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Manchester City and Liverpool meet at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, April 4, with kick-off scheduled for 12:45 pm BST (7:45 am EST) in a tie that could decide the last realistic silverware on offer for either side this season. The FA Cup fifth-round clash pits a Liverpool outfit desperate to salvage a campaign described as “extremely drab and middling” against a City side still chasing a treble that includes the Champions League, where French giants PSG await in the next phase. For the visitors, the equation is stark: only a cup run can transform a forgettable year into something “shiny.” City, by contrast, view the FA Cup as the most straightforward of the two trophies still within reach and will expect to deepen Liverpool’s woes on home soil. Global viewers can follow the action live on TNT Sports 1 in the United Kingdom, ESPN in the United States, Stan Sport in Australia, Sportsnet World in Canada, Sony Ten 1 in India, Astro Football in Malaysia, SuperSport Maximo 1 in Nigeria and South Africa, and 224 Hub Premier 4 in Singapore. Additional international listings are available via LiveSoccerTV. Coverage begins well before kick-off, with studio build-up, team news, and in-match commentary, ensuring supporters do not miss a moment as the FA Cup holders look to move one step closer to Wembley.

Manchester City and Liverpool resume one of English football’s fiercest rivalries today with a place in the FA Cup semi-finals on the line, and viewers worldwide have a range of options to follow the action live. Broadcast details United Kingdom: TNT Sports 1 will carry the contest on television, while subscribers can stream it through HBO Max, the new digital home for TNT Sports content after the channel’s departure from Discovery+. United States: ESPN Select holds the rights, with standalone access from $12.99. The best-value route is the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN bundle at $19.99, covering every FA Cup quarter-final tie. Australia: Stan Sport will show the match; fans can add the sport package to the base Stan plan for AU$32 per month to secure every FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League stream. Kick-off times have not been specified in the listings, so viewers should check local guides. Road to the last eight Neither heavyweight has been stretched en route to the quarter-finals. City swept aside Exeter City 10-1 before recording two-goal victories over Salford City and Newcastle United. Liverpool, meanwhile, brushed aside Barnsley and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield before eliminating Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fifth round. The stakes are considerable. City’s Champions League hopes ended at the hands of Real Madrid, so the FA Cup represents their final shot at silverware this season. Liverpool, defending champions from 2021-22, have won their last four FA Cup meetings with City, a sequence dating back to a quarter-final in 1988. Recent history The sides’ most recent Premier League encounter in February produced late drama: Erling Haaland had a goal ruled out and Dominik Szoboszlai saw red after a chaotic finale sparked by his free kick. Today’s tie is their first rematch since that Anfield flash-point. What if you’re abroad? Geo-blocking can prevent access to familiar streaming services. A reputable VPN can relocate your device virtually, allowing you to reach HBO Max, ESPN Select or Stan Sport as if you were back home. TechRadar, FourFourTwo’s sister site, recommends NordVPN for speed, security and reliability with sports platforms. FourFourTwo predicts a tight contest at the Etihad Stadium but anticipates a Manchester City win inside 90 minutes, setting up a potential Wembley return for the 2023 champions.

New Delhi: Hardik Pandya’s absence from Mumbai Indians’ afternoon practice sessions this week was less about skipping drills and more about safeguarding a body that has betrayed him before. The franchise captain, wary of pushing an injury-prone frame through the IPL grind, is simultaneously engaged in a longer, solitary campaign: proving to the Indian team management that he can once again be the sixth-bowler who delivers a full ten-over spell when the 50-over World Cup rolls into South Africa in October-November 2027. For four months the 30-year-old has doubled down on conditioning, splitting his days between the BCCI Centre of Excellence and a private set-up in Baroda. The mission statement, conveyed directly to selectors in January, is unambiguous—he wants the leadership to trust him with the new ball and the death overs, not merely the four that T20s demand. The urgency sharpened on 3 January when BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced that Hardik had not yet been cleared for a ten-over workload for the New Zealand ODIs; the release added he was being “preserved” for the T20 World Cup. Five days later Hardik responded on the field, sending down his full quota (3 for 66) for Baroda against Chandigarh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Conversations since have been cordial but firm. Team management has told the all-rounder they will fast-track him into the 50-over plans only if medical and performance data confirm he can sustain the effort through a seven-match global tournament on the hard, bouncy strips of South Africa. “He may not bowl ten every game—six or seven might suffice—but the captain wants the option,” a BCCI source said. “Hardik understands that guarantee has to come from him, not from the physios alone.” To meet the brief, Hardik has remodelled his action to add the inswinger without sacrificing pace, a tweak that has already earned him the new-ball role for Mumbai in the ongoing T20 season. GPS readings and load charts at the CoE show a measured escalation: more spells at 90-95 per cent intensity, longer recovery cycles, and constant feedback to the national selection panel. The selectors, mindful of contingency, are simultaneously auditioning emerging seam-bowling all-rounders—Nitish Kumar Reddy has been instructed to increase his domestic workload as insurance. The quadriceps tear that cut short his Asia Cup final last September remains fresh in memory; he returned only on 9 December in the T20I series against South Africa. Yet those tracking his sessions insist the all-rounder has never been more attuned to his thresholds. “He feels his body is ready,” the source added. “The question now is translating that confidence into match-day evidence over the next 18 months.” With India’s 2027 World Cup blueprint set to be activated the moment the IPL caravan ends, Hardik’s every over—every practice session—will be monitored. If the gamble pays off, the tourists could land in South Africa with the one ingredient modern champions crave: a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder capable of turning a middle-overs stalemate into a match-winning surge.

Buffalo, N.Y. — As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, Clemson’s TJ Parker has emerged as a polarizing name on the Buffalo Bills’ radar at pick No. 26. The 6-foot-4, 263-pound edge defender is lauded for his scheme versatility and power-based game, yet evaluators continue to debate whether his athletic ceiling warrants first-round capital. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranks Parker among a deep edge class that lacks a “generational” talent like Myles Garrett or Nick Bosa but still supplies three top-10 prospects and impact contributors through Day 3. Jeremiah’s current top 10—headlined by Texas Tech’s David Bailey, Miami’s Reuben Bain and Ohio State’s hybrid Arvell Reese—projects to be off the board well before Buffalo selects, nudging the Bills toward a potential value pick rather than a premium mover. Parker’s résumé is a study in contrasts. He exploded onto the scene in 2024 with 57 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and six forced fumbles in his first season as a full-time starter. When opponents adjusted in 2025, his production dipped to 37 tackles, 9.5 for loss and five sacks, prompting one NFC scouting director to note that “he saw more attention and didn’t always respond well.” The Clemson product wins with heavy hands and a bullish bull-rush rather than the lightning first step Buffalo’s current roster lacks. Jeremiah praises Parker’s ability to “jolt blockers” and collapse pockets with torque, adding that the lineman’s quickness “plays better when he rushes inside.” That inside-outside flexibility could slot him as a five-technique in the Bills’ new odd front, a role some scouts believe also suits incumbent Greg Rousseau. Pro Football Focus views Parker as a “well-rounded edge defender” who “lacks a true difference-making trait,” projecting rotational duty with eventual starting upside if strength or explosiveness improves. CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso echoes the sentiment, lauding Parker’s prototypical size, length and fluid movement but acknowledging that his pass-rush arsenal is built on power, not speed. Buffalo’s edge room currently relies on Rousseau, Michael Hoecht and Bradley Chubb—none profiled as the explosive, bendy speed rusher defensive coordinator Bobby Babich’s scheme covets. Parker’s versatility to slide inside or stand up as an outside linebacker fits the franchise’s hybrid philosophy, yet questions persist about whether his modest burst can threaten NFL tackles on the perimeter. With the depth of the 2026 class, general manager Brandon Beane could bypass a perceived reach at No. 26 and still land a developmental edge on Day 2. Miami’s Akheem Mesidor, Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas and Missouri’s Zion Young headline the second-tier options, making a trade-down scenario increasingly attractive if Parker remains the top name on Buffalo’s board. Ultimately, Parker’s blend of power, length and positional flexibility makes him an intriguing chess piece, but his lack of elite explosiveness keeps the debate alive: is he a first-round solution or a second-round value? The Bills’ decision in late April will reveal how they weigh immediate impact against long-term upside on the edge.

The upcoming Barcelona-Atlético Madrid showdowns are intensifying one of Europe’s most rapidly evolving tactical rivalries: Hansi Flick versus Diego Simeone. With nine previous touchline duels already on the books—the most Flick has contested against any single manager—this fixture list is about to extend that tally in a hurry, beginning with a Champions League quarter-final tie. Scoreboard first: Flick leads 5-2-2, good for 1.89 points per game. Their story began in the 2020-21 Champions League group stage when Flick’s Bayern Munich dismantled Atlético 4-0 at the Allianz Arena; the return leg in Madrid finished 1-1. The plot thickened once Flick swapped Bavaria for Barcelona. In last-season’s four meetings his new side collected two wins, one draw and one defeat, setting an unpredictable tone that has carried into 2024-25. This season alone has already served two classics. Barcelona’s emotional reopening of a redeveloped Spotify Camp Nou saw them trail Simeone’s men before Flick’s second-half tweaks inspired a 3-1 comeback. Atlético answered in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, storming to a 4-0 win at the Metropolitano. Flick’s response in the return leg—a commanding 3-0 victory—kept the tie alive until the final whistle of extra-time, underlining how thin the margins have become. With LaLiga points, domestic-cup prestige and a place in Europe’s last four all on the line over the coming weeks, every adjustment, substitution and psychological feint will be magnified. Nine duels down, plenty more to come: the Flick-Simeone chess match is fast becoming required viewing for any student of modern tactics.

Antoine Griezmann believes unity, defensive resilience and a high-tempo start will be decisive when Atletico Madrid host Barcelona in a pivotal La Liga clash at the Metropolitano. Speaking ahead of the contest, the French forward expressed satisfaction with both his personal form and the squad’s trajectory. “I’m very happy with the team’s performance and my own personally; we’re at a crucial stage,” Griezmann said, underlining the confidence coursing through Diego Simeone’s side. When asked how Atletico can topple the Catalan giants, Griezmann outlined a clear blueprint: “Being ourselves, being a tough defensive unit, sticking together, and setting a fast pace for the match.” He also highlighted the advantage of a raucous home support, adding, “Playing in front of our fans is always a bonus.” The 32-year-old has grown increasingly influential as the campaign has progressed, featuring more prominently than at the season’s outset. “I feel important to the manager. I’m playing much more than at the start,” he noted. “I can reach my best level and keep working to help the team as much as possible. I have a lot of confidence in the team and the manager.” With only a handful of months remaining, Griezmann stressed the need for total commitment: “We have to give our all in every match; there are only a few months left and we’ll have to leave everything on the pitch.” Griezmann’s familiarity with Barcelona adds a layer of intrigue to the fixture. The forward spent two seasons at the Camp Nou, registering 35 goals in over 100 appearances before returning to Atletico. Now in red-and-white, he is determined to use that experience to help his current club claim a vital three points in the title race.

PHOENIX — The Texas Longhorns’ quest for a national championship ended in familiar heartbreak Friday night, as No. 1 seed UCLA eliminated Vic Schaefer’s club 51-44 in the Final Four at the Mortgage Matchup Center, sending the Bruins to their first-ever title game and the Longhorns home from the semifinals for the second consecutive season. Lauren Betts powered UCLA with a game-high 16 points, 11 rebounds and the defining defensive play — a late rejection of All-American Madison Booker that snuffed out Texas’s last rally. The Longhorns, who trailed by 13 with 4:36 remaining, clawed within three but could not push ahead after Booker’s opening basket gave them their only lead of the night. Booker, hounded by a swarming Bruin defense, finished with a season-low six points on 3-of-23 shooting and added seven rebounds. The normally potent Texas attack managed just six first-quarter points and a 20-17 halftime deficit, relying on its defense to stay within striking distance. Senior guard Rori Harmon, playing her final game in burnt orange, posted eight points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. She shared an emotional embrace with Schaefer as she exited with seconds left, closing a career that helped elevate the program to national prominence. UCLA will meet No. 1 overall seed South Carolina, which upset previously unbeaten UConn in the nightcap, for the national title on Sunday. For Texas, the offseason arrives earlier than hoped, with Booker set to return but the sting of another Final Four exit certain to linger.

Liverpool’s pursuit of Nice midfielder Khéphren Thuram has intensified at a pivotal moment for the club, with multiple rivals now circling the 23-year-old as the Reds attempt to bolster their engine room ahead of next season. Sources close to the negotiations indicate that the Merseyside club, long-time admirers of the France under-21 international, are no longer leading the race and must accelerate their plans if they wish to secure Thuram’s signature. The timing is critical. Liverpool’s season has reached a delicate intersection, where performance, planning and perception all collide. With Champions League qualification still mathematically possible, every result carries weight, yet the recruitment department is already mapping out scenarios for the summer window. Thuram, whose combative style and progressive passing have marked him as one of Serie A’s most complete midfielders, sits at the top of a shortlist drawn up to inject youth and dynamism into Jürgen Klopp’s midfield options. Competition is fierce. Serie A giants Juventus and Inter Milan have both registered concrete interest, while Premier League sides Newcastle United and Manchester United have held informal talks with Thuram’s representatives. The increased attention has driven the player’s valuation beyond the €40 million mark Nice had privately signalled would be acceptable in January, forcing Liverpool into a reassessment of both budget and strategy. Anfield officials remain hopeful that the club’s recent track record of developing midfield talent, coupled with guaranteed minutes in a high-intensity system, will prove decisive. Yet with Thuram’s camp encouraging a wide auction to maximise wages and signing-on bonuses, Liverpool’s hierarchy accept they may need to sell before they can buy, complicating any swift conclusion. As the season enters its final weeks, the battle for Thuram’s services is poised to become one of the window’s early flashpoints, with Liverpool determined not to repeat past failures when similar targets slipped through their grasp.

Arsenal head into Saturday night’s FA Cup quarter-final at St Mary’s Stadium knowing a clinical display against high-flying Southampton will secure a 31st appearance in the competition’s semi-finals and keep their historic treble bid alive. Mikel Arteta’s side have already accounted for Portsmouth, Wigan and Mansfield en route to the last eight, but the Spaniard must now navigate a mounting attacking injury crisis after a bruising international break. Noni Madueke became the latest casualty, limping out of England duty with a knee problem that rules him out of contention. In his absence, 16-year-old Max Dowman is poised to make a second consecutive FA Cup start after becoming the club’s youngest ever Cup starter in the previous round. The teenager’s fearless display that night has convinced Arteta to keep faith with the winger on the right flank. Further forward, Gabriel Martinelli – who tops the competition with five goal involvements since the third round – will carry the main goal threat, supported by Kai Havertz in the advanced midfield role. Gabriel Jesus is expected to spearhead the 4-2-3-1, while fresh legs arrive in midfield through Christian Nørgaard and academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly as rotation bites. Defensively, William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori are set to return, flanked by Mosquera and Gabriel in front of Kepa Arrizabalaga, the goalkeeper retained despite his Carabao Cup final error. Martin Ødegaard and Jurriën Timber have both rejoined full training and should be named among the substitutes, though Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapié remain unavailable. Victory tonight would extend Arsenal’s remarkable recent Cup pedigree: they have progressed from 14 of their last 16 quarter-finals. With kick-off scheduled for 20:00 BST and live coverage on BBC One, TNT Sports 1, BBC iPlayer and discovery+, the stage is set for the Gunners to edge one step closer to Wembley. Arsenal Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Nørgaard, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman, Havertz, Martinelli; Jesus

Moises Caicedo has become the third Chelsea player in quick succession to hint that his long-term future may lie away from Stamford Bridge, following controversial comments made by team-mates Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella. The 24-year-old Ecuador international, whose contract runs until 2031, stopped short of requesting a transfer but pointedly refused to dismiss the possibility of a move to Real Madrid when questioned by Spanish daily AS. “You never know in football, don’t you think?” Caicedo replied when asked about the prospect of joining the Bernabeu outfit. “I have a contract with Chelsea now. The truth is, I haven’t honestly thought about another club, about leaving London, but well, in the end, you never know in football.” Although Caicedo insisted he is “not thinking about leaving the Blues,” sources close to the midfielder acknowledge that failure to secure Champions League qualification for next season could prompt him to reassess his position. Liam Rosenior’s side currently sit sixth in the Premier League after collecting only three points from their last four matches, leaving the club’s top-four hopes in the balance. Caicedo’s ambiguous remarks follow similarly headline-grabbing statements from Fernandez and Cucurella. Fernandez, who recently declared he would “love to live in Madrid,” has been handed a two-game suspension by Chelsea and will miss the FA Cup tie against Port Vale and the league encounter with Manchester City. The Argentine’s agent, Javier Pastore, branded the ban “completely unfair,” stressing that his client “never intended to disrespect Chelsea.” Cucurella, meanwhile, publicly admitted it would be “difficult to turn down” Barcelona if the Catalan giants came calling, while also criticising the club’s youth recruitment strategy and the dismissal of manager Enzo Maresca. The Spain left-back escaped disciplinary action, but the trio’s collective unease has intensified scrutiny on the club’s direction under the current regime. With the January transfer window approaching, Chelsea’s hierarchy face the delicate task of quelling dressing-room unrest while pursuing a route back into Europe’s elite competition. Caicedo’s latest interview ensures the speculation surrounding his future will linger until results on the pitch restore stability off it.

Cleveland — Dawn Staley’s South Carolina program is back on college basketball’s biggest stage, booking a return trip to the NCAA championship game where it will meet first-time finalist UCLA. The Gamecocks advanced through the Final Four to set up a title showdown with the Bruins, who are making their initial appearance in the championship contest. Tip-off time and broadcast details were not immediately released.

Birmingham, 24 June — Aston Villa have privately acknowledged that “this summer is probably the right time to part ways” with Morgan Rogers, The Sun reports, opening the door for a potential £100 million-plus scramble involving Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. The 23-year-old, signed from Middlesbrough for an initial £8 million in February 2024, has become Villa’s match-winner-in-chief, scoring ten goals and supplying seven assists to keep Unai Emery’s side in fourth place—one point behind third-placed United. His knack for spectacular long-range efforts has already swung multiple results, turning draws into victories and salvaging points from seemingly lost causes. Rogers, a 6’1″ Manchester City academy graduate, is also a central figure in Thomas Tuchel’s England plans, having started ahead of Jude Bellingham during a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign. That international stature, combined with Premier League productivity, has intensified interest from the division’s traditional powers. Villa’s stance has long been that only an “eye-watering” bid exceeding £100 million would force them to negotiate. Yet an “understanding” now exists between club and player that a move would suit all parties. Rogers, who signed a six-year deal last November, is “open to leaving” if it means joining “one of the Premier League’s biggest hitters” and competing for major silverware on a regular basis. Manchester United’s pursuit is complicated by the uncertain future of captain Bruno Fernandes, who has a £57 million release clause for foreign clubs and serious interest from Saudi Arabia. Should Fernandes depart, Old Trafford chiefs view Rogers as a ready-made, homegrown replacement capable of operating across the frontline. Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal retain long-standing admiration for the attacker, while Spurs monitor developments as they weigh their own rebuild. With the World Cup looming and Rogers virtually assured of a seat on the plane, any deal is expected to accelerate after England’s tournament concludes. For Villa, the prospect of losing their primary creative force is softened by the likelihood of a nine-figure windfall that would fund Emery’s squad overhaul and soften the blow of missing Champions League qualification for a second straight season.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina is headed back to the NCAA championship game, setting up a clash with first-time finalist UCLA, the Associated Press has learned. The Gamecocks, no strangers to the sport’s biggest stage, booked their return ticket with a victory that propels them into the title matchup. Across the court will be the Bruins, whose surge through the tournament has carried the program to its inaugural appearance in the national final. The showdown pits South Carolina’s championship experience against UCLA’s breakthrough momentum, promising a compelling conclusion to the NCAA tournament.

Mumbai, IPL – Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer has pinpointed an “internal competitive edge” as the catalyst behind his team’s brisk start to the Indian Premier League season, insisting the squad’s motivation comes from within rather than from any urge to court outside approval. Speaking after the franchise sealed its second consecutive victory on Friday night, Iyer said the dressing-room culture is built on players pushing one another to raise their standards. “We’re not here to impress people outside,” he stressed. “We want to impress each other.” The back-to-back wins have provided early momentum for Punjab, who have often been slow starters in previous campaigns. Iyer believes the collective desire to earn respect from teammates has fostered a sharper focus in training and during matches, translating into positive results on the field. While the captain offered no elaboration on individual performances or tactical tweaks, his emphasis on peer-to-peer accountability underlines a shift in mindset that the Kings hope will sustain their form as the league phase unfolds. Punjab will look to extend their winning streak when they take the field in their next outing, carrying the confidence that comes from knowing their primary judges are the teammates beside them.

London — When the Football Association’s third-round draw paired West Ham United with Championship Norwich City on 4 December 2005, Alan Pardew’s side had lost four of their previous five Premier League fixtures and sat perilously close to the relegation zone. Few inside or outside the club predicted a prolonged cup surge. Yet by 13 May 2006, the Hammers were walking out at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium to contest a final that is still described by opponents and neutrals alike as one of the greatest in modern FA Cup history. “We were tipped to go down,” recalls Teddy Sheringham, who scored 30 goals in 87 appearances for West Ham between 2004 and 2007. “Staying up was the priority, but once the cup run gathered momentum you could feel something special building.” The run began with a workmanlike 2-1 win at Carrow Road. Hayden Mullins, not known for spectacular strikes, arrowed a curling effort into the top corner to set the tone. “The boys started laughing because I hardly ever scored,” Mullins says, “but it was a banger.” Pardew resisted rotation, fielding full-strength sides anchored by captain Nigel Reo-Coker, goalkeeper Shaka Hislop and leading scorer Marlon Harewood. A clinical 4-2 dismissal of Blackburn Rovers in the fourth round followed, with Sheringham, Matt Etherington, Bobby Zamora and an own goal by Zurab Khizanishvili propelling West Ham into the last 16. The victory coincided with a league resurgence; by the time Bolton Wanderers visited the Reebok Stadium for the fifth round, the Hammers had won five straight league matches and were flirting with the European places. Bolton, managed by Sam Allardyce and fresh from eliminating holders Arsenal, were expected to end the fairytale. A tense 0-0 forced a Upton Park replay that tipped into extra-time before Harewood pounced in the 96th minute. Allardyce later rued a missed offside call, but for Mullins the result was transformative: “Beating that Bolton side—Gary Speed, Kevin Nolan, Kevin Davies—made us believe we could beat anyone.” Anyone, it turned out, included Manchester City in the quarter-finals. Dean Ashton, a £7.25 million January signing from Norwich, announced himself with both goals in a 2-1 win. “That was my ‘I have arrived’ moment,” Ashton says. “The belief inside the dressing room was sky-high.” A Dubai break, promised if the squad hit a points target before Christmas, served as both reward and potential distraction. The players trained once in five days, returned on a Saturday and were routed 4-1 by Chelsea less than 24 hours later. Normal service was quickly restored with a 1-0 league defeat of Manchester City, yet a subsequent loss to Middlesbrough previewed the semi-final assignment: Steve McClaren’s Teessiders, themselves chasing a European berth. At Villa Park on 23 April, Harewood’s left-footed strike—”probably the only one of his career,” McClaren jokes—separated the sides and booked West Ham a first FA Cup semi-final triumph since 1991. “We used the defeat in our team talk for the UEFA Cup,” McClaren remembers. “We didn’t want that feeling again.” The final obstacle before the showpiece was a dress rehearsal against Liverpool on 26 April. The match carried costly ramifications: Mullins and Luis García were sent off for an 82nd-minute altercation, triggering three-match bans that ruled the West Ham midfielder out of the final. “García and a Liverpool official asked the referee to rescind the cards,” Mullins says, “but the report had already gone in. I missed the biggest day of my career.” That day, 13 May 2006, arrived beneath the closed roof of the Millennium Stadium. Two former Hammers managers, Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, had died during the run-up; Pardew spoke of winning the trophy in their honour. Etherington, who had feared ligament damage only weeks earlier after a tackle from team-mate Christian Dailly, started on the left. Ashton, hamstring strain overcome, edged out Bobby Zamora after Pardew took the rare step of delaying his team announcement until match morning. West Ham stunned Liverpool by racing 2-0 ahead inside 20 minutes, Carragher slicing into his own net before Ashton tapped in. Liverpool levelled through Djibril Cissé and a Steven Gerrard drive, but Konchesky’s looping cross restored the lead with four minutes remaining. Then, in stoppage-time, Gerrard produced a 35-yard thunderbolt to force extra-time. “All hell broke loose,” Carragher recalls. “Rafa stuck me up front; Scaloni’s clearance fell to Stevie and the rest is history.” Exhausted, West Ham succumbed 3-1 on penalties after Zamora, Konchesky and Anton Ferdinand saw spot-kicks saved by Pepe Reina. Sheringham converted, but the trophy slipped away. Back at the London Stadium this weekend, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side host Leeds United in the quarter-finals, hoping to revive the spirit of 2006. West Ham again languish in the drop zone, yet Sheringham sees parallels: “No one fancied us to stay up, let alone reach the final. This squad has the same opportunity—this could be their year.” The echoes are unmistakable: a relegation scrap, a cup run, and the conviction that, on any given May afternoon, underdogs can author indelible chapters in FA Cup folklore.

Wembley is calling, and four Premier League heavyweights are determined to answer. With only eight clubs left in the 2025–26 FA Cup, this weekend’s quarterfinal ties will decide which sides keep their dreams of lifting the famous trophy alive. Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all harbour realistic ambitions of reaching the national stadium, but the path is anything but straightforward. City, fresh from a statement win at St James’ Park, return to the Etihad to face a Liverpool side that has looked short of its usual swagger. While the Reds memorably triumphed in Manchester last season en route to the title, the return fixture last November ended in a chastening defeat, and Pep Guardiola’s men will fancy another home victory to edge closer to a domestic cup double. Arsenal, meanwhile, travel to the south coast to take on a resurgent Southampton. The Saints have not lost in 14 matches and dispatched Fulham with ease in the previous round. Mikel Arteta’s squad has been managing a raft of minor knocks, yet the medical staff expect the bulk of his options to be available at St Mary’s, where the Championship outfit will hope to extend their giant-killing run. Chelsea, no strangers to falling victim to lower-league opposition, host League One’s Port Vale at Stamford Bridge. The Potters shocked Sunderland in the fifth round and arrive in west London with nothing to lose. The Blues, however, have avoided an FA Cup upset against EFL opposition since a 4–2 home defeat to Bradford City during José Mourinho’s second tenure and will be wary of another banana skin. The weekend’s action concludes on Sunday with a high-stakes clash between West Ham United and Leeds United. Both clubs have struggled in the league, making a trip to Wembley even more valuable. West Ham last won the competition in 1980, while Leeds’ sole triumph came in 1972. With survival worries looming on the horizon for both, the quarterfinal offers a rare chance for silverware and respite. Southampton vs Arsenal and Chelsea vs Port Vale take centre stage on Saturday, followed by West Ham vs Leeds on Sunday. Manchester City and Liverpool meet at the Etihad in the pick of the ties, with a semifinal berth—and the prospect of a Wembley day out—on the line.

Columbia’s Five Points district turned into a sea of garnet and black Friday night as hundreds gathered for a block party honoring the late Steve Taneyhill, the former South Carolina quarterback whose flair on the field and larger-than-life personality helped define 1990s Gamecock football. Hosted by the Chi Psi fraternity, the “Friday After Class” fundraiser stretched along Greene Street outside Taneyhill’s longtime bar, Group Therapy, filling the air with live music, local food-truck fare and the clink of commemorative cups. Every dollar raised will flow into the newly created Taneyhill Fund, an initiative dedicated to causes close to the quarterback’s family and to the University of South Carolina—chief among them the football program and the student-athletes who carry Gamecock culture forward. “When he passed away earlier this year, we knew we wanted to do something to support the Taneyhill Fund,” said Daniel Cody, Chi Psi’s social chair. “We knew we wanted to team up with Group Therapy and do something fun for Five Points.” Taneyhill, who died in December, was more than a record-setting passer; he was a pied piper of campus life who turned post-practice Fridays into mini-festivals. Tonight’s event kept that spirit alive, from the impromptu karaoke of “Sandstorm” to Greene-Street-high-fives reminiscent of his signature touchdown celebrations. Chapter president Ryan Dunphy said the idea was simple: continue the tradition Taneyhill championed. “Steve pushed for Friday After Class, he pushed for our fraternity, and the most we could do is give back with this event,” Dunphy noted. Ryan English, a former Chi Psi president, stood near the bar’s patio surveying the crowd. “It’s an honor for us with all the work that has been put in,” English said. “We were appreciative of his life and his decisions and continuing that part of Gamecock culture.” Organizers say the party is only the kickoff; fundraising efforts will run through the semester with a goal of raising $250,000 for the Taneyhill Fund. As the final chords echoed past midnight, one thing was clear: in Five Points, Steve Taneyhill’s legacy is still very much alive—and still bringing Gamecocks together.

Madrid – When Barcelona step beneath the Wanda Metropolitano floodlights on Saturday night they will not simply be kicking off another round of league fixtures; they will be launching an 11-day trilogy against Atlético Madrid that could decide both the Liga title and a Champions League quarter-final. The Catalans arrive in the capital knowing that anything less than victory could leave the door ajar for Real Madrid, who face Mallorca earlier in the day. With seven rounds remaining, Barça’s cushion at the summit could shrink to a single point or stretch to a more comfortable gap, yet the message from Hansi Flick’s camp is clear: three points are non-negotiable. Barça will have to earn them without three influential starters. Raphinha, Andreas Christensen and Frenkie de Jong have all been ruled out, trimming Flick’s rotation options at precisely the moment the calendar tightens. Even so, the visitors are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1: Joan García in goal; a back four of Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Martín Zubimendi and João Cancelo; a double pivot of Marc Bernal and Pedri; and a front four starring Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres. Opposite them, Diego Simeone is navigating a deeper crisis. Jan Oblak’s absence deprives Atlético of their defensive compass, while midfield engine room Johnny Cardoso and Pablo Barrios are also unavailable. Marcos Llorente’s suspension and knocks to Rodrigo Mendoza and Marc Pubill leave El Cholo scrambling for solutions. Atlético’s probable 4-4-2 reads: Emiliano Musso; Nahuel Molina, Robin Le Normand, Dávid Hancko, Nehuén Pérez; Giuliano Simeone, Álex Baena, Koke, Ademola Lookman; Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez. Table mathematics favour the visitors. Atlético, 11 points adrift of the leaders and virtually assured of a top-four finish, can afford to treat the league clash as a confidence-building rehearsal for the two-legged European tie that follows. Yet recent history counsels caution. In the Copa del Rey semi-finals Atlético stunned Barça with a first-half blitz at this same venue, only to hang on for dear life in the return leg as the Catalans came within a whisker of overturning a three-goal deficit. With two wins in three meetings this season, Flick’s men believe they have decoded Simeone’s riddle. The psychological stakes, then, are immense. A Barcelona victory would not only keep their domestic destiny in hand but also plant seeds of doubt ahead of the Champions League rematch. An Atlético triumph, however, would restore bruised egos and flip the narrative before the teams reconvene on the continental stage. Simeone, famed for tactical chameleonic shifts, may shelve the high press that suffocated Barça in February, instead ceding territory and springing Griezmann and Álvarez into the lanes behind an advanced full-back. The state of the Metropolitano pitch—churned up after recent concerts—adds another variable; Flick has spent the week drilling his players on adapting tempo and passing angles to a scarred surface. Across the touchline, Flick’s priority is ball security. The German wants Pedri and Bernal to dictate rhythm, Yamal to pin back Ruggeri, and Rashford to stretch Le Normand and Hancko, forcing Atlético’s depleted midfield to cover extra vertical space. Set-pieces could prove decisive: with Oblak absent, Barcelona sense vulnerability at corners, while Atlético still possess Griezmann’s lethal delivery and the aerial threat of Hancko. Kick-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. CET, 3 p.m. ET. Global viewers can catch the action on ESPN Deportes (U.S.), SuperSport (Nigeria), DAZN (Spain) or via streaming on ESPN+, Disney+ and FanCode. Expect a ferocious, high-wire 90 minutes. Atlético crave a morale-boosting statement; Barcelona need the points to stay on course for a first Liga crown in four years. In a rivalry defined by fine margins, the opening act of this three-part drama could yet echo through May.

New Delhi: Punjab Kings maintained their perfect start to IPL 2026 with a commanding five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday night, chasing down 210 with eight balls to spare and vaulting to the top of the points table. After being inserted, CSK rode a sparkling 73 from 20-year-old Ayush Mhatre and late-order impetus from Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube to finish on 209 for five. A second-wicket stand between Mhatre and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad provided the early platform, yet PBKS struck at crucial intervals to keep the total within reach. The reply was ignited by opener Priyansh Arya, who blitzed 39 from 11 deliveries to rock the home side. Prabhsimran Singh and Cooper Connolly kept the tempo high before captain Shreyas Iyer calmed the chase with an unbeaten half-century, marked by calculated placement rather than brute force. Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis provided the closing flourish as Punjab coasted home. Speaking after the win, Iyer revealed the philosophy driving the side. “Well, it's not planned, honestly speaking, but we've just decided in the dressing room that whatever happens, we are going to play a brand of cricket which is to impress each other, not others outside,” he said. He lauded the top-order burst that set the tone. “Priyansh and Prab doing the job at the start… it's phenomenal to see them giving us that start and it stabilizes the rhythm for us,” Iyer noted. “Getting 39 out of 11 balls, that's the start we require, especially when you're chasing 208.” On his bowling choices, the skipper kept faith in experience. “Usually we know how impressive he is over the years. And he's probably one of the best bowlers in the IPL so far. So whenever I'm in doubt, I do that.” The result leaves Chennai Super Kings searching for answers after back-to-back defeats, while Punjab Kings have announced themselves as early-season pace-setters with two wins from two.

A tantalising David-versus-Goliath clash headlines the FA Cup quarterfinal draw as Premier League outfit Chelsea welcome League One visitors Port Vale to Stamford Bridge, with only 90 minutes separating one of these sides from a coveted Wembley semifinal berth. The tie represents the starkest possible contrast in English league pedigree: Chelsea’s top-flight stars will face opponents currently operating two divisions below them. Yet the competition’s storied history of upsets ensures the Blues cannot afford complacency against a Vale side that has already navigated five rounds to reach this stage. With a place among the final four at stake, both camps will spend the build-up refining tactics, assessing squad fitness and weighing the delicate balance between rotation and continuity. Supporters will watch for early team-sheet clues, mindful that a single lapse could decide a match that carries the weight of a season’s dreams. Predicting a contest that pits such differing levels of resources and experience is as much art as science. Chelsea enter as heavy favourites, but Port Vale arrive buoyed by the knowledge that the FA Cup has long specialised in defying logic. Potential line-ups will be revealed on the morning of the match, setting the stage for a compelling afternoon in west London where one club’s journey will edge tantalisingly close to a Wembley showpiece.

Madrid—When Barcelona step onto the Metropolitano pitch on Saturday, it will mark the fourth time this season they have faced Atlético Madrid, the first of an extraordinary three clashes in 14 days that could shape the destiny of two competitions. La Liga’s defending champions arrive in the capital four points clear of Real Madrid and mindful that any slip-up will invite their perennial Clásico rivals back into a title race Barça have controlled for months. Atlético, meanwhile, have conceded the domestic fight; their focus has shifted to the Champions League quarter-final first leg against the same opponents next Wednesday and the Copa del Rey final beyond that. The recent head-to-head record adds spice. Atléti edged a seven-goal Copa del Rey semi-final in February, surviving a second-leg onslaught at Camp Nou, while Barcelona prevailed 3-1 in December’s league meeting. Those contrasting memories linger, and both managers know another psychological blow is up for grabs before the European ties begin. Selection dilemmas abound. Diego Simeone must plan without suspended duo Marcos Llorente and Johnny Cardoso, while Jan Oblak, Marc Pubill, Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo Mendoza all face late fitness tests. Alexander Sørloth is tipped to lead the line ahead of Antoine Griezmann as Simeone rotates with one eye on midweek. A probable 4-4-2 would include Oblak; Nahuel Molina, Pubill if fit, Dávid Hancko and Nehuén Pérez; Giuliano Simeone, Álex Baena, captain Koke and Ademola Lookman; Julián Álvarez and Sørloth. Hansi Flick’s injury list is similarly disruptive. Raphinha’s hamstring tear on Brazil duty rules him out until May, joining Andreas Christensen in the treatment room. Frenkie de Jong is expected to sit out Saturday but could return for the Champions League opener. Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde have only just resumed training, pushing Eric García and João Cancelo into likely starting roles. Marc Bernal will anchor midfield alongside Pedri in a 4-2-3-1 guarded by goalkeeper Joan García, with Lamine Yamal, Pau López, Marcus Rashford supplying service to Robert Lewandowski. Motivation may prove the decisive factor. Atlético have all but locked up a top-four finish and can afford to pace themselves; Barcelona cannot. With Real Madrid lurking, the champions need intensity from the first whistle, hoping their high line is now better equipped to handle the hosts’ direct transitions that produced a four-goal rout earlier in the campaign. Saturday’s outcome, therefore, carries weight far beyond three points. A Barça victory would open a daunting gap over Madrid and deliver momentum into the Champions League, while a home win would restore Atlético pride and level the season series at 2-2 before the tie that truly matters. The sides will be sick of the sight of one another by the time the return leg in Catalonia rolls around on 14 April. For now, the latest installment promises drama, rotation, and perhaps an early pointer to which club will define this spring’s European narrative.

South Carolina’s defense delivered a statement performance on the sport’s biggest stage, holding UConn to its lowest scoring output of the season and powering the Gamecocks to a 62-48 victory that sends them to the NCAA championship game. The win also halts the Huskies’ national-record 54-game winning streak, a run that dated back to the 2022 title game. From the opening tip, South Carolina controlled tempo and space, turning every UConn possession into a grind. The Gamecocks’ length and physicality limited the Huskies to single-digit scoring in two of the four quarters and forced contested looks throughout the night. The 48 points allowed were the fewest UConn has scored in any game during its streak, underscoring the dominance of South Carolina’s game plan. With the victory, South Carolina advances to the final hurdle of the NCAA Tournament, one win away from a national crown. The Gamecocks will await the winner of the remaining semifinal, carrying both momentum and the knowledge that their defense can derail even the most prolific offense.

Georgia State University has turned to a coach with a familiar last name to guide its men’s basketball program, announcing Jon Cremins as the Panthers’ new head coach. The move keeps a recognizable surname on the GSU sideline and signals continuity for a program eager to build momentum in the Sun Belt Conference. Athletic department officials confirmed the hiring, noting that Cremins’ background and reputation made him the clear choice to lead the team into its next chapter. While details of the contract were not disclosed, university representatives emphasized that Cremins’ familiarity with the school’s culture and goals was a decisive factor in the selection process. Fans and alumni will welcome the return of the Cremins name, long associated with competitive basketball in the region. Georgia State hopes that Jon Cremins can channel that legacy into consistent success on the court and heightened visibility for the program.

Madrid—With a punishing triptych of fixtures against FC Barcelona looming in the space of ten days, Atlético de Madrid head coach Diego Simeone used his pre-match press conference on the eve of tomorrow’s La Liga meeting to outline why he believes the Catalan side are so difficult to contain. Simeone began with a fitness bulletin that will hearten supporters. “Everyone is progressing in the best way. Jan Oblak is with the group. Rodri Mendoza will be back Monday. Pablo Barrios has been working well. Marc Pubill, the same. They are all going to help us,” he said, signalling that reinforcements are arriving just as the calendar tightens. The Argentine coach then turned his attention to Barcelona’s recent tactical evolution under their current boss, praising the squad’s ability to translate instruction into sustained intensity. “Football always goes through the players first; beyond the ideas of the managers, those who resolve these matches are the footballers with their experience and quality,” he remarked, before highlighting Barça’s trademark high defensive line and appetite for individual duels. When pressed to identify the single most dangerous player in the Blaugrana ranks, Simeone rejected the obvious headline options. Instead of naming teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, top scorer Raphinha, veteran finisher Robert Lewandowski or emerging midfielder Fermín López, he pointed to a collective weapon: relentless pressure. “All of their footballers [are the danger], because they are extraordinary,” Simeone explained. “They have the capacity to play in the opponent’s half, to take away your time so that you can’t think. They repeat it every match, which is very difficult; they play with a high defense and take risks. We will have to take the match to where we can hurt them.” The 53-year-old strategist, renowned for prioritising process over proclamation, refused to be drawn on title permutations, preferring to keep the focus on the next ninety minutes. “We started the preseason excited to reach this place. If God wills it and helps us, we will be able to compete until the end, and that is the path we are on,” he stated. Atlético will need to navigate that path skilfully: after Sunday’s league encounter, the two clubs meet again twice in quick succession in the UEFA Champions League, meaning Simeone’s assessment of Barcelona’s suffocating collective press will be put to the test almost immediately.

Houston—Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles officially cut the ribbon on her first airport restaurant, Taste of Gold, inside George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on Tuesday, March 24. The upscale café, positioned in Terminal A near Gate A8, blends quick-service convenience with nods to Biles’s decorated career and Houston pride. “As a frequent traveler, I am thrilled to partner with Athlete Playermaker Group to help create a place for people to relax and share meals during their travels through my hometown airport,” Biles said during the unveiling. “Whether you’re a fan of gymnastics, football or any sport, or just hungry for something yummy before or after your flight, I’d like to welcome you to Taste of Gold the way fans have welcomed me into their hearts over my career.” The menu, developed by airport-dining specialists Athlete Playermaker Group, centers on sandwiches, salads and shareable plates. Biles’s personal pick, “Simone’s Skewers,” offers chicken, steak, shrimp and vegetable options, while a rotating dessert selection rounds out the offerings. Multiple televisions encircle the bar area, giving passengers a venue to catch live sports between flights. Design details reinforce the athlete’s legacy. Original 3D installations by Texas artist Jody Dodson feature hand-crafted, painted wood accented with gold embellishments that echo Biles’s signature leotard shimmer. Seating and décor throughout the space celebrate the energy and excellence that have defined her career. Athlete Playermaker Group, which has previously collaborated with stars such as Dirk Nowitzki, Marty Turco and Bruce Smith on airport concepts nationwide, sees the venue as a way to localize terminal dining. “Airports are the front door to a city, but too often feel interchangeable,” co-founder Derek Missimo said. “Taste of Gold supports our goal of creating places that feel familiar and local, without sacrificing quality, speed or consistency.” Houston Airports views the opening as a flagship moment for its concessions program. “To have a global icon like Simone Biles choose Bush Airport for her first restaurant speaks to the strength of this platform and the millions of passengers we serve each year,” noted Francisco Cuellar, chief commercial development officer for Houston Airports. “Taste of Gold captures Houston’s spirit—excellence, energy and ambition—and it raises the bar for what passengers can expect when they travel through IAH.” Taste of Gold is now open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., ready to serve travelers craving a gold-standard bite on the go.

Madrid, Spain – With Atlético Madrid set to host Barcelona in a pivotal La Liga showdown, Atlético boss Diego Simeone has identified the visitor he fears most, according to Barca Blaugranes. Although the Argentine coach did not elaborate in the brief reveal, his assessment will fuel debate among fans and pundits as both clubs fight for vital points. The fixture, highlighted in previews by Al Jazeera, ESPN, and the BBC, arrives at a decisive stage of the season. ESPN frames the contest as part of a potential “Atleti triple-header” that, alongside the Miami Dolphins’ NFL results, could “define Barcelona’s season,” underscoring the high stakes on both sides of the Atlantic. Team-news watchers will focus on Sports Illustrated’s report that “Rashford [is] given big chance” in Barcelona’s predicted XI, while injury updates around the squad could yet alter Xavi’s final selection. BBC’s head-to-head numbers promise to add statistical context once the lineups are confirmed, but Simeone’s early warning about Barça’s chief threat already dominates the narrative. Saturday evening’s kick-off at the Metropolitano offers the Catalans a chance to keep pace at the top and Atlético an opportunity to tighten the gap on their visitors. Simeone’s public pinpointing of Barcelona’s danger man only raises the intrigue ahead of the first whistle.

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – Part-time driver Corey Heim showed he remains a force to be reckoned with, controlling much of Friday night’s Black’s Tire 200 at Rockingham Speedway before surviving a late-race charge from his own teammate to secure the victory. Heim, who runs a limited schedule, appeared poised for an uncontested win until the final four laps, when the teammate closed rapidly. With the checkered flag in sight, Heim managed to keep the challenger at bay and take the win under the lights at the historic 0.526-mile oval. The triumph underscores Heim’s ability to run up front whenever he straps into his ride, despite his part-time status on the tour.

London – Sabtu 4 April akan tersaji laga klasik Inggris di perempat final Piala FA 2024/2025 ketika Manchester City menjamu Liverpool di Stadion Etihad. Bagi kedua klub, kompetisi ini menjadi jalur tercepat – dan mungkin terakhir – untuk mengangkat trofi musim ini setelah mereka tertinggal jauh dari Arsenal di Premier League. Arne Slot diyakini membutuhkan trofi untuk menutup kritik terhadap performa Liverpool musim ini, sementara Pep Guardiola menargetkan double untuk mempertegas dominasi City. Berikut lima fakta menarik yang menyelimuti pertemuan mereka: 1. Liverpool tak terkalahkan oleh Manchester City dalam ajang Piala FA sejak 1973. Rekor tak terkalahkan 52 tahun itu menjadi modal psikologis The Reds menjelang bentrok di Etihad. 2. Jika merujuk pada seluruh pertandingan di kandang City baik di liga maupun piala domestik, catatan pertemuan kedua tim sangat berimbang: City menang 36 kali, Liverpool 37 kali, dan 27 laga berakhir imbang. 3. Pada kurun waktu lebih dekat, City hanya sekali menelan kekalahan dalam sembilan laga terakhir di Stadion Etihad di semua kompetisi. Tren kandang yang solid itu diyakini Guardiola bisa menjadi kunci lolos ke semifinal. 4. Michael Owen masih menjadi satu-satunya pemain Liverpool yang pernah mencetak hat-trick di markas City. Owen menghancurkan pertahanan City dengan tiga gol pada 2002 di Maine Road, stadion lawas klub tersebut. 5. Liverpool unggul satu gelar di kompetisi tertua dunia ini. The Reds mengoleksi delapan trofi Piala FA, sementara City berada di angka tujuh. Kemenangan Sabtu nanti bisa memperpendek jarak atau justru memperlebar celah sejarah tersebut. Dengan statistik yang berbenturan, laga ini menjanjikan intensitas tinggi. City ingin mempertahankan rekor kandang, Liverpool bertekad mempertahankan dominasi di Piala FA, sementara Slot dan Guardiola sama-sama menargetkan trofi untuk musim ini.

Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium will stage the first act of a three-match saga on Saturday night when Atletico Madrid host Barcelona in La Liga at 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT), the clubs’ fourth meeting of the campaign and the prelude to a Champions League quarter-final double-header that begins at Camp Nou next Wednesday. Barcelona arrive at the summit of the table and with momentum, yet the loss of Raphinha to a hamstring injury that will sideline the Brazilian until May has shifted an even heavier creative burden onto 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal. The Spain international, fresh from condemning Islamophobic abuse he endured during La Roja’s mid-week draw with Egypt, has scored six times in his last seven appearances for the Catalan side and is expected to start on the right flank. With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres searching for consistency and on-loan Marcus Rashford still adapting to Hansi Flick’s pressing demands, Yamal’s flair and work-rate have become central to Barca’s hopes of preserving or extending their lead at the top. Rashford, who assisted twice in last weekend’s victory over Villarreal, is poised to keep his place on the left, while Frenkie de Jong is rated doubtful. Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde could return after lay-offs, offering defensive reinforcements ahead of a congested ten-day stretch that will see the clubs meet three times. Diego Simeone’s hosts, comfortably fourth and eleven points clear of fifth-placed Real Betis, have little left to chase domestically but view the league clash as an ideal tune-up for Europe. They will be without suspended duo Marcos Llorente and Johnny Cardoso, while midfielders Pablo Barrios (thigh) and Rodrigo Mendoza (ankle) are also unavailable. The rivalry is already well marinated: Barca edged December’s league meeting 4-2 after falling two goals behind, then claimed a 3-0 second-leg Copa del Rey semi-final win in March, only for Atletico to advance 4-3 on aggregate. Saturday’s contest opens a sequence of five encounters in under two months; the Champions League quarter-finals follow on 9 April at Camp Nou and 14 April back at the Metropolitano. Barcelona, seeking a second straight semi-final berth, hold the historical edge with 114 wins to Atletico’s 80 in 251 previous duels. Al Jazeera Sport will begin its build-up at 16:00 GMT, culminating in live text commentary as Spain’s youngest squad—Barcelona average just 25.3 years—attempts to keep its twin assault on La Liga and Europe on track. SEO keywords:

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has emphasised that the club continues to enjoy robust relationships with national-team setups around the world, even as a spate of player withdrawals has kept several Gunners out of recent international duty. Speaking amid growing scrutiny over the availability of his squad members, Arteta insisted that lines of communication remain open and productive between the London club and federations seeking to call up Arsenal talent. The Spaniard’s comments come after a series of late pull-outs that have seen a number of first-team regulars remain at the club’s training base rather than join their countries for competitive fixtures or friendlies. While the withdrawals have raised questions about the underlying causes, Arteta stressed that the club’s policy of transparency and cooperation has not wavered. Arsenal, who have long prided themselves on a globally representative dressing room, place heavy importance on maintaining trust with national-team coaches and medical departments. According to Arteta, that philosophy is unchanged: the club promptly shares medical assessments, training-load data and rehabilitation updates so that federations can plan accordingly. The manager’s remarks underline an effort to quell any suggestion of friction between the club and international selectors. By reiterating Arsenal’s commitment to dialogue, Arteta aims to ensure that when future squads are announced, relations will remain cordial and information will continue to flow freely in both directions. With domestic and continental calendars growing ever more congested, the issue of player availability is likely to resurface throughout the season. For now, Arteta’s message is clear: Arsenal respect the significance of international representation and will keep working closely with national teams, irrespective of the recent withdrawals.