Overseas matches, disruptive broadcast deals and a global network of delegates: how La Liga is trying to close the gap to the Premier League October 25, 2018 You may have noticed Spanish football in the headlines lately – and not only because this weekend sees the latest instalment of its biggest game, El Clasico, between Barcelona and Real Madrid. La Liga, the organisation that represents Barca, Madrid and the other 40 clubs that make up Spain’s top two divisions, and their straight-talking [...]
Ollie Phillips: Pressure mounting on Eddie Jones ahead of autumn internationals as RFU publicly pursue his successor October 25, 2018 The Rugby Football Union are already preparing for life after Eddie Jones, it emerged this week. That in itself isn’t controversial. One day he will have to step aside – it just depends whether that will be at the end of his contract in 2021 or following the 2019 World Cup. Jones is well aware [...]
A year ago Crystal Palace got their season on track with a win at Chelsea and Roy Hodsgon will need his side to replicate last year’s heroics ahead of tough run October 25, 2018 It was this time last year that Crystal Palace began to stop the rot following a dismal first seven games of the season that left them bottom of the Premier League with no points and no goals. A shock win at home to Chelsea in mid-October proved the catalyst for improvement. Palace went from strength [...]
Making meaningful connections through cancer October 25, 2018 Each year in the UK, 359,960 cancer diagnoses are made. That’s 359,960 people of all ages and backgrounds told they have cancer. The impact of a cancer diagnosis affects not only the person themselves, it affects all areas of their lives, including their families, children and relationships. It’s vital that raising awareness of cancer and [...]
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey review: Ubisoft’s vast Greek sandbox can’t live up to its spectacular setting October 25, 2018 Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed series has been around since 2007, drawing in audiences with its finely tuned mix of stealth, parkour, and open-world adventure, and sending them on a murdery tour through history. Previous games in the series have explored time periods as diverse as the Italian Renaissance, Victorian London, and everyone’s favourite part of history: [...]
Chris Tremlett: Sri Lanka series win heightens England’s healthy selection headache ahead of the World Cup October 24, 2018 The subcontinent is a difficult place to go and win matches, regardless of the opposition, so England will be delighted with their 3-1 one-day international series victory over Sri Lanka. Monsoon season hasn’t helped, but in between the showers England have put in some really good performances. They lost the final ODI by a record [...]
Lewis Hamilton looks set to seal the Formula One world title at Mexican Grand Prix but the constructors’ championship could go down to the wire October 24, 2018 The drivers’ championship may be all but over, but Mercedes will want Lewis Hamilton to do more than just scrape the five points he needs to claim his fifth world title at the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, with the race for the constructors’ championship still hanging in the balance. When team-mate Valtteri Bottas surrendered [...]
Just not cricket: Why England risk injury to play football in the warm-up October 24, 2018 Jonny Bairstow’s ankle injury, which has made him a doubt for England’s opening Test match against Sri Lanka on 6 November, has sparked a familiar discussion in the cricket world. England’s players and staff are always dreading injuries, especially to someone of Bairstow’s importance. But the origin of his problem will have caused further consternation [...]
Trevor Steven: Arsenal have rediscovered their team spirit and it is fuelling their revival under Unai Emery October 23, 2018 On the eve of the season, when we were all making our predictions, I felt that the Arsenal squad that Unai Emery was inheriting was very good – but one that was in need of a push. Having lost his first two matches – understandably, since little was expected against Manchester City and Chelsea – [...]
PSV Eindhoven v Tottenham: Mauricio Pochettino’s side need to grind out a win to keep the project on track October 23, 2018 It wasn’t supposed to be like this for Tottenham. Their third consecutive season in the Champions League was meant to see the club push on and compete with Europe’s elite inside their shiny new stadium. But after two games they are already at a make-or-break stage. Successive defeats by Inter Milan and Barcelona – each [...]