List of All Articles with Tag 'pg'

Harold Varner III calls his first American victory in golf 'very special' after taking the crown at LIV Golf DC.It was Harold Varner III’s third win on Sunday as he beat the LIV Golf field in Washington DC, but a very heartfelt one to achieve it on American soil, beating Branden ...

England manager Sarina Wiegman is set to name her squad for this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where the Lionesses will look to add to their Euros triumph with the game’s biggest prize. Wiegman’s side will be among the favourites as England aim to win the World Cup for the first time, but the Lionesses have been rocked by the news that captain Leah Williamson has been ruled out of the tournament after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament. Suddenly, the England manager could be without a core of players who started for the Lionesses at the Euros last summer, which puts pressure on having the right depth throughout the squad. And with Wiegman naming her squad on 31 May following the end of the domestic season, time has run out for players on the fringes of Weigman’s plans to stake their claim. So ahead of the World Cup, who’s on the plane to Australia and New Zealand, and who’s hasn’t done enough to make the squad? Boarding cards printed Keira Walsh Arguably the most valuable player in England’s squad, given her skillset at the base of the midfield. Player of the match in the Euros final, which helped convince Barcelona into paying a world record fee for her services last August. England simply don’t have another player like her. Mary Earps England’s No 1 became World No 1 when Earps picked up the award for goalkeeper of the year at the Fifa Best ceremony last month. The 29-year-old was one of England’s standout performers at the Euros and although she made a rare mistake in the Finalissima, Earps was the hero in the penalty shootout. Alex Greenwood The Manchester City defender wasn’t a starter during the Euros but looks to have claimed the left back spot now Rachel Daly is being played up front. England have since looked more balanced and Greenwood was excellent at the Arnold Clark Cup. Can also play centre-back, where she started in the Finalissima with Bright unavailable, and that’s where she may start with Williamson ruled out. Georgia Stanway Another who started every game throughout the Euros, the midfielder took a chance and joined Bayern Munich last summer after deciding to leave Manchester City. She has since established herself as one of the German club’s most important players and played a key role as Bayern beat Wolfsburg to the Bundesliga title. Ella Toone The inventive Manchester United midfielder played the role of super sub during the Euros but looks to have forced her way into Wiegman’s starting line-up ahead of the World Cup. One of England’s goalscorers in the Euros final, Toone faded towards the end of the campaign as United were beaten by Chelsea in both the WSL title race and FA Cup final. Lauren James Could it be that England’s best player wasn’t even at the Euros last summer? James looks set to be one of the stars of the World Cup and has made an excellent start to her England career. The 21-year-old Chelsea winger won player of the tournament as England retained the Arnold Clark Cup. Rachel Daly From England’s left back at the Euros to England’s striker at the World Cup? Daly scored an astonishing 22 goals for Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League to win the Golden Boot, and WSL player of the season. Her two-goal display against Italy in February gave Wiegman a selection headache but started on the bench in April’s double-header. Alessia Russo Subject to a world record transfer bid from Arsenal in January, the Manchester United striker now faces a battle with Daly to be Wiegman’s No 9. Russo has hit 11 goals for England in just 21 appearances, including that back-heel against Sweden, but struggled slightly against Brazil and Australia. Chloe Kelly Scored England’s winning goal in the Euros final but is set to play a bigger role during the World Cup. She had only recently returned from an ACL injury last July but has been in full flight this season for Manchester City. Outstanding on the left wing during England’s Arnold Clark Cup defence. Lauren Hemp The Manchester City winger was hyped as England’s breakout star ahead of the Euros and remains an exciting talent, but there is a chance Kelly and James have moved ahead of her in the pecking order. Although her place in the squad is safe, the 22-year-old faces a battle to take back her place in the team. Almost there Millie Bright England’s vice-captain and one of Wiegman’s most important players has not played since March after suffering a knee injury playing for Chelsea in the Champions League. The centre-back was forced to pull out of April’s matches against Brazil and Australia but Emma Hayes expects her to recover in time for the World Cup. Lucy Bronze Another injury concern. Bronze has not played since undergoing keyhole surgery on her knee but the Barcelona right back is expected to be fit for the World Cup. Following the retirements of Jill Scott and Ellen White from last summer’s squad, Bronze is England’s most experienced player with 102 caps and remains one of the best in the world in her position. Jordan Nobbs The 30-year-old missed out on the Euros due to injury, but the decision to end her 12-year stay at Arsenal in January and join Aston Villa with the hope of getting more game time ahead of the World Cup has been an inspired one. That said, there is still a question over whether Wiegman is fully convinced: Nobbs didn’t play a minute against either Brazil or Australia. Jess Carter The versatile defender is one of Chelsea’s most consistent performers and is a huge asset to Wiegman due to her ability to play across the back four. Came straight back into the Arnold Clark Cup squad after missing the November internationals due to injury. Lotte Wubben-Moy The Arsenal defender is a key figure in the squad and was therefore a surprise omission ahead of the friendlies against Brazil and Australia - although she later replaced the injured Millie Bright. The 24-year-old was the “driving force” behind the Lionesses’ Euros legacy push, coming up with the idea to demand equal access to sport for girls in school and seems a natural replacement for her Arsenal team-mate Williamson in the squad. Maya Le Tissier A former England captain at Under-23 level, the Manchester United defender has impressed since stepping up to the senior side following the Euros. The 20-year-old is a ball-playing centre-back who is also comfortable at full-back, which is where she played at the Arnold Clark Cup. Katie Robinson Like Le Tissier, Robinson made the step up from Under-23 level to make her debut in November. Caught the eye with a couple of busy displays on the right wing at the Arnold Clark Cup, but faces a tougher challenge than Le Tissier for selection given the other attacking options available to Wiegman. The Reading forward may make it if Beth Mead is not fit. Niamh Charles Another versatile defender, Charles came back into contention in November after being one of those to be cut from the preliminary Euros squad. Her inclusion may depend on how many defenders Wiegman decides to take to Australia, with Greenwood and Daly also able to cover left back. Ellie Roebuck The goalkeeper is clearly back-up to Earps but remains a solid number two for England. Wiegman may give Roebuck minutes in friendlies before the World Cup, but there’s no doubt Earps will be first choice when the tournament starts. On the fringes Beth Mead Mead is “ahead of schedule” in her ACL injury recovery and still working towards the summer’s World Cup. Mead, who claimed the Golden Boot and player of the tournament award when the Lionesses won the Euros on home soil last year, has been sidelined since sustaining the injury while playing for Arsenal in November. In March, Wiegman said Mead was at that point “not in our plans” for the World Cup, adding: “If a miracle happens and she goes so fast (in her recovery), then we will reconsider it – but at this moment I don’t expect that.” Laura Coombs The Manchester City midfielder earned a first England call-up in over two years when Wiegman selected her for the Arnold Clark Cup. The 32-year-old was as surprised as anyone to return from the international wilderness. She has given herself a chance to make the World Cup and kept her place ahead of April, but didn’t play against Brazil or Australia. Katie Zelem The Manchester United captain has been one of the top midfielders in the WSL for Marc Skinner’s league leaders this season, but missed out on April’s squad despite making the past three groups since the Euros. Zelem was on the standby list for the Euros but didn’t make the cut, and there is now work to do to make the World Cup. Faces a battle with Coombs for a place. Beth England England took the chance on a January move, leaving Chelsea for struggling Tottenham, and scored 12 goals in as many games over the second half of the season. The striker couldn’t have done much more - but was left out of April’s squad for the second successive international break despite her form for Spurs. Nikita Parris The 71-cap forward was another high-profile casualty of the Arnold Clark Cup squad, and has not been given another look since. Although she is playing consistently for an impressive Manchester United side, Parris has missed out on recent squads due to a lack of goals. Improved form over the final weeks of the season may sway Wiegman’s mind. Esme Morgan Tipped by Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor as a future England captain, and Morgan returned to the squad for April despite being left out of the Arnold Clark Cup in February. Injury disrupted her 2021-22 season but Morgan has been in impressive form since. The versatile 22-year-old started alongside Williamson against Australia, but England weren’t as defensively secure as usual. Jess Park Wiegman had a look at the 21-year-old during the Arnold Clark Cup. She started in midfield against Italy and although she only lasted until half time, Park’s selection for fixtures against Brazil and Australia was a huge vote of confidence. Definitely one for the future, but certainly among consideration for now - particulary with Fran Kirby out of the World Cup. May be England’s wildcard - but a should injury ended her season early. Lucy Parker The West Ham defender was given the chance to make her England debut against Brazil and Australia with a recall to the Lionesses squad, but her wait for a first cap goes on after remaining on the bench. Parker was also selected in October, but had to withdraw due to injury. Ebony Salmon The striker made the all three England squads post-Euros but missed out on April’s fixtures. The 22-year-old wants to be England’s No 9 but is currently behind the more established Russo and Daly in the pecking order. There is not enough room for all three. Hannah Hampton The goalkeeper was dropped by England after the Euros due to “personal issues” but is now back in the Lionesses fold. Wiegman appears to be confident that the problems that arose off the pitch last year have been resolved. Longer shots Steph Houghton The former England captain was left out of Wiegman’s Euros squad following an injury-hit season with Manchester City, and has not been given a look in since. Wiegman admitted it is unlikely Houghton will make the World Cup after the 34-year-old gave an interview to the BBC where she said she has not given up hope of being selected. Her chances could have improved after Williamson’s injury, should Wiegman look to replace her current captain’s experience. Gabby George The WSL’s player of the month for January was another notable absentee from the Arnold Clark Cup squad when it was named the following month. The Everton defender received her first call up in November but another now looks unlikely, despite her club form. Demi Stokes Stokes was one of the most experienced players in the Euros squad but illness and injury have limited the defender’s WSL appearances for Manchester City this season. Lucy Staniforth Like Nobbs, Staniforth joined Aston Villa in January in a bid to make the World Cup squad. The former Manchester United midfielder has not made an England squad since being included on the preliminary list for the Euros, where she was cut from the final 23. Ashleigh Neville It’s a subject of much debate that the Tottenham defender has yet to be given a look in by England, despite being included on the six-name shortlist for WSL player of the season last year. Unfortunately for Neville, that does not look set to change in 2023. Leah Galton The in-form Manchester United forward scored 10 goals in the WSL this season, but has no plans to make herself available for international selection. Galton asked not to be selected by England after a call-up in 2019 and the 28-year-old says she is happy with the “balance” in her life without international football. Millie Turner The centre-back was sidelined for six months last season due to an artery issue, but returned at the start of this campaign and was excellent in the heart of defence for Manchester United. She has still yet to make an appearance for England, or, like club team-mate Hannah Blundell, receive a call-up from Wiegman. Out Leah Williamson “Unfortunately the World Cup and Champions League dream is over for me and everyone will think that’s the main focus, but it’s the day to day of what I’m about to go through that is the most draining of my thoughts,” said a devastated Williamson after the worst possible news was confirmed. The captain went down in pain 12 minutes into Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester United and her club confirmed she had suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. A devastating blow. Fran Kirby Another huge blow. England had hoped to give Kirby time to rehabilitate after sustaining a knee injury sustained in February, but the Chelsea star has said there will not be enough time to make it back for the World Cup as she now requires surgery. “Unfortunately after a few months of rehab the decision has made that I will require surgery on my knee,” she said. “I have been trying my best to not have to undergo this but unfortunately my progress has been limited due to the issue in my knee. I’m absolutely gutted to announce my season is over and I will not be able to make the World Cup in the summer.” Sandy MacIver The goalkeeper, who has been a fixture of recent squads, has made herself unavailable for selection due to injury. Predicted England’s World Cup squad Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Ellie Roebuck, Hannah Hampton Defenders: Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Millie Bright, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Esme Morgan, Maya Le Tissier Midfielders: Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Jess Park, Jordan Nobbs, Laura Coombs Forwards: Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Katie Robinson, Rachel Daly Read More Leah Williamson’s ACL injury has to be a final wake-up call for football Every great team loses eventually - the Lionesses’ defeat might prove perfect timing Women’s World Cup: Who are England playing and what is their group? Bethany England belongs in World Cup squad, says Tottenham’s Vicky Jepson

A British couple claimed they found a makeshift shrine to missing Madeleine McCann at the Portuguese reservoir searched by police last week. The couple, named only as Ralf and Ann, told the Mail on Sunday they found the “strange” shrine seven months after the toddler vanished 16 years ago. The couple said they reported the shrine to Portuguese police but never heard back. The shrine consisted of a row of stones pointing to a picnic site which was dug up by police last week, a bouquet of white lilies and a photograph of the missing toddler. The retired couple, who regularly visit their holiday home near the Algarve reservoir, later reported the shrine to police after suspect Christian Brueckner was identified by German police in 2020, and gave a formal statement. Ralf, 66, described the shrine as “very strange”. Ann, 67, said: “Thinking about it now gives me goosebumps because when we saw where the police were searching the past few days you could see that’s where the row of stones was pointing to.” Officers concluded their search of the Algarve reservoir on Thursday. Read More British couple ‘found Madeleine McCann shrine’ at Portugal reservoir searched by police Madeleine McCann case: Timeline of the missing child’s disappearance How much has the Madeleine McCann investigation cost? Who is Christian Brueckner? Madeleine McCann suspect and the accusations against him

For about 40 minutes, including the half-time break, an era that dated back to the time Winston Churchill was prime minister was ending. As it stood, Everton’s 69-year stay in the top flight was entering its final throes. A first relegation since 1951 beckoned. This threatened to be a historic ignominy. Instead, it produced a place in Goodison Park folklore for Abdoulaye Doucoure; given the concerns about Everton’s finances and the question if the club could continue as a going concern without Premier League revenues, the midfielder might not have just been their savour in a footballing sense. But a rescuer he was. There were fireworks outside Goodison; those inside came from Doucoure’s right boot. A bearpit so often as Everton beat the drop last season, their rickety home was subdued, anxious, expecting the worst as Leicester led. Then it erupted. Because then Adam Smith headed out of the Bournemouth box. The ball sat up obligingly but Doucoure connected beautifully, hammering in a half volley from 20 yards. Mark Travers was motionless. Everton extended his contract this week; Doucoure repaid that, his £20m transfer fee and much more with a swing of his right foot. Marginalised under Frank Lampard, he become strangely, crucially prolific for Sean Dyche. The former Burnley manager was denied signings by the club’s ineptitude at the end of the January transfer window but the recalled Doucoure at least offered an injection of impetus. This was his fifth goal for the new manager. Two of the others came in the astonishing 5-1 triumph at Brighton, the most unlikely and ultimately decisive result in the relegation battle. And in a game high on tension and low on clear-cut opportunities – not least because Everton lacked the creativity to fashion them or a centre-forward of any kind – that sufficed. One-nil, the classic Dyche scoreline, came courtesy of plenty of perspiration and one moment of inspiration. This has been a successful salvage job by Dyche: his brand of grit has been unglamorous but his team of workhorses ground out a victory. Their destiny was in their hands and Everton clutched it. They could savour a wholehearted block from Yerry Mina and a wonderful tackle by Conor Coady on Dominic Solanke; two defenders Dyche had omitted were recalled in recent weeks and responded, excelling in what may prove their last games for the club. They could savour a terrific save by Jordan Pickford, parrying Matias Vina’s volley. They had to withstand 10 minutes of added time, some of it a product of Pickford’s timewasting. Amadou Onana punched the air when he won a throw. Then came the blessed relief of the final whistle: Pickford and Coady charged towards the Gwladys Street End until Everton’s players were swamped by a pitch invasion, the blue smoke from flares clouding the air. And so Goodison Park, which first staged top-flight football in 1892, will do so again in its final fixture in 2024 before Everton move to a new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock. Everton will make it 70 consecutive seasons in either the old Division 1 or the Premier League. But the jubilation had not lasted long before a chorus of “sack the board”. Once again, Everton have stumbled towards crisis, only to somehow spare themselves. The £600m of spending in the transfer market during Farhad Moshiri’s ownership has produced a team that only procured 36 points. Dyche did well to take 21 from his 18 matches in charge. For a game of such importance, he ended up with what was both a logical team selection and an utterly ludicrous one. Dyche picked his best available 11, but none of them are a specialist striker or a full-back. A manager with a marked preference for a regimented 4-4-2 formation ended up with a 3-3-3-1 more associated with Marcelo Bielsa and with three men out of position: James Garner and Dwight McNeil as wing-backs and Demarai Gray as a lone striker. Dyche was forced to improvise: Everton showed urgency, but also incoherency in an enforced experiment. It took Everton half an hour to carve out a chance of note and then, after an incisive pass from Amadou Onana, Idrissa Gueye’s shot was tipped over. Travers also clawed away a lob from Garner and parried a header from Gray that a proper centre-forward would probably have scored. But then came a goal of both great quality and huge importance. For Doucoure, a status alongside Graham Stuart, Gareth Farrelly and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the men who delivered the dramatic goals to spare Everton relegation in 1994, 1998 and 2022. There are times when Everton have needed to be the great escapologists. But even in mediocre seasons, with undistinguished teams, they have found a hero, produced an uplifting end. Everton are the great constants in the top division. Ever-presents since the 1950s, they will return once more next year where Leicester and Leeds will not. Read More Leicester’s unexpected twist provides reminder of football’s new reality Wigan already facing threat of second relegation with double points deduction From Netflix disaster to the Premier League? Sunderland seek to leave chaos behind Coventry aim to come full circle after journey to hell and back I apologise I didn’t do better – Sam Allardyce says sorry after Leeds relegated Mikel Arteta pleased to see Granit Xhaka given appreciation from Arsenal fans

It is a chilling statement uttered with the most flattering of intentions: “We’re dealing with a freak.” Those are the words of boxing promoter Ben Shalom, speaking over Zoom, pacing back and forth in a room that appears to have just a few small windows – just below the ceiling, along the back wall. You’d think he was a military commander fruitlessly planning how to take down Godzilla, but the Boxxer chief is in fact on the side of the monster in question here. And that monster is Adam Azim. It might seem an odd way to describe the 5ft 11in, 20-year-old super-lightweight, but put a pair of boxing gloves on the Briton and the results really are terrifying. “I remember when I was four years old,” the monster tells The Independent while lurking in a hallway inside Shane McGuigan’s gym. “My dad made me learn the basics at the back of the garden in Slough, he got me a speed ball in the garage. He used to put weighted hand wraps on me and make me do shadow boxing for like 20 minutes straight. Even when I was punching the speed ball, he used to put ankle weights on my legs and hands. I was very fast when I was young.” He is even faster now, his speed perhaps his greatest asset at this point in a fledgling professional career that is expected to grow into a captivating one. “When we saw him for the first time, we knew he was special,” says Shalom. “Everyone in boxing was talking about Adam Azim for a long time. We knew that a lot of promoters were going to be looking at him, and that we needed to secure him for a long time, because we believe that he can be literally one of the biggest stars that the country has seen – a household name. “We want him on the screens all the time. He almost reminds me of Amir Khan in 2005. Those were some of my earliest memories of boxing, Amir was boxing every couple of months on ITV and drawing huge audiences. We want to emulate that and take that to a new level.” Azim is still just 8-0, but with six emphatic knockout wins. “He looks at a lot of the world champions and believes that he would beat them in his next fight,” Shalom says, unquestionably serious, his eyes shark-like. “And Shane believes that. This is not a joke. “It’s high-risk, low-reward [for opponents]. I cannot tell you how feared this guy is; there’s world champions right now who would no way take a fight with him, even on a full camp’s notice, and I know that for a fact. We’re dealing with a freak, we’re dealing with a talent that you don’t see very often.” There is almost something humorous about the contrast between Shalom’s – clearly credible – observations and the unassuming way in which Azim speaks. He is, after all, just 20. But his life is not that of the average 20-year-old. Azim, like his highly-touted, 22-year-old brother Hassan, has been reared to be a champion. We discuss his love of action films – “The Raid, The Raid 2, all the Mission: Impossible films, I’m into DC and Marvel” – but that is the only extracurricular pastime that Azim allows himself. And it has been that way since he was young. Well, even younger. “I didn’t go out much,” he says. “I was always dedicated to boxing. I’d go swimming, cinema, or just chill out at a mate’s house. I didn’t really get to go out and explore, which... You’ve got to make sacrifices in your life. “Even now, I could go out and do a lot of stuff, but I’m just dedicated to my craft, because you can’t switch off in boxing. Footballers can do that because they have a team. All I really do on a weekend off is go for a walk, go round my mates’, or go to the cinema. That’s the same routine I’d done when I was younger. I ain’t gonna change it now, because you don’t wanna go the wrong way. I’ve got a goal to achieve, that’s all I wanna do.” Was there ever a threat of Azim going the ‘wrong way’? “I only went to secondary school for three months, because I was messing about, and my dad actually took me out and made me do home schooling so I could focus on boxing,” Azim says. “I believe if I’d gone to that school... I don’t know what I’d be doing now. My dad did the right thing, I thank my dad a lot for that.” Azim does seem genuinely grateful to be on this path, and to his dad for setting him on it. “He got me where I am today. He noticed I had that fighting spirit. In my family, our cousins and uncles are all fighters. I was meant to be a fighter – I can just feel it, you know?” Shalom agrees. “All he wants to do is fight; he would do it for free, he absolutely loves it. I’ve never met someone as focused as he is. It’s sometimes hard for Shane to calm him down. “It does take a lot for someone to become a star in boxing, there are so many elements that you can get wrong, [but] he’s made some really good decisions early on. His dad knows the game inside-out, and they’ve been preparing for this moment since he was about six years old. It literally is something that they knew was gonna come; they planned meticulously for the last 15 years. “You see tennis stars who’ve been taken around the world since they were young, they were almost bred to be No 1 in their sport. I really believe that’s how Adam has grown up. “He’s also a person who wants to stand for the right things and be the face of British boxing. We think he’s gonna be the one who really becomes synonymous with British boxing over the next five to 10 years.” You’d be a brave man to bet against a monster like this. Read More Built to survive, Dillian Whyte is fighting back and still here Dillian Whyte: ‘I was disappointed to lose to Tyson Fury, but if I lost 10 quid I’d be disappointed’ The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings Boxxer’s Ben Shalom: ‘I sacrificed my twenties, I sacrificed absolutely everything’ Leigh Wood and Chris Billam-Smith win world titles with victories over familiar foes Leigh Wood given message by trainer Ben Davison after controversial stoppage

The Premier League is set for a blockbuster final day as Everton, Leeds United and Leicester City all fight for a place in the top-flight next season. The Toffees are in pole position to survive the drop, sitting 17th in the table with a two-point advantage over their relegation rivals. They face Bournemouth in this afternoon’s clash and with the Cherries already safe Everton have a strong chance of claiming victory. Elsewhere, Leicester (18th) take on West Ham knowing that only three points - and an Everton loss - will be enough to keep them in the Premier League. The good news for Dean Smith’s side is that the Hammers are focused on their upcoming Europa Conference League final so may field a weakened team. The final contender in this relegation battle is Leeds. They have arguably the most difficult challenge as they take on Tottenham. Home advantage can play it’s part and the Elland Road faithful will bring the noise. Like the Hammers, Leeds must win and hope Everton lose, the difference is that Spurs are also chasing three points as they have a chance to earn European football next season. Follow all the action from the Premier League final day below and see which team avoids the drop: Read More ‘It is theatre’: Inside the emotional chaos of a final-day Premier League relegation battle Dean Smith knows just how big an achievement keeping Leicester up will be Consistency is key as Sean Dyche plans to get Everton survival bid over the line

Can Leeds United pull off a shock and defeat Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the Premier League season? That’s the only way Sam Allardyce’s men can make sure they avoid relegation to the Championship this year. Fate is out of their hands in the battle for survival after a 1-1 draw with Leicester City last time out kept them inside the bottom three, two points behind 17th placed Everton. To have any chance of remaining in the top-flight Leeds must win today and hope other results go in their favour. Spurs will be difficult to beat though as they are still challenging for a place in Europe next season. They could nick a Europa Conference League spot away from Aston Villa if they earn all three points at Elland Road and no doubt Harry Kane will want to impress after rumours he could be leaving the club in the summer. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this crucial Premier League clash: When is Leeds vs Tottenham? Leeds vs Tottenham is due to kick off at 4.30pm BST on Sunday 28 May at Elland Road in Leeds. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on BT Sport 1HD, with coverage on the channels from 3.30pm BST. Subscribers can stream the game via the BT Sport app. Team news Leeds will give Patrick Bamford as long as he needs to prove his fitness before the start of the match and Rodrigo is back in training so should feature for the Whites. Manager Sam Allardyce says he will risk starting players who aren’t fully fit but have the desire to play and hopefully win the game. Eric Dier has undergone groin surgery this week and will be unavailable for Tottenham. Cristiano Romero has picked up a knock so won’t play but Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could feature. Predicted line-ups Leeds XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Firpo; McKennie, Roca; Harrison, Rodrigo, Sinisterra; Bamford Tottenham XI: Forster; Emerson, Sanchez, Lenglet; Porro, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Davies; Richarlison, Kane, Son Odds Leeds win 7/4 Draw 29/10 Tottenham win 7/5 Prediction Leeds put up a good fight and provide some drama on the final day of the season by taking the lead early on before Spurs kick into gear and record a comeback win on what could possibly be Harry Kane’s last outing for the club, in the process Sam Allardyce’s men are relegated to the Championship. Leeds 1-2 Tottenham. Read More ‘It is theatre’: Inside the emotional chaos of a final-day Premier League relegation battle Premier League relegation: What do Leeds, Everton and Leicester need to survive? Harry Kane taking inspiration from greats as he eyes another decade at top

Leigh Wood regained the WBA featherweight title with a decision win over Mauricio Lara on Saturday, avenging a knockout loss to the Mexican in the process. Wood was fighting in his hometown of Nottingham in February when he suffered a controversial TKO defeat by Lara, who took the WBA belt from the 34-year-old in Round 7. However, Lara, 25, was stripped of the title on Friday (26 May), after failing to make weight for his Manchester rematch with Wood. Furthermore, only Wood was eligible to win the vacant title in the main-event bout. And Wood did just that, knocking down Lara in Round 2 and going on to beat the Mexican via unanimous decision. Elsewhere, Chris Billam-Smith won his first world title, and Michael Conlan suffered a brutal KO loss – more on those results below. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Leigh Wood and Chris Billam-Smith win world titles with victories over familiar foes Tyson Fury sends Anthony Joshua ‘draft contract’ for Wembley fight Katie Taylor’s long reign as boxing queen over despite heroic last stand

Leigh Wood and Chris Billam-Smith enjoyed successful evenings against familiar foes on Saturday, winning world titles in their respective fights. Wood avenged a knockout loss to Mauricio Lara by outpointing the Mexican in Manchester, regaining the WBA featherweight title that he lost in the pair’s first clash. Meanwhile, Billam-Smith was a decision victor over former sparring partner Lawrence Okolie, winning the WBO cruiserweight title at the stadium that is home to his beloved AFC Bournemouth. Wood, 34, was fighting in his hometown of Nottingham when he lost the WBA featherweight belt to Lara in February, as the Mexican won with a controversial TKO in Round 7. However, Lara was stripped of the title on Friday (26 May) after failing to make weight for his rematch with Wood, who was the only fighter eligible to win the gold in Saturday’s main event. And Wood, who was leading his first fight with Lara at the time of the stoppage, got out ahead of the 25-year-old again in Manchester. This time, though, the Briton was able to stay composed throughout, earning a unanimous-decision win (118-109, 118-109, 116-111). Meanwhile, at Vitality Stadium – home to Premier League club Bournemouth – Billam-Smith won a scrappy majority decision against Okolie to claim his first world title. Billam-Smith, in front of a raucous home crowd, knocked down his ex-sparring partner three times, while Okolie also had two points docked for excessive holding. It all led to scorecards of 112-112, 116-107, 115-108 in favour of Billam-Smith. “The Gentleman” then dedicated the win to his mother, who is suffering from breast cancer, and his son, who turned one year old on Friday. Elsewhere, Michael Conlan did not have such a happy homecoming. The Northern Irishman, fighting in his hometown of Belfast, was stopped by Luis Alberto Lopez in the fifth round. Mexican Lopez dropped Conlan with a vicious uppercut, and the towel came in as Conlan struggled to find his bearings. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Mauricio Lara stripped of title before Leigh Wood rematch amid weigh-in drama Wood vs Lara LIVE: Latest boxing fight updates and results What time does Wood vs Lara start in UK and US this weekend?

Former sparring partners Lawrence Okolie and Chris Billam-Smith will meet in a world-title fight this weekend. FOLLOW LIVE: Wood vs Lara 2 – latest fight updates Okolie enters Billam-Smith’s hometown of Bournemouth with the WBO cruiserweight belt and an unbeaten record, but the challenger will be buoyed by great support at Vitality Stadium – home to his beloved AFC Bournemouth. In his most recent fight, Okolie outpointed David Light in March, with the beaten New Zealander suffering a ‘mild stroke’ but expected to make a ‘full recovery’. Meanwhile, Billam-Smith produced a knockout-of-the-year contender against Armend Xhoxhaj in December. Okolie (19-0, 14 KOs) said of Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KOs) this week: “Chris, I love you, but I have to get the KO in this one.” Here’s all you need to know. When is it? The fight will take place at Vitality Stadium, home to Premier League side AFC Bournemouth, on Saturday 27 May. The main card is set to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET), with ring walks for the main event expected at approximately 10pm BST (3pm PT, 5pm CT, 6pm ET). How can I watch it? The event will air live on Sky Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s website and Sky Go app also streaming the fights. No US broadcaster has yet been confirmed for the event. Odds Okolie – 2/7 Billam-Smith – 11/4 Draw – 14/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Lawrence Okolie (C) vs Chris Billam-Smith (WBO cruiserweight title) Mikael Lawal (C) vs Isaac Chamberlain (British cruiserweight title) Lee Cutler vs Stanley Stannard (super-welterweight) Mace Ruegg vs Dean Dodge (super-featherweight) Sam Eggington vs Joe Pigford (super-welterweight) Michael McKinson vs TBA (welterweight) Tommy Welch vs TBA (heavyweight) Karriss Artingsall vs. Jade Taylor (featherweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Wood vs Lara live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV this weekend Katie Taylor’s long reign as boxing queen over despite heroic last stand ‘Daylight robbery’: Vasiliy Lomachenko’s team plan to appeal Devin Haney defeat Joe Rogan is right: Tyson Fury has ‘no chance in hell’ against Jon Jones

Follow live coverage as Coventry City face Luton Town in the Championship today. English football's second tier is one of the most-watched leagues in Europe with a relentless fixture schedule and the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer combining to make it one of the most dramatic and exciting competitions in world football. Burnley were relegated from the top tier in 2022 but return refreshed and hopeful of making it back and equally Watford no doubt enjoyed their time in the Premier League too and are also keen to return. Norwich know what it takes to earn promotion from the Championship and will again be one of the favourites to do it again with one of the best squads in the division. It isn't all about the battle for promotion, either, with Wigan, Rotherham and play-off winners Sunderland hoping their ascensions from League One aren't short-lived as they battle to avoid the drop at the bottom. We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:

Jamal Musiala’s 89th-minute goal saw Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga title for an 11th year in a row as they snatched it away from rivals Borussia Dortmund on a dramatic final day. Dortmund would have claimed their first title since the 2011-12 season if they had beaten Mainz at home but drew 2-2, only levelling in the sixth minute of stoppage time, while Musiala’s late strike gave Bayern a 2-1 win at Cologne to take the honours on goal difference. Dortmund, for whom England midfielder Jude Bellingham was an unused substitute after injury, quickly got the sense this would not be their day. They fell behind to Andreas Hanche-Olsen’s 15th-minute header, then saw Sebastian Haller’s penalty saved moments later before Karim Onisiwo doubled Mainz’s lead in the 24th minute. Raphael Guerreiro offered the hosts hope when he hammered in a cross from Gio Reyna in the 69th minute. And soon after Dortmund were back at the top of the standings as Dejan Ljubicic’s 81st-minute penalty cancelled out Kingsley Coman’s early curling strike to make it 1-1 in Cologne, Dortmund ahead by a point at that stage. But there was one final twist as Serge Gnabry, guilty of conceding that late penalty, teed up Musiala to fire in the winner. Niklas Sule scored deep into time added on for Dortmund but it would make no difference as Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern took the title.