The first of the three European finals kicks off on Wednesday night, when Aston Villa takes on SC Freiburg for the UEFA Europa League crown. This year's host city is Istanbul, and when Villa take to the pitch in the Turkish capital, they could be without the services of up to five players. It's the same quintet who missed out on the 4-2 route of Liverpool on Friday night. … [Read more...] about Aston Villa Team News vs Freiburg: Tyrone Mings, Victor Lindelof, Amadou Onana, Allyson
Football/Soccer
Tottenham Team News at Chelsea: Dominic Solanke, Guglielmo Vicario
It looks like Newcastle United are about to give Tottenham Hotspur a nice gift. As we write this, Newcastle are up 3-0 on West Ham United, and if that result holds, it's a huge boost for Spurs in their quest to stay up next season. That said, Tottenham still very much need a result on Tuesday night, when they travel across town to Chelsea. Spurs might get a nice fitness boost … [Read more...] about Tottenham Team News at Chelsea: Dominic Solanke, Guglielmo Vicario
Chelsea Team News vs Tottenham Hotspur: Xabi Alonso, Jamie Gittens
Chelsea looked very pedestrian, and maybe even a bit pragmatic in their FA Cup title game loss to Manchester City. From a Blues perspective, there is little else to say about Saturday's tedious cup defeat at Wembley Stadium. Sunday, however, brought major news, as Xabi Alonso is your new manager. He made history in 2024, leading Bayer Leverkusen to an unprecedented undefeated … [Read more...] about Chelsea Team News vs Tottenham Hotspur: Xabi Alonso, Jamie Gittens
Manchester City at Bournemouth Team News: Rodri, Lewis Cook, Justin Soler, Ryan Christie
Manchester City certainly have a tough task, in order to keep the Premier League title race going all the way until Championship Sunday. If Arsenal win tomorrow night, and they most likely will, given how they're home to the penultimate side Burnley, then Manchester City will need to beat AFC Bournemouth, at their place, on Tuesday night in order to stay in the race. … [Read more...] about Manchester City at Bournemouth Team News: Rodri, Lewis Cook, Justin Soler, Ryan Christie
Barcelona Team News vs Real Betis: Andreas Christensen, Raphinha
It's the final home game for FC Barcelona, who host Real Betis in a match that is basically dead rubber for both sides. Barcelona have already celebrated their La Liga title and Real Betis have clinched a Champions League berth for next season. So everything is wrapped up, in a nice little package, for both teams in the bigger picture. The only real things to watch here are on … [Read more...] about Barcelona Team News vs Real Betis: Andreas Christensen, Raphinha
Arsenal Team News vs Burnley: Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori
It has been awhile since Arsenal and Manchester City were level on total Premier League matches played, but here we are! 36 matches down, and only two more to go. Arsenal obviously and clearly have the upper hand, but the margin remains very thin. Arsenal host second-to-last place, and already relegated Burnley FC on Monday night. They'll do so with three injury doubts: Jurrien … [Read more...] about Arsenal Team News vs Burnley: Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori
USMNT Has Two More Chances to Inspire Excitement for Home World Cup
The run-up to every World Cup inevitably leads to a series of news stories that expose the worst inherent elements of the host nation. These "off-the-pitch concerns/problems/issues" are consistently in the public consciousness in the weeks leading up to the quadrennial soccer/footbal/futbol tournament. In the case of the United States of America and 2026, the sociopolitical … [Read more...] about USMNT Has Two More Chances to Inspire Excitement for Home World Cup
FIFA Making 2026 World Cup the Most Exclusionary of All-Time
If there is one word to describe this upcoming 2026 World Cup, it's "exclusionary." If you wanted the right to buy tickets to the matches, you had to first win a lottery. As with all lotteries (an exercise that Voltaire called "a tax on stupidity"), a very VERY low percentage of entrants actually won. Which means you must turn to the secondary market, where ticket prices are so … [Read more...] about FIFA Making 2026 World Cup the Most Exclusionary of All-Time
Manchester United News: Michael Carrick, Bruno Fernandes, Home Kit Reveal
Monday brought news that Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick was nominated for the Premier League's Manager of the Year award. He's on the short list despite being at the helm for just four months and 15 games. Still he's done work over that time, with a form line that reads W10D3L2. Only Manchester City's Pep Guardiola has taken more points, from league play, … [Read more...] about Manchester United News: Michael Carrick, Bruno Fernandes, Home Kit Reveal
West Ham United at Newcastle United Team News: Adama Traore, Fabian Schar
Adama Traore is a new injury/fitness concern for West Ham United, who otherwise have a pretty fit squad. Traore is a doubt for Sunday's trip to Newcastle United, as he's reportedly dealing with tightness in his quadriceps. It's a must win game for the Hammers, so if he's borderline in terms of fitness, he'll play. They need him, and simply put, they need everyone, because the … [Read more...] about West Ham United at Newcastle United Team News: Adama Traore, Fabian Schar