Arsenal vs Fulham: Arteta Faces Selection Test in Title Race

Arsenal chase vital Premier League advantage

Arsenal meet Fulham at the Emirates Stadium with opportunity and anxiety walking side by side. Mikel Arteta’s side can move six points clear of Manchester City before Pep Guardiola’s team travel to Everton on Monday night, giving this London fixture real weight in the Premier League title race.

Yet Arsenal must balance domestic ambition with European pressure. Their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid remains delicately poised after a first-leg draw in Spain, making Arteta’s team selection against Fulham a serious test of nerve, depth and judgement.

Odegaard concern clouds selection

Martin Odegaard remains the major doubt after leaving the Atletico match early in the second half, having required treatment for knee discomfort before the interval. Arsenal will hope their captain has avoided a significant setback, although Arteta offered little certainty when asked about his availability, saying only “let’s see”.

Bukayo Saka should return to the starting lineup, having not started since the Carabao Cup final in March. After two substitute appearances, Arsenal need his rhythm, sharpness and conviction restored quickly. Eberechi Eze is also expected to start after beginning on the bench in midweek.

Photo IMAGO

Saka and Eze can lift Arsenal attack

Fulham will arrive knowing Arsenal are managing tired legs and injured bodies. Riccardo Calafiori could come in at full-back, offering Arteta the chance to freshen up his back line and rest Piero Hincapie.

Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are expected to anchor midfield again, with Myles Lewis-Skelly more likely to be used from the bench. Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino remain unavailable, although Havertz could return for Tuesday’s second leg.

Predicted Arsenal XI

Predicted Arsenal XI, 4-2-3-1: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres.

Doubt: OdegaardInjured: Timber, Havertz, MerinoTime: 5.30pm BST, Saturday May 2, 2026Venue: Emirates StadiumHow to watch: Sky Sports

Real Madrid must win at Espanyol on Saturday to ensure they remain in the La Liga title race alongside arch rivals Barcelona. Alvaro Arbeloa’s side currently trail the Catalans by 11 points, with that gap having increased significant in the weeks that starting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been out.

Courtois has been absent since picking up an injury prior to Real Madrid’s Champions League victory over Manchester City in March – he suffered the hamstring issue in the warm-up, but proceeded to play the first half at the Etihad Stadium. And while Andriy Lunin has done well in his absence, Los Blancos officials will be desperate to have the Belgian goalkeeper back as soon as possible.

According to Diario AS, Courtois is expected to return next weekend for the aforementioned El Clasico showdown at the Spotify Camp Nou. Real Madrid see it as certain that their star goalkeeper will receive the medical green light in time to travel to Catalonia, although Sunday’s match with Espanyol will come too soon for him.

Courtois has been partially training with Real Madrid over the last few days, and from the start of next week, it’s expected that he will return to the group. All being well, he will be passed fit to face Barcelona, and if that does happen, he will be certain to reclaim his place in the line-up.

Courtois return is too little too late for Real Madrid

The good news for Courtois is that he will be returning to action with a number of weeks to go in the season, meaning he can get up to speed in time for this summer’s World Cup in North America. Real Madrid are also eagerly awaiting him receiving the medical green light, although they would have preferred it to happen sooner – when they were still in with a realistic chance of winning La Liga.

Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was spotted with a camera crew on Deansgate earlier this week, according to the Sun. The Man United goalie, who last made an appearance for the Old Trafford club last September, appears to be filming a departure video having been linked with a summer exit. Bayindir was also seen filming with a Turkish broadcaster who captured him at Carrington on Wednesday. No one knows exactly why the Turkey international is being filmed, but it would not surprise many if the 28-year-old is preparing his goodbyes.

He started the season in goal but has since lost his place to Senne Lammens. Bayindir featured in Man United’s opening six league games of the campaign but has not played since then and appears to have made his last appearance for the Red Devils. Bayindir joined Man United from Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023 and has played 17 times since then, keeping two clean sheets. He had played 166 games before joining the club, keeping 53 clean sheets. The former Ankaragucu star became Man United’s first-ever Turkish player upon joining the club but could now be on his way out.

Bayindir wants to play regularly going forward and has been linked with a move to Besiktas. The club are preparing for his departure and could look to sign a cover for Lammens in the summer or promote Radek Vitek to second-choice after his impressive loan spell at Bristol City. Man United are also in talks with Tom Heaton over handing the 40-year-old another one-year extension to his deal. He is out of contract at the end of the season, but the club want him to remain at the Old Trafford club beyond this season.

Heaton has not made any appearance for the Red Devils first-team this term, with his last competitive game coming in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in 2023.

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Watch: Women's Scottish Cup semi-final - Noonan gives Celtic lead over Glasgow City

It's all about RPI these days, and that's what the Oregon Ducks are hoping to maintain down the stretch of the regular season and into the Big Ten Tournament.

Just before the Ducks begin a series at Washington on Friday, the Ducks announced their impending midweek series at PK Park against Grand Canyon has been canceled. Additionally, the Ducks announced that the beginning of their final regular season series against USC has been set for 7 p.m. PT on May 14.

No reason was given for why the series between the Ducks and the Antelopes was canceled just days before it was set to begin on May 5. Instead of playing two games against the team from the desert, Oregon will keep the schedule open, for now, and maintain its RPI ranking at No. 25.

🚨🚨𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬🚨🚨

The May 14 game against USC has been moved to a 7 p.m. first pitch while the two Grand Canyon games have been canceled. #GoDucks

Press Release | https://t.co/cLqsHQFMNJpic.twitter.com/vlffyMXlWu

— Oregon Duck Baseball (@OregonBaseball) May 2, 2026

The Ducks will play a trio of Quad 3 games in Seattle against the Huskies this weekend, so winning is paramount. Oregon has been battling some pitching injuries lately, with Cal Scolari missing consecutive starts and Ryan Featherston and Ian Umladt both remaining on the bench.

By taking a break from a midweek series before their final two weekend series against UCLA and USC, the Ducks can stay fresh and finish the season strong. Winning both of those series could put the Ducks in a great spot to host a regional round in the NCAA Tournament.

The Ducks previously agreed to cancel a game against the No. 6 Oregon State after not being able to find a way to reschedule it. Oregon coach Mark Wasikowski reportedly said he was willing to cancel games to make it happen, but it doesn't appear Oregon's newly opened schedule will change those plans.

Perhaps the Ducks saw what happened to the Beavers on Wednesday and took notice. Oregon State was stunned at home in a 9-7 midweek loss to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The loss knocked the Beavers down to No. 15 in the RPI rankings, placing them on the edge of a regional hosting bid.

Midweek losses have plagued the Ducks at times this season, having dropped a game to the Beavers and two to Portland. By avoiding Grand Canyon, the Ducks are escaping the risk of dropping a game (or two). The risks of the midweek game don't align with the potential reward against a Quad 4 opponent. It's not unusual for teams to cancel games like this down the stretch of the season to preserve their postseason possibilities.

Oregon will be in Seattle facing bitter rival Washington over the weekend.

Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon-Grand Canyon baseball series canceled

Formula 1® returns to the U.S. this weekend for the Miami Grand Prix, streaming live on Apple TV with every session available live and on demand for subscribers in the U.S.

The highly anticipated Miami Grand Prix arrives at a pivotal point in the 2026 season, with teams bringing upgrades, drivers adapting to the Sprint format and limited practice time putting immediate pressure on setup, strategy and execution. Around the Hard Rock Stadium complex, the circuit’s mix of tight technical sections, the marina sequence and a long, top speed run into Turn 17 creates an environment where key moments can happen well before Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Apple TV is the new U.S. home of F1, pairing comprehensive coverage with customizable live feeds, race-week tools and deeper ways to follow the action across the Apple ecosystem. Here are five reasons U.S. fans can get more from the Miami Grand Prix on Apple TV.

Alpine F1 pit stop practice.

1. Every session matters with the Sprint format 

The Miami Grand Prix does not wait for Sunday. With only one practice session before sprint qualifying on Friday, teams have less time to prepare, evaluate upgrades and settle on a direction before competitive running begins.

Apple TV gives U.S. subscribers access to every session live and on demand, including practice, qualifying, sprint sessions and the Grand Prix. Fans can follow the pressure from the first laps on Friday through the final laps on Sunday, with English and Spanish commentary, 4K with Dolby Vision and 5.1 surround sound.

For a sprint weekend, being able to follow closely and follow the action matters. A setup choice, qualifying mistake or early battle can shape the entire race before the lights go out.

Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing

2. Multiview helps fans follow more of the race at once

The Miami International Autodrome can produce action in several places at once. A lead battle may be building into Turn 17 while a midfield fight develops through the marina section, or a driver further back may be setting up an overtake over multiple laps.

With Multiview on Apple TV, viewers can watch up to four live feeds at once. Fans can choose their own layout or use one-tap preconfigured Multiview options for every team, making it easier to keep an eye on the battles that matter most to them.

That added choice is especially useful at a race where the broadcast focus, timing data and onboard perspectives can each tell a different part of the same story.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

3. Live feeds bring fans closer to the drivers

Apple TV subscribers can access up to 30 additional live feeds across sessions, giving fans more ways to follow the drivers, teams and battles beyond the main broadcast.

Driver Tracker provides a bird’s-eye view of the race, while real-time telemetry and timing feeds show how gaps, pace and strategy are changing. A mixed onboard feed automatically switches between onboard cameras as the action develops, while the Podium feed dynamically follows the drivers running P1, P2 and P3.

For fans locked onto one driver, one team or one battle, those feeds can make the race easier to read. A strong qualifying run, a sprint setback or a late push toward the front no longer has to disappear from view when the main broadcast moves elsewhere.

MSC Yacht Club at Miami GP

4. Apple Maps makes the Miami Grand Prix easier to explore

The Miami Grand Prix extends well beyond the circuit itself. The Hard Rock Stadium complex brings together grandstands, fan zones, hospitality areas, bridges, race entrances, the marina and a full slate of race-week activity.

Apple Maps gives fans at home or trackside a detailed way to explore the venue at any time, with circuit maps that include turn numbers, grandstands and custom-designed 3D landmarks such as the pit building, the marina and the finish line. Fans attending in person can also find practical details including gates, race entrances, pedestrian walkways, restrooms, water stations and road closures.

Apple Maps also includes race-week guides such as “A Local’s Guide to Miami F1® Race Week” and hyperlocal Miami spots, helping fans make more of the Grand Prix across the wider city.

Racing Bulls Miami livery

5. Apple Sports, Apple News, and replays keep fans connected 

Not every fan will watch every lap live, and the Miami Grand Prix will give them plenty to keep up with. Sprint format adds meaningful action earlier in the weekend, and Apple TV gives viewers several ways to stay close to the race even on a flexible schedule.

Full replays, highlights and Race in 30 are available spoiler-free, making it easier to catch up after a session or revisit the key moments later. The Apple Sports app adds real-time leaderboards, driver and constructor standings, live updates for every session and race, Live Activities on the iPhone Lock Screen and Apple Watch, plus quick access to watch live on Apple TV.

Apple News brings personalized F1 coverage, headlines, results, notifications and live blogs, giving fans another way to stay current on the stories shaping the Miami Grand Prix.

After the race, fans can keep the conversation going with The POV, a social series featuring former Red Bull Racing senior technician Calum Nicholas and content creator and engineer Christina Roki as they react to key moments from the weekend, from strategy calls to decisive overtakes.

Start action

Bonus: Miami Grand Prix energy goes beyond the race

Are you as obsessed with F1 as we are? Apple is extending the Miami Grand Prix beyond the traditional race broadcast. Fans across the country can experience the race live in IMAX at more than 50 locations, while Apple brings race day to Times Square with a live public screening in New York City.

Apple Music also gives fans another way into the weekend, with a Miami-centric DJ mix from Dímelo Flow, audio livestreams of the Sprint and Race, and Cadillac driver Sergio “Checo” Pérez’s personal playlist.

Together, Apple TV and the Apple ecosystem give U.S. fans more ways to experience Formula 1’s return to Miami, from every live session and custom Multiview setup to driver-focused feeds, race-week navigation and flexible ways to catch up.

However you choose to watch, Apple TV brings more of the Miami Grand Prix within reach.

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

After two years and $7.5 million in renovations, Cedar Irons Golf Club has reopened to the public in northeast Tacoma.

The 18-hole championship course formerly known as North Shore welcomed golfers to the new-and-improved local fixture on Friday morning, updated with a modernized irrigation system and reimagined layout that caters to all skill levels.

Pacific Northwest golf architect Dan Hixson spearheaded the project, which began in November 2024.

“The property had wonderful bones, but over time it had become tight and overgrown,” Hixson said. “It’s really kind of magical when a course like Cedar Irons is opened up. It creates a better playing experience with improved sightlines, more strategic options, and a layout that’s enjoyable for everyday golfers while still challenging for better players.”

The renovated, 18-hole track managed by Columbia Hospitality features expanded tee boxes and widened fairways. Hixson and Cedar Irons rebuilt every bunker and either reconstructed or refined all 18 greens.

“Hixson’s renovation reestablishes clear playing corridors, opens views across the property, and restores the course’s natural flow,” a press release said.

Owned by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Cedar Irons opened its renovated back nine in 2025. The revitalized front nine was completed in April.

Here’s a hole-by-hole guide of the course’s more significant modifications:

• Cedar Irons completely rebuilt putting surfaces on Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 6.
• No. 2, once a 347-yard par 4, now plays over 400 yards.
• No. 3, once a par 5, was shortened to a par 4.
• No. 5, once a par 4, was stretched into a par 5.
• No. 17, once a par 3, was stretched into a Par 4 that turned the back nine into a Par 36.

Updated practice facilities include new range targets, an improved chipping green, and covered hitting stalls.

The newly-named Cedar Irons “represents a course rooted in the land and designed to celebrate the artistry of the game,” the release said. Renovations improved drainage, turf conditions, and all-around playability for golfers of all abilities.

Al Smith designed the original track that opened in 1961.

“For the Puyallup Tribe, Cedar Irons represents stewardship of this land and a commitment to creating a welcoming place for the community to gather,” said Kyle Eley, Chief Operating Officer of the Puyallup Tribe. “This renovation restores the beauty of the property while creating a golf experience that can be enjoyed by longtime Tacoma golfers and those discovering the game for the first time.”

Cam Young has played some sensational golf through two rounds of the Cadillac Championship this week.

Young has posted rounds of 64 and 67 at the Cadillac Championship, and is currently sitting on 13-under par heading into the weekend, five strokes clear of three players on eight-under.

The Blue Monster at Trump National Doral has been tamed by the 28-year-old New Yorker.

Cam Young has been one of the standout players on the PGA Tour this year, and he has proven his quality yet again at the Cadillac Championship.

Perhaps Scottie Scheffler sitting on six-under par will be Cam Young’s biggest threat this week.

However, the 28-year-old is playing so well right now, it’s doubtful that anyone will even be able to get close to him.

What ‘disgusted’ Cam Young during his second round at the Cadillac Championship

Young played alongside Scheffler during the first two rounds at Trump National Doral this week.

Even Young’s poor shots resulted in surprisingly positive outcomes.

Perhaps the best example of that was Young’s 16-foot putt for birdie on the long par-three 13th hole.

The American hit what he thought was a really poor putt and immediately walked towards the hole, but he ended up in genuine shock as his ball found the bottom of the cup.

Young responded to reporters when asked what happened there on the 13th green.

“Yeah, I was absolutely disgusted about halfway there,“ Young admitted.

“I think my read netted out to be okay, but I just thought it was going to go a little bit left and then a little bit right and it ended up going six inches left and six inches right.

“So it got way left of where I thought it had a chance to go in and then just on a day like that when you’re putting well some of those they tend to wobble into the hole and that one did.“

What Cam Young expects from the chasing pack at the Cadillac

The two-time PGA Tour winner has his sights set on winning the third title of his career.

However, that certainly won’t be easy, with so many talented golfers ready to chase down his lead over the weekend.

When addressing the media after his round, Young shared how he plans to attack the golf course this weekend.

“I think you have to be ready for them to go low,“ Young said.

“I don’t know exactly what the weather looks like, but there’s been scoring in the morning every day out here.

“There were a couple guys that went nuts this morning. I feel like you have to be ready for that.

“I may have a two- or three- or four-shot lead starting tomorrow, but it just goes away so fast out there.

“There’s no sense really playing like you have a four-shot lead, you might as well play like you’re four back.“

PurplePTSD works in partnership with Vikings Territory, similarly doing their utmost to offer top-notch coverage of the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, we’re promoting five of their top articles of the past month in “The P/PTSD Perspective.” Take a peek at some of their best stuff.

The P/PTSD Perspective: May 2nd, 2026

1) Vikings Add Perfect Player for Brian Flores: Chef Flores happens to have something figured out when it comes to cooking up great defenses. Giving him the ingredients he’s looking for makes a lot of sense. Note that each level of the defense — the DL, LBs, and DBs — got additions.

2) Vikings Steal a Do-it-All Player: While development is needed, the newcomer offers a lot of promise. Why not go for promise when bringing in UDFA talent? The team keeps UDFAs on an annual basis. Maybe the next tremendous add has been scooped up.

3) Kevin O’Connell Thinks He Has an Ace Up His Sleeve: The presence of Ryan Nielsen is seen as being very important. The former HC and DC is now a top assistant in the Twin Cities. Partnering the super talented Caleb Banks with the coach is meant to lead to a great outcome.

4) The Vikings’ Depth Chart and the Players Who Got Bad News: The NFL is a tough workplace. Every haul of new talent means others are getting forced out. The league always leans toward youth, especially when the young players are cheap.

5) Vikings Pickup Boasts “Gazelle-Like” Speed: Much to like in the very athletic Jake Golday. Minnesota’s linebacker spot did need a youth infusion, especially with veteran Blake Cashman playing on the final year of his deal. Even better, Golday could get kicked up to edge rusher.

Enjoy the extra reading, Vikings fans.

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is on! Each day ahead of the tournament’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will highlight an insight or moment that showcases just how grand the world’s biggest sporting spectacle has become — even beyond the expanded field of this year’s global event.

The final knockout round place came down to the final matchday in Group C at the 2014 World Cup. A draw against Greece would likely help Ivory Coast advance with Japan needing a high-scoring win over group leader Colombia to overcome a goal-difference tiebreaker.

The Ivorians were playing in their third straight World Cup, but were unable to advance out of the group in two previous tournaments. They were on the brink, and Wilfried Bony's 74th-minute equalizer looked to be the goal that would put them through.

Sports can give hope and also take it away.

In the 93rd minute, Ivory Coast’ Giovanni Sio was whistled for a foul on Georgios Samaras inside the penalty to give Greece a last-gasp penalty kick.

Samaras stepped up and cooly beat goalkeeper Boubacar Barry to put Greece through to the Round of 16.

That was the last World Cup match played by Ivory Coast. They failed to qualify in 2018 and 2022, but made it through AFCON qualifying undefeated with eight wins and two draws to earn an automatic spot. This summer, they have been drawn into Group E with Germany, Curaçao and Ecuador.

The Philadelphia Flyers had just a 3.8% chance to make the playoffs with a little more than a month left in the season. They beat the odds. Then, they were the heavy underdogs against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The veteran savvy of Pittsburgh’s lineup was supposed to be too much for the Flyers. Well, Philadelphia won the series in 6 games.

Now, the Flyers have made it well beyond where they were expected to be this season. The playoffs seemed like a stretch to many. Now they’re in the second round.

Heading into Round 2, the Flyers’ draw is not much easier. The Carolina Hurricanes are a good team. Good might be an understatement. Rod Brind’Amour has had many great teams in Carolina. This year’s team is one of his best.

At 113 points, the Hurricanes were the top team in the Eastern Conference. They allowed the fewest shots per game in the league, 23.9, and took the second most, 32.2. Brind’Amour’s team is a hard-checking team that is aggressive on both ends of the ice.

So, the odds are stacked against the Flyers, and rightfully so. But that doesn’t matter to the Flyers or head coach Rick Tocchet.

“We’re not going into it like, hey, we’re just happy to be here,” said Tocchet. “We’re here to win the series. And you’ve got to have that mindset. That’s what I believe in.”

The Flyers are going to Carolina with the mindset that they have as good a chance as anyone. They’re not going to roll over because they’re just happy to be there; they’re going to do their best to win.

We know Carolina is a good team. The Flyers will have their hands full, so what do they need to do to win the series?

Read More: Flyers-Hurricanes Game 1: Lines, Notes, & How to Watch

Flyers have to clean up their breakouts

If the Flyers want to win, they’re going to have to clean up their defensive zone breakouts. Pittsburgh was good at checking to defend breakouts. But their aggression is no match for the Hurricanes’.

That said, the Flyers will need to be much cleaner. Yes, the Flyers are a dump-and-chase team. But they dumped more pucks than I think they would have liked. Carolina will be an even more difficult challenge for the Flyers.

The Flyers have some good skating defensemen. Using them to exit the zone with possession may be the key to success. Obviously, Jamie Drysdale is the first player that comes to mind. I may go as far as to say he is my X-Factor for the series.

Still, guys like Drysdale, Travis Sanheim, and Rasmus Ristolainen will play an important role in keeping possession for the Flyers. If they can maintain control and fight off the Hurricanes’ forecheck, they can give themselves a chance to set up in the offensive zone.

It goes beyond the blueliners. Owen Tippett will have to use his speed. Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov will need to use their creativity. It will have to be a team effort, but the more controlled zone exits and entries the Flyers have, the better their chances are of winning the series.

Take advantage of opportunities

We’ve talked about how good the Hurricanes are at suppressing shots. Frederik Anderson has been nothing short of fantastic for Carolina, allowing 5 goals over 4 games played this postseason, and a shutout in the mix.

The Hurricanes’ checking will be a nightmare for the Flyers. Even if everything is cleaned up, it’ll still be difficult for the Flyers to consistently get out of the zone and set up possession. Opportunities will be few and far between.

When the Flyers get their chances, they have to capitalize.

This was a theme against Pittsburgh, and not in a good way. The Flyers had many, many good chances against the Penguins, but could not finish. It’s the reason why the series went to 6 games, when it very well could have been ended in Game 5, or even by Game 4.

There almost seemed to be a sense where the Flyers were trying to be too perfect, where, in reality, settling for just good and getting pucks to the net and creating chaos would have worked, especially against Silovs.

With Freddie Anderson or even Brandon Bussi, the same strategy could work. Yes, the Flyers have to be perfect against Carolina. But in this case, perfect isn’t holding on to the puck waiting for a one-of-one opportunity. Perfect is taking advantage of the good opportunities and making things happen in the chaos.

The Flyers cannot get too cute against Carolina. If they have a good opportunity, they have to take it.

Flyers need Dan Vladar to keep doing his thing

The Philadelphia Flyers do not make the playoffs without Dan Vladar. They do not beat the Penguins without Dan Vladar.

Goaltending has been the key for the Flyers, not only in Round 1 but throughout the whole postseason push. In Round 1 against the Penguins, Vladar had 2 shutouts, 1.61 GAA, and a .937 SV%. He came up big for the Flyers when they needed him the most.

The Hurricanes have the second-most shots per game in the league during the regular season with 32.2. They’re averaging 33.8 so far in the postseason, which is the most.

The Flyers’ defense looked solid against the Penguins. Their top pair of Sanheim and Ristolainen looked legitimate, and York and Drysdale have made plenty of strides. Sean Couturier looked rejuvenated, and Luke Glendening and Noah Cates have been great defensive forwards as well. Still, with the offensive talent that the Hurricanes have, their hands will be full.

Dan Vladar was forced to be the hero for the Flyers more often than most are comfortable with. He came up big for the Flyers throughout the entire series in Round 1. Whether you want to hear it or not, the Vladar will be put in similar situations against Carolina.

If the Flyers get the same performance from Vladar in Round 2 as they did in Round 1, they will have a chance to win the series.

Read More: Flyers Practice: Lines, York’s Stick Returned, & Getting Ready for Carolina

The post ‘We’re Here to Win’: How the Flyers Can Win or Lose the Series vs. the Hurricanes appeared first on Philly Hockey Now.

At 6:57 PM ET, close to 150,000 people will be inside Churchill Downs Racecourse to see which competitor will win the first leg of the 2026 Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby. This year’s field includes a deep list of contenders, dark horses, and long shots. But who is the best of the best heading into Saturday’s event?

We look to answer that question with our rankings of the 2026 Kentucky Derby horses, as well as best bets to win, show, and place tonight.

20. Ocelli (50-1)

D. Whitworth Beckman-trained horse Ocelli jumps into the 2026 Kentucky Derby after several horses, including Right to Party, were scratched from tonight’s race. Although Ocelli has six contests on his resume, he has no wins to his name. Furthermore, he enters this year’s derby in a slump after a pair of sixth-place finishes in his last three.

19. Intrepido (50-1)

Early in his career, Jeff Mullins-trained colt Intrepido showed a lot of potential after winning two of his first three races, including the American Pharoah last year. However, since then, the horse has struggled. Finishing fifth in the following race, and fourth a few weeks ago at Santa Anita. It is why he is a big underdog this Saturday.

18. Robusta (50-1)

Calumet Farm’s product Robusta gets a spot in this year’s event following a trio of scratches during race week. The colt is a huge underdog due to an underwhelming career thus far. While the three-year-old has a first and second-place finish on his five-race resume, he also has a pair of seventh-place finishes. Including last month against several derby competitors at Santa Anita.

17. Great White (50-1)

John Ennis-trained colt Great White has been all over the map over his first four races. The three-year-old scored a win in his December debut and in February at the John Battaglia Memorial. However, White has fifth-place finishes in his other two races, including in April at the Blue Grass. That unpredictability is a key reason why he is one of the biggest underdogs on Saturday.

16. Golden Tempo (30-1)

Cherie DeVaux-trained horse Golden Tempo got off to a solid start by scoring victories in the first two races of his career. However, when his team raised the competition by placing him in G2 races this year, the three-year-old has struggled. Finishing third in two races in Louisiana. That is why Tempo is seen as a long shot on Saturday.

15. Litmus Test (30-1)

Bob Baffert’s colt Litmus Test is one of the most experienced competitors in this weekend’s race. However, that is rarely a good thing. In six races, he has just two wins, and he has long-shot odds heading into Saturday after a very disappointing seventh-place finish in March at the Arkansas Derby.

14. Six Speed (50-1)

Bhupat Seemar-trained colt Six Speed is one of the foreign-bred contenders in this Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. The horse is also one of the more inexperienced competitors, with just three contests in his career. However, Speed has looked good thus far by winning two of those three races. Yet, he remains a long shot at the derby because of the weaker level of competition he has faced in the UAE so far.

For risky bettors looking for an under-the-radar Place option with big odds, Speed is a horse to keep an eye on.

13. Albus (30-1)

Riley Mott-trained horse Albus got off to a slow start when he made his debut last year. Finishing fourth and third in his first two contests. However, 2026 has been far better for the three-year-old as he has won two straight, including at the Wood Memorial in April. Albus is an intriguing Show option on Saturday.

12. Wonder Dean (30-1)

Japanese colt Wonder Dean is another of the international competitors in the 2026 event. The Yoshinari Yamamoto-trained Colt has only taken to the track twice after debuting at the Saudi Derby in February. However, a UAE Derby win over fellow Kentucky competitor Six Speed shows he is the top foreign horse this weekend. Dean is a solid choice to Place on Saturday.

11. Pavlovian (30-1)

Doug O’Neill-trained colt Pavlovian is one of the most experienced horses in this year’s race after competing in 10 contests since his debut in May 2025. However, he is one of the biggest underdogs in the event because he has just two wins to his name.

Nevertheless, despite his average performance throughout his career, Pavlovian did finish second at the Louisiana Derby to fellow Kentucky competitor Emerging Market. So he does have an outside chance at winning a Show bet, but is a sleeper to place.

10. Incredibolt (20-1)

Riley Mott-trained colt Incredibolt has had an up-and-down career. It’s why he is at the back end of the betting odds heading into the event after finishing sixth in a G3 face in January. However, Incredibolt turned heads in March when he won the Virginia Derby, making some wonder if he could perform better than expected on Kentucky’s fast dirt track this weekend and potentially Place.

9. Potente (20-1)

Potente, a three-year-old trained by racing legend Bob Baffert, is an intriguing betting option heading into the Kentucky Derby. The colt has taken to the track just three times after making his debut in January. However, he has two wins and a second-place finish in early April at the Santa Anita against notable Kentucky contender So Happy. Potente is a strong choice for Place and Show bets.

8. Danon Bourbon (20-1)

Although Danon Bourbon is Kentucky-bred, the Manabu Ikezoe-trained colt went to Chiba, Japan, in March for his debut and scored a first-place finish. Despite being the least experienced of all the horses in this year’s race, Bourbon has solid odds. Showing that the three-year-old has talent to be a big problem on Saturday. The colt is an intriguing option as a Win bet tonight.

7. Chief Wallabee (8-1)

William Mott-trained colt Chief Wallabee will take to the track for just the fourth time on Saturday at the Kentucky Derby. While the three-year-old has good odds, it would be a big surprise if he won the race. In his last two contests, he has lost twice to fellow Kentucky competitor Commandment, including a third-place finish in Florida to both Commandment and The Puma.

6. Emerging Market (15-1)

Chad Brown-trained colt Emerging Market is an under-the-radar sleeper at the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Yes, he only has two races on his resume after making his debut in February. However, after those races, he has two wins on his record. Including a big victory at the Louisiana Derby, where he outdueled fellow Kentucky Derby competitors Pavlovian and Golden Tempo. Market is a fantastic option for a Place bet.

5. So Happy (15-1)

Mark Glatt-trained colt So Happy enters this year’s Kentucky Derby as a top contender after an impressive start to his career. After debuting in January 2025, the three-year-old has won three of his four races. Although he stumbled with a third-place finish at San Felipe in March, So Happy bounced back with a big victory at Santa Anita in April. A race that included fellow Kentucky competitors Potente and Intrepido.

Happy can definitely Place on Saturday, but is be an interesting choice for bettors looking at a sleeper option to Show.

4. Further Ado (6-1)

Further Ado had a bumpy start to his career when he came out of the gates with third and fifth-place finishes in his first two races. However, since then, the Brad Cox-trained colt has caught fire. Winning three of his last four, with his lone defeat being a second-place finish to one of the favorites at the Kentucky Derby, The Puma. Further Ado will get a lot of wagers placed on him to Show and Place tonight.

3. The Puma (10-1)

The Puma — trained by Gustavo Delgado — is a favorite heading into the 2026 Kentucky Derby because of the strong competition he has faced throughout his four-race career. While he has just one victory (never lower than a third-place finish), he has previously faced off with Kentucky competitors Chief Wallabee, Renegade, Further Ado, and Commandement.

It gives Delgado key intel to further prepare his talented horse for a Win at Saturday’s race.

2. Commandment (6-1)

Commandment is one of two Brad Cox-trained horses that are a real threat to win the Kentucky Derby. After a surprising fourth-place finish in his October debut, the team retooled, and Commandment is red-hot ahead of this year’s race.

The colt has won four straight, including a big victory over The Puma and Chief Wallabee at the Florida Derby in March. Commandement will be a popular pick among bettors and is our choice to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby.

1. Renegade (4-1)

Todd Pletcher-trained colt Renegade enters the 2026 Kentucky Derby as one of the favorites because of a strong five-race career and a recent hot streak. While he finished third in his August 2025 debut, he has consistently improved with each race since.

Renegade has won two straight, including a strong showing in March when he took home first-place at the Arkansas Derby. However, his February victory at the Sam Davis may have been his best yet because it included another Kentucky contender, The Puma. Renegade is the safest bet to Show and Place on Saturday, and is a favorite to Win for good reason.

Related Headlines

• 2026 Kentucky Derby: What You Need To Know on May 2, Including Start Time & Latest Odds
• 2026 Kentucky Derby Horses: Ranking All 21 Competitors & Predicting Race Winner
• Racing insider claims Journalism and Sovereignty may not be real favorites at Belmont Stakes

‘The mission... stayed the same,’ LeBron James ahead of the playoff round two push originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

LeBron James packing up the Houston Rockets in Game 6 and wrestling with “Father Time” was just incredible. The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Rockets 98–78 at the Toyota Center on Friday. James showed his experience with 28 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.

The Lakers’ playoff run began on shaky ground - injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves had locked up the team’s chemistry. Many doubted whether James’ aging legs could carry such a heavy load.

“The mission has always stayed the same, no matter what my role has been throughout my career, and that’s to go out there and try to dominate,” James said in the post-game interview to ESPN.

MORE: LeBron James is well aware of how good the OKC Thunder will be against the LA Lakers

Kareem 1985 vs. LeBron 2024

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

LeBron James, at 41, with his “kicking Father Time’s ahh” attitude, recalls Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1985. Kareem was 38, and after the “Memorial Day Massacre” in Game 1, many thought he was finished. But Abdul-Jabbar responded with surgical precision, winning Finals MVP and silencing Father Time, just as James did against the Rockets.

The Rockets had youth, but James had an endless reservoir of experience.

“We know the hardest game is the closeout game,” James added. “So I was glad guys stepped up, and we were able to make it happen.”

In Games 1–3, the Lakers executed a great game plan, credit to head coach JJ Redick, who emphasized ball protection against the Rockets. James instilled confidence in role players like Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart, as he told ESPN postgame:

“Every game I thought Luke Kennard, the way he played early in the series… obviously Marcus was steady throughout the series.”

But in Games 4-5, the Rockets raised their aggression, and the Lakers made some “Know Your Personnel” mistakes. On the positive side, Reaves rejoined the team in Game 5. The final strike hadn’t come yet. In Game 6, James kept constant pressure on the rim. By setting the tone in the post, he created space for role players like Rui Hachimura (21 points, six rebounds) to hit sensational shots.

“It’s important for me to go out and kind of set the tone, and I did that from the beginning. I felt like everybody just kind of took my lead,” James said.

The Lakers closed out the series 4–2 and now advance to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round, who swept the Phoenix Suns 4–0.

Austin Reaves contributed 15 points and three rebounds, while Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart each added seven points.

More Los Angeles Lakers News:

• LeBron James has fun with how he is managing to stand out despite being a 41-year-old
• Lakers blowout Rockets in Game 6, advance to face Thunder in NBA Playoffs
• How many points LeBron James scored tonight? Lakers star stats vs Rockets in Game 6
• Anthony Davis trade rumor could lead to blockbuster deal with Lakers

Lando Norris of McLaren stormed to sprint pole position at the Miami Grand Prix, putting an end to Mercedes’ perfect qualifying run in 2026.

The Briton clocked a lap time of 1m 27.869s in the upgraded MCL40 car, enough to pip current championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes to pole by two tenths of a second.

Starting in third place is Oscar Piastri in the other McLaren, followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen of Red Bull.

Championship’s second-placed George Russell had to settle for sixth place for Mercedes ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari, with Franco Colapinto, Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly rounding out the top 10.

Further down, the Audi duo of Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg qualified 11th and 12th respectively while Oliver Bearman landed in 13th for Haas.

Williams’ Alexander Albon initially clocked in at 14th but had his times deleted for exceeding track limits, pushing him down to 19th. His teammate Carlos Sainz moved up to 14th ahead of Racing Bulls drivers Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson.

Esteban Ocon is sitting in 17th in the other Haas, while Cadillac’s pair of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas occupy 18th and 20th respectively.

Aston Martin faced another tough day with Fernando Alonso stuck in 21st and Lance Stroll unable to complete a lap.

Despite the disastrous start to their 2026 campaign, the Silverstone outfit are the only team to have not brought any aerodynamic upgrades to their struggling AMR26 in Miami.

MORE FROM FORBESCan Andrea Kimi Antonelli Remain F1’s Leader? Here’s How To Watch The Miami Grand PrixBy Yara Elshebiny

MORE FROM FORBESF1 Standings 2026 After Japanese Grand PrixBy Yara Elshebiny

MORE FROM FORBESF1 Sprint Race Explained: Format, Qualifying, Points, Rules And MoreBy Yara Elshebiny

2026 Miami Grand Prix Sprint - Starting Grid

Here’s the starting order for the second sprint of the season in Miami:

1. Lando Norris (McLaren): 1:27.869
2. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): +0.222
3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren): +0.239
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): +0.370
5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull): +0.592
6. George Russell (Mercedes): +0.624
7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): +0.749
8. Franco Colapinto (Alpine): +1.451
9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull): +1.553
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine): +1.605
11. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
12. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
13. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
14. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
15. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
16. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
17. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
18. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
19. Alex Albon (Williams)
20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
21. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

The Miami Grand Prix sprint starts at 12 p.m. local time (EDT) on Saturday, May 2.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Fluminense begins the month of May with a packed schedule full of crucial challenges that could define the team’s path in its main competitions.

With a tight calendar, the Tricolor will face a true marathon of eight matches in just 24 days, including decisive clashes in the Conmebol Libertadores and the Copa do Brasil, as well as important fixtures in the Brazilian Championship.

The physical and tactical demands will be high for the squad led by Luis Zubeldía, who is looking for a turnaround this season.

The most immediate challenge on the domestic stage is to prevent Palmeiras, the current Brasileirão leader, from pulling further away at the top of the table.

With 26 points, Fluminense is six points behind the São Paulo side, which already has 32.

This Sunday (3), the Tricolor visits Internacional at Beira-Rio in a match valid for the 14th round of the Brazilian Championship, at 6:30 p.m.

A good result away from home is essential to keep alive its hopes of fighting for the top spots and to prevent the gap to the leader from growing even more.

On the international front, the team is preparing for the fourth round of the Libertadores group stage.

Next Wednesday, May 6, Fluminense will travel to Mendoza, Argentina, to face Independiente Rivadavia at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Estádio Malvinas Argentinas.

The clash is vital for the club’s ambitions in the continental competition, where the team needs a perfect record in its remaining group-stage matches to stay alive in the tournament.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

AS Monaco will hope to keep within touching distance of the UEFA Champions League race when they travel to bottom-of-the-table FC Metz tonight. Les Monégasques start the weekend six points behind Olympique Lyonnais and Lille OSC, who sit in third and fourth, respectively. 

Paul Pogba could be provided his first start for Monaco since signing in the summer. The former FIFA World Cup winner has spent much of the season on the sidelines due to injury, with only sporadic appearances off the bench. 

Ansu Fati will likely drop to the bench after he started in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Toulouse FC. The FC Barcelona loanee should be replaced by Russian international Aleksandr Golovin on the left of the attack.

AS Monaco likely line-up v FC Metz

Lukas Hradecky; Wout Faes, Denis Zakaria, Thilo Kehrer; Simon Adingra, Paul Pogba, Lamine Camara, Jordan Teze; Aleksandr Golovin, Folarin Balogun, Maghnes Akliouche. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Nick Hartland

Barcelona are dealing with a delicate situation surrounding Raphinha, as the winger is said to be reflecting on his future ahead of a crucial summer.

Recent updates from SPORT suggest that Raphinha has been thinking seriously about his next step for several months and has already informed the club about his current state of mind. 

There is no conflict or internal issue, but rather a period of reflection from a player at a key stage of his career.

As far as Barcelona are concerned, they want him to stay. However, the final decision will come from the player himself, and that will only happen at the end of the season.

Impact of injuries and UCL setback

As per the outlet, two moments have played a major role in shaping Raphinha’s thinking. 

His latest injury, suffered during the international break, hit him hard and forced him to step back and reassess his situation.

At the same time, Barcelona’s elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Atletico Madrid added further disappointment. 

These setbacks have led the Brazilian to reflect deeply on his career direction and ambitions.

It is said that this is not a sudden reaction from the former Leeds United star, but a process that has been building over time.

Barcelona are calm

Raphinha is beginning to have doubts about his Barcelona future. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Despite the uncertainty, Barcelona are not concerned about any internal problems. 

The club appreciate the honesty shown by Raphinha in communicating his thoughts openly with the sporting management.

There is a strong sense of trust between both sides, and no pressure is being applied on the player to make a quick decision.

Within the club, support for Raphinha remains strong, as Hansi Flick and Deco continue to count on him and are keen for him to stay.

Simply put, Barcelona’s vision under Flick includes him, and the club is prepared to give him all the time he needs to make his decision.

For Raphinha, who has a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, while Barcelona are building towards continued dominance in La Liga, his main ambition is to reach the highest level in European football.

That ambition is central to his thinking as he weighs up his future.

At this stage, he is keeping all of his options open and it is believed that the most likely outcome will be for him to stay and continue as a core part of the team.

The Boston Bruins saw their 2026 NHL playoff run end with a flat 4-1 Game 6 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, and the tone afterward matched the result. David Pastrnak did not soften the moment.

Speaking to the media after the game, Pastrnak said, “Of course, it’s disappointing.”

Buffalo controlled the elimination game early, building a 2-0 first-period lead and never giving Boston space to recover. Pastrnak briefly cut the deficit, but the Bruins generated little sustained offense against Alex Lyon. The numbers tell the same story. Boston scored just five goals over the final four games and lost all three home games in the series.

MORE: Connor McDavid rips Oilers’ calling ‘average team with high expectations’ after playoff exit

Pastrnak still led the Bruins with seven points in six games, but his minus-seven rating underlined a wider issue. Boston leaned heavily on one offensive driver without enough secondary push. That imbalance showed up clearly once playoff hockey tightened.

Bruins’ aging core meets rising urgency

Pastrnak’s comments reflect a shift inside the room. At 29, he now echoes the message once delivered by Patrice Bergeron.

“I’m turning 30 in a couple of weeks, so, had one sniff at the Cup so far, and yeah, it’s getting harder every single year,” Pastrnak said. “That’s what I tell the young guys now that I – what Bergy [Patrice Bergeron] and those guys told you when I was young. You know, when you’re younger, you look at it way differently than when you are 30.”

That urgency matters more for a team which last won the Stanley Cup in 2011, and lost in the finals in 2013, and 2019.

“The season is a blink of an eye,” Pastrnak said. “I remember being young, and each season felt like forever. January comes, you feel like it should be over, and when you’re older, and you have family, and you have outside life, it’s a blink of an eye. So you don’t want to waste any opportunity.”

Boston’s structure still leans more on top-end production than depth scoring. The club remains competitive, but not deep enough to absorb a cold stretch from its stars. The Sabres, who ended their 14 season long playoff drought this year, exposed that gap by limiting time and space through the neutral zone, forcing Boston into low-danger attempts.

Bruins’ structural gaps exposed in series loss

The Bruins’ system struggled under playoff pressure. Breakouts lacked pace, and zone entries often became one-and-done sequences. Buffalo’s younger lineup dictated tempo, while Boston reacted. That difference showed in puck possession and shot quality, not just the final scoreline.

MORE: Penguins’ offseason begins with clear goal after Stanley Cup Playoff disaster

Pastrnak’s 100-point regular season (fourth consecutive 100-point season) confirms elite consistency, yet the playoffs demand more from the lineup around him. Boston needs stronger middle-six scoring and cleaner defensive transitions. Without those elements, even elite production cannot carry a series.

Looking ahead, Pastrnak made it clear the expectation remains unchanged. “It’s the Boston Bruins, and they always want to be – they have the high standards,” he said. The pressure now shifts to management and roster construction. The window is still open, but it is no longer wide.

Sheffield Wednesday have announced that US consortium Arise Capital Partners has bought the club, officially bringing to an end Dejphon Chansiri's ownership.

The group is led by David Storch, 73, an American executive whose background is in the aviation services sector.

The EFL confirmed the news on Saturday, and said it would not impose a 15-point deduction on the club following its exit from administration as this has been "an incredibly challenging and complex situation for all parties".

Sources have told BBC Sport that former owner Chansiri rejected or simply did not respond to multiple offers for the club, which the EFL took into consideration when choosing to waive the 15-point deduction.

As part of the agreement, Wednesday will remain under budget restrictions for the next two seasons as part of the "conditions of continuing membership in the EFL" but they will still be permitted to sign new players.

Storch's son, Michael, and Tom Costin complete the three-man consortium.

Costin brings football experience to Wednesday through Blue Crow Sports Group - a multi-club football ownership and investment platform with controlling interests in Leganes from Spain, Le Havre in France and Mexican club Cancun FC.

Arise had set a deadline of 1 May, aware that there could further delays if the takeover was not completed before the Independent Football Regulator took control of the new owner process from the EFL on 5 May.

The final paperwork was completed on time on Friday before the club announced the takeover was done ahead of their sold-out, final-day game at Hillsborough against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

The Owls had been in administration since 24 October

That led to an immediate 12-point deduction, with a further six points taken off for charges related to missed payments to players, staff, HMRC and transfer fees due to other clubs.

As a result, Chansiri received a three-year ban from owning or being a director at any EFL club.

Yet the points penalties made no difference to the club's fate, with most senior players sold either by Chansiri or as part of the administration process.

The club suffered the earliest-ever relegation in English football, as defeat at Sheffield United on 22 February consigned them to League One with 13 games to play.

Just three days later a takeover led by Dunfermline Athletic owner James Bord collapsed, leaving Wednesday in limbo.

But Storch, who missed out being named the preferred bidder to Bord in December, returned to the table to cut a deal with the administrators.

With Chansiri's reign now over, and new owners in place to bring fresh hope, the club can look to a brighter future.

• Latest Sheffield Wednesday news, analysis and fan views
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The start of the ninth round of the Brasileirão Feminino A1 left Corinthians even more isolated at the top of the competition. By beating Grêmio 2-0 on Friday afternoon (1), at Francisco Novelletto, the São Paulo side reached 22 points, five more than their main rivals in the standings: Palmeiras, São Paulo and Internacional, all with 17 points.

Four other matches were played on Friday. Internacional beat Santos 3-0 at Vila Belmiro. Juventude and Cruzeiro, meanwhile, played out a goalless draw at Alfredo Jaconi. Atlético-MG and Fluminense also drew, 1-1, at Arena do Jacaré, while at Fonte Luminosa, Ferroviária defeated Mixto 3-0.

The round features two matches this Saturday: América-MG vs. Vitória, at 3 p.m., at Castor Cifuentes; and Bahia vs. Palmeiras, at 4 p.m., at Arena Fonte Nova.

On Sunday, Botafogo host Red Bull Bragantino at 6 p.m. at Nilton Santos. São Paulo vs. Flamengo will close out the round on Monday (4), at 9 p.m., in Cotia.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

CSK vs MI IPL 2026 live score: Scorecard, toss result, win chances, weather report and highlights from Chennai originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY MATCH DETAILS:

• Venue: M.A Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Captains: Ruturaj Gaikwad(CSK), Hardik Pandya (MI)
• Toss result: TBD
• Live Telecast: JioHotstar (India), No Broadcast (Pakistan), CricLife Max, StarzPlay (UAE), Willow TV, Fubo, Willow TV app, Sling TV (USA & Canada)
• Umpires & Match officials: Kaushik Gandhi, Nitin Menon (on-field umpires), Vinod Seshan (Third Umpire), Tanmay Srivastava (Fourth Umpire), Amit Sharma (Match referee)
• Match result: TBD
• Player of the Match: TBD

IPL 2026 HUB:Latest IPL News | IPL Points Table | Team Stats | IPL 2026 Squads

Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians live match Scorecard

Follow along with the latest live scorecard here as the match unfolds, or click here for key text commentary updates from the action.

Key highlights and reactions: CSK vs MI IPL 2026

• Best and worst captains in IPL 2026: Ranking the skippers of each IPL team in the ongoing season
• CSK vs MI Dream11: Lineups, pitch report and score predictions for IPL 2026 match
• CSK vs MI: Will Rohit Sharma play against CSK on 2 May?
• CSK vs MI: Why are there no double-headers on May 2

CSK vs MI IPL 2026: Predicted Playing XI

CSKpredicted playing XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Sanju Samson (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Gurjapneet Singh, Mukesh Choudhary

Impact Player: Akeal Hosein

MIpredicted playing XI: Quinton de Kock (WK), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (C), Tilak Varma, Sherfane Rutherford, Jasprit Bumrah, Krish Bhagat, AM Ghazanfar, Ashwani Kumar

Impact Player: Shardul Thakur

MORE: What happens if an IPL match is cancelled due to rain? Rules and refund details

CSK vs MI IPL 2026 Live Score Updates

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Cricket News' live blog for the blockbuster IPL 2026 clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.

The match will be played at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Mumbai Indians will seek revenge against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings in their crucial IPL 2026 clash at the Chepauk on Saturday, May 2.

Toss result: Toss is scheduled at 7:00 p.m. IST. 

CSK vs MI: Win Probability

Chennai weather update: Chances of rain interrupting play

Let's take a look at the hourly temperatures and the probability of rainfall in Chennai on Saturday evening.

• 6:00 PM: 33°C (0% chance of rain)
• 7:00 PM: 33°C (0% chance of rain)
• 8:00 PM: 33°C (0% chance of rain)
• 9:00 PM: 33°C (0% chance of rain)
• 10:00 PM: 32°C (0% chance of rain)
• 11:00 PM: 31°C (0% chance of rain)

IPL 2026 Points Table live: Latest updated CSK vs MI standings

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit ourFacebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

Wayne Rooney Makes Jurgen Klopp Admission

Wayne Rooney and Liverpool will never be natural bedfellows. His Everton roots and Manchester United legacy make sure of that. Yet football has a funny way of cutting through tribal lines, especially when the subject is Jurgen Klopp.

Ahead of Liverpool’s latest Premier League meeting with Manchester United, Rooney’s comments about Klopp landed with real force. Not because they were inflammatory, but because they were unusually honest. A player so closely tied to Liverpool’s fiercest rivals openly admitting admiration for a Reds manager tells you something about Klopp’s reach.

Rooney said: “Klopp was the only Liverpool manager I’ve looked at and thought ‘I’d love to play for him’ – obviously not for Liverpool but for him as a manager.

“Slot maybe hasn’t got the aura [of Klopp] which could be a good thing or a bad thing.”

That is not a throwaway line. It is a reminder of what Klopp represented, not only to Liverpool supporters, but to players across the Premier League.

Photo: IMAGO

Jurgen Klopp’s Aura Remains Hard to Replace

Klopp’s nine years at Liverpool reshaped the club’s modern identity. The Champions League triumph in 2019, the long awaited Premier League title and the restoration of Anfield’s sense of certainty all formed part of a wider emotional contract between manager, players and fans.

For Wayne Rooney, the appeal was obvious. Klopp’s football was intense, direct, emotional and demanding. It asked players to empty themselves physically and mentally, but it also gave them something back, belief, clarity and belonging.

That is why comparisons with Arne Slot are inevitable, even if they are not always helpful. Slot inherited more than a squad. He inherited the afterglow of a manager who became part coach, part symbol and part cultural reference point.

Liverpool Must Avoid Living in Klopp’s Shadow

Liverpool’s challenge now is not to find another Jurgen Klopp. That is the trap Manchester United fell into after Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013. Every new appointment was measured against a giant, and every difference became a flaw.

Liverpool cannot afford that cycle. Klopp’s legacy should guide standards, not suffocate successors. Slot may not carry the same electricity on the touchline, and he may not project the same emotional force, but that alone does not define his ceiling.

Rooney’s point about “aura” matters because it captures the intangible part of elite management. Players respond to authority, charisma and conviction. Supporters do too. Yet football also moves through tactics, recruitment, injuries, form and timing.

Photo: IMAGO

Bigger Question for Liverpool Supporters

For Liverpool fans, the temptation is clear. When results dip or performances feel flat, Klopp becomes the reference point. The pressing looked sharper then. The connection felt stronger then. The certainty seemed greater then.

That nostalgia is understandable, but it can become dangerous. Klopp was exceptional because he was rare. Asking every Liverpool manager to replicate him risks turning admiration into a burden.

Rooney’s admiration for Jurgen Klopp says plenty about the German’s stature. It also says something about Liverpool’s present dilemma. The club must respect what Klopp built while allowing a new manager to build differently.

For Liverpool, that balance may prove just as important as any result against Manchester United.

Khamzat Chimaev admits something big needs to happen to fix his reputation

Khamzat Chimaev knows he needs to do something big at UFC 328 if he wants to change the way people see him.

Chimaev will put his middleweight title on the line for the first time on May 9, facing former teammate Sean Strickland in a highly anticipated main event.

Leading up to their fight in Newark, New Jersey, things have only gotten more heated, with both men hinting at violence beyond the cage.

Chimaev admits he must score a finish at UFC 328 to change his reputation

‘Borz’s’ UFC 328 fight camp has been heavily documented on social media, with the Chechen looking in the best shape he has ever looked.

And with him being heavily favoured to beat his long-time rival, Chimaev has admitted that he must score the finish to change his current reputation among fans.

Despite his sheer dominance against Dricus Du Plessis to win the title, fans were disappointed that Chimaev didn’t really come close to a finish.

“Yeah, for sure I have to finish him, otherwise people will (continue) to call me a boring fighter,” Chimaev said this past Thursday during an open workout media scrum.

Although Strickland has remained extremely outspoken ahead of their clash, ‘Borz’ is attempting to remain calm and collected.

Chimaev is predicted to have a tougher challenge taking Strickland down than he did with Du Plessis, who he took down 12 times.

Strickland currently holds a takedown defence percentage of 76%, whereas Du Plessis’ is 34%.

“They’re all the same for me,” Chimaev said regarding all of his past opponents. “It should be (easy to take him down), it was easy. We trained five years ago and I don’t think he’s changed, so let’s see.”

Read more:

Vasco da Gama is not expected to have SportingBet as its new main sponsor, according to reports published this Friday (1).

Fans had high hopes for a deal with the betting company, but negotiations apparently did not move toward a positive outcome, according to Lance.

The search for a main sponsor has been a constant topic behind the scenes at São Januário.

A strong deal is seen as crucial for the club’s financial strengthening and for maintaining investments in the squad and infrastructure. SportingBet was one of the leading names being considered to appear on the Cruzmaltino shirt.

The reasons that led to the sponsorship not being finalized have not yet been detailed.

The sports betting market has proven to be fertile ground for partnerships with football clubs, and Vasco remains in search of a partner that meets its expectations and financial needs for the season.

With the uncertainty over the main sponsorship, the Vasco board will likely step up efforts to find other options in the market.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Tai Tuivasa’s disappointing losing streak continued at UFC Perth on Saturday and it’s tough to imagine he’ll get another chance in the octagon.

This time it was Louie Sutherland, who scored multiple takedowns and racked up copious amounts of control time on the ground as Tuivasa was just stuck on his back with no chance to escape. Tuivasa even managed a late foul, which cost him a point, as the final scores read 30-26 across the board as Sutherland got the unanimous decision win.

“Listen, me and my coaches said it, we done a big 360, we started here, it didn’t go to plan,” Sutherland said after his first UFC win. “But that’s on a week’s notice, who you f*cking booing? I love fighting. I’ve know I’ve got the skills to win in this organization. Get me anybody, I’ll fight them all. Marcin Tybura, Serbia, let’s have at it!”

It didn’t take long for Sutherland to shoot for a takedown but Tuivasa resisted before shrugging him off to reset in the center. But Sutherland was undeterred as he shot again to put Tuivasa on the ground but the veteran Australian heavyweight was able to get up again without much struggle.

Back on the feet, Tuivasa blasted Sutherland with a couple of nasty punches and an elbow but the Brit survived before firing back with a spinning back elbow and a knee right up the middle that landed clean. A wild scramble ensued with Sutherland landing on top with Tuivasa playing defense on the ground.

Sutherland stayed in control until the round ended and the heavyweights restarted on the feet in the second.

But Sutherland quickly closed the distance and effectively tossed Tuivasa to the ground as he fell into side control. While the action was minimal, Sutherland eventually advanced to the mount before looking for an arm triangle choke, although he wasn’t able to lock it up.

Still, Sutherland stayed on top and shut down Tuivasa’s best efforts to get up again.

With five minutes remaining, Sutherland cracked Tuivasa with a stiff calf kick before scoring another takedown in the center of the cage. Tuivasa was just flat on his back with the referee warning Sutherland that he need to do more work to maintain his position.

Sutherland did just enough to hold Tuivasa down but the fighters were eventually stood up with less than a minute remaining. This time, Sutherland effectively just flopped to the ground and Tuivasa threw a knee to the head, which cost him a point as the fight came to an end.

While Sutherland celebrated his win, Tuivasa was understandably disappointed in defeat, especially knowing he was probably fighting for his job at UFC Perth. He now goes hope after a seventh straight defeat and an uncertain future as far as his UFC career goes.

ACC men's lacrosse tournament bracket, schedule, TV channel, live streams, scores for 2026 championship originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Before the NCAA men's lacrosse tournament gets underway, conferences have to determine their champions. The 2026 ACC  tournament comes to Charlotte this weekend.

Notre Dame has clinched the ACC's top seed for the third year in a row, following another successful 10-1 season that's held them at the top of the national rankings. The Fighting Irish secured the regular season title with a win over Syracuse last weekend, but No. 2 North Carolina is trailing not too far behind.

Compared to the women's tournament, the men's is much smaller. Only four programs qualified for competition — No. 1 Notre Dame, No. 2 North Carolina, No. 3 Syracuse and No. 4 Virginia. Semifinals will take place on Friday, and the winners of those matchups will battle for a title on Sunday.

Who will prove themselves ahead of the NCAA tournament?

Here's everything you need to know about the ACC men's lacrosse tournament, including TV channel and streaming options for the 2026 competition. 

ACC men's lacrosse tournament TV channel, live streams

• TV channel: ACC Network
• Live stream:fubo

College lacrosse fans can watch all three games of the 2026 ACC men's lacrosse tournament live on the ACC Network. For those looking to stream all of the action, fubo will have a live stream on its platform.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

ACC men's lacrosse tournament schedule 2026

The 2026 ACC men's lacrosse tournament will begin on Friday, May 1, with two semifinal games. Winners will advance to the championship match on Sunday, May 3.

All three games will take place at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Friday, May 1: Semifinals

Sunday, May 3: Championship

ACC men's lacrosse tournament bracket 2025

The full seeding, bracket and team records for the 2026 ACC men's lacrosse tournament are below.

The reactions to Duke’s deal with Amazon Prime have been interesting, to say the least.

Is it a turning point in college athletics? Probably. Is it something that can’t be overcome? Probably not.

Over at OrangeFizz.net, there is outrage, a sense that Duke just got an unmatchable advantage, and that it “bought” it.

To that, we have a few comments. First, strictly speaking, Duke sold; Amazon bought.

Second, there’s no particular reason why Duke should do well. It’s done well because Mike Krzyzewski built a monster program just as ESPN came along, and was smart enough to adapt to several changes in the game in the intervening years. He also mastered some elements of an M.B.A., notably branding (it’s possible that Quin Snyder, who earned an M.B.A. from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, helped Coach K down that particular road).

Jon Scheyer has also done a brilliant job adapting to the current environment, and has generally been ahead of the curve. The first GM in college basketball? Check. Figuring out NIL? Check. Adapting to the portal? Check again.

Duke didn’t get the Amazon deal just because it’s Duke. Duke is Duke because the people who have managed Duke Basketball have been really, really smart.

In other words, it didn’t just happen. Duke was ready for the opportunity.

However, the Orange Fizz article is correct, because it is an advantage for Duke. It didn’t dawn on us immediately, but look at when the first two Prime games are scheduled: UConn on Thanksgiving Eve, almost immediately before Black Friday, and against Michigan on December 21st, just before Christmas. Everything else aside, that’s the sweet spot, especially if you have players pitching Amazon products on those dates. NIL will run like water.

The third game will be Duke’s traditional late-season out-of-conference tuneup, and the Blue Devils will face Gonzaga on Feb. 20 in Detroit.

But here’s where Orange Fizz gets it wrong.

People forget that when Coach K got to Durham in 1980, while Duke had been good under Bill Foster, the dominant ACC teams were UNC, Maryland, and NC State.

The Wolfpack was transitioning to the Jim Valvano era, but Norm Sloan had a great run, and Valvano was about to step into legend. And Virginia had Ralph Sampson.

Krzyzewski’s first three seasons at Duke produced a 38-47 record. Until 1991, Duke was seen as an admirable overachiever. Duke wasn’t really disliked (outside of Chapel Hill, anyway) until Christian Laettner frightened and infuriated people in his senior season.

Duke is in a great situation, but nothing is permanent. Ask yourself this: if a young Mike Krzyzewski came to coach Syracuse today, would he succeed?

It seems pretty obvious, right?

We are clearly in a new era, but the most basic building block is the coach. UNC struggled to be consistent under Hubert Davis, and he was canned before things got worse. Kentucky has struggled under Mark Pope, and he seems to be on the hot seat already. And remember UK struggled this past season, despite the obvious determination that no one was going to outspend them in the portal.

Obviously, you need money, and money now means players, but you’re going to have a tough time getting people to invest in your program if the most basic element, the leader, isn’t very good at his job.

Which is why we’re optimistic about Syracuse.

Gerry McNamara built a nice team at Siena, one that went toe-to-toe with #1 Duke in March. If he can become competitive, money will follow. And if he can revive the ‘Cuse, power will flow back to that program.

Just for a point of reference, warning and humility, remember when Miami signed Nijel Pack as a transfer?

People were shocked that he got $400,000.

Well, big men this cycle are asking for $5 million. Given their position in the New York market, not to mention brand awareness in Ontario, Syracuse has the potential to stake a major claim.

No one knows the specifics of Duke’s deal with Amazon, but it’s the first. The next may be bigger, and the ones after that, bigger still. Payrolls will continue to increase. And in fact, the Big 12 just announced a private equity deal that will inject about $12 million into the conference, and open a vast credit line for any school that wants to tap into it (however, the interest rate on those lines of credit, reportedly double-digits, looks to be financial suicide).

Another thing that a lot of people are overlooking is that a lot of the traditional Blue Bloods are in a tough spot. UNC had no problem throwing Hubert Davis, and the Dean Smith legacy, overboard. Kentucky is struggling. Indiana hasn’t been a big factor for a long time. UCLA is not what it once was. Kansas hasn’t made it past the first weekend of the NCAA tournament for the last four years.

In other words, there is room at the top. Dusty May has pushed Michigan up. Dan Hurley has done it for UConn, and Tommy Lloyd has made Arizona a powerhouse again.

Syracuse has the chance to rise. Hiring McNamara looks like a great move, and if he can improve, and build, money, and therefore talent, will follow. But you have to set the table first.

• Duke Just Bought Another Advantage — And Everyone Else Should Be Furious
• Duke-Amazon partnership could send college hoops down slippery slope
• Prime Video Expanding Beyond NBA With Duke College Basketball
• Prime Video signs first college sports deal with Duke men’s basketball to present three premier games per season

Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions || Drop us a line

Confirmed India women's squad for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Full list of players originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• India women's T20 World Cup squad announced, led by Harmanpreet Kaur.
• Key players Mandhana, Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma all included in the squad.
• India face England in three T20Is before the World Cup begins in June

India women's squad for T20 World Cup announced

India's women's cricket team has been named for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with Harmanpreet Kaur as the skipper.

The selection panel retained several experienced names, with Smriti Mandhana, Jemaimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma all keeping their places in the group.

India go into this tournament on the back of a difficult run. In their most recent T20I series, they were beaten 4-1 by South Africa, a side led by Laura Wolvaardt. The series laid bare real problems across both departments as the batting lacked consistency, and the bowling struggled to build sustained pressure.

South Africa controlled large portions of the five matches and wrapped up the series convincingly, leaving India with plenty to address.

Before the World Cup gets underway, India will play a three-match T20I series in England. The first game is scheduled for May 28, followed by the second on May 30, and the third and final match on June 2. These fixtures will give the squad a chance to reset, build combinations and find form ahead of the tournament.

India women's full squad for the T20 World Cup

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandini Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundahti Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav

The Cricket News opinion: Indian T20 side's latest form a concern before World Cup

The Indian women's T20I side kicked off the year on a grand note, having beaten Australia 2-1 in a three-match series Down Under. However, in their latest five-match contest against South Africa, the reigning ODI World Cup champions suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat.

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will need to fix the issues in the squad in their upcoming series against England before the World Cup kicks off. 

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit our Facebook and X (Twitter) pages.

Von Miller says he's not done in the NFL and made note of the Buffalo Bills.

Speaking via live steam, Miller expressed his interest in playing again in 2026 at the age of 37. Specifically, Miller noted the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills as teams he'd want to sign for.

Miller previously signed in Buffalo in 2022 but an ACL injury overshadowed his time with the team. Miller was performing well before the injury but it is an injury that takes an extensive time to fully return from.

Miller did show signs of juice in 2025 after leaving Buffalo. He played with the Washington Commanders last season and appeared in all 17 games and recorded nine sacks.

Miller has a more extensive history with the Denver Broncos compared to the Bills. However, Miller has openly expressed a desire to win three Super Bowls with three different teams and he has already won two with the Broncos and Los Angeles Rams. No player has ever accomplished that feat in the NFL.

Miller is currently a free agent.

A clip of Miller's comment can be found below:

Von Miller was asked about his ideal landing spot right now, as he’s still currently a free agent:

“If I can pick, I would love to go back to the Denver Broncos.” 🥹

Do the right thing @Broncos and bring him back for one last ride 🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/jgecCU56qH

— SleeperBroncos (@SleeperBroncos) April 28, 2026

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Von Miller would like to play for the Buffalo Bills in 2026

The New York Jets and Russell Wilson could still happen.

However, there could be an interesting consideration for him in between the QB and Gang Green.

Wilson, 37, had a free-agent visit in New York this past week with the idea of potentially backing up Geno Smith:

The Jets, exploring the veteran backup QB market, had Russell Wilson in for a visit late yesterday, per source. Nothing is imminent. #Jets are going through their process.

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 28, 2026

Wilson is weighing options... which evidently is between the Jets and becoming an analyst. According to The Athletic, Wilson has had talks with CBS Sports to join "The NFL Today" crew.

Per The Athletic, Wilson would potentially take another former QBs position:

If the CBS deal is finalized, Wilson will fill the spot vacated by Matt Ryan. Ryan left CBS to become president of football for the Atlanta Falcons. The rest of CBS’ crew is host James Brown and analysts Nate Burleson and Bill Cowher.

If Wilson joined the Jets, it would be his 15th NFL season. The former Super Bowl champion would serve as a more experienced backup option to fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik.

Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 offseason.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Report: Russell Wilson could be deciding between Jets or new career

Where to watch Cadillac Championship golf: Channels, live streams, TV schedules, tee times for 2026 Doral event originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The PGA Tour has its next stop this weekend as golfers gear up for the Cadillac Championship. With the PGA Championships just two weeks away, this is one of the last stops for golfers to ready themselves ahead of another major. 

This weekend's field is star-studded, headlined by Scottie Scheffler. Seven of the top 10 golfers in the FexExCup standings are competing this weekend as well, including Collin Morikawa, Cameron Young and Chris Gotterup.

WATCH: 2026 Cadillac Championship LIVE on DIRECTV

Matt Fitzpatrick is currently ranked No. 1 in the FedExCup and will not compete this weekend. This weekend will give Scheffler a chance to pass Fitzpatrick for No. 1 in the standings.

Here's everything to know ahead of the latest stop on the PGA Tour.

Where to watch Cadillac Championship

• TV channels: Golf Channel, CBS
• Live stream: DIRECTV, ESPN+, Paramount+

The 2026 Cadillac Championship will air on two TV channels and three streaming services. ESPN+ will contain the largest window of broadcasting time, from morning until night on all four days.

The Golf Channel and CBS will also have select coverage of the event for 3-4 hours, depending on the day and channel.

All Golf Channel and CBS coverage can be streamed via DIRECTV and when the broadcast is on CBS, it will be available through Paramount+. Below is the full broadcast schedule.

Cadillac Championship TV, live stream schedule 2026

Cadillac Championship tee times, leaderboard 

Find the updated scores and tee times on The Sporting News leaderboard.

Related Links

• Latest golf news and rumors
• This week's PGA Tour leaderboard
• LIV Golf schedule 2026

To many, Wayne Rooney is the best English player of the last 30 years if not longer. 

With the second most caps (120) and second most goals (53) for the Three Lions, it's hard to argue against, and he's still got it if his training videos for Soccer Aid are anything to go by. 

The 40-year-old was put through his paces in a shooting drill and despite being far from his athletic prime, his touch and shooting remains at an elite level. 

Rooney will be playing in his third Soccer Aid after starring in 2021 and 2025, scoring the opening goal in a 5-4 loss to the World XI at Old Trafford last year. 

The likes of Jermain Defoe, Jill Scott, Robbie Williams and Olly Murs will also be part of the English side this year but, like in his playing days, the Manchester United legend will be the main man at the London Stadium on Sunday May 31st. 

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has been a stellar player for Serie A side Napoli since joining from Fulham. He has helped in two Scudetto wins under different managers but there are signs he could now ask for a transfer in the summer.

The midfielder has had an injury-prone campaign so far with the Partenopei, who are second in the Serie A right now. 

La Repubblica – via AreaNapoli, note that Zambo Anguissa was actually close to being handed a new deal by the Naples club last year. Soon, he picked up an injury during international break and Napoli’s intentions then changed as they turned away from a renewal.

This seems to have annoyed the Cameroonian, who was then certain about staying at Napoli. Parties had met several times to discuss terms and a deal was appearing close. The club’s decision to back out can now force him into asking for a transfer at the end of the campaign.

With Zambo Anguissa unhappy, Milan could be one of the suitors in line to keep him in Italy. The ex-Fulham man can also attract clubs in England, with Sunderland previously interested.

Zambo Anguissa will leave as a Napoli hero

All in all, it feels like the end of a special relationship that yielded silverware and quite an upturn in Zambo Anguissa’s career too. He turned into one of the best midfielders in Serie A as a result, with Antonio Conte also having used him as a receiver in the final last season.

He was deployed a deeper role by Luciano Spalletti but the Cameroon international thrived even then, showing immense ability to carry the ball progressively.

While the relationship may not end well but fans will remember Zambo Anguissa as a special player.

Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN

When are the EFL Championship playoffs? Schedule of 2026 matches as teams battle for Premier League promotion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With three teams set to earn promotion to the Premier League at the end of each season, the conclusion to the 2025/26 campaign will nominate a trio of outstanding performers to be boosted up to the English top flight.

Two of those clubs will be selected as the top finishers in the EFL Championship at the conclusion of the season, but the third will be determined through an exciting playoff system.

The four teams that finish third through sixth will progress to the Championship playoff, a thrilling and nerve-wracking four-team mini bracket to determine the eventual winner. The final is considered the richest game in football, as the winner earns access to the massive financial provided by the English top flight.

The Sporting News details who will be involved in this year's playoff and when the games will be played, including the famous final at Wembley Stadium.

MORE:What teams have been promoted to the Premier League for the 2026/27 season?

When are the 2026 EFL Championship playoffs?

The final day of the EFL Championship regular season is Saturday, May 2.

That means the playoffs will begin the following weekend. The first leg of the semifinals will take place on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, while the second legs will be played that following Monday and Tuesday.

Then, the Championship playoff final will be held on Saturday, May 23 at Wembley Stadium.

What teams are in the 2026 EFL Championship playoffs?

At this point, it's still tough to know who will be in the 2026 playoffs.

Coventry City have already sealed automatic promotion, so they will not be involved. There is a battle for the second spot between Ipswich Town, Millwall, and Southampton which could go down to the wire, with the two that fall short likely being left to the playoffs.

Middlesbrough are in a strong position to make the playoff as well, with the final spot also due to go down to the wire as Hull City, Wrexham, and Derby County duke it out.

Race for Championship promotion playoff

Table updated prior to final round of matches on Saturday, May 2

* Mathematically confirmed a place in at least the Championship playoff

EFL Championship playoff schedule, fixtures for 2026

The semifinals will take place the weekend of May 8, while the final will take place in late May at Wembley Stadium.

Playoff semifinals

First leg

Second leg

Playoff final

There are so many good names of the horses running the 2026 Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs -- be sure to check out our full rankings of the monikers -- but there's one that might be a fan favorite.

Albus, who is trained by Riley Mott and owned by Pin Oak Stud, has a very famous name for those of you who are fans of the Harry Potter series. And if you're here, you might be wondering: Is the colt named after Dumbledore, the incredible all-time great wizard who is the headmaster at Hogwarts?

The answer is: Looks that way! Per an Instagram post from Pink Oaks, he's been named after the legendary Dumbledore.

So if you're a fan of the books or the movies, we know which horse you're rooting for on Saturday.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Is Albus the Kentucky Derby horse named after Harry Potter character?

Grêmio arrives in Curitiba for the match against Athletico-PR, valid for the Brazilian Championship, with an uncomfortable milestone: the club has now gone 100 days without winning an away match in 2026.

The negative streak has been a cause for concern for the coaching staff and fans, directly affecting the team’s performance across different competitions.

In addition to the challenge of playing away from home, coach Luís Castro is dealing with absences in every area of the team.

The need to improvise and adapt the side has been constant, and the result of the match against Palestino in the Copa Sudamericana, in which Grêmio failed to win, increased the pressure for better results.

The difficulty in picking up points away from home has prevented Grêmio from mounting a more consistent climb in the Brasileirão standings.

Today’s match is seen as a crucial opportunity to end this run and bring more stability and confidence to the squad.

The team and the fans hope that May’s packed schedule can bring renewed energy and, above all, end the long spell without away wins, which is key to Grêmio’s ambitions for the season.

Source: Globoesporte, GZH

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Boston Marathon "hero" Aaron Beggs has said he is hoping not to become a "villain" in the Belfast race.

After helping to carry a fellow runner over the line in Boston last month, Beggs knows he will be a focus of attention as he runs 26.2 miles around Belfast on Sunday.

If he spots anyone struggling near the finish line, the 40 year old from Bangor in Northern Ireland said he will feel obliged to help them.

"I'll have to pick them up. I know if I run past anyone this weekend I'll be a villain. One week hero, next week villain!" he said.

Since his and Robson De Oliveira's actions went viral on social media, Beggs has done more than 50 interviews with media outlets from across the world.

"It's been crazy. I have just been spreading the word that it's 'nice to be nice'," he told BBC News NI.

Beggs can run a standard marathon (26.2 miles) in under three hours and he is hoping to do the same again on Sunday in Belfast in spite of an exhausting few weeks since Boston.

"It's my home city race and I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

He is one of almost 7,000 runners taking part in the race which begins at Stormont and goes through all four corners of the city.

Among the participants are husband and wife Philip and Debbie McLorinan from Lisburn, both hoping to complete their first marathon.

Debbie said: "He's faster than me but we all run together with Jog Lisburn Running Club."

At the age of 29, Alice Cinnamond from Belfast had a stroke, but three years later she has entered the Belfast marathon.

She is raising money for charity and also celebrating her remarkable return to good health.

"Now I'm in full recovery, happy, healthy and ready to run another marathon," said Alice.

One runner likely to stand out from the crowd is Alan Harris, 46, from east Belfast as he runs in a gorilla suit with a pink top and skirt.

"I wanted to do something to grab attention as I run for my favourite charity," he said.

"I ran the London Marathon last week. The suit gets a bit warm after eight miles but I'll cope."

As well as the full marathon runners, there are more than 3,200 relay teams, made up of five people each running around five miles.

There is also a wheelchair race.

The field includes runners from Ethiopia, Morocco, Canada and USA as well as many runners from the European mainland.

However, the majority of entrants are from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

There is full coverage of the Belfast Marathon on BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio Ulster, and the BBC NI Sport website from 08:45 BST on Sunday.

The latest weather forecast suggests a rather cloudy day with a moderate, north-easterly wind.

More on this story

• 'Superstar' runners praised for helping exhausted man finish marathon

• Everything you need to know about the Belfast Marathon

Alexander Zverev’s strong run at the Masters 1000 level is continuing, following his win over Flavio Cobolli in Madrid.

The 28-year-old, who has already won this event twice, looked comfortable as he reached the semi-finals. Zverev also holds a solid record against Cobolli, having won all three of their previous meetings.

Cobolli was ranked 40th before this tournament but is expected to move up after his impressive run in Madrid.

What Alexander Zverev said about Flavio Cobolli after their match

Speaking to Tennis TV while still on court, the German was asked whether this felt like payback, after Cobolli had beaten him in Munich just last month.

“No revenge,” Zverev said. “I love Flavio.”

He added: “He’s one of my favourite guys on tour. He knows that. I have a great relationship with him, a great relationship with his father.

“You know, this is sport. Sport can change very, very quickly.

“In Munich he played a great match; I didn’t play a very good match. Today maybe it was the opposite. I played an amazing first set, he didn’t play an amazing first set.

“In sports it’s like that and definitely happy with the win.”

Alexander Zverev breaks Masters 1000 record

There has been a lot of focus on Jannik Sinner’s recent success at the Masters 1000 level, but Zverev has quietly put together an impressive stretch himself, even though he hasn’t lifted a trophy since Paris in 2024.

His win over Cobolli marked his fifth straight semi-final appearance at this level, a milestone that puts him alongside Sinner in the history books.

Zverev and Sinner are now the first players ever to reach the semi-finals of five or more consecutive ATP Masters 1000 events. And with both still in the draw, a showdown between them in Madrid remains a real possibility.

This run underlines not just Zverev’s quality but also his consistency. Even without titles to show for it recently, he keeps pushing deep into tournaments and isn’t letting setbacks throw him off course.

He faces youngster Alexander Blockx next for a place in the final.

Read more:

Barcelona travels away from home to Pamplona as they face e Osasuna in their next La Liga encounter on Saturday.

Barcelona are leading the La Liga table and are on the verge of winning the league under Hansi Flick as they head into this match with an 11 point lead at the top of the table.

Osasuna vs Barcelona – Match preview and team news

• Date: Saturday, 2nd May.
• Kick-off: 8pm BST.
• Venue: Estadio El Sadar, Pamplona.

Osasuna team news

For the hosts, Osasuna enters this clash at El Sadar with a mix of reliability and fitness concerns. Ante Budimir, who remains the focal point of the attack with 16 goals this season, will lead the line once again.

However, the squad is stretched thin in certain areas. Iker Benito is sidelined with a knee injury, and Víctor Munoz remains out due to a muscle strain.

Question mark surrounds Aimar Oroz as well, who is racing against time to recover from a muscle issue; his presence in the starting XI likely won’t be confirmed until shortly before kickoff.

Despite these absences, the defensive core of Flavien Boyomo and Alejandro Catena remains intact to face the league leaders.

Osasuna remains highly motivated, as they are currently battling to secure a European qualification spot for next season.

Barcelona team news

The most welcome news for Hansi Flick is the return of captain Raphinha and young midfield anchor Marc Bernal, both of whom have been cleared to play following hamstring and ankle recoveries.

However, the defence takes a hit with Jules Koundé serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation.

Lamine Yamal is officially ruled out for the rest of the campaign, and while Andreas Christensen is back in training, he has not been risked for this matchday squad.

Flick faces a tactical dilemma regarding Robert Lewandowski, who may be rotated to manage his workload.

Additionally, the team must play with discipline, as Raphinha, Marc Bernal and Frenkie de Jong are all one booking away from a suspension that would rule them out of the upcoming El Clásico.

Form

Osasuna

Osasuna enters this fixture showing mixed form but remarkable resilience at home. In their last outing, they secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sevilla thanks to a 99th-minute winner, keeping them in the hunt for a European spot. While they have only two wins in their last eight games (W2, D3, L3), their record at El Sadar is formidable; they are currently on a ten-match unbeaten streak at home (W6, D4).

Barcelona

Barcelona is in blistering form as they march toward a second consecutive La Liga title under Hansi Flick. They have won nine consecutive league matches, most recently defeating Getafe 2-0. The Blaugrana have recorded two straight clean sheets in domestic play. Their only recent stumbles have come in cup competitions, losing their Champions League quarter-final to Atletico Madrid.

Predicted lineups

Osasuna: Herrera; Rosier, Catena, Boyomo, Galan; I Munoz, Moncayola; Moro, Oroz, Ruben Garcia; Budimir

Barcelona : J Garcia; E Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin, Cancelo; Gavi, Pedri; Bardghji, Olmo, Fermin; Torres

How to watch Osasuna vs Barcelona?

In the United Kingdom, the La Liga match between Osasuna and Barcelona will be broadcast exclusively on Disney+.

Read Also – PSG vs Lorient – Predicted lineup and team news

See More – Man United to prioritise Premier League-based transfer targets

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RC Lens will look to maintain the pressure on Paris Saint-Germain when they travel south to the Riviera to face relegation strugglers OGC Nice. A six-point gap between Lens and league leaders PSG exists ahead of today’s fixtures. 

Pierre Sage vented his frustration with his side following last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Stade Brestois. The head coach will likely ring the changes with a completely changed front three. Wesley Saïd. Abdallah Sima, and Florian Sotoca should drop to the bench for Allan Saint-Maximin, Odsonne Édouard, and Florian Thauvin. 

In defence, Arthur Masuaku’s suspension means that Samson Baidoo should return to the starting line-up, while on the right of the defence, Saud Abdulhamid will likely come in for Ruben Aguilar. 

Lens likely line-up v OGC Nice

Robin Risser; Malang Sarr, Samson Baidoo, Ismaëlo Ganiou; Matthieu Udol, Adrien Thomasson, Mamadou Sangaré, Saud Abdulhamid; Allan Saint-Maximin, Odsonne Édouard, Florian Thauvin. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Nick Hartland

St. Pauli

St. Pauli are languishing in the relegation playoff spot after mustering 26 points from their 31 games this season. A seven-game winless run has dented their hopes of escaping the bottom three, with five points separating them from Hamburger SV and FC Köln in 15th and 14th spot respectively. In truth, St. Pauli are fighting to avoid automatic relegation, given the fact they are just a point clear of Wolfsburg and four points better off than basement side Heidenheim. 

Their final day home clash with Wolfsburg has the potential to be a winner-takes-all affair, but ideally, they will look to do the majority of the work in their next two outings against Mainz and Leipzig. Alexander Blessin’s side will return home for matchday 31 after falling to a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to relegation rivals Heidenheim last weekend.

If they are to return to winning ways this weekend, St. Pauli will need to record their first-ever victory over Mainz since May 2009. 

Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon the services of James Sands, Mathias Pereira Lage and Ricky-Jade Jones.

Predicted lineup: Vasilj; Ando, Wahl, Mets; Saliakas, Smith, Irvine, Pyrka; Sinani, Fujita, Hountondji

Mainz 05

Mainz are sitting in 10th spot after winning eight, drawing 10 and losing 13 of their 31 league games this season. Mainz appear to be playing for position at this stage of the season, considering the fact they are eight points adrift of St. Pauli and nine points away from the European spots.

Urs Fischer’s side will travel to Millerntor-Stadion with hopes of returning to winning ways after failing to win their last four matches in all competitions. They followed a 1-0 defeat to Freiburg with a heavy 4-0 loss to Strasbourg in the second leg of their Conference League semi-final. After being eliminated from European competition, Die Nullfünfer returned to Bundesliga action with a 1-1 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach, before they fell to a 4-3 defeat against champions Bayern Munich after racing into a three-goal lead at the break.

While they spurned an opportunity to beat Bayern, Mainz will surely fancy their chances of claiming all three points on Sunday, having won four of their last five games against St. Pauli, including a 3-0 success in their last trip to Millerntor in October 2024. 

Team News

Mainz are without Lee-jae Sung, Silas, Benedict Hollerbach, Kasey Bos, Maxim Dal and Maxim Leitsch due to injury. 

Predicted lineup: Batz; Da Costa, Posch, Kohr; Caci, Nebel, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Becker, Tietz

Former Formula One driver and Paralympic champion Alessandro 'Alex' Zanardi has died at the age of 59, his family said in a statement on Saturday.

The Italian lost both legs in a car racing accident at the Lausitzring circuit in Germany in 2001.

He then took up para-cycling and won four gold medals and two silver medals in hand-cycling at the Paralympics.

Zanardi had competed in more than 40 Formula One races between 1991 and 1999. He drove for Lotus and Williams among others where he was a team-mate of Ralf Schumacher. He scored one solitary point.

His family did not provide details about the cause of death. They said Zanardi died suddenly on Friday evening.

"Alex fell asleep peacefully, surrounded by the affection of his loved ones," their statement said.

After his Formula One career ended, he suffered the life-changing accident after a pit-stop during a CART series race at the Lausitzring. His legs had to be amputated.

He later enjoyed success in cycling at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London and the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Italian PM Meloni leads tributes

In 2020 in another accident, he lost control of his hand-bike during a charity race in Tuscany and collided with a lorry. He suffered severe head and facial injuries and his life was in danger for some time.

Six years later and his death prompted heartfelt reactions across the world.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to Zanardi as an "extraordinary man who was able to turn every test in life into a lesson in courage, strength and dignity.

"With his sporting achievements, his example and his humanity, he gave all of us far more than just a victory: he gave us hope, pride and the strength never to give up."

The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) asked all sporting bodies in the country to hold a minute's silence for Zanardi at events this weekend.

Italian sport was full of tributes, including from Serie A leaders Inter: "FC Internazionale Milano joins the mourning of the sporting world after the passing of Alex Zanardi, a motorsport and Paralympic champion, and stands in solidarity with the family in this moment of grief."

Formula One president Stefano Domenicali, an Italian and friend of Zanardi, said in a statement: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend Alex Zanardi.

"He was truly an inspirational person, as a human and as an athlete. I will always carry with me his extraordinary strength."

F1's governing body the FIA said in a statement, "The FIA is saddened to learn of the passing of Alex Zanardi, the former Formula 1 driver, two-time CART champion whose journey from life-changing accident to Paralympics gold medallist made him one of sport’s most admired competitors and an enduring symbol of courage and determination."

As the clock ticked down during the second phase of qualifying for the Miami GP sprint race, Formula 1's world TV feed briefly cut to the incongruous spectacle of Liam Lawson sitting in his car in the Racing Bulls garage.

Lawson had been eliminated in the first phase of sprint qualifying but his team was hoping he would be allowed to return to the track. The belief was that Alex Albon's Williams would be penalised for exceeding track limits on the lap that put him 16th in SQ1, leaving Lawson 17th and therefore knocked out.

Albon had indeed gone beyond track limits at Turn 6 in setting the 1m30.216s lap, but this was not picked up at the time. An FIA spokesperson explained that tyre marks left on the asphalt by the other championships racing this weekend – including the domestic McLaren Trophy America and Porsche Carrera Cup as well as Formula 2 – meant its systems didn't register the infringement immediately, as they normally would.

Race director Rui Marques reported this to the stewards but SQ2 had already begun. Accordingly, all the times set by Albon in that session were also struck off once the stewards had reviewed the infringement, leaving just his initial SQ1 lap of 1m31.322s, putting him 19th on the grid.

"The stewards heard from the team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, and video evidence," said the stewards in their rationale for the decision.

"During SQ1, Car 23 [Albon] clearly exceeded track limits in turn 6. However this was not reported to the stewards until SQ2 had commenced.

"Car 23's time recorded on the lap that track limits were exceeded was sufficient to place it in SQ2. Hence at the time the Stewards were informed that Car 23 had left the track and that its lap should have been potentially deleted, it was already on track in SQ2.

"As this was an unusual situation, the stewards have decided to settle the matter by exercising their authority under Article 11.7.1.a of the International Sporting Code by deleting the lap time of the lap in question in SQ1. As Car 23 should not have proceeded into SQ2, all lap times from SQ2 will consequently be deleted."

Alexander Albon, Williams

This follows a precedent set in Austria in 2022, when Sergio Perez made it through to SQ3 and qualified fourth for the sprint race, but it was later discovered that he had breached track limits on the lap that elevated him to SQ3. The stewards then deleted not only the SQ2 lap, but also the SQ3 laps – much to the chagrin of Perez's Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, who felt the issue "should have been dealt with before SQ3".

"The team made the point that they took both risk and expended resources to compete in SQ3," said the stewards' verdict at the time. 

"The stewards accept this point. However, in assessing a penalty after a session, this is no different than any other situation.

"The usual penalty is deleting the lap time concerned, and the stewards order the same penalty here.

"However, as a consequence, the driver would not have proceeded into SQ3 and therefore, in fairness to all the other competitors, the stewards order that all the lap times for SQ3 for the driver also are deleted."

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Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal may have played his final game for the club, after suffering an injury that could keep him out until the final game of the season. The 34-year-old is out of contract this summer, and there is little certianty over his future.

The veteran right-back suffered a blow to his foot on training on Friday, and on Saturday morning, Real Madrid put out a statement confirming that he had an ‘fissure’ in one of his toes. Marca report that this will keep him out for a total of two weeks, risking his final appearances of the season.

Carvajal could play final game of the season

Given the midweek round of La Liga on the way means he will miss their clash with Espanyol this weekend, what could be the final Clasico of his career next weekend against Barcelona, Real Oviedo at home and potentially Sevilla away. His recovery time puts him right on the verge of returning at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Carvajal should be fit to face Athletic Club in the final game of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Carvajal’s World Cup dream all but over

The injury all but ends Carvajal’s hopes of going to the World Cup with Spain this summer. Manager Luis de la Fuente had reportedly told him that if he could demonstrate he was physically up to the task in the final two months of the season, then he would be considered for selection. However he has struggled to displace Trent Alexander-Arnold from the right-back slot, and Carvajal’s latest injury means that he will only have started one game since mid-March, amid talk of a falling out with Alvaro Arbeloa.

The end of Carvajal’s Real Madrid career?

It could also be a disappointing end to his Real Madrid career. Carvajal is out of contract this summer, and there has been no suggestion that they are set to offer him an extension. After three seasons dogged by injury, this would be a disappointing manner for Carvajal to close the curtain on his illustrious Real Madrid career.

Get French Football News sat down with former France, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton striker Louis Saha this week for a wide-ranging football chat.

In this third of a four-part interview, Louis spoke about some of the best players alongside whom he has played – and whether he thinks he would be able to get into the current France squad.

You mentioned Ledley King, who might be connected to my next question which is in two parts. You had the chance to play with incredible players like Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney for example. I wanted to ask you first who is the best player you have played with. And then – I don’t know if King will come up here, but who is the most underrated player you played with. For me it would be Sylvain Distin.

[Smiles] Awwwww! Ah well you’ve said it – you mustn’t think that it’s just because he’s my friend that I think of Sylvain. I’ve always teased him because I’ve never understood why was never selected for the full France team. I think he’s a player who didn’t receive the same attention or recognition as other players in his position. Maybe others had the gift of the gab or knew how to promote themselves more. He had stiff competition, like William Gallas, Michaël Silvestre, Jean-Alain Boumsong and others – very good players. But I always felt that Sylvain was at the same level, he played in a huge number of Premier League games – certainly of all French players he must be among those with the most appearances. So yes, he’s definitely right up there and it’s incomprehensible to me that he never received a call-up. But hey, that’s football, sometimes we miss out on things and don’t understand why. But he’s certainly one of the most underrated players of his generation, at least as far as defenders go.

And if we’re talking about Ledley King too, I had the chance to play with him for four or five months and what impressed me the most was that he was very physically diminished but you would never have known that on the pitch because of his mentality, his ability to adapt and always perform. So Ledley King is a legend in that sense.

As for best player, without disrespecting “ZZ” – ZZ had amazing charisma, had that magic – I’m talking about pure talent.

But, after maybe Pelé for those of another generation, the most complete, the most perfect player, if you had to build the perfect footballer, it’s Cristiano Ronaldo. If you’re creating Lionel Messi, you’re going to create him within a certain tactical system. But the ideal player, with the physique, the guy who is 1m88 tall, who goes at 3,000 kilometres an hour, who has endurance, technique, strength, who has a high footballing IQ – maybe not as high as Paul Scholes or even Messi but still very high – who is strong mentally, who is a leader but who also continues to challenge himself,  who will give you confidence because he always has so much self-confidence. Well, I can’t think of any other player like that. It’s impressive. For me, he’s a cyborg!

Speaking of very talented players, France at the moment is blessed with several great strikers. Does Louis Saha, at the top of his form, have a place in the current France squad?

Oh, that’s a great question! I think I have a game that is a little different from the others who are in the team today. We don’t necessarily have the traditional number 9 à la Olivier Giroud. Between Giroud, Djibril Cisse and me, let’s say, we had that number 9 role. Me, I’m not in the mode of a Hugo Ekitike, who is an incredible talent. I could see maybe Jean-Philippe Mateta in the squad. But when you see the likes of Dembouz – Ousmane Dembélé – and Kylian Mbappé as your strikers, with Marcus Thuram in the squad too – yes, I’d hope to be able to bring something too!

Louis Saha was talking exclusively to Get French Football News courtesy of ToonieBet

GFFN | Jeremy Smith

Texas A&M's 2026 wide receiver rotation is widely considered one of the top units in the nation after the addition of Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton this offseason, who brings much-needed size to the outside, while the return of star junior Mario Craver automatically made the Aggies contenders to return to the College Football Playoff for the second straight season.

After transferring from Mississippi State before the 2025 season, combined with fellow transfer and recent first-round NFL Draft selection KC Concepcion, Craver reeled in 59 receptions for 917 yards and four touchdowns, averaging an impressive 15.5 yards per reception, while his track speed and elite quickness out of his breaks make him the No. 1 player to watch as the Aggies' next potential first-round draft pick.

However, standing at just 5'9" and 165 pounds, Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith and Texas transfer Cam Coleman are considered Top-10 selections, while Craver, according to Pro Football Focus's latest 2027 NFL mock draft, sees the Aggies star going 32nd overall to the Los Angeles Rams, who will be looking to upgrade a wide receiver room that could look very different next offseason.

"The Rams bypassed their need for receiving help in the first round this year to draft quarterback Ty Simpson. The odds remain in their favor to win a third Lombardi Trophy next season, in which case this luxury pick could be used on a more dynamic offensive weapon. Craver could be a Rookie of the Year candidate in the right scheme."

While Smith and Coleman, both true X receivers, look like immediate impact players in any scheme, the "right scheme" is the correct fit for a player of Craver's skill set, utilizing his versatility in the slot or even at X, given his downfield speed and ability to consistently out-run coverage.

After selecting Ty Simpson, future Hall of Fame quarterback Matt Stafford's future will be re-evaluated after the 2026 season, and if the former Alabama signal caller is deemed to take over sooner rather than later, Mario Craver would be the perfect addition in one of the more wide receiver-friendly offensive schemes in the league.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M WR Mario Craver projected as first-round 2027 NFL Draft pick

The New York Giants added a wealth of talent to both sides of the ball during free agency this offseason.

New York signed former Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard to a two-year, $7.6 million deal in March. The nine-year veteran is expected to provide a significant boost to the Giants' backfield in 2026 and will reunite with head coach John Harbaugh in New York after spending nine seasons together in Baltimore.

Ricard has long been regarded as one of the NFL's top fullbacks throughout his nine-year career. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound star represents a major addition for the Giants, and he should make an immediate impact in New York as early as Week 1.

Ricard recently shared his first impressions of Giants quarterback Jaxon Dart, noting that the young passer already displays the traits of a true leader both on and off the field.

#Giants FB Pat Ricard on meeting QB Jaxson Dart:

“For me, he sat down with me and talked for like 10 minutes just to get to know me on my second day there. He’s very accessible.” https://t.co/taakm9Wjnapic.twitter.com/TN3c2wqhF9

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 1, 2026

"Year 2, I feel like he thinks he has a lot to prove," Ricard said. "He's very hungry. For me, he sat down and talked with me for like 10 minutes just to get to know me, like my second day there. He's very accessible. He's in the locker room after workouts playing pool for an hour.

"I think that’s really important for building the culture of the team and getting guys to play for you. It's very important for quarterbacks to bring the team together. You definitely see it. And having Jameis Winston in the room, Dart will learn from him as well in terms of leadership and team morale—trying to eat W's and whatnot."

Ricard should also provide a much-needed boost in protection for Dart next season. The young quarterback absorbed unnecessary hits on multiple occasions in 2025, and Ricard is expected to help both Dart and the Giants’ backfield as a whole.

Both Dart and Ricard are poised to play critical roles on New York’s offense in 2026, with the duo likely contributing directly to each other’s success throughout the season.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' Patrick Ricard: Jaxson Dart a 'hungry' leader ready for Year 2

Arminia Bielefeld and VfL Bochum lock horns as they look to secure their league status before the final matchday of the season. The visitors could even be safe at the end of this week, while Bielefeld also boosted their chances with a big win over Preußen Münster last week.

Here are the lineups for today’s clash at Schüco-Arena.

Confirmed Lineups

Bielefeld: Kersken; Hagmann, Bauer, Knoche, Handwerker; Russo; Corboz ©, Rochelt; Momuluh, Uldrikis, Grodowski

Bochum: Horn; Olsen, Loosli, Strompf, Wittek; Bero ©, Lenz; Miyoshi, Onyeka, Holtmann; Hofmann

To no surprise, the two Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball players to receive an invite to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine were Nick Boyd and John Blackwell.

Blackwell, who transferred to Duke this offseason, is still listed as a Wisconsin player in the official announcement from the NBA. Obviously, that was due to him spending his junior season with the Badgers and has nothing to do with him playing under Greg Gard again next season.

There's still a chance Blackwell declares for the NBA Draft. Keep in mind, the combine takes place from May 10-17, and all collegiate athletes must declare before the end of the month.

The NBA announced today that 73 players have been invited to the AWS NBA Draft Combine 2026, which will take place May 10-17 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.

Additionally, a select number of standout players from the AWS NBA G League Draft Combine 2026,… pic.twitter.com/9w2ncpacCe

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 1, 2026

As for Boyd, Wisconsin got everything it could out of his senior season. Gard couldn't have asked for much more as the 6-foot-3 guard who averaged a career high 20.7 points per game.

The New York native is a top 100 prospect, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll hear his name called at the draft in June. The combine gives Boyd every chance to prove that even though he's 25-years old, the oldest of any declared player, he can still compete at a high level and age is just a number.

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's Nick Boyd and John Blackwell invited to NBA Draft Combine

Holstein Kiel host Eintracht Braunschweig as both teams look to avoid the drop. The hosts are in a favorable position, but they still need more points to secure their league status. Ivan Nekic and Umut Tohumcu are absent after picking up their fifth yellow cards of the season in the win over Hertha BSC. Braunschweig left the bottom three after last week’s 2-0 win in Kaiserslautern.

Here are the lineups for today’s clash at Holstein-Stadion.

Confirmed Lineups

Holstein Kiel: Weiner; Rosenboom, Zec, Roslyng, Ivezic; Meffert ©; Kapralik, Davidsen, Ugoh, Therkelsen; Harres

Eintracht Braunschweig: Hoffmann ©; Aydin, Ehlers, Hoti, Bell Bell; Flick, Marie; Heußer, Tempelmann, Gomez; Mijatović

Today in Boston Celtics history, Hall of Fame Boston big man Bill Russell secured his final NBA championship in 1968, serving as the player-coach of the Boston Celtics. The Celtics defeated their longstanding rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, with a score of 124-109 in Game 6 of the finals. Celtics forward John Havlicek was the standout player in the win, contributing a total of 40 points and 10 rebounds, while forward Bailey Howard added another 30 points and 11 rebounds, and guard Larry Siegfried added another 22 points and 6 assists. This victory marked the Celtics' 10th championship banner as a franchise, the first of which was won during Russell's rookie season.

The title was also the first championship won without legendary general manager Red Auerbach serving in the role of head coach.

It was the first time NBA play had taken place in the month of May, and the first of the four major U.S. sports to see a Black head coach win a championship in the modern era.

Historic milestones

In 1981, the Boston Celtics erased a double-digit lead by the Philadelphia 76ers to win Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals, 91-90. Larry Bird led Boston with 23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and as many steals. Forward Cedric Maxwell added 19 points and 6 boards, and Robert Parish 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. The Celtics went on to win their 14th title over the Houston Rockets in the 1981 NBA Finals 4-2.

It is also the anniversary of a 109-99 Game 7 victory over the Chicago Bulls in the 2009 NBA Eastern Conference first round, the Celtics clinching the series with only the third game in that stretch that did not require overtime to settle. "Oh, my God. Overtime after overtime after overtime," offered center Glen Davis on the welcome change of pace, via the Associated Press.

On this day, point guard Isaiah Thomas scored 53 points in a 129-119 playoff victory over the Washington Wizards in 2017. The win was especially emotional for IT. It came on what would have been his sister Chyna's 23rd birthday. She had passed earlier in the week in an automobile accident. To add insult to injury, the Seattle native had spent hours in the dentist's chair ahead of the game addressing a tooth that had gotten knocked out earlier in the series.

It was the second-highest postseason point total logged by a Celtic, a point behind forward John Havlicek's 54-point record and just ahead of Ray Allen's 51-point performance from Game 6 of the 2009 first-round series against the Bulls. "The least I can do is go out there and play for her," Thomas said after the game via the Associated Press. "I knew once game-time came, my guys would get me going … There was no way I was sitting out."

Birthdays

It is also former Celtic big man Troy Murphy's birthday today. Murphy was born in 1980 in Morristown, New Jersey, and played for Notre Dame in college and the Indiana Pacers and New Jersey (at that time) Nets before being dealt to the Golden State Warriors in 2011.

Murphy was bought out and signed with Boston for the remainder of the season to help shore up the Celtics' aging frontcourt. He appeared in 17 regular-season games for Boston, averaging 2.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game while with the team.

Gone too soon

It is also the date that we lost big man Toby Kimball in 2017. The former UConn player had been drafted by Boston in 1965 and played 38 games over one season with the team before he was picked up by the (then) San Diego Rockets in the 1967 NBA expansion draft.

He averaged 2.6 points and 3.8 boards per game while with the Celtics.

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: IT for 53, Coach Russell last banner; beat 76ers in '81 ECF

Former Formula 1 driver and Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi has died at the age of 59.

The Italian had both his legs amputated after a motor racing accident in 2001 at the Lausitzring track in Germany.

He raced for Jordan, Minardi and Lotus in F1 in the early 1990s before switching to the Cart championship in the United States, winning the series in 1997 and 1998.

Following his injury he took up handcycling and won two golds in the Paralympics in London in 2012 before doing the same in Rio de Janeiro four years later.

"It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Alessandro Zanardi, which occurred suddenly yesterday evening, 1 May," Zanardi's family announced.

"Alex passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family and friends.

"The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all those who are showing their support at this time and asks that their grief and privacy be respected during this period of mourning."

Zanardi returned to motorsport after his crash, winning four times for BMW in the World Touring Car Championship from 2005-09.

In addition to his handcycling success at the Paralympics, he became a 12-time world champion and won the men's para-cycling race at the New York marathon in 2011.

Zanardi suffered serious head injuries in 2020 when he lost control of his handbike during a road race in Tuscany and crashed into an oncoming truck.

Formula 1's governing body the FIA said Zanardi's "journey from life-changing accident to Paralympics gold medallist made him one of sport's most admired competitors and an enduring symbol of courage and determination".

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her country had lost "a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every trial of life into a lesson in courage, strength, and dignity".

She added: "Alex Zanardi knew how to get back in the game every time, facing even the toughest challenges with determination, clarity, and a strength of spirit that was truly exceptional.

"With his sporting achievements, with his example, and with his humanity, he gave all of us much more than a victory: he gave hope, pride, and the strength to never give up.

"On behalf of myself and the government, I extend my heartfelt thoughts and the sincerest closeness to his family and to all those who loved him.

"Thank you for everything, Alex."

More to follow.

In honor of Jim Thorpe's legacy and to inspire the next generation, the Kansas City Chiefs recently hosted local American Indian youth for football drills, physical and mental wellness education, and a tour of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs hold the event annually in April to celebrate Thorpe's legacy, often including children from the Iowa, Kickapoo, and Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes.

Honoring Jim Thorpe's legacy by inspiring the next generation 🏈

Last weekend, we hosted local American Indian youth who joined us for football drills, physical and mental wellness education, and a tour of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium! pic.twitter.com/Z7U6yzwISQ

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 16, 2026

The Chiefs traditionally recognize Thorpe not just as an Olympian but also as a leader and pioneering professional football player. He was the first president of the American Professional Football Association, later known as the National Football League.

According to Chiefs Media, Thorpe's reputation as one of the nation's first great sports figures helped the fledgling professional league draw fans as he appeared in 52 games for six different teams, including the New York Giants and Chicago Cardinals. He was, without question, the new league's gate attraction, and it is said that he ran with great speed for his time and was not timid in playing with power.

The event's initiative is to create a lasting, positive impact on Native youth in the community, connecting them with Chiefs legends and the history of the game.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs honor Jim Thorpe's legacy in their annual community event

Dr Jessica Hammond-Graf is president and chief sporting officer of Women’s Elite Rugby, the US semi-professional rugby union competition that kicks off its second season on Saturday in Massachusetts and Illinois. Like most Americans, she did not grow up with the game.

An Army kid, she spent a lot of time playing soccer. In the early 90s, at the University of Connecticut, she tried out for the round ball and then played Ultimate Frisbee. Then, one fateful day, a woman on her floor said, “Hey, you should come try rugby, OK?” Hammond-Graf agreed, then found herself starting her very first game at fly-half, responsible for directing a team.

“Someone was running by me and was like, ‘Where am I supposed to go?’ And I’m like, ‘I don’t even know where I’m supposed to be. So like, let’s just figure this out, right?’”

Related: Women’s Elite Rugby: new league aims to boost US game and – finally – pay its players

In America, it was ever thus. Deep-end introductions can be challenging, bordering on terrifying, but can also prove extremely potent, seeding love of the game for life. Times change, players find the game younger and WER is altogether more professional in approach than 90s college rugby ever could have been. But having launched from the foundation of the amateur Women’s Premier League, and operating amid all the disadvantages that afflict women’s sports, the new league must still scrap for each yard gained.

Hammond-Graf’s own rugby career shadowed her professional career in the halls of higher education: coaching at Temple University in Philadelphia; game time in Louisiana for the New Orleans Half-Moons, while at Tulane; regional rugby, representing the West; US Eagles sevens selection, leading to memorable experiences in New Zealand and Fiji; playing back home for the DC Furies and NOVA, in Virginia; coaching with the US Naval Academy and Chesapeake women. But by the time WER came into view, in 2022, around the awarding of a US-hosted women’s World Cup in 2033, she’d actually stepped away.

“My professional background was in college athletics,” Hammond-Graf said. Rugby “was this thing that I was passionate about, but I didn’t have an active role in rugby at the time. Then in the fall of 2022, after the WPL season, the league leadership and the players came together, and they recognized that there was an opportunity for change, and they wanted to elevate rugby. And so myself and a group of other women were seated as the first external board. So really it was about taking that and running with that, and then launching WER, and I felt that my background in college athletics could help guide and shape the direction of the league, how we were going to go about our business.”

The mission, Hammond-Graf said, was simply “to elevate our game. We needed to evolve from the grassroots. The leadership at the time was great, but it’s really hard to be a player-led organization. We really wanted to elevate that for the players and for rugby in general, and really change the landscape of women’s rugby in the US.

“We know that there’s going to be a lot of eyes on rugby as early as 2028 with the Olympics [in Los Angeles] and the subsequent World Cups [the men’s event being hosted in 2031]. And so this was the opportunity to bring people along, to help build a fanbase, to create that pathway. Really to think of it in the business lens, that commercial lens. How do we take it from the grassroots to a professional environment?”

Season one kicked off last March. In California, Colorado, Chicago, Minneapolis-St Paul, Boston and New York, six teams got down to business, the result an inaugural championship for the Denver Onyx, a host of lessons learned.

“It’s certainly not easy,” Hammond-Graf said. “There’s a lot of late hours to really be able to put things in motion. For example, I think next year, or when we consider our expansion teams, we will have the venues before we announce the locations.

“Securing venues has probably been the hardest thing we’ve had to do, and right-sizing the venues too. We talk about elevating. You don’t want to just play on the parks and rec fields any more. We’ve all done that, and we’re now women playing in stadiums. But we don’t need 20,000-seat stadiums to capture an audience. So finding the right venues has probably been the hardest thing. We’ve pivoted this year to two new venues. The Bay Breakers are opening up at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, which we know is a great rugby pitch. The US just played there [against New Zealand]. And we’ve also pivoted in Chicago to Benedictine University, which grants access to a higher-level training environment.”

Season two brings new investors, including Grammy-winning singer Meghan Trainor, announced with appropriate fanfare this week. It also brings new challenges, including controversy over a change to USA Rugby rules regarding trans players in women’s rugby, dictated by the sport’s Olympic status and federal government pressure and with which WER has said it “does not agree”, adding that it will “actively work to ensure inclusion both on and off the pitch”.

Related: ‘Every body is a rugby body’: US women players fight for inclusivity after trans ban

Back on the field, the US Eagles squad for the recent Pacific Four series, including that game against the Black Ferns, contained five players from WER. Many top American players earn a living in England, in Premiership Women’s Rugby, but WER players thrive elsewhere, including on the world sevens circuit. Hammond-Graf points to such exploits from Tahna Wilfley, daughter of the former US Eagles fly-half Link Wilfley and a WER standout with Denver last year. The Eagles also deploy a number of players still in full-time college, a talent pool of which WER leaders are certainly aware.

Hammond-Graf works with WER’s director of rugby, the great Eagles prop Jamie Burke, to “make sure that we are casting a wide net, especially during the declaration period that happened last fall. One of the things that was important to us is to eliminate barriers to try out for WER. So that’s why right now we don’t have combines. We know there’s a lot of people that have a lot of rugby skills that can relocate and so we’re casting that wide net to bring people along and give them an opportunity to participate. Our coaches this past year went on a couple scouting trips to look at talent in the college ranks.”

There is continuity in coaching, five of the six teams starting season two with the coaches who started season one. In Chicago, Kristin Zdanczewicz took charge part way through that run.

Chicago were notable stragglers then, winless in 10 games while Denver won nine of 10 before smashing New York Exiles 53-13 to win the Legacy Cup. Hammond-Graf would like to see greater parity, in part because “we know fans will stick around for exciting matches. Coaches want the big swings, right? It gives them a little bit of breathing room. But with tight games, people stay involved. We’ve all seen those Super Bowls that are blowouts. We just end up turning them off. So we want to make sure that we have the player base to come along with us as we look to expand.”

Related: ‘Don’t you dare count us out’: KC women’s sports mogul hails US rugby double-header

That’s the plan: more teams, employing more women, particularly in areas “that we just haven’t tapped into. I joke that now, everything’s above the Mason-Dixon line. There’s a lot of rugby that’s happening in DC, down in North Carolina, in San Diego and the LA area. So there’s really still hotbeds for us to tap into, and there’s a lot of talent that for whatever reason can’t play in WER right now. So we know that there’ll be some good movement coming.”

USA Rugby and World Rugby will hope that is the case, as the World Cup approaches and as the Eagles seek to build on promise shown this month in victory over Australia and, in places, in defeats by Canada and New Zealand.

Hammond-Graf recently attended Senior Day at Dartmouth, in New Hampshire, long a women’s college power.

“When they were announcing, ‘So-and-so is graduating and her plans are blah, blah, blah,’ somebody said their plan was to play professional rugby. It just made my heart swell – whether it’s in the US or whether it’s overseas, that desire, that recognition that this is possible now. This is something young players can see as a pathway forward.”

• Martin Pengelly writes on rugby in the US on Substack, at The National Maul.

Rohit Sharma has been absent due to a persistent hamstring issue, and it remains to be seen if he remains out of action on Saturday evening as Mumbai Indians face Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. 

The franchise has struggled immensely to fill the gap at the top of the order. Without Rohit’s explosive starts, his replacement, like Danish Malewar, has failed to provide the necessary momentum, leaving the middle order under constant pressure.

However, MI coach Mahela Jayawardene did not reveal if Rohit will be available for selection.

Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source

“It’s progressed well. He’s working really hard to get back at it. For us, with the medical team, it’s on a daily basis," Jayawardene said in the pre-match press conference.

“We see how he feels, how he pulls up the next day. So we’ll make a decision. We’ll see him practising today as well. So let’s see how he feels tomorrow and what the medical team will tell us."

What is Rohit Sharma's score in today's CSK vs MI IPL 2026 match?

MI will make a late decision if Rohit has gained enough fitness to make it to the pitch against CSK. 

What is Rohit Sharma's record in IPL?

Dafabet

BEST ODDS AND OFFERS

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Where to watch Arsenal vs. Fulham live stream, TV channel, start time for Premier League match originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With zero margin for error, Arsenal are firmly in the crosshairs as their Premier League title chase is put to the test with a home match against Fulham on Saturday.

With just four matches remaining in the 2025/26 league schedule, the Gunners have a three-point lead over Manchester City, but they have also played one extra game, meaning the two sides are virtually neck-and-neck.

They are both almost entirely level on the two tiebreakers as well, with Arsenal holding a +38 goal differential with 64 goals scored, while Man City hold a +37 goal differential with 66 goals scored. Thus, not only will this match be about securing the three points, but the final scoreline will also be important as well.

Fulham are pushing for their own strong finish to the campaign, as the Whites make a push for European football. They sit 10th in the table, level on points with both Brentford and Chelsea above them, and within two points of fifth-placed Brighton. There may be as many as 11 European places up for grabs this season depending on how things finish.

The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.

Arsenal vs. Fulham live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch this Premier League match in English across the United States:

TV channel: NBC
Live stream:Peacock

This match will be televised on NBC network channel, given its importance in the Premier League title race. It will also be streamed on NBC's dedicated platform Peacock.

NBC can be accessed on DIRECTV. Catch every game – try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live MLB, March Madness, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.

Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.

What time does Arsenal vs. Fulhamkick off?

This Premier League clash takes place at the Emirates Stadium in London, England and kicks off on Saturday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. local time.

Here's how that time translates across the United States:

Premier League fixture schedule this week

All times Eastern.

Friday, May 1

• Leeds vs. Burnley (3 p.m.)

Saturday, May 2

• Brentford vs. West Ham (10 a.m.)
• Newcastle vs. Brighton (10 a.m.)
• Wolves vs. Sunderland (10 a.m.)
• Arsenal vs. Fulham (12:30 p.m.)

Sunday, May 3

• Bournemouth vs. Crystal Palace (9 a.m.)
• Man United vs. Liverpool (10:30 a.m.)
• Aston Villa vs. Tottenham (2 p.m.)

Monday, May 4

• Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest (10 a.m.)
• Everton vs. Man City (3 p.m.)

Where to watch High Limit Racing at Texas Motor Speedway: Full schedule, times, live streams for sprint car races originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 High Limit Racing season continues Saturday with the 12th race of the circuit, being held at Texas Motor Speedway.

Owned by NASCAR champion Kyle Larson and sprint car champion Brad Sweet, High Limit Racing is a premier dirt-track sprint series featuring dozens of top-tier drivers from around the nation. High Limit Racing expanding into a national touring series just two years ago.

Between the sprint series, O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Cup Series, Larson has the opportunity to win four races in Texas this week. Larson won Thursday night's race, marking his 11th career triumph with the series, and second this season. Could he go four for four?

Be sure to tune in for all the action in DFW.

Here's everything you need to know about High Limit Racing at Texas Motor Speedway, including TV channel and streaming options for the sprint car races.

Where to watch High Limit Racing 2026: Channel, live stream

• TV channel: None
• Live stream:FloRacing

The High Limit Racing sprint-car races at Texas Motor Speedway won't be on TV this weekend. However, Saturday's race will be available to stream on FloRacing.

High Limit Racing at Texas Motor Speedway full schedule

Here's a look at the schedule for the remaining race on Saturday. 

Saturday, May 3

High Limit Series Championship points 2026 leaderboard

Related Links

• Latest NASCAR news and updates
• 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule
• Printable 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule
• 2026 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule
• 2026 Craftsman Truck Series schedule

David Benavidez vs. Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez live stream: How to watch, start time, channel originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A massive cruiserweight title fight airs on Cinco de Mayo weekend when David Benavidez and Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez compete for the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles.

Here’s how to watch David Benavidez vs. Gilberto Ramirez, including streaming options and channel to catch the main card.

Where to watch David Benavidez vs. Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez

• Live Stream: DAZN | Amazon Prime
• PPV price: $79.99

David Benavidez vs. Gilberto Ramirez will be available on DAZN worldwide. The event will also air on Amazon Prime. 

A DAZN monthly subscription is $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $29.99 month-to-month. The annual subscription is $224.99.

The PPV price is $79.99. 

David Benavidez vs. Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez start time

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Start time: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT
• Main event start time (approx.): 11:15 p.m. ET | 8:15 p.m. PT
• Location: T-Mobile Arena - Las Vegas

David Benavidez vs. Gilberto Ramirez is on Saturday, May 2. The main card starts at 8 p.m. ET and the main event should begin around 11:15 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.

Benavidez (31-0) is a two-time WBC super middleweight champion. The 29-year-old moved to light heavyweight and beat Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the interim WBC belt, eventually becoming full-time champion. He beat Anthony Yarde in his last fight.

The 29-year-old, with 25 wins via knockout, who has attempted to fight Canelo Alvarez, looks to be the true face of boxing by winning a title in another weight class in this Mexico vs. Mexico showdown.

"I feel like this weight is definitely gonna help me," said Benavidez. "Once you get to this weight, the punches are bigger. When you combine that power with my speed, I bring something to the cruiserweight division that hasn't been seen since James Toney. My speed is superb, and it's just on a different level. This is gonna be the best David Benavidez that you see."

Ramirez (48-1) dominated the super middleweight division for years. "Zurdo" lost the first fight of his career in 2022 when Dmitry Bivol outpointed him to retain light heavyweight gold. The 34-year-old moved to cruiserweight and won the WBA and WBO belts.

With 30 wins via knockout, Ramirez looks to hold onto gold against his former sparring partner.

"I’ve thought about fighting for David for about 10 years," said Ramirez. "I think we both wanted to fight each other for that long. Now the time is almost here. David is a great fighter. I’ve been watching him a lot over the years and keeping an eye on him, knowing that one day we’d get in there together."

David Benavidez vs. Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez fight card

• Gilberto Ramirez (c) vs. David Benavidez for the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles
• Armando Resendiz (c) vs. Jaime Munguia for the WBA super middleweight title
• Oscar Duarte vs. Angel Fierro; Super Lightweights
• Isaac Lucero vs. Ismael Flores; Super Welterweights
• Jorge Chavez vs. Tito Sanchez; Super Bantamweights
• Daniel Blancas vs. Raul Salomon; Super Middleweights
• Juan Carrillo vs. Marlo Delgado; Light Heavyweights

The curse is lifted! The New Jersey Devils are saved! Sunny Mehta must be thrilled.

If you’re a conspiracy theorist, you might believe your favorite team is cursed.

Well, it seems like that’s over thanks to a WWE Superstar who apparently wields that kind of power. More on that in the links below.

Elsewhere, Mehta’s first fingerprints, a big free-agent decision, and more.

Devils Trade Rumors & News

New Jersey Hockey Now:Sunny Mehta made his first major move, signaling changes to the Devils’ front office as two executives wont see their contracts renewed. 

Speaking of Mehta, he has some important pending free agents to tend to. Here are four players he should re-sign, and one BIG maybe in the latest Devils analysis.

Okay, this is good. One day after WWE’s Danhausen uncursed the New York Knicks—who then went on to maul the Atlanta Hawks and move onto the second round of the NBA Playoffs—he received another request to uncurse the Devils, and did. Here’s the video:

📺 Devils Rink Report: With Sunny Mehta’s analytical approach, can he fix the goaltending? What does that mean for the future with Jacob Markstrom in net? I broke it all down on the latest Devils Rink Report.

Full episode here 👇🏼

Please be sure to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on those notifications for when we go LIVE every Friday!

For podcast listeners, we’ve officially launched on several platforms. Listen to Devils Rink Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

ALSO! Devils Rink Report is on TikTok now — Follow us here.

Sign up for the New Jersey Hockey Now newsletter for daily Devils intel straight to your inbox.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

The Athletic ($): The Buffalo Sabres didn’t let the Boston Bruins force a Game 7. They’re moving on to the second round. More inside on the key takeaways from Game 6.

More from The Athletic, the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid wasted yet another year of contention. They were eliminated by the younger and very green Anaheim Ducks. So, what went wrong, and what’s next?

Forever Blueshirts: The Devils aren’t the only ones making changes as the New York Rangers announced they’ve parted ways with a member of their front office that’s underwhelmed for quite some time.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: When asked if he’d play for another team if the Pittsburgh Penguins don’t extend him, Evgeni Malkin didn’t mince words. The answer is yes. More inside from Dan Kingerski.

Colorado Hockey Now: This isn’t the first time the Colorado Avalanche have met Minnesota in the postseason. In fact, they have a storied history in the postseason.

Montreal Hockey Now: The Tampa Bay Lightning have forced a Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens. The good news is the Habs’ depth scoring is driving success. However, the bad news is in the top-six.

Related Headlines

• Sunny Mehta Makes First Changes to Devils Front Office
• Devils Analysis: Four Players to Re-Sign, One Big Maybe
• Devils Daily: Weird Stats; Quinn Hughes Delivers; Brady & Florida

Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs kicks off on Saturday when the Philadelphia Flyers (0-0, 4-2) take on the Carolina Hurricanes (0-0, 4-0) at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Hurricanes make quick work of the Ottawa Senators, sweeping them in 4 games. However, quick work was not easy work. Each game was decided by two or fewer goals. Two of them were decided by one goal, one was a one-goal game before an empty-netter, and of course, the Hurricanes won Game 1 2-0 after the controversial no-goal call on Drake Batherson’s would-be goal for the Senators.

The Flyers took 6 games to put their bitter rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins, away in an emotional series. Games 1, 2, and 3 were a defensive clinic by the Flyers, coupled with opportunistic scoring. That went missing for the next 3 games, but the Flyers came through with the Game 6 overtime winner.

Puck drop is at 8:00 p.m. EST at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Here is how the Flyers are expected to line up.

Read More: Cam York Calls Game: The Flyers Are Moving on After OT Thriller vs. Penguins

Flyers expected lines & pairs @ Hurricanes

Forwards

Denver Barkey–Trevor Zegras–Owen Tippett
Travis Konecny–Christian Dvorak–Porter Martone
Alex Bump–Noah Cates–Matvei Michkov
Luke Glendening–Sean Couturier–Tyson Foerster

Defensemen

Travis Sanheim–Rasmus Ristolainen
Cam York–Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler–Noah Juulsen

Goalies

Dan Vladar
Sam Ersson

Special Teams
PP1: Drysdale, Cates, Zegras, Foerster, Martone
PP2: Ristolainen, Dvorak, Tippett, Konecny, Bump

PK1: Cates, Couturier, York, Sanheim
PK 2: Dvorak, Tippett, Seeler, Ristolainen

Read More: Flyers Analysis: Incredible Goaltending, Outlasting the Penguins, & Making Necessary Adjustments

Game Notes

The Hurricanes did not score many goals in their win over the Senators. In fact, they had 11 total. Carolina got great goaltending from Frederik Andersen in those games, enough to hold the Senators to just 5 goals in 4 games. Anderson is getting the start for Game 1 against the Flyers. He’s going to be tough to crack.

To that point, Dan Vladar has been just as good, if not better, in his 6 games for the Flyers in Round 1. In 6 games, Vladar gave up 11 goals, including 2 shutouts. His 42-save shutout in Game 6 was what sealed the deal for the Flyers.

This could be setting up to be a goaltender’s duel. The Flyers will need Vladar at his best.

As for what to look for for the Flyers, I will be keeping a close eye on Jamie Drysdale and Travis Sanheim in this series. The Flyers will need clean breakouts if they want a chance to establish possession throughout the series. Both Sanheim and Drysdale were the best with the puck on their stick exiting the zone. They’re going to need to keep that up.

Lastly, the Flyers will need to be much more opportunistic. Carolina is a good, no, great shot-suppressing team. Chances will be limited, so if the Flyers get a good look, they’d best not miss. In the late games of the series against the Penguins, they failed to capitalize on many good chances. That has to change in Round 2.

How to Watch Flyers @ Hurricanes

TV: ABC
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Puck drop is at 8:00 p.m. EST at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh.

Read More: Flyers vs. Hurricanes Game 1 Date Set

The post Flyers-Hurricanes Game 1: Lines, Notes, & How to Watch appeared first on Philly Hockey Now.

Good morning Broncos Country!

We are down to our final recap of the Denver Broncos draft picks with Mr. Irrelevant himself: Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock. This pick was one that was universally loved by fans. Especially after the team ignored inside linebacker through their first six picks of the draft and, frankly, they got a downhill baller despite it being the final pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Let’s review the pick and, if you missed any, here are the others I went through this week:

Potent quotables – Red Murdock focus

Paton and Payton quotes on Murdock

On the other two seventh-round picks, S Miles Scot and LB Red Murdock

Sean Payton: “[S] Miles [Scott] we were real familiar with, talking with ‘Palcho’ (T Alex Palczewski) and [WR] Pat [Bryant]. These guys were teammates. Illinois had a handful of players drafted. It would be very normal, especially when a player’s younger on our roster, [and] has been on the same team. His name came up and up. He went in with Pat as a receiver and then was converted. So with both our players, his name came up a number of times. Throughout the process, I think we became very familiar with him. So there’s versatility, special-teams flex.”

George Paton: “With Miles, I think the ball skills. I think he had seven interceptions throughout his career. [He is] very physical for a former receiver, and instincts for a guy who hasn’t played it all that long. We thought he had really good anticipation and instincts, and thus he had the interceptions. I think he fits in with our group and what we look for in safeties. Then [LB Red] Murdock, just man, he’s a tackling machine. Just really instinctive. Really good against the run. He may hold the record—you guys may know—for forced fumbles. Everyone talked about the Texas Tech guy [Dolphins LB Jacob Rodriguez], and he was amazing, but this guy—oh my gosh, if you look at his career and all the forced fumbles he had. Just a nose for the ball, relentless motor. Think he could be a good special teamer. Great make up, all of these guys I think have great make up.”

On the Mr. Irrelevant pick and Irrelevant Week in Newport Beach, Calif.

SP: “When we talked to [TE Dallen] Bentley, he’s vice president Mr. Irrelevant. So if there’s anything that [LB Red] Murdock can’t handle, then the two of them…”

Red Murdock quotes

On how he feels about being Mr. Irrelevant and what he knew about Mr. Irrelevant before being selected

“I feel extremely grateful and excited to be able to go out there for the Broncos. I know a little bit about Mr. Irrelevant, but the main thing is I have to make the most out of it and help us win.”

On what it was like to get the call from the Broncos

“It was an emotional moment trying to hold it all together in front of the family and everything. I’m just really excited to get the opportunity. The main thing now is just being able to help the team be able to win. I’m excited to play for the Broncos. That’s a great team that I wanted to play for before the draft.”

On his production in college with 17 forced fumbles

“Meticulous intent and being kind of being obsessed with it. Now I’m just ready to go do that on the field and help us get some wins.”

On how he would describe himself as a linebacker and a player

“I’m a team-first guy, but as a linebacker I prepare as a quarterback on the defense and getting everyone on the same page. Make sure our defense performs as one and that is what I’m looking forward to bringing to the Broncos team as a player that is going to put the team success before all else in any instance.”

On if he thought he would go undrafted

“I was trying to keep my mind off of things that I can’t control. When I got that call, I was extremely grateful.”

On if he had opportunities to leave the University of Buffalo and why he stayed

“I did have opportunities, but I’m big on being a team-first guy. That is all that matters to me. Also I felt like my main thing was being the best player that I can be and winning a MAC championship. I felt like I could have done that when I had those opportunities, so I stayed.”

Under the Radar

It’s not just Broncos fans who love the Red Murdock pick.

Everything Red Murdock

We here at Mile High Report covered each Denver Broncos draft pick in a variety of ways, but the news feed got deep fast and much of that coverage was buried in short order. Here is everything we did on linebacker Red Murdock over draft weekend ICYMI:

Denver Broncos select Buffalo LB Red Murdock 257th overall
Denver closed out the entire 2026 NFL Draft by making Buffalo’s Red Murdock “Mr. Irrelevant” — but the tape says otherwise. The 6’2″, 233-pound linebacker was a second-team AP All-American in 2025 and set the NCAA record for career forced fumbles with 17. Over his final two seasons, Murdock racked up 298 combined tackles, 30 TFLs, seven sacks, and 13 forced fumbles. ESPN’s Matt Miller had him ranked 167th on his own board, making him a 90-spot value steal at No. 257 that directly fills Denver’s need for linebacker depth.

Denver Broncos inside linebacker Red Murdock highlights
The highlights show a physical, downhill thumper who is a magnet to the football — and specifically to the football when it’s in someone else’s hands. Murdock’s forced fumble reel is absurd for any draft prospect, let alone the last pick in the draft. He flies downhill against the run, delivers big hits at the point of attack, and has a nose for stripping the ball that’s borderline instinctive. The limitations are clear on tape too — he’s not great in space or coverage — but as a run-game enforcer and special teams weapon, the highlights make a strong case he’ll outplay his draft slot.

Why the Broncos drafted Buffalo LB Red Murdock
Dane Brugler had a fourth-to-fifth-round grade on Murdock and called him “a magnet to the football who plays with physicality that will get the job done in the NFL” — so getting him at 257 was a gift. The Broncos see his early path as a special teams ace, where his physicality and team captain pedigree make him a natural fit, with a longer-term development track at inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad where the depth is thin. He won’t cover tight ends in space, but that’s not why he’s here. Denver drafted a violent, turnover-forcing linebacker with a legitimate shot at making the 53-man roster — not bad for the last name called.

My favorite picks were Jonah Coleman and Kage Casey, but after that it would have to be Red Murdock. Absolutely loved their last pick. How are you feeling about Murdock being a Denver Bronco?

There are moments that define an era, and the message from Jurgen Klopp to Mo Salah feels like one of them as we approach the end of a remarkable Liverpool chapter.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

During an interview with Steven Gerrard on TNT Sports, the former boss surprised the Egyptian with a pre-recorded message that perfectly captured their journey together at Liverpool.

Klopp’s message to Salah shows what Liverpool was built on

The German began by acknowledging the significance of the moment, addressing both Salah and Gerrard in a way only he could.

“Two of my legends are sitting together… Stevie, you know how much I love you. But Mo, it was an absolute honour to work with you. It was a pleasure as well… not every minute but most of the time.”

It was a typically honest Klopp line, mixing humour with genuine appreciation, before he reflected on the promise he made when Salah first arrived at Anfield.

“And you remember when we came together I said let’s create a special story and let’s make sure that when we see each other in 10, 15, 20 years’ time and look back we cannot avoid a smile.”

A legacy Liverpool will never forget

That message hits differently now, because everything Klopp spoke about has come true, with Salah becoming one of the defining figures of this era.

The former Borussia Dortmund manager made that clear as he closed his tribute.

“And I have that smile when I think of our time together.

“I’m just super happy and thankful that I was part of the whole journey for a while. And all the best for what’s coming up. There are still a few good years to come… have a great time.”

For us, it ties directly into everything Salah has said himself, whether that’s calling for Jordan Henderson to receive a proper send-off or explaining the desire that drove him to chase the standards set by Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish.

What Klopp described at the very start, creating something special and leaving with a smile, is exactly what this Liverpool side has done.

As players move on and eras change, moments like this remind us that while individuals come and go, the story they build together is what truly lasts.

​​Good morning, New York Giants fans!

From Big Blue View

• NY Giants post-2026 NFL Draft 53-man roster projection
• NY Giants UDFAs: DT Anquin Barnes Jr. could be a hidden gem for New York
• NFL Draft 2026: NY Giants UDFA tracker — signings, rumors, news, updates
• Giants free agency tracker 2026: Rumors, cuts, signings, news, analysis

Other Giant observations

Giants decline fifth-year option for CB Deonte Banks | Pro Football Talk

Giants cornerback Deonte Banks is now set to become a free agent next spring as the team has declined Banks’ fifth-year option, setting up 2026 to be the final year of his rookie contract. If the Giants had elected to pick up Banks’ option, they would have owed him $12.633 million guaranteed in 2027. Banks is set to earn $2.6 million in base salary for 2026.

The Giants selected Banks with the No. 24 overall pick of the 2023 draft. He’s appeared in 45 games with 35 starts, recording 28 total passes defensed with two interceptions. He has not recorded a pick since his rookie year.

Giants have Harbaugh-esque draft leaning on big, physical players | ESPN.com

Harbaugh said New York added a bunch of players this offseason who are giants, both literally and figuratively. Which is necessary for a team that wants to run power concepts on offense and impose their will on defense. Not the other way around.

It’s not abnormal for a new coach and regime to want guys who fit their mold. And that is what has happened with the Giants so far this offseason. They’ve brought in players who fit what Harbaugh wants to do on the field. It’s a process that will likely even take another full offseason to complete.

With Harbaugh having more say in personnel than Giants coaches of the past, they finally seem to have an identity. The draft was the latest step in putting the pieces in place for Harbaugh and his newly installed staff.

Joe Schoen discussing the Giants offseason, John Harbaugh

“The relationship’s been great, aligned in the way we’re building the team.”#Giants GM Joe Schoen, on his chemistry with John Harbaugh, during his visit with @judybattista and me on The Insiders on @nflnetwork. More 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/6bvmeXvFJI

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) May 1, 2026

2026 NFL Draft: New York Giants draft recap | PFF

The Giants used the No. 5 overall pick on Ohio State‘s Arvell Reese. A top-two talent on the PFF Big Board, Reese provides a physical, downhill presence with the athleticism to mirror the impact of 2025 pick Abdul Carter. New York landed Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa at Pick 10. Mauigoa, who earned an 87.0 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2025, offers immediate flexibility as a dominant run blocker on the interior or a long-term answer at tackle.

Illinois tackle J.C. Davis represents a major steal at pick 192. Ranked No. 147 on the Big Board, Davis posted the class’s highest PFF grade (87.8) and dominated in the run game with an 86.7 run-defense grade. Overall Grade: A

Why rival NFL execs are raving about the Giants, Jets and Raiders | FanSided.com

“John will know how to use Reese,” one longtime personnel executive with a keen understanding of Harbaugh told me. “That’s the perfect player for him. He is going to build a big, tough team. He understands cold weather football. You can see it in this draft.”

“You can just see the impact he’s had on that entire franchise,” said one general manager. “It’s like there’s an adult in charge now. Trading Lawrence is tough, but you have to take the 10th pick if the player wants out and you can’t make it work. I thought they had a great draft.”

6 NFL Draft team fits that are so good, rookies can become instant stars | SB Nation

Arvell Reese, LB, New York Giants — 1st round, 5th overall. It might seem like a copout to throw the top player on our big board on this list, but it really can’t be overstated how perfect a fit Reese will be on the Giants. The best trait Reese brings to the pros is his unbelievable scheme flexibility, which translates to chaos in the NFL. Essentially he’s a player that can be moved all around the formation into basically any position in the front seven and find a way to make an impact.

The only thing that can hamper a player like this is a lack of talent around them. If a chaotic linebacker like this finds himself being the only threat on the field then it becomes easy for a team to bracket them and neutralize that ability. This simply is not possible when it comes to the New York Giants. Opposing offenses have to account for Brian Burns on every down, then worry about a rotation of Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux coming off the edge. With two solid pass rushers in on snaps it creates the ultimate canvas for Reese to wreak havoc.

Sixteen Day 3 NFL draft picks who could compete for starter snaps as rookies in 2026 | NFL.com

16. Bobby Jamison-Travis, Auburn · DT. I’m expecting the Giants to sign a veteran before training camp or after final cuts to bolster the nose tackle spot left open by the Dexter Lawrence trade. However, Jamison-Travis has a quick first step to go with strong hands that he uses to shed blockers in the run game. Quality play in training camp and the early part of the season could give him a chance to lock up a starting spot by midseason.

Darius Slayton surgery has no bearing on Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. interest | New York Post

Wide receiver Darius Slayton had offseason surgery for a core-muscle injury but he is expected to be ready to roll for training camp and this physical issue has nothing to do with any interest the Giants have in signing Odell Beckham Jr., The Post has learned.

Slayton, the longest-tenured Giants player — he arrived in the 2021 NFL Draft — tried to fight through the core-muscle injury but decided surgery was his best course of action.

Giants-Odell Beckham reunion: Latest update on if it will happen | NJ.com

It remains possible the Giants will reunite with Odell Beckham, their once-great wide receiver.

Here’s what general manager Joe Schoen told NFL Network on Thursday about the situation: “We worked him out a couple of weeks ago, and he did a good job in terms of that. We’ll continue to have conversations with his camp and see where it goes.”

Making Sense of Every NFL Backfield After 2026 NFL Draft | Bleacher Report

RBs: Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, Dante Miller. Regardless of how the Giants list Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. on the depth chart, they’ll both have significant roles. Skattebo is a rugged ball-carrier who will dish out and take punishment after contact, though he can also catch out of the backfield. The 5’11”, 215-pounder hauled in 24 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns last season.

That said, on passing downs, the Giants can feature Tracy, who played wide receiver in college. As an elusive playmaker, the receiver-turned-tailback can be a dynamic threat in Big Blue’s offense. He’s racked up over 1,000 scrimmage yards in back-to-back campaigns.

Albert Breer on the Joe Schoen/John Harbaugh relationship

Ranking the New York Giants’ 8 UDFAs: Who has the best shot to make the team? | The Athletic

4. Ryan Schernecke, OL, Kutztown. The Giants invested in their offensive line this offseason, using the No. 10 pick on Francis Mauigoa and re-signing RT Jermaine Eluemunor in free agency. They added depth on Day 3 of the draft by selecting tackle J.C. Davis along with other depth signings in free agency. But you can never have too many options in the trenches, and Schernecke, like Dixon, drew a relatively large contract for a UDFA.

The 6-6, 318-pound Schernecke was the No. 39-ranked offensive tackle in Brugler’s rankings and was a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award, which is given to the nation’s best Division II lineman. The question is, how will Schernecke be able to make the leap from Division II to the NFL?

Too Early 2027 NFL Mock Draft: Arch Manning No. 1? | Sharp Football Analysis

9. New York Giants, Top Draft Pick Prediction: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame. Giants Projected Win Total: 7.5

It’s rare that you have a top prospect at a premium position fall all the way to nine, but that is the case this year with Moore since there are so many teams drafting ahead of the Giants that potentially will need quarterbacks. According to PFF, Moore finished the 2025 season with a 92.6 coverage grade, which ranked #1 among all Power 4 cornerbacks.

Around the league

Makai Lemon talks DeVonta Smith, getting Nick Foles’ blessing to wear No. 9 | Bleeding Green Nation9

Dan Quinn explains how Commanders might use Sonny Styles in 2026 NFL season | Hogs Haven

Todd Monken: I would love to name QB before training camp, I’m not there yet | Pro Football Talk

Browns break ground on $2.4 billion stadium targeted for ’29 | ESPN.com

Dan Morgan: Panthers to sign QB Bryce Young to long-term deal ‘at the right time’ | NFL.com

2026 NFL schedule release date is still up in the air | CBSSports.com

Russell Wilson in talks to go into TV, with CBS the favorite: Sources | The Athletic

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Newcastle vs Brighton: Gordon Boost Gives Howe Timely Selection Lift

Gordon Fitness Shapes Newcastle Attack

Newcastle approach Brighton with Anthony Gordon pushing hard to return at St James’ Park, a timely boost after the England winger missed the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal with a groin issue. Eddie Howe had already suggested Gordon should be ready for this fixture, and his partial return to training has strengthened the sense that he can be involved.

That matters. Newcastle need pace, width and direct running against a Brighton side who can stretch games with their own bravery in possession. Gordon’s presence on the left would give Howe a sharper outlet, while Harvey Barnes could come back on the opposite flank ahead of Jacob Murphy.

Photo IMGAO

Midfield Muscle Returns For Howe

Joelinton’s return from suspension gives Newcastle their preferred midfield blend again. Alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, he restores bite, carrying power and control. Against Brighton, that trio may decide whether Newcastle can turn pressure into territory and territory into chances.

Will Osula is expected to continue through the middle, despite competition from Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa. Howe appears ready to trust Osula’s movement and physicality after Wissa missed a major chance at Arsenal.

Defensive Changes Could Define Brighton Clash

Tino Livramento’s groin injury leaves Newcastle with a right back decision, with Lewis Miley tipped to edge Kieran Trippier. On the other side, Lewis Hall could replace Dan Burn, adding more adventure from deep.

In goal, Aaron Ramsdale is expected to come straight in for Nick Pope after Pope survived a red card scare at the Emirates. Newcastle’s possible XI reads: Ramsdale, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Barnes, Osula, Gordon.

For Newcastle and Brighton, this is a fixture of fine margins. Howe’s side need authority, not anxiety.

The 2025-26 Serie A season is beginning to draw to a close and teams are already beginning to plan their next steps ahead of opening of the transfer window, but it could be another complicated summer for Juventus and Aston Villa loanee Douglas Luiz according to the latest reports.

Juventus may struggle to find a Douglas Luiz solution this summer

Douglas Luiz joined Juventus in a €50m deal from Aston Villa at the beginning of the 2024-25 season, but went on to have a disappointing start to life in Serie A with just starts in the league during his first campaign in Italy.

Having failed to convince during his first season in Turin, Douglas Luiz was allowed to leave to join Nottingham Forest on loan with a conditional obligation to buy in a deal that could have earned Juventus €31.5m if all bonuses were met.

In the end, Forest did not trigger the obligation to buy clause in the Brazilian’s contract, and instead agreed to terminate his deal ahead of schedule, which facilitated a return to his former club, Aston Villa, during the January transfer window.

The Aston Villa loan deal included an option to buy for a fee of €25m with bonuses of up to €3.5m, however, according to the latest reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Villa have already decided that they are unwilling to trigger their option to buy.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Douglas Luiz of Villa in action during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park on February 21, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Though he made six consecutive starts in the Premier League after rejoining Aston Villa in January, Douglas Luiz has not been included in the starting XI for the last five league fixtures, nor has he started in any of the club’s last three outings in the Europa League. Since mid-March, the 27-year-old has only played for a total of 80 minutes.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juventus need to raise around €30m from Douglas Luiz if they are to avoid making a capital loss. But given that he has now endured underwhelming stints with three different clubs over the last 18 months, the Pink Paper writes that Douglas Luiz will become ‘a big problem’ for the Bianconeri this summer: “Finding a club willing to relaunch him will not be easy at all.”

The Atlanta Braves announced a few moves prior to Friday evening’s game in Colorado, beginning with recalling right-hander Hunter Stratton to Atlanta. The club also selected the contract of fellow righty Anthony Molina. Things were not as fortunate for Joel Payamps and José Suarez, who were each designated for assignment.

Stratton has yet to make his 2026 debut at the major league level, but in Triple-A, he’s put together a 4.50 ERA in 11 games.

Molina made his season debut Friday night, where he threw two hitless innings. He recorded just one base on balls. 

Given that Payamps and Suarez have been DFA’d, this looks to be a step in the right direction for the Atlanta bullpen.

More Braves News:

Despite his quad issue, Michael Harris II continued to rake and delivered a clutch two-run homer to give the Braves the 8-6 edge over the Colorado Rockies.  

In the latest Braves Biweekly, we look at how the Braves are shaping up to be the best team in the league. 

MLB News:

The Baltimore Orioles have placed right-hander Ryan Helsley on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. The move is retroactive to April 29.

Tampa Bay Rays righty Ryan Pepiot will miss the remainder of the season due to hip surgery. 

The Milwaukee Brewers placed righty Brandon Woodruff on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Fortunately, there are no structural concerns and his time on the IL should be minimal.

From the Feed:

After 19 wins in the month of April, it’s time to cast your vote on Braves Player of the Month.

My teenage daughter, an unabashed figure-skating obsessive, clued me into Stars on Ice, though judging by the sold-out arenas, she was far from alone. Part athletic feat, part theatrical spectacle, the 40th anniversary tour has helped rekindle a kind of ice-skating fever in America, drawing longtime devotees and travelers turning performances into weekend getaways.

Increasingly, fans are following the tour the way music lovers follow concert circuits, hopping between cities for repeat fixes. “Fans are treating it more like a concert tour,” producer Byron Allen told me. He noted that some spectators now travel from Florida to the Carolinas to catch multiple performances, while others cross borders between the U.S. and Japan to see different casts perform. It’s a dramatic evolution for a show Allen founded in 1986 and one that has helped position Stars on Ice as a travel-worthy live event in its own right.

Fresh off one of Team USA’s strongest Winter Olympic showings ever, the timing feels especially electric. I spoke with Allen about the tour’s 40th anniversary, the rise of destination-style fandom, and how Stars on Ice is helping bring figure skating’s momentum to new audiences.

This is the 40th anniversary tour for Stars on Ice. What started in the U.S. has grown into tours in multiple countries annually. How do you think about the tour’s legacy and its place in figure skating culture?

As the only star-driven figure skating tour for at least the past decade and a half, Stars on Ice has become synonymous with the sport outside of competition. If you’re a figure skating fan, you know what Stars on Ice is.

More importantly, it’s where fans can experience the sport in a completely different way. They come to see their favorite skaters not just competing, but performing, individually and together. We’ve always believed the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, and that’s what audiences feel when they come to the show.

What does the Stars on Ice brand mean to fans today?

It’s the place where you can see the best skaters in the world in a more personal, entertaining environment. You’re not watching scores, you’re watching artistry, personality, and collaboration.

It’s also an experience. Fans know they’re going to see world-class talent, but they’re also going to be entertained in a way that goes beyond competition.

Stars on Ice travels across North America rather than staying in one place. How has that touring model helped reignite interest in figure skating in cities that might not otherwise experience it live?

We’re really the primary touchpoint for live figure skating in many markets.

In the U.S. and Canada, there are only a couple of major competitions each year. Outside of those, fans don’t have many opportunities to see these athletes in person. We bring the sport directly to them, and that’s incredibly important for maintaining and growing interest.

Are you seeing fans travel between cities to catch multiple performances, similar to how people follow concert tours or major sporting events?

We are, and more this year than we’ve seen in a while.

In Canada, that’s always been common because of how close some of the cities are. But this year in the U.S., we’ve had fans attend shows in Florida and then travel to the Carolinas to see the tour again. They’re treating it more like a concert tour, which is exciting to see.

With stops like UBS Arena, how does the choice of venue shape the experience for fans, especially those turning the show into a day or weekend trip?

Today’s arenas are designed to be destinations. They want fans to spend the day there, and they’ve enhanced everything from food to in-venue experiences to make that happen.

From our side, we’ve built a full-day experience around the show. Fans can arrive early for pre-show warmups, attend meet-and-greets, explore merchandise, and engage with the event in different ways before the performance even begins.

At the same time, we’re performing in cities that are already travel destinations. Whether it’s New York, Boston, or even smaller markets like Hershey, there’s a natural opportunity for fans to turn the show into part of a broader weekend experience.

Have certain cities or regions stood out in terms of demand, where the performances are starting to feel like destination events?

Yes, particularly the Northeast and the West Coast.

Cities like Boston, Saint Paul and San Jose have always had strong ties to figure skating, whether through major competitions or as training hubs. There’s a built-in audience there, and those markets tend to attract fans from surrounding areas as well.

For someone planning a trip around Stars on Ice, what kind of experience do you hope they build around the show? Do you see it as the centerpiece of a larger weekend that includes dining, culture, and entertainment?

We absolutely see the show as the centerpiece of a larger experience.

Over time, we’ve expanded the number of ways fans can engage with the tour, from pre-show access to Q&As to meet-and-greets. The goal is to deepen that connection and give fans more ways to interact with the skaters and the sport. It’s not just a performance anymore, it’s a full experience.

The lineup includes Olympic and world champions. How important is that level of talent in motivating fans to travel for a performance?

It’s everything.

Stars on Ice has always been synonymous with the best in figure skating, not just top competitive skaters, but also elite performers. Fans expect to see world champions, Olympic medalists, and the most compelling personalities in the sport.

What makes it special is how that talent is presented. It’s not just athleticism, it’s artistry and showmanship. The experience goes beyond competition and starts to feel closer to a Broadway production on ice.

Have you noticed a ripple effect in local skating communities, whether that is increased interest in rinks, lessons, or youth programs in the cities you visit?

Yes, and especially in Olympic years.

By working with organizations like U.S. Figure Skating, our goal is to help increase interest in figure skating, and that interest has increased significantly. The athletes coming out of the Olympics are incredible ambassadors for the sport. Stars on Ice takes that to the next level.

We work closely with local skating communities and clubs in each market. We have Learn to Skate booths on the concourse in each city, and we promote the local programs at each show. It is important to recognize and connect with young figure skaters as they are the foundation and the future of the sport.

Looking ahead, do you see opportunities to expand the tour’s reach, whether internationally or through more immersive experiences for traveling fans?

Domestically, we see opportunities to expand the number of dates as interest continues to grow. Internationally, there are markets where Stars on Ice could expand further, places like Korea or parts of Europe, where figure skating has a strong following.

We’re also continuing to enhance the fan experience. That’s been a major focus, finding new ways to make the event more immersive and engaging for audiences.

Is there any international crossover—fans traveling between countries to see the tour?

Yes, particularly between the U.S. and Japan.

We’ve seen increased interest from U.S. fans looking to attend shows in Japan, especially when the cast includes both top North American and Japanese skaters. And Japanese fans have long traveled to the U.S. and Canada for performances.

Part of that is the appeal of the destination, but part of it is the unique lineup and the opportunity to see these athletes perform together.

What makes this year’s tour stand out?

This is our biggest and best-selling tour in two decades.

We’re playing more shows across the U.S., Canada, and Japan than we have in years, and the response has been incredible. We’re also seeing record merchandise sales, which is a strong indicator of how engaged fans are—they want to take a piece of the experience home with them.

It all points to one thing: the excitement coming out of the Olympics isn’t fading, it’s growing. And Stars on Ice is helping carry that momentum forward.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

It’ll be another offseason of change in Pittsburgh. Last season, the Penguins dropped eight players from the last game of the 2024-25 season to the following opening night lineup in October. A few more like Phil Tomasino, Danton Heinen and Tristan Jarry were soon to follow not long after the season began. That adds up to over half the lineup in the last game not being a major factor in the following season.

While year-to-year trends don’t always hold up exactly the same, every year’s team is bound to have changes and the Penguins under Kyle Dubas have been a very active team at churning through players — especially at the bottom-half of the lineup. 40 different players skated for the Pens in 2025-26, an NHL high. Some of this high usage was necessity due to the timing of injuries but many more cases were trying players out for a few games and either trading, waiving and/or sending back to the AHL if it wasn’t working out and moving onto the next option to try again.

As a base template, here’s what the Penguins look like as of now based on contracts on the books for next season and reasonable projection of restricted free agents. This base could change the instant a pending unrestricted free agent like Evgeni Malkin or Ryan Shea is signed.

Rickard Rakell – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Tommy Novak – Ben Kindel – Egor Chinakhov*
Elmer Soderblom – ? – Justin Brazeau
? – Blake Lizotte – Avery Hayes

Parker Wotherspoon / Erik Karlsson
Sam Girard / Kris Letang
? / Jack St. Ivany

Arturs Silovs*
?

(* denotes restricted free agent not currently under contract)

There are a lot of questions at this point and some serious holes to address. The center position is lacking, though re-signing Malkin and putting him or Novak in a center role solves a lot of issues and more or less create a top-9 forward group on hand that looked similar to last year, only minus Anthony Mantha and with a full season of Soderblom. That would handle enough bodies, though the wisdom of using a 40-year old Malkin or putting Novak in a full-time center role could be debated to the point where it makes sense for Pittsburgh to add a center this off-season either via free agency or the trade route.

Younger options like Ville Koivunen, Rutger McGroarty and Tristan Broz could be in the mix, we project Hayes is the most likely to do it but he could be seen as not an absolute certainty either. Connor Dewar profiles as the perfect fourth liner with a touch of offensive upside and penalty killing chops, he could also be in the picture moving forward if the team doesn’t opt to move onto younger, cheaper options like McGroarty and Hayes and is willing to give Dewar a contract that fits his needs enough to return. If Dewar is back, that really puts a squeeze on the upward mobility of the current AHL players, considering the success of recent pickups like Chinakhov and Soderblom lessening the opportunity for players like Koivunen, McGroarty and Hayes.

Defensively, the Penguins need a lot of attention this offseason. Perhaps a young player(s) like Owen Pickering, Harrison Brunicke or Jake Livanavage can step up into the NHL. Perhaps Shea and/or Ilya Solovyov will return despite being impending unrestricted free agents. Perhaps the trade additions will have to focus on adding more quality to the backend. There’s a lot of directions to potentially head for with the only sure thing that there could be a lot of moving pieces, perhaps up to and including trading a veteran out of the top-4. Everything is fluid, including the looming question about the three more seasons remaining on Ryan Graves’s contract and what spot, if any, that he will fill next season.

The Penguins also face some decisions in net. Arturs Silovs had an up and down year that ended on a high note. He could be at least a 1B type of option for the team next year that fits into the picture in a similar form as this past season. Youngsters like Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist are getting close and offer promise, but it wouldn’t be a complete shock to see a proven NHL veteran brought into the mix to add depth and provide a cushion. (Silovs started 38 games during the regular season, Jarry/Stuart Skinner combined for 40 and Murashov had 4. If we pencil in Silovs as a rotational starter for even as many as 45 games this season, would you take the over on 36.5 combined NHL starts for Murashov+Blomqvist next season to pickup the rest? I don’t think I would, and not because I’d think Silovs will push for 50 starts..).

The other unknown looming large over any projection is the unpredictable trade market. Aside from Crosby and probably Chinakhov and Kindel (and, hey, might as well throw Lizotte in as well since he was just re-signed to a three-year contract for a reason), it wouldn’t or – at least shouldn’t – be terribly shocking if Kyle Dubas moved just about anyone on the projected roster above. This could be the year to move on from 30+ year old players like Rust, Rakell and Karlsson. It also might not be the time it happens, but it could be. Mid-level players like Novak, Brazeau and Girard come and go frequently when it comes to how the Penguins operate to flip these type of players (many of whom were brought into the organization recently as flipped players themselves). It’s true that some/many/most from this tier could all be back next season since it will take a transaction to send them away, but it’s not assured that all of them will return either. All are impending free agents in 2027 and could be likely to be traded at some point in the next 10 months, just a matter if that will be pressing or not.

That makes a projection a very fluid matter. The Penguins will have plenty of cap space, they could use it in many different ways. If they want to take on more veteran Kevin Hayes/Matt Dumba/Connor Clifton type of contracts that puts a veteran into the lineup at times and boosts the team’s draft stock, that is wide open. If they want to use some of that most-in-league draft pile to acquire NHL talent with upside like they did with Chinakhov and Soderblom, that would surely be welcomed. If they want to dabble in free agency to add a short-term piece, that route too is available.

As usual the answer is always “all of the above” when it comes to the complex matter of roster building through a myriad of short and long term reasons that make sense for the team moving forward. There’s no reason not to expect trades, free agents and plenty of changes over the summer, even for the best guess of what is currently on hand.

Heartbreak only happens when you put yourself in a position to make it possible.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had their souls crushed by an RJ Barrett three that bounced off the rim multiple times before falling through to give the Toronto Raptors a 112-110 victory and force a Game 7.

The Cavs shouldn’t have been in that position. They didn’t bring the effort and focus they needed to close out a playoff series.

The defensive process was bad for the first three quarters.

Toronto lacks players who can create advantages for themselves off the dribble, particularly with the absence of Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram.

Still, Cleveland’s defenders couldn’t stay in front of their assignment. And even if they did, one of the other four Cavaliers would find themselves stuck in no-man’s land, where they weren’t committed enough to cut off a drive, weren’t in the gaps to shut down passing lanes, and also weren’t close enough to their assignment to prevent an outside shot.

The Cavs didn’t lose this game in the fourth; they lost it in the first three quarters when plays like this were commonplace. The Raptors connected on 11-27 (40.7%) from beyond the arc through the first three quarters, leading to 91 points overall.

Then, the defense flipped.

Cleveland locked in with the focus they should’ve had from the opening tip. They limited the Raptors to just 12 points in the fourth quarter on 4-17 (23.5%) shooting, which included going 1-7 (14.3%) from three.

It’s easy to look at the offensive outcome and judge how the defense played from there. However, limited scoring doesn’t mean there was good defense and vice versa. In this instance, the Cavs’ defense was actually good.

The help defense successfully cut off drives to the basket, as Toronto attempted just two shots in the restricted area and six in the paint overall. For context, they had an average of 9.3 shots in the paint per quarter before the fourth.

Cleveland did this while being able to rotate back to shooters to either contest outside shots or actually prevent looks from going up entirely.

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The frustrating part isn’t that the Cavs aren’t capable of playing good defense. That would be understandable. It’s that they can’t focus enough mentally or show the willingness needed to actually do so, until it’s nearly too late.

If they supplied anywhere close to this level of effort for an extended stretch at the start of the game, they win this one going away.

Donovan Mitchell deserves the most blame for the loss.

The entire offense, and this era of Cavs’ basketball in general, is built entirely around him. They can’t afford for him to play below his standards for four straight games and expect to easily close out a series.

Once again, Mitchell couldn’t establish anything going toward the basket. Through the first three quarters, Mitchell attempted just six of his 13 shots in the paint and had no free-throw attempts. That can’t happen for someone whose game is built mostly on his explosiveness to the rim.

As with the defense, the frustrating part wasn’t that Mitchell was incapable of getting to the basket. In the fourth quarter and overtime, he attempted seven of his 12 shots in the paint, posting 13 points in that span to put the Cavs in a position to win the game.

Going to the basket is draining, especially against a team that is doing everything within its power to make it difficult to do so. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to try and get there in the first three quarters.

Mitchell’s teams have consistently underperformed in the playoffs, but he’s mostly escaped criticism. Being a high-volume scorer who puts up numbers has allowed him to do so. When you score 35+ points, it’s easy to point to other reasons why the team didn’t get it done.

These playoffs have been a referendum on that notion.

Mitchell’s scoring has completely dried up. Over the last four games of this series, he’s averaged 19.5 points on 37.3% shooting from the floor and 29.4% shooting from three while taking just 1.5 free-throw attempts per game.

The lack of scoring underscores the other parts of Mitchell’s game that aren’t up to snuff. The defense has been horrendous, he’s averaging more turnovers than assists in the last four games, and he doesn’t make an impact as a rebounder. This all adds up to the Cavs getting beaten in the minutes he’s played.

In the last four games of this series, the Cavs have been outscored in Mitchell’s time on the court by a combined 35 points. That comes out to an average of losing his minutes by 8.8 points per game, which included Cleveland being outscored by four in Game 6.

Losing Mitchell’s minutes wasn’t a common occurrence in the regular season. The Cavs outscored their opponents with him on the floor in 49 of the 70 games he played. And when they didn’t, they usually lost, with a record of 5-16 in those situations.

This was the fourth-straight game the Cavs have been outplayed with Mitchell on the floor. Unsurprisingly, that has led to them losing three of those games.

The warts that have held Mitchell back in the postseason have always been there. They were just masked by his incredible scoring.

If you think of the best playoff performers of all-time, they’re all incredibly versatile two-way players who can beat you in a variety of ways on both sides of the ball. That isn’t Mitchell. And until it is, teams that are built around him will continue to fall into the same issues year after year.

This wasn’t James Harden’s best game. He dribbled the air out of the ball a few too many times down the stretch, couldn’t get a couple of clean looks to go late, and had too many careless turnovers. This led to an inefficient 5-14 showing with four giveaways.

Even so, this loss wasn’t on Harden.

Harden has earned his reputation as a playoff underperformer. This game won’t do him any favors in that department. However, his more well-rounded skillset is why the Cavs played their most impressive basketball with him on the court.

There’s more to Harden’s game than just scoring. He set up his teammates well (even though the spacing remains horrid) and should’ve had much more than nine assists. In addition to that, he did an excellent job affecting the game as a rebounder.

Guard rebounding is incredibly important when the margins are this tight. Harden came down with nine rebounds, including five on the offensive end. He led the team in offensive boards, which is the one area the Cavs thoroughly dominated. Cleveland outscored Toronto 22-10 on second-chance points. Harden was a big part of that.

Single-game plus/minus can be misleading, but it sometimes does paint an accurate picture. The Cavs won Harden’s minutes by a game-best 11 points due to the numerous ways he positively influenced the game despite being a poor defender.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson made numerous bad decisions.

Sticking with Max Strus as a starter just hasn’t worked. There are several Cavaliers who’ve gotten lost helping off-ball, few more than Strus. This is part of the reason why the defense has typically struggled with him on the floor.

The starting unit with Dean Wade remains their best lineup. Atkinson went to it late to get back into the game, but maybe things wouldn’t have gotten out of hand if that unit had been given the time they deserved.

Then, there’s the fact that the Cavs wasted their challenge in the first half on a borderline foul that didn’t go their way on review. Having that challenge late would’ve helped as numerous questionable calls didn’t go the Cavs way and influenced the outcome of the game.

Finally, Atkinson’s play calls out of timeouts were bad in overtime. His decision to run their second-to-last possession to Schroder in the backcourt when he knew Toronto was going to foul was a head-scratcher with Mitchell and Harden on your team.

In addition to that, having Evan Mobley, who’s been a bad free-throw shooter for several months on the floor in that situation, also didn’t make sense. He shouldn’t have been in a position to lose the ball late.

And lastly, the final play call didn’t make sense. Using Harden, your second-best offensive player, as the inbounder is questionable. I understand that you want an on-target pass, but you’re taking a prime shooter and decoy off the court. If you want to ensure you get the ball in, you can always use a timeout and have Harden inbound the second attempt.

More importantly, the final play call made no sense. I’m not sure what the desired outcome was, but there was no chance that Mitchell could break free from this designed mess. Settling for an off-balance Mobley three probably wasn’t the ideal outcome there.

Evan Mobley played one of the best games of his career, considering the moment.

The Cavs aren’t in a position to steal this if it weren’t for his efforts on both ends. Mobley continually beat up mismatches inside, took it to the basket when he had an opening to do so, and scored Cleveland’s last nine points of regulation to send the game to overtime. This included hitting a triple with under two minutes left and converting a game-tying finger roll in the final seconds of the fourth.

Cleveland has looked their best this series when Mobley has been involved offensively. Toronto doesn’t have someone who can easily combat his size and quickness. Scottie Barnes is probably the best bet in doing so, but they need him to cover one of the guards. This leaves Mobley free to attack in the post and in space as a cutter.

Mobley’s game doesn’t neatly fit into a number one or two role on a high-level offense. The handle isn’t tight enough for him to be entirely a self-creator. That said, he has constantly found ways to elevate his game in the playoffs after a rough postseason debut against the New York Knicks three years ago.

Still, the building blocks are there for him to grow into more. And even if he doesn’t, he’s proven to be a matchup problem in the playoffs. That’s an incredibly important skill to have in the postseason.

This heartbreak was only possible because the Cavs showed some fight. If they rolled over quietly, like it seemed like they would do midway through the third quarter, this loss might not sting as much.

This game wasn’t lost when Barrett hit the improbable three. The Cavs instead choked it away well before that. They didn’t come out with the energy they needed for a close-out game. Trying to steal it by finally exerting effort in the final 10 minutes like it was the second night of a back-to-back in January wasn’t, and never will be enough, to eliminate a playoff opponent.

So on one hand, the Cavs don’t deserve any credit for fighting back since that was the bare minimum that they could do.

At the same time, if you wanted to take the glass-half-full approach, you’re perfectly capable of doing so. The resilience the Cavs displayed late wasn’t something we’ve seen often in this era. They showed that they could be a high-level defensive team, and if a few more open shots fell down the stretch, the conversation would be entirely different.

We’ll find out which perspective is the right one on Sunday when this era of Cavs basketball is on the line.

Crossovers between sports are usually seen away from the pitch. Footballers often attend boxing events, while fighters regularly appear at major stadiums and club facilities.

That exchange typically remains symbolic, reflecting mutual admiration between disciplines. Rarely does it extend into direct collaboration within a professional environment.

However, Brighton has taken a different approach, introducing a crossover that directly impacts their tactical preparation.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler brings in MMA fighter for set-piece training

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler admitted he recruited an MMA fighter to help his players improve their defending at set-pieces. The move reflects a growing focus on marginal gains.

Set-piece efficiency has become a defining trend in the Premier League, particularly following Arsenal’s success in that area. Teams are now exploring new methods to gain an advantage.

Hurzeler explained his reasoning ahead of Brighton’s match against Newcastle, with the Seagulls firmly in the battle for a Europa League spot.

The German manager believes combat sports principles can translate into football situations.

He said (via The Telegraph): “We brought him in because we spoke a lot about set-pieces, about blocking, new trends in the Premier League. We tried to adapt to it as well.”

“There are different ways of using a block, different techniques to win one-against-one duels, especially at set-pieces. And an MMA fighter always has one-against-one duels.”

The approach highlights how physical duels and positioning have become central to defending corners and free-kicks.

Identity of MMA fighter remains unconfirmed

The Telegraph reports that the fighter involved in the set-piece training was supposedly Christian Eckerlin.

The 39-year-old German has not fought in the UFC, but built experience across multiple promotions such as Oktagon, KSW and M-1 Global.

As of now, there is no official confirmation from Brighton regarding his identity.

Read more:

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders:W, 2-0 (7) and L, 3-8 (7) vs. Buffalo Bisons

Game 1:

SS George Lombard Jr. 2-3, 1 K
CF Spencer Jones 2-3, 1 RBI, 2 SB
RF Yanquiel Fernández 0-3
3B Oswaldo Cabrera 2-3, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 K
1B Seth Brown 0-3, 1 K
DH Ernesto Martinez Jr. 0-2, 1 RBI
C Ali Sánchez 0-2, 1 BB
LF Duke Ellis 0-3
2B Jonathan Ornelas 1-2, 1 R

Adam Kloffenstein 6 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 7 K (win)
Rafael Montero 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 K (save)

Game 2:

SS George Lombard Jr. 0-4, 1 K
CF Spencer Jones 1-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 K
RF Yanquiel Fernández 1-4, 2 R
3B Oswaldo Cabrera 3-3, 3 2B, 2 RBI — didn’t have any doubles before yesterday, now he has four
DH Seth Brown 1-3, 1 2B, 2 K
1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. 0-3, 1 K
2B Jonathan Ornelas 1-3, 1 K
LF Duke Ellis 0-2, 1 BB, 1 SB
C Edinson Duran 1-3, 1 2B, 1 K

Dom Hamel 4 IP, 7 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR (loss)
Carson Coleman 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K
Harrison Cohen 2 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K

Double-A Somerset Patriots:W, 13-3 vs. Portland Sea Dogs

LF Jackson Castillo 1-4, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K
SS Anthony Volpe 0-3, 1 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RF Garrett Martin 2-6, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
2B Marco Luciano 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
1B Coby Morales 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB
3B Tyler Hardman 1-3, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 K — nothing like a first inning grand slam to secure the win
DH DJ Gladney 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 R
CF Kenedy Corona 1-5, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 K
C Manuel Palencia 2-3, 1 R, 2 BB

Jack Cebert 5.1 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 7 K, 1 HR (win)
Hayden Merda 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K
Chris Kean 1.2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 4 K, 1 HR

High-A Hudson Valley Renegades:L, 7-8 at Jersey Shore BlueClaws

SS Kaeden Kent 2-5, 1 3B, 1 2B, 2 R, 2 K
DH Core Jackson 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 K, 1 SB
1B Kyle West 1-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 K
2B Roderick Arias 1-4, 1 RBI, 2 K
RF Wilson Rodriguez 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3B Josh Moylan 0-4, 1 K, throwing error
C Josue Gonzalez 1-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 K
LF Connor McGinnis 1-4, 1 RBI, 2 K — RBI single capped off a three-run ninth to nearly tie the game
CF Cole Gabrielson 2-3, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 K, 1 SB, 1 CS
PH Camden Troyer 1-1

Rony Fox 4.1 IP, 8 R, 5 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 HR (loss)
Tony Rossi 1.2 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Thomas Balboni Jr. 1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 3 K
Chris Veach 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H

Low-A Tampa Tarpons:L, 1-8 vs. St. Lucie Mets

2B Enmanuel Tejeda 3-4, 1 HR, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 K, 1 CS
RF Brando Mayea 0-3, 2 K
C Engelth Urena 0-4, throwing error
SS Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek 0-3, 1 BB, 2 K
LF Willy Montero 1-4, 2 K
CF JoJo Jackson 0-3
DH Ediel Rivera 0-3, 2 K
1B Hans Montero 0-2, 1 BB, 1 K
3B Kevin Verde 0-2, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 CS

Brennan Stuprich 4 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 HR
Jose M. Rodriguez 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K
Brian Arias 1.1 IP, 5 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR (loss)
Josh Tiedemann 1.2 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR

There is a growing sense that Bayern Munich is trying to reset the rules of engagement when it comes to contracts—and Laimer might be the test case.

Recent reports indicate that Bayern Munich have rejected Laimer’s salary demands in the €12–€15 million range and are willing to risk either selling him or even letting him walk for free down the line. That is not a small stance. It signals a club that is increasingly concerned about wage structure after handing out big deals in recent years.

On one hand, the argument for drawing a hard line is straightforward. Bayern Munich have seen what happens when salary inflation creeps in. Once one player breaks the ceiling, the next negotiation becomes exponentially harder. Laimer, currently earning roughly €8–€9 million, is reportedly asking for a near-doubling of his wages. If Bayern Munich cave here, what message does that send to the rest of the squad?

On the other hand, this is not just any squad player. Laimer has evolved into one of Bayern Munich’s most versatile and reliable performers—capable of filling in at right-back, left-back, or midfield without complaint. His engine, tactical discipline, and adaptability make him a manager’s dream. Letting that walk away — especially on a free after next season — would be a self-inflicted wound.

There is also a philosophical question at play — should Bayern Munich pay for output or for replaceability?

Laimer might not be a global superstar, but replacing what he does is far more complicated than signing a like-for-like player on paper. At the same time, Bayern Munich are clearly trying to avoid repeating past mistakes where emotional or reactive decisions drove wages upward.

So here is the real dilemma:

Do Bayern Munich stand firm and reestablish financial discipline—even if it costs them a key player? Or do they bend slightly to keep a uniquely valuable piece in the squad?

What do you think, should Bayern Munich hold the line, or is Konrad Laimer worth breaking it for?

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…

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Dynamo Dresden face Kaiserslautern in their penultimate home game of the season. The visitors have nothing to play for in terms of league position, but the hosts are battling relegation as they hope to further distance themselves from the bottom three.

Here are the lineups for today’s clash at Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.

Confirmed Lineups

Dynamo Dresden: Schreiber; Sterner, Pauli, Keller, Rossipal; Wagner, Amoako; Ceka, Hauptmann ©, Bobzien; Vermeij

Kaiserslautern: Krahl; Asta, Gyamfi, Rasmussen, Robinson; Joly, Sahin, Sirch, Kunze; Skyttä, Ritter ©

We now know who makes up the Jacksonville Jaguars' 2026 NFL draft class, but where do each of these players fit on this year's roster?

While a lot can change between now and Week 1, depending on how training camp unfolds, let's project what roles each of these 10 rookies could fill.

Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M

Boerkircher could compete with Quintin Morris for the blocking-heavy TE2 role. His presence also provides Liam Coen with the flexibility to utilize more three-tight-end sets -- a growing trend in the NFL.

Albert Regis, IDL, Texas A&M

Regis can be an immediate secondary option behind DaVon Hamilton in the defensive tackle rotation. He ranked 10th last season in PFF's run-stop rate metric.

Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

Pregnon adds more size to the Jaguars' offensive line. He could push either Ezra Cleveland or Patrick Mekari for playing time.

Jalen Huskey, DB, Maryland

Huskey brings another versatile presence to the Jaguars' secondary, but his initial contributions may come on special teams.

Wesley Williams, DE, Duke

Williams will have the opportunity to compete for rotational snaps right away behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.

Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

Koziol was a big pass-catching threat in college. He could push for Hunter Long's receiving-first role at this position, potentially leaving Long off the 53-man roster.

Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor

We know who the top four wideouts on the depth chart are, but Cameron boosts the depth and competition behind that group. He brings punt return experience to the NFL as well.

CJ Williams, WR, Stanford

Like Cameron, Williams fits the mold of what the Jaguars look for at wideout -- a big-bodied pass-catcher who is willing to block. Williams will add to the competition at the back end of the depth chart, but will see most of his snaps come on special teams.

Zach Durfee, DE, Washington

Durfee, along with BJ Green, Danny Striggow, and Williams, will be in the mix for the rotational snaps at defensive end. Typically, four players see regular playing time, leaving two spots up for grabs with Hines-Allen and Walker leading the way.

Parker Hughes, LB, Middle Tennessee State

Hughes early contributions will come on special teams. In the long run, the Jaguars like his ability to defend the run.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2026 NFL draft: How Jaguars 10 picks fit with roster

Liverpool Icon Mohamed Salah Eyes Final Return as Steven Gerrard Draws Out Farewell Truths

Mohamed Salah has offered Liverpool supporters the reassurance they wanted, even if the broader reality remains heavy with emotion. His time at Anfield is moving towards its final chapter, but the Egyptian forward expects to wear the red shirt again before the season ends.

Salah suffered a minor muscle injury during Liverpool’s win over Crystal Palace at Anfield, forcing him off in the second half. That setback rules him out of Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Manchester United, a fixture he has so often shaped with goals, menace and ruthless timing.

Yet in conversation with Steven Gerrard for TNT Sports, Salah was upbeat about his recovery and the possibility of appearing on the final day against Brentford.

“Yeah, for sure.

“The injury is fine. Definitely. I probably will be [back] before that, probably.”

For Liverpool, that matters. Not because sentiment should dictate selection, but because Salah has earned the right to leave the stage on his own terms. His numbers this season, 39 appearances, 12 goals and nine assists, still point to influence, even in a campaign defined by the approaching end of a remarkable era.

Mohamed Salah Legacy Among Liverpool Greats

Salah’s Liverpool record now sits in historic territory. Since joining in 2017, he has scored 257 goals, placing him third on the club’s all-time list, while also adding 119 assists. Two Premier League titles, the European Cup and nine major trophies tell part of the story. The other part lies in consistency, availability, mentality and appetite.

When Steven Gerrard asked him for the secret behind his success, Salah’s answer was revealing.

“I would say the desire,” he replied when Gerrard asked for the ‘secret’ to his success.

“I really want to succeed. I really want to be remembered in this club. After the first year, I would say I want people to remember me as if I’m one of the best. And somehow it got into my head I want people to remember me more than you [Gerrard], more than Kenny [Dalglish]. I’m not trying to be rude! They will not. But it doesn’t matter.

“For me, something drove me crazy and drove me to work hard, to be the first one in, to go to the gym, to do everything right, because I want people always to praise me through my work.

“It’s just the desire, I would say.”

That line about Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish was not arrogance. It was ambition, sharpened into routine. Salah did not simply want applause. He wanted permanence.

Photo: IMAGO

Steven Gerrard Interview Reveals Human Side

What makes this exchange significant is the interviewer. Steven Gerrard understands Liverpool legacy better than almost anyone. He knows the burden of being loved, judged and remembered by a fanbase that turns football into folklore.

Salah’s response showed how deeply that has affected him. He spoke not like a player ticking off achievements, but like one who understood the emotional contract at Liverpool. Performance matters. Effort matters. Honesty matters.

He said: “Incredible. I never imagined I would be close to somebody like this.

“I feel so emotional when I speak about them or about the city. The connection between us is incredible.

“If you give it all on the field, they will love you anyway. They know that I gave it all, I’ve been professional all my career and tried to encourage the guys: ‘Leave it all on the field and the fans will appreciate it.’”

Liverpool Farewell Carries Weight

Salah’s final Anfield weeks will invite comparison, debate and nostalgia. That is inevitable when a modern Liverpool giant prepares to depart. Yet the simplest judgement may also be the fairest. Mohamed Salah arrived as an elite attacker and became a defining figure in the club’s modern history.

Steven Gerrard helped draw that truth out. Salah’s greatness was built on desire, but sustained by discipline. If he returns before the final whistle of the season, Liverpool fans will not merely be watching a forward come back from injury. They will be saying goodbye to one of the finest players ever to wear the shirt.

Bengals News

Landon Robinson’s Dad Will Read This: ‘A Big, Loud WHO DEY! Is In Order’

Lance Robinson will read this.

Cincinnati has ‘inside track’ to hosting 2029 NFL Draft | Report

Cincinnati might not only be in the running to host the 2029 NFL Draft, but it could be in position to win that race, according to a report by Sports Business Journal’s Ben Fischer.

Bengals’ odd Trey Hendrickson saga dismissed by Duke Tobin

Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin wanted nothing to do with the Trey Hendrickson questions. 

Bengals Receive Head-Scratching Defensive Ranking After Successful Offseason

Where should the Bengals’ defense rank among the rest of the NFL heading into training camp?

Eye-opening trend emerged from Cincinnati Bengals’ 2026 draft class and it’s worth monitoring going forward

The Cincinnati Bengals filled out most of their 2026 NFL Draft class with players who took part in the East-West Shrine Bowl earlier in the offseason.

Bengals fans will enjoy Todd Monken’s confusing Browns QB comment

What is happening in Cleveland?

NFL News

2027 NFL Draft: Compensatory pick projections for every team

It might feel like the ink is barely dry on the 2026 NFL Draft, but I believe it’s not too early to peek at what’s in store for 2027.

2026 NFL schedule release date is still up in the air: Inside the league’s thinking on what date to target

Everyone is awaiting the NFL schedule release, but ongoing broadcast negotiations might delay the announcement until the third week of May

3 Reasons Why Shedeur Sanders Should Be Browns QB1, Not Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson has the inside track to earn the starting quarterback job in a three-man competition over second-year pros Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

Grading Every Team’s Draft Haul

The Browns were one of the biggest winners of this entire draft, scooping up value every time I looked up.

Report: “Not the first time” the Steelers called a prospect early

One of the most unusual stories that emerged from the 2026 draft in Pittsburgh originated in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers called receiver Makai Lemon before the Steelers were on the clock.

Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa spoke to the media ahead of their game against Espanyol on Sunday. He was asked about the poor situation the club find themselves in, to which he said: “There are a lot of matches. The results are far from what Real Madrid should be. You can’t beat anyone these days just by getting off the bus. We have to improve a lot, collectively. The talent we have isn’t enough to keep the ball on the ground and play individually. We need a plan, a structure, a way to disrupt the opponent… They have a different mentality and we’ve paid the price in points.”

Arbeloa on Espanyol

“A match between two teams that need to win, for different reasons. It’s always a difficult ground, with great fans, a great team, and a fantastic coach. Their results haven’t been as good as their work. I’ve always enjoyed watching them play. I have a lot of respect for them.”

Arbeloa on the guard of honor and a title win for Barcelona

“It’s not my biggest motivation. Winning the three points is what we need. That’s my motivation.”

Arbeloa on Dani Ceballos

“I don’t get into public debates about situations with my players. I’ve been in this locker room for over 20 years, and the first thing I learned is that things stay in the locker room. I’ve held that view for 20 years, and I stand by it.”

Arbeloa on the new manager

“I understand the questions, but my only answer is that the future is tomorrow, the match, winning the three points. Every match for me is life. It’s the most important thing.

“I’m worried about tomorrow’s game. I’m focused, I always think about Real Madrid. The future is tomorrow.”

Arbeloa on the lack of leaders

“We are a very young team, that’s the average age. But I’ve been talking about great players lately, with personality and experience. Certainly, there have been situations that we need to handle better, but a young squad can have those youthful indiscretions. But there are leaders and players with great personalities.”

Arbeloa on Gonzalo’s future

“These are decisions for the player and the club to make. They will decide. I know Gonzalo well; he has exceptional abilities. He’s playing less than he deserves, but I see him working hard, and he has a great future ahead of him. It’s a position with enormous competition, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t doing well. When I’ve needed him, he’s delivered.”

Arbeloa on Franco Mastantuono

“The same goes for him, but I have to say he’s a young man who’s working very hard. When he plays, he has the desire to show what he’s capable of, what Real Madrid has signed him for. He could be playing in the youth team, but he has a lot of talent and maturity; he doesn’t seem 18. He has an extraordinary future because of his talent, his commitment, his mentality… Argentinians here tend to fit in well with Real Madrid. I hope we can enjoy him for many years.”

Arbeloa on a drop from two years ago

“These are assessments that belong to the press. We’ve dropped points against rivals we shouldn’t have conceded, and that’s what hurts the most. There are situations that are difficult to control and they happen often. We have to fight.”

Arbeloa on whether he is disappointed in any of the players

Of course not, I defend them publicly. I’m in their hands because of what they show me every day. That’s what a coach should do. We’ve had a pretty open relationship with most of them. Whatever needs to be resolved is between us. I will always defend them from this position.”

Josh Inglis joins LSG Ahead of MI clash! Will the ‘Bumrah-slayer’ feature at Wankhede in IPL 2026? originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Josh Inglis arrives in Mumbai, available for LSG's game against MI on May 4.
• Inglis famously smashed 20 runs off one Bumrah over in IPL 2025.
• Both LSG and MI are struggling, with just two wins each from eight games.

Josh Inglis touches down in Mumbai, ready to boost the struggling Lucknow Super Giants

Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis has landed in Mumbai and is now in contention for Lucknow Super Giants' fixture against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, May 4.

Lucknow currently sit near the foot of the points table, having won just two of their eight matches this season. Their opponents on Monday are in an equally dire position, as Mumbai Indians also have two wins from eight outings, making this a contest between two sides with their backs firmly against the wall.

Inglis's road to Lucknow was not a smooth one. He had previously been with Punjab Kings at a relatively modest fee of INR 2.6 crore, but chose not to accept their retention offer ahead of this season, citing personal commitments that would limit his availability. The decision did not go down well with the PBKS hierarchy.

Making the most of it, Lucknow stepped in at the auction and secured him for INR 8.6 crore, more than three times his previous price tag.

MORE: Sanju Samson in, Rishabh Pant out? Samson pushes for India ODI comeback as selectors weigh 2027 World Cup options

The Bumrah over that made Inglish the talk of the town

To understand what Inglis brings to any batting lineup, you need to go back to IPL 2025.

Mumbai Indians called on Jasprit Bumrah, their most trusted weapon in crunch situations, during the fifth over of that innings.

Most batters, when facing Bumrah, are content to survive, rotate the strike and hope for something loose. Inglis had a different plan entirely.

He opened the over with a boundary to signal his intentions. A dot ball followed, but it did nothing to slow him down. The third delivery was launched into the stands for a massive six.

MORE: Which IPL team has the most consecutive losses at home?

Bumrah searched for a response, but Inglis was unrelenting as the fifth ball was dispatched for four, and he closed the over with another six, this time hit cleanly back over the bowler's head.

Twenty runs from one Bumrah over was the most expensive over the India pacer had conceded in the entire 2025 season.

In 11 IPL appearances, Inglis has scored 278 runs at a strike rate exceeding 162, with a half-century among his contributions. He is expected to train with the LSG squad at the Wankhede on Saturday evening ahead of the Monday clash.

The Cricket News Opinion: Inglis could be the X-Factor LSG have been missing

Two wins from eight games is a grim return, and Lucknow need something to change quickly if they are to salvage this campaign. Inglis, at his best, is exactly the kind of unpredictable, aggressive batter who can shift a game before the opposition has time to adjust.

The Bumrah angle makes this one particularly interesting. Mumbai will know exactly what Inglis is capable of against their best bowler, and yet, knowing it and stopping it are two very different things. If Inglis walks out to bat on Monday and Bumrah is handed the ball, that contest alone will be worth watching.

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit ourFacebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

It has been an extremely successful couple of years for everyone associated and involved with PSG.

Last season, the team won a club first ever treble, doing so in emphatic style, capped off with the biggest ever UEFA Champions League final defeat, as they beat Italian side Inter Milan 5-0. 

Although a freak defeat to rivals Paris FC means that the treble can no longer be repeated, the team are still very much on course to win two of the three trophies. Luis Enrique's side are six points clear - with superior goal difference - of Lens with four games to go, and have a one goal lead over Bayern Munich heading into the second leg. 

A big reason for the team being able to compete on all fronts has been the absolutely ludicrous levels of depth that the squad boasts. Against Bayern, Enrique was able to name Goncalo Ramos, Bradley Barcola, Senny Mayulu, Fabian Ruiz, Ibrahim Mbaye and Dro Fernandez amongst the substitutes. 

Well, perhaps from next season, he will not be able to count on one of those names. Indeed, as Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Ramos may well leave the club this summer. 

He states that the Portuguese international will be seeking more game time elsewhere, but is currently focused on ending the season with PSG and remaining as professional as possible. Several clubs are interested in signing the player and offering him a starting role. 

So far this season, the striker has played just 1550 minutes across all comps, around 17 full 90's. In that time, he has scored 12 goals, which is a pretty good return. Unfortunately, he got sent off last time out against Angers, meaning he is suspended for the game against Lorient today.  

His previous outing before the Angers game was against Lyon, where he started the game, but missed a penalty in the first half. So, when he is getting the opportunity of late, he has really not been taking his chance. Quite the opposite. Albeit, he did score against Toulouse just before the March international break. 

Ultimately, the way PSG play under Enrique is much more suited to a false 9 like Ousmane Dembele, who can drop deep and link the play, rather than a natural, penalty box number nine like Ramos. It does not mean he is a bad player, just not the striker for this side. 

No doubt he will go somewhere else and do well. Let's hope that a good fee can be recouped.

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FC Bayern Women head to Barcelona with confidence as they look to make history in the semi-final second leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Sunday (kick-off at 16:30 CEST). The Camp Nou is the stage as Bayern’s Frauen look to reach the final of a European competition for the first time ever. With Pernille Harder hunting yet another record and Klara Bühl producing numerous magical moments already this season, Bayern know they have what it takes with the tie finely poised at 1-1. Here’s some of the key pre-match stats and facts you need to know.

Harder close to next milestone

Harder already has her place in the Women’s Champions League history books, ranking fourth in the all-time scoring list with 48 goals alongside Conny Pohlers. Only Ada Hegerberg (69), Anja Mittag (51) and Eugénie Le Sommer (50) remain ahead of Bayern’s Dane as she looks to make her mark on the competition once more.

She has continued to add to that total with regularity this season thanks to her seven goals. It’s the second-highest tally by a Bayern player in the Women’s Champions League behind Vivianne Miedema’s eight in 2016/17. One more for the 33-year-old at the Camp Nou would see her equal that record, while she’s also chasing Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor and Arsenal’s Alessia Russo to be this season’s top scorer. They both have eight ahead of the weekend’s semi-finals.

A first European final in sight

Bayern have twice before come close to reaching the Champions League final, falling short in the semis both times with a 2-0 aggregate loss to Barcelona in 2018/19 and then a 5-3 defeat over two legs against Chelsea in 2020/21, in which Sarah Zadrazil scored a great goal in London but Harder also netted for the Blues.

🔎 Take a closer look at Barcelona ahead of the second leg:

Spotlight on the Blaugrana: Barcelona opposition profile

Bayern look a more mature and developed team this season, though. They have lost just one game across all competitions, which came in Barcelona in the opening fixture of the league phase. Apart from that, it’s been almost perfect. A 2-0 win away at Werder Bremen during the week made it 20 victories in a row in the Bundesliga for the newly crowned champions, while also taking the season’s goal tally to 122 across the league, DFB Cup and Champions League – a club record the team will look to build on in Sunday’s second leg.

Bühl to change the game again?

Bühl has long been a prominent Bayern figure on the continental stage. The 25-year-old boasts 17 assists in the Champions League as she’s quietly risen up the list of all-time providers to sit among such big names as Alexia Putellas, Alexandra Popp and Le Sommer.

Eight of those 17 assists have come this season and from only seven appearances as the Germany international sits top of the 2025/26 chart for provisions. She’s one ahead of Barcelona’s Putellas and has double the total of the best next duo of Beth Mead and Linda Caicedo (both four). Bühl’s domestic record this season reads seven goals and 14 assists in only 17 Bundesliga outings.

Can Bayern emulate Wolfsburg?

José Barcala’s side battled to a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena in the first leg, putting a small dent in Barcelona’s apparent untouchability in Europe. The Spaniards will be the favourite at home on Sunday, but Bayern proved they are not infallible.

Barcelona have reached the final every year since 2020/21, with very few teams able to eliminate the Catalans in knockout ties down the years. Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon and fellow Germans Wolfsburg are among the select few teams to halt Barcelona in the Champions League. Bayern now want to join that illustrious group with a famous win at the Camp Nou.

The Washington Commanders will have two representatives at the NFLPA Rookie Premiere in Los Angeles later this month. Linebacker Sonny Styles and wide receiver Antonio Williams will represent the Commanders at the annual event from May 14-17, which is a gathering of some of the league's top incoming rookies for photo shoots, brand sponsorship opportunities and much more.

It will be the first time fans see Styles and Williams in the new burgundy-and-gold uniforms. Styles was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, while Williams was picked at No. 71.

Wide receiver Jaylin Lane represented the Commanders in 2025, while quarterback Jayden Daniels attended in 2024.

The list of players invited to attend this year’s NFL Players Rookie Premiere in LA May 14-17. pic.twitter.com/Nz2VIPksfr

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 30, 2026

Here's more information on the event, via the NFLPA website.

NFLPA Rookie Premiere unlocks unparalleled access to 40+ of the league’s top rookies—creating one-of-a-kind opportunities for brands looking to build player-driven product and campaigns with the next faces of the sport. Since 1994, Rookie Premiere has served as players’ first marketing opportunity as a pro, creating partnership opportunities and genuine relationships that extend well beyond their introduction to the league.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles to attend NFLPA Rookie Premiere

Oh, how times have changed. Only one year ago, the Tennessee Titans created some excitement for the rookie minicamp when they signed Cam Ward’s favorite college target, Xavier Restrepo, as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft. And now, he is right back where he started: at rookie minicamp.

Coming off a disappointing rookie season, where an injury wiped out any chance to make a late-season impact, Restrepo finished the season mired on the practice squad. When given a chance, the one-time college star did flash, but now, a few months later, he appears to be facing an uphill battle to make the roster.

Second year WR Xavier Restrepo at Titans minicamp

Very active. Made a few nice plays in 7 on 7 pic.twitter.com/zzJeoO5xuW

— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) May 1, 2026

Tennessee has spent the offseason retooling its wide receiver room by restructuring Calvin Ridley, re-signing Bryce Oliver, signing Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency, and then using the fourth overall selection on Carnell Tate. Plus, those moves do not account for the addition of two high-upside undrafted rookies, Tyren Montgomery and Hank Beatty.

Now, Restrepo, whose story is well-documented, was in Nashville, fighting for a potential roster spot and battling the latest crop of rookies. By all accounts, he made some plays on Friday, but still, this is not really a positive sign for his future within the organization.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans second-year wideout Xavier Restrepo on-field at rookie minicamp

MMA Fighting has Inoue vs. Nakatani results for the Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani fight card and more for one of the most highly anticipated events of the year Saturday morning at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.

When the main event begins around 8 a.m. ET, check out our Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani live round-by-round updates for our live blog of the main event. Naoya Inoue is trying to defend his super bantamweight undisputed title against Junto Nakatani.

Check out Inoue vs. Nakatani results below.

Inoue vs. Nakatani Main Card (DAZN LIVE now)

Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani

Live blog

Takuma Inoue vs. Kazuto Ioka

Sora Tanaka vs. Jin Sasaki 

Yoshiki Takei vs. DeKang Wang

Shogo Tanaka vs. Kosuke Tomioka 

Yuito Moriwaki vs. Deok No Yun 

Reiya Abe vs. Toshiki Shimomachi

For more on the Inoue vs. Nakatani undercard, the live blog for the co-main event is below when it takes place.

Takuma Inoue vs. Kazuto Ioka

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Round 4:

Round 5:

Round 6:

Round 7:

Round 8:

Round 9:

Round 10:

Round 11:

Round 12:

Kody Steele returned to his finishing ways at UFC Fight Night 275.

Steele (8-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) showed off his ground game against DomMar Fan (9-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and managed to secure the heel hook submission at the 3:56 mark of Round 1 on Saturday at at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.

Check out the video of Steele's finish below (via X):

CAN'T GET BETTER THAN THAT ‼️

Kody Steele gets his first UFC win with the first round submission!

[ #UFCPerth | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/wGluHnivfB

— UFC (@ufc) May 2, 2026

Steele rebounded from his Fight of the Night battle against Rongzhu at UFC 312 in February. He has now finished six of his eight professional wins.

Up-to-the-minute results of UFC Fight Night 275 include:

• Kody Steele def. Dom Mar Fan via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 3:56

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Perth video: Kody Steele gets first octagon win with heel hook

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has hailed an unbelievable feeling as Leeds United edged closer to Premier League safety withy a 3-1 win over Burnley.

Daniel Farke’s side cruised past the relegated Clarets at Elland Road, with Anton Stach’s strike opening scoring after eight minutes.

Two goals in four second-half minutes from Noah Okafor and Calvert-Lewin made the result safe, before Loum Tchaouna thumped in a consolation for the visitors.

Leeds extended their unbeaten run to six Premier League games and are now nine points clear of the drop zone.

Calvert-Lewin hailed the execution of the game plan as Leeds took a giant step towards survival.

“It is an unbelievable feeling!” the forward said.

“I think obviously coming into the game, we wanted to start with a lot of intensity, which I think we did, and we executed the game plan really well.

“Obviously they come in playing with nothing to lose really, so that can be dangerous sometimes, but I am pleased and proud of the boys with how we performed.

“It was disappointing on the weekend to not get the result that we were hoping for, but I think the mood in camp has been good.

“We were fully focused on getting the job done tonight, and I think you could see that from the start.”

Read – 📈 Power Rankings: Manchester United upward, top two collide

See more – 5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶

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Bayern Munich welcomes Heidenheim to the Allianz Arena on Saturday in a Bundesliga encounter.

Bayern Munich has already become the Bundesliga champion but they will look to bounce back after suffering their first loss in 20 matches against PSG in their last match.

Bayern Munich vs Heidenheim – Match preview and team news

• Date: Saturday, 2nd May.
• Kick-off: 2:30pm BST.
• Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich.

Bayern Munich team news

Vincent Kompany is expected to prioritise squad rotation with one eye on the upcoming Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Since Bayern Munich has already secured the Bundesliga title, several marquee names like Harry Kane and Manuel Neuer are likely to be rested.

Injury-wise, the Bavarians remain without Serge Gnabry and Raphael Guerreiro, both sidelined with muscle issues, while youngster Lennart Karl is also unavailable.

This opens the door for Nicolas Jackson to lead the line and Jonas Urbig to potentially start between the posts.

The midfield could see Leon Goretzka stepping into a more advanced creative role alongside Michael Olise and Luis Díaz.

Heidenheim team news

Heidenheim enters this fixture with everything to play for as they will be relegated if they lose a single point in their remaining matches.

Currently sitting at the bottom of the table, Frank Schmidt’s task is made harder by several absences; Sirlord Conteh and Mikkel Kaufmann are both ruled out with knee and calf injuries, respectively, while Leart Paqarada remains a long-term absentee.

A major concern lingers over the fitness of defensive pillar Benedikt Gimber, who is a late doubt following a recent knock.

If Gimber cannot start, the pressure will intensify on Johnas Fohrenbach and Patrick Mainka to organise a backline capable of withstanding Bayern’s attacking depth.

Marvin Pieringer and Budu Zivzivadze are most likely to continue to lead the attack for Heidenheim.

Form

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich has been unstoppable in the 2025/26 Bundesliga, winning their last five consecutive league matches to secure the title with games to spare.

Their most recent domestic outing was a thrilling 4–3 comeback victory against Mainz, where they rallied from three goals down.

Despite a narrow 5–4 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in their midweek Champions League semi-final first leg, the Bavarians remain in formidable form, having lost only once in 31 league fixtures this season.

Heidenheim

Heidenheim enters this fixture desperate in their relegation battle. They come off a crucial 2–0 home win against fellow strugglers St. Pauli, which moved them to within four points of the relegation play-off spot. While they remain 18th in the standings, Frank Schmidt’s side has won two of their last three games—matching their win total from the previous 23 rounds combined.

Predicted lineups

Bayern Munich: Urbig; Laimer, Kim, Ito, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Ndiaye, Diaz; Jackson

Heidenheim: Ramaj; Busch, Mainka, Fohrenbach, Behrens; Schoppner, Dorsch, Beck; Pieringer, Zivzivadze, Dinkci

How to watch Bayern Munich vs Heidenheim?

In the UK, the match is being broadcast for free on the official Bundesliga YouTube channel.

Read Also – Chelsea boss delivers ‘promising’ injury update ahead of Forest tie

See More – 5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶

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Bayern Munich hosts Heidenheim at the Allianz Arena this Saturday in a Bundesliga clash.

The Bavarians have already wrapped up the league title but will be aiming to respond after their recent defeat to PSG, which ended their 20-game unbeaten run.

Domestically, though, Bayern have been dominant all season, winning their last five league matches and sealing the title early. Their latest Bundesliga game was a dramatic 4–3 comeback win over Mainz after going three goals behind.

Even though they lost 5–4 to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final during the week, Bayern remain in strong form overall, with just one defeat in 31 league matches this season.

Bayern Munich team news

Manager Vincent Kompany is likely to rotate his squad, keeping the upcoming second leg against PSG in mind.

With the title already secured, key players like Harry Kane and Manuel Neuer could be rested.

On the injury front, Serge Gnabry and Raphael Guerreiro are still out with muscle problems, and youngster Lennart Karl is also unavailable.

This could give Nicolas Jackson a chance to start up front, while Jonas Urbig may feature in goal. In midfield, Leon Goretzka might take on a more attacking role alongside Michael Olise and Luis Díaz.

Bayern Munich predicted lineup

Possible Bayern Munich starting XI: Urbig; Laimer, Kim, Ito, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Ndiaye, Diaz; Jackson

When will the match kick off?

The match will kick off at 2:30pm BST on Saturday, 2nd May.

How to watch Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim?

Fans in the UK can watch the match live for free on the official Bundesliga YouTube channel.

Read Also – Arteta confirms double Arsenal blow for Fulham clash

See More – Carrick ‘over the moon’ with new Man Utd deal for Mainoo

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ROME (AP) — Alex Zanardi, the Italian auto racing champion-turned-Paralympic gold medalist whose career was marked by two life-altering accidents, has died. He was 59.

Zanardi’s family announced his death on Saturday, saying that he passed away on Friday night.

“Alex died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of those closest to him,” the family said in a statement without providing a cause of death.

In 2020, Zanardi was seriously injured in a handbike accident after crashing into an oncoming truck during a relay event in Tuscany. Zanardi suffered serious facial and cranial trauma in the crash and was put in a medically induced coma.

Nearly 20 years earlier, Zanardi lost both of his legs in an auto racing crash.

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Where to watch CIF-SS beach volleyball championships: Schedule, times, live streams for 2026 girls finals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The California Southern Section state beach volleyball championships have been ongoing, but now it's officially time to determine who wins a title.

Southern California is a giant in the world of beach volleyball, with many teams that rank nationally in talent. Four divisions began play last week, but now only two programs remain in each. Division 1 is headlined by powerhouse squads Mira Costa and JSerra Catholic.

According to MaxPreps, Mira Costa is the overall top-ranked team in the tournament, with a 23-1 record on the season. JSerra ranks fifth, but the Lions were able to defeat top-performing Redondo Union 3-2 in the semifinals, carrying them to the final. 

Eight teams will battle it out for a state trophy at Long Beach City College this weekend.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 CIF-SS beach volleyball championships, including TV channel and streaming options for the finals.

Where to watch CIF-SS beach volleyball championships

• TV channel: N/A
• Live stream:NFHS Network

Fans can watch the CIF-SS beach volleyball championships live on the NFHS Network. 

The NFHS Network offers two basic plans: an Annual Pass ($6.67 per month) or a Monthly Pass ($13.99 per month). These plans give subscribers the ability to watch live sporting events and create clips of their favorite moments from games.

CIF-SS beach volleyball championships start time

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: Beginning at 9 a.m. PT

All four CIF-SS divisions will hold their championship matches Saturday at Long Beach City College. The Division 4 final is set to begin at 9 a.m. PT, followed by Divisions 3, 2 and 1.

CIF-SS beach volleyball championships schedule

Past CIF-SS beach volleyball champions

The CIF-SS beach volleyball championships is in its fourth season in 2026 — here are the teams that won it all the previous three years. Division 3 was not introduced until the 2024-25 season, and this year marks the debut for Division 4.

Why the average Kentucky Derby jockey is so small in height and weight originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Horse racing is unique in that the human involved isn't necessarily the athlete that everyone is watching. While jockeys are more than just accessories, fans cheer for, or bet on, the horse itself.

Jockeys play a key role, however. It's no coincidence that many of the jockeys at the Kentucky Derby each year are familiar faces who return to pursue history. Some do the job better than others, even if they aren't the center of attention.

What you will notice about jockeys is that they don't necessarily come in different shapes and sizes. Jockeys tend to be small in both height and weight, and there is a reason for that.

Here's what you need to know about the size of Kentucky Derby jockeys and a look at past winners.

MORE:What to know about Churchill Downs

Average Kentucky Derby jockey height and weight

Kentucky Derby jockeys are almost exclusively between 4'10" and 5'6", according to Horse Sport, coming out to an average of about 5'2".

While there is no height limit or requirement, there is a weight requirement as to what a horse can carry. A male horse must carry 126 pounds, while a female horse must carry 121 pounds. That, however, includes everything from the saddle to the jockey's equipment. That means jockeys typically have to weigh no more than 118 pounds, and Horse Sport notes jockeys tend to fall within the 108-118 pound range.

The weight limits have been in place at all Triple Crown races for more than a century, both to ensure fairness among competitors and to protect the horses. 

All male horses must carry 126 pounds, even if their jockey weighs 100 pounds, for example. If the total after equipment is still less than 126 pounds, a dead weight is added to make up the difference and ensure fairness between the horses. 

MORE:When was the last Triple Crown winner?

Why are horse jockeys usually short?

To put it simply, bones are heavy. The taller you are, the more bone you have -- and the more you weigh, generally. Taller people tend to be heavier just because their bodies are larger, whereas shorter people tend to weigh less because there is less body to go around.

There is no height limit for jockeys, but with strict limits on the weight a horse can carry, a shorter jockey will have a much easier time coming in under the weight requirement. 

MORE:Full list of Kentucky Derby winners

Notable jockeys to win Kentucky Derby

Not every winning jockey's height and weight are publicly known, but here are the measurements for some of the recent Kentucky Derby winners:

Because of the weight of the equipment, jockeys must weigh in at well under the total weight limit of 126 pounds. No recent Kentucky Derby-winning jockey weighed more than 116 pounds, and all were 5-6 or shorter.

Managing weight becomes more difficult the taller you are, so Junior Alvarado and John Velazquez, at 5-6, likely have to follow a stricter regiment to make sure there are no close calls.

However the 2025-26 season ends for Manchester City, there have been a host of positives to emerge from this season for the club. It has become clear across this season that this new-look City side will be a force in the coming seasons. Also, a host of players have taken the next step as players. One of those has been Jeremy Doku. The Belgian winger has taken the step from being a talented, but at times frustrating, winger to become a vital component of this City side. This was on full display last Saturday as Doku’s game-breaking appearance off the bench turned last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final in Manchester City’s favor. Doku’s display helped City pick up a 2-1 win as he tormented a tired Southampton defence.

Everything that makes Jeremy Doku so damaging stood out against Southampton.

Pep Guardiola made two key substitutions in the 58th minute of last Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton at Wembley. He took off Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic and replaced them with Savinho and Jeremy Doku. Jeremy Doku, in particular, made a match-winning impact on last Saturday’s match.

Doku tormented a tired Southampton defense from the moment he came onto the pitch at Wembley. He completed 11 of 14 dribbles, and a weary Southampton defense couldn’t contain him. His ability to carry the ball kept Southampton pinned deep in their own half. Doku’s pace and trickery in possession were superb. However, all of that wasn’t Doku’s most telling impact on last Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.

Southampton took a shock 1-0 lead in the 79th minute of last Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final. Finn Azaz scored a 20 yard wonder goal to give Tonda Eckert’s side hope of a famous upset. However, their lead would onky last three minutes. Jeremy Doku would equalize for Manchester City when his deflected strike beat Southampton keeper Daniel Peretz in the 82nd minute. It was also Doku’s pass that found Nico to win the match for City with his thunderbolt from 30 yards out in the 87th minute at Wembley.

Manchester City needed a game-breaker against Southampton last weekend, it was Jeremy Doku who broke the match wide open for Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley.

Jeremy Doku is now a key player for Manchester City.

This season has been a huge tick for the growth of Jeremy Doku as a player. He has taken the next step and become a key player for Manchester City. His performance off the bench last weekend against Southampton was the perfect encapsulation of this.

Jeremy Doku still has areas of his game to improve. The Belgian international does need to become a more consistent goal scorer. If he adds this to his game, he’ll be one of the top wingers in world football. Based on how much Doku has improved this season, he may well take that leap next season. If he does, he’ll go from being a key player at Manchester City to being even more important for Pep Guardiola’s side.

In the final month of the 2025/26 season, Bayern Munich has already sewn up the Bundesliga title, shattered the league’s goal scoring record, secured a place in the DFB-Pokal final, and sit one win away from claiming a spot in the Champions League final. It is safe to say that Vincent Kompany has this squad firing on all cylinders.

There is a little irony that Kompany was a defender throughout his playing career but has unleashed the greatest scoring team in Bundesliga history. Bayern is only three goals away from hitting the same mark in the Champions League, held by Bayern’s 1999/2000 team that scored 45 goals in 16 games.

“It’s always down to the quality of the players,” said Kompany (via @iMiaSanMia). “You need players who can score. They have that hunger to keep going. That’s how you achieve those results. My role is to see what we can improve and to keep that hunger alive. It’s in the DNA of this club. But the main thing is winning trophies.”

Five different players have scored double-digit goals across all competitions, led by Harry Kane’s 54 goals, and 19 different players have scored and 19 different players have recorded an assist.

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…

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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is live THIS MORNING (Sat., May 2, 2026)with UFC Perth, streaming online via Paramount+. The event is happening inside RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, and will be going live at 4 a.m. ET (early start time details here). The main event is Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates in the Welterweight division.

UFC Perth Preview

UFC’s latest trip “Down Under” follows a predictable “Australia vs. The World” theme. In the main event, Della Maddalena reps Australia against the Brazilian, Prates. This is Della Maddalena’s first fight since the one-sided drubbing he took from Islam Makhachev. Prates comes into this one on a two-fight win streak that includes devastating KOs of Geoff Neal and Leon Edwards (see that one again here).

A win for Prates surely makes him the next man up after Makhachev reportedly fights Ian Machado Garry (the only man to beat Prates in UFC).

The co-main event pits wunderkind, Quillan Salkilld, against wily veteran, Beneil Dariush. Salkilld has looked flawless thus far in his UFC career, which included a brutal headkick knockout over Nasrat Haqparast (re-live that one here). Dariush, meanwhile, is coming off a brutal knockout loss to Benoit Saint Denis. If Salkilld wins this, he’s a serious contender in the crammed Lightweight division.

Also on this main card is Steve Erceg vs. Tim Elliott, Brando Pericic vs. Shamil Gaziev and Tai Tuivasa vs. Louie Sutherland. Marwan Rahiki vs. Ollie Schmid was thrown in a few days ago to make up the numbers.

The featured “Prelim” today is Cam Rowston vs. Robert Bryczek. Other undercard fights of note include Jonathan Micallef vs. Themba Gorimbo and Jacob Malkoun vs. Gerald Meerschaert.

UFC Perth Start Date and Time

We are doing something different this weekend. The Australian fans get to have this at prime time, for them, so we in North America are having a rare early start.

• UFC Perth’s “Prelims” will begin at 4 a.m. ET.
• UFC Perth’s main card is scheduled to start at 7 a.m. ET.
• All of UFC Perth airs on Paramount+, which you can stream here.

The live blog here starts rolling below at 4 a.m. ET. Come in and say hi!

UFC PERTH QUICK RESULTS

Main card

• 170 lbs.: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates
• 155 lbs.: Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld
• 125 lbs.: Tim Elliott vs. Steve Erceg
• 145 lbs.: Marwan Rahiki vs. Ollie Schmid
• 265 lbs.: Shamil Gaziev vs. Brando Pericic
• 265 lbs.: Louie Sutherland def. Tai Tuivasa by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Prelims

• 185 lbs.: Cam Rowston def. Robert Bryczek by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• 205 lbs.: Junior Tafa def. Kevin Christian by KO (ground elbows), round 1 (2:42) — HIGHLIGHTS
• 185 lbs.: Jacob Malkoun def. Gerald Meerschaert by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• 135 lbs.: Colby Thicknesse def. Vince Morales by unanimous decision (29-28. 29-28. 29-28)
• 185 lbs.: Wes Schultz def. Ben Johnston by submission (guillotine), round 3 (1:15)
• 170 lbs.: Jonathan Micallef def. Themba Gorimbo by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• 155 lbs.: Kody Steele def. Dom Mar Fan by submission (heel hook), round 1 (3:53) — HIGHLIGHTS

UFC PERTH PLAY-BY-PLAY UPDATES

Main Card

Tai Tuivasa vs. Louie Sutherland

Round 1: Sutherland went for takedowns in the first round. His first attempts put him in guillotine trouble and then a Tuivasa sprawl led to him being on bottom. However, Sutherland was able to sweep and then spend a lot of time on top. That, plus a spinning elbow he landed early, claimed the round for him.

10-9 Sutherland

Round 2: Sutherland got the early takedown in this round and was able to stay on top for almost five minutes. Not fun, but very effective.

20-18 Sutherland

Round 3: Tuivasa couldn’t summon up the KO blow that the crowd were desperate for in the third. Sutherland was able to ground him early and hang out on top to earn the very dull decision and hand Tuivasa his seventh straight loss. Tuivasa also has a point deducted for an illegal knee.

30-26 Sutherland

Official decision: Louie Sutherland def. Tai Tuivasa by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Prelims

Cam Rowston vs. Robert Bryczek: Total domination. Rowston was too big, too long, too strong for Bryczek. He hurt him on the feet, but spent most of the fight in top position battering Bryczek with ground and pound. He further shows that he’s a very serious prospect in this division.

Official decision: Cam Rowston def. Robert Bryczek by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Junior Tafa vs. Kevin Christian: Tafa stalked Christian winging right overhands. Christian did his best to evade them and actually hurt Tafa with his leg kicks. But Christian eventually ran out of room and was clocked by Tafa. Tafa then pushed him down and landed some big ground and pound to put Christian out.

Official decision: Junior Tafa def. Kevin Christian by KO (ground elbows), round 1 (2:42)

Jacob Malkoun vs. Gerald Meerschaert: Meerschaert took the first round after pulling Malkoun down into a guillotine choke. Almost all that round was spent with Malkoun trying to navigate his way out of that. In the third Malkoun was able to box Meerschaert up a bit, but he spent far too much time on the ground with Meerschaert than he had to. In the third, Malkoun was able to keep it standing for most the round, but got his neck stuck in another guillotine in the final minute.

Official decision: Jacob Malkoun def. Gerald Meerschaert by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Colby Thicknesse vs. Vince Morales: Thicknesse was all over Morales in the first round, getting deep on triangle and armbar attacks. The crafty veteran was able to survive that, though. The second round as mostly standing and it was very close, but I had Thicknesse just doing enough to win it. In the third, Morales wobbled Thicknesse with a couple of right hooks and then had him in trouble on the ground. Thicknesse would make it to the last bell, though (and win the fight on my scorecard).

Official decision: Colby Thicknesse def. Vince Morales by unanimous decision (29-28. 29-28. 29-28)

Ben Johnston vs. Wes Schultz: That was a wild, rather sloppy, but entertaining affair. Schultz tried to make this a ground battle and Johnston obliged. He stuffed Schultz’s takedowns early and parlayed that into lots of top control time. Schultz got deep on some submission attempts, but Johnston was able to weather them in the first two rounds. Then, in the third, Schultz came out in desperation mode. He swung for the fences, half landed and then went for submissions again. He didn’t get his first attempt, but he eventually managed to get enough squeeze for the finish.

Official decision: Wes Schultz def. Ben Johnston by submission (guillotine), round 3 (1:15)

Jonathan Micallef vs. Themba Gorimbo: Micallef and Gorimbo wrestled for most of this fight. Micallef had the best of that in round one, grounding Gorimbo and keeping him there. Gorimbo responded in the second round, though. In the third both men had their moments in the wrestling, but Micallef mixed in the better striking — landing heavy shots with his punches and kicks. That earned him the all important third round.

Official decision: Jonathan Micallef def. Themba Gorimbo by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Don Mar Fan vs. Kody Steele: Steele, having lost his first two fights due to getting into brawls, decided to grapple in this fight. That proved very smart strategy. He got an early takedown and forced Fan to roll with him. Fan looked like on the ground and was able to get a sweep, but Steele switched to hunting leg locks and would eventually get the tap with a heel hook.

Official decision: Kody Steele def. Don Mar Fan by submission (heel hook), round 1 (3:53)

Live stream begins at 4 a.m. ET. …

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ROME (AP) — Alex Zanardi, auto racing champion-turned-Paralympic gold medalist, dies at 59.

Bryson DeChambeau has denied reports he is looking to leave LIV Golf before the end of the year.

The future of the breakaway series has been plunged into doubt after Saudi Arabia said it will withdraw its multi-billion dollar backing at the end of the 2026 season.

LIV Golf is now searching to find replacement financial investment under a new independent board but the situation has raised questions about the organisation's ability to keep some of its biggest stars, including two-time major winner DeChambeau.

Reports last week suggested DeChambeau's representatives had started talks with PGA Tour executives over a return.

"It's completely untrue. I'm working as hard as I can to find a solution," the 32-year-old American told Flushing It Golf on whether he was looking to leave the series before the end of the year.

"I'm committed to making team golf work in the best way possible.

"I think there's a place for it in the ecosystem and I want to continue to grow the game across the world. That's always been our mission and it's never been more true than now."

• What now for Rahm, DeChambeau and LIV's biggest names?
• Saudi Arabia to stop funding LIV Golf next season

LIV Golf caused a major split in 2022 when it started luring star names away from the PGA Tour with the offer of huge pay increases.

DeChambeau joined LIV Golf in 2022 and, along with fellow stars Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith, turned down the chance to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year.

The PGA Tour set up a returning member programme, which was open until 2 February, and accepted Brooks Koepka back on the American circuit as part of the initiative following his departure from LIV Golf.

"We're building a bunch of junior golf events right now and each team is looking to build junior golf academies," added DeChambeau. "That's something that we've been working on for almost three or four months now.

"We're looking to host an event here coming up, probably in the next, I'd say, couple of months, because we want to do something special by the Team Championship. There's definitely some really cool things in the works."

DeChambeau's LIV contract is up at the end of this season and he was looking to sign a lucrative new deal.

Speaking recently before the announcement of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund withdrawing its funding, DeChambeau said: "As long as LIV is here, I would figure out a way for it to make sense.

"We're still working on a potential contract. I haven't given up on that and I think there will be a solution. But as of right now, my job is to help make the league work after this year."

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have the opportunity to make history on Saturday evening when they host Fulham at the Emirates Stadium, with a victory set to give the Gunners a new club record for the most wins in a single season during the Premier League era.

Arsenal currently sit on 39 wins across all competitions in 2025/26, level with the benchmark set by Arsene Wenger’s side during the 2002/03 campaign—a season in which the Gunners retained the FA Cup and reached the latter stages of the Champions League.

A win over Fulham tonight would move Arteta’s side to 40, taking them beyond that mark alone for the first time in the club’s Premier League history.

What gives this record its significance is the breadth of its accumulation. Arteta’s squad has competed in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup this season, winning consistently across all competitions.

This is not a total inflated by a fortunate cup run or a straightforward group stage; it reflects a relentlessness rarely seen from an English club over a full campaign.

To match Wenger’s 2002/03 side in that regard is no small feat. That Arsenal team was built around some of the finest players of a generation—Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires—and delivered silverware while pushing Manchester United to the final weeks of the title race. Arteta’s side now stands level, just 90 minutes away from standing alone.

Fulham arrive at the Emirates in decent form and with a point to prove, yet the history of this fixture offers little comfort to the visitors. Arsenal have never lost a home league match against Fulham in 32 attempts, a record that stands as the longest unbeaten home run by one club against another in English Football League history.

Should Arsenal secure all three points tonight, the record is unlikely to stop at 40. The Champions League second leg against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates and further Premier League fixtures are still to come.

Liverpool Transfer Plan Takes Shape as Arne Slot Weighs Mohamed Salah Succession

Liverpool are approaching the end of an era, and Arne Slot knows this summer cannot be treated as a routine transfer window. Mohamed Salah’s expected departure removes far more than goals, assists and left footed menace from the right side. It removes one of the defining figures of modern Liverpool.

Yet Slot’s thinking is not simply about finding a like for like replacement. The manager has made clear that Alexander Isak’s role next season will shape how Liverpool recruit in attack.

“[Getting the most from Isak] is definitely part of thinking about the [Salah] replacement,” Slot said.

X: @LFC

That line matters. Isak arrived from Newcastle for £125m, making him the most expensive footballer in British history, but his first Liverpool season has been badly disrupted. A lack of pre season fitness was followed by a groin issue, then a broken leg suffered in the 2-1 win over Tottenham on December 20. Only recently did he score his first Premier League goal at Anfield, in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Salah Exit Forces Smarter Transfer Logic

Replacing Mohamed Salah directly is close to impossible. He sits third on Liverpool’s all time scoring list with 257 goals, a number that speaks for itself. So the smarter question is not who scores exactly like Salah, but how Liverpool build a new attacking mechanism without him.

Slot explained the tactical detail behind that thought process.

“Because since I have been here – and it is the same at a lot of clubs – it is mainly a left footer on the right and a right footer on the left.

“I have seen Alex scoring also a lot from crosses which were played from the right, right footed, Trent Alexander-Arnold crosses, if you want to call them like that.

“So that is definitely part of how we are looking at things, but we try to sign the best possible available player who we can afford.

“Something else which also happens at certain clubs is: ‘OK, that is the best player in the world in that position, let’s try and get him.’

“That is not how we work, we try and sign the best possible player who is available for us.”

This is recruitment as ecosystem thinking. Liverpool need a right sided attacker, yes, but they also need service patterns, chance creation and balance that allow Isak to become the striker they paid a record fee to sign.

Slot Faces End of Klopp Era Cycle

Slot also acknowledged that Liverpool’s wider transition remains unfinished. Salah and Andy Robertson leaving together strips away two pillars of the team that conquered Europe and England under Jurgen Klopp.

Slot added: “I think the transition hasn’t been completed yet.

“And by that I mean this cycle, the players that won the Champions League and Premier League with Jurgen [Klopp], I think if you look now, might only be Virgil [van Dijk] and Joe [Gomez] contracted to the club.

“So, yeah, again this summer, as a minimum of two will leave, so you can say you are at the end of a transition, there’s still a transition to be done.

“We know Hugo [Ekitike] will be out for a long, long time. We haven’t used Alex [Isak] this season hardly, so there is a lot to win and improve with this group of players we have now and next season.

Anfield Rebuild Demands Precision

“We all know the longer a team plays together, the better they get. That makes complete sense and this summer will see few changes again because Robbo and Mo are already leaving the club.”

That is the core of Liverpool’s summer dilemma. Arne Slot won the Premier League in his first season, but this next phase may define the durability of his project. Mohamed Salah leaves behind a statistical mountain, Robertson leaves behind leadership and tempo, while Isak represents untapped upside.

Liverpool do not need nostalgia in the market. They need precision, imagination and a forward line built for what comes next.

There is never a straightforward trip to Manchester United, and the latest update from Old Trafford suggests we won’t be catching them at a weakened moment.

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Speaking via ManUtd.com, head coach Michael Carrick offered a largely positive assessment of his squad ahead of the clash with Liverpool.

Manchester United injury update ahead of Liverpool clash

United come into the game on the back of a win over Brentford, and the mood inside their camp appears to be improving at just the wrong time for us.

“We’re in good shape really,” Carrick said during his pre-match press conference.

“Matheus has done a little bit of work, so we’re hopeful. We’re not sure but we’re hopeful.”

That refers to Matheus Cunha, who missed the last game with a hip issue but is now pushing to be involved, while there is also optimism surrounding Luke Shaw despite his recent withdrawal.

The England international has started every Premier League game this season and could once again be available, which would be a significant boost for the home side.

Who is out for Manchester United?

It’s not all positive news for United, though, and there are still some notable absentees we could look to exploit.

Lisandro Martinez remains suspended as he serves the third game of a ban following his red card against Leeds, while Matthijs de Ligt is still working his way back from a back injury.

Carrick confirmed the Dutch defender isn’t ready yet.

“Matta is still a little bit further [off] and not involved in the game,” the United boss added.

Beyond that, however, the overall message is clear, because United are close to full strength at a crucial stage of the season.

That fits with wider expectations around the game, with Opta’s supercomputer suggesting this is the most likely draw of the weekend, while Jamie Carragher has already predicted a tight contest between two sides who have found results without always convincing.

For us, it means this won’t be a case of taking advantage of injuries or disruption, it’s going to require a proper performance if we’re to go to Old Trafford and get the result we need.

Barcelona are closing in on the La Liga title, and this weekend could prove decisive as they travel to Estadio El Sadar to face Osasuna. 

The Catalan side have built a commanding lead at the top, and the finish line is now clearly in sight.

With Hansi Flick at the helm, Barcelona have opened up an 11-point gap over Real Madrid, putting them in complete control of the title race. 

While the hosts have a European spot to play for, history favours Barcelona, who have dominated this fixture over the years, including the 2-0 win back in December.

As such, it must be noted that Barcelona could be crowned champions this weekend, but only if results go their way. 

A win in Pamplona would take them to 88 points, and they would then need Real Madrid to drop points against Espanyol. 

It sets up a scenario where Barcelona can do their part first and then wait for confirmation.

On that note, lets take a look at how the team can lineup later today.

Defence

Joan Garcia will be playing for a major personal honour. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

At the back, Flick is expected to make only minimal adjustments. 

In goal, Joan Garcia remains a guaranteed starter. His consistency this season has been vital, and with the Zamora Trophy within reach, there is no reason to rotate.

The only forced change comes at right-back. Jules Kounde is unavailable due to suspension, which opens the door for Eric Garcia to step in. 

The Spaniard has proven to be a reliable option across multiple roles, and this is another opportunity for him to deliver.

In central defence, Flick is expected to stick with the trusted pairing of Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin. 

Both have shown composure and understanding, which has helped Barcelona maintain control in crucial matches. 

On the left, Joao Cancelo should continue, offering both defensive cover and attacking width.

Midfield

Barcelona’s midfield has found a strong rhythm in recent weeks, and Flick is unlikely to disrupt it. 

The combination of Gavi and Pedri provides creativity and control, while Dani Olmo operates further forward to link play and support the attack.

This setup worked effectively in the recent win over Getafe, and Flick will be keen to maintain that balance as the team looks to secure another important result.

Attack

Ferran could come in for Lewandowski against Osasuna. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

In the final third, there may be one notable adjustment. 

Fermin Lopez is expected to start on the left again, offering energy and helping the midfield stay compact. 

It must be noted that Raphinha will receive the medical green light for his clash, but he is unlikely to feature from the start.

On the right, Roony Bardghji could be given another nod in the absence of the first-choice option, Lamine Yamal.

The biggest decision comes through the middle. Flick could be considering starting Ferran Torres ahead of Robert Lewandowski. 

Ferran’s movement and pressing could suit the tactical approach for this match, especially against a side that tends to defend deep.

Arsenal Women are set to travel to France to take on Lyon Women in the second leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League tie. The north London side currently lead 2-1 on aggregate.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash…

Kick-off time

2pm UK time Saturday 2 May

How to watch in the UK

TV: BBC Two

Streaming: BBC IPlayer

Injuries and suspensions

Lyon: Tabitha Chawinga (out)

Arsenal: Beth Mead (out), Katie Reid (out), Steph Catley (out) , Kyra Cooney-Cross (out) and Manuela Zinsberger (out)

Predicted line-ups

Lyon (4-3-3): Endler; Lawrence, Renard, Engen, Svava; Shrader, Heaps, Yohannes; Diani, Brand, Hegerberg

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, McCabe; Little, Caldentey; Holmberg, Russo, Foord; Blackstenius

Recent form

Lyon have failed to win their last two matches, including that loss to Arsenal last week. They were held by Nantes last week in the French league.

After their win last week Arsenal compounded the victory with seven goals against Leicester City in the Women’s Super League.

What’s been said?

Arsenal boss Renee Slegers: “I don’t think it’s important only in those moments,” she said. “I think the diversity that we have in the group is really important and we’ve played younger players at different stages, we know we can do it, they’re ready, but we also know we need the experience and the leadership.

“But that’s not only in those moments on the pitch, that’s every day, what we do every day, and that makes us ready for the game. I wasn’t aware of the fact (that nine of our starting XI in the first leg were at least 27) but interesting fact.”

Form 

Blackpool finished ninth in League One last season, two places and eight points behind Reading. This season marks their third straight season in the third tier, having been relegated alongside the Royals in 2023. 

They will face another season in League One next campaign, currently sitting 14th in the league, four places and six points behind Reading. Their recent form however has been strong, winning four out of their last five matches, and they into this weekend’s game off the back of a 1-0 home win against relegation-battling Leyton Orient.

The two sides faced each other back in November, with Reading claiming an impressive 0-3 away win after goals from Kamari Doyle, Lewis Wing and Randell Williams.

The boss

Ian Evatt: Evatt was appointed Blackpool manager in October last year, taking over from Steve Bruce, who spent a year in charge of the Tangerines.

The former centre-back had a 19-year playing career, representing the likes of Derby County, Chesterfield, Queens Park Rangers and Blackpool. 

After ending his career at Chesterfield, he took on his first full-time managerial role at National League side Barrow. He guided the club back to the Football League after winning the title in the 2019/20 season that was cut short due to Covid-19. 

Evatt left the club that summer when he was appointed manager of Bolton Wanderers. He guided Bolton back to League One in his first season in charge, securing automatic promotion after a third-place finish in League Two. Evatt spent four and a half years in charge of the Trotters, before leaving by mutual consent in January last year.

Since joining Blackpool the 44-year-old has won 16 of his 37 games in charge, giving him a win percentage of 43%. Evatt likes his sides to play an attacking, direct style of football.

Squad

Defenders Fraser Horsfall and Michael Ihiekwe, midfielder George Honeyman and winger Josh Bowler are all expected to miss this weekend’s game through injury.

Predicted lineup

Peacock-Farrell, Walters, Casey, Husband, Brown, CJ Hamilton, Anderson, Clarkson, Ashworth, Bloxham, Fletcher

Key player 

11. Ashley Fletcher: Striker Fletcher joined Blackpool in June 2024, following his release from Watford.

During his youth career, he spent time at Bolton Wanderers before joining the Manchester United academy at the age of 13. He signed his first pro deal at United in 2013 and then went on to join Barnsley on loan.

A move to West Ham United followed in 2016 before Fletcher joined Middlesbrough a year later. He made over a century of appearances for Boro over the course of four seasons, scoring 28 goals.

He moved to Watford in 2021, but first-team appearances were hard to come by at the Hornets, with Fletcher spending time on loan with New York Red Bulls, Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday.

The 30-yea- old has had more of a settled period at Blackpool and has scored 32 goals for the Tangerines, with 21 of those coming this season, making him the club’s top scorer. Fletcher is a hard-working striker with strong positioning.

One to watch 

4. Oliver Casey: Defender Casey joined Blackpool in June 2021, signing from Leeds United for an undisclosed fee.

Casey started his career in the youth setup at Leeds and made his debut for his hometown club in December 2019. He only made a further two first-team appearances for the Whites before his move to Blackpool.

First-team appearances were hard to come by in his first season with the Tangerines, so Casey spent his second year on loan at Forest Green Rovers. He became a first-team regular upon his return and has gone on to make 140 appearances for Blackpool, scoring six goals.

The 25-year-old is a centre-back who is strong in the air and is a consistent performer in Blackpool’s back line.

Raffaele Palladino and Atalanta are looking to get back to winning ways with a visit from Daniele De Rossi and Genoa, who will be aiming to confirm mathematical safety in Serie A on Saturday evening.

Atalanta have been on a disappointing run of form in February and are without a victory across their last four matches in all competitions. They find themselves in seventh place in the Serie A table, and could end up needing a favour from Inter in the Coppa Italia final in order to qualify for next season’s Conference League.

CAGLIARI, ITALY – APRIL 27: Coach of Atalanta Raffaele Palladino looks on during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and Atalanta BC at Stadio Sant’Elia on April 27, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

Genoa come into Saturday evening’s fixture in 14th place, 11 points clear of the relegation zone with four league matches of the 2025-26 season left to play. A victory against Atalanta will guarantee their Serie A status for another season, but they will also ensure safety as long as Cremonese do not beat Lazio on Monday evening.

Despite the 3-2 defeat against Cagliari on Monday night, Palladino is unlikely to make any changes to his attacking unit of Giacomo Raspadori, Charles De Ketelaere and Gianluca Scamacca.

There could be changes in defence and midfield, though, as Sky Sport Italia suggest that Isak Hien, Honest Ahanor and Marten De Roon could come in for Berat Djimsiti, Sead Kolasinac and Mario Pasalic.

Genoa were beaten 2-0 by Como last weekend and could also be in line for a tactical reshuffle. Pre-match reports suggest that it could be a switch from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 this weekend, and that Lorenzo Colombo could come back into the starting line-up to partner Jeff Ekhator in attack.

GENOA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Ruslan Malinovskyi of Genoa (left) celebrates with his team-mate Lorenzo Colombo after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Sky Sport Italia claims that there could be a full senior debut for 21-year-old Genoa defender Nils Zatterstrom.

Kick-off is due at 19.45 BST.

Atalanta vs. Genoa: Probable line-ups

GENOA, ITALY – APRIL 26: Daniele De Rossi, head coach of Genoa, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Como 1907 at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Ahanor; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; De Ketelaere, Raspadori; Scamacca.

Genoa (3-5-2): Bijlow; Marcandalli, Ostigard, Zatterstrom; Sabelli, Frendrup, Amorim, Masini, Ellertsson; Ekhator, Colombo.

Where to watch Atalanta vs. Genoa

Today’s game will be available to watch live in the UK exclusively on DAZN. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+.

Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Chelsea are looking for a new creative attacker, with Morgan Rogers one name appreciated according to Ben Jacobs.

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Having had a quiet January the Blues are set to be busy in the summer, with a number of areas in the squad needing to be addressed.

Chelsea are said to be in the market for a centre back, whilst it’s believed they want to add another midfielder and attacker.

Chelsea appreciate Morgan Rogers

Chelsea signed four attackers last summer in Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap, but only Pedro has made an impact this season.

The Brazilian has scored 19 goals in all competitions, with 14 of those coming in the Premier League, whilst the others have really struggled.

More creativity in attack is something the Blues desperately need and Chelsea have been linked with Aston Villa star Rogers. 

Chelsea have also reportedly made an enquiry for Brentford’s Igor Thiago, and Jacobs has provided an update on their search for an attacker.

He reported for talkSPORT the Blues are looking for a new creative attacker, potentially someone who can operate from the left, with Rogers a name that’s appreciated.

Rogers has scored 12 goals and registered nine assists in 50 appearances in all competitions for Villa this season.

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In other news…

Reece James and Levi Colwill are both back in training and could be part of the squad for Monday’s game against Nottingham Forest.

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Colwill hasn’t played all season due to an ACL injury, whilst James hasn’t played since the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on March 14th.

With the FA Cup final two weeks away, this is a huge boost for Chelsea, and they’ll be hoping James at least can be ready to start that game.

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

VfL Wolfsburg will face SC Freiburg on Sunday in a key fixture for both sides. While the hosts are hunting a place in Europe, Wolfsburg will play for three points that could take them out of the automatic relegation spots.

For Dieter Hecking, it will also be a momentous occasion. The 61-year-old coach will be the tenth man in Bundesliga history to reach 450 matches. Following his first-ever relegation with Bochum last term, the quest is to avoid a similar fate with the club he previously won the DFB-Pokal with.

“That’s a nice number," Hecking said about his achievement before an honest reflection about the current trend. "I don't know if we’ll see it repeated in the future many times because the coaching business has become much more fast-paced.

“Every Bundesliga game in itself is still a holiday for me. And I'm also looking forward to my 450. Whether it’s my 451st or 13th, for me, Bundesliga will always be a highlight occasion."

Wolfsburg will lock horns with the only two Bundesliga teams left in the European competitions before their trip to direct rivals St. Pauli on the final matchday. Before their last home game of the season against the champions Bayern Munich, three points are needed against Europa League semi-finalists Freiburg.

"I expect a very intense game," Hecking warns his side before analysing Freiburg’s late defeat in Braga. "It was a totally balanced game, and they still have all the opportunities to reach the final. I always praise Freiburg. And I believe their squad gives them two strong teams. They can switch without a drop in performance.”

Hecking also looked back at his previous experience of facing a club in two competitions late in a season. Back in 2009/10, Nürnberg lost 4-0 to Hamburger SV, who had been knocked out of the Europa League by Fulham in the semi-final only two days earlier.

"I don't think they will treat this game differently because they’re in Europe. I already suffered from that. We all thought HSV would be mentally and physically hurt, but they were leading 3-0 after half an hour."

Nürnberg avoided relegation back then with a playoff victory against Augsburg. Hecking’s Wolfsburg are now only a single point behind that relegation playoff spot as the crucial head-to-head fixture against St. Pauli could be considered another playoff.

Hecking is satisfied with the improved results and performances in recent weeks as they collected four points against Union Berlin and his ex-club Borussia Mönchengladbach. Vinicius Souza and Kevin Paredes will provide further options for the experienced coach as they’re expected to return to the matchday squad.

Like many press conferences in Europe, the former attacking midfielder was also quizzed about the Champions League festival between PSG and Bayern. "It was a stunning spectacle. And it showed the quality of both teams," said Hecking before imagining what would happen if he tried to replicate that playing style in Wolfsburg.

“If we were to play like them, everyone would say ‘Is he losing his mind?’”

Minnesota Wild (46-24-12, in the Central Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (55-16-11, in the Central Division)

Denver; Sunday, 9 p.m. EDT

LINE: Avalanche -187, Wild +154; over/under is 5.5

NHL PLAYOFFS SECOND ROUND: Avalanche host series opener

BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche host the Minnesota Wild to open the Western Conference second round. The teams meet Sunday for the fifth time this season. The teams tied the regular season series 2-2. In their last regular season meeting on March 8, the Avalanche won 3-2 in a shootout. Nathan MacKinnon led the Avalanche with two goals.

Colorado is 55-16-11 overall with a 16-5-5 record against the Central Division. The Avalanche have scored 298 total goals (3.6 per game) to rank first in the league.

Minnesota is 46-24-12 overall and 17-11-4 against the Central Division. The Wild are 10th in league play with 268 total goals (averaging 3.3 per game).

TOP PERFORMERS: MacKinnon has 53 goals and 74 assists for the Avalanche. Gabriel Landeskog has four goals and two assists over the past 10 games.

Kirill Kaprizov has 45 goals and 44 assists for the Wild. Matthew Boldy has six goals and five assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Avalanche: 9-0-1, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.2 assists, 3.7 penalties and 7.4 penalty minutes while giving up 1.2 goals per game.

Wild: 5-4-1, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.5 assists, 4.9 penalties and 10.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.

INJURIES: Avalanche: Josh Manson: day to day (upper-body).

Wild: Jonas Brodin: day to day (lower body).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Manchester United took a risk by signing Senne Lammens last summer despite being linked to Emiliano Martinez, and it has turned out to be a masterstroke. The Red Devils were looking for a new goalkeeper following the struggles of Andre Onana.

The Cameroonian had conceded 65 goals in 50 games in all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign as United finished 15th in the Premier League table. INEOS were desperate for an upgrade between the sticks and Martinez, who was already regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, was reportedly on their agenda.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner’s Premier League experience was also an enticing factor for the English giants. However, the Red Devils surprised everyone by moving for Royal Antwerp custodian Lammens instead on transfer deadline day.

As we approach the final weeks of the season, it is safe to say that the Belgian is now one of the most important players at the club.

Lammens’ Old Trafford rise

Lammens rose through the ranks at Club Brugge but gained prominence as an efficient shot-stopper after moving to Antwerp in 2023. His efforts reportedly caught the eye of United’s chief goalkeeping scout, Tony Coton, and INEOS secured him for a reported fee of £18.1 million.

That already looks like a fantastic investment, with the Belgian settling in quickly at the Theatre of Dreams. Lammens has started every game since his debut against Sunderland in October last year, impressing with his calmness and exceptional shot-stopping skills.

Where the goalkeeping position was once United’s bane and regularly in the news for the wrong reasons, the 23 year old has overseen a complete turnaround. The 6’4” custodian has also been a commanding presence during set pieces, which was once the team’s Achilles’ heel.

Senne Lammens Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

Which is why a recent report from AS naming Lammens among 13 players United are planning to offload this summer raised quite a few eyebrows. Journalist Graeme Bailey has now provided a clarification on the matter.

Lammens the new No. 1

Speaking to TEAMtalk, Bailey rubbished the report from Spain, insisting that the Belgian remains the No. 1 at Old Trafford. He said: “We know Matheus Cunha and Kobbie Mainoo have hogged the headlines, especially since Michael Carrick took charge, and rightly so.”

“But I can confirm that the club are delighted with Senne Lammens and that signing. Let’s not forget the goalkeeping department was a huge worry but he has come in and settled brilliantly, they love him.”

“United fully believe they have smashed this one out of the park. There will be a lot of goalkeeper moves at United this summer but that will be Onana and Bayindir leaving. Lammens is entrenched as United’s number one.”

Final Thoughts

Lammens has quietly solved United’s goalkeeping conundrum and the position now appears secured for the next decade. “Baby Courtois” is also expected to get better with age and experience, so the Red Devils have certainly struck gold with this transfer.

Featured image Julian Finney via Getty Images

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Manchester United fans have been encouraged to join forces with their Liverpool counterparts in paying tribute to Diogo Jota during the teams’ Premier League fixture at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Tomorrow marks 10 months to the day since the Portugal international and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash in northern Spain, and the Reds’ forever number 20 has been commemorated by supporters in the corresponding minute of every LFC game this season.

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Man United fans encouraged to partake in Jota tribute

As reported by David McDonnell for SPORTbible, one Red Devils fan has submitted a proposal to the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) that the home crowd respond to the away supporters’ 20th-minute tribute in memory of Jota during the match on Sunday with applause.

It’s been mooted as a reciprocal gesture after Liverpool fans showed solidarity with Cristiano Ronaldo in the seventh minute of United’s visit to Anfield four years ago, just after the Portuguese legend had tragically lost one of his newborn twins.

MUST have reportedly encouraged the home fans at Old Trafford to gauge support for the proposal within their own fan groups, in the belief that such gestures are most impactful when evolving organically among the fanbase, rather than being led by the club.

(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Man United have previously shown class in paying respects to Jota

Such is the rivalry between the two clubs that, sadly, this fixture has been marred by tragedy chanting in the past from bigoted morons whose actions have no place in society.

However, such despicable behaviour is perpetrated by a minority, and it must be acknowledged that Manchester United acted with the utmost class and dignity with their own tribute to Jota at Anfield shortly after his death last July.

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Their captain Bruno Fernandes was a friend of Diogo from their shared involvement in the Portugal national team, and ahead of the teams’ previous fixture this term, he spoke of how ‘difficult’ it would be to play against Liverpool and not have his compatriot on the pitch.

There will always be animosity between supporters of the two clubs in terms of trying to outdo each other on the field, and beating the other is regarded among the highlights of the season for the victorious fan base.

However, any hostility should solely be kept to matters on the pitch, rather than seeping into vile chanting in the stands.

If Man United supporters show solidarity by joining in the away fans’ 20th-minute tribue to Jota at Old Trafford tomorrow, it’d represent a powerful moment of unity and would be warmly appreciated by everyone connected with Liverpool.

Cesc Fabregas reunites with his former boss Antonio Conte as second-placed Napoli host the Champions League-chasing Como in a game that could have huge implications on the race for the Serie A top four on Saturday evening.

Como come into tonight’s fixture on 61 points after 34 matches, three shy of Juventus in the coveted fourth place heading into the final four games of the 2025-26 season. They host Napoli, second on 69 points, who are closing in on Champions League qualification, but could see title rivals Inter go on to win the Scudetto by the end of this weekend.

Pre-match reports indicate that Fabregas is unlikely to make any changes to his side that beat Genoa 2-0 away from home last weekend.

Nico Paz is expected to start despite being taken off after a nasty clash of heads last time out. He is likely to be joined by Assane Diao, Martin Baturina and Tasos Douvikas in the Como attack.

Napoli got back to winning ways with a 4-0 win over relegation-threatened Cremonese last weekend, which means that Conte is unlikely to make too many personnel changes either.

NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 24: Scott McTominay of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his side first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and US Cremonese at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 24, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Sam Beukema could come back into the defence along with Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno, but Napoli’s midfield and attack of Stanislav Lobotka, Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne, Alisson Santos and Rasmus Hojlund is likely to remain unchanged.

Kick off at the Stadio Sinigaglia is due at 17.00 BST.

Como vs. Napoli: Probable line-ups

NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 01: Cesc Fabregas Como 1907 head coach greets Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach before the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 01, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, D.Carlos, Valle; Da Cunha, Perrone; Diao, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.

Napoli (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Politano, McTominay, Lobotka, Gutierrez; De Bruyne, Alisson; Hojlund.

Where to watch Como vs. Napoli

Today’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and on DAZN. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+.

Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Arsenal take on Fulham in a match that could take Mikel Arteta’s side one step closer to their first Premier League title in over 20 years.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game…

Kick-off time

5:30pm UK time – Saturday 2 May

How to watch in the UK

TV: Sky Sports

Streaming: Sky Go and Now TV

Injuries and suspensions

Arsenal: Mikel Merino (out), Jurrien Timber (out), Kai Havertz (out), Martin Odegaard (doubt)

Fulham: Kevin (out), Alex Iwobi (out), Ryan Sessengon (out), Kenny Tete (doubt)

Predicted line-ups

Arsenal: (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Martinelli, Madueke, Gyokeres

Recent form

Arsenal come into this one off of the back of a draw away in Spain against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg and a hard fought 1-0 win over Newcastle at the weekend. Those two performances were more of the norm for Arteta’s men after a string of defeats prior to that against Bournemouth, Manchester City twice and Southampton.

Fulham are also in positive form after a draw against local rivals Brentford and a huge win over high flying Aston Villa last weekend.

What’s been said?

Mikel Arteta spoke about the strength of the Premier League as a whole compared to other top leagues in Europe.

“Well, there is something that when I look at that game, Bayern v PSG is probably the best game I have ever witnessed on the quality of two teams, and especially the individual quality that the players deliver,” he explained.

“I’ve never seen something like this. But when I look at the amount of minutes and the freshness of those players, then I’m not surprised. To deliver those moments of quality, you have to be very fresh and the difference in the leagues and the way they’re competing is night and day.”

Marco Silva hopes his side can take advantage of the pressure Arsenal are under in their bid to claim the title.

“Let’s hope we can use that,” Silva replied. “That depends on us, it depends on them, and it depends on many things. Whether the environment is tense or not depends on how we play and whether we are good enough to make it happen. Simple as that.

“Arsenal are a top side, a side that are title contenders, that play to win all of their games, but are also the most solid team in the league.”

Andoni Iraola is set to rival Michael Carrick for the Manchester United job

Due to Liverpool's poor performances, Slot's future has been brought into question.

The Dutchman may have won the Premier League last season but, his decision making and his lack of decisiveness has cost Liverpool dearly this term.

Several managers have already been linked with the Reds' hot seat including Xabi Alonso.

However, as per a fresh report from The Telegraph, it seems like Man United could be about to rival the Reds for the signing of Andoni Iraola who has also been strongly linked with taking over from Slot.

"Andoni Iraola has emerged as the strongest candidate to rival Michael Carrick for the job as Manchester United’s next permanent head coach," they wrote.

"There has been a growing expectation that Carrick will be appointed once Champions League qualification is secured, but United have remained adamant they will run a full process in their search and speak to other managers.

"Carrick would appear to be in pole position, having turned United around following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim in early January.

"But nothing is agreed and Iraola has significant backing. He is in the running, with sources suggesting it would be no surprise if he is hired.

"United have been wary of a repeat of 2019 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was promoted from temporary to permanent amid a clamour for him to get the job.

"United will talk to other candidates and Telegraph Sport has been told that Iraola is strongly admired by the club for the work he has done at Bournemouth and – in particular – his coaching and attacking style of play.

"They think he would fit into what United are trying to do and is destined to be a great coach."

Liverpool must make their mind up about Arne Slot before it's too late

If we're being honest, it's likely that the man at the helm for Liverpool next season is going to be Slot.

The Dutchman's chances of performing this term have been massively hindered by the number of injuries that his team have suffered across the campaign.

And, if Liverpool were going to cut their losses and get rid of him, it feels like they'd have already done it by now.

However, if FSG do want to sack him, they're going to have to figure out who they want to replace him as soon as possible.

Because, if Iraola opts to join Man United it means that there's one less option on the market for them to explore.

There's obviously no knowing what the future has in store for Liverpool but, if they want to make a change, they need to get a move on.

The Washington Commanders didn't waste much time when they were on the clock at the 2026 NFL Draft. It was the No. 7 overall pick, and the first of only six total picks in the draft. General manager Adam Peters had to make the right choice; he didn't get another pick until round three. When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles was the pick, the entirety of Raise Hail Nation let out a collective breath, followed by a thrilled shout of excitement.

Styles is not your typical linebacker in many ways, which is what drew criticism to the young player. He started college as a safety and then switched to linebacker, giving some coaches and executives pause on drafting him, but longtime respected NFL analyst Greg Cosell has words for anyone talking down the Commanders' first-round draft pick.

Don’t let NFC East rivals talk down on the #Commanders Sonny Styles pick

Here’s NFL Draft expert Greg Cosell on an Eagles podcast losing his mind over Sonny#RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/OJCrRCns7Y

— Full Command (@FullCommandShow) May 1, 2026

"His athletic testing was kind of ridiculous. I mean, the guy is 6'5, 244 (pounds) at the combine. Ran a 4.46, had a 43.5" vertical, and an 11'2 broad (jump). Top four going back nearly 30 years at the Combine," Cosell begins. "And you have to remember one thing, guys, he's only played stack backer for two years. He went to Ohio State as a safety and, I mean, he got better.

"I watched him last summer, and after I watched him, I reached out to a good friend of mine who's a scout and does the Big 10. I said, "Hey, I just watched Sonny Styles, and this guy is ridiculous." And the scout said to me, "Oh yeah, yeah, he sure is." So then, of course, I watched him this year, and I thought he was even better, because you just saw the comfort level was better."

Cosell goes on to remind listeners that Styles played in a Matt Patricia defense, so he's already played for an NFL coach and understands NFL expectations. The Fred Warner comparisons are the most accurate, but as Cosell points out, Styles is significantly bigger than Warner, who was big for his position already. And as he's improved as a linebacker, it's become clear how well he will fit in Dan Quinn's scheme.

"He's, you know, because he's so physically gifted, there's even a positionalist element to his game as well," Cosell says. "I mean, you could line him up, you know, over the slot, which he did at times. I mean, there's a lot you can do with him, but at his core, he's a stack backer."

One of the biggest draws to Sonny Styles wasn't his size or physicality, but rather his versatility. His leadership qualities and ability to diagnose plays will eventually give him the green dot in the NFL, and there are already talks about Defensive Rookie of the Year potential. He's not just a great draft pick; he's a guy who, if treated right, will be loyal to his team for years to come.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Greg Cosell says Sonny Styles is 'ridiculous'

The fallout from the 2026 NFL Draft continues to unfold, even as teams welcome their rookies to facilities across the league for minicamps, and the Tennessee Titans continue to get mixed reviews. 

In a class that has been polarizing across the media landscape, it appears NFL executives have a different take than some analysts and insiders who have criticized the haul. Mike Sando of The Athletic spoke with NFL executives for unfiltered reactions, and, of course, they touched on the Titans.

Tennessee Titans

Execs saw the selection of receiver Carnell Tate as a safe pick for a second-year GM (Mike Borgonzi), whose profile has grown with the team president’s resignation.

“Here is a guy (Tate) that is never going to screw up,” one exec said. “He is a guy you are going to want on a second contract. They have had horrible receivers there for a decade-plus. He doesn’t have any injury history like (Jordyn Tyson), and those were the only receivers worthy of a top-10 pick.”

Not long after the Titans used the fourth pick to select Tate, the Chiefs traded up three spots to No. 6 for cornerback Mansoor Delane.

The implication seemed clear: Tate was one of the players the Chiefs were strongly considering, and when he disappeared from the board, Kansas City moved up to make sure it got one of the players on its short list.

The shared interest in Tate tracked after the Titans, led by Borgonzi, a former longtime Chiefs executive, described Tate as a receiver who could threaten all three levels of a defense. That sounded straight from Chiefs coach Andy Reid.

“Solid player,” a different exec said of Tate. “Not explosive fast, but he’s strong and tough. I’d like him to have more instincts and a little more burst.”

Tennessee traded up four spots for edge rusher Keldric Faulk at No. 31.

Of four execs asked to predict the top 10 picks at the combine, two had the Titans selecting Tate, while two others had the team taking Faulk in that spot. One of these execs, a GM, waffled between the two for Tennessee at No. 4, even though he considered Tyson the best wideout in the draft.

“Maybe they felt Tyson was too much risk,” another exec said. “Sometimes the newer GM does not want to get criticized. It’s a solid pick.”

The Titans' haul filled some significant needs and added a combination of experience and upside to the roster, and should definitely help general manager Mike Borgonzi and head coach Robert Saleh reset the organizational floor. 

In a class that was viewed as having more quality than star power, the Titans’ front office did what they had to do, and helped the organization move forward. 

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: NFL executives weigh in on Tennessee Titans' draft class