid.”
The fan defended his actions by claiming his side were going head-to-head with their arch rivals Liverpool for a spot in the Champions League and tensions were high.
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
The U.S. is at war with Iran, and Iran is scheduled to take part in the FIFA World Cup this summer in the U.S. But a top envoy to President Donald Trump has reportedly suggested swapping Iran with Italy, which did not qualify for the tournament but whose inclusion could help smooth diplomatic relations with the European nation.
The Financial Times reported Wednesday that Paolo Zampolli, the U.S. special representative for global partnerships, has suggested to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Trump that Iran be replaced with Italy in the World Cup, which is set to be held starting in June in several cities across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup,” Zampolli told the FT. “I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a U.S.-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”
Unnamed individuals familiar with the matter told the FT that the proposal was a bid to repair the relationship between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Meloni has been a vocal supporter of the U.S. President, but the two fell out when Trump recently criticized Pope Leo XIV, an outspoken opponent of the war. Meloni had called the verbal lashing on the Pontiff “unacceptable,” but Trump fired back, saying she was the “unacceptable” one as she “doesn’t care if Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy in two minutes if they had the chance.”
Zampolli’s attempt at diplomacy via soccer would particularly benefit Italy, whose national team suffered a humiliating defeat in late March to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The loss, which meant the country that won the World Cup in 2006 had now failed to qualify for the third straight time, sparked public outrage and even forced Italy’s soccer federation chief to resign.
But Iran reiterated this week that it remains fully prepared to participate in the World Cup.
“The Iranian team is coming, for sure, yes,” Infantino, the FIFA President and a Trump ally, said at a conference in D.C. last week. “We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. As I said, that would definitely help. But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”
Rules on replacing a team are outlined in Article 6 of the FIFA 2026 World Cup regulations.
According to regulation 6.5, “if a Participating Member Association withdraws or a match cannot be played or is abandoned as a result of force majeure, the authorised FIFA organising body (including the Tournament Operation Centre) shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary.”
Regulation 6.7 then states that if any member team either withdraws or is excluded from the World Cup, FIFA may decide to “replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association.”
FIFA has previously used such discretionary powers. In March 2025, months before the 2025 Club World Cup kicked off, it booted out Mexican team Club León for failing to meet criteria on multi-club ownership. Appeals were rejected, but in May, FIFA said the team replacing León’s spot would be determined through a one-game playoff, which was won by MLS team Los Angeles FC against Mexican team Club América.
Iran, which qualified for the World Cup back in 2025, is scheduled to play its matches in the U.S.
But after the war broke out in late February, and Iran’s revered former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed, the country’s sports and youth minister said that it was “not possible” for the team to join the tournament, amid safety and security risks. “We cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Iran’s soccer federation president Mehdi Taj said at the time. Iran’s soccer federation requested that its matches be relocated, which FIFA rejected.
Infantino said in a post on Instagram on March 10 that Trump assured Iran was “welcome” to compete in the World Cup, and Trump echoed this on March 12, though the U.S. President added that while Iran could fly to the U.S., he believed it was not “appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told the FT that the Administration “is doing everything needed to support a successful World Cup while at the same time upholding U.S. law and the highest standards of national security and public safety in the conduct of our visa process.”
Iranians are among the many nationals currently barred from entering the U.S., though Trump had said in his June 2025 sweeping travel ban proclamation that athletes, members of athletic teams, and persons with a “necessary support role” are exempted. Questions about the rule, however, arose after the State Department rejected visas of some of the Iranian delegates for the World Cup draw last December. “Every single decision is a national security decision,” Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA task force, told the Associated Press at the time.
“Sports should be outside of politics,” Infantino said at the conference. “Now, we don’t live on the moon; we live on planet Earth. But if there is nobody else that believes in building bridges and in keeping them intact and together, well, we are doing that job.”
ATLANTA - Mikal Bridges has been a Knick for two years. So he understands what’s going to be said/written about him over the next two days.
“I’ve got to take it on the chin, handle it how I’m supposed to and be ready for the next one. You know, it’s going to suck. It is what it is. I’ve just got to be better to help my team out there.”
That was Bridges’ response to a question about how he can bounce back from a truly forgettable game on Thursday.
The Knick wing missed all three of his shot attempts and had four turnovers in Game 3. New York was outscored by 26 in Bridges’ 20 minutes on the floor. Bridges was benched for nearly all of the second half as Mike Brown replaced him with Miles McBride.
McBride delivered in all the ways Bridges fell short: he hit five threes, had two steals and helped stabilize the Knicks defense. It obviously wasn’t enough in the end. But McBride’s performance leaves Brown and the coaching staff with an interesting decision ahead of a must-win Game 4.
Should Brown shake up his starting lineup and replace Bridges with McBride?
The Knicks got off to a terrible start on Thursday, falling behind by as many as 13 in the first quarter. So maybe Brown and his staff believe McBride can help them avoid another start. Maybe they think Bridges can get going off the bench.
Whatever decision Brown comes to will be crucial.
The Knicks can’t afford to get off to another slow start in Game 4. A loss on Saturday would put the Knicks on the brink of a disaster.
As you know, this is a team that is supposed to reach the NBA Finals, not fall out in the first round.
A loss to the Hawks would almost certainly lead to major changes – whether they be to the roster, coaching staff or front office.
It would also lead to heavy criticism of the decisions to trade for Bridges and Towns and fire Tom Thibodeau.
The Knicks gave up five first-round picks to acquire Bridges. Team president Leon Rose & Co. saw him as the perfect complement to their core.
They certainly didn’t see him being a non-factor in a pivotal playoff game.
But that’s what happened on Thursday. If you go back to the second half of Game 2, Bridges is 0-for-7 with four turnovers and a -37 net rating against the Hawks.
He acknowledged that it was tough to be on the bench in the fourth quarter of a close game.
“But I’ve just gotta be better so I can be out there,” Bridges said.
In his news conference after Game 3, Brown said he believes Bridges will bounce back.
“I’m not concerned. Mikal is a pro. He’s been there,” Brown said. “He’s played hundreds of basketball games, so he’ll be fine.”
Maybe Brown is right. But the more important question is whether Bridges will be in the starting lineup on Saturday.
The answer to that may define the rest of this series – and the rest of this season – for the Knicks
As the 2025/2026 EPL Season reaches its fever pitch, Gameweek 33 delivered a showcase of pure technical brilliance and high-stakes drama.
With the title race neck-and-neck and the relegation battle reaching a desperate crescendo, the league’s top stars stepped up to provide moments of magic that will be replayed for years.
From acrobatic finishes at Elland Road to a midfield masterclass at the City Ground, the best goals of GW-33 of the 2025/2026 EPL Season reminded fans why the Premier League remains the most-watched division in the world. Let’s break down the strikes that defined the weekend.
Opening our list of the Top Five Goals of game week 33 is a moment of pure audacity from James Justin. In the 18th minute of Leeds’ dominant 3-0 victory over Wolves, the summer signing sent Elland Road into a frenzy.
Following a scrambled clearance, Justin positioned himself perfectly in the center of the box to execute a stunning right-footed bicycle kick.
The strike was so precise it nutmegged the Wolves goalkeeper before crashing into the back of the net, setting the tone for a crucial three points for Daniel Farke’s side.
In a pulsating 2-2 draw against Spurs, Kaoru Mitoma proved once again why he is one of the best goals for EPL GW-33 creators.
Attacking a pinpoint cross from the right flank, the Japanese winger showed elite timing to meeting the ball just inches before it hit the grass.
His perfectly struck volley flew directly into the roof of the net, leaving the Spurs backline stationary. It was a display of technical coordination that few players in the league can match.
The same fixture produced a goal-of-the-month contender from Dutch sensation Xavi Simons. Receiving a pass on the edge of the Brighton area, Simons showcased his world-class close control.
He took two touches to weave into the box, then a clever third to create a pocket of space just outside the six-yard line.
From there, he unleashed a fierce curler that clipped the inside of the right upright before nestling in the goal. It was a vital contribution in what has been a difficult season for the North London side.
Nottingham Forest’s 4-1 dismantling of Burnley was defined by a historic hat-trick from Morgan Gibbs-White. His second goal of the afternoon was a masterclass in positioning.
Anticipating a cross from the right, Gibbs-White drifted into the center of the Burnley box and met the delivery with a thunderous volley.
The sheer power and accuracy sent the ball straight into the center of the net, leaving the keeper with no chance and cementing his place among the best goals of GW-33 of the 2025/2026 EPL Season.
To complete his first senior hat-trick in the 77th minute, Gibbs-White delivered a goal that wowed the City Ground faithful.
Ryan Yates swung a beautiful cross from the right corner flank, finding Gibbs-White just behind the penalty spot. The midfielder rose highest to meet the ball, directing a clinical header into the bottom-left corner.
This goal secured the match ball and served as a crucial blow in Forest’s fight for survival, easily ranking as a top highlight for the week.
In an attempt to remake a starting rotation expected to lose a two-time All-Star, the Astros traded two prospects from a barren farm system to acquire Mike Burrows from the Pittsburgh Pirates last December.
An 11th round pick by the Pirates in 2018, Burrows finally made his Major League debut in 2024 and put himself on the map by posting a 3.94 ERA with a 24.1 percent strikeout rate and a 7.7 percent walk rate, both better than league average. Burrows emerged as an above-average starting pitcher, and with five years of club control it’s the type of high-ceiling move smart clubs make.
So far, the trade has been a flop.
Burrows is 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA in his first five starts with the Astros. His walk rate has dipped slightly from last season, but his strikeout rate is down to 20.5 percent. He has finished the sixth inning just once and allowed three runs or more in all but one start.
Burrows arrived in Houston regarded as having one of baseball’s best changeups. While it hasn’t been quite as effective this season, opponents are batting just .188 with a 37.1% whiff rate against it. His biggest problem has been his fastball getting crushed.
Lefties are 8 for 16 with three home runs against Burrows’ four-seam fastball, while righties are 8 for 20 with a homer against his two-seam. Burrows didn’t throw the two-seam often with the Pirates, so it’s not surprising he’s experiencing some early growing pains with it, but the four-seam needs to be better. Left-handed hitters batted .270 with two homers against it in 2025.
But there are reasons for optimism.
For 14 batters against the Cardinals on Sunday, Burrows looked like the pitcher the Astros thought they were getting. He retired all 14, seven via strikeouts, before Masyn Winn singled through the left side of the infield. The next four batters also reached, and Burrows couldn’t finish the fifth inning despite starting the game 14 up, 14 down.
“I don’t want to take away from how well he pitched those first four innings,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “I think the fifth doesn’t speak for how well he threw the ball. He had his stuff working.”
There are two main reasons the Astros should be confident that Burrows can make the first 14 batters from his last start more the norm than the final five.
There is always an adjustment after changing teams. Aside from the obvious change of leaving the only organization you’ve ever known, your new team is going to ask you to tweak certain aspects of your game. The Astros have been no different with Burrows.
The Astros have overhauled Burrows’ pitch usage. His two-seam fastball, which has produced poor results, is now his primary pitch against right-handed hitters after being used less than 10 percent of the time last season. They’ve also lowered his arm slot from 48 degrees to 39.
Burrows has also been somewhat unlucky so far this season. His FIP is nearly two runs lower than his ERA, and his BABIP is almost 90 points higher than league average despite a lack of hard contact. Opponents have a 33.8 percent chase rate against him, more than six percentage points higher than a season ago.
Per Baseball Savant, no pitcher has been hurt more by his defense. Through Sunday’s start, the Astros are at -4 runs prevented with Burrows on the mound and -5 outs above average.
Burrows hasn’t lived up to the high expectations the Astros had for him when he was acquired last winter, but they didn’t make the trade for five starts. The Astros traded for Burrows because they thought he could help lead their rotation for the next five seasons, and there are still reasons to think that could still be the case.
JAPANESE CHAMPIONSHIP
07:00 - Tokyo FC vs. Mito Hollyrock - YouTube (GOAT)
GERMAN CHAMPIONSHIP (2ND DIVISION)
13:30 - F. Düsseldorf vs. Dynamo Dresden - DFL via OneFootball
13:30 - Kaiserslautern vs. E. Braunschweig - DFL via OneFootball
TURKISH CHAMPIONSHIP
14:00 - Basaksehir vs. Kasimpasa - Disney+
GERMAN CHAMPIONSHIP (3RD DIVISION)
14:00 - Aachen vs. Duisburg - YouTube (GOAT)
GERMAN CHAMPIONSHIP
15:30 - RB Leipzig vs. Union Berlin - DFL via OneFootball, SportyNet
ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
15:45 - Napoli vs. Cremonese - XSports and Disney+
FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP
15:45 - Brest vs. Lens - YouTube (CazéTV)
SPANISH CHAMPIONSHIP
16:00 - Betis vs. Real Madrid - ESPN and Disney+
ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP
16:00 - Sunderland vs. Nottingham Forest - YouTube (ESPN Brasil) and Disney+
ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP (2ND DIVISION)
16:00 - Leicester vs. Millwall - ESPN 4 and Disney+
ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP (2ND DIVISION)
16:00 - Avellino vs. Bari - YouTube (SportyNet)
NWSL
18:30 - Racing Louisville vs. Orlando Pride - YouTube (GOAT)
21:00 - Washington Spirit vs. KC Current - YouTube (GOAT)
ARGENTINE CHAMPIONSHIP
19:15 - Lanús vs. Central Córdoba - Disney+
21:30 - Racing vs. Barracas Central - ESPN 3 and Disney+
BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP - SERIE B
20:00 - Ponte Preta vs. América-MG - Disney+
BRAZILIAN WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
21:00 - Corinthians vs. Ferroviária - SporTV
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods you’d totally do a movie marathon night with: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, Kung_Fu_Zizou (AKA KFZ), Juninho, Ezek and, of course… yours truly.
🚨 Real Madrid’s favourite options by club and fans (poll):
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 23, 2026
1. Vitinha: practically impossible
2. Joao Neves: impossible
3. Rodri: debates regarding his physical level
4. Enzo: most possible. @la_SERpic.twitter.com/2mLkG33b2i
Well I mean, I can see where they’re coming from, whoever wrote this. Vitinha seems impossible, Neves fairly hard to see happening too. Rodry is indeed no spring chicken at this point and has gone through injuries — and yet I see the fit. I seem to recall Enzo offering himself essentially.
🚨 Arsenal are weighing up a move for Arda Güler ahead of the summer window. 🇹🇷
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 23, 2026
The Gunners are keen on a LOAN-TO-BUY structure — mirroring the Martin Ødegaard deal — and have already made initial enquiries.
Real Madrid are NOT actively looking to sell, but his limited game… pic.twitter.com/ZkP3AuPQel
Given the current state of Real Madrid, it is expected that everything the players say or do will be undergoing examination under the microscope — and that may even be an understatement. Well, apparently, Mbappe liked an instagram (!) post about Jose Mourinho. And … somehow, somebody decided that Arbeloa had to hear that… and… even comment on it…?
🗣️ Arbeloa on Mbappé’s like under a post about Mourinho as Real Madrid manager next season: “I don't care if he likes a post about Mourinho, Julia Roberts or whoever.” pic.twitter.com/5zSpH4BmO5
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 23, 2026
To his credit, Alvaro gave us a nice quote.
It's important to remind everyone that Liverpool have a special winger heading to the club very soon.
This year has marked a significant acceleration of the club's plans under the new leadership of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes.
Liverpool are not only just signing the best players possible for the first-team but they have also made significant attempts to bolster the U21 squad with the best possible players at younger age-groups as well.
We saw this in January with the Reds completing two deals for players who caught the eye at the U17 World Cup.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye both joined after impressing in the tournament held in Qatar. The latter has already joined the club from Amitie FC, an academy owned by Demba Ba and has shown a lot of promise with his first few performances for the U21s.
Ndiaye is a new kind of transfer for Liverpool. The type of transfer the club hasn't really in the past. He comes directly from Africa and he was able to join the club immediately due to the ESC player rules, which permit Liverpool to secure him a work-permit and allow him to play for the club's U21 side.
Before Brexit, and before the ESC exemption rule came into play, Liverpool couldn’t bring in young prospects like Ndiaye with this kind of ease.
Taiwo Awoniyi stands out as the only player the club signed directly from Africa during that time, but his path was far from straightforward.
He spent years out on multiple loan spells before finally becoming eligible to play in the Premier League.
By then, however, his journey had taken him to Nottingham Forest instead of Liverpool.
It’s worth considering how different his career might have been if he’d been able to step straight into Liverpool’s squad from the start and work alongside not only elite players in training but also Jurgen Klopp.
That’s the opportunity now in front of Ndiaye, a significant advantage for both him and the club. It also signals a broader shift, opening the door for Liverpool to recruit more directly from the African continent.
And it’s exactly why it’s important to note - Mor Talla Ndiaye won’t be the only Senegalese talent heading to the club.
As we revealed exclusively on Anfield Watch in the summer, Sidy Barhama Ndiaye has also agreed to join Liverpool.
A winger first identified by Liverpool scouts at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations, Ndiaye was playing above his age group and stood out with his quality.
He has already made a strong impression on the club’s coaches, too. During a two-week stay at Liverpool in the summer, he came off the bench twice for the U18s - registering an assist in one match and scoring in the other.
Ndiaye won’t be able to officially join the club until he turns 18 on 31 December 2027.
Still, Liverpool have already reached an agreement in principle to sign him, in a deal similar to Kendry Páez’s pre-arranged move to Chelsea from Independiente del Valle.
Under FIFA regulations, he can spend up to eight weeks per year with the club before the transfer is finalised.
Liverpool hold Ndiaye in very high regard. His playing style has drawn comparisons to his compatriot Sadio Mane, and he’s widely considered one of Senegal’s most exciting young talents.
Enea Bastianini is "looking for the best solution" for his future in MotoGP and hasn't ruled out a surprise move for the 2027 season.
The Tech3 rider confirmed ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix a report first published by Motorsport.com, admitting that he signed a 2+1-year contract with KTM two years ago, which would keep him tied to the Austrian manufacturer until the end of 2028. However, he added that a clause in the agreement allows him to leave freely at the end of the current season.
The Italian rider has yet to rediscover the form that made him one of MotoGP’s standout performers in 2022, when he raced for Gresini on a Ducati. That year, he won on his debut with the team in Qatar and went on to take four victories - a run that earned him a surprise promotion to the factory Ducati squad, where he added three more wins across two seasons.
He then moved to KTM with Tech3, but has struggled to fully adapt to the bike. However, his performance in Austin offered a glimmer of encouragement for the rider from Rimini.
With the rider market in flux, everything points to Bastianini having reached an agreement to return to Gresini next year, potentially completing the story that began in 2022.
"It is useless to say that one is not thinking about the future," Bastianini admitted this Thursday in Jerez.
"Indeed, it is being thought about, and the best solution is being sought for us; we will see what it will be.
When asked by Motorsport.com if his 2+1 contract with KTM could be an inconvenience when it comes to resolving his future, he replied: "I have a contract, let’s say, with KTM, but it is a contract that can be dissolved."
Pressued further as to whether breaking the contract would involve financial compensation, he added: "I cannot give details of my contract."
In any case, it is expected that Gresini will be his likely choice for the start of MotoGP's 850cc era.
"I am evaluating many things, and the truth is that a surprise could emerge," he said, though it was unclear if he was joking or not.
Tech3 is currently finalising a switch in manufacturer, and is set to end its partnership with KTM to align with Honda from 2027. That would reduce KTM’s presence on the grid to two bikes, meaning the manufacturer will have to part ways with two of its current riders.
Bastianini is expected to be one of them, while one or both of Maverick Vinales and Brad Binder could also lose their seats, if reports that Fabio Di Giannantonio is pushing for a factory KTM ride alongside Alex Marquez prove accurate.
In case you missed it:
Why Gresini has flirted with leaving Ducati in MotoGP
Joan Mir: I deserve to stay in Honda’s factory MotoGP team for 2027
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
New York Knicks (53-29, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (46-36, sixth in the Eastern Conference)
Atlanta; Saturday, 6 p.m. EDT
LINE: Knicks -1.5; over/under is 214.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Hawks lead series 2-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Hawks host the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference first round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Hawks won the last meeting 109-108 on Thursday, led by 24 points from Jalen Johnson. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29.
The Hawks have gone 27-25 against Eastern Conference teams. Atlanta has a 7-8 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Knicks are 35-17 in Eastern Conference play. New York ranks fifth in the NBA giving up only 110.1 points while holding opponents to 46.0% shooting.
The 118.5 points per game the Hawks score are 8.4 more points than the Knicks allow (110.1). The Knicks are shooting 47.8% from the field, 0.4% higher than the 47.4% the Hawks' opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Johnson is averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists for the Hawks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 18.9 points over the last 10 games.
Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds for the Knicks. Jalen Brunson is averaging 19.6 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 46.0% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 6-4, averaging 116.3 points, 44.1 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 8.7 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.2 points per game.
Knicks: 6-4, averaging 111.5 points, 43.5 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 8.3 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.0 points.
INJURIES: Hawks: Jock Landale: out (ankle).
Knicks: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Detroit Pistons (60-22, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (45-37, eighth in the Eastern Conference)
Orlando, Florida; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDT
LINE: Pistons -2.5; over/under is 214.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Series tied 1-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Orlando Magic host the Detroit Pistons in game three of the Eastern Conference first round with the series tied 1-1. The Pistons defeated the Magic 98-83 in the last meeting on Wednesday. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 27 points, and Jalen Suggs led the Magic with 19.
The Magic are 26-26 in Eastern Conference games. Orlando has a 19-19 record in games decided by at least 10 points.
The Pistons are 39-13 against conference opponents. Detroit has a 10-6 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The 115.7 points per game the Magic average are 6.1 more points than the Pistons give up (109.6). The Pistons average 11.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 fewer made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Magic allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Paolo Banchero is averaging 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Magic. Desmond Bane is averaging 17.1 points over the last 10 games.
Cunningham is averaging 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 9.9 assists for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 7-3, averaging 115.1 points, 45.0 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 10.2 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.8 points per game.
Pistons: 7-3, averaging 116.0 points, 44.7 rebounds, 30.0 assists, 10.0 steals and 7.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.1 points.
INJURIES: Magic: Jonathan Isaac: day to day (knee).
Pistons: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18, first in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (45-37, seventh in the Western Conference)
Phoenix; Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Thunder -9.5; over/under is 214.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Thunder lead series 2-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference first round with a 2-0 lead in the series. The Thunder won the last meeting 120-107 on Thursday, led by 37 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 30.
The Suns have gone 29-23 against Western Conference opponents. Phoenix has a 7-10 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Thunder are 41-11 in conference play. Oklahoma City leads the Western Conference giving up just 107.9 points per game while holding opponents to 43.7% shooting.
The Suns average 112.6 points per game, 4.7 more points than the 107.9 the Thunder allow. The Thunder score 7.9 more points per game (119.0) than the Suns allow their opponents to score (111.1).
TOP PERFORMERS: Collin Gillespie is averaging 12.7 points and 4.6 assists for the Suns. Devin Booker is averaging 23.5 points over the last 10 games.
Gilgeous-Alexander is scoring 31.1 points per game and averaging 4.3 rebounds for the Thunder. Isaiah Joe is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 4-6, averaging 108.5 points, 43.0 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 7.4 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.6 points per game.
Thunder: 8-2, averaging 121.0 points, 44.3 rebounds, 27.8 assists, 11.0 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.7 points.
INJURIES: Suns: Mark Williams: day to day (foot), Jordan Goodwin: day to day (calf).
Thunder: Jalen Williams: out (hamstring), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Denver Nuggets (54-28, third in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference)
Minneapolis; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Nuggets -1.5; over/under is 229.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Timberwolves lead series 2-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference first round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Timberwolves won the last meeting 113-96 on Friday, led by 25 points from Ayo Dosunmu. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 27.
The Timberwolves are 9-7 in division matchups. Minnesota is seventh in the league with 118.0 points and is shooting 48.1% from the field.
The Nuggets are 11-5 against the rest of their division. Denver is seventh in the Western Conference with 44.0 rebounds per game led by Jokic averaging 12.9.
The Timberwolves average 118.0 points per game, 1.1 more points than the 116.9 the Nuggets allow. The Nuggets are shooting 49.6% from the field, 3.4% higher than the 46.2% the Timberwolves' opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Julius Randle is averaging 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and five assists for the Timberwolves. Dosunmu is averaging 13.7 points over the last 10 games.
Jamal Murray is averaging 25.4 points and 7.1 assists for the Nuggets. Jokic is averaging 22.8 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 5-5, averaging 116.8 points, 41.1 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 8.1 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.0 points per game.
Nuggets: 8-2, averaging 123.6 points, 47.1 rebounds, 28.8 assists, 7.2 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 48.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.7 points.
INJURIES: Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr.: out (illness), Jaylen Clark: out (illness).
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon: out (calf), Peyton Watson: out (hamstring).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass — Eliot Wolf never thought that Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu would still be available when the New England Patriots were finally on the clock during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
And because of that, Wolf revealed that the Patriots actually canceled the prospect's 30-visit ahead of the draft for that reason.
"Obviously, the testing was excellent," Wolf said when asked about what Lomu did in the draft process that stood out. "We interviewed him at the Combine. That was great.
"We actually canceled his 30-visit because we didn't – we had one scheduled and we just didn't think he was going to factor in for us. We thought he'd be gone."
As for Lomu, he didn't take the cancellation personally, as he was confident about his visit with them at the NFL combine.
"No, I wasn’t shocked by that or thought differently," he told reporters on a video call shortly after being drafted. "I think maybe it was just to check my medical, but I had a clean medical. So, it didn’t throw me by surprise. I always thought they were still in the mix, and of course they were. But I’m very happy they were still in the mix and still wanted me."
Lomu added that the Patriots are a "great organization," and he was able to remain confident that they were "in the mix" simply because he "wanted them to be in the mix."
"Such an amazing team," he added. "It’s a place I wanted to be and a team I always wanted to play for. Maybe it was me just wanting them super bad. Once I got that call though, it was crazy."
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Why Patriots canceled Caleb Lomu 30-visit before drafting him
As we head into Gameweek 34, the margins are getting tighter and every FPL decision feels amplified. With rotation risks, form swings, and key fixtures shaping outcomes, this is the stage where well-managed squads can make serious rank gains. For Gameweek 33, I largely trusted my core while hoping for returns from a few differentials.
Gameweek 33 was a mixed bag with one major highlight carrying the team. While a few players delivered solid returns, some of them had a double gameweek, several others were limited by how their real-life matches unfolded — whether through lack of service, tactical constraints, or simply being on the wrong side of momentum swings.
Goalkeeper
I started Robin Roefs, who returned just 1 point. It was a frustrating outing, as his side struggled defensively and couldn’t cope with sustained pressure. Once the clean sheet was wiped out, there wasn’t much else to gain. He remains a budget option, but performances like this show his limitations when facing stronger attacks.
Defence
My backline of Truffert, Marc Guéhi, and Pascal Struijk produced contrasting returns.
Truffert was the standout with an impressive 13 points. He had a double gameweek. He was heavily involved on both ends of the pitch, contributing defensively while also pushing forward effectively. Performances like this highlight his upside as an attacking fullback.
Guéhi returned 8 points in total from the two games he played. His side gathered the 6 points available for the double gameweek, although they struggled to control key moments and without a clean sheet in one, Guéhi was instrumental in the defense.
Struijk delivered 10 points in a strong defensive display. His team stayed organized throughout, and he played a key role in maintaining structure under pressure, making him one of the best performers in the squad this week.
Midfield
Midfield returns were modest overall, with no explosive haul but a few steady contributions.
RyanGravenberch managed 2 points in a quiet performance. He struggled to impose himself in advanced areas as his team lacked attacking fluidity.
DominikSzoboszlai returned 5 points, showing glimpses of quality. He was involved in transitions and created a few opportunities, but couldn’t convert them into a bigger return.
AntoineSemenyo picked up 5 points in a game where attacking chances were limited. He remained lively but lacked the final product.
Kevin Schade also returned 3 points. His involvement was decent, but his side couldn’t create enough clear-cut chances to boost his output.
Attack
This is where the gameweek was defined.
Erling Haaland delivered a huge 26-point haul as captain — the clear difference-maker. He was clinical, well-positioned, and benefited from strong service throughout the match. Performances like this justify both his price and captaincy.
Igor Thiago returned just 2 points. He struggled to find space and was largely kept quiet by a disciplined defensive setup.
Viktor Gyökeres managed only 1 point in a disappointing outing. He found himself isolated for large periods, with limited quality service reaching him in dangerous positions.
Bench Performance
On the bench, David Raya returned 1 point, mirroring Roefs’ struggles in goal. Bryan Mbeumo picked up 3 points but didn’t do enough to punish his omission from the starting XI. Ousmane Diakité returned 0 points after not featuring, while Trevoh Chalobah added 2 points in a fairly uneventful performance.
For GW34, some of my players do not have an outing, so I activated my Free Hit chip, GW34 is all about maximizing fixtures and short-term upside. The big call this week is captaincy — backing Ollie Watkins looks strong on paper, but Bruno Fernandes offers an equally tempting alternative.
The midfield is clearly fixture-driven, with a double-up on Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch targeting a favorable home game, while Kevin Schade adds a bit of differential risk.
Defensively, Virgil van Dijk stands out as the most reliable pick, with others largely selected for fixtures rather than long-term value.
Up front, there’s some risk attached to Viktor Gyökeres and Thiago Almada, but the Free Hit allows for that kind of aggressive approach.
Gameweek 34 is a one-week gamble — high upside, but dependent on fixtures delivering.
What do you think? Stick or twist ahead of GW34? And who’s getting your captaincy?
Is Emirates Stadium atmosphere a problem for Arsenal? Analysing Mikel Arteta's team at home in the title race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Premier League title race looks set to go down to the wire, with Arsenal and Manchester City neck-and-neck in the battle for glory.
City claimed a vital 2-1 win over the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on April 19, and the two sides have almost identical records with five games of the season remaining.
Pep Guardiola's men face a Southampton side that beat Arsenal in the previous round in Saturday's FA Cup semifinal, meaning they are not back in action until a May 4 trip to Everton.
In the meantime, Arsenal have back-to-back home games against Newcastle and Fulham – a chance to establish some breathing space and put the pressure back on City.
But is home advantage all you would like it to be at the business end of the season? More specifically, with supporters clearly desperate to see Arsenal's 22-year wait for a league title end, has the Emirates Stadium crowd and atmosphere become a problem for Mikel Arteta's team?
A week before they lost to City, Bournemouth dealt an unexpected blow to Arsenal's title hopes when they stunned the Gunners with a deserved 2-1 win at Emirates Stadium.
Speaking to Men In Blazers this week, United States midfielder Tyler Adams said he felt the trepidation in the hearts of the home supporters during that match.
"We told ourselves before the game we had to put ourselves in their shoes," the USMNT captain said. "They have a whole lot to play for. We have a lot to play for but it's a different circumstance when you're chasing a title. We knew it was probably going to be a little bit nervy, and if one thing goes wrong, and the fans start getting a little bit anxious, and I think we played into that occasion.
"But it just takes one little error, one little mistake, and the fans get a little bit nervy. That’s a difficult atmosphere to play in and thrive in when you’re trying to chase a championship, because we talk about them like they're not sitting first in the table still. As an opposition, it's the best thing to hear. When you're playing an away game and all of a sudden it feels like the momentum is swinging and it feels like a home game.
"At certain moments in the game, I heard our fans celebrating or cheering and it was like: why's it so quiet in here? They're trying to chase a title, we're trying to chase potentially finishing in a European position, but it feels like we're playing for a little bit more in the circumstances. I think it can be really difficult when you’re in an environment like that."
TYLER ADAMS: "YOU CAN 100% FEEL THE ANXIETY AT THE EMIRATES" 😬 pic.twitter.com/Tp7ASqZm8l
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) April 21, 2026
Suggestions that the more rabid elements of Arsenal's fanbase are more of a hindrance than a help are nothing new, while a sense that the weight of anxious expectation at Emirates Stadium can become crushing has built over recent years. This is usually the preserve of fan and pundit chatter. The fact that a player such as Adams, who has experienced it on the field first hand during a match where some Arsenal fans booed at the full-time whistle, means it's perhaps worth further exploration.
If we look at the simple numbers from this season, Arsenal have no problem playing at home whatsoever. Their record of 12 wins, two draws and two defeats in the Premier league can only be bettered by (yes…) Manchester City, so far this term. And Pep Guardiola's men are only fractionally better off, with an equal 12 wins but three draws and one loss.
The defeat to Bournemouth comes within the context of the Cherries under Andoni Iraola becoming something of a bogey side for his fellow Basque Arteta. It was their third win in the past four editions of the fixture, which perhaps explains the overwrought calls from both the club's online channels and the manager for fans to bring the noise. The only palpable effect of this was to increase the tension that Adams noted.
Getty Images
It will be intriguing to see whether Arsenal employ similar tactics to whip up an atmosphere against Newcastle on Saturday, given it backfired so clearly last time. The later kick-off time, 5:30 p.m BST as opposed to the earlier 12:30 p.m. BST versus Bournemouth, means they shouldn't have to. Not to place too much emphasis on British football fans' reputation for enjoying a little liquid refreshment, but crowds at later kickoffs tend to be a little more full-throated.
Additionally, Newcastle and Fulham are not in notable form and each have dreadful records at Emirates Stadium. Newcastle won both legs of last season's Carabao Cup semifinal against Arsenal, but their 1-0 win thanks to an Andy Carroll header in November 2010 is the only Premier League victory either club boasts at the Gunners' current home ground. Fulham have drawn two of their past four visits to the Emirates and another sharing of the spoils would be a dreadful outcome for Arteta's team at this stage.
Even if the raw numbers are in Arsenal's favour, a look at the their consecutive second-place finishes over the past three seasons gives cause for concern.
Arteta's squad was still very much in the development stage when they claimed 50 points from the first 19 matches in 2022/23, only to collapse as City embarked upon a successful treble charge.
The Gunners actually had a better away record than City that season, taking 39 points on the road to 37 for Guardiola's men. However, City won 17 of their 19 home games to claim 52 points at the Etihad Stadium. Arsenal collected seven fewer at the Emirates, with their 45 also coming in below Manchester United's 48 at Old Trafford.
Arsenal won eight and drew two of their first 10 home league matches that season before suffering a 3-1 loss to City. The 4-1 defeat at the Etihad was probably the defining loss of the title run-in from a north London vantage point, but a chaotic 3-3 draw at home to Southampton prior to that did not help matters. The 3-0 collapse against Brighton in their penultimate home game effectively put blue and white ribbons on the trophy and was the sort of afternoon that feels emblematic of Arsenal's springtime struggles.
In 2023/24, they pushed City to the final day, missing out by 89 points to 91 in the final analysis. Arsenal also matched their rivals' 47 home points. However, a 2-0 April 14 defeat to an excellent Aston Villa side was the day when the title ultimately got away.
Last season, Arsenal never got close enough to suffer such acute pain as Liverpool waltzed to glory. Still, despite finishing second overall, their home record was only the fifth-best in the division — 11 wins and 39 points overall coming in behind Liverpool, City, Chelsea and Villa.
After Newcastle and Fulham, Arsenal still have one more home game, with relegated Burnley's trip to the Emirates looking an utter formality and a chance to finesse goal difference. The challenge is to ensure neither of the Newcastle or Fulham matches joins Southampton, Brighton, Villa or Bournemouth in the Gunners' recent hall of infamy on home soil.
The 60,000 in attendance being abundantly aware of this context means nerves are inevitable. Arsenal should win all three of their remaining Premier League home games to keep up the fight for a long-awaited title. But, as Tyler Adams said, it just takes one little error, one little mistake…
Where will Carson Beck be drafted? What scouting reports say about 2026 NFL Draft chances originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Carson Beck spent the past three seasons as one of the most prominent faces in college football, and now the quarterback enters a new phase of his career.
Beck is one of many big names at the quarterback position hoping to hear their name called high in the draft, potentially even as the second quarterback off the board. The former Georgia and Miami quarterback helped the Hurricanes make a deep run in the College Football Playoff, giving him the chance to get more reps in pressure situations.
Throughout the draft process, Beck hasn't been in the conversation to be taken in the first round. Instead, his range during the draft is fairly wide, beginning with the second and third rounds on Friday night.
Here's a look at where Beck could be taken during the draft.
MORE:Sporting News' complete 7-round mock draft
Carson Beck enters the NFL Draft as one of the more experienced quarterbacks available, having spent six years in college, including three years as a starter at Georgia and Miami. However, experience doesn't mean guaranteed success in the NFL, which is why Beck is not expected to go in the first few rounds.
Instead, Beck should have a chance to be a backup-caliber quarterback in the NFL, with the possibility that he can develop into a spot starter. Beck will turn 24 years old during his rookie season, making him one of the older players in the draft. In his time as a college starter, Beck was a more traditional pocket passer who was at his best with precise accuracy, as he had a 72.4% completion percentage in two of the last three years. That included Beck improving his touchdown total each year, reaching 30 in his final season at Miami.
Still, Beck had his share of turnover issues, as he produced 12 interceptions in back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025. For Beck to succeed in the NFL, he will have to protect the football, since he doesn't have the traits to get away with being a gunslinger type.
Here's a look at how some of the top NFL Draft analysts evaluated Beck.
Beck has NFL-caliber size and a lot of experience playing in high-leverage games. He recovered from 2024 UCL surgery on his throwing elbow, but he appeared to lose some drive velocity on deep balls and move throws. He works through progressions at a good pace and can throw with anticipation, but he loses track of safeties, throwing into hazardous spots. Beck’s decision-making showed more maturity in his final college season, but pressure can pull him back into old habits. He spins a catchable ball with a compact release, but spotty accuracy leads to pass breakups and a lower conversion rate on tight-window throws. Beck projects as a good backup with the potential to earn a starting job down the road, but he must continue developing game-managing instincts.
Beck will be drafted as an early-career backup with future NFL starting potential. Betting on the latter is rich for my blood. I see some shades of Tanner McKee (Eagles) and Aiden O’Connell (Raiders) in Beck’s game. I could see him having a similar career as a high-end backup who can win games when called on.
Beck is a cerebral pocket passer who can lead drives when the offense stays in rhythm, but he isn’t a proven second-reaction quarterback when things don’t go according to plan. He projects as an NFL backup and potential spot starter.
And this is where mock drafts currently have Beck getting taken:
MORE: Complete order for all 257 draft picks
| Year | Team | Games | Completion percentage | Passing yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Passer Rating |
| 2020 | Georgia | 1 | N/A | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2021 | Georgia | 4 | 43.5% | 176 | 2 | 2 | 119.1 |
| 2022 | Georgia | 7 | 74.3% | 310 | 4 | 0 | 186.4 |
| 2023 | Georgia | 14 | 72.4% | 3,941 | 24 | 6 | 167.9 |
| 2024 | Georgia | 13 | 64.7% | 3,485 | 28 | 12 | 145.2 |
| 2025 | Miami | 16 | 72.4% | 3,813 | 30 | 12 | 157.0 |
Where will Diego Pavia be drafted? What scouting reports say about 2026 NFL Draft chances originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Of all the gunslingers slated to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, few have proven as polarizing as Diego Pavia. His on-field bite has earned him admirers, while his off-field bark has brought detractors. Somewhere in between lies Pavia, a six-year senior who traveled across the collegiate landscape before hitting his stride at Vanderbilt.
The 2026 Heisman Trophy runner-up, Pavia's plaudits can't be denied. At his peak, he was one of college football's finest stars — a dizzying blend of skill and personality that bewitched opposing defenses.
There's a lot to like in Pavia's game. He's a natural-born leader, propelling the Commodores up the SEC standings with heroic performances. He's also a high-level operator in the short passing game, known to punish defenses with a death-by-a-thousand-cuts approach.
Still, Pavia's 5-foot-10 frame leaves something to be desired.
So, where will the 24-year-old be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft? Here's what you need to know.
MORE: Meet Diego Pavia's mom as well as the rest of his family
Pavia was a late bloomer, only emerging as a Power 5-caliber standout during the final two years of his six-year career. His production at New Mexico State and Vanderbilt was notable. Still, the path for him to be an NFL quarterback appears long and winding.
Pavia fit like a glove in Commodores offensive coordinator Tim Beck's scheme, adorning the field with quick strikes. He figures to slot most comfortably in an offense that revolves around flares, screens and quick slants -- think of Mike McDaniel's old setup with the Dolphins.
Shorter than average and lacking much vigor in his arm, Pavia's limitations are glaring. While his collegiate production put him on par with some of the draft's top talents -- including Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson -- his traits are far more middling.
Pavia's mobility, competitive mindset and popularity figure to garner him some interest as a late Day 3 pick. But that's no certainty -- his diminutive frame, lackluster release and propensity for "backyard football" could scare some teams away.
With that, here's what some notable draft experts have said about Pavia's NFL prospects:
Pavia has a skill set that is both unique and limited. He is accurate in the short-to-intermediate passing game (slants, digs, screens, outs), and his bulldog competitiveness is exceptional in all phases — especially as a runner. Moving the pocket and the quarterback run-game were staples of Vanderbilt’s scheme, and Pavia’s execution made it challenging to defend. But most NFL offenses are far more expansive, so his “backyard football” style will catch up with him against NFL speed.
He’s improvisational, creating explosives that aren’t on the call sheet without playing reckless hero ball. He scans through progressions, throwing with intermediate accuracy, but impatience versus zone can lead to costly mistakes. He can stand and deliver or escape and win with his arm or legs when pressured. However, he lacks ideal mechanics and needs altered launch points for cleaner sight lines and release points. His deep ball is below average. He isn’t explosive or fast, but he’s a force multiplier for the run game, especially near the goal line. Quarterbacks his size rarely make NFL rosters, but his competitiveness should be a plus as long as he’s willing to accept a role as a backup.
- Lance Zierlein, The Athletic
Pavia was one of college football’s finest talents across his six-year spell. Here's a look at his numbers throughout his NCAA career.
| Year | School | Games | Comp-Att (Comp%) | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | INTs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | New Mexico Military | 8 | 68-113 (60.2) | 916 | 10 | 3 | 449 | 8 |
| 2021 | New Mexico Military | 13 | 121-215 (56.3) | 1,728 | 21 | 1 | 658 | 7 |
| 2022 | New Mexico State | 12 | 101-190 (53.2) | 1,450 | 13 | 6 | 508 | 7 |
| 2023 | New Mexico State | 15 | 221-366 (60.4) | 2,973 | 26 | 9 | 923 | 7 |
| 2024 | Vanderbilt | 13 | 177-298 (59.4) | 2,293 | 20 | 4 | 800 | 8 |
| 2025 | Vanderbilt | 13 | 267-378 (70.6) | 3,539 | 29 | 8 | 862 | 10 |
MORE NFL:
One of the seemingly big decisions Real Madrid must make in the summer is the identity of the coach who will take control of the first team ahead of the next season.
After all, the team’s win rate under Alvaro Arbeloa is simply not good enough and the fact that the manager has failed to bring home a trophy will be a key factor.
While it does appear clear that a managerial change is inevitable, Arbeloa has the complete backing of the dressing room and has seen the internal politics drastically reduce on his watch.
As confirmed by Jorge C Picon in a recent report, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez wants to fire Arbeloa at the end of the season and is firm on his stance that a change is needed.
Some board members, however, believe the current manager should be trusted for longer and given a chance to prove his worth. They are thus pushing for him to stay for next season as well to give him a cushion to structure his rebuild.
Time up for Arbeloa? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
There is an internal divide between the board members who are pushing for him to stay and the board member strictly opposed to it – Florentino Perez.
The club president is of the opinion that Real Madrid need an experienced name as the new manager – one who can keep the dressing room under control.
Several names have been discussed including Didier Deschamps, Mauricio Pochettino, Lionel Scaloni and Jurgen Klopp.
A final decision, however, will only be made in June after taking into account the managerial profiles who are available, the team’s need and the board’s collective opinion. With the season going trophy-less, Arbeloa’s chances of staying look slim.
Barcelona are actively working on a deal to sign their top defensive target this summer in the form of Alessandro Bastoni.
Recent reports even suggest that the club are close to reaching an agreement with the player, but securing a deal with Inter Milan will be the tough part.
That is why Barcelona are also scouring the market for alternatives and that is where Jon Martin comes into the fray.
According to Diario SPORT, Barcelona sporting director Deco held an informal meeting with Inaki Ibanez, the agent of Real Sociedad centre-back Jon Martin, to sound out the player’s current situation.
The meeting was not of a decisive nature. It was more of a sounding exercise rather than a concrete expression of interest.
Jon Martin recently won the Copa Del Rey with Real Sociedad. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Barcelona have not communicated any specific intention to sign Martin to the player himself, but Deco has now established contact with the player’s agent.
Martin, 23, has been one of the standout defenders in La Liga this season, and his performance in the Copa del Rey final – where Real Sociedad defeated Atletico Madrid – only served to amplify his reputation further.
His composure, reading of the game and ability to play out from the back have drawn admiring glances from several major European clubs.
The Real Sociedad defender holds a contract until 2031, with a release clause set at €50 million, marginally below what Barcelona are prepared to spend on Bastoni should that deal materialise.
While Martin is not left-footed, which is among the preferred attributes Barcelona are seeking in a centre-back, he is 1.87 metres tall, strong in the air and fits several of the other parameters the club value in a defensive profile.
Bastoni remains the undisputed priority, but Barcelona are leaving nothing to chance.
Your daily dose of Everton news and rumours
Everton officially confirm triggering extension clause in Michael Keane contract that will keep him with the club until June 2027, extending his time with the Toffees into a 10th season. [EFC]
Everton still have Gueye, Mykolenko, and Coleman to account for this summer, with some interesting players from other clubs potentially on the way out.
🚨 Premier League players who're out of contract this summer:
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 22, 2026
Arsenal
🔸 Karl Hein
Aston Villa
🔸 None
Bournemouth
🔸 Marcos Senesi
🔸 Fraser Forster
Brentford
🔸 Rico Henry
🔸 Mathias Jensen
🔸 Josh Dasilva
Brighton & Hove Albion
🔸 James Milner
🔸 Adam Webster
🔸 Joel… pic.twitter.com/TaMHtsSFQ1
“There are still a few games to go and we’re right in it. It’s very tight in the table, with a few games to go and we’re looking to go to everyone and get results,” says Jake O’Brien. [EFC]
Up the Beto Blues.
No Premier League forward has more goals than Beto since the start of March. 📊 pic.twitter.com/0XeLv1nKic
— Everton (@Everton) April 23, 2026
Blues linked with 21-year-old PSV winger and Bosnia international Esmir Bajraktarevic. [One Football via Sport Sport]
Sunderland take on Nottingham Forest. Plenty of other action from around the globe, too.
Full schedule of games here.
Former Chelsea player Filipe Luis has been named as a top Chelsea target by multiple outlets even just yesterday.
When every publication has been putting out their lists of possible names who could replace Liam Rosenior as the new head coach at Chelsea, Luis is mentioned more often than not.
Usually when this happens, it means that there is more than substance to it and will certainly have legs to the links. You can rest assured that Luiz will certainly be a potential target being considered by Chelsea right now.
But would hi tick the ‘experienced’ boxes and a manager who demands respect from the players? That I am not so sure about.
Filipe Luis on the touchline. (Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images)
As far as I could see, there was three reports just yesterday who named Luis as a top target for Chelsea manager.
CBS Sports named him in their list of five managers Chelsea are looking at.
The Daily Mirror also named him as a candidate.
And reporter Gianluigi Longari has named Luis as THE top candidate in line to replace Rosenior.
Liam Rosenior’s reign at Chelsea was over almost before it began – players simply didn’t respect him and never took to his ideas. Extreme man marking and lack of respect was his downfall?
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is being linked with a potential move to Man City as the Blues consider cashing in on their £100m man. It’s being linked with Enzo Maresca potentially heading there.
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Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:#
Thanks to a double gameweek 33, six sides will not score any points in gameweek 34, creating a headache for plenty of Fantasy Premier League managers.
Bournemouth, Brighton, Burnley, Chelsea, Leeds and Manchester City are the six clubs in question - so how can you navigate it?
Expert Holly Shand and members of the FPL podcast team discuss some key players who can help you make the most of a tricky blank gameweek.
Holly: Fernandes stands out as the best captain pick, having produced goal involvements in seven consecutive games. He has five double digit hauls at Old Trafford since Michael Carrick took over. He continues to dominate for key passes (109), as he looks to break the Premier League record for the most assists in a season.
Statman Dave: Fernandes has 93 points since Carrick took over, 11 more than any player. He would be my obvious captain, especially against Brentford given he has four goals and an assist in his eight matches against the Bees.
Holly: Arsenal have a leading tally of 15 clean sheets this season, with Gabriel the top performing defender in the game. He has eight goal involvements in this campaign, including a goal in the reverse fixture against Newcastle United back in gameweek six. He's averaged six points per game in the past four gameweeks.
Statman Dave: If you're looking at a free hit this week, Gabriel, [David] Raya, [William] Saliba could be a brilliant combination. At the moment, they are in my free hit team.
Holly: Igor Thiago is the highest-owned forward in the game with a fixture this week. He has scored three goals in the past four gameweeks, taking him up to 21 goals for the campaign, just two behind Erling Haaland. Two of those goals came in the reverse fixture against Manchester United, which Brentford won 3-1.
Holly: With no fixture for Erling Haaland, there's an opportunity to redirect those funds to midfield, with fellow premium Mohamed Salah. He has scored in consecutive games for Liverpool and remains on penalties. It is a key period for Liverpool as they look to secure Champions League football, while the curtain closes on Salah's time at the club.
Statman Dave: I believe Salah would be a differential in terms of his ownership. The problem with that is that a lot of managers who aren't playing any more will still have Salah as their captain from the start of the season so the data is a bit skewed.
Former England captain Steph Houghton looks elsewhere in the Liverpool squad: I was looking at Virgil van Dijk. I was thinking longer term with the Champions League race, picking from those top teams. I know that Liverpool generally concede but from a corners perspective, he is always a threat - and you know he is always going to play.
Statman Dave: Watkins would be the only player I pick from Aston Villa at the moment, with three goals and an assist in his past three games.
Villa are playing in the Europa League and playing their best 11 there; they are slightly rotating in the Premier League, so that is something to consider. With Morgan Rogers, you have that rotation risk whereas Ollie Watkins is flying at the moment and should be starting every single week playing 60-odd minutes. I'd say if you're chasing, go with Ollie Watkins.
Holly: West Ham have another key fixture in their fight for survival as they take on Everton at London Stadium this Saturday. Captain Jarrod Bowen is becoming a popular pick for those on a free hit, with a lack of forwards to select from. He has produced four assists in the past four gameweeks.
It’s just like the Los Angeles Rams to go against the grain. While pretty much every other team addressed immediate needs while working the first round of the NFL draft – including the New York Jets with their three picks – Les Snead and Sean McVay looked to the future.
They nabbed an understudy for reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
It’s not that Ty Simpson, the Alabama quarterback chosen 13th overall, saw this coming.
There was no private workout with the Rams. He never talked to Snead, the crafty GM, until Thursday night. Ditto for McVay, his new QB whisperer. There was no “Top 30” visit to Rams headquarters. Throughout the draft process, there was not much contact beyond visiting with scouts back on campus.
“I really had no clue,” Simpson said during a video conference not long after he bear-hugged Roger Goodell on the stage in Pittsburgh.
Now Simpson has quite the hint of what the Rams – who typically don’t even hang on to first-round picks – really think of him.
Simpson is pegged to be the Quarterback of the Future. Check back in, say, 2029 to get a fair reading on the worthiness of the pick. Yet knowing the track records of Snead and McVay, the prediction market will lean heavily on the positive side.
And that possibility will be bolstered by the fact that Simpson, the only quarterback drafted on Day 1 besides No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, can go to school behind Stafford, 38, while trying to close the gap of starting just 15 games in college.
"I haven’t talked to Matthew yet but I’m super pumped to be in a room with him and learn from him,” Simpson said. “He’s one of the greatest of all time. We watched his film all the time when I was at ‘Bama, the stuff the Rams did and Coach McVay. So, the fact I get to be in a room and soak up all the knowledge, I couldn’t ask for a better situation.”
Which sounds just perfect for those sneaky Rams.
More: Rams Draft picks 2026: Full list of team's round-by-round selections
It was no surprise that four Ohio State players were chosen at the top of the draft. But it was undoubtedly something of a shock that Downs, the superb safety, was the fourth one off the board. He lasted until the 11th pick, which came after Dallas swung a trade with Miami to move up one spot.
This fills a major need, adding impact to Jerry Jones’ pledge to overhaul the NFL’s worst defense. And they didn’t stop there in providing new coordinator Christian Parker with a talent upgrade. Malachi Lawrence, the defensive end from Central Florida (23rd overall), may not be another Micah Parsons, but he is sorely needed to juice the pass-rush.
More: Cowboys draft picks 2026: Full list of round-by-round selections
After dealing all-pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams and losing fellow corner Jaylen Watson to L.A. as a free agent, what did the Kansas City Chiefs need to get out of this draft? Cornerbacks.
The tone was set when K.C. swung a trade with Cleveland and jumped up three spots to sixth overall, snagging the top-rated cornerback on the board, LSU’s Mansoor Delane. Then, later in the round, Chiefs GM Brett Veach landed Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods with the 29th pick. Woods’ learning curve just accelerated because he’ll line up alongside ultra-intense all-pro Chris Jones.
It was a great opener for the Chiefs. D-coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has proven to be adept at quickly grooming young talent to impact his schemes.
And with more ammo for Day 2 and 3, they could be just getting started with that theme. Remember 2022? That’s when the Chiefs used seven of their 10 picks to restock the defense with a banner crop that included McDuffie, Watson, George Karlaftis, Bryan Cook, Leo Chenal and Joshua Williams – all of whom made significant contributions to back-to-back Super Bowl championship teams.
Now, four years later, Karlaftis is the only one remaining from that class. Wanted: Reinforcements.
Contact Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on X: @JarrettBell
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL draft Day 1 recap: Sneaky Rams, Ty Simpson biggest surprise of night
The Football 301 crew is joined by a special guest for an NFL Draft crossover episode. Andrew Siciliano joins Nate Tice, Charles McDonald and Matt Harmon to recap the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. What were the biggest surprises? Who were their favorite picks? And what are we looking forward to on day 2?
(2:25) - Biggest surprises of Round 1
(20:20) - Favorite & least favorite picks of Round 1
(44:50) - Looking ahead to Day 2
🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube
Check out all episodes of Football 301 with Nate Tice and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv
For the fourth-straight year, the American Conference did not produce a first-round NFL Draft selection. Although that streak remains in tact, the conference remains rich in talent for the six remaining rounds, similar to previous years.
In 2025, the American generated six draft picks with East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. and Tulane cornerback Caleb Ransaw hearing their names first as day two selections. This year, the league aims to match or exceed that number. Four American prospects were invited to the 2026 NFL Combine — Eli Heidenreich, Travis Burke, Robert Henry Jr., and Chris Adams — and these are among the conference’s most likely day two and day three selections in the 2026 draft. However, there are also several intriguing non-Combine invites that may elicit interest from NFL franchises.
Here’s a look at 10 American Conference prospects to monitor during the final six rounds on Friday and Saturday, as well as during the early stages of post-draft free agency:
6’0”, 198 pounds
NFL Combine measurements: 4.44-second 40-yard dash; 35.5-inch vertical; 10-foot-0-inch broad jump
Heidenreich is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2026 class. Is he a running back? Is he a wide receiver? What does he look like outside of a hybrid wing T offense? Those questions will be answered when a team takes a flier on him, but the Navy skill position standout offers a versatile range of talents from rushing to receiving to blocking. The program’s all-time leading receiver, Heidenreich is fresh off a record 941-yard season where he notched six touchdowns and averaged 18.5 yards per catch. He also proved to be an explosive runner with 499 yards and three touchdowns on a 6.5 average. As a Pittsburgh native, he will be in attendance when his name is inevitably called at the 2026 draft.
6’9”, 325 pounds
NFL Combine measurements: 5.18-second 40-yard dash; 27-inch vertical; 8-foot-11-inch broad jump
Burke’s college career saw three stops. He originated at FCS Gardner-Webb where he played two seasons, transitioned to FIU for another two years, and moved to Memphis for one final stand. Burke started 11 games at right tackle for the Tigers before missing the final two contests with an injury — an injury which held him out of the East-West Shrine Bowl. The 6’9”, 325 tackle still participated in NFL Combine drills, clocking in at 5.18 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Not only does he present size, but experience is another one of Burke’s perks, as he enters the NFL stage with 33 FBS starts under his belt.
5’11”, 293 pounds
Pro Day measurements: 4.91-second 40-yard dash; 32.5-inch vertical; 9-foot-2-inch broad jump; 4.48-second shuttle; 7.28-second 3-cone drill; 30 bench press reps
Robinson was as shocking of a snub from the NFL Combine as anybody in the country. The star Navy defensive tackle claimed the American Defensive Player of the Year honors and was recognized as a First Team All-American by the AP, FWAA, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today. A freak athlete with a 465-pound bench press, a 665-pound squat, and 20.13 miles per hour clocked on the Catapult tracking system, Robinson offers plenty in his arsenal. He is undersized at 5’11” and 293 but makes up for it with elite strength and athleticism and with his play. In 2025, he racked up 6.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 64 tackles for a Navy team that tied a record in single-season wins.
6’4”, 206 pounds
NFL Combine measurements: 4.52-second 40-yard dash; 37-inch vertical; 10-foot-4-inch broad jump; 4.31-second shuttle
Henry rattled off a 6-game stretch from the tail end of 2024 through the start of 2025 where he recorded six-straight 140+ rushing performances. The UTSA tailback was borderline unstoppable toward the beginning of last season, totaling five 74+ yard touchdowns in his first four contests. Injuries ultimately slowed down the First Team All-American Conference running back, but he still managed 1,045 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on a 6.9 average in 2025. That 6.9 average ranked third among all 1,000-yard FBS rushers last year, and his explosiveness invoked fear into defenses. The explosive tailback earned a Combine invite and could warrant a day three selection.
6’5”, 311 pounds
NFL Combine measurements: 6.00-second 40-yard dash; 24-inch vertical; 7-foot-8-inch broad jump; 5.26-second shuttle; 8.57-second 3-cone drill; 11 bench press reps
Adams is one of two Memphis Tiger tackles to earn an NFL Combine invite this winter. Like his counterpart Travis Burke, Adams transferred to Memphis after accruing valuable experience at another FBS institution. He was poised to start on Old Dominion’s o-line in 2022, but a season-ending injury in game two delayed his opportunity to 2023. He moved from right tackle to left tackle in the middle of that season and retained his left tackle duties upon transferring to Memphis in 2024. Adams was listed at 277 pounds entering 2025 but weighed in at 311 in the Combine, bulking up to prepare for the NFL stage. However, his other Combine measurements left more to be desired, and he looks to reprove himself upon signing with a team.
6’1”, 212 pounds
Pro Day measurements: 4.82-second 40-yard dash; 28-inch vertical; 9-foot-8-inch broad jump; 4.50-second shuttle; 7.12-second 3-cone drill; 12 bench press reps
Howard was the heart and soul of a Tulane defense which captured the 2025 American Conference title and qualified for the College Football Playoff. He spent his first four seasons at FCS Austin Peay before making the jump to the FBS for the 2024 campaign. The transition was seamless and Howard earned Third Team all-conference honors in 2024 (recovering five fumbles in a single season) before elevating to Second Team in 2025. This past year, he managed 50 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks for the league’s lone CFP representative.
5’11”, 230 pounds
Pro Day measurements: 4.62-second 40-yard dash; 32-inch vertical; 9-foot-11-inch broad jump; 4.40-second shuttle; 7.22-second 3-cone drill; 16 bench press reps
Banks suited up for TCU from 2021-24, and his impact was felt from the dawn of his 2021 freshman campaign. In 2022 when the Horned Frogs punched a ticket to the National Championship, Banks was a key member of the linebacker rotation. He started the Big 12 Championship Game and totaled 39 tackles and four tackles for loss for a historic TCU squad. Banks’ role augmented the following year when he produced 63 tackles (third on the team) and a TCU-best 8.5 tackles for loss. However, an early-season injury impeded that progress in 2024. After sitting out the majority of the season, Banks transferred in-state to UTSA, where he earned First Team All-American Conference honors for a season featuring 94 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, three interceptions, and three fumble recoveries.
6’2”, 197 pounds
Pro Day measurements: 4.40-second 40-yard dash; 36-inch vertical; 10-foot-3-inch broad jump; 4.28-second shuttle; 6.94-second 3-cone drill; 12 bench press reps
Smith added a massive dose of verticality to East Carolina’s offense in his two seasons donning purple and gold. The 6’2” receiver with 4.40-speed regularly showed it on deep balls, and he averaged 17.8 yards per reception across his 6-year college career (four years at NC State, two at ECU). Smith saved his best for last, finally eclipsing the 1,000-yard threshold in his sixth season. He experienced the perfect ride into the sunset, totaling 156 yards and two touchdowns on four receptions in the 2025 Military Bowl vs. Pitt. Thanks to his MVP performance in a shorthanded offense, ECU recorded a double-digit upset to secure its first 9-win season since 2013.
6’4”, 309 pounds
Pro Day measurements: 5.22-second 40-yard dash; 24.5-inch vertical; 8-foot-3-inch broad jump; 4.90-second shuttle; 7.91-second 3-cone drilll; 22 bench press reps
Graham ensured Tulane thrived where it mattered the most — the trenches. The Green Wave handled the line of scrimmage better than any team in the American over the past two seasons, and the left tackle’s presence was a major reason why. Graham’s experience outshines most tackles in this draft class, as he started nine games at Troy as a freshman in 2020. He spent four years with the Trojans before following head coach Jon Sumrall to the Big Easy. And he made it look easy upon getting there, notching two All-American Conference selections and paving the way for Tulane’s first-ever bid to the College Football Playoff.
6’2”, 231 pounds
Pro Day measurements: 29.5-inch vertical; 9-foot-10-inch broad jump; 4.45-second shuttle; 7.31-second 3-cone drill; 19 bench press reps
Shuler can best be described as a havoc player, considering the value he brings to the turnover battle. He was responsible for six forced fumbles, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries at South Florida, serving as an omnipresent force on the field. The 6’2” linebacker excelled in run support with 108 tackles and also played a significant hand in the coverage game with eight pass breakups. He added 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks for USF’s winningest team since 2017.
It was a result no Exeter supporter, or Prem rugby watcher, can forget - Gloucester 79-17 Exeter.
The Chiefs - two-time former Prem winners, 2020 European champions - shipped 13 tries in 69 minutes as a season that had been bad became catastrophic.
It was the catalyst for big changes at Sandy Park as footage of chairman Tony Rowe giving his players a piece of his mind in the changing room went viral and long-serving coaches Rob Hunter and Ali Hepher lost their jobs.
On Sunday, Exeter return to Kingsholm 364 days on from that humbling, hoping they have put their worst-ever season in the top flight firmly behind them.
"To be honest with you, it's still fresh in my mind, and I think it will stay in my mind for a long time, what happened up there," Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told BBC Radio Devon.
"I'm not going to run away from that because we've got to make sure that doesn't happen again."
The Chiefs were four tries down inside 20 minutes and trailed 43-7 at half-time after letting in seven first-half tries during that one-sided encounter.
Gloucester, who were the first side Chiefs beat outside Prem Rugby Cup matches last season on 29 December, were in no mood to take their foot off Exeter's throats, running in another six tries as they registered their biggest-ever league win while inflicting the Devon side's worst loss.
Exeter's defeat came having also had an awful season in Europe, culminating in a 69-17 defeat by Bordeaux that surpassed their record loss in European competition.
"I think sometimes you just need something very abrupt," said Baxter.
"The old saying sometimes is you need to hit the bottom before you can start climbing back up again and I think the whole day created that."
Baxter had seen his side go from perennial title challengers - they made six consecutive Prem finals from 2016 to 2021 - into a side that only won two games against 'full strength' opponents last season.
Exeter beat bottom side Newcastle 17-15 at home while wins over Saracens and Northampton came when their opponents were without their international stars.
"The challenge is you've got to decide how you confront it, and for me personally, I just confronted it honestly with what I thought we needed to do," Baxter said.
"Perhaps those were the tough conversations we needed to have earlier in the season that we didn't because we were trying to find positives.
"People who are involved in sport will know this, one of the things you try to do when there aren't many positives around is you try to find some positives, but the problem is sometimes you try too hard to find positives [and] you don't really head-on address the negatives.
"Sometimes that can break a group, if you make that decision, and sometimes it can make a group.
"I had one option, which was to go down the very brutal honesty route about our training quality and our performance levels and fortunately it didn't break the group, but it brought the best out of a lot of good guys."
That loss precipitated massive change at Exeter.
Hepher - Baxter's right-hand man since he first took control at Sandy Park in 2009 - and forwards specialist Hunter, who had taken over as head coach after Hepher's demotion, were suspended and never returned to the first-team fold.
In came experienced backs coach Dave Walder, while Ross McMillan was put in charge of the forwards and long-serving skills coach Ricky Pellow eventually left the club late last year.
And for a club that often signed just a handful of players each summer during their glory days, there was wholesale change in the squad - Australia stars Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper were part of a big recruitment drive that also saw the front row and scrum-half positions bolstered.
It appears to have worked.
While 'Exeter 2.0' - the side that came about after their stars that took them to a Prem and European double left the club three to four years ago - failed to trouble the play-off places, this new-look side could return them to former glories.
They lie fourth in the table, are into the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup, and, but for two yellow cards in the final quarter, could have beaten league leaders Northampton last week.
"If you compare it to this stage last year it feels a lot better," added Baxter.
"But in other seasons we'd be in first or second in the Premiership and in semi-finals and quarter-finals.
"It feels better than last season, but we've still got a decent bit of work to do to come out at the end of the season and say 'we managed to hold a consistent level of form together across that final quarter of the season'."
However Exeter's return to Kingsholm ends up, it will not be as seminal a moment in the club's recent history as that drubbing in April 2025.
Torquay United manager Jimmy Ball says his side are treating Saturday's crunch game against Tonbridge Angels as a knockout game.
The Gulls are fifth in National League South and travel to Kent to face the 14th-placed side in their final game of the regular season.
A win for the Gulls could see them finish as high as second, meaning direct entry to the play-off semi-finals.
But a loss could see them miss the play-offs and if results go against them, they could finish as low as ninth, two places outside the play-offs.
"It's a knockout game. Lose and I don't think we'll be in the play-offs, so it's a knockout, it's a final," Ball told BBC Sport.
"I said six weeks ago, we've got six finals to play, and I meant it.
"Luckily the one we lost wasn't fatal, we live to fight another day and that's all you can have," added Ball, whose side were beaten 2-1 at home by Hemel Hempstead Town last week.
Ball says "a few truths" have been told to his players after their disappointing defeat last week.
A victory over Hemel would have guaranteed a play-off place and put the Gulls second, one point off leaders Worthing, who host sixth-placed Ebbsfleet Town on Saturday.
With so many permutations surrounding the result in Torquay's game at Tonbridge and the sides around them, Ball says he will not allow anyone to inform him or his players of scores elsewhere.
"It's perfect because there's no distraction," he added.
"There's no phones around the pitch for the players or the staff, so we'll just win and then we'll find out what happens afterwards if we win. But we've got to win.
"We can't change anything. If we hear other results, we won't be going and trying to get a draw or anything like that. We're going to try and win the game from the first whistle to the last, so I think it's perfect. No distractions.
"We're in our own space, in our own heads and we can only control what we're there to do."
In the battle between the best offense in the league and a tenacious defense, the latter claimed the spoils. The Minnesota Timberwolves were surgical in their execution. They held the Nuggets to just 96 points. It was all thanks to four-time DPOY Rudy Gobert putting Nikola Jokic in a straightjacket. The Joker couldn’t find a way past Gobert’s clamps, as he played one of the worst games of his prolific career.
The regular notion: The Nuggets lost, but Jokic played exceptionally, couldn’t be true from any direction. The three-time MVP shot 7/26 from the field and had just three assists besides his name. As for Rudy Gobert, the Timberwolves’ defensive anchor proved Anthony Edwards right.
After Game 2, Ant said, “We are half the team when you’re on the bench. It’s just that simple,” after Gobert fell into early foul trouble. So the French center made it a point to be on the floor and draped all over his target, Nikola Jokic. He made the usually spotless offensive engine look human.
Gobert followed the Nuggets ace everywhere, contesting most of those 26 shots he took. Jokic made some and got to the charity stripe 11 times. However, Gobert was a man possessed with the singular task of playing tango with Nikola Jokic. In 36 minutes, the Timberwolves star recorded a +18 point differential while Jokic was -21. That impact right there settled the game for good.
The Nuggets didn’t stand a chance when Jokic couldn’t move the ball without having Rudy Gobert blocking his vision. And fans were just as astounded to see the Nuggets star’s struggles.
Watching Jokic fold under the Timberwolves’ excruciating pressure made some fans turn against the meteoric talent. “How is he in the all time convo with only 1 ring overrated AF,” a fan wrote. Well, that’s taking it a step too far. Nikola Jokic, a well-deserved three-time MVP, is far from overrated.
He remains one of the most influential players in the league. But tonight, he wasn’t allowed to work his tricks, nor did he have much help from his teammates. Still, some fans didn’t stop the slander. “A MVP should not be getting dominated by Rudy Gobert,” one comment read.
But the truth is, this was Gobert cementing his legacy. He was disregarded as a DPOY Finalist this season. This game was a slap to the NBA. Gobert recorded a dominant double-double, with as many assists as Nikola Jokic. “Rudy was on one tonight !! He better keep that same energy rest of the series,” a fan said praising his stellar effort tonight.
However, most of the reactions targeted Nikola Jokic. A fan wrote, “That’s not goat activities stat-wise”. And honestly, this wasn’t a game to remember. It was only the tenth time in 97 playoff games that Jokic recorded a -21 or worse net differential for the game. And with his offense shut down, the Joker’s defensive shortcomings took center stage.
Because while Gobert imposed himself, with three blocks, Jaden McDaniels flushed a dunk over Nikola Jokic. A fan asked for parity, suggesting, “If Luka shoots 27% and gets torched on defense, people put him into Ja Morant conversations”. And it’s hard to say anything but that it was an ugly game for Nikola Jokic.
Even the shots he usually makes didn’t fall. With the tight defense around him all night, the eight-time All-Star never got into any sort of rhythm. Neither did the Nuggets, who only recorded 12 assists and shot 34.1% from the field. This game might just go down as the night the Timberwolves figured a way to counter Denver’s well-oiled offense.
It was only the third time in the entire season they failed to record even 100 points. Aside from Jokic, Jamal Murray shot a measly 5/17. The prolific Nuggets tandem was the only pair of players to record over 15 points. In contrast, the Timberwolves had five, despite shooting 26.5% from beyond the arc.
It’s clear that the Nuggets aren’t meeting the levels defensively to even trouble Minnesota. They attacked the paint relentlessly, finishing with 68 points. The Nuggets could only manage 34. The series has turned, and if Nikola Jokic has another disappointing outing, this may well be over.
What Kyle Shanahan's draft night comments reveal about the 49ers' real plan originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
San Francisco did not make a first-round selection Thursday night. By the time the 49ers were done working the phones, they had traded back twice and arrived at No. 33, sitting on seven picks for Day 2 and more late-round ammunition than they started with.
In the news conference, Kyle Shanahan filled in a detail worth paying attention to.
The target they were probably building around was KC Concepcion, Texas A&M wide receiver, who came off the board at No. 24 to the Cleveland Browns, three picks before San Francisco's original slot at 27.
Based on what came out of the podium on Thursday, Concepcion was very likely the guy they had circled, and Cleveland got to him first.
2026 NFL DRAFT HQ:Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available
The 49ers dealt No. 27 and a fourth-round compensatory pick (No. 138) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for No. 30 and No. 90. Then, rather than hold at 30, they moved again, flipping that pick to the New York Jets for No. 33 and No. 179.
"To be able to move back two different times and get all those picks and still take who you would have taken at those original spots," Shanahan said, "who weren't your first choice right away, we knew it would be a challenge, but we were hoping we could do that if those guys fell."
San Francisco heads into Friday with the first pick of the second round and enough picks to maneuver in multiple directions.
Geely follows Waymo's footsteps with China's first native robotaxi prototype Eva Cab.
The post Geely unveils China’s first Waymo-like native robotaxi prototype at 2026 Beijing Auto Show appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.
The BYD Sealion 08 full-size electric SUV broke cover in China, featuring a combined peak power output of 643 hp and a range of up to 900 km.
The post BYD Sealion 08 breaks covers in China with 643 hp and 900 km range appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.
Lynk & Co 10 and 10+ begin pre-sale at Beijing Auto Show 2026, starting at 30,400 USD.
The post New Lynk & Co 10 and 10+ open for pre-sale at 30,400-37,700 USD appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.
Vitality AI Health is the car dashboard for your body, launching this May on iOS and Android. The mobile app pulls your wearable data (Garmin, Oura, Whoop, Fitbit, Apple Watch), blood work (LabCorp, Quest), DNA (23andMe), nutrition (MyFitnessPal), DEXA scans, and medical records (Epic FHIR) into a single longitudinal view to see how your biology behaves over time, not just what one app measured yesterday.
Vaya Chat AI sits on top of that unified data and finds correlations no single app can. One founder traced supplement-induced stage 2 hypertension. Another traced a testosterone drop to a specific dietary change. Join the waitlist for early access when the apps drop.
Philippines Court Review of Travel Restriction Request Raises Questions on Political Accountability, Cross-Border Movement, and Tourism Confidence: Here’s More New...
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ITA Airways Reinforces Asia Connections with New Flights to India and Thailand as Middle East Air Traffic Faces DisruptionsITA Airways...
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Travel in UAE: Dust Storms, Rain, and Cooler Temperatures ExpectedDust storms, cooler temperatures, and rainfall expected in the UAE. Travelers...
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AirAsia Joins Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Air India, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and Thai Airways to Prepare for Surge in Business Aviation...
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Samsung Notes app is getting a major update, and that finally adds the long-overdue support for Tables. What makes the update more interesting is the addition of new pen options along with the screen visibility option.
For a long time, Samsung Notes has been solid for quick scribbles and S Pen users, but it lagged behind when it came to structured note-taking.
The biggest addition is table support; it sounds basic, but it completely changes how you can use the app.
You can now:
Having tables built directly into Samsung Notes keeps everything in one place. Until now, many users had to switch to apps like Excel or third-party note apps just to do this.
Samsung has also added two new pen types:
The pencil gives a more textured, sketch-like feel, which is great for rough work or diagrams. The highlighter, on the other hand, is perfect for marking up PDFs or emphasizing key points without ruining readability.
Improved note creation menu: You can now long-press to quickly import PDFs, and there are new note style options. This cuts down a few unnecessary steps when starting a new note.
“Fit to screen” view option: This is one of those features you don’t think about until you need it. Notes now adjust better to your screen, making reading and reviewing content more comfortable, especially on larger Galaxy devices.
Cleaner settings screen: The app settings have been reorganized, which makes navigation less confusing.
The post Tables arrive in Samsung Notes, joined by pencil and highlighter tools appeared first on Sammy Fans.
The post U.S. Soldier Charged for Insider Trading on Polymarket, Made $409K Profit appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
A U.S. Army soldier has been charged with using classified military information to place bets on a crypto prediction platform, earning about $409,000 from roughly $33,000 wagers. The case has raised serious concerns about insider trading risks in prediction markets.
According to U.S. prosecutors, Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a 38-year-old active-duty soldier, used sensitive information linked to a U.S. operation
(Operation Absolute Resolve), targeting Venezuela’s former president, Nicolas Maduro.
Authorities say Van Dyke had direct access to confidential details due to his role in planning and executing the operation.
Instead of keeping that information secure, he allegedly used the information to predict outcomes on the polymarket platform, giving him an unfair advantage over other users.
The activity took place between late December 2025 and early January 2026. During this time, he allegedly placed around 13 bets on Polymarket, spending close to $33,000 in total.
Using a trading account, he bought over 436,000 “Yes” shares tied to a contract related to Maduro’s status.
When events played out as expected, his positions paid off heavily. Reports suggest he made nearly $409,000 in profit from these trades
This type of activity is considered insider trading, even in emerging platforms like prediction markets.
The case has now moved to federal court in New York. Authorities have charged Van Dyke with multiple offenses, including wire fraud, unlawful monetary transactions, and violations of the Commodity Exchange Act.
If found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison for the most serious charge.
At the same time, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has filed a civil case seeking penalties, repayment of profits, and a permanent ban from trading.
Even CFTC Chair Mike Selig said,
“I’ve been crystal clear: anyone who engages in insider trading in any of our markets will face the full force of the law.”
Further, Selig said that the CFTC won’t tolerate insider trading in our markets.
Responding to Van Dyke’s arrest, Polymarket said on X that it detected suspicious trading activity and reported it to authorities. The platform stated that it has strict rules against insider trading and is working to improve market integrity.
“When we identified a user trading on classified government information, we referred the matter to the DOJ & cooperated with their investigation.
Insider trading has no place on Polymarket. Today’s arrest is proof the system works.”
This case comes as prediction markets continue to grow in popularity. However, it also shows the risks when users with access to sensitive information try to exploit these systems.
The post Stellar (XLM) Price Prediction for 2026, 2030: Is a Structural Breakout Ahead? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Stellar has entered 2026 at a critical inflection point, with price stabilizing after a prolonged downtrend while attempting to build a base near key demand levels. As a core player in cross-border payments, Stellar continues to expand its role in low-cost, high-speed financial infrastructure, supporting real-world transaction flows across global markets. With market structure tightening and downside pressure easing, the next phase will be defined by whether demand can translate into a sustained breakout.
In this Stellar (XLM) price prediction 2026, we examine key levels, structural shifts, and potential catalysts shaping its trajectory ahead.
| Cryptocurrency | Stellar |
| Token | XLM |
| Price | $0.1755
-1.83%
|
| Market Cap | $ 5,841,076,621.41 |
| 24h Volume | $ 128,997,907.7857 |
| Circulating Supply | 33,277,826,182.4295 |
| Total Supply | 50,001,786,868.7350 |
| All-Time High | $ 0.9381 on 04 January 2018 |
| All-Time Low | $ 0.0012 on 18 November 2014 |
Stellar is holding near the $0.17–$0.18 range after a prolonged corrective phase, but the recent price behavior suggests the market is beginning to stabilize rather than extend lower. The repeated defense of the $0.16 support zone indicates that selling pressure is no longer dominant, with buyers gradually stepping in to absorb downside moves.
At the same time, the structure is starting to shift. XLM has moved out of its extended descending pattern and is now trading in a tighter range, with price compressing just below the $0.18–$0.20 resistance zone. This type of consolidation typically reflects a transition phase, where the market builds momentum before attempting a breakout.
The next move now depends on confirmation. A sustained push above $0.20 would signal strengthening momentum, opening the path toward the $0.22–$0.25 range as the next phase of recovery. However, until this level is reclaimed, upside attempts are likely to face supply, keeping the price within a controlled range. On the downside, the structure remains relatively stable. As long as the $0.16 level continues to hold, the broader setup remains constructive. A breakdown below this zone would weaken the recovery outlook, potentially pushing price back toward lower support levels.
For April–May 2026, Stellar is expected to trade between $0.16 and $0.25, with a breakout above $0.20 acting as the key trigger for further upside.
The broader structure for Stellar in 2026 reflects a market attempting to transition out of a prolonged downtrend, with early signs of base formation but no confirmed reversal yet. After a sustained decline marked by lower highs and persistent selling pressure, XLM has moved into a compression phase near its lower demand zone. This shift indicates that downside momentum is weakening while price stabilizes within a tighter range.
The next phase depends on reclaiming key resistance levels. The immediate barrier lies near $0.22, followed by stronger zones at $0.30 and $0.50. These levels act as structural checkpoints for recovery. A sustained move above $0.50 would signal a clear shift in market structure, opening the path for a broader expansion phase.
In this scenario, Stellar could advance toward the $1.20–$2.50 range over the course of 2026, supported by a step-by-step recovery across resistance zones. However, until these levels are reclaimed, the market remains in a rebuilding phase. A breakdown below $0.14 would invalidate the current base and delay recovery.
| Year | Potential Low ($) | Potential Average ($ | Potential High ($) |
| 2026 | 1.20 | 1.80 | 2.50 |
| 2027 | 1.80 | 2.40 | 3.20 |
| 2028 | 2.80 | 3.80 | 4.80 |
| 2029 | 4.20 | 5.30 | 6.20 |
| 2030 | 5.50 | 6.20 | 7.00 |
In 2026, Stellar price could project a low price of $1.20, an average price of $1.80, and a high of $2.50.
As per the Stellar Price Prediction 2027, Stellar may see a potential low price of $1.80 The potential high for the Stellar price in 2027 is estimated to reach $3.20.
In 2028, the Stellar price is forecasted to potentially reach a low price of $2.80, and a high price of $4.80
Thereafter, the Stellar price for the year 2029 could range between $4.20 and $6.20.
Finally, in 2030, the price of Stellar is predicted to remain steady and positive. It may trade between $5.50 and $7.00.
The long-term projection assumes Stellar sustains relevance in enterprise blockchain use cases, with growth moderating over time as the asset matures.
| Year | Potential Low ($) | Potential Average ($) | Potential High ($) |
| 2031 | 6.20 | 7.50 | 9.00 |
| 2032 | 8.00 | 10.00 | 12.00 |
| 2033 | 9.10 | 13.00 | 16.00 |
| 2040 | 25.00 | 50.00 | 80.00 |
| 2050 | 100.00 | 140.00 | 200.00 |
| Year | 2026 | 2027 | 2030 |
| Changelly | $1.90 | $2.50 | $3.40 |
| CoinCodex | $1.40 | $2.70 | $4.00 |
| WalletInvestor | $2.00 | $3.40 | $4.40 |
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Stellar could trade between $1.20 and $2.50 in 2026 if it reclaims key resistance and adoption in payments and tokenization accelerates.
XLM could trade between $1.80 and $3.20 in 2027 if adoption expands and broader crypto liquidity supports payment-focused blockchains.
Under strong market conditions, XLM may reach $5.50 to $7.00 by 2030, driven by enterprise settlement growth and stablecoin usage.
Long-term projections suggest XLM could exceed $10 if institutional adoption scales, though outcomes depend on regulation and market cycles.
In the next crypto bull run, XLM could target the $0.80–$1.50 range initially. A sustained breakout above $1.00 may open upside toward $2.00+, depending on market liquidity and adoption momentum.
The post Floki Inu (FLOKI) Price Prediction 2026, 2027-2030: How High Can FLOKI Go by 2030? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
Floki Inu has evolved from a purely meme-driven token into a broader ecosystem project, with growing focus on DeFi utilities, NFT integration, and metaverse development through initiatives like FlokiFi and Valhalla. While its core strength still lies in strong community backing and social traction, the project is gradually building additional layers of utility that aim to support long-term relevance.
The FLOKI token plays a central role within this ecosystem, facilitating transactions, governance participation, and access to various platform features. As ecosystem development continues and engagement remains strong, the project is attempting to transition from sentiment-driven spikes toward more structured growth. At the same time, price action is beginning to stabilize after a recent corrective phase, with early signs of consolidation emerging near current levels.
This shift has brought renewed attention to FLOKI’s potential for recovery, as the market looks for confirmation of a sustained move higher. For a deeper outlook, read Coinpedia’s Floki Inu price prediction 2026–2030.
| Cryptocurrency | FLOKI |
| Token | FLOKI |
| Price | $0.0000
-0.15%
|
| Market Cap | $ 319,881,776.26 |
| 24h Volume | $ 51,254,152.1273 |
| Circulating Supply | 9,537,469,951,715.85 |
| Total Supply | 9,650,935,753,856.89 |
| All-Time High | $ 0.0003 on 05 June 2024 |
| All-Time Low | $ 0.0000 on 09 August 2021 |
In the near term, FLOKI is trading around $0.00003354, holding within a consolidation range after a recent pullback. The $0.000030 region continues to act as a short-term demand zone, where buyers are stepping in to absorb selling pressure.
Rather than extending lower, price is compressing beneath immediate resistance near the $0.000038–$0.000040 range. This behavior typically reflects a market preparing for a directional move, particularly in meme coins where momentum tends to accelerate once key levels are reclaimed.
The next move depends on breakout confirmation. A sustained move above $0.000040 would signal renewed strength, allowing FLOKI to push toward the $0.000055–$0.000065 region during April–May, where previous supply zones may come into play. However, without this breakout, the market is likely to remain range-bound as accumulation continues.
At the same time, downside remains defined. A breakdown below the $0.000030 support could weaken the structure, potentially pushing the price toward the $0.000025 zone before stabilization resumes.
Looking ahead to 2026, FLOKI’s trajectory will largely depend on market sentiment, meme coin cycles, and ecosystem development. Unlike purely speculative tokens, Floki has been working on expanding its ecosystem through utility-based initiatives, which could support long-term relevance.
From a technical standpoint, the first major recovery signal would be reclaiming the $0.00007–$0.00010 range, which marks a key historical resistance zone.
Once this level is secured, the token could move toward $0.00020, where stronger selling pressure may appear. If broader market conditions turn bullish and meme coins regain strong retail participation, FLOKI could build sustained momentum. In a favorable scenario, FLOKI could potentially reach around $0.00035 by 2026.
| Year | Potential Low ($) | Potential Average ($ | Potential High ($) |
| 2026 | 0.000250 | 0.000535 | 0.000820 |
| 2027 | 0.000600 | 0.000800 | 0.00100 |
| 2028 | 0.000999 | 0.00124 | 0.00150 |
| 2029 | 0.00120 | 0.00159 | 0.00199 |
| 2030 | 0.00153 | 0.00203 | 0.00263 |
Moving forward to 2026, the FLOKI price may record a maximum price of $0.000820. With a potential low of $0.000250, the average price could settle at around $0.000535
FLOKI Inu Coin Price Projection 2027
Looking ahead to 2027, the FLOKI crypto token may range between $0.000600 and $0.00100. With this, the average trading price could settle at around $0.000800 for the year.
In 2028, the FLOKI coin with a potential surge could reach a high of $0.00150, a low of $0.000999, and an average of $0.00124.
Moving into 2029, the FLOKI coin could range between $0.00120 and $0.00199. Considering the buying and selling pressure, the average price could settle at around $0.00159.
By 2030, the value of a single FLOKI token could reach a high of $0.00263, a low of $0.00153, and an average of $0.00203.
The long-term projection assumes FLOKI sustains relevance in enterprise blockchain use cases, with growth moderating over time as the asset matures.
| Year | Potential Low ($) | Potential Average ($) | Potential High ($) |
| 2031 | 0.00080 | 0.00130 | 0.00180 |
| 2032 | 0.00100 | 0.00180 | 0.00250 |
| 2033 | 0.00130 | 0.00220 | 0.00300 |
| 2040 | 0.0060 | 0.010 | 0.0150 |
| 2050 | 0.020 | 0.0350 | 0.050 |
| Year | 2026 | 2027 | 2030 |
| Changelly | $0.000471 | $0.000880 | 0.00250 |
| CoinCodex | $0.000550 | $0.000900 | 0.00290 |
| WalletInvestor | $0.000660 | $0.000840 | 0.00320 |
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
FLOKI could reach up to $0.00082 by 2026 in a bullish market, with an average around $0.00053 if momentum and adoption continue steadily.
FLOKI could reach around $0.002–$0.0026 by 2030 in a strong bull cycle, supported by adoption, ecosystem growth, and sustained meme coin demand.
By 2040, FLOKI may trade between $0.006 and $0.015 if it maintains relevance, expands utility, and benefits from long-term crypto market growth.
FLOKI could reach up to $0.05 by 2050 in an optimistic scenario, assuming mass adoption, strong utility, and continued relevance in the crypto space.
FLOKI shows long-term potential due to ecosystem expansion, but remains high-risk. Its success depends on market cycles and real utility growth.
FLOKI price depends on market sentiment, meme coin trends, adoption, ecosystem development, and overall crypto liquidity conditions.
Nothing launched the Phone (4a) and Phone (4a) Pro last month running the latest Nothing OS 4.1 on top of Android 16. Now the company is starting to roll out Nothing OS 4.1 to the Nothing Phone (3), which has been running Nothing OS 4.0, also based on Android 16. While this doesn't bring an Android version bump, it does include the Essential Voice functionality that was announced earlier today. There's also a new lock screen clock, and Live Updates now work across the device including the lock screen, notification panel, and Glyph interface. The Essential Notifications UI is cleaner...
Noah Allen has etched his name into the Inter Miami history books, officially becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in appearances. While the 21-year-old defender has reached this milestone at a remarkably young age, many fans are wondering where global superstar Lionel Messi sits on that same list.
Inter Miami traveled to Utah to face Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, securing a 2-0 victory behind goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez. Beyond the three points, the match was a historic one for Noah Allen, who started at left wing-back in manager Guillermo Hoyos’ 5-3-2 system.
With the start, Allen reached 119 appearances in an Inter Miami jersey, moving into sole possession of the club’s all-time games played record. The Greece international surpassed the previous mark of 118 held by goalkeeper Drake Callender, who set the standard before his departure from the club in 2025.
A product of the Inter Miami academy since 2019, Allen featured in 53 matches for the second team before making his first-team debut on February 26, 2022, against the Chicago Fire. Since then, he has avoided major injury and established himself as a fixture in the squad, contributing two goals and four assists over his record-breaking tenure.
History in the making 💫 Most appearances in club history! pic.twitter.com/O3E50vlx1N
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 23, 2026
Lionel Messi has already shattered a litany of records in South Florida, leading the franchise to its first trophies and serving as the all-time leader in goals (85) and assists (44). However, the all-time appearance list is one of the few leaderboards where the Argentine legend is still climbing his way toward the top.
Messi currently sits in eighth place on the club’s all-time appearances list with 98 games played. He is now just two matches away from the 100-game milestone, which would move him into a tie for seventh with Leonardo Campana.
Jordi Alba holds sixth place with 103 appearances, followed by Benjamin Cremaschi in fifth at 107, while the top four is rounded out by Robert Taylor and Sergio Busquets, both locked at 116, and Drake Callender sitting in second. Lionel Messi and Noah Allen are the only players in the top eight currently in a position to add to their totals, leaving the door open for Messi to continue his climb while Allen looks to pull even further away from the pack.
With roughly 30 matches remaining in the 2026 MLS regular season and the Leagues Cup, there is plenty of room for Messi’s tally to grow. Having featured in 49 games last season, Messi could realistically surpass Callender’s mark of 118 by the end of the year, though catching Allen will depend on the young defender’s continued role in the rotation.
Qadın güləşi üzrə Avropa üçüncüsü olmuş Günay Qurbanova (59 kq) Albaniyadakı yarışla bağlı təəssüratlarını bölüşüb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, o, Azərbaycan Güləş Federasiyasının mətbuat xidmətinə açıqlamasında bunları söyləyib:
“Çox sevinirəm. Bu, mənim böyüklər arasında Avropa çempionatında ilk iştirakım idi. Özümdən qızıl medal gözləyirdim. Heyif ki, alınmadı. İnşallah, gələn il daha yaxşı olacaq. 15 saniyə qalmış qələbəni əldən verdim. Yəqin ki, təcrübəm çatmadı.
Olimpiya Oyunlarında iştirak etmək üçün 57, yoxsa 62 kq-a keçmək məsələsinə mən yox, Toğrul Əsgərov qərar verəcək. Hansı çəkini məsləhət bilsə, həmin çəkidə də güləşəcəyəm”.
Xatırladaq ki, Günay Qurbanova (59 kq) debüt etdiyi qitə birinciliyinə 1/4 finaldan qoşulub və almaniyalı Elena Brügger üzərində inamlı qələbə qazanıb – 7:0. Həmyerlimiz yarımfinalda ukraynalı dünya ikincisi Mariya Vinniklə qarşılaşıb. Görüşün sonuncu dəqiqəsinədək hesabda 2:0 öndə olan güləşçimiz son saniyələrdə rəqibin fəndlərinin qarşısını ala bilməyib – 2:6. Günay bürünc medal uğrunda belaruslu Marta Hetmanava ilə qarşılaşıb. Gərgin keçən qarşılaşmada 7:5 hesablı qələbəyə sevinən 18 yaşlı güləşçimiz fəxri kürsünün üçüncü pilləsinə yüksəlib və böyüklər arasında Avropa çempionatında debütünü medalla qeyd edib.
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