“Neftçi” Misli Premyer Liqasının XXIX turunda sabah “Qarabağ”la qarşılaşacaq.

Futbopress.az xəbər verir ki, hər iki komanda matçdan öncə birgə bəyanat yayıb:

“26 və 30 aprel tarixlərində Azərbaycan futbol ictimaiyyətinin diqqəti “Palms Sports Arena”ya yönələcək. 4 gün aralıqla Misli Premyer Liqasının oyunları çərçivəsində “Neftçi” və “Qarabağ” komandaları iki dəfə üz-üzə gələcəklər.

Futbol azarkeşlərinin səbrsizliklə gözlədiyi bu oyunlara bilet satışı davam edir. Azarkeşlər qarşılaşmalara böyük maraq göstərirlər və hər iki görüşdə tribunaların tam dolacağı ehtimal edilir.

Ölkənin iki ən titullu klubunun mübarizəsi həmişə ictimaiyyət, kütləvi informasiya vasitələri və futbolsevərlərin diqqət mərkəzində olub. Qarşıdakı iki oyunun da eyni marağa səbəb olacağına heç bir şübhə yoxdur.

Əzəli rəqiblərin təxminən 35 ildir davam edən rəqabəti ərzində azarkeşlər çoxsaylı parlaq oyunlara, gözəl qollara, meydanda barışmaz mübarizəyə şahidlik ediblər. Budəfəki qarşılaşmalar da bizə həyəcanlı anlar, bənzərsiz emosiyalar və əsl futbol şousu vəd edir.

Həmişə olduğu kimi, komandalar yenə qələbə qazanmaq üçün sona qədər mübarizə aparacaqlar. “Neftçi” və “Qarabağ” olaraq, azarkeşlərimizi təmkinli olmağa, rəqib komandaya və azarkeşlərə, oyunun iştirakçılarına hörmət nümayiş etdirərək, sevimli komandalarını yüksək mədəniyyət və ədalətli oyun prinsipləri çərçivəsində sonadək dəstəkləməyə çağırırıq.

Unutmayaq ki, futbol milyonlarla insanın mənəvi qidası olmaqla yanaşı, sadəcə bir oyundur. Meydana çıxan iki komandadan birinin o meydanı sevinc, digərinin isə kədərlə tərk etdiyi bir oyunda meydanda baş verənlər elə meydanda da qalmalıdır. Hər birimizə yaraşan isə Azərbaycanın ən maraqla gözlənilən qarşılaşmasında etik çərçivələri aşmamaq, yüksək peşəkarlıq və rəqiblərə ehtiram göstərməkdir.

Hər iki klub oyunun dostluq əhval-ruhiyyəsində, gərgin idman mübarizəsi şəraitində keçəcəyinə əminliyini ifadə edir və azarkeşləri stadiona dəvət edir.

Sabah keçiriləcək “Neftçi” – “Qarabağ” oyunu saat 19:00-da start götürəcək.

– Aprelin 13-dən U-20 yığma komandası təlim-məşq toplanışına yığılıb. Sabah toplanışın son günüdür. Toplanış zamanı 2 futbolçu zədələnib. Biri əvvəldən zədələnmişdi deyə başqa futbolçu çağırıldı. Digəri isə toplanış zamanı zədə aldı. Hazırlıq davam edir, yeni məşqçilər heyəti var. Sabah son gündür. Bu toplanış gələcək hazırlıq üçün də faydalı olacaq.

– Növbəti təlim-məşq toplanışının harada keçirilməsi planlaşdırılır?
– Mayın sonunda başlayacaq və iyunun əvvəlinə kimi planlaşdırılır. O da Qəbələdə olacaq.

– Yoxlama oyunları olacaq?
– Bu toplanışda olmadı. Bunu baş məşqçi xahiş etdi. Toplanışı daha çox futbolçuları tanımaq üçün etdik. İkinci hazırlıqda artıq fikir var ki, yoxlama oyunu olsun. Ancaq hələ qərar verilməyib. Rəqibi məşqçilər korpusu seçəcək.

– U-20 dünya çempionatına hazırlıq necə gedir?
– Qurumlarla əlaqədəyik. FIFA və Özbəksitandan olan həmkarlarla sıx danışıqlar olur. Hazırlıqlar davam edir. Detallı məlumatlar yoxdur. Açılış və bağlanış oyunu ilə bağlı da hələ qeyri-müəyyənlik var. Çempionatın tarixinə gəldikdə, təxminən 2027-ci il sentyabr ayının ortalarından oktyabrın əvvələrinə təsadüf edəcək. Yaxın günlərdə dəqiq tarixlər, açılış-bağlanış oyunu, həm də püşkatma mərasimi ilə bağlı daha detallı məlumatlar əldə ediləcək.

– Futbolçuların oyun praktikasının artırılması ilə bağlı hansısa addım atılacaq? Əvəzedicilər Liqasının da ləğvi müzairə olunub. Premyer Liqa və ya I Liqada hansısa klubun yığmanın bazası kimi fəaliyyət göstərməsi gündəmdədir?
– Bu qərar verilmədi, bu, olmayacaq. Komanda hazırda gördüyünüz kimi, bir ayda təxminən iki həftəlik toplanış keçəcək. Sual yaranır ki, çempionatlar necə olacaq? Çünki bəzi futbolçular Gənclər Liqasında, bəziləri Əvəzedicilərdə oynayır. PFL və Gənclər Liqasını keçirən daxili departamentlə danışdıq və yarışları müvəqqəti dayandırdıq. Bunu etmək məcburiyyətində idik. Əvəzedicilər Liqasının ləğvi müzakirə olunur, amma hələ qərar verilməyib. Ləğv olunmasa belə, böyük ehtimalla format dəyişikliyi nəzərdə tutulur. U-20 yığmasının məşqçilər korpusu artıq 17 aylıq məşq vaxtlarını veriblər. Bu gün artıq bilirik ki, milli necə məşq edəcək. Dünya çempionatı bizim üçün prioritetdir.

– Bəs, Premyer Liqada oynayan futbolçularla bağlı məsələ necə olacaq?
– Bəli, bu məsələ var, amma detallı müzakirə edilməyib. “Qarabağ”la məşq keçən bir futbolçumuz var. Premyer Liqada oynayan bu yaşlı futbolçular demək olar, əsas heyət deyillər. Düzdür, “Sumqayıt”da var və buna görə indi ordakı uşaqları çağıra bilmədik. Gələcəkdə klublarla da danışıqlar olacaq. Premyer Liqanın dayandırılmaslı məsələsi gündəmdə deyil (gülür).

– Heyətin gücləndirilməsi yönündə ölkə xaricində çıxış edən futbolçularla bağlı hansısa addımlar atılıb?
– Bu toplanışa da ölkə xaricində çıxış edən futbolçuları dəvət edirdik. Təəssüflər olsun ki, onlar liqada davam etdiyinə görə, futbolçular toplanışa qoşula bilmədi. Gələcəkdə əlbəttə ki, onları yenidən dəvət etmək fikrimiz var. Hazırkı toplanışda ölkə xaricindən bizdə ancaq “Marset” futbol məktəbindən oyunçu var.

– Siyahıda olanlar hansı ölkədə oynayan oyunçulardır?
– Türkiyə, İsveçdə olanlar var. Hansı ki, bundan əvvəl də yığmaya dəvət ediliblər. Almaniyadan da 1-2 oyunçumuz nəzarətdədir. Amma detallı məlumat verə bilmirəm. Çünki Azərbaycanla bağlılıqları olsa da, pasportları hələ ki yoxdur.

– AFFA-nın keçmiş baş katibi Elxan Məmmədov hazırda FİFA-da çalışır. Onunla əlaqə necədir, dünya çempionatının keçirilməsi yönündə hansı köməyi var?
– Müəyyən əlaqələr olur. Amma Elxan Məmmədov hazırda milli assosiaiyalar üzrə  rəhbərdir. Sırf dünya çempionatının keçirilməsi ilə bağlı kontaktlar da olur. Amma detallı görüşlərdə birbaşa FİFA-nın Yarışların Keçirilməsi üzrə Departamenti məşğuldur. Sırf həmin departamentlərlə əlaqə qurulur.

– Finalın Azərbaycanda, yoxsa Özbəkistanda keçirilməsi sizin üçün prinsipial məqamdır?
– Bu məsələ ilə bağlı Özbəkistandan olan həmkarlarımızla danışıqlar gedir. Finalın Azərbaycan keçirilməsini istəyirik.

– Çempionatlardakı yeni formatlar necə olacaq?
– Bu məsələni hələ detallı danışmamışıq. Sadəcə bir variantdır. Toplanışdan sonra məşqçilər heyəti ilə də müzakirə ediləcək.

– Premyer Liqada hakimliklə bağlı fikirləriniz nədir?
– Xahiş edirəm, bu mövzuda danışmayaq. Mediatur U-20 yığmasının toplanışı ilə bağlıdır və bu haqda suallar olsun.

– U-19 və U-20 yığma komandalarının təlim-məşq toplanışları üst-üstə düşsə, prioritet hansı olacaq?
– Yaxşı sualdır. Bu məsələ ilə bağlı onu deyim ki, belə bir şey baş verə bilər. Məşqçilərlə birlikdə qərar veriləcək, amma burada daha çox U-20 yığması prioritet götürüləcək.

– U-20 yığmasının dünya çempionatına qarşısına hansı hədəf qoyulacaq?
– Yığma komandamızın, baş məşqçimizin qarşısına əsas hədəf qoyulub ki, komandamız elə çıxış etsin ki, sadəcə iştirakçı kimi görünməyək. DÇ-də iz qoymuş komanda kimi görünmək istəyirik. Ən azından mübarizə aparaq, çox asan şəkildə məğlub olmayaq. Çünki dünya çempionatıdır, reallıqları da nəzərə almaq lazımdır. Keçmiş dünya çempionatlarının qrup mərhələlərinə, iştirakçılarına baxsaq, görəcəyik ki, oradakı iştirakçıların hər biri çox güclü komandalardır. Elə yaş qrupudur ki, bu turnirə xüsusi əhəmiyyət verilir. 17 yaşlılar deyillər, peşəkar müqavilələri olan, böyük klublara da məxsus oyunçuların oynayacağı turnirdir. Biz də AFFA olaraq reallığı anlayırıq. Əsas istiqamətimiz odur ki, komandamız çempionatda mübarizə aparsın.

– Təqvimlə bağlı açıq qalan məsələlər, şəhərlər, tarixlər, bunlara nə vaxt aydınlıq gətiriləcək?
– Yaydakı əsas dünya çempionatından sonrakı həftələrdə bəlli olacaq. Təxminən iyul-avqust.

“Sumqayıt” Misli Premyer Liqasının XXIX turunda bu gün “İmişli”nin qonağı olacaq.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, saat 16:00-da start götürəcək oyuna komandalar aşağıdakı heyətlə çıxacaqlar:

“İmişli”: 1. Hüseynəli Quliyev 19. Azər Salahlı (k) 5. İdris İnqilablı 70. Mehdi Tahirov 10. Nikola Karaklaiç 29. Edvin Banquera 14. Ronaldo de Souza 6. Yau Mozes 23. Dioqo Rollo 79. Dioqo Kardozu 7. Luis Silvestr

Ehtiyat oyunçular: 99. İmam Əli 77. Elmir Rəhimzadə 21. Abbas Ağazadə 97. Xəzər Mahmudov 44. Həzrət İsayev 11. Vüsal Qənbərov 30. Xəlil Mürsəlli 94. Rafael Vieqaş 17. Ezekiel Morqan

Baş məşqçi: Jorj Kaşkilya

“Sumqayıt”: 22. Xəyal Fərzullayev 3. Höccət Haqverdi 7. Rüstəm Əhmədzadə 29. Emil Mustafayev 8. Səbuhi Abdullazadə (k) 21. Nihad Əhmədzadə 9. Aleksandr Ramalinqom 72. Rayan Senhadji 33. Danilo Beskorovaynıy 71. Masaki Murata 11. Aleksa Yankoviç

Ehtiyat oyunçular: 1. Mehdi Cənnətov 12. Murad Ağamalıyev 24. Sənan Muradlı 64. Kənan Feyziyev 75. Nadir Orucov 97. Vüsal Paşayev 10. Nikola Ninkoviç 6. Sedrik Badolo 23. Ronaldo Vaskez 80. Keffel Resende

Baş məşqçi: Saşa İliç

Azərbaycanın U-20 yığmasının baş məşqçisi Ruy Jorje Qəbələdə təşkil olunan təlim-məşq toplanışında jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırıb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis media nümayəndələri ilə görüşdə bunları deyib:

– Toplanış necə keçir?

– Keyfiyyətli məşqlər keçmişik. Oyunçulardan istədiyimiz geridönüşü ala bilirik. İki həftəlik təlim-məşq toplanışından razıyam.

– Yoxlama oyununu olmamasının səbəbi nədir?

– Oyunçuları daha yaxından tanımaq lazımdır. Əvvəlcə hansı səviyyədə olduğumuzu bilmək istəyirdik.

– Komanda ilə bağlı təəssüratlarınız necədir?

– Futbolçuların yanaşmasından razıyam. Çox istəklidirlər və bizim oyun fəlsəfəmizə uyğun gəlirlər. Görürük ki, öyrənməyə və inkişaf etməyə can atırlar.

– Oyun fəlsəfəniz necə olacaq?

– Hazırda bunu demək çox çətindir. Sözsüz ki, hamı hücumameyilli oynamaq istəyər. Çalışacağıq ki, bu istiqamətdə gedək. Amma bunun üçün keyfiyyət lazımdır. Bunu da əldə etmək üçün çox çalışmalıyıq.

– Qarşıdakı toplanışda yoxlama oyunları nəzərdə tutulub?

– Bəli, olacaq. Çox güman ki, xarici milli komandaya qarşı oynayacağıq.

– Heyəti yığarkən yerli məşqçilərdən fikir almısınız, yoxsa öz seçimlərinizdir?

– Bu yaş kateqoriyasında bundan əvvəl milliyə dəvət olunmuş oyunçulardır. Son oyunları izləmişik.

– Sizdən əvvəl burada tanınmış məşqçilər çalışıb, amma heç biri uğur qazanmayıb. Artıq komanda ilə tanışsınız. Şanslarınızı necə qiymətləndirirsiniz?

– Keçmiş məşqçilər barədə danışmaq düzgün olmazdı. Bura oyunçuların keyfiyyətini artırmaq üçün gəlmişəm. Gələcəyə fokuslanmışam. Bunun üçün əlimdən gələni edəcəyəm. İnanıram, elə komanda quracağıq ki, bütün ölkə onunla fəxr edəcək. Bu, mənim üçün çox vacibdir. 2027 FIFA U-20 Dünya Çempionatına ev sahibi kimi qatılacağıq. Sözsüz ki, bizimlə dünya çempionatına vəsiqə qazanacaq komandalar arasında güc nisbəti var. Digər iştirakçılarla aramızdakı fərqi azaltmaq üçün işləməliyik.

– Qəbələdə şərait necədir?

– Çox razıyam. Bizim üçün əla şərait yaradılıb. Hara getsən, hər yerdə qonaqpərvər insanlarla rastlaşırsan. Dəstəyə görə hamıya təşəkkür edirəm.

Şahin Cəfərov 

{rsn-live-v2}

Massimiliano Allegri says Ardon Jashari will be an ‘important player for Milan’s future’ and praises Juventus for their work on young players, including Kenan Yildiz: ‘He can still improve.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Milan and Juventus meet at San Siro tomorrow, Sunday, April 26, in the big match of Serie A Round 34.

Allegri, a former Juventus coach and a five-time Serie A champion in Turin, previewed the match at a press conference on Saturday.

“Football is unpredictable. Who knows. Perhaps there will be a goal straight away, so the game will unlock on its own,” Allegri said via MilanNews.

“It’s still Milan-Juventus, one of the most important games of the season, at a moment when both sides are fighting for the top four. Spalletti’s arrival has given them something more, and they are having an excellent season.

“Juventus are doing really well in terms of playing style and solidity,” continued Allegri.

“I think they have not conceded for the last three matches. I hope they concede tomorrow. Now we must not think about defenders, strikers or midfielders. We must think about the final result; the rest doesn’t matter.”

Juventus star Yildiz made his Serie A debut with the Bianconeri under Allegri in 2023.

“He has important qualities. It’s not as if I discovered him,” Allegri said.

“At that time, Juventus did an excellent job, from the youth Academy to the second team, promoting valuable players to the first team. It all comes down to the work being done below the first team. I think Yildiz can still improve a lot.”

Milan midfielder Jashari has been linked with a move to Juventus, having received little game time at San Siro in 2025-26.

The Swiss midfielder suffered a serious fibula injury in one of his first training sessions with the Rossoneri last summer, affecting the entire campaign.

“The club made a major investment in a player of great quality. He suffered an injury, came back, and then had less playing time,” Allegri said.

“But that doesn’t mean he’s suddenly become a poor player. He has faced some difficulties, but he has enormous potential. He will be an important player for Milan in the future, just as De Winter has developed a great deal, and Athekame has also grown significantly. The club has blended experienced players with younger ones who need time to develop. Of course, there is always room for improvement.”

Only three points divide Milan and Juventus in the Serie A table, with the Bianconeri sitting fourth and the Rossoneri third.

• More from Allegri’s press conference – ‘Disrespectful’ to talk about Milan transfers, ‘open dialogue’ with the club

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has named Kobbie Mainoo as someone from the current squad that he’s a big fan of.

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

Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel, Pogba has singled out Mainoo as someone he really loves to watch play from this current Red Devils side.

Pogba, who had two spells at Man Utd, including between 2016 and 2022 when he won trophies like the Europa League and League Cup, also said he hoped to see Mainoo go on to have a great career at Old Trafford.

Paul Pogba’s praise for Kobbie Mainoo

“He’s (Mainoo) such a talented kid. He’s still young but so talented, I love to see him playing,” Pogba said.

“I hope he will have a great career at Man United.”

Mainoo has shone since breaking into the United first-team, and in many ways has a similar playing style to that of a young Pogba.

The 21-year-old England international is not yet the finished product, but he shares some of Pogba’s traits, such as a silky touch and confidence on the ball.

It was interesting to hear more from Pogba in the interview, though, as he admitted he should have done more during his United days.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

The Frenchman is widely seen as having been an under-achiever during his keenly-anticipated second spell at the club, having initially failed to break into the senior side while Sir Alex Ferguson was still there.

More Stories / Latest News

Video: Paul Pogba names the Man United star he thinks is “so talented”

Apr 25 2026, 13:06

Sources: Arsenal “like” Real Madrid star facing transfer uncertainty

Apr 25 2026, 11:20

Offer made: PSG growing in confidence in bid to sign €100m Arsenal star

Apr 25 2026, 10:46

Paul Pogba’s struggles since leaving United

Pogba left United at the end of his contract in 2022 and returned for a second spell at Juventus, where he’d previously first established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world.

Still, his second spell was far less impressive and he ended up leaving the club after receiving a ban for alleged doping.

Pogba is now on the books at Ligue 1 side Monaco, but has only made four appearances since joining.

The post Video: Paul Pogba names the Man United star he thinks is “so talented” appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Will Howard makes his case for Pittsburgh's starting quarterback role originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Aaron Rodgers has yet to inform the Pittsburgh Steelers of his plans regarding playing in 2026; no expectation of when he will make a decision, before or during the draft weekend. The Steelers have been relying on Mason Rudolph and a sixth-round selection from last year as their two quarterbacks in the depth chart.

To clarify, the sixth-round selection referenced is Will Howard from Ohio State, and this week, he appeared on the “Not Just Football” show with Cam Heyward, where he clarified his stance.

"Hey, I'm here, man," Howard said, per a clip shared by Matthew Luciow on X. "I don't know what Aaron's going to do. If he wants to come back, I'd be more than happy to spend another year learning. But if he doesn't, I'm ready. I'm just excited this year to be able to show the city and show my teammates and everybody within the organization that I can be the guy that they can lean on, and that I can be the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers."

That is an important statement to make publicly while the issue remains unsolved; there is no disagreement on that.

Will Howard on being the Steelers starting quarterback:

“Hey, I'm here, man. I don't know what Aaron's going to do. If he wants to come back, I'd be more than happy to, you know, spend another year learning . But if he doesn't I'm ready.”#steelers

🎥 not just football with… pic.twitter.com/FG3s5CW7F2

— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) April 24, 2026

Howard was a sixth-round selection that many believed would spend his initial years learning from a veteran.

In his first season, he received positive remarks from coaches and teammates. Rodgers has been said to act as a mentor, offering guidance during minicamp practices and demonstrating a real concern for his growth.

2026 NFL DRAFT HQ:Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available

Mentorship and entry-level positions belong to distinct categories.

If Rodgers joins, Howard pulls back. Should Rodgers not return, Pittsburgh will enter a new era at that position.

Howard is telling anyone willing to listen that he has no fear of whatever result may come.

Pittsburgh picked Penn State quarterback Drew Allar with the 76th pick on Friday.

More NFL news:

• How Browns addressed their big nickel safety hole on Day 2 of the draft
• How David Bailey picked the wrong New York rival to call out on night one
• Sean McVay seemed somewhere else after the Rams took Ty Simpson
• Malik Nabers' reaction to Caleb Downs going to Dallas says everything

Pirates' Konnor Griffin celebrates 20th birthday with best game of MLB career originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Konnor Griffin is pretty much a wily veteran now.

After debuting in the major leagues at 19 years old, the Pittsburgh Pirates' shortstop phenom is 20 now. He celebrated his birthday on Friday, and he did it with the best game of his young MLB career.

Griffin went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in a 6-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

The home run in and of itself was special -- it was the first of Griffin's major league career:

KONNOR GRIFFIN
20TH BIRTHDAY | 20TH MLB GAME
1ST MLB HOMER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TKk2f28IIo

— MLB (@MLB) April 25, 2026

MORE: This might be the weirdest way to get an inside-the-park HR

Griffin would add a two-RBI hit later in the game to help polish off his night. It was the first three-hit game he's had in MLB, too.

He's also just the third player in MLB history to homer on his 20th (or younger) birthday, according to MLB Network's Sarah Langs.

The first to do so was Buddy Lewis in 1936.

Aramis Ramirez joined that list in 1998.

MORE: Yasiel Puig is back in professional baseball

And now here's Griffin, whose MLB tenure hadn't quite started with the fervor that many would've hoped for from the top prospect in the sport.

But sometimes, all it takes is one game. Griffin put good at bats together and got good results out of them.

Now a year older, on paper, Griffin may be ready to finally take MLB by storm.

The roaring twenties are on their way for Griffin.

More MLB news:

• Explaining the absurdity of 2 MLB players named Max Muncy
• This hitter has a worse OBP than his batting average
• Red Sox green uniforms have absurd walk-off magic
• This slider is really good and moves the entirely wrong direction
• Austin Hedges ended a great Guardians day with a proposal

Brazil’s national team is set to lose another key player to injury with the World Cup in mind.

According to journalist Miguel Ángel Díaz, from COPE radio, Éder Militão’s injury is worse than expected, and he will not recover in time to play in the World Cup.

The defender will have to undergo surgery and is only expected to return to the pitch at the start of the 2026/27 season with Real Madrid.

Militão was injured last Tuesday (21) against Alavés and had to be substituted near the end of the first half.

COPE also reported that Real Madrid’s medical department found that his previous muscle injury, suffered in December in the same area, had reopened. 

The Brazilian defender spent nearly four months recovering and even started in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals against Bayern Munich.

The match against Alavés was his fifth since the physical issue in December 2025.

Militão was considered almost certain to be included in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for this year’s World Cup, with the ability to play both as a center-back and as a right-back.

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

Exiting the Champions League is always a bitter blow. More so, if you are FC Barcelona and are now entering the twelfth year running of their wait for European glory.

A lot has been made of that particular fact and other humbling truths that came to the fore following the deflating loss to Atletico Madrid on aggregate – the team’s lack of experience, the high-line setup and squad planning being among the usual suspects.

But now with the dust starting to settle on the forgettable European campaign, there are some key conclusions that can be derived for Hansi Flick and his team before they pick up the pieces, get back to the drawing board and start to prepare for their next chance at silverware.

Barcelona were NOT the best in Europe

Ever since Hansi Flick took over, there has been this air of inevitability about Barcelona. They score at will, cut through with extreme precision and are ruthless in their scrimmaging on the pitch.

While the previous campaign was the showcase of all these qualities on full tilt – a clear sign of recovery in the Champions League, this year we saw a team still sore from the knockout blow at the hands of Inter Milan at the semi-final stage last term.

Flick had a big task on his hands to get this group going again, and he knew that the squad, being as young as it is, needed to learn from the disappointment and bounce back.

Cut forward to the present day, if honesty is the memo of this discussion, Barcelona were a shell of themselves on the continental stage.

They barely managed to finish in the Top 8 of the league phase. They were made to work for their ultimately credential-proving win over Newcastle United – at least away from home in the Round of 16.

And they couldn’t clear a local rival who is languishing 22 points behind them in La Liga.

Falling short in Europe again. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The Catalans may have played well across the tie, but Barcelona have not stepped up when it has mattered this season in Europe. PSG at Montjuic was a wake-up call. Chelsea was the warning. Atletico merrily knocked the final nail.

For nearly two years running now, Barcelona have had a fantastic opportunity to reach the final of the Champions League. And for all the promise they have and continue to hold, the team has failed to deliver.

The hunger for Champions League is starting to become a bane

The Champions League is elusive. 36 teams go head-to-head in their bid to claim the tag of being Europe’s absolute best. It is a stamp that Barcelona have been striving for over a decade now.

While the team has come close a few times to experiencing that magical feeling once again and have been dearly embarrassed on other occasions, with each attempt – often felt as futile by the end of it – the pressure ramps up on the club to deliver.

And this is where obsession is mistaken for motivation.

Yes, Barcelona long for Champions League glory. But if they can lose since they are a young side still getting to grips with the harsh dose of failure in the Champions League, they also have time on their hands to mature after a few bruises to bring home the cup.

Their youth presents this dichotomy – two sides of the same coin. It is fearful to say, the noise surrounding the team at the moment is not appreciative of the latter.

This is not an excuse to look at the bright side either, but a plea to the fans, stakeholders and the team itself to not be blinded in their pursuit of the trophy.

Barcelona have gone over a decade without conquering Europe. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

When Lionel Messi and co. attempted to win it all, the pressure and weight of expectations were understandably heavy because that team of the time was operating at its peak – with experience and quality.

But this is a completely new side. Literal teenagers are cornerstones of the club. Thanks to their infusion of youth and a mental slate without the scars of the past, Barcelona find themselves suddenly challenging for trophies on all fronts.

They have turned around a sinking ship into a globetrotting one in almost no time.

This wave of unnecessary pressure and heightened stakes is toiling the club more than one can imagine. Patience is the word. Their time will come. And besides, not winning the Champions League doesn’t automatically mean the season is a failure.

Do not underestimate domestic success

“We won eight league titles in 11 years! Maybe today we don’t give it the value it deserves, but in a few years we’ll realise how difficult it was.”

These were the words of Lionel Messi, looking back on a season that promised so much but ultimately ended with only the La Liga title after a shocking 4-0 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League, having led 3-0 in the semi-final first leg.

What he preached then, couldn’t have been more prophetic.

Barcelona went on to lose the next three La Liga titles and have won only two in the six seasons since. It is almost as if the fanbase and the club contagiously take domestic success for granted.

Thanks to Hansi Flick, the team is nearing their second successive La Liga title with an eight-point lead over rivals Real Madrid and the importance of this title defence shouldn’t be underestimated.

Stats even show Barcelona have only been more consistent in the league this season. Should they win all their remaining seven games, they would hit the 100-point mark in the league, a historic feat.

Barcelona are on track to win a second consecutive La Liga title. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

The Blaugrana have conceded fewer goals per game, they are averaging better in the scoring department and are two wins away from equalling last season’s win tally.

On top of that, the fact that Barcelona were only moments away from staging an epic comeback against Atletico Madrid in an increasingly classic match-up in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, almost overturning a 4-0 deficit, showed the ceiling of this team.

So, another (and improved) league title win with a tremendously encouraging Copa del Rey campaign, Barcelona need to appreciate the value of their somewhat newfound consistency domestically. And that too despite the context.

Reference to Context

Objectivity is the name of the game in football these days. How a team performs is irrelevant, and the discourse is around mere results because ultimately that’s what matters. Barcelona have been long victims of this perspective.

While this card is often drawn to defend a run of poor form, in the case of the La Liga leaders, the context adds glitter to their achievements.

A team so young at its core, it lost a leader and the little experience it had in Inigo Martinez in the summer.

Last season’s best player, Raphinha, has had a stop-start campaign hampered by injuries. Barcelona’s established midfield of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong have not started even a handful of games together this season.

While injuries are part and parcel, the team was also left hindered by a sudden nosedive in the performance of the squad.

Ferran Torres, entrusted with more responsibility, faltered midway through the season. Robert Lewandowski’s form simply started to look his age.

Full-backs Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde also found themselves in and out of the team due to an accumulation of below-par displays. Even Lamine Yamal struggled to get going after suffering a niggling Pubalgia injury in the first half of the season.

All these nitty-gritties do matter in the grand scheme of things, especially in Europe, where things need to fall into place to win it all. For Barcelona, they neither had luck nor performance on the same page at the same time.

However, despite all of these hurdles, Flick’s Barcelona didn’t stop winning games where consistency was the prerequisite. Or let the circumstances prevail when it was easier to do so with enough credit in the bank.

That’s important because, sure, they lost a few important ones elsewhere, but none of the restraints has held them back from repeating an impressive La Liga win and still putting up a more than decent fight across the rest of the competitions.

There is more to come from this team. But there is still a lot to love about it.

• Kerolin fires Man City in front after five minutes
• Haley levels on stroke of half-time
• WSL leaders will go two points from title with win
• Sixth-placed Brighton hunt third straight victory in all competitions
• Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary
• Send your thoughts using form below

WSL: Brighton equalise against title-chasing Man City

K'Lavon Chaisson Shares Video Of When He Learned Patriots Rejected Him originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

We no longer need to speculate about why the Patriots didn't re-sign K'Lavon Chaisson.

The veteran edge rusher enjoyed a career-best season in 2025, posting 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for a loss in his first season with New England. However, the Patriots passed on re-signing Chaisson in favor of signing edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones away from the Baltimore Ravens. Chaisson eventually signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the Washington Commanders.

This week, Chaisson shared a clip of the moment his agent informed him that New England would move on. The agent also told Chaisson why the Patriots let him walk.

"Just giving you a heads up, I talked to the Patriots -- I've been trying to get them to make an offer on you," the agent told Chaisson. " ... There thing was, ‘We love K’Lavon, we just need somebody that plays the run a little bit better.' "

Commanders OLB K’Lavon Chaisson released the footage of when he was informed the #Patriots were not going to offer him a new contract, and instead opted to sign Dre’Mont Jones.

“There thing was, ‘We love K’Lavon, we just need somebody that plays the run a little bit better.’” pic.twitter.com/aRWDC2I1Nr

— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) April 23, 2026

Time will tell whether the Patriots were right to prioritize Jones over Chaisson, who seemingly was a great fit in Mike Vrabel's defense. But it's true that Chaisson occasionally struggled against the run, something Jones excels at.

The Patriots boosted their pass rush on Friday by selecting Illinois linebacker Gabe Jacas in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

More NFL: New York Post Trolls Patriots' Mike Vrabel With Savage Tabloid Headline

Another major blow for Carlo Ancelotti.

Suffering from a muscle injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg, according to Real Madrid’s medical statement released on Thursday afternoon, Éder Militão, already ruled out for the rest of the season with Real, is now expected to miss the 2026 World Cup as well, several media outlets reported this Saturday afternoon!

A bombshell first reported by COPE and confirmed by Fabrizio Romano!

The reason being that the defender is said to have suffered a relapse of his previous injury. The scar has reopened and surgery cannot be ruled out, which would force him to stay out even longer and miss the World Cup.

As a reminder, Brazil will already be without Rodrygo for the World Cup.

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

The Chicago Bears surprised many with their all-offense theme of selections on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, welcoming center Logan Jones, tight end Sam Roush and wide receiver Zavion Thomas to the roster.

While there's no denying their talent and potential, which is why they were drafted, there were concerns about why the Bears failed to address their biggest positional need in this draft through three rounds: Defensive line. Chicago has questions across the line, both along the interior and off the edge, when it comes to stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback.

General manager Ryan Poles has garnered plenty of criticism for his Day 2 moves, but he explained why the Bears ultimately passed on positional needs and opted for the best player available.

"We followed the board," Poles said. "To go into a draft and just start picking at your needs, hopping around the board ... that doesn’t play out very well over the long haul."

Poles said they expected the top of the second round would feature a run on defensive linemen, which is exactly what happened. He also said his team wasn't comfortable with what it would cost to move up and nab one of those top defensive linemen.

Poles also expressed confidence in the defensive linemen currently on the roster and the plan in place for Dennis Allen's defense.

"At the defensive line position, (Austin Booker)'s coming along with Dayo (Odeyingbo), (Montez) Sweat, Shemar (Turner)," Poles said. "We feel good about those guys. Obviously we have one more day, so we can continue to add. But like what that group is and what they’re becoming and we feel like there is some developmental upside and like I said yesterday, with Year 2 in the system, we should be able to take the next step."

Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears GM Ryan Poles on why they didn't address defensive line on Day 2

The New York Jets rolled the diced on their only pick on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft and selected Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds.

It remains to be seen if Gang Green sees their decision to take Ponds is praised when he's on the field once next season begins.

As it pertains to off of it, the Jets are already seeing tons of praise thrown their way by the NFL world for taking Ponds after their trio of first-round selections on Thursday.

Here is a national media reaction roundup to the Jets picking Ponds at the 2026 draft:

Reactions: Jets select CB D'Angelo Ponds

D’Angelo Ponds is the player that many execs and scouts LOVED but believed he was too small to take early.

Productive draft for Jets continues.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 25, 2026

Reactions: Jets select CB D'Angelo Ponds

D’Angelo Ponds is the player that many execs and scouts LOVED but believed he was too small to take early.

Productive draft for Jets continues.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 25, 2026

Reactions: Jets select CB D'Angelo Ponds

how we feeling about the Jets draft:

Rd 1: EDGE David Bailey
Rd 1: TE Kenyon Sadiq
Rd 1: WR Omar Cooper Jr.
Rd 2: CB D'Angelo Ponds

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 25, 2026

Reactions: Jets select CB D'Angelo Ponds

The Jets land @StevePalazzolo_’s favorite prospect in the draft — Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds.

Here’s why he loves the prospect 👇 https://t.co/WAg2ifWY0cpic.twitter.com/8NIXHYb1vL

— Check the Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson (@CTM_Show) April 25, 2026

Reactions: Jets select CB D'Angelo Ponds

Newly drafted Jets CB D’Angelo Ponds might have the best highlight reel in the entire draft class 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pLxGSv1uWZ

— Underdog NFL Draft - Josh & Hayden (@UDFootballShow) April 25, 2026

Reactions: Jets select CB D'Angelo Ponds

RD 2 | PK 50 - Jets: D'Angelo Ponds CB, Indiana

His 83 NGS production score led all 2026 CB prospects, which lines up with a résumé that includes 32 career PBUs and seven INTs. The Jets defense did not record an interception in 2025 and ranked 32nd in EPA against the pass. pic.twitter.com/oylfhinM1T

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 25, 2026

Reactions: Jets select CB D'Angelo Ponds

Summing up the Jets draft class so far:

David Bailey (our #1 prospect)
Kenyon Sadiq (our #10 prospect)
Omar Cooper Jr. (our #8 prospect)
D’Angelo Ponds (our #3 prospect)

Already one of the best draft classes we have seen in the last 7 years. pic.twitter.com/BzlSy9Bg0O

— Gridiron Grading (@GridironGrading) April 25, 2026

Reactions: Jets select CB D'Angelo Ponds

The Jets just drafted Indiana CB D'Angelo Ponds

Never forget how he opened the CFP Semifinal 🏈 pic.twitter.com/xO7OdTbtjQ

— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) April 25, 2026

Reactions: Jets select CB D'Angelo Ponds

The NY Jets just had the pick of the draft

Love everything about D’Angelo Ponds

Everyone that says he’s undersized doesn’t know ball

He’s a tone setter and a culture setter

And the best part, that MF LOVES TO HIT

We got our hound dog @DangeloPondsspic.twitter.com/hQEpoDgdo5

— Mikey O’ver (@MikeyOver1) April 25, 2026

Reactions: Jets select CB D'Angelo Ponds

D’Angelo Ponds might lack ideal size, but he has some ELITE traits. 🐶

PFSN gives the Jets an A+ for the pick. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/dwskvFwIGy

— PFSN (@PFSN365) April 25, 2026

Reactions: Jets select CB D'Angelo Ponds

The Jets had four top-50 picks and produced an elite class this year:

David Bailey
Kenyon Sadiq
Omar Cooper Jr.
D’Angelo Ponds pic.twitter.com/MLs5xsDb1G

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) April 25, 2026

Reactions: Jets select CB D'Angelo Ponds

Outstanding pick by the Jets. D’Angelo Ponds is an elite playmaker.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) April 25, 2026

Reactions: Jets select CB D'Angelo Ponds

Love the #Jets Draft thus Far

I absolutely hate small players. You’ve gotta be exceptional and a total 🐕 for me to LOVE you at 5-9 175 pounds.

I absolutely LOVE D’Angelo Ponds CB Indiana

— Chad Forbes (@NFLDraftBites) April 25, 2026

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: National reactions: NFL sees hidden gem in Jets' pick D'Angelo Ponds

Real Madrid are already planning for a major reset ahead of the 2026/27 season, and the focus is not just on results – it is on identity.

Following what has been described as one of the most underwhelming ends to a La Liga campaign in recent memory, the mood around the club has shifted. 

Disappointment on the pitch has been matched by growing frustration off the field, making a managerial change almost inevitable.

In that context, according to recent reports from AS, the Real Madrid hierarchy has now clearly defined what they want from their next head coach.

What’s the story?

As per the outlet, the club is placing strong emphasis on personality and leadership. 

Real Madrid are specifically looking for a manager who can communicate effectively, handle pressure, and understand the internal dynamics of one of the biggest clubs in world football.

Over the past two decades, Madrid’s most successful periods have come under managers who were able to manage egos, maintain dressing room harmony, and deliver messages both on and off the pitch. 

The club now wants to return to that model and most importantly, this does not signal a complete rebuild.

Real Madrid are exploring several opportunities. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The belief within the club is that the current squad still has the quality required to compete at the highest level. 

What is missing, however, is direction and the next manager will be expected to unlock that potential rather than start from scratch.

There are options

As such, several high-profile names have already been linked with the role. 

Jurgen Klopp is admired for his leadership and intensity, while Mauricio Pochettino brings experience in developing squads. 

However, each candidate presents complications, whether contractual, tactical, or stylistic, which has prevented Madrid from making a quick decision.

More recently, a new name has entered the conversation: Sebastian Hoeneß. 

The German coach is gaining attention for his progressive ideas and structured approach, making him an intriguing option as Madrid explore alternatives beyond the obvious candidates.

At this stage, though, no final decision has been made, as Real Madrid are not rushing the process. 

Meet the Mets

It was good while it lasted. After winning two straight games, the Mets are back to their losing ways following a 4-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies last night. Freddy Peralta faltered late in the game, as he is wont to do, and the Mets failed to get enough clutch hits to overcome the deficit, as they are wont to do.

Choose your recap:Amazin’ Avenue, NY Post, MLB.com, Newsday, Daily News

Following an unremarkable start on Thursday night, the Mets optioned Christian Scott back to the minors and called up Carl Edwards Jr. to join the bullpen.

In case it wasn’t already clear, we won’t be seeing Francisco Lindor for quite a while.

David Stearns acknowledged the rough play of his team but expressed hope that they would turn it around.

It’s still early, but the questions continue to mount about this team.

The state of the starting rotation has been in flux for most of the season thus far, and that will likely continue.

Around the National League East

The Braves continue to roll and the Phillies continue to flounder, as Atlanta delivered the tenth straight loss to Philadelphia.

There’s not too much to be happy about in the Phillies clubhouse these days, but here is one positive: Zack Wheeler makes his return today.

The Marlins gave plenty of run support to Sandy Alcántara and defeated the Giants 9-4.

The Nationals pitching staff surrendered four runs in their final three of work and fell to the White Sox 5-4.

Around Major League Baseball

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Giancarlo Stanton is hurt.

The Blue Jays have removed Jeff Hoffman from the closer’s role for the moment.

Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin celebrated the end of his teen years with his first career home run.

The Cubs decided they were tired of beating up on underperforming NL East teams and defeated the Dodgers to bring their winning streak up to ten.

Eugenio Suárez will be missing some time due to an oblique strain.

Pete Crow-Armstrong previously played like an MVP candidate but has struggled for some time dating back to last year.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Vasilis Drimalitis previewed the battle of giants that is this weekend’s series between Mets and Rockies.

Joe Sokolowski got to actually provide some post-win comments in the latest installment of This Week in Mets Quotes.

This Date in Mets History

David Wright became the all-time RBI leader in Mets history on this date in 2012.

Manchester United are in touching distance of a return to the Champions League after one of the strangest Premier League seasons in recent years.

The Red Devils sit third at the time of writing, and whilst they suffered a poor start to the season that prevented them from challenging rivals Manchester City and Arsenal for the title, Michael Carrick deserves enormous credit for the job he has done at Old Trafford.

Since taking over as manager in January, Carrick looks on course to guide United to a Champions League place for the first time since 2023.

Inconsistency from Chelsea, reigning champions Liverpool, and Aston Villa has made their lives easier, but that shouldn’t diminish what’s been achieved in remarkably short order.

With United hosting Liverpool in their penultimate home game of the season, a win would put them firmly in the driving seats, with the best betting apps UK predicting they can finish within the top five.  The Premier League’s extra Champions League space, earned through UEFA’s coefficient table, provides additional security, but United have done this the hard way.

Whilst the summer transfer window will show whether Carrick and United can kick on, it’s important to remember how far they have already come. Here’s why their turnaround deserves more recognition than it’s currently receiving.

From Bilbao Collapse to Top-Four Charge

United looked doomed after a traumatic Europa League final defeat in Bilbao under Ruben Amorim.

Despite Tottenham Hotspur now being tipped for relegation a year on from winning that night, it was a moment that seriously exposed the Portuguese manager as a tactician, with Ange Postecoglou making it quite obvious how he would set up.

Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 brought defensive stability issues whilst leaving Bruno Fernandes awkwardly straitjacketed in a deeper role that smothered the team’s attacking flow.

When Carrick took over in January, United were drifting far from the top four, flirting with their worst Premier League finish ever and seemingly trapped in a rebuilding purgatory that had no clear endpoint.

Yes, Amorim made some good memories in Europe, but it was clear he was never the man, and that Jason Wilcox argument turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

The mood around Old Trafford was toxic, with supporters questioning whether the club’s decline had become permanent.

The transformation since then has been remarkable. From that low point to genuine Champions League contenders in less than half a season represents one of the Premier League’s most dramatic mid-season turnarounds in recent memory.

Why Hitting the Ground Running Helped

Carrick’s first three league wins came against Manchester City (2-0 at Old Trafford) and Arsenal (3-2 at the Emirates), followed by victories over Fulham, Tottenham, Everton, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

The 3-2 at Arsenal ended a long run without an away win against top-flight leaders and restored belief inside the squad and among supporters who had been beaten down by months of disappointment.

United went from drifting mid-table to briefly occupying third place, with Carrick posting seven wins, two draws and one defeat in his first ten games. Those numbers would represent strong form for an established side in good health. For a team that looked broken just weeks earlier, they bordered on miraculous.

United’s poor start under Amorim actually made the upswing feel more dramatic. Carrick inherited a low-point squad, so his early wins generated an outsized psychological boost that momentum alone couldn’t have provided. Players who had looked lost suddenly rediscovered their confidence and purpose.

The tactical shifts were immediate and obvious. Carrick abandoned Amorim’s rigid system almost instantly, trusting his instincts about what this group of players could actually dorather than forcing them into a broken system.

No Distractions

The Red Devils went without European football this season and were knocked out of both domestic cups early, leaving them with only the league as a competitive focus.

That meant fewer fixtures, longer recovery windows and more time for training and tactical refinement between games.

The downside is obvious. Players earn less money through bonuses, and the club loses significant broadcast and gate revenue that impacts summer transfer budgets. But the trade-off in freshness and consistency has clearly helped the league charge in ways that wouldn’t have been possible with Thursday-night Europa League trips to obscure locations.

Carrick has been able to work with his squad on the training ground in ways that managers juggling three competitions simply can’t match. That extra time has allowed him to implement his ideas more thoroughly and build the kind of cohesion that usually takes a full pre-season to establish.

The Organic United Appointment

Carrick never felt like a European-manager-award-tour hire. He came through the club’s coaching ranks, understood the culture intimately, and had already managed briefly in 2021 when thrust into a caretaker role.

The emotional reconnection at Old Trafford is palpable, with fans, players and staff aligned again in ways they haven’t been for years.

With Champions League qualification now almost secure, United can start planning a spine rebuild in Carrick’s image during the close season, particularly in midfield and defence.

Marcus Rashford is expected back to full involvement next season after his loan to Barcelona, though whether that move becomes permanent remains uncertain.

Casemiro is likely to leave after a disappointing campaign that exposed his declining mobility, creating a need for a new anchor midfielder who can provide defensive stability whilst contributing to build-up play.

The summer window will likely focus on a long-term heir to Casemiro, at least one new centre-back and more wide-forward options to sustain the attacking tempo Carrick has unlocked.

Going from that bleak night in Bilbao to mounting a top-fourpush has turned Carrick into the man many now see as the long-term face of the project. The transition feels earned and organic rather than imported, which matters enormously at a club where identity and tradition carry such weight.

United’s turnaround won’t win headlines the way a title challenge would, but it represents something arguably more valuable. Stability. Direction. A clear sense of what the club is trying to become rather than reacting to each setback with panic and upheaval.

With Giménez absent from the squad, Simeone is not thinking about Arsenal for the time being.

Today’s match against Athletic has to help Atleti build confidence for what is coming against Arsenal next week. Simeone knows it, and that is why he is not hiding anything, at least not in the squad list.

Giménez, Nico González, Lookman and Hancko are the main absentees from a squad in which names like Julián, Griezmann and Baena are all included.

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

​The sight of Eddie Howe squinting at the interviewer after another lifeless Newcastle United performance was just sad.

This is the man who, just over a year ago, was lauded as a club legend for delivering the first silverware in the living memory of a vast chunk of the fanbase.

He appears worn down by the exhausting task of guiding a talented team to elite expectations, which has taken a visible toll.

Howe’s achievements have raised expectations to unsustainable heights, trapping him in a cycle where success leads only to even harsher scrutiny.

The other reason his work is not recognised is that Newcastle United, under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s ownership, is, on paper, the richest in the world.

Premier League investment rules and a lack of urgency in building a supporting structure have prevented both the assembly of a squad for sustained success and the creation of an executive framework to achieve it.

Much, therefore, has fallen on the English coach’s shoulders, and after nearly five years in charge, he’s starting to look jaded.

It was something Newcastle United club legend Alan Shearer picked up on, too.

"I look at his interview after the game, and I am not sure the fight is there,” said the ex-striker after the Magpies’ defeat to Bournemouth on the Rest is Football podcast.

“It is a very different club now to the one that he would want to go forward. He doesn’t look in a good position.

"As tough as it is for Eddie, I don’t know what is going to happen with him. I listened to his interview afterwards and I watched him on the touchline and I just think is he going to want to go again? Is he going to get the chance to go again?

"There are so many moving parts with it for him. If all things are equal, then yes, I would like him to [stay]. But does he feel as if he is going to have the chance? Does he want to do it again? Are Newcastle going to have to sell?

"If he has money to spend and he doesn’t have to sell, then, yeah. But I looked at the players yesterday, and if that was what they call fighting for their manager, because he is under huge pressure, whether you like it or not, they were terrible. They chucked him under the bus, the players. The performance was c**p from every single one of them.

"It is a tough situation, a tough summer for Newcastle coming up. They have got some big decisions to make. As I am sat here, I don’t see Eddie in charge of Newcastle next season, unfortunately.”

Once a manager’s motivation has seeped away—a point which is difficult to confirm—it’s tough to recover. This challenge is relevant now as the club faces mounting struggles.

Recent results for Newcastle have been dire, but it might not be because the coach has lost the love.

Nevertheless, even the loyal North East fanbase is starting to wonder what life might be without Howe, according to Sky Sports News reporter Keith Downie.

"The situation has not changed since the Bournemouth game but it feels like it’s about 50-50 within the fanbase as to whether they want Eddie Howe to remain in charge,” he claimed.

"Is that uncertainty feeding into the poor performances and the general negative mood? Potentially yes. This isn’t the Newcastle we've seen under the last couple of years, the swashbuckling style.

"It feels like some players have checked out, to an extent. Four defeats in a row, eight defeats from 11, and at St James’ Park which has previously been a fortress, five out of the last six matches have ended in defeat.

"I don’t think PIF [the club's owners] will make any knee-jerk reactions. They'll look at the situation at the end of the season, but so will Howe himself and question whether he is ready to go again.

"There is a question over whether he will stay at the club in the longer term, but we won’t get an answer to that question until the end of the season.

"The last one did not go well after spending £250m in the summer, and three out of the five big-money arrivals have not worked.

"Howe has to wear that, he didn’t get his first-choice signings but they were all players still on his list. He was asked a direct question about that a few weeks ago and confirmed that.

"But looking at the big-name stars, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, who have both been at the centre of speculation about their futures, they’re guys who are going to look to move elsewhere if their ambitions don't feel matched by Newcastle.”

Though these issues are beyond Howe’s control, he must navigate them because there is no alternative leadership.

From the lack of progress in developing the stadium and training ground to the unedifying transfer saga involving Alexander Isak in the summer, Howe is the man who faces the questions.

Now the counterargument would be that this is what any manager at an elite club should expect.

But the brutal reality is that Newcastle United is not there yet, and therefore it is totally unfair to cast such a judgment.

As summer nears, the two parties must decide: commit to one final effort together, or choose to replace leadership and inject new energy into the dugout?

Newcastle’s task will remain steep, and Howe must now confront whether he still has the resolve for a challenge defined by outsized expectations and unstable foundations.​

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Kelly Cup playoffs schedule 2026: Bracket, times, TV channels, live streams, scores for ECHL hockey postseason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The drive for the Kelly Cup is underway. 

The 2026 ECHL playoffs feature four rounds of best-of-seven series to crown a champion. A new winner is guaranteed, as Trois-Rivières missed the playoffs this year after hoisting the Cup in 2025. 

When looking at this year's contenders, it's wise to start with the Florida Everblades, who won three consecutive Kelly Cups from 2022-24 before being dethroned last year. They posted the best record in the Eastern Conference during the regular season but still finished seven points behind the Kansas City Mavericks in the league standings.

Will they be the last two teams standing at the end, or will someone else break through? 

Here's everything you need to know to watch every game of the 2026 Kelly Cup playoffs.

Where to watch Kelly Cup playoffs 2026

• TV channel: N/A
• Live stream:FloHockey

The Kelly Cup playoffs will not air on traditional TV channels. Instead, viewers can watch every game of the ECHL postseason via FloHockey, which gives subscribers access to live streams, event replays and FloSports Originals.

Kelly Cup playoffs schedule, scores 2026

Watch every 2026 ECHL playoff game live on FloHockey. All series are best-of-seven. 

North Division Semifinals

No. 1 Wheeling Nailers vs. No. 4 Reading Royals

* If necessary

No. 2 Maine Mariners vs. No. 3 Adirondack Thunder

* If necessary

South Division Semifinals

No. 1 Florida Everblades vs. No. 4 Savannah Ghost Pirates

* If necessary

No. 2 South Carolina Stingrays vs. No. 3 Atlanta Gladiators

* If necessary

Central Division Semifinals

No. 1 Fort Wayne Komets vs. No. 4 Indy Fuel

* If necessary

No. 2 Toledo Walleye vs. No. 3 Bloomington Bison

* If necessary

Mountain Division Semifinals

No. 1 Kansas City Mavericks vs. No. 4 Tahoe Knight Monsters

* If necessary

No. 2 Allen American vs. No. 3 Idaho Steelheads 

* If necessary

ECHL playoff teams 2026

Here are the 16 teams that qualified for this year's ECHL playoffs along with their NHL affiliates:

Related Links

• Latest NHL news and rumors
• Full NHL schedule, scores for 2025-26
• 2026 Calder Cup playoffs schedule, scores

Where to watch Kentucky Derby post position draw 2026: Date, time, TV channel, horses for Churchill Downs race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

One week out from the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby, it's time to determine post positions for the 20-horse field. 

Starting position can be a key factor in a horse's chances of winning the race, with some gates historically more likely to produce winners than others and one in particular — No. 17 — still awaiting its first champion. Last year's winner, Sovereignty, initially drew post 18 but started from 16 due to a pair of scratches. 

Early betting favorites in the 2026 field are the Todd Pletcher-trained Renegade along with a pair of horses trained by Brad Cox, Further Ado and Commandment, who all carry odds of 6-1 or better entering draw day. 

Which gates will the favorites draw? Here's everything you need to know to watch as post positions are determined for the 2026 Derby. 

When is the Kentucky Derby post position draw?

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 2:15 p.m. ET

The 2026 Kentucky Derby draw is set to begin Saturday at about 2:15 p.m. ET, earlier than in recent years when the post positions were determined in the evening. 

The draw will occur between the third and fourth races of Saturday's program at Churchill Downs and immediately after the Kentucky Oaks draw, which will begin shortly after 2 p.m. ET.

Where to watch Kentucky Derby post position draw 2026

• TV channels: FanDuel TV (national), WAVE (local)
• Live stream:DIRECTV

The Kentucky Derby draw will air on WAVE in the Louisville area and be broadcast nationally by FanDuel TV (formerly TVG). Fans in the region or around the country can stream the event live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users.

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.

Kentucky Derby horses 2026

The entry list has not yet been finalized, but the top 20 horses in the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard will be in line to run. As many as four additional horses can enter as "also-eligibles" and potentially move into the field with a scratch next week. 

The current leaderboard is below:

When is the Kentucky Derby in 2026? 

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Post time: 6:57 p.m. ET

The 152nd Kentucky Derby will be run in its traditional slot on the first Saturday in May. Post time for the race at Churchill Downs is set for 6:57 p.m. ET. 

Kentucky Derby winners by post position

History shows horses on the inside, starting from positions one to 10, are much more likely to win the Kentucky Derby than those starting on the outside.

Here are the all-time Derby winners by post position:

Liverpool have got Yan Diomande in their sights as the No1 target in the summer transfer window.

That’s according to a new report in TEAMtalk but the Premier League champions could be frustrated in their chase for the teenage sensation.

RB Leipzig signed Diomande last summer from Leganes for a bargain £18m and he has already developed into a player worth £87m according to various reports.

The young Ivorian has enjoyed a sensational breakthrough season in German football - putting himself top of Liverpool’s recruitment shortlist.

Liverpool in talks for Diomande

The report claims talks have happened in recent days between all parties - but Leipzig may well insist on making Liverpool wait.

Their plans include tying Diomande down to a new deal before considering a sale in summer 2027 - when they believe his value will be even higher.

“Liverpool have stepped up their efforts to secure a deal for winger Yan Diomande, with further contacts made in recent days – but RB Leipzig’s stance on a sale this summer could yet force the Reds to bide their time over the third biggest deal in their history,” the report reads.

“Leipzig are holding firm on their €100m (£87m, $117m) valuation.

Leipzig won't sell until 2027

“The German club are open to discussions regarding a future transfer, in the belief that Diomande’s value will only continue to rise as he gains more experience at the highest level.

“To that end, sources indicate they would prefer to tie him to a new contract with a significant release clause rather than sanction an immediate exit this summer.

“A compromise could yet emerge, with the possibility of a deal being structured for the summer of 2027.

“Liverpool are understood to be exploring all avenues, including structured payments or add-ons. Though they recognise the challenge of meeting Leipzig’s demands in the current window, Diomande remains their number one target.”

With Liverpool losing Mohamed Salah they will require additional one-v-one quality out wide. Diomande ticks all the boxes - being a lightning quick and decisive forward capable of playing either side of the attack.

Inter Milan could hand rare starting opportunities to Matteo Darmian and Andy Diouf when they face Torino, as Cristian Chivu manages injuries and fitness ahead of a decisive run of fixtures.

The Nerazzurri will be without Lautaro Martinez, who is targeting a return against Parma.

Meanwhile Luis Henrique has also been ruled out after suffering a muscle injury to his right thigh.

The Brazilian is expected to be sidelined for up to two weeks, forcing Chivu to reshuffle his options.

Tuttosport note some positive news, however, via FCInterNews.

Alessandro Bastoni has returned to training and will be assessed ahead of kickoff, while Stefan de Vrij and Denzel Dumfries have recovered from minor issues.

Dumfries, though, may not be risked from the start, opening the door for alternative solutions.

Torino Vs Inter – Diouf & Darmian Set For Rare Start

Andy Diouf is one of the players who could benefit.

Indeed, with the French midfielder an option to fill in on the right if needed.

Matteo Darmian is another candidate, particularly given his experience and familiarity with Torino from his previous spell at the club.

Elsewhere, Yann Sommer is expected to start in goal.

In defence, Manuel Akanji should return in the centre alongside Yann Bisseck and Carlos Augusto. Federico Dimarco is set to feature on the left, while Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella are expected to anchor the midfield, with Davide Frattesi a potential wildcard option.

In attack, Marcus Thuram is likely to partner Pio Esposito as Inter look to maintain momentum despite the absences.

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt is "excited about where the club is going" as he admitted he is already looking ahead to next season, with little to play for in their remaining fixtures.

The capital club have beaten Zebre and the Sharks in their past two games while fielding a very young side as 18 first-team players are currently injured within the squad.

Off the pitch, they have announced the arrival of two new coaches, Brad Davis and Tim Sampson, with two incomings already announced - centres Riley Higgins and Geordie Gwynn.

On top of that, they have also been linked to Crusaders scrum-half Louie Chapman, who is also Scottish-qualified.

"There will be a couple more," Everitt said of on-field signings. "We really are excited. We're actually excited about where the club is going.

"We started this process about 18 months ago - giving youngsters opportunities within the group so that they could grow into senior players.

"We've seen teams like the Lions being very successful in that process that we're going to follow.

"It's exciting times for Scottish rugby because we've been talking about 'who will be the next generation?' We've got several them on the field here."

In a dismal URC campaign, the rise of blindside Liam McConnell, 21, has undoubtedly been the bright point. Alongside him, tighthead Ollie Blyth-Lafferty and fellow flanker Freddy Douglas have become regulars.

Besides that trio, there have also been encouraging signs from scrum-half Hector Patterson, centre Findlay Thomson, and back-three players Jack Brown and Malelili Satala.

Speaking to Premier Sports, Everitt added: "The team came together and it was a question of 'what are we going to play for in the last four games?'

"They wanted to show fight, care for the jersey, and make the fans proud. We had a full house tonight and I'm sure they've done that."

The head coach also touched on the importance of Ewan Ashman, who had another storming performance in a strong individual season.

"He's a very important player to us," Everitt said. "He joined the leadership group several weeks ago and he's made a massive impact there as well. He's normally a quiet guy around the group.

"With that, his rugby has grown as well. He's improved his set-piece, but he's not getting uptight when he does lose one or two."

In December of his senior year at Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, Eli Raridon tore the ACL in his right knee. A standout on the team’s varsity football team who, as a four-star recruit, had multiple scholarship offers lined up, he suffered the injury competing in another sport: basketball.

Raridon had played both football and basketball since his early childhood, and the injury suddenly forced him pause what had been a promising career. It also set the stage for a journey that ultimately led to him joining the New England Patriots as a third-round draft choice on Friday.

Raridon underwent surgery after the torn ACL, in hopes of quickly returning to the football field as a college freshman at Notre Dame. He managed to do so, but just 10 months after the initial injury tore the same ligament again. This second tear resulted in more missed time, a slower buildup at the college level, and eventually in Raridon not fully cracking the Fighting Irish starting lineup until his 2025 senior season.

The multi-year saga can all be traced back to that fateful day on the basketball court in December 2021. And yet, as Raridon explained during his introductory conference call with the New England media, his second sport is precisely why he has become the player he is today.

“Basketball was always part of my life growing up, and I really feel like it helped me be better controlled with my body going up, high-pointing the ball, things like that,” he explained. “I think it’s definitely helped me translate early on in my career.”

With his knee injuries hampering him early on in his college career, Raridon put up only modest production in his four seasons at Notre Dame. In 40 games including 18 starts, he hauled in only 48 passes for 623 yards and a trio of touchdowns.

However, as he mentioned, he was able to make big plays for his team when called upon. His receiving average of 13.0 yards per catch did not happen by accident; it is a direct byproduct of Raridon being able to stress teams deep and also use his size and basketball background to his advantage.

“That’s something I take a lot of pride in, being a deep threat who can go up and get the ball when it’s thrown to me. And I think basketball has helped with that,” he said.

As far as his knee is concerned, there is no concern.

Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said on Friday that the medicals came back clean, not only from the Combine checkup but also the in-house analysis conducted by the Patriots’ staff during his pre-draft visit. As opposed to his college career, the 21-year-old can therefore hit the ground running entering the NFL — something he very much is looking forward to.

“I’m feeling amazing, no effects at all,” Raridon said. “Obviously, I’ve done a lot of hard work to rehab that as well, but my body feels amazing and I’m ready to get to work.”

Pirates Konnor Griffin has a memorable birthday in win over Brewers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Since getting called up, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin has slowly been finding his footing. Through his first 20 games, Griffin is hitting .214 with an OPS of .587, 11 RBI and 22 total bases. 

Despite Griffin not hitting well at the plate, he has been solid defensively at shortstop — zero defensive runs saved in 169.1 innings. However, Griffin’s bat woke up to help lead the Pirates to a 6-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, which included his first home run. 

Konnor Griffin’s first career home run helps the Pittsburgh Pirates surpass the Milwaukee Brewers 

The Pirates' win over the Brewers saw Griffin hit his first career home run, a solo home run in the third inning to center field. The now 20-year-old (April 24) became the fourth player in Major League Baseball history to hit his first career home run on his 20th birthday, according to MLB’s Sarah Langs. 

• 1998 third baseman Aramis Ramirez with the Pirates 
• 1936 third baseman Buddy Lewis with the Washington Senators 
• 1884 catcher Fred Carroll with the Columbus Buckeyes of the American Association

Birthdays are important!!!!

Konnor Griffin is the fourth player in MLB history to homer on his birthday at age 20 or younger, joining:

1998 Aramis Ramirez
1936 Buddy Lewis
1884 Fred Carroll

Two Pirates! Baseball!!!

h/t @EliasSportshttps://t.co/ckzjIo5wFs

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 25, 2026

Griffin said to SportsNet Pittsburgh after the win about his home run, “Glad to get that one out of the way and now we can get rolling.” 

More News:Phillies Bryce Harper has a five-word response for the 10-game skid

Once Griffin gets more adjusted to the speed of the game his bat will produce. Griffin had three hits in the victory, which is the first three-hit game of his career. This could be what Griffin needs to get on a hot streak and become more of a contributor in the Pirates' lineup. 

More News:

• Phillies call up a 24-year-old to aid an injured bullpen
• The Twins swap out two left-handers ahead of Rays series
• Dodgers Tyler Glasnow's breaking pitches have helped him succeed

Penn State football will conclude its spring practice schedule on Saturday with the annual Blue-White Game. Or, as is the case this spring, the Blue-White Practice. New head coach Matt Campbell is going with a bit of a scaled-back approach to the traditional spring game activity, a major draw for fans in the offseason most years. While the Blue-White Game has typically been one of the highest-attended spring games in college football more years than not, Campbell and the new-look Nittany Lions will go about things a bit differently this year with more of a live practice situation as opposed to a spring game.

What is the new format for the Blue-White Game?

Matt Campbell explained how he will run Penn State's final spring practice. He explained that the first half hour of the open practice will be a typical practice setting with stretching and drills. After that, Campbell said he envisions a game-like setup, although it was unclear just how much of a real game will actually be played. And with the weather not looking to be too great, the plans could be impacted.

Is the Penn State spring game on TV?

No. The Penn State spring football game will not be airing on TV. Previous years have seen coverage on Big Ten Network, but that will not be the case this year.

Is the Penn State spring game being livestreamed?

No. With the game not airing on TV, there is no livestream available from a TV network. There have also been no plans announced to offer the game on any streaming service like B1G+ or through the university's own means.

So the only way to watch the action on Saturday will be to be inside Beaver Stadium.

What time is the Blue-White Game?

While originally scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. ET start time, Penn State announced on Friday it was moving up the start of the final spring practice by 45 minutes. The new start time is 12:15 p.m. ET, as Penn State is expecting to fit everything in before inclement weather moves through the area.

When does Penn State open the 2026 season?

Penn State will open the 2026 season at home in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, September 5, 2026 against Marshall. Penn State will then travel to Philadelphia to take on Temple in the second game of the season. Penn State will host Wisconsin on September 26 for its Big Ten opener.

You can see the full 2026 Penn State football schedule for updated dates, times, and TV information (when available).

Kevin McGuire is the lead writer for Nittany Lions Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on BlueSky, Threads or any of these other platforms.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Is Penn State's spring Blue-White football game on TV or stream today?

Bills GM Brandon Beane's honest reason for prioritizing corners in the draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Following the Buffalo Bills' selection of Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun with the 62nd overall pick on Friday night, general manager Brandon Beane engaged with reporters and provided an answer that was largely unrelated to that specific choice.

"I would say that will impact our team. If you look at it, corners are premium positions. If you just look at who makes top dollars in the league...and if you look at our season last year, it’s happened before, John... those guys are all going to play. They’re going to play. It’s a long season, and when you have corners that are not capable, they get bullseyes on them real fast. And especially when you’re playing the primetime quarterbacks, the primetime offenses in this league. I can tell you this: if there is another good corner tomorrow, we’ll take him." Beane said.

He continued:

"Like, think of how many guys we went through last season that played in the playoffs for us or helped us get to the playoffs, so you’re gonna need those guys... and again, you’re suiting up guys not only to fill in as a backup but also to help you on fourth down too," he stated.

2026 NFL DRAFT HQ:Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available

He referred to the past season, when the Bills cycled through various cornerbacks merely to reach the playoffs, with some of them taking on important roles they never anticipated.

His mindset explains well enough why Igbinosun's selection is understandable.

The 6-foot-2, 189-pound corner from Ohio State was part of a Buckeyes defense that led the country in nearly every statistical category in 2025. Igbinosun finished last season with 52 tackles and eight pass breakups while allowing zero touchdowns in coverage across the year. 

Buffalo requires additional support. However, Beane has observed enough high-stakes corners getting exposed on national platforms that he determined this discussion should take place initially, not afterward in the process.

More NFL news:

• How Browns addressed their big nickel safety hole on Day 2 of the draft
• How David Bailey picked the wrong New York rival to call out on night one
• Sean McVay seemed somewhere else after the Rams took Ty Simpson
• Malik Nabers' reaction to Caleb Downs going to Dallas says everything
• Micah Parsons had one thing to say after the Cowboys draft Caleb Downs

Beth Potter won Saturday's opening women's race of the World Triathlon Championship Series, leading a strong British challenge that included four top-10 finishers in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Olympic bronze medallist Potter, 34, who was third overall in the 2025 series, crossed the finish line in one hour, 53 minutes and 17 seconds - nine seconds in front of second-placed Frenchwoman Leonie Periault.

Britain's Georgia Taylor-Brown was fourth, 12 seconds behind third-placed Jeanne Lehair of Luxembourg, while GB colleagues Sian Rainsley and Tilly Anema were eighth and 10th respectively.

Jessica Fullagar (11th) and Olivia Mathias (20th) also placed well as part of a six-strong British women's team.

• GB's Fullagar wins silver in first T100 race
• Tertsch beats Britain's Potter to world title
• Potter eyes world title after 'toll' of Olympics

Mike Cavendish, the British team's director of performance, said before Saturday's race that it represented "an excellent opportunity for our athletes to see where they are after a hard winter of training".

The Olympic qualification window opens after the Yokohama triathlon takes place on 16 May.

The men's race follows over the same course and distance - 1.5km swim, 40.2km bike ride and 10km run - in Samarkand, which is staging the first event of the season after the planned opener in Abu Dhabi was postponed.

A further eight races are planned for the season, which culminates with the finals in Pontevedra, Spain, in September.

London will stage a shorter sprint distance event as part of the series on 25 July.

Elsewhere, GB's Sam Dickinson was second, more than six minutes behind winner Hayden Wilde of New Zealand, in the opening men's T100 event of the season in Singapore.

The T100 is staged over a longer course than the Olympic distance, with races consisting of a 2km swim, 80km bike ride and 18km run.

Calder Cup playoffs schedule 2026: Bracket, times, TV channels, live streams, scores for AHL hockey postseason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The drive for the Calder Cup is on. 

The American Hockey League playoffs will once again feature 23 teams fighting it out to take home the trophy, and a new champion is guaranteed in 2026. A year after winning their first AHL championship, the Abbotsford Canucks failed to make the playoffs this time around. 

While the race for the title appears wide open, the Providence Bruins and Grand Rapids Griffins enter the postseason as the favorites to clash in the final after posting the best records in their respective conferences and earning first-round byes along with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Ontario and Laval. 

Will one of those teams hoist the trophy in 2026 or will the Charlotte Checkers return to the finals and win it all this time? 

Here's everything you need to know to watch every game.

Where to watch Calder Cup playoffs 2026

• TV channel: N/A
• Live stream:AHLTV on FloHockey

The Calder Cup playoffs will not air on traditional TV channels. Instead, viewers can watch every game of the AHL postseason via AHLTV on FloHockey, which gives subscribers access to live streams, event replays and FloSports Originals.

Calder Cup playoffs schedule, scores 2026

Watch every 2026 AHL playoff game live on FloHockey

Note: Providence, Grand Rapids, Laval, Ontario and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton are awaiting their Division Semifinal opponents and not yet listed below

Atlantic Division First Round (Best-of-3)

No. 3 Charlotte vs. No. 6 Springfield

No. 4 Bridgeport vs. No. 5 Hershey - Hershey wins 2-0

North Division First Round (Best-of-3)

No. 4 Toronto vs. No. 5 Rochester

Central Division First Round (Best-of-3)

No. 4 Manitoba v. No. 5 Milwaukee

Pacific Division First Round (Best-of-3)

No. 2 Colorado vs. No. 7 San Diego - Colorado wins 2-0

No. 3 Henderson vs. No. 6 San Jose - Henderson wins 2-0

No. 4 Coachella Valley vs. No. 5 Bakersfield

North Division Semifinals (Best-of-5)

No. 2 Syracuse vs. No. 3 Cleveland

Central Division Semifinals (Best-of-5)

No. 2 Chicago vs. No. 3 Texas

Pacific Division Semifinals (Best-of-5)

No. 2 Colorado vs. No. 3 Henderson

Related Links

• Latest NHL news and rumors
• Full NHL schedule, scores for 2025-26
• 2026 Kelly Cup playoffs schedule, scores

The pre-match ceremony for the clash between Ponte Preta and América-MG produced an unusual moment this Friday (24).

The person responsible for playing the Brazilian National Anthem at Moisés Lucarelli stadium made a mistake and, for a few moments, played the song 'Coração Partido' by the group 'Menos é Mais' instead.

Some of the players lined up on the pitch couldn’t hold it in and laughed.

Watch the moment below:

On the pitch, Ponte Preta beat América-MG 1-0.

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

Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord has spoken about the team’s view on Kimi Antonelli and George Russell going head-to-head in the F1 title race.

Mercedes have been the clear frontrunners over the first three rounds of the 2026 season, with both drivers picking up wins.

Russell kicked things off by taking the opener in Australia before Antonelli responded with consecutive victories in China and Japan.

That run has given Antonelli a nine-point lead heading into next week’s Miami Grand Prix, as Mercedes look to extend their early dominance.

Kimi Antonelli and George Russell title battle discussed by Bradley Lord

Lord addressed the growing rivalry between Antonelli and Russell, saying that Mercedes are eager to see it play out over the course of the season.

He added that Mercedes wants their drivers to be intense and fully committed throughout the rest of the campaign. Speaking on the Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show, Lord said:

“And then, a brilliant fight between George and Kimi, and neither of them has had a smooth run through the weekend so far.

“So it would be fun as well to see if both get smooth FP1 and then how that sort of competition starts to shape up as well, because that rivalry as an F1 driver is always there.

“Your teammate is a colleague but also your biggest rival, and we know that that is going to continue to grow. It’s in a really good place at the moment, and we hope it will stay there too.

“But, we want it to be intense, and we want it to be all-out competition on track. So it’s going to be fun to get back to that as well.”

Martin Brundle urges George Russell to approach Kimi Antonelli like ‘peak’ Lewis Hamilton

Going into 2026, most expected Russell’s experience to give him the edge in the championship race.

But after back-to-back wins for Antonelli, it’s clear he has the ability to push Russell all the way. The fight for the title looks set to be much closer than many anticipated.

Brundle, speaking to Sky Sports, advised Russell to approach Antonelli with the same level of respect he showed Hamilton during his prime years.

“It’s difficult times for George and he’s got to treat Kimi Antonelli just as if he’s Lewis Hamilton in his peak and a threat for the championship.”

Read more:

Justin Gaethje might have been overlooked, but instead, he’s landed the top spot in the UFC White House main event.

After taking home the interim belt by beating Paddy Pimblett in January, Gaethje looked set for a huge unification bout. But fans were more interested in seeing a superfight between two-weight champions Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev.

In the end, it didn’t matter. The Makhachev fight never materialised, and Gaethje got his shot anyway. He found out about it while watching cageside at UFC 326.

Gaethje opens up on how he landed the main event slot

Both Islam Makhachev and Justin Gaethje are represented by Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, which added an interesting dynamic to the fight discussions. Speaking with Bloody Elbow via Duelbits, Gaethje shared what he was hearing from his side while things were still being decided.

“From my side, it’s pretty simple,” Gaethje said. “I stay ready. That’s always been my approach. There’s always a lot of noise around fights at this level. Different conversations, different timelines, things that people say publicly, but not everything you hear reflects what’s actually happening behind the scenes.

“What I can control is my preparation and my willingness to step in when the opportunity is there. And when this fight came together, I didn’t hesitate.

In this sport, things change quickly. Fights fall through, situations evolve and you need guys who are ready to step up. That’s what I’ve always done throughout my career. So for me, it’s just another opportunity to go out there and perform at the highest level.”

He continued: “Ali has been in this game for so long that his message is always clear: ‘Stay ready and stay patient!’ There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to putting these fights together and he understands that better than most.

“He kept me focused on what I can control – trusting the process and making sure that when the opportunity showed up, I was ready.”

Read more:

Liverpool Transfer Update: Morgan Rogers Interest Clarified by Ben Jacobs

Liverpool’s summer transfer plans are beginning to take shape, and fresh insight from Ben Jacobs has cast doubt on their pursuit of Morgan Rogers. Despite earlier links, the Merseyside club are currently not leading the race for the highly rated attacker.

Rival Clubs Lead Morgan Rogers Race

According to Jacobs, several Premier League rivals have moved ahead in the battle for Rogers’ signature. Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all described as “the most genuine suitors” at this stage, while Paris Saint-Germain are also pushing strongly from abroad.

Jacobs reported: “🚨 Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG are the most genuine suitors for Morgan Rogers. Liverpool and Bayern not as active as of now. Understand Rogers is just as open to a move abroad as staying in England and has admiration for Luis Enrique.”

This update suggests Liverpool’s involvement has cooled, with other clubs showing greater intent to secure a deal for the 23-year-old.

Liverpool Transfer Priorities Taking Shape

Under Arne Slot, Liverpool are focusing their recruitment on key attacking areas. Wide forwards are understood to be the priority, with the club targeting at least two additions in those positions, and potentially a third versatile option capable of operating centrally.

While Rogers offers flexibility across midfield and attacking roles, Liverpool’s current needs appear more specific. The club are aiming to address pace, directness and depth in wide areas, rather than investing heavily in a multi positional profile.

There remains the possibility that Liverpool could enter the market for a central midfielder, depending on outgoings and squad balance, though that is not the immediate focus.

Cost and Squad Balance Key Factors

One of the major considerations in Liverpool’s stance is the expected cost of any deal. Rogers is valued at over £100 million, a figure that would demand a significant portion of the club’s summer budget.

Given the need to strengthen multiple positions, committing such a large sum to a single player may not align with Liverpool’s broader squad building strategy. Resources are likely to be spread across several additions rather than concentrated on one marquee signing.

Rogers Open to Multiple Destinations

Rogers himself remains open minded about his next move. The Aston Villa star is willing to consider both a Premier League switch and opportunities abroad, with reported admiration for PSG manager Luis Enrique adding another layer to the situation.

This flexibility increases competition for his signature and places Liverpool at a disadvantage if they are not prepared to act decisively.

For now, Liverpool’s transfer plans appear clear. While Morgan Rogers remains a player of interest across Europe, the club’s focus lies elsewhere as they prepare for another demanding campaign.

Toledo Mud Hens 4, Omaha Storm Chasers (box)(F/5)

This one lasted just long enough as the Mud Hens seized the lead in the bottom of the fifth, and then the game became official as rain washed out the rest of the day.

Lael Lockhart Jr. was uncharacteristically wild in this one, walking four. He gave up a run in the third, and then two more in the fourth. Matt Seelinger cleaned up a little jam, and then Brenan Hanifee handled the top of the fifth.

So it was 3-0 headed into the bottom of the fourth. Jace Jung led off with a walk, and Eduardo Valencia launched his third homer of the year to make it a 3-2 game.

Hanifee immediately allowed a single and then a Josh Rojas double in the top of the fifth. A strikeout and a pair of ground outs got him out of the inning unscathed.

Ben Malgeri singled to open the bottom of the fifth, and by then the rain was really coming down and a half hour delay followed. It was still ominous when they resumed, but after Max Clark struck out, Gage Workman singled Malgeri to third. Workman stole second base, and the throw went into center field as Malgeri scampered home to tie the game, and the throw in from Drew Waters in center field also went awry as Workman roared around to score as well.

It wasn’t a walkoff, but it eventually functioned as one as the rain picked up again and the game was put into the books after five innings.

Malgeri: 2-3, R

Workman: 2-3, R, SB

Valencia: 1-2, R, 2 RBI, HR

Coming Up Next: It’s a 5:05 p.m. ET start on Saturday in Toledo as the Hens lead the series 3-1.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies 10, Erie SeaWolves 2 (box)

Dariel Fregio made his fourth start after getting promoted to Erie and converted to the rotation out of need. He was mauled for six runs as the Ponies ran roughshod over the SeaWolves on Friday.

The Ponies scored a run in each of the first three frames, two on solo shots, before the SeaWolves answered back in the fourth. Brett Callahan led off the top half with a walk and Chris Meyers singled. Andrew Jenkins reached on a fielders choice that forced Meyers at second, and Callahan scored on an Izaac Pacheco ground out.

Fregio gave up three straight singles in the bottom of the fourth, and Colin Fields had to take over. That did not work out as Fields allowed all three runs to score on two sac flies, and then a two-run homer from the Ponies’ A.J. Ewing. 7-1 Binghamton.

In the sixth, Peyton Graham was hit by a pitch and Callahan walked. Graham moved to third on a Meyers ground out and scored on a wild pitch. Otherwise it was a poor night for the offense.

Fields allowed two more runs in relief, and the Ponies added one against Eric Silva to complete the scoring. The SeaWolves only had two hits on the night.

Fregio (L, 0-1): 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, BB, 2 K

Fields: 2.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K

Coming Up Next: The SeaWolves lead the series 3-1, with first pitch on Saturday set for 1:00 p.m. ET.

West Michigan Whitecaps 7, Lake County Captains 6 (box)

Rayner Castillo threw a great game, but the late innings got dicey until the Whitecaps stormed back to walk this one off in Comstock Park.

Castillo, our 25th ranked prospect in the offseason, had a down year in 2025 and has been up and down early on this year. The 21-year-old locked in on Friday night, two-hitting the Captains over five scoreless frames with five strikeouts.

The ‘Caps got on the board right away when Jackson Strong led off the bottom of the first with a single and scored on a Samuel Gil double. Nolan McCarthy launched a solo shot for his first with the Whitecaps in the fifth inning. Andrew Sojka followed him with a solid single to center and Clayton Campbell pumped an RBI double to center to make it a 3-0 lead.

Carlos Lequerica took over from Castillo with a snappy 1-2-3 sixth, but gave up a solo shot in the seventh. 3-1 ‘Caps.

Seth Chavez followed Lequerica, taking over in the eighth, and the Captains jumped all over him after the leadoff hitter reached on a Gil error from second base. They banged out five straight hits and a sac fly and it was a 6-3 Lake County lead with the smoke cleared.

Gil redeemed himself quickly by leading off the bottom half with a single, and Garrett Pennington made it count with a two-run blast that made it a 6-5 Lake County lead.

Lefty Ethan Sloan cleaned up the eighth and tossed a 1-2-3 top of the ninth. That was well as it set the Whitecaps up for the comeback. Campbell led off with a single and Hunter Dobbins reached on an error. Two fly outs followed, but Pennington got an 0-2 pitch on the outer edge and dumped it into right field for a two-run walkoff double. And the LMCU faithful rejoiced.

Pennington: 3-5, R, 4 RBI, 2B, HR, K, CS

McCarthy: 2-4, R, RBI, HR, K

Gil: 2-4, R, RBI, 2B, BB

Rainer: 1-4, 3 K

Castillo: 5.0 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 2:00 p.m. ET start on Saturday with the series all tied up.

Tampa Tarpons 4, Lakeland Flying Tigers 3 (box)

Tampa rallied back to win on Friday, but I don’t care because RHP Kelvis Salcedo was back on the mound for his first start of the year.

The 20-year-old right hander broke out in a big way last summer, featuring huge stuff and advanced strike throwing. He had a minor meniscus clean up procedure this spring, so the Tigers started easing him back in with a two-inning outing in this one. Once he’s built up, Salcedo should be moving to West Michigan pretty quickly. He torched the Tarpons for two innings in this one, striking out five and allowing one single and a walk. His fourseamer was 94-95 mph, and he racked up plenty of whiffs on his slider in particular, getting 7 total whiffs on 15 Tarpon swings.

This is arguably the most exciting young pitcher in the system, at least of those who aren’t perpetually on the injured list. We’ll see.

Jordan Yost got the Flying Tigers started on Friday by leading off the bottom of the first with a deep drive to center field. He turned on the afterburners and raced around the bases for a triple off of lefty Justin West. Thayron Liranzo immediatley pulled a single to left for a 1-0 lead.

After the leadoff hitter reached on a Carson Rucker error to start the third, RHP Jose Guzman took over from Salcedo and did a nice job getting out of the inning, though most of the credit goes to Liranzo, who cut down the runner trying to steal third.

Zach MacDonald, one of the big stories early on this spring, crushed a 112.9 mph home run in the bottom of the third to make it 2-0. The 22-year-old outfielder now has six homers in 17 games and is showing off huge raw pop to go with his speed. He is still striking out a huge amount, however. Don’t get too excited. It’s just that center fielders with double plus raw don’t grow on trees.

Guzman was solid, while Charlie Christensen allowed a run in the top of the fifth. In the bottom half, Yost slapped a ground ball single the opposite way and advanced to third on a passed ball and a wild pitch. Liranzo lifted a fly ball to right field for a sac fly to make it 3-1.

After that it was all Tampa. Eliseo Mota gave up three runs, two earned in the late innings, and the Flying Tigers’ offense didn’t have an answer.

Yost: 2-4, 2 R, 3B, K

Liranzo: 1-3, 2 RBI

MacDonald: 1-4, R, RBI, HR, 3 K

Salcedo: 2.0 IP, 0 R, H, BB, 5 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:00 p.m. ET start in Lakeland on Saturday.

The New England Patriots held 11 picks entering the 2026 NFL Draft. At the start of the second round, seven of them were scheduled for Rounds 4-7.

Head coach Mike Vrabel will not be with the team for Day 3, on April 25, as he “begins to seek counseling” and spends time with his family amid the public drama involving himself and former Athletic NFL reporter Dianna Russini. After the New York Post published photos April 7 of the two at a private Arizona resort – one photo showed the two interlocking fingers and another featured them hugging on a rooftop – the outlet’s “Page Six” column released more purporting to show photos of the two at a New York bar in March 2020.

“The stability of him as a person, some of the leadership, some of the presence,” Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said when asked about what the organization will be missing without Vrabel in the draft war room.

The final day of the draft is also vital in securing a team’s desired undrafted free agent class.

“He does a nice job with the undrafted players for us, obviously he’s a tremendous recruiter, so maybe that’s something that we’ll be missing,” Wolf said. “But again, we’re very confident with the people that we have, with the process. The assistant coaches have done a tremendous job, as have the scouts, preparing for day three. And we’re excited about it.”

From Jarrett Bell: Still laughing, Mike Vrabel? Patriots coach torches credibility as scandal grows | Opinion

Vrabel addressed reporters on April 21 and April 23. During the second news conference – Vrabel only took four questions after issuing a statement less than three minutes long two days earlier – the 2025 Coach of the Year confirmed he would not be with the team Saturday.

"My priorities are my family and this football team – in that order. And there is a balance there that I am going to create," Vrabel said. "My family needs me this weekend, and that's where I'll be.”

The Patriots issued a statement of support concerning Vrabel’s decision to seek counseling and prioritize his family – but the team did not acknowledge the new batch of photos. Wolf referred to the statement while saying they are not “too worried” about Vrabel’s absence.

 “As far as the work is concerned on Saturday, not too worried about that, just as far as the process that we have in place, the people we have in place,” he said. “It’s gonna be different without his presence there, but we feel really good about the people that we have in place to make up for it.”

More: Mike Vrabel says actions 'don't meet standard' but doesn't address Dianna Russini

The Patriots will be able to contact Vrabel, who will have final say on picks, Wolf confirmed.

Vrabel said he is confident in Wolf and his staff to handle the third day of the draft but was unsure whether he'd miss additional time.

"When you prioritize your family first and your job that's what's required," Vrabel said. "That's what was necessary."

In a statement he released shortly after the first batch of photos was published, Vrabel said any insinuation of an inappropriate relationship was “laughable.” Asked what changed, Vrabel said it was an attempt to protect his family.  

Vrabel is not under league investigation, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed April 23. Goodell called it a “personal matter.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Vrabel is skipping Day 3 of the NFL draft after more Russini photos

Two day are down for the Cleveland Browns in the 2026 NFL Draft. With one day ahead, here's what Day 3 could look like for the Browns.

We've made it through two days of the 2026 NFL Draft and the Cleveland Browns have drafted five players and made three trades so far. 

On Day 1, it was all about filling the two biggest needs with Spencer Fano brought in to play left tackle and KC Concepcion as a major investment at wideout. Cleveland doubled up at wide receiver early in the second round with Denzel Boston, then traded up to select safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren out of Toledo. Cleveland's final Day 2 pick was Florida OT Austin Barber, who has a chance to play on the interior as well. 

Let's get into what Day 3 could look like for the Browns with five scheduled picks to be made. 

Day 3 2026 NFL Mock Draft for the Browns 

Round 5, No. 146: Landon Robinson, DT, Navy 

Robinson is undersized at 5-foot-11 and 296 pounds, but he's still an active force on the interior of the defensive line. Robinson is quick, twitchy, and he has great pad level to leverage his matchup. Robinson is a Northeast Ohio native and made 64 tackles with 6.5 sacks last season at Navy.

Round 5, No. 148: Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama 

If the Browns end up rolling with Luke Wypler as the center and Elgton Jenkins at guard, the Browns would need another backup center. As of right now it looks like Jenkins may have to play center, but it's still up in the air right now.  Brailsford has 42 starts between the Big Ten and SEC, which shows he's seen his fair share of interior defensive tackles. 

Round 5, No. 149: Jack Endries, TE, Texas 

Endries is up and down as a blocker, but he can make plays in the passing game as a big target at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds with the ability to go up and get it. The blocking coming around would be most ideal, but I still think he'd be a solid pick for the Browns with what he has to offer now. Oscar Delp went off the board at No. 73 one pick before the Browns, so they'll need a tight end elsewhere. 

Round 5, No. 152: Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC

Lucas brings an NFL frame at 6-foot-5 and 256 pounds but he's never been able to put up more than the three sacks he had in 2025 during a college season. Still, the Browns need one more pass rusher at least and Lucas brings size and athleticism to try to mold into something.  

Round 7, No. 248: Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas 

There could be a team taking Green before here and that's fine. If I'm the Browns I'm not thinking about quarterback until the seventh round, and then I'm spending it on an athletic freak who may end up at another position. Green ran a 4.36 40-yard dash and vertical jumped 43.5 inches at the NFL Scouting Combine. He may not have an NFL arm but he's an intriguing prospect.

Washington has seen several key contributors arrive through the transfer portal over the last few seasons, and Anterio Thompson is one of them. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in speed, and time will tell if he can carve out a successful NFL career. 

The Basics

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 306 lbs

Position: Defensive Tackle

Class: Senior

Recruitment

Thompson’s path to Washington required patience and dedication. His first collegiate snaps were on the JUCO level, spending his freshman season at Iowa Western Community College. One year later, he was playing Power Five football after transferring to Iowa. The leap was impressive, but it left him with limited opportunity. Thompson relocated to Western Michigan for his junior season before ultimately landing at Washington for his grand finale. 

Thompson was a well-respected JUCO prospect. He was a three-star and ranked No. 52 nationally by 247Sports. 

College Career

Thompson’s lone season at Iowa Western CC was a productive one. He logged 32 tackles and six sacks in 12 games during the 2022 season. His transfer to Iowa allowed him to showcase his athleticism as he blocked two kicks, but he played in just seven games and finished the year with one tackle. 

Thompson’s transfer to Western Michigan was a wise decision, as his production had a significant leap. He finished with 34 tackles, one sack, two pass breakups, and added another blocked kick. He played in every game and started 12 of 13. 

Finally, Thompson transferred to Washington, where he played in every game for the Huskies. He finished the campaign with 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two pass breakups. 

Strengths

As mentioned, Thompson is an athlete. If his name is called in the NFL Draft, it’ll be because his raw athleticism is appealing to teams that believe they can develop him into a contributor. In an era where mobile quarterbacks are becoming more prevalent year by year, quick defensive linemen become more valuable. It is tougher than ever to tackle quarterbacks in space, and that’s an era where Thompson could flourish if he puts it all together.

Weaknesses

Thompson’s size could be troublesome at the next level. His potential is centered around explosiveness, translating to being a disruptor, but that ceiling will not be reached if he can’t get through bigger-bodied offensive linemen running at him downhill. Furthermore, raw speed is his strength, but being quick off the line of scrimmage is not, so his reaction time must improve as well. 

NFL Projection / Mock Draft

It’s hard to imagine Thompson not being on a roster when the first week of preseason rolls around. The question is whether he’ll be on one as a draft pick or an undrafted free agent. Thompson will have to overcome the hurdle of being undersized, and the only way to do so is by utilizing his athleticism to unlock a new level of explosiveness. That’s a tall task in the NFL, but it’s what teams will expect if they use a draft pick on him.  

Michigan State football has completed the spring practice schedule and are now moving their focus to summer conditioning before the start of fall camp. With the first spring of the Pat Fitzgerald era in East Lansing coming to an end, the coaching staff should have a ton of clarity on where things stand with their depth chart heading into the fall.

For the Spartans, it is interesting to look at this new roster, and how the pieces may fall before the season opener against Toledo. Spartans Wire is going to attempt to piece the depth chart together, analyzing how we think the new roster will unfold in a depth chart manner.

First, the quarterback position then the running back position, and now it is time for the wide receiver spot.

• 1st string: Chrishon McCray (Rs Sr), Fred Moore (Rs Jr), KK Smith (Rs Jr)
• 2nd string: Rodney Bullard (Rs Sr), Braylon Collier (Rs Fr), Charles Taplin (Rs Fr) OR Jameel Gardner (Rs Sr)

Michigan State lost a ton of production at the position this offseason, but the amount of production they retained and added will go under the radar. McCray is in line for a breakout year, while adding Moore, Smith and Gardner as veteran depth, and up and comers like Collier and Taplin, the room has a ton of potential.

There will be an open competition for reps between the second and fifth wide receiver spot, and it is really anyone's chance to gain meaningful snaps.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State football post spring depth chart: Wide receiver

The Atlanta Braves began the homestand on a high note and defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3. For the first time in 19 years, the Braves have now won four straight over the Phillies to open a season. It was a solid night from both the lineup and the bullpen, but once again, Michael Harris II headlined the night with some later-inning heroics.

Though originally scratched from the lineup with quad tightness, he came to the plate as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning and delivered a double to give the Braves the edge.

It was previously reported that Harris was day-to-day, but so far, that has not limited him from driving in runs for Atlanta. The Braves aim to ride this momentum and collect another series win tonight at 7:15 ET.

More Braves News:

Walt Weiss announced that though Raisel Iglesias has not started throwing yet, he is expected to return relatively soon. 

Isaiah Drake, Eric Hartman, and John Gil continue to be the heavy hitters for the Rome Emperors. More in the minor league recap.

MLB News:

The Cincinnati Reds will place DH Eugenio Suarez on the 10-day injured list due to a low-grade oblique strain. Fortunately, this injury does not appear to be overly serious.

From the Feed:

The Braves have already been successful in game one, so submit your picks on how many games the Braves win this series.

No. 4 seed Los Angeles defeated No. 5 seed Houston, 112-108, in overtime Friday in Game 3 of the NBA playoffs first round at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

The Lakers lead the best-of-seven series, 3-0.

Former Tennessee basketball player Dalton Knecht did not play for Los Angeles due to a coach's decision.

LeBron James led the Lakers in scoring with 29 points. Rui Hachimura scored 22 points, while Marcus Smart totaled 21 points for Los Angeles. Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic did not play for the Lakers.

Knecht was selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17) by the Lakers.

He transferred to Tennessee from Northern Colorado and played for the Vols during the 2023-24 season under head coach Rick Barnes.

During his one season at Tennessee, Knecht averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He led the Vols to a SEC regular-season championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for a second time in school history.

The Lakers and Rockets will next play Friday in Game 3 of the series. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. EDT at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

More: Did Dalton Knecht play in Lakers-Rockets Game 2?

More: Did Dalton Knecht play in Lakers-Rockets Game 1?

Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Former Vol does not play in NBA playoffs Game 3

Star Wars Galactic Racer will be easy to run on PC, though it boasts some high-end features Fuse Games’ Star Wars: Galactic Racer now has PC system requirements on Steam, setting a low hardware baseline for the new fast-paced racing game. The game is coming to PC this year, and its minimum GPU is a […]

The post Star Wars: Galactic Racer has remarkably low PC system requirements appeared first on OC3D.

BYD opened pre-sales of the Great Tang SUV with pricing from 36,460 USD and reported over 30,000 orders within 24 hours.

The post BYD Great Tang logs over 30,000 pre-orders in 24 hours, priced from 36,460 USD appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.

2026 BYD Seagull (Dolphin Mini) debuts at Beijing Auto Show with LiDAR and 505 km range.

The post 2026 BYD Seagull (Dolphin Mini/Surf) debuts at Beijing Auto Show with LiDAR and more range appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.

Liltra is an AI pronunciation coach that listens to you speak and tells you exactly what to fix. Record yourself reading a passage, get word-by-word scores — every mispronounced sound flagged, with diagrams showing where your mouth and tongue should be. Whether you're rehearsing a speech, preparing for camera, or just tired of people asking you to repeat yourself, Liltra pinpoints the sounds that trip you up and gives you drills to fix them. Start with an accent assessment that maps your weak spots, then work through drills by category: vowels, consonants, word stress, intonation. Your progress tracks across every session so you always know what improved

View startup

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/premium-travel-trend-2026-onefinestay-expands-high-end-leisure-focus-with-exclusive-property-portfolio/

Premium Travel Trend 2026: onefinestay Expands High-End Leisure Focus with Exclusive Property Portfolioonefinestay refines its portfolio by transferring over 200...

Read More

Source: Travel And Tour World

Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/casago-expands-idaho-presence-with-new-franchise-in-mccall-and-boise-driving-local-tourism-growth-boom/

Casago Expands Idaho Presence with New Franchise in McCall and Boise Driving Local Tourism Growth BoomCasago has expanded into Idaho...

Read More

Source: Travel And Tour World

Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/xian-in-china-paves-the-path-for-a-bright-future-in-aerospace-and-aviation-industries-ushering-in-a-new-global-era/

Xi’an in China Paves the Path for a Bright Future in Aerospace and Aviation Industries Ushering in a New Global...

Read More

Source: Travel And Tour World

Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.

Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/midwest-tourism-boost-driftwood-hospitality-management-takes-charge-of-intercontinental-kansas-city-at-the-plaza/

Midwest Tourism Boost: Driftwood Hospitality Management Takes Charge of InterContinental Kansas City at the PlazaDriftwood Hospitality Management assumes control of...

Read More

Source: Travel And Tour World

Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.

Samsung has reportedly begun the firmware development for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. The company is working on two premium smartwatches for 2026, including a Galaxy Watch 9 and a Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

The new smartwatches will likely be unveiled alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8, and Z Fold 8 Wide in July this year. Galaxy Watch 8 will get a successor as usual, but the Classic model may be on hold in the year 2026.

Previously, the internal firmware of Galaxy Watch 9 was spotted on Samsung’s server, indicating the beginning of development. Now, the initial firmware for Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 (BT and 4G/5G) has appeared, via Aptivi.

• Watch Ultra 2 (Bluetooth) – L710XXU0AZDB
• Watch Ultra 2 (LTE/5G) – L715NKOU0AZDB

Qualcomm recently introduced the Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset for next-gen Wear OS devices. The company also confirmed that the next-gen Samsung watches will be equipped with its advanced wearable platform.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is said to launch with 5G network compatibility for the first time. However, the availability may be limited and vary by region.

Samsung has been using Exynos W series chips in the Watch for recent years. The company may not entirely dump its evolving portfolio for Qualcomm. That said, we could see the Galaxy Watch 9 adopting the Exynos W platform.

The next Unpacked is rumored to take place on July 22, 2026. The venue could not be Seoul or San Francisco, but London. Samsung eyes the European smartphone market and that’s how the event is considered in the UK.

The post Samsung begins Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 firmware development appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Just announced, and in the office, meet the Infinix GT 50 Pro, a high-end phone with some clever gaming-centric innovation. You can check out our quick unboxing video here. The Infinix GT 50 Pro comes in Black Abyss, Red Blaze, and Silver Glacier colors, and in either 12/256GB or 12/512GB trim. Prices start from IDR 6,499,000 ($376/€330 converted), and sales begin tomorrow. Let's unbox it. The phone comes with a 45W charger, a USB cable, and a case with a magnetic ring on the back. Those magnets play a crucial role when using the GT 50 Pro with Infinix's new MagCharge Cooler 2.0...

Match Overview

This La Liga clash features a Getafe side enjoying a remarkable season, unexpectedly pushing for a European qualification spot. Currently sixth in the standings, their recent 1-0 victory over Copa del Rey champions Real Sociedad was a statement of intent, showcasing their grit and tactical discipline. A match against the league leaders is the ultimate test of their ambitions and provides a massive stage to prove they belong among Spain’s elite.

For Barcelona, the mission is clear: secure another three points and move one step closer to clinching the La Liga title. Hansi Flick‘s squad sits comfortably at the top of the table with a nine-point lead over Real Madrid, riding an impressive eight-game winning streak in the league. With the Champions League no longer a distraction, their entire focus is on domestic dominance, and they will be looking to dispatch a tricky Getafe side to avoid any late-season drama.

Tactical Analysis & Match Context

The season trajectories of these two clubs present a fascinating contrast. Barcelona has been a dominant force, leading the league with the most potent attack. Their high-risk, possession-based style has them on a clear path to the title. Getafe, on the other hand, has built its success on a rock-solid defense, boasting the third-best record in La Liga. However, their attack is one of the league’s weakest, highlighting their reliance on organization and efficiency over firepower.

This sets up a classic tactical battle. Barcelona will control the ball, looking to break down Getafe‘s deep, compact 5-3-2 formation. The key for the league leaders will be their clinical finishing, as they cannot afford to waste chances against a team that concedes so few goals at home. Getafe will aim to disrupt Barcelona‘s rhythm with a physical, stop-start approach, averaging over 15 fouls per game at home, while looking to hit on the counter-attack with direct balls to their forwards.

The motivations for both teams are at a fever pitch. Getafe is in a tight race for a coveted European spot, and every point is crucial in their quest to cap off an incredible season. For Barcelona, the urgency is to lock up the La Liga title and prevent any glimmer of hope for their rivals. After a demanding season, maintaining focus and intensity against a highly disciplined opponent will be paramount to securing the win and continuing their march towards the championship.

Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends

Historically, Barcelona has overwhelmingly dominated this fixture. The Catalan giants are undefeated in their last ten encounters with Getafe, securing six wins and four draws. Getafe‘s last victory against Barcelona dates all the way back to 2020, underscoring the challenge they face. Earlier this season, Barcelona cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture.

However, recent history at Getafe‘s home ground, the Estadio Coliseum, tells a completely different story. Getafe has successfully turned their stadium into a fortress against Barcelona, remaining unbeaten in their last five home matches against them, with four of those ending in draws. Barcelona‘s last victory on Getafe‘s turf was in 2019, proving that this is one of the toughest away days on their calendar.

The data points towards a tight, low-scoring affair. The last six matches between these two at the Coliseum have all featured under 2.5 goals, with a mere five total goals scored across those games. Furthermore, Getafe has managed to score just a single goal against Barcelona in their last eight meetings, home or away. This trend suggests that goals will be at a premium and that a single moment of brilliance could decide the outcome.

Squad News & Projected Lineups

Both managers will have to contend with significant absences, but Barcelona‘s attacking options have been hit particularly hard by recent injuries.

Getafe is monitoring a hamstring issue for Mario Martin, while Zaid Romero serves a suspension and key forward Borja Mayoral remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury. These absences test their depth, but their core defensive unit remains intact, which is crucial for their game plan against the league leaders.

Barcelona faces a more severe injury crisis. The devastating news is the hamstring injury to star winger Lamine Yamal, who could potentially miss the rest of the season. With Raphinha also out, their attacking firepower is significantly diminished. The squad is further depleted by the suspension of defender Eric Garcia and injuries to Marc Bernal, Joao Cancelo, and Andreas Christensen, forcing Hansi Flick to make several adjustments.

Getafe Projected XI (5-4-1):

Soria; Iglesias, Abqar, Dakonam, Duarte, Femenía; Satriano, Arambarri, Milla, Liso; Vázquez.

Expect Getafe to deploy their trusted defensive setup, aiming to suffocate the midfield and deny Barcelona any space. Luis Milla‘s creativity will be vital on the counter, while the backline, marshaled by Dakonam, will be tasked with containing Barcelona’s fluid attack.

Barcelona Projected XI (4-3-3):

García; Koundé, Martín, Cubarsí, Balde; Gavi, Pedri, López; Bardghji, Torres, Olmo.

With key attackers missing, Ferran Torres will likely lead the line, supported by Dani Olmo and youngster Roony Bardghji. The world-class midfield trio of Gavi, Pedri, and Fermín López will be responsible for controlling the tempo and creating chances to break down Getafe‘s stubborn defense.

More details on how to watch

You can find the Getafe vs Barcelona live stream on Fubo. The service is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and mobile devices running iOS or Android.

A subscription to Fubo gives you access to more than just La Liga. You can also watch other top soccer competitions like Ligue 1 and Copa Libertadores, ensuring you never miss a moment of the action from around the world.

The service is available for a monthly fee of $14.99/mo. This plan gives you access to all live matches, as well as on-demand replays and highlight shows, making it a comprehensive package for any soccer fan.

SEE MORE: Complete La Liga TV schedule

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as Nord VPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.

Match Overview

Wolves enter this match with their fate already sealed. Officially relegated from the Premier League, the club now plays only for pride in front of their home supporters at Molineux. Without the crushing weight of a survival battle, Rob Edwards‘ side could play with a dangerous freedom, looking to end a disastrous season on a positive note and disrupt their opponents’ plans.

For Tottenham, the stakes could not be higher. Mired in the relegation zone, every single point is critical to their survival hopes. With new manager Roberto De Zerbi at the helm, the urgency to secure a victory is immense. This clash against the league’s bottom side is a must-win, and anything less than three points would be a catastrophic blow to their chances of staying in the top flight.

Tactical Analysis & Match Context

The season trajectories for these two clubs are a study in contrasts. Wolves have been anchored to the bottom of the table, plagued by a lack of firepower and the league’s second-worst defense. Their relegation is the culmination of a campaign filled with struggles. Tottenham, on the other hand, has experienced a dramatic second-half collapse, plummeting into the relegation zone after collecting just three points in their last ten matches.

Tactically, Tottenham is expected to dominate possession and push the pace. De Zerbi’s side will likely be the aggressors, desperately searching for goals against a porous Wolves defense that has shipped 12 goals in its last four games. Wolves have the second-highest expected goals against (xGA) in the league, meaning Spurs should create plenty of scoring opportunities. However, with the pressure off, Wolves could prove to be an unpredictable counter-attacking threat.

The motivations are clear and starkly different. Tottenham is fighting for its Premier League life, and the financial and reputational implications of relegation are massive. Every player will feel the immense pressure to perform. Wolves are playing purely for professional pride and for their fans, which can make them a dangerous spoiler against a nervous and desperate Tottenham squad.

Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends

Historically, this fixture has recently been dominated by Wolverhampton. Spurs are winless in their last six encounters with Wolves, a run that includes four losses and two draws. The last time Tottenham managed a victory against this opponent was back in 2022, making Molineux a difficult ground for them to visit.

A look at the last five meetings reveals a clear pattern of high-scoring and competitive matches. Wolves have secured three wins (4-2, 2-1, 2-1), while two matches have ended in draws (1-1, 2-2). Tottenham has consistently struggled to contain the Wolves attack, and the results underscore their recent difficulties in this matchup.

The most significant trend for bettors is the frequency of goals. Both teams have scored in each of the last five Premier League meetings between the clubs. These games have produced an average of 3.6 goals per match, suggesting that another open and attacking contest is highly likely on Saturday.

Squad News & Projected Lineups

Both teams head into this crucial fixture grappling with significant injury concerns, particularly in defense and in goal.

Wolves are sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Jose Sa, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury. Yerson Mosquera is unavailable due to suspension, while Matt Doherty is a doubt after picking up a knock. These absences will force manager Rob Edwards to shuffle his defensive lineup.

Tottenham‘s injury list is even more concerning. First-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is sidelined, meaning Kinsky will start between the posts. The defense is further weakened by the absence of Cristian Romero and Ben Davies. Key attackers Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus also remain unavailable, placing more pressure on the available forwards to deliver.

Wolves Projected XI (3-4-3): Sá; T. Gomes, Krejčí, S. Bueno; Tchatchoua, André, J. Gomes, H. Bueno; Mané, R. Gomes, Adam Armstrong.
This lineup reflects Wolves‘ standard formation. With their fate sealed, expect them to play with freedom, with Adam Armstrong leading the line and looking to exploit a makeshift Tottenham defense.

Tottenham Projected XI (4-3-3): Kinský; Porro, Danso, van de Ven, Udogie; Gallagher, Bissouma, Bentancur; Tel, Simons, Solanke.
De Zerbi is forced into several changes due to injuries. The responsibility will fall heavily on Dominic Solanke in attack to find the goals needed to secure a season-saving victory for Spurs.

More details on how to watch

You can watch the Wolves vs Tottenham match on DirecTV Stream. The service is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and mobile devices running iOS or Android.

In addition to the Premier League, a subscription to DirecTV Stream gives you access to other top soccer competitions from around the world. Enjoy coverage of leagues like LaLiga, Liga MX, and the Bundesliga, as well as major cup tournaments.

The most basic subscription to DirecTV Stream comes in at $69.99 per month. This plan offers a comprehensive package for soccer fans, ensuring you never miss a moment of the action from your favorite leagues.

SEE MORE: Schedule of Premier League games on US TV and streaming

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as Nord VPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.

One of ‘s most fierce rivals has sent a warning to the British heavyweight. Joshua is expected to fight twice this year, first in a warm-up in the summer and then in a long-awaited showdown against towards the end of the calendar. ‘AJ’ has boxed only once since a devastating knockout defeat to back in […]

The post “You can run but you can’t hide”: Anthony Joshua sent warning by heavyweight rival appeared first on Boxing News.

called time on his professional career last year and one boxing icon believes ‘Bud’ dodged a bullet by never stepping into the ring with him. Crawford defeated all comers that were put in front of him throughout his professional career, as he hung up the gloves with a perfect 42-0 record. Over the years he […]

The post Boxing legend says Terence Crawford was lucky they never met in the ring appeared first on Boxing News.

Juventus forması giyen milli futbolcumuz Kenan Yıldız, Avrupa'nın 5 büyük liginde en fazla başarılı dripling yapan üçüncü isim... Onun hücum etkisini, Dünya Kupası'nda da bekliyoruz.

Avrupa'nın 5 büyük liginde en fazla başarılı dripling yapan oyuncular şöyle sıralanıyor:

Lamine Yanal (Barcelona)- 156

Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)- 148

Kenan Yıldız (Juventus)- 144

NOT: Bu rakamlara son hafta maçları dahil edilmemiştir. Avrupa'nın 5 büyük ligi; İngiltere (Premier Lig), İspanya (La Liga), İtalya (Serie A), Almanya (Bundesliga) ve Fransa (Ligue 1) olarak kabul ediliyor.

RAKİPLERİN BELALISI

Kenan Yıldız, hücumda rakipler için tam bir baş belası... 20 yaşındaki kanat oyuncusu bu sezon Serie A'da 32 karşılaşmaya çıktı. Sahada 2.571 dakika kaldı. Juventus adına 10 gol ve 7 asist üretti. 1.87 boyundaki futbolcu, Dünya Kupası'nda da ülkemiz adına en önemli isimlerden biri olacak...

SABAHIN KÖRÜNDE

Ay-Yıldızlı ekibimiz, dev organizasyonda D Grubu'nda yer alacak. Rakipler ve fikstür ise şöyle:

Avustralya-Türkiye (14 Haziran): 07.00

Türkiye-Paraguay (20 Haziran): 06.00

Türkiye-ABD (26 Haziran): 05.00

Saat farkı sebebiyle karşılaşmalar kelimenin tam anlamıyla sabahın köründe oynanacak!

Galatasaray'ın 10 numara transferinde favori adayı; Bernardo Silva... Portekizli yıldız, Manchester City'den bedelsiz şekilde ayrılacak. Ancak menajer Jorge Mendes, Aslan'ın canını sıkacak bir hamlede bulundu.

Manchester City ile sezon sonunda mukavelesi bitecek olan Bernardo Silva, takımdan ayrılacak. Bu konuda hem kulüp hem de oyuncu tarafından resmi açıklamalar gelmişti. Galatasaray çok uzun bir süredir Portekizli 10 numarayı kadrosuna katmak istiyor. Konuyla ilgili temaslar da sürüyor.

REAL MADRİD'E ÖNERDİ!

Ancak menajer Jorge Mendes'in, Silva'yı Real Madrid'e önerdiği ortaya çıktı. Şu anda Madrid cephesinin bu teklifi değerlendirdiği belirtildi. Kısa süre içinde olumlu veya olumsuz şekilde kararlarını vermeleri bekleniyor. Elbette bu gelişme en çok Galatasaray'ın canını sıktı...

FARKLI SEÇENEKLER DE MASADA

31 yaşındaki futbolcuyla Galatasaray dışında şu takımlar da ilgileniyor:

Juventus

Arsenal

Flamengo

Inter Miami

Son olarak Real Madrid seslerinin de yükselmesiyle birlikte ortalık iyice karıştı. Tecrübeli yıldızın kariyeriyle ilgili son kararını Dünya Kupası öncesinde vermesi bekleniyor.

Ligin bitmesine kısa bir süre kala gelecek sezon için de çalışmalarını sürdüren Galatasaray, orta saha bölgesi için Manchester United forması giyen Manuel Ugarte ile ilgileniyor.

Süper Lig'de şampiyonluk yarışında liderliği elden bırakmayan Galatasaray bir taraftan da gelecek sezonun kadro planlaması için kolları sıvadı. Sarı-kırmızılılar her bölge için çalışmalarını yürütse de ağırlığın orta sahaya verilmesi bekleniyor. Galatasaray aradığı ismi buldu.

UGARTE İLE İLGİLENİYOR

TeamTalk'ın haberine göre, Galatasaray, Manchester United'ın 25 yaşındaki orta saha oyuncusu Manuel Ugarte ile ilgileniyor.

Yine aynı haberde, 2029'a kadar sözleşmesi olan 25 yaşındaki Uruguaylı orta saha oyuncusunun sezon sonunda ayrılmayı düşündüğü aktarıldı.

SEZON PERFORMANSI

Ugarte, Manchester United forması altında bu sezon 23 maçta süre bulan Manuel Ugarte, 915 dakika sahada kaldı.

Trabzonspor, Leicester City'den ayrılmak isteyen Abdul Fatawu için devrede... Ancak Ganalı sağ kanat oyuncusunun çok sayıda talibi bulunuyor. Bu da işleri doğal olarak zorlaştırıyor.

Trabzonspor yaz döneminde hem sağ hem de sol kanat bölgelerini güçlendirecek. Sağ taraf için düşünülen isimlerden biri; Leicester City forması giyen Abdul Fatawu'ydu... Leicester küme düştüğü için 22 yaşındaki futbolcu ayrılmak istiyor. 1.77 boyundaki oyuncunun 30 Haziran 2029 tarihine kadar mukavelesi var.

DÜZENLİ FORMA GİYDİ

Bordo-Mavililer, konuyla ilgili temaslarını sürdürüyor. Ancak Abdul Fatawu'nun peşinde hem Premier Lig hem de Championship'ten bazı takımlar var. 22 yaşındaki futbolcu bu sezon Championship'te 44 karşılaşmaya çıktı. Sahada 3.722 dakika kaldı. 9 gol ve 8 asist üretti.

EN YÜKSEK BEDELLERLE

Gana Milli Takımı'nın da bir parçası olan 1.77 boyundaki sağ kanat oyuncusunun tahmini piyasa değeri 24 milyon euro... Leicester City Yönetimi, birçok önemli oyuncusunu satacak. Ancak bu satışları mümkün olan en yüksek bedellerle yapmak istiyorlar. Abdul Fatawu'nun talipleri fazla olduğu için, Trabzonspor açısından işler çok zor...

Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF), Süper Lig'de bugün oynanacak maçların VAR hakemini açıkladı.

Süper Lig'de bugün oynanacak mücadelelerin VAR hakemleri belli oldu. İşte tüm detaylar;

Eyüpspor-Gaziantep FK: Özer Özden

AVAR: İbrahim Çağlar Uyarcan

Kayserispor-Çaykur Rizespor: Abdullah Buğra Taşkınsoy

AVAR: Murat Altan

Göztepe-Antalyaspor: Cihan Aydın

AVAR: Samet Çavuş

Milli futbolcu Merih Demiral, Asya Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde üst üste ikinci zaferi hedeflediğini belirtti.

Suudi Arabistan ekibi Al Ahli'de forma giyen milli futbolcu Merih Demiral, Asya Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde üst üste ikinci kez şampiyonluğa ulaşmak istediklerini söyledi.

Milli oyuncu, bu akşam Al Ahli ile Japon ekibi Machida Zelvia arasında oynanacak final müsabakasından önce AA'ya özel açıklamalarda bulundu.

Merih Demiral, final için heyecanlı olduğunu anlatarak, "Asya Şampiyonlar Ligi finalinde üst üste ikinci kez yer almak bizim için büyük bir gurur." dedi.

Elde ettikleri başarıyla ilgili de konuşan 28 yaşındaki futbolcu, "Bu sadece kulübümüz adına değil, Suudi futbolu için de çok önemli bir başarı. Bu seviyede süreklilik göstermek ne kadar doğru yolda olduğumuzu gösteriyor." ifadelerini kullandı.

Kupayı kazanmak için ellerinden geleni yapacaklarını belirten deneyimli oyuncu, "Takım olarak çok çalıştık ve yine kupayı kazanmak için sahaya çıkacağız. Taraftarlarımızın desteğiyle kupayı kazanacağımıza inanıyoruz." değerlendirmesinde bulundu.

Merih Demiral, geçen sezon Asya Şampiyonlar Ligi finaline çıkan ve çıktığı birinci finalden zaferle dönen ilk Türk futbolcu olma başarısını elde etmişti.

Suudi Arabistan'ın Cidde kentindeki Kral Abdullah Spor Şehri Stadı'nda bugün oynanacak Asya Şampiyonlar Ligi final maçı, saat 19.15'te başlayacak.

Galatasaray Kulübü, Haliç Kongre Merkezi'nde kulübün Yıllık Olağan Bütçe Toplantısı düzenlendi. Galatasaray Kulübü Muhasip Yönetim Kurulu Üyesi İbrahim Hatipoğlu yeni dönem için bütçe sunumu yaptı.

Galatasaray Kulübü Muhasip Yönetim Kurulu Üyesi İbrahim Hatipoğlu, 2026-2027 bütçe döneminde 6 milyar 978 milyon lira gelir, 8 milyar 884 milyon liralık gider beklediklerini söyledi.

Hatipoğlu, Haliç Kongre Merkezi'nde gerçekleştirilen yıllık olağan bütçe toplantısında gerçekleştirilen ve yeni dönemde hedeflenen bütçelerle ilgili sunum yaptı.

Sarı-kırmızılı kulübün yöneticisi, 1 milyar 977 milyon lira olarak bütçelenen gelirin 3 milyar 376 milyon lira; 3,5 milyar lira olarak öngörülen giderin 5,2 milyar lira olarak gerçekleştiğini dile getirdi.

Hatipoğlu, 1,5 milyar lira olarak bütçelenen gelir-gider farkının 1,9 milyar lira olduğunu vurguladı.

İbrahim Hatipoğlu, 2026-2027 dönemi bütçesinde 4 milyar 165 milyon liralık gelir, 3 milyar 803 milyon liralık gider ile 361 milyon liralık kar hedeflendiğini bildirdi.

Hatipoğlu, faiz giderleri ve kur farkları ile diğer kalemlerin eklenmesiyle 6 milyar 978 milyon lira gelir, 8 milyar 884 milyon liralık giderle 1 milyar 905 milyon liralık zarar öngörüldüğünü kaydetti.

Florya'dan ilk fon geliri bütçede

Galatasaray Kulübü, Florya'dan elde edilecek gelirde ilk fon getirisini 2026-2027 döneminde elde edecek.

Florya Metin Oktay Tesisleri'ni hasılat paylaşımı modeliyle konut yapımı için devreden sarı-kırmızılı kulüp, bu projeden gelecek parayı bir hesapta bloke tutarak getirisini amatör branşlara ve tesislere harcayacak.

Yakında inşaat çalışmaları başlayacak Florya'dan hedeflenen gelir ilk kez bütçede yer aldı. Kulüp, 2026-2027 bütçesinde Florya gelirinin getirisinden 92 milyon lira kazanmayı amaçlıyor.

The post Humanity Protocol Price Explodes 40% as Whale Activity Spike: Next Move Loading? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Humanity Protocol (H) price has surged nearly 40% and is holding firm above the $0.120 level, with price consolidating near highs instead of reverting to the prior range, an early indication of strength following the breakout. The level, which capped upside through the previous phase, is now acting as support, and the absence of immediate selling pressure keeps the structure tilted higher. 

At the same time, participation is expanding alongside price, reinforcing the move rather than fading into it. With gains being retained and activity building in parallel, the setup shifts from a breakout event toward a continuation structure.

On-Chain Data Signals Rising Participation

On-chain metrics are moving in line with the price shift. Whale transactions have climbed to their highest level in five months, indicating that larger holders are actively positioning during the early phase of the move rather than distributing into strength. 

At the same time, network growth has accelerated to a two-month peak, reflecting increasing user activity and fresh participation entering the ecosystem. When both large-holder activity and network expansion move together, the structure tends to strengthen. It suggests that demand is not isolated but distributed, supporting stability at higher levels and reducing the likelihood of a short-lived move.

Humanity Protocol Price Analysis: Trendline Break Holds as Structure Shifts Higher

After multiple sessions of compression around the $0.09–$0.10 zone, downside attempts continued to stall, with selling pressure getting absorbed rather than extended lower. That phase established the base from where the move developed.

As the structure tightened, the descending trendline that capped prior rallies came back into focus. Once that barrier gave way, expansion followed quickly, carrying the move through $0.120 and into a higher range. From there, the key signal was not the breakout itself but the reaction that followed. Instead of rotating back into the prior range, the market held above $0.120 and began forming higher lows just above that level. This shift indicates that the breakout zone is being defended rather than retested as resistance.

Meanwhile, pullbacks have remained shallow, with each dip finding support sooner than the previous one. That behavior keeps the range compressed near highs and limits the ability for supply to re-enter the market. As this structure continues to hold, the breakout remains valid, with $0.120 acting as the base for the current move. A sustained hold above this level keeps the path open toward the next resistance band near $0.16–$0.18, where the market is likely to encounter the next supply.

However, a move back below the breakout zone would shift the structure back into its previous range. Until then, the current flow remains aligned toward continuation.

Long/Short Ratio Reflects Strength Without Overcrowding

Positioning data continues to support the broader structure. The long/short ratio holding near 1.39 reflects a bullish bias, but without the imbalance typically seen in overcrowded trades. At the same time, leverage remains contained, reducing the risk of sharp liquidation-driven volatility.

As positioning builds gradually rather than aggressively, the environment remains supportive of continuation, allowing the structure to develop without destabilizing pressure.

Final Take

With the breakout holding and structure stabilizing above $0.120, the current setup continues to lean higher as long as acceptance at this level persists. While upside remains open toward the $0.16–$0.18 zone, the move now depends less on expansion and more on whether the market continues to hold above its base without slipping back into the prior range. A sustained hold keeps continuation in play; a loss of structure would shift the focus back to consolidation.

The post Axie Infinity (AXS) Price Breaks Downtrend With 40% Surge: Reversal or Bull Trap? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Axie Infinity (AXS) price has surged over 34% in the past 24 hours, climbing to $1.48—but this isn’t just another random altcoin spike. The move comes after weeks of compression and a clear break from a declining structure, backed by a sharp expansion in volume. That shift matters. Because when low-liquidity tokens like AXS move this fast, it’s rarely organic—it’s driven by positioning, liquidations, and sudden liquidity inflows.

Now the market is at a pivotal point: Is this the start of a real trend reversal or just a short-lived squeeze that fades as quickly as it appeared?

What Triggered the AXS Price Rally?

The AXS price didn’t move on hype; it moved on positioning and liquidity shifts, backed by clear data. No specific catalyst seems to have fueled the rally, nor any partnership news, nor any ecosystem catalyst. The move occurred while the BTC price was slightly down, showing strong alpha independent of the broader market. Alongside, here are the key drivers of the recent move. 

• Volume expansion: Daily volume jumped to around $170M–$200M+, a sharp spike compared to previous sessions, confirming real participation behind the move.

• Short squeeze fuel: A 30%+ intraday move in a low-liquidity asset likely triggered millions in short liquidations, accelerating the rally vertically.

• Key breakout level reclaimed: Price broke above the $1.17–$1.20 resistance zone, which had capped the price for weeks, flipping the structure short-term bullish.

• Upside extension: The move pushed AXS toward $1.56 (0.5 Fibonacci level) within hours, showing aggressive momentum rather than gradual buying.

The breakout does not seem to be organic, but it was a liquidity-driven breakout amplified by leverage and thin order books.

Axie Infinity Price Breakout Signals Trend Shift, Key Levels in Focus

Axie Infinity (AXS) has broken out of a multi-week descending channel, marking a clear shift in short-term market structure. The price reclaimed the $1.17–$1.20 resistance zone, now acting as support, while pushing toward the $1.56 Fibonacci (0.5) level. This move is supported by a sharp volume spike above $170M, confirming strong participation behind the breakout. At the same time, momentum indicators are turning bullish, with RSI trending higher without entering extreme overbought territory, suggesting room for further upside. 

The $1.56–$1.63 zone now acts as immediate resistance, and a decisive breakout above this range could open the path toward $2.13 (0.786 Fibonacci level), aligning with a broader recovery structure. On the downside, failure to hold above the $1.17–$1.20 support zone would invalidate the breakout and expose AXS to a sharp pullback, especially given its low-liquidity nature. While the technical setup favors continuation, confirmation will depend on price holding above reclaimed levels alongside sustained volume and momentum.

Can Axie Infinity (AXS) Price Rally Hold the Move?

The AXS price has delivered a high-momentum breakout, but the real test is whether it can sustain itself above reclaimed levels. Moves of this magnitude, 30%+ in a single session, are often driven by short-term liquidity and liquidations, not steady accumulation. That means follow-through is critical. If volume remains elevated and price consolidates above the $1.20 support zone, it signals strength and increases the probability of continuation toward higher resistance levels.

However, if volume starts to fade while price stalls near $1.56–$1.63, it raises the risk of momentum exhaustion. In low-liquidity tokens like Axie Infinity, failed continuation setups often lead to sharp reversals, not gradual pullbacks. The key signal now is simple: sustained buying and higher lows confirm trend strength, while weakening participation turns this into a classic breakout trap driven by short-term positioning rather than long-term demand.

The post Dogecoin Price at Key Level, Will This Breakout Finally Happen? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Dogecoin (Doge) is once again catching traders’ attention after a steady price rise this week. The meme coin has climbed around 6%, but the real story is what’s happening behind the chart. Crypto analyst Ali Martinez highlights a key resistance level that is being tested again and again.

So, is DOGE finally ready to break out?

Dogecoin (DOGE) Gets a Major Regulatory Boost

Dogecoin’s recent price rise comes after a major regulatory update. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have now classified Dogecoin as a digital commodity under a new crypto framework.

This clearly separates DOGE from digital collectibles and other token types. It is now placed in the same category as Bitcoin and Ethereum, which brings long-awaited clarity to the market.

This clarity has been missing for years, and now that it’s here, it gives DOGE a stronger foundation. 

Dogecoin On-Chain Activity Picks Up

Dogecoin has started gaining momentum again as the overall crypto market santiment improves. Recently, the price moved close to $0.10, which pushed trading activity higher. 

Data from Coinglass shows that open interest jumped near $1.4 billion, reaching its highest level in over two months.

At the same time, large investors are stepping in. Data shows that whales have bought over $330 million worth of Dogecoin in the past week.

Thus, crypto analyst Ali Martinez noted a potential breakout movement for Dogecoin.

Tight Range Signals a Bigger Move

Ali Martinez highlighted a key pattern on the 4-hour chart. According to him, Dogecoin is trading inside a parallel channel, where the price is getting squeezed into a narrow range.

This type of setup often points to a big move ahead. As the price continues to tighten, pressure builds, and sooner or later, a breakout usually follows.

Right now, the most important level to watch is $0.1018. This level has acted as strong resistance, stopping the price from moving higher multiple times. In fact, DOGE has already been rejected here five times.

This shows that sellers are still active. However, repeated attempts to break the same level can weaken resistance over time.

Breakout Could Trigger Rally

There are early signs that buyers are gaining strength. If Dogecoin manages to close above $0.1018 on the 4-hour chart, supported by strong volume, it could confirm a breakout.

If that happens, the next target could be around $0.1172, which is near the top of the channel. A move to this level would signal a strong short-term rally for DOGE.

“Arsenal”ın baş məşqçisi Mikel Arteta İngiltərə Premyer Liqasında çempionluq yarışından danışıb.

Futbolpress.az xarici mətbuata istinadən xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis hələ heç nəyin dəqiqləşmədiyini bildirib:

“Qarşıda oyunlar var. Necə olacağını bilmirik. Fərqli ssenarilər üzərində işləyirik. Məncə, vəziyyətə görə başqa şeylər düşünə bilərik. Önümüzdə 5 oyun var və bütün gücümüzü qoymalıyıq”.

“Arsenal” 33 turdan sonra 70 xalla ikincidir. Eyni xala sahib “Mançester Siti” isə birinci pillədə qərarlaşıb.

“Barselona” Belçikanın “Brügge” klubunun futbolçusu Cessi Bisivu ilə maraqlanır.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə insayder Florian Plettenberq məlumat yayıb. Xəbərdə Kataloniya təmsilçisinin 18 yaşlı vingeri transfer etmək üçün danışıqlara başladığı bildirilib.

Bisivu “Brügge”nin B komandasında çıxış edir. O, bu mövsüm 15 oyunda 2 məhsuldar ötürmə edib.

“Barselona”nın hücumçusu Robert Levandovski karyerasını Türkiyədə davam etdirə bilər.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Fənərbağça” polşalı forvardın xidmətində maraqlıdır. Bu barədə AS nəşri məlumat yayıb.

Türkiyə təmsilçisi Kataloniya klubu ilə anlaşması yaya qədər olan Levandovskiyə 2 illik müqavilə təklif etməyə hazırlaşır.

37 yaşlı hücumçu bu mövsüm La Liqada 25 oyunda 12 qol vurub.

According to reports in Italy, Inter are ready to make Manuel Akanji’s move from Manchester City permanent for €15m, but have also begun preliminary talks with Udinese for Oumar Solet.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Inter are prepared to sign Swiss defender Akanji on a permanent deal from Manchester City for €15m, reports Fabrizio Romano.

Akanji joined the Nerazzurri on loan with an option to buy last summer, and Inter are now ready to make his move permanent.

According to Romano, the deal will be formalised in May.

Inter are preparing for a defensive overhaul in the 2026-27 campaign, given that three of their defenders, Francesco Acerbi, Stefan de Vrij and Matteo Darmian see their contracts expire in June.

According to Gazzetta, 38-year-old De Vrij is the only one who might be offered a new deal, while Acerbi and Darmian are expected to leave at the end of the season.

According to multiple sources, the Serie A table leaders have already reached a verbal agreement with Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic, but the Bosnia and Herzegovina international is not the only possible summer reinforcement at the back.

Gazzetta, in fact, reports that the Nerazzurri have begun preliminary talks with Udinese over 26-year-old centre-back Solet, who will be allowed to leave for an offer between €20m and €25m.

Liverpool coach Arne Slot says Italy talent Giovanni Leoni is becoming ‘a beast’ as the promising defender continues his recovery from an ACL injury.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Slot: Leoni is becoming a ‘beast’

Liverpool coach Slot provided a fitness update on Italian centre-back Leoni, who is recovering from a serious knee injury suffered at the beginning of the season.

“If you look at Giovanni Leoni, I don’t know if you once in a while see some Instagram posts from the club, this guy becomes a beast!” Slot said at a press conference, via ThisIsAnfield.

The English media outlet notes that Leoni has been building muscle in his upper body while recovering from the injury he sustained in September 2025 during his first-ever appearance with the Reds.

Leoni, 19, joined Liverpool from Parma in a deal worth nearly €30m last summer.

Leoni had played only 19 matches in Serie A with Parma, scoring one goal, before his move to Anfield in 2025.

The Italian centre-back remains under contract with Liverpool until June 2031.

The ex-Parma talent was called up once to the senior Italy national team in September 2025 but has yet to make his international debut with the Azzurri.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, both Alexander Sorloth and Leon Goretzka are willing to join Milan and have already approved a potential move in the summer transfer window.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Latest Milan transfer news: Sorloth and Goretzka approve summer moves

Milan are preparing to strengthen their team for 2026-27 when they will likely return to the Champions League.

The Rossoneri will be looking to add quality and depth to their team, and a new centre-forward is among their priorities for the summer.

According to Gazzetta, Norway international Sorloth has given the green light to a possible move to San Siro, so the Rossoneri will now negotiate with Atletico Madrid.

Club-to-club talks are expected to begin in the coming weeks, as the Colchoneros and their striker are now fully focused on their Champions League campaign after reaching the semifinals of Europe’s elite competition.

According to the report, Milan will make an opening €20m offer before the World Cup and hope to secure a deal before the competition begins next summer, to avoid a potential price increase.

The same goes for Goretzka who is also involved in the Champions League semifinals with Bayern Munich.

The German is available on a free transfer as he won’t extend his expiring contract with the Bavarians, but he is in no hurry to finalise talks.

According to Gazzetta, Milan have offered a three-year contract with an option for a further campaign.

The German midfielder has approved the transfer, but more offers may arrive in the coming weeks, and the 31-year-old will only choose his next club at the end of the season.

• Read more – Manchester United send scouts to Milan vs. Juventus for Rafael Leao

Tuttosport reports that Manchester United scouts will watch Rafael Leao on Sunday during Milan’s home game against Juventus.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Manchester United to scout Leao during Milan vs. Juventus

Premier League side Manchester United will scout Milan attacker Leao during Milan’s match against Juventus at San Siro on Sunday night.

Tuttosport confirms that the Portugal international is one of the Red Devils’ targets for next season and that preliminary talks between the Premier League side and the player’s camp have already begun.

Barcelona are also among the clubs interested in Leao and have established initial contacts with the winger’s representatives, yet talks with the Catalans or the Red Devils are not at an advanced stage.

• Read more – Why Leao can still make big Milan profit as Rashford could decide his future

Leao has had ups and downs at San Siro this season, being deployed as a centre-forward in a 3-5-2 system rather than his natural role as a left winger.

Leao has scored ten goals and provided three assists in 27 appearances across all competitions this season.

La Gazzetta dello Sport recently reported that Milan will be open to offers for Leao in the summer, even suggesting that €50m would be enough to secure the winger’s signature at the end of the season.

Arsenal are keeping an eye on Endrick’s situation as there’s the growing sense that the Real Madrid forward could be available this summer.

The Gunners are big admirers of the talented young Brazil international, and sources with links to the agents industry have informed me that he’s one of the names they’re looking at as they explore the market for attacking players this summer.

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

In general, there’s also a lot of interest growing in Real Madrid players who could be available this summer, with a major shake-up expected after a disappointing season at the Bernabeu.

Eduardo Camavinga has been offered to Arsenal and other clubs, while the north London giants have also established contact with those close to Arda Guler.

Endrick on Arsenal’s radar

At that time, a straightforward loan to Lyon suited all parties well, but the situation is set to be reviewed again this summer as Real may need to make sales to help them bring in the signings they want, while an anticipated change of manager could also lead some of this squad to be open to moves elsewhere.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

“Arsenal are keeping an eye on Endrick’s situation,” one source said to me. “It’s nothing advanced, they’re not making any offers or entering into any negotiations, but he’s a player they like and one of the options they’ll consider when it comes to signing a new striker this summer.”

More Stories / Latest News

Video: Paul Pogba names the Man United star he thinks is “so talented”

Apr 25 2026, 13:06

Sources: Arsenal “like” Real Madrid star facing transfer uncertainty

Apr 25 2026, 11:20

Offer made: PSG growing in confidence in bid to sign €100m Arsenal star

Apr 25 2026, 10:46

Numerous sources confirmed to me that signings in attack are a priority for Arsenal after their issues in that department this season, and Gabriel Jesus in particular is someone expected to leave the Emirates Stadium. There are question-marks too over both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.

Endrick can play up front or out wide and looks like a good fit for Mikel Arteta’s side, while he’s also young enough that he can still improve after a tricky start to life in Madrid.

The 19-year-old has shone during his loan spell at Lyon, and sources close to the player suggest that returning to Real is still his priority.

The Spanish giants will not definitely be selling, but there’s just the beginning signs here that this is going to be one to watch in the weeks and months ahead, with more clarity likely at the end of the season.

Will Man United go back in for Endrick?

The post Sources: Arsenal “like” Real Madrid star facing transfer uncertainty appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly growing optimistic about their chances of signing Arsenal central defender William Saliba.

The France international only signed a new contract until 2030 earlier this season, as reported by BBC Sport at the time, but it seems PSG believe they can sign him from the Gunners.

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

That’s according to a report from Fichajes, which states that the Ligue 1 giants have made a €100m bid for Saliba, while it’s also suggested that the player would welcome a return to France.

Saliba has also been linked with Real Madrid by Foot Mercato in recent times, but given that he only recently signed a new contract, it’s hard to see him leaving the Emirates Stadium any time soon.

William Saliba would be a great signing for PSG

It’s easy to see why a club like PSG would want Saliba, with Fichajes claiming that manager Luis Enrique views him as an ideal partner for Willian Pacho.

Still, AFC are in control here, and it’s hard to imagine a scenario where they’d agree to sell such an important player at this moment in time.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

The 25-year-old is one of the best central defenders in the world and should still have a big future at Arsenal.

More Stories / Latest News

Video: Paul Pogba names the Man United star he thinks is “so talented”

Apr 25 2026, 13:06

Sources: Arsenal “like” Real Madrid star facing transfer uncertainty

Apr 25 2026, 11:20

Offer made: PSG growing in confidence in bid to sign €100m Arsenal star

Apr 25 2026, 10:46

It could be that Saliba might soon consider his future if Arsenal don’t win anything this season, so perhaps that’s what’s led to PSG exploring this option.

Even then, Saliba would have to really do his bit to force a move or there’s surely no chance of Arsenal agreeing to let him go.

The post Offer made: PSG growing in confidence in bid to sign €100m Arsenal star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United reportedly look to have been handed a boost in their rumoured transfer pursuit of Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies.

Davies has recently been linked with Man Utd by Christian Falk in his CF Bayern Insider column, and it seems the Canada international is going to be available on the cheap this summer.

That’s according to a report from Fichajes, which states that Bayern are asking for €60m to let Davies go this summer, while they also mention interest from the Premier League.

There’s no specific club named in their report, but it could make sense for the Red Devils to sign the 25-year-old as an upgrade on the ageing and injury-prone Luke Shaw.

What Christian Falk said about Man United’s interest in Alphonso Davies

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

“It is TRUE: Manchester United are interested in Alphonso Davies,” Falk wrote in a recent column.

“They were at the table when questions were being asked as to whether he would sign a new contract at Bayern Munich. They’re still monitoring this player, but he’s, of course, since signed a new contract at the Allianz Arena, so it will be difficult to get him at the moment.

“But there are also discussions going on at the club as to whether they need a new backup player, given all the injuries Davies keeps picking up. Before, they thought they didn’t need a player on the left-hand side because Hiroki Itō can play there as well.

“However, if there were an offer on the table (and don’t forget it cost Bayern a lot of money to extend Davies), there would be a discussion. But I can say right now that there has yet to be a concrete offer from Manchester United. If there’s an offer, perhaps Bayern will consider it, as the injuries keep coming.”

Is Alphonso Davies worth the risk for Man Utd?

Davies no longer looks to be at the peak of his powers, so it’s debatable if he’d really be the right choice for MUFC this summer.

See below for our verdict using our Transfer Fit rating system – and click here to read more about how we calculate these…

Overall, United could probably do better, even if it’s understandable that Davies would be on their radar and one of the more tempting options due to his availability.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

The post Fee set: Manchester United transfer target available for €60m appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Former Gunner Hector Bellerin scored a big late goal for Real Betis against Real Madrid, all but ending the away side’s La Liga title chances.

Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Former Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin hasn’t always been a starter for Real Betis this season, making the lineup in 18 of their 50 games in all competitions so far.

But the defender seems to be trusted in the big games, and he was handed a start against Real Madrid on Friday night.

The visitors from Madrid were desperate for a win to stay alive in the title race, having already lost a lot of ground on La Liga leaders Barcelona, and they took an early lead as Vinicius Junior pounced on a rebound for 1-0.

Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Yet Betis hung on and competed, outshooting their opponents 19 to 12 across the length of the match.

In the end, that pressure paid dividends, as Bellerin latched onto a loose ball in the 94th minute and placed a first-time finish into the net for 1-1.

The result leaves Real eight points adrift having played a game more than Barcelona, and their title chances appear to be at an end. Even a win in May’s El Clásico likely won’t be enough to get them back into contention.

Bellerin recently spoke to the media of his hopes for the remainder of the Premier League season, including an Arsenal title in May.

“I really hope so, it’s been a long time coming,” Bellerin said. “I think they’re doing a great job. I watch them a lot, lots of old teammates and I’m still a Gunner as well, deep inside.”

The interviewer then revealed he was a Spurs fan, and that he hopes the team don’t get relegated.

Bellerin responded with a smile: “Well, I can’t say the same.”

Carolina Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan seems to be getting pretty good at this whole drafting thing, isn't he?

The former linebacker began the 2026 selection process by allowing Georgia's Monroe Freeling, perhaps the best true left tackle of this class, to fall into his lap with the 19th overall pick. Morgan then attacked Day 2 by trading up for All-American defensive tackle Lee Hunter in the second round and scooping up the speedy wideout Chris Brazzell II in the third.

So, how will Morgan and company close this one out on Saturday afternoon?

Here is our Day 3 mock draft for the Panthers . . .

Fourth round (No. 119): Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina

The Panthers finally address the safety/nickel position by shopping at their favorite local spot—the University of South Carolina.

At 6-foot-1 and 210-pounds, Kilgore is a lengthy defensive back with plenty of potential. While there's certainly room to grow for the 21-year-old, he's already put his ball skills on record—with eight interceptions and 21 passes defensed over 36 games in college.

Fifth round (No. 158, via MIN): Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU

Carolina also finally gets in the mix for an inside linebacker, giving 2024 third-round pick Trevin Wallace some potential competition.

Elarms-Orr, who the front office is reportedly high on, has the production and the athleticism that Morgan looks for. He recorded 130 tackles and 4.0 sacks in 2025, then posted a Relative Athletic Score of 9.92.

Sixth round (No. 196, via MIN): Jager Burton, C, Kentucky

Like former starting center Cade Mays, Burton offers a bit of versatility throughout the interior of the offensive trench.

Sixth round (No. 200): Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

Koziol—6-foot-6, 247 pounds—put up some relatively stellar numbers to finish out his collegiate career. He recorded 168 catches for 1,566 yards and 14 touchdowns between 2024 and 2025.

Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.

This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers Day 3 mock draft: Predictions for 2026's final rounds

The Dallas Cowboys have done a great job of filling in holes on their defense over the first two days of the draft. The team resolved their issues at nickel defender, drafting uber-intelligent, do-everything safety Caleb Downs. They then addressed their pass rush by selecting Malachi Lawrence, who has an array of pro-ready moves.

On Day 2, Dallas made two swipes at fixing their hideous linebacker depth, grabbing veteran Dee Winters in a trade. Winters started 17 games last year and is still on his rookie contract. The team then selected Jaishawn Barham of Michigan with plans to play him similar to Zack Baun in Philly, mostly at off-ball LB but adept at blitzing and able to shift to the edge.

But what about the offense? In our final mock draft for the 2026 season, here's a look at what we'd love to see on Day 3.

4.112: CB Malik Muhammad, Texas

While the Cowboys added boundary corners Cobie Durant and Derrion Kendrick in free agency, they still need some young contenders for the rotation. Muhammad meets new DC Christian Parker's athletic mold, standing at 6-foot even. Parker's secondary players tend to be this height and under.

4.114: RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska

Emmett Johnson Scouting Report | Player Comparison: James Cook III

Johnson is an instinctive runner who knows how to set up blocks. He has great pass-catching potential out of the backfield, but needs to improve his pass pro before getting the bell cow label. That may take a couple seasons, good thing Dallas has Williams.

4.137: TE Michael Trigg, Baylor

7.218: QB Taylen Green, Arkansas

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys grab UT corner, Arkansas QB in Day 3 mock draft

Out with the old, and in with the new, the Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly open to trading their veteran quarterback following a surprising decision in the 2026 NFL Draft.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Steelers are "open to dealing Mason Rudolph at some point this offseason", following their third-round selection of Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.

From The NFL Draft: The #Steelers select QB Drew Allar in the third round, adding intrigue to their room. pic.twitter.com/HXUIjARAKr

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2026

Appearing in 26 games for the Steelers and eight games for the Tennessee Titans, Rudolph has thrown for 4,925 yards and 30 touchdowns from 2019 to 2025.

Allar, who was selected by the Steelers with the No. 76 overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, will likely open the season as QB3, behind Will Howard and potentially Aaron Rodgers, respectively.

If the Steelers ultimately find a trade partner for Rudolph, an estimated asking price could be around a sixth- to seventh-round draft pick, considering his ceiling as a backup quarterback.

For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers open to Mason Rudolph trade following Drew Allar pick

Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft might not have carried the same weight as the first round, but the stakes were still significant throughout the order.

Eight teams finally made their first selections after sitting out Day 1, while other franchises carried on filling out their classes. With a number of big names coming off the board, some organizations seized on opportunities to address key deficiencies and build for the future. Others, however, raised questions about the path they're taking in the roster-building process.

Here are the biggest winners and losers of Rounds 2 and 3 in the 2026 NFL Draft:

Winners of NFL draft Day 2

Cleveland Browns

The immediate and impressive returns on last year's draft class were perhaps the only non-Myles Garrett silver lining for the Browns last fall. With Todd Monken taking over as coach and uncertainty lingering at quarterback, Cleveland needed to continue refurbishing its roster with another infusion of the young talent it long lacked.

And Andrew Berry appears to have delivered once again.

After landing Spencer Fano and KC Concepcion in the first round, Cleveland struck it big on Day 2 with wide receiver Denzel Boston and safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, either of whom would have been entirely reasonable choices at the No. 24 overall pick the night before. Boston can open up back-shoulder throws and more deep heaves for the offense, while McNeil-Warren can help match up against tight ends and lock down the middle. Third-round offensive tackle Austin Barber offers some upside as a developmental option up front.

The Terrell family

Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell was sure to be ecstatic no matter where little brother Avieon landed. But when the Falcons made their secondary a sibling affair by scooping up the fellow Clemson product and cornerback, it sparked one of the cooler moments of the entire event.

It's a family affair for the Terrell brothers in ATL ❤️

The Falcons select Avieon Terrell at No. 48 overall where he'll join his brother, A.J.‼️ pic.twitter.com/xKglzWzCXR

— ESPN (@espn) April 25, 2026

This isn't just a feel-good story for a family that can now watch the brothers compete alongside one another. Avieon is a highly capable cover man who can hold down either the outside spot opposite A.J. or work from the slot, though his skill set seems better suited for the latter. Not a bad way for Matt Ryan to begin his reign.

Kayden McDonald

The Ohio State defensive tackle was understandably emotional after his extended green-room wait finally came to an end. Once thought to be a leading candidate to be the first player at his position taken, he heard two other interior linemen have their names called on Day 1 while he was left in limbo.

In the end, however, McDonald ended up in a highly favorable situation.

After all, what better spot is there for a defensive tackle between Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter? The Houston Texans leapfrogged the New York Giants to secure McDonald, and he figures to serve a vital role along DeMeco Ryans' front. With a rapid acclimation period, he can put his draft wait behind him in short order.

Tight ends

As teams skew toward higher run rates, getting multiple tight ends on the field has become en vogue. That dynamic looks set to continue in 2026, as eight players at the position were taken on Day 2.

Perhaps even stranger than the sum of tight ends taken was how many teams that already appeared set there jumped into the fray. The Los Angeles Rams added Max Klare to a group that already includes Colby Parkinson and 2025 second-rounder Terrance Ferguson, among others, and the Chicago Bears brought on third-rounder Sam Roush behind Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. It speaks volumes that two of the league's biggest trendsetters in Sean McVay and Ben Johnson are having their rosters built his way.

More: NFL draft trend: What tight end craze has to do with offensive innovation and Sean McVay

Veteran running backs

It was long clear that this draft class was short on potential starting ball carriers. Day 2, however, drove home how few established backs were in jeopardy of having their roles reduced. After former Notre Dame teammates Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price became NFC West rivals in Round 1, Kaelon Black (No. 90 overall, San Francisco 49ers) was the only player at the position selected in either Round 2 or 3.

Black won't do more than spell Christian McCaffrey on inside runs. And his selection might speak more to Kyle Shanahan's pattern of investing in mid-round running backs than his leaguewide value. Meanwhile, Arkansas' Mike Washington Jr., Nebraska's Emmett Johnson and Washington's Jonah Coleman continue to wait despite having the makeup of potential starters.

Losers of NFL draft Day 2

Jermod McCoy

When the 2024 All-American slid out of Round 1, many assumed he was headed for a trajectory similar to that of Will Johnson, the former Michigan cornerback who lasted to the second round in 2025 amid injury concerns. McCoy's tumble, however, is far more precipitous - and it's still yet to meet a resolution.

The Tennessee cornerback heads into Day 3 as the clear top player available. Yet talent isn't the X-factor here. NFL Network reported on April 20 that a bone plug used to repair cartilage in his knee has clouded McCoy's stock after his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered last January.

At some point, a team should be drawn in by the potential payoff. But this is a rather harsh reality for McCoy to face after he spent much of the pre-draft process being seen in a comparable category to Mansoor Delane, who went No. 6 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan made it clear in the run-up to the draft that he wanted what lots of people envision from an AFC North quarterback: a statuesque figure with a strong arm. He found one in Allar, the former Penn State quarterback whom the general manager nabbed in the third round.

Therein lies the problem with Allar, however. He resembles an ideal at quarterback but doesn't come close to actually embodying one.

The former five-star recruit has long tantalized with his 6-5, 228-pound build and capacity for threatening defenses vertically in the passing game. But a final season in which many expected Allar to make a long-awaited leap in his development laid bare all his shortcomings. Before suffering a season-ending ankle injury, he was repeatedly undone by sloppy footwork, erratic ball placement and a hesitant approach that consistently leaves him out of rhythm.

With their focus on physical traits, the Steelers might be adopting an "I can fix him" mentality here. Allar, however, can't be trusted to step in for Aaron Rodgers anytime soon, regardless of whether the four-time NFL MVP re-signs with the team. And while it's understandable that the Steelers would want to bring along a passer behind Rodgers, they very well might be looking to do so with another passer in the near future.

Arizona Cardinals

After making themselves the subject of widespread ridicule with their selection of running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 overall, the Cardinals looked due for a reprieve on Day 2. It seemed as though they were headed for one with their second-round pick of offensive guard Chase Bisontis, who upgrades a rickety front.

Then, the Cardinals again engineered one of this year's strangest moves in grabbing quarterback Carson Beck.

Hitting on a mid-round signal-caller would surely expedite what looks to be an extensive build for general manager Monti Ossenfort and first-year coach Mike LaFleur. But this isn't really a sound investment strategy so much as an attempt to cash in on a lottery ticket.

And Beck isn't a prospect who looks to have a particularly high payoff even if everything goes right for him. At his best, he can be a competent distributor from the pocket. But he can come undone in the face of pressure, and he doesn't have the toolkit to buy second chances. That's not so much the profile of a potential legitimate starter, but rather a trustworthy backup capable of filling in.

Beck might be a worthwhile project for some franchises to take on. Arizona, however, can't fritter away early third-round picks.

Tyler Dragon: New QB1 in AZ? Why Cardinals should give Carson Beck chance to start | Opinion

Garrett Nussmeier

The LSU gunslinger once looked to be on relatively equal footing with Beck and Allar in the second tier of quarterbacks in this class, with many even placing him above his two peers. But the 6-2, 203-pound passer took a backseat to more prototypical players at his position.

This isn't merely all about size. Nussmeier's devil-may-care approach might have been a deterrent for some teams, who also might have had a sour taste in their mouth from a disappointing final season marred by injuries. Now as a Day 3 prospect, however, he won't amount to much more than a dart throw for whatever team takes him on. That doesn't render him irrelevant, as Shedeur Sanders' rise from fifth-round pick to rookie starter reinforced. But his climb will be a steep one.

James Gladstone

In his inaugural draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars general manager made a bold statement by trading up for Travis Hunter Jr. at No. 2 overall. With diminished capital this time around, Gladstone got this year's class off to a pretty puzzling start.

The second-round selection of tight end Nate Boerkircher set the tone for the night. The Texas A&M product was taken ahead of several more high-upside alternatives at tight end. While Jacksonville might not have been on the hunt for a receiving threat at the position with Brenton Strange in the fold, there was better value available at this spot than a player who might top out as a good blocker. He then doubled-down on his reaches by closing out the evening with Jalen Huskey, a defensive back with some substantial coverage limitations. The Jaguars have a promising core, but this felt like a missed opportunity to supplement that group.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL draft winners and losers: Steelers whiff on Drew Allar pick

The New York Giants followed up an explosive first night of the 2026 NFL draft with an equally explosive second night, snagging Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood in the second round before trading up into the third round for Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields.

While the additions have been impressive, the Round 3 trade and multiple previous trades (dating back to last year) have left the Giants somewhat depleted. They enter the final day of the draft with a trio of sixth-round picks and nothing more.

Still, there is value to be had when the Giants find themselves on the clock. They will make three picks over an eight-selection span, giving them a chance to land a surprise gem.

Here is a look at 10 prospects the Giants could potentially target on Day 3.

Cameron Ball, DT, Arkansas

The Giants have yet to address the interior of their defensive line, and precious few picks remain. By the time they come up in Round 6, the pickings will be slim, but it's possible Cameron Ball remains as the best available.

Scouting report from Dane Brugler:

A two-and-a-half-year starter at Arkansas, Ball lined up primarily over the A-gap in former defensive coordinator Travis Williams’ 4-2-5 base scheme. Recruited out of high school mostly as an offensive lineman, the Razorbacks gave him a chance to play defense, and he developed into a solid role player. His senior year was better on tape than in the stat sheet, as he finished with only 27 tackles and zero sacks while averaging 53 defensive snaps per game.

Ball has above-average size and length with functional athleticism. As a run defender, he is balanced at the point with steady hat/hand use. He generates most of his power from his hips and upper half, although he needs to get stronger in his lower half to combat double teams. Though he flashes pass-rush ability, he tends to rush aimlessly and high and can get pushed/pulled off his path.

Bryson Eason, DT, Tennessee

Again, the pickings might be slim at this point. While a bit on the older side (24), Bryson Eason is another large man in the middle who could fit into a rotation designed to replace Dexter Lawrence.

Scouting report from Dane Brugler:

A two-and-a-half-year starter at Tennessee, Eason shuffled between 2i-, three- and 4i-technique in defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ four-down front. He made the transition from inside linebacker to defensive line in 2022 and was a solid rotational player for the Vols defense, despite lackluster production (his defensive snap count jumped from 27.8 per game in 2024 to 39.3 in 2025).

Eason moved into the trenches without sacrificing his athletic twitch. He is at his best in the run game when he utilizes his length to establish an anchor and strain through engagement. However, he tends to be too reactive, which can put him in trail mode. He has pass-rush potential with his get-off and heavy hands, but he relies more on effort than a tactical rush plan.

Michael Taaffe, S, Texas

Similar to defensive tackle, the Giants have yet to address the safety position. Michael Taaffee is a bit undersized for the position, but his value would come on special teams -- the wheelhouse for late-round picks and a John Harbaugh preference.

Scouting report from Dane Brugler:

A three-year starter at Texas, Taaffe was a versatile safety in former defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s 4-2-5 base scheme. A former walk-on, he made himself into an indispensable part of the Longhorns’ secondary, both on and off the field. He was a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy (nation’s top walk-on) and earned All-SEC honors as a senior.

Taaffe is an easy player to appreciate because of his feel for the game and toughness — even if his size, strength and athletic traits fall below what most teams desire at the position. He is at his best working from the post, as opposed to near the line of scrimmage (where his lack of size is more noticeable). His anticipation helps him make plays, although a misstep can be a death sentence.

Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Oklahoma

Perhaps the Giants want to add a little speed in centerfield. Robert Spears-Jennings ran the fastest 40-yard dash for safeties at the 2026 NFL Combine.

Scouting report from Dane Brugler:

A two-year starter at Oklahoma, Spears-Jennings lined up as the free safety in head coach Brent Venables’ scheme. After originally committing to Lincoln Riley, he stayed with the Sooners once he found out Venables would be bringing his defense to Norman. He started to see meaningful defensive snaps as a freshman and grew into a valuable starter.

Spears-Jennings might not play quite as fast as his stopwatch speed (fastest 40-yard dash among safeties at the NFL combine), but he gets from A to B in a hurry and throws his body into contact. Though he’s fearless attacking the line of scrimmage, he needs to be consistent reading his keys and keeping his leverage. He has experience patrolling deep from Cover 2, but he struggles making plays on the ball — his game translates best working top down or near the box.

Jeremiah Wright, G, Auburn

The Giants currently have an abundance of guards and already intend to play Francis Mauigoa at right guard. Still, perhaps they'd prefer a youth movement over Joshua Ezeudu and Evan Neal, the latter of whom has $0 guaranteed in his contract. Auburn's Jeremiah Wright could be that guy.

Scouting report from Dane Brugler:

A two-year starter at Auburn, Wright was a fixture at right guard in former head coach Hugh Freeze’s balanced (gap and zone) scheme. A sixth-year prospect, he bounced between the offensive and defensive lines his first few seasons on The Plains before becoming a full-time starter over his junior and senior seasons.

Wright is big, strong and wants to move people off the ball on combos and base blocks. He looks to overpower anything in his way, which is understandable for a former defensive lineman, but he’s still learning to introduce more skill into his play. He works hard to stay square in pass pro but has shaky moments responding to savvy rushers.

Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina

The Giants may have drafted Colton Hood in Round 2, but it's not exactly as if they have an overabundance of cornerback talent. There's no way Jermod McCoy slides all the way to Round 6, so Thaddeus Dixon, who learned under Bill Belichick in 2025, could fit the bill.

Scouting report from Dane Brugler:

A one-year starter at North Carolina, Dixon followed the opponent’s No. 1 receiver in defensive coordinator Steve Belichick’s scheme, aligning both inside and outside (Bill Belichick: “He could probably play any position in the secondary.”). With few options out of high school, he earned his way from the juco level to Washington, and then to the Tar Heels, although his final season was marred by injury.

Dixon is a high-energy cover man and carries himself with maturity, both on and off the field. He doesn’t usually jam at the line but trails routes and disrupts catch points. He is more likely to face guard than find the football, which hinders his interception opportunities. He also relies more on physicality than pure speed to recover, which can be an asset versus the run but will get him in trouble when facing NFL athletes.

J'Mari Taylor, RB, Virginia

The Giants haven't been shy about poking around the running back market, but they've yet to land one. Round 6 presents a solid opportunity to find a diamond in the rough. J'Mari Taylor, who had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2024-2025, is a guy who can do a little bit of everything.

Scouting report from Dane Brugler:

A one-year starter at Virginia (and two-year starter overall), Taylor was a productive runner in offensive coordinator Des Kitchings’ zone-based run scheme. A former walk-on in the FCS, he is accustomed to betting on himself. He topped 1,000 yards rushing as a first-year starter in 2024 at NC Central, then transferred up to Virginia for his final season. After scoring 17 touchdowns in 2024, he accounted for an ACC-best 16 touchdowns last season.

Taylor is a patient, quick-reading zone runner who can find creases and gets what is blocked for him (plus a little extra). He can be a bowling ball when needed to burrow in short yardage or bounce off contact in the lane, although I wouldn’t classify him as a creative runner. His blocking and pass catching show promise but aren’t selling points for his game just yet.

Le'Veon Moss, RB, Texas A&M

If the running back pool is thinner than expected, the Giants could take the chance on Le'Veon Moss. He's a practice squad candidate who could be developed into a carry-eater over time.

Scouting report from Dane Brugler:

A starter for two-and-a-half years at Texas A&M, Moss shared backfield duties in former offensive coordinator Colin Klein’s zone-based run scheme. He was productive as a starter for the Aggies, averaging 5.9 yards per carry over his junior and senior seasons and scoring a touchdown every 12.4 rush attempts. However, he missed significant time because of injuries (third on the team in rushing in 2025) and collected just 345 combined offensive touches over four years in College Station.

Moss is a good-looking back with the run strength to work downhill, but he also has the feet to press holes and make sharp cuts against pursuit. He doesn’t appear to have the same open-field burst and long speed as he once did and will lean more toward being a grinder than a playmaker on the NFL spectrum. His inconsistencies as a pass blocker and receiver will need to improve.

Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

At the very least, the Giants will need a quarterback for their upcoming rookie minicamp. While one could easily be found in the undrafted free agent pool, perhaps head coach John Harbaugh & Co. would prefer someone they feel could be developed and later traded. Cade Klubnik anyone?

Scouting report from Dane Brugler:

A three-year starter at Clemson, Klubnik was efficient in former offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s balanced, RPO-based scheme (primarily “11” personnel). The top-ranked quarterback recruit four years ago, he started 40 games for the Tigers and finished No. 3 in school history in career passing yards, behind only Tajh Boyd and Deshaun Watson. However, he was inconsistent as a senior and struggled to build off a productive junior year.

Klubnik delivers with above-average touch to all levels of the field and shows enough arm strength to drive the ball down the seam or outside the numbers, when his mechanics are sound. He is light on his feet and comfortable moving the pocket, although he has moments of panic under duress, which lead to bad habits and rushed decisions.

Eli Heidenreich, Weapon, Navy

There is no player more versatile in this draft than Eli Heidenreich, who does a little bit of everything and could be the Giants' fullback of the future. Should he remain when Big Blue is on the clock, they should run their card to the podium as quickly as possible.

Scouting report from Dane Brugler:

A starter for two-and-a-half years at Navy, Heidenreich played the “Snipe Z” position in the Midshipmen’s modern triple-option offense, which includes aggressive pass concepts (play action, verticals, etc.). He split his 2025 snaps between the backfield (44.4 percent), wide (35.4), slot (14.7) and inline (5.5), and he accounted for a sky-high 45.7 percent target share. He set Navy records for career receiving yards (1,994), single-season receiving yards (941) and single-game receiving yards (243). Heidenreich and Tavon Austin are the only FBS players since 1956 with 925-plus receiving yards and 475-plus rushing yards in the same season.

Heidenreich is a versatile all-purpose athlete with acceleration and body control as both a route runner and ball carrier. More quick than explosive, he has mismatch-creating potential out of the slot and catches everything thrown his way, regardless of placement or positioning. He is unproven in pass protection, although there are no questions about his competitive toughness.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: 2026 NFL draft: 10 potential Day 3 targets for New York Giants

• Use 'watch & listen' tab for live coverage
• Fulham v Aston Villa at 12:30 BST
• Wolves v Spurs, West Ham v Everton & Liverpool v Palace at 15:00
• Arsenal host Newcastle at 17:30

Premier League: Villa go to Fulham before huge games for Spurs & West Ham

Excitement is building for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, horse racing’s most prestigious Triple Crown opener.

The 152nd edition of the iconic race is set for May 2 at the legendary Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, where tradition, pageantry, and world-class competition converge for the annual "Run for the Roses."

Hailed as "the most exciting two minutes in sports," the Kentucky Derby challenges 3-year-old Thoroughbreds to deliver peak speed, stamina, and composure over 1 ¼ grueling miles on Churchill Downs’ storied dirt track.

Among this year’s top contenders, Renegade leads the pack after a commanding victory at the Arkansas Derby. Commandment, sitting atop the points leaderboard thanks to a decisive Florida Derby win, enters as a horse to watch due to his consistency. Further Ado, boasting three qualification wins and a reputation for dominance, completes a trio vying for the coveted garland of roses.

The final lineup of elite contenders will be revealed at the post position draw on Saturday, April 25, and here's how to watch.

More: 2026 Kentucky Derby projected field: Top 20 horses, those outside bubble

When is 2026 Kentucky Derby post position draw?

The post position draw for the 2026 Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, April 25, at 2:15 p.m. ET. This event will establish the starting gate assignments for the 152nd Run for the Roses.

How to watch 2026 Kentucky Derby post position draw

The 2026 Kentucky Derby post position draw will be broadcast live on FanDuel TV and streamed on KentuckyDerby.com. Local viewers in Louisville can see it on WAVE-3.

When is 2026 Kentucky Derby?

The 152nd Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs is set for Saturday, May 2, 2026. Fans can watch the Kentucky Derby on NBC and USA Network, with streaming options on Peacock.

• Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
• Time: 2:30 p.m. ET - 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC, USA Network
• Stream: Peacock
• Location: Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)

2026 Kentucky Derby contenders and early odds

Odds via CBS Sports.

• Renegade | early odds: 9-2
• Commandment | early odds: 5-1
• Further Ado | early odds: 6-1
• The Puma | early odds: 10-1
• Chief Wallabee | early odds: 10-1
• Danon Bourbon | early odds: 15-1
• Emerging Market | early odds: 15-1
• Fulleffort | early odds: 15-1
• So Happy | early odds: 15-1
• Potente | early odds: 20-1
• River Thames | early odds: 20-1
• Silent Tactic | early odds: 20-1
• Incredibolt | early odds: 30-1
• Albus | early odds: 30-1
• Chip Honcho | early odds: 30-1
• Golden Tempo | early odds: 30-1
• Iron Honor | early odds: 30-1
• Wonder Dean | early odds: 30-1
• Pavlovian | early odds: 30-1
• Right to Party | early odds: 30-1
• Six Speed | early odds: 30-1

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here’s when the 2026 Kentucky Derby draw happens, and how to watch

Thousands of children across London have been sharing in the running excitement, with the TCS Mini London Marathon.

Open to children from Reception age to Year 12, the annual event on Saturday welcomed 20,000 runners and formed part of the London Marathon weekend.

The event, which started at Horse Guards Parade and finished on The Mall, included either a mile or 1.6-mile distance which children could jog, walk or wheel.

Alicia from south London told BBC London she was "very excited" to run the Mini Marathon, and had been training for the race in her local parks.

"I'm feeling a bit nervous at the same time, because it's my first time doing it," she added.

"I've got quite a few friends who are running it with me."

Friends Eddie and Harry, from Enfield, said they would try to run the race together.

Harry added: "I'm feeling good, I think I'll get a good time.

"We both love running in school."

Another runner, Cameron, said he loved trying to beat his own records when competing.

There were 600 London schools taking part in the race.

Suzie, from Surrey, said she was excited to take part: "I love running and getting outside so I am really happy."

Leslie, Suzie's headteacher, said she felt "so lucky" her pupils could take part in the children's marathon.

"This is our second year of competing, and the children are so excited - there is such a buzz around the school community.

"Children's physical wellbeing is so important."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk

The NFL recently announced that the 2026 NFL Draft will feature community guests who will announce selections. The Kansas City Chiefs will be represented by Elias, a 19-year-old from Pennsylvania, and a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital patient.

This year in Pittsburgh, inspirational fans, community leaders, and special guests will participate in the 2026 NFL Draft by announcing select picks live on stage.

Elias is scheduled to announce the Chiefs' 148th overall pick in the fifth round on day 3 of the draft. According to the NFL press release, Elias is a patient who has spent more than six years undergoing treatment for a rare brain tumor. After multiple surgeries and intensive care, Elias continues to pursue his dream of becoming a professional barber while inspiring others with his resilience and outlook. A devoted Pittsburgh Steelers fan, he represents the strength and spirit of young people navigating serious illness, supported by compassionate care and the community around them.

Through its partnership with the NFL, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital helps create meaningful moments for patients like Elias, connecting them to the game they love. Initiatives like NFL PLAY 60 also help raise awareness and support for the St. Jude mission, bringing communities together around children faced with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Pittsburgh native to announce the Chiefs' Day 3 NFL Draft pick

Today in Boston Celtics history, Hall of Fame Celtics forward John Havlicek passed away in 2019 at the age of 74 in Jupiter, Florida, following a prolonged battle with Parkinson's disease. Affectionately known as "Hondo," he was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in 1940 and played his collegiate basketball at nearby Ohio State, where he helped his team win the NCAA championship in 1960.

He was picked up seventh overall in the 1962 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics and had a 16-season career with the team, during which he won a total of eight NBA championships. Havlicek was also honored with 13 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA team selections, and 8 All-Defensive team selections, among numerous other accolades.

Havlicek's jersey was retired by Boston immediately after his playing career ended in 1978, and he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.

Transactions

It was on this date in 1950 that Celtics wing luminary Chuck Cooper became the first African American drafted into the NBA, taken out of Duquesne by Boston with the 14th overall pick. Cooper joined Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton and Earl Lloyd as the first African Americans to play in the league that season, making his debut on Nov. 1 against the (then) Fort Wayne (now, Detroit) Pistons. Cooper played four seasons for the Celtics, averaging 6.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game over that stretch. He was elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2019.

On the same day, Boston selected Ed Macauley in the St. Louis Bombers dispersal draft, done to distribute the players from that franchise among the other NBA teams in the league after that franchise went under. Macauley played six seasons with the Celtics and was elected to six All-Star games and four All-NBA teams over that stretch, during which he averaged 18.9 points, 8.1 boards, and 3.7 assists. "Easy Ed" was later dealt with Cliff Hagan's contract to the St. Louis Hawks for Boston big man luminary Bill Russell.

It is also the date of the 1951 NBA draft, held in New York City, in which the Celtics drafted two players of note. The first was point guard Jim Luisi, taken 56th out of St. Francis college. Luisi never played for Boston, instead fighting in the Korean War before returning to play a season for the Baltimore Bullets. He later became an actor. The other was shooting guard Ernie Barrett, selected by the Celtics seventh overall out of Kansas State. Barrett played two seasons for Boston, averaging 4.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in his Celtics tenure.

Historic milestones

It is also the anniversary of the 1965 NBA Championship won by Boston over the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics ended the best-of-seven series in Game 5 with a 129-96 blowout. The loss came despite guard Jerry West's 33 points. Boston legend Russell pulled down 30 rebounds to go with his 22 points.

Finally, it is the anniversary of the famous fight between Tree Rollins of the Atlanta Hawks and current team president and then-Celtics shooting guard Danny Ainge. Rollins and Ainge were involved in a benches-clearing fight during the 1983 Eastern Conference playoffs' first round. During the fight, Rollins was caught chomping on Ainge's finger. Both were fined for the altercation, leading to one of the greatest headlines in sports history, "Tree Bites Man."

Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:

Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp

iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47

YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Havlicek passes; Cooper, Macauley drafted; '65 banner won

As the NBA enters its postseason crescendo, its carefully cultivated image as one of the most progressive leagues in sports is once again in the spotlight due to its partnership with Rwanda, which has long been accused of human rights abuses and war crimes.

In March 2026, the Trump administration announced sanctions targeting Rwanda’s military and four senior officials for its role in abuses and military aggression in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Shortly after the announcement, one of the top teams competing in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) – a premier continental league co-founded by NBA Africa – suddenly withdrew from the competition. As it turned out, that team had deep ties to Rwanda’s sanctioned military.

“APR will no longer participate in the 2026 BAL season,” read a statement published by the BAL on 13 March.

Armée Patriotique Rwandaise Basketball Club, commonly known as APR, is a prominent Rwandan basketball club based in Kigali that dates back to the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s. The team is owned and funded by the Rwanda Defence Force – a fact that is proudly stated on the team’s BAL profile page. In January 2026, the RDF even hosted a luncheon for APR players and staff to celebrate their victory in the local Super Cup.

Under US treasury sanctions, any assets held by the RDF within American jurisdiction are frozen, and US entities are prohibited from engaging in transactions with the military or individuals connected to it. Because the BAL operates under the NBA – a US-based organization – permitting a team directly tied to a sanctioned military body to compete could expose the league to serious sanctions compliance risks. While the sanctions are limited to the RDF and do not extend to other sectors of the Rwandan government, it brought renewed attention to the NBA and its friendly ties with Rwanda’s infamous president, Paul Kagame.

Serving as the de facto ruler of Rwanda since 1994, Kagame drew international praise for commanding the rebel force that ended the Rwandan genocide. However, he has since ruled his country with an iron fist, allegedly committing severe and systematic human rights abuses both within Rwanda and beyond its borders. This includes forced disappearances, assassinations of political opponents, torture and state-imposed censorship. In 2024, Kagame topped his own record by winning the presidential election with more than 99% of the vote, reflecting his totalitarian grip over the African nation.

The NBA’s relationship with Rwanda officially began in August 2015, when some of the top coaches from the league hosted a basketball camp in the capital of Kigali as part of the Giants of Africa program. The following year, Kagame attended an NBA Africa luncheon with league commissioner Adam Silver as part of the All-Star Game festivities. In 2018, he delivered a keynote speech at a reception hosted by the NBA in New York City.

At the time, Kagame’s regime had already helped launch two wars in the DRC, which led to the deaths of millions of people in the region. Thousands of Kagame’s soldiers and allied M23 militia continue to operate in eastern DRC, displacing hundreds of thousands of people, plundering mines rich in strategic mineral resources and leaving a trail of massacres, rapes and other gross human rights abuses. Nevertheless, the NBA continued to deepen its ties to Kagame. When NBA Africa and Fiba launched the BAL, Rwanda secured the hosting rights for the inaugural season in 2021.

By positioning Rwanda as a key hub for basketball and the NBA in Africa, Kagame was able to frame himself as a leading African figure in a sport that was among the most popular in the United States and was gaining traction across the African continent. He has since made regular appearances at NBA games – flanked by an entourage of friends and family – attended NBA summits as a guest of honor, and made Rwanda a key player in Africa’s basketball aspirations.

In December 2023, Kagame’s former aide and cabinet minister, Claire Akamanzi, was appointed CEO of NBA Africa, further consolidating Kagame’s influence over the sport on the continent. Less than two years later in September 2025, Visit Rwanda – the official tourism brand of the Rwanda Development Board – announced a multi-year sponsorship agreement with the Los Angeles Clippers, further cementing its presence across the sport. The deal further expanded Visit Rwanda’s global sports portfolio, which also includes deals with Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid.

In February 2026, Kagame once again attended the NBA All-Star Game before meeting with top NBA officials to discuss the future of the game in Africa. Among those present at the discussions was NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, who had previously defended the NBA’s ties to Kagame in an ESPN story. When two US senators later accused the NBA of “putting profit over principle”, Tatum once again defended the league by stating that the NBA follows “the lead of the US government as to where it’s appropriate to engage in business around the world”.

“If American policies were to change regarding business activities in and relating to Rwanda or any other BAL market, our actions would of course change accordingly,” Tatum wrote in response to the senators. After the withdrawal of the RDF-funded APR, the BAL announced that APR would be replaced by another local team called the RSSB Tigers, which is owned by the Rwanda Social Security Board. The team has since qualified for the BAL playoffs, which are set to take place in Kigali in May.

When contacted by the Guardian, the NBA reiterated that the league continues to comply with US government guidance regarding its engagement in Rwanda, and pointed me to Tatum’s previous statements on the subject.

For now, the NBA remains in compliance with US foreign policy, which has so far targeted only Rwanda’s military and a handful of officials. But whether its relationship with Rwanda, and with Kagame, will pose greater risks down the line remains an open question.

Where to watch Arsenal vs. Newcastle 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 their gap at the top of the Premier League table zeroed out completely, Arsenal begin the neck-and-neck chase for the top flight title as they host Newcastle at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Manchester City have closed the gap, with the two title contenders now dead even in the race.