Sturm Graz will welcome Hartberg to Merkur-Arena in the Austrian Bundesliga on Sunday. The hosts are out to defend their title, while the visitors are looking to snatch a UEFA spot.
Sturm Graz vs Hartberg Preview
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Sturm Graz have won the Austrian Bundesliga in the last two seasons and are certainly eying a third, back-to-back, this term. They are on track, after winning the regular season by one point ahead of second-placed Red Bull Salzburg. However, they would have to clinch the Championship round to become champions anew.
Die Schwoazn, unlike the visitors, are undefeated in their last seven matches in all competitions. They seem to have extended their impressive run into the Championship round, winning twice and drawing once. Sturm Graz sit atop the Championship round on 26 points, but are closely followed by LASK on 25 points.
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Hartberg managed to escape the relegation battle by two points, after finishing sixth on 33 points, just above WSG Tirol (31 points). But the visitors are struggling in the Championship round, with two defeats already against Salzburg (2-1) and Austria Vienna (1-0). They boast only one draw.
TSV didn’t fare better last season either. They finished in eighth place and failed to qualify for the Championship round, taking part in the Relegation round. The visitors eventually finished second to earn qualification for the Conference League play-offs. Sturm Graz defeated Hartberg 1-0 in their last meeting.
Sturm Graz vs Hartberg Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
Sturm Graz have won four times and drawn once in their last five matches against Hartberg.
Sturm Graz have won thrice and lost twice in their last five matches at home against Hartberg.
Sturm Graz have won thrice and drawn twice in their last five matches at home.
Hartberg have won twice and drawn thrice in their last five matches on the road.
Sturm Graz have won thrice and drawn twice in their last five matches, while Hartberg have drawn thrice and lost twice. Form Guide: Sturm Graz – W-D-D-W-W, Hartberg – L-L-D-D-D.
Sturm Graz vs Hartberg Prediction
Sturm Graz are in a tight race to safeguard their top spot, with just one point clear. Any slip-up at this moment would be disastrous.
Hartberg have little hope of success in this competition, as they sit bottom on 17 points, trailing the top spot by nine points.
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Sturm Graz are expected to win based on form and home advantage.
It was not an entirely vintage performance from the 37-year-old, who often looked his age as he laboured through 12 rounds at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, shaking off 16 months of inactivity.
But still, it came as little surprise when Fury called out Joshua, his long-term rival, during his post-fight interview, urging him to sign on the dotted line.
Matching this enthusiasm, Alalshikh suggested their heavyweight dustup could soon be announced, while Joshua responded with a slightly different tone when handed the microphone.
Instead of playing Fury’s game, the 36-year-old decided to take a more measured approach, insisting that nothing is confirmed until both sides are satisfied with the deal.
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But while Joshua represents Fury’s preferred option, ‘The Gypsy King’ equally said at his post-fight press conference that a trilogy showdown with Oleksandr Usyk could also make sense.
“I wanna fight Anthony Joshua – that’s it. Or, if AJ don’t want it, then let’s get Usyk in the trilogy. But I need some f**king fair play.”
Clearly, Fury has maintained his belief that, despite twice being outpointed by Usyk in 2024, he should have had his hand raised on both occasions.
The chance to exact his revenge therefore represents an enticing possibility, while Joshua, who has not fought since stopping Jake Paul in December, may still consider a ‘warm-up’ fight.
Paris-Roubaix is a bike race which rewards guile and experience, one for the battle-hardened pro rather than the wide-eyed youngster. Zoe Backstedt in some ways is both. At 21 she is among the peloton’s younger contingent – but she has an additional weapon in her arsenal: a family history of Paris-Roubaix going back more than 20 years.
Her father, Magnus Backstedt, took the biggest win of his career in the famous Roubaix velodrome in 2004; Zoe and older sister and fellow cyclist Elynor grew up re-watching, analysing and celebrating his race.
“It’s in the family to enjoy this race and to have a special connection to it,” the younger Backstedt tells The Independentover video call,a few days before the 2026 edition. “For me part of it is following what he’s done, and one day I would also like to have a cobblestone to go next to his.”
Magnus’ iconic cobblestone prize lives on a bookshelf in the Backstedt family living room, and his success means that Zoe not only knows the ins and outs of the race – it means she’s aware of what it feels like to lift the trophy, too. “I tell you, if you try and lift it above your head after a race, I don’t think I could do it,” she grins. “[The shelf] now has a dip in it, because it’s just that heavy.”
Magnus raced Paris-Roubaix eight times over the course of his career and has been imparting his wisdom ever since. “He’s told me every single story there is to tell about this race, about every single edition that he’s done, that it was dry, wet, different changes in the course, he knows everything. He knows where every single pothole is on the course, he could tell you literally to a T. So we’ve grown up learning this course as well, watching his race back because as a family, it makes us so proud of his achievement.”
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When we speak Backstedt is fresh from a team recon of five of the 20 cobbled sectors, which make up just over 33km of the 143km women’s race. Her Canyon-SRAM-zondacrypto team rode the first three sectors, which are new to the course this year, and the infamous Carrefour de l’Arbre: the fourth-last sector and one of two rated five stars, the most gruelling of all.
“It’s like a two-parter, you have a really awful, aggressive part to start with, and then it goes across the road, you’ve got a nice” – she checks her wording – “nice, I don’t know, less aggressive sector with a bit of gravel on the side. I made the most of that today, saved myself from the cobblestones, and I’m going to go full in for those on Sunday.”
Paris-Roubaix is one of the most gruelling races on the cycling calendar (AFP via Getty Images)
The race sees the riders swap the cobbles of Flanders in the previous Monument for the harsher pavé of northern France (Belga/AFP via Getty Images)
Many riders speak about Paris-Roubaix with a mix of respect and dread – there’s an element of masochism to the race – but Backstedt relishes it. “Just out there having a bit of fun, and the sun was shining in France – not Belgium,” she says, with the air of someone who has made that mix-up before. “It was super nice to see a bit of the course again.”
Backstedt has ridden Paris-Roubaix three times, finishing 46th on her debut at age 18 and upgrading that to 16th in 2024 and 15th last year. And the Red Bull athlete has every reason to hope she can crack the top 10, or go a step further this time round.
She will be one of the in-form riders on the start line in Denain and impressed in the hilly Tour of Flanders – the only other cobbled Monument – last Sunday. She finished fifth, her best-ever result in the race, backing up a fourth place in Dwars door Vlaanderen a few days prior.
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The Welshwoman was part of an elite group including three-time Flanders winner Lotte Kopecky, eventual winner Demi Vollering and defending Paris-Roubaix champion champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot over the infamous Koppenberg hill, and later said she had “goosebumps” being in such elite company.
Backstedt has multiple junior and under-23 world titles to her name and is one of the in-form riders of the peloton heading to Paris-Roubaix (Kristof Ramon / Red Bull Content Pool)
She said: “I was really proud of myself. I really didn’t expect to go into the day with the legs that I had and to be able to go over all of these iconic climbs, going over the Koppenberg in the front group of ten, with Kopecky, [Elisa] Longo Borghini, those kinds of riders, and be almost fighting for a podium – that was not on my bingo card for the day!”
Even so, she isn’t satisfied, adding: “It was a shame that I missed those front three that went [Vollering, Ferrand-Prevot and Puck Pieterse, who completed the podium], but what can you do?”
That result means she is full of confidence ahead of Paris-Roubaix, and with good reason: as a former world junior and under-23 cyclo-cross champion, she is well suited to difficult terrain.
She says: “I think it’s a super useful skill to have, just knowing how to handle uneven surfaces and conditions that are very unpredictable, especially if there’s rain at some point, if the cobblestones become super slippery.”
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She was among an elite group of ten at the business end of last Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, won by Demi Vollering (Belga/AFP via Getty Images)
Her success against the clock – she has won both junior and under-23 world titles in time trials too – may also come in handy. “Time trialling is very much an individual pain, an individual effort. Cyclocross is the same: one hour, you’re not riding with any teammates, with tactics, you’re purely riding, constantly with a high heart rate, constantly thinking under pressure. And your whole body is completely dead at the end, the same feeling that I’d have at the end of a time trial.”
And the same as at the end of Paris-Roubaix. “It’s definitely one of those races that you hate in the moment,” she smiles. “And then once you cross the finish line, and you know that you can relax, it’s one of the nicest and most rewarding races. Even to finish, to finish first or last, is such a rewarding thing.
“Going across kilometres of cobblestones that you’re not naturally meant to do, it’s aggressive on your hands, on your legs, on your arms, on your body, all of your muscles are just so tense for four hours. I think that’s also what makes it one of my favourite races, it brings out the strongest riders. The ones that are the front are the ones that can handle all of the pain, that can handle everything that your body is going to go through.”
Backstedt’s cyclo-cross background could give her the edge on Sunday (Kristof Ramon / Red Bull Content Pool)
Unsurprisingly, she has high hopes for Sunday. “It’s my favourite race of the whole season, so I’m hoping that the team will give me the chance to be the leader,” she says frankly. “Of course the whole race is a little bit based on luck, you can have a puncture one kilometre before the most important sector, and then your whole race is done, or someone can crash in front of you. There’s so many unknowns that you can’t really go in with too much expectation.
“But for sure, I want to be better than last year. I mean, I would love to do a top five like I did on the weekend, but I know that’s also going to be hard, so no expectation, no pressure for myself. It’s just going and having fun, racing the bike, and see what I can do.”
And if the 21-year-old can come away with a slab of French rock it will be not just a triumph for her and the team, but for a family bound up in the history of this race, a triumph 22 years in the making.
Former India player Aakash Chopra has highlighted the Mumbai Indians’ (MI) selection conundrum heading into their IPL 2026 clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He noted that the five-time champions have multiple choices to make in the bowling department, pointing out that virtually all their bowlers have proved very expensive.
MI will host RCB in the 20th game of IPL 2026 in Mumbai on Sunday, April 12. While the home team is placed eighth on the points table with two points from three games, the visitors have garnered four points from three matches and are third in the standings.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ the former India opener noted that MI have struggled with their bowling, with Jasprit Bumrah being the only bowler to have an economy of less than 10 in IPL 2026, and would have to choose between Trent Boult and Corbin Bosch and between Deepak Chahar and Ashwani Kumar in the seam-bowling department.
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“Plenty of questions. A good team, but you (MI) have lost two of the three matches. It’s not a good story. Will you stay with Trent Boult? If you want to stay with Trent Boult, you will have to bowl him more overs with the new ball. Do you want to stay or go? You will have to answer that question,” Chopra said.
“Do you want to keep Deepak Chahar or play Ashwani Kumar? You will have to answer that question as well because the bowling is struggling. Only one bowler has an economy in single digits. Everyone else, who has played two or more matches, is in double digits,” he added.
Aakash Chopra also wondered whether the Mumbai Indians would want to try Raghu Sharma as a spinner, urging them to stick with Allah Ghazanfar ahead of Mitchell Santner. He added that MI might consider playing Will Jacks in place of Sherfane Rutherford if the England all-rounder is available.
“I have a suggestion for you” – Aakash Chopra on a potential change in RCB’s playing 12 for IPL 2026 clash vs MI
RCB suffered a six-wicket loss in their IPL 2026 clash against RR (Image via iplt20.com)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra wondered whether RCB should bring in Jacob Bethell at Phil Salt’s expense for their IPL 2026 clash against MI.
“If you (RCB) lose this, your situation will be like Delhi’s, with two wins and two losses. I have a suggestion for you. Do you want to play Jacob Bethell in place of Phil Salt? Phil Salt doesn’t keep in any case. Jitesh Sharma is doing the keeping,” he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that Bethell had scored a blazing century in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against India at the same venue.
“I am thinking about Jacob Bethell because of how well he batted at this ground. He was absolutely brilliant in the T20 World Cup semi-final. Would you want to play him? Phil Salt is not scoring runs. You can make Devdutt Padikkal open. Bring Bethell in place of Phil Salt, and keep him at No. 3,” Chopra observed.
Aakash Chopra pointed out that Jacob Bethell will also give RCB another left-arm spin option. He highlighted that MI have many right-handers in their batting lineup.
Graveyard Keeper is a very interesting simulation game where you have to do some shady graveyard work to make money and unlock new technologies to progress.
There are many tasks at hand such as expanding your church and spreading your influence that requires a lot of paperwork in Graveyard Keeper. Doing the paperwork also requires a lot of writing supplies and ink, and crafting ink can be confusing if you are starting out.
While you can buy ink from the Astrologer early on, crafting it yourself is essential to avoid spending money on something that is very important in the gameplay. Here is a straightforward, step-by-step guide to producing your own ink from scratch in Graveyard Keeper.
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Guide to making ink in Graveyard Keeper
You need to make black paint in Graveyard Keeper before making ink (Image via Lazy Bear Games || YouTube@jamasinplays)
Before you can start mixing ingredients, you must unlock the necessary workstations in your technology tree:
Writing supplies: This technology node allows you to craft ink and paper at the church workbench.
Alchemy: You must navigate the swamp and speak to Clotho the witch to unlock the alchemy tech tree. This allows you to build the alchemy workbench (tier I), which is mandatory for mixing dyes.
The biggest hurdle in making ink is obtaining black paint. There are a few alchemical recipes, but two methods are great for players who have just started Graveyard Keeper or progressed a little ahead. These methods are mixing ash with oil and adding graphite powder with water.
Ash: Easily obtained by cremating corpses on pyres instead of burying them.
Oil: You can buy “seed oil” from Dig (the vendor east of the tavern) or press it yourself from hemp seeds.
Note: You cannot put a glass bottle of “seed oil” directly into the alchemy bench. You must open your inventory, select the seed oil, and click “Use” to extract 10 drops of usable oil. Combine the ash and oil at the tier I alchemy workbench to create your paint.
The other method involves mixing graphite powder with water and it is not recommended for early gameplay. Here’s how you can make ink using this method.
Graphite powder: Mine coal, smelt it into graphite in a furnace (level 2 or higher), and grind it down using an alchemy mill.
Water: Draw a bucket from the well near your house and “Use” it in your inventory to get water droplets. Combine the powder and water at the bench.
Once you have your black paint, you need two final components to thin it out and store it:
Water (1x): Sourced from your home well.
Conical flasks (1x): Crafted at a furnace using glass (smelted from river sand and water) or purchased directly from the Astrologer.
Once you have all the necessary raw material, you can craft ink using the workbench (Image via Lazy Bear Games || YouTube@jamasinplays)
Head down to the church basement and interact with the church workbench. Combine your 1x black paint, 1x water, and 1x conical flask. This recipe is highly efficient, yielding 5x ink per craft. To turn your newly crafted ink into a usable writing tool, combine it with feathers (purchased from the village egg vendor) to make pen and ink.
If you have not set up your alchemy lab yet and just need to finish an early quest, like making flyers for the Inquisitor, do not panic. The Astrologer sells ink and feathers once a week. Buying a single bottle of ink to craft three sets of pen and ink is a great way to avoid the early grind until your graveyard economy is fully operational.
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Bred more for speed than endurance, Single Choice still holds strong prospects to hand trainer Matt Cumani a breakthrough Group One in the South Australian Derby.
A product of Anders, celebrated for explosive sprint ability, Single Choice asserted superiority to win the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield over the weekend.
Originally the standout favourite, he drifted to $5 third choice at the jump with Jamie Mott steering, settling the runner outside the frontrunners.
The race unfolded with a lethargic start before quickening, enabling Single Choice to burst clear for a 1-1/4 length margin over Arabian Prince ($3.70) as $2.90 favourite Amazake endured severe checking midrace around the turn.
“I was very nervous about whether he’d get the trip, but he got a beautiful ride by Motty,” Cumani said.
“No speed early, but they went pretty solid from the 800 (metres) out, even earlier than that and he had to sustain a pretty hard run.
“But he’s got to be of that turn of foot and that’s really valuable for a horse that can get a bit of a trip.
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“I think we’ve got to go to Adelaide off that. This race was a bit of a test to see if he might get a derby distance, and even though it might not have been a solid run 2400 throughout, I think it’s provided enough of a test to say that we can go there and give it a go.”
Rider Jamie Mott was impressed by Single Choice’s adaptation, particularly after the horse’s wide trip to victory in the Autumn Classic two runs previous.
“It was bit of a new scenario for him, and he adapted well, and I think if he takes his form today to the Derby, they’ll know he’s there for sure,” Mott said.
Visit premier betting sites to find the keenest racing odds on the upcoming South Australian Derby.
Badminton Asia Championships Final Live Score: Ayush Shetty vs Shi Yu Qi Badminton Asia Championships Final Live Score: India’s emerging badminton talent Ayush Shetty is on the cusp of a historic achievement as he gears up to face China’s Shi Yu Qi in the men’s singles final of the Badminton Asia Championships on Sunday.
The 20-year-old has been the breakout star of the tournament, putting together an impressive run against some of the world’s best. Now, just one victory separates him from a landmark title that would mark a defining moment in his young career and a significant milestone for Indian badminton.
Semifinal heroics: Shetty stuns world No. 1 Shetty delivered a performance of immense character in the semifinal, overcoming reigning world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn in a gripping three-game encounter. After a one-sided opening game, the Indian showed resilience and tactical maturity to fight back, turning the match around with aggressive shot-making and improved control in the rallies.
Shi Yu Qi cruises into final In contrast, Shi Yu Qi had a far more straightforward passage to the final. The Chinese star produced a dominant display in his semifinal, winning in straight games with authority. His control over rallies, sharp net play, and ability to dictate tempo ensured he rarely allowed his opponent any foothold in the match.
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On Saturday, the 20-year-old Ayush dethroned Kunvalut 10-21, 21-19, 21-17, while world No.2 Shi outclassed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei 21-9, 21-13 in the semifinals of Badminton Asia Championships.
When and where to watch live Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM IST Live Streaming: Available on Badminton Asia’s official Facebook and YouTube channels TV Broadcast: No live telecast in India
China’s Shi Yu Qi leads the head-to-head record against India’s Ayush Shetty 2-0 . The two shuttlers are scheduled to meet for the third time today. While Shi Yu Qi has won both previous encounters, their last meeting at the Malaysia Open in January was a closely contested three-game battle, suggesting Shetty is closing the gap.
Head-to-head and challenge ahead Shi Yu Qi currently leads the head-to-head 2-0, but their most recent meeting at the Malaysia Open earlier this year was a closely fought three-game encounter. That match suggested that Shetty is steadily closing the gap against one of the world’s best.
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Shetty will also draw inspiration from fellow Indian Lakshya Sen, who defeated Shi Yu Qi at the All England Championships last month, a result that proved the Chinese star can be beaten.
Apr 11, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Brock Boeser (6) and San Jose Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin (85) battle for control of the puck during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Macklin Celebrini tallied his 109th and 110th points of the season, but the San Jose Sharks couldn’t win their home finale of the season, falling 4-3 to the Vancouver Canucks in a shootout on Saturday night.
Jake DeBrusk and Linus Karlsson found the back of the net for the Canucks in the shootout, which went to six rounds.
DeBrusk, Teddy Blueger and Marco Rossi scored in regulation, and Kevin Lankinen made 28 saves for the Canucks (23-48-8, 54 points), who had lost four straight games and nine of their last 10. Vancouver has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Igor Chernyshov scored twice, Celebrini had two assists and Yaroslav Askarov made 38 saves for the Sharks (37-34-8, 82 points), who have lost three straight. Saturday’s loss keeps the Sharks five points behind the Los Angeles Kings, who are in the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference playoff standings.
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Chernyshov put San Jose ahead 1-0 at 16:19 of the first period. Celebrini won a faceoff in Vancouver’s zone and fell as he fed the puck to Chernyshov, who scored on a backhand shot in front of the net.
Rossi tied the game 1-1 at 5:56 of the second period. Askarov went to play the puck behind the net, then tried to adjust before Rossi’s shot caught him out of position. The netminder pulled the net down on the puck, but officials called the goal good for Vancouver.
Tyler Toffoli gave the Sharks the 2-1 lead at 9:02. Sam Dickinson broke up the ice and set Toffoli up with a drop pass. The veteran center scored on a wrist shot.
DeBrusk tied the score back up 2-2 on a power play at 17:37. Askarov stopped a shot by Filip Hronek, and DeBrusk successfully scored on the rebound. San Jose challenged the goal for goaltender interference, but the call stood. It was DeBrusk’s 20th goal of the season, and 17th on the man advantage.
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Chernyshov’s second goal of the night put the Sharks up 3-2 at 12:44 as Celebrini set him up for a wrist shot. Blueger tied the game 3-3 with 3:00 left in regulation with a wrist shot.
Apr 11, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego FC midfielder Onni Valakari (8) shoots against the Minnesota United FC during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images
Kelvin Yeboah scored his fourth goal of the season just before halftime and visiting Minnesota United held on for a 2-1 victory over 10-man San Diego FC on Saturday night.
Kyle Duncan also scored in the first half and Owen Gene had assists on both goals for the Loons (3-2-2, 11 points), who completed a second straight away win.
They were aided by a third red card received by a San Diego player in as many games, when defender Christopher McVey received his second booking in the opening minutes of the second half.
It was also McVey’s second ejection in as many appearances.
Luca Bombino, 19, scored his second career MLS goal and first of the season on a thunderous early volley for San Diego (3-2-2, 11 points), which is winless in its last five matches across all competitions.
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Before that slide, the second-year club had won five out of its first six between MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup play.
Duncan pulled Minnesota level in the 15th minute, eight minutes after going behind.
After a nice sequence of passes on the left attacking half, Gene picked out Tomas Chancalay on the left flank.
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Chancalay lofted a left-footed cross to the back post, where Duncan met it with a firm header past Duran Ferree.
Next, Yeboah punished some reluctant San Diego defending to give the Loons the lead in the 40th minute.
This time it was Gene sending in an early cross from the right to the back post, where Anthony Markanich met it with a downward header.
Defenders reacted slowly, and Yeboah reached the loose ball to stab it across the line from close range.
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It got worse for the hosts in the opening seconds of the second half when McVay fouled Minnesota’s Nicolas Romero.
For the second time, referee Victor Rivas produced a caution in McVey’s direction. His previous dismissal late in a 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake on March 22 also resulted from multiple bookings.
The hosts still applied pressure for a leveler, coming closest when Anders Dreyer forced Drake Callendar into a leaping save late in second-half stoppage time.
In a captivating Group One spectacle, Idle Flyer has overshadowed a highly competitive field, handing trainer Matthew Smith his second Queen Of The Turf Stakes success.
The pace-setting Pride Of Jenni rolled freely as predicted, pulling the pack apart for a demanding 1600-metre affair.
Zac Lloyd kept Idle Flyer poised in fourth, and as Lady Shenandoah mounted her bid to catch the frontrunner for second, Lloyd timed his move perfectly to score by three-quarters of a length.
Treasurethe Moment filled third, three-quarters farther adrift, prompting Smith to reflect that a feature win over The Championships made his early alarms and long shifts rewarding.
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“It’s what you get up in the mornings for. It means everything,” Smith said.
“I just can’t believe she’s won. I knew she was going good, but I didn’t think she’d win that. We’ll take it.”
Oct 25, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) warms up before a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks are wearing uniforms celebrating the Grateful Dead. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
There is no such thing as a “sure thing,” whether you’re talking about gambling or the NFL Draft. A horse race begins with a guess about the winner, and in a few minutes, you have confirmation.
When it comes to the draft, you may not know if a player is a winner or a bust until years later. Some get labels prematurely all the time. On draft day, teams can only do the best with the information they have from the combine and what they see on film.
These Top Prospects Could Force Minnesota’s Hand on Draft Night
With that knowledge in hand, there will be players that teams can’t pass on, no matter the need to shore up other positions. That doesn’t mean the Vikings will have the chance to draft them unless they take a tumble down the draft boards as other teams shore up positions of need. The chance is always there.
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The argument over drafting for “position of need” versus “best player available” is a long, arduous one with no perfect answer.
The Vikings could be viewed as operating in either mode: drafting Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw when they needed to fill those roles, or drafting Randy Moss and Adrian Peterson when they already had a great receiving duo in Cris Carter and Jake Reed, or a 1,000-yard rusher in Chester Taylor. The best scenario is when it fits both aspects.
Last year, there was a glut of running backs, which could allow teams to wait until later rounds to draft one. There were still some players who, if they came to their team’s draft position, would have to take, or think long and hard about passing them up.
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There were also many players in the top end of the 2025 draft that every team had to think a bit before changing those players’ and the team’s destiny. That all made it possible for more top players to slide down draft boards and cause chaos with picks most weren’t expecting. It’s a new year, and the team has new needs. This year’s draft is top-heavy but has some good depth. So, which players should the Vikings take without thought at pick 18 and a little beyond?
Sonny Styles
LB Ohio State
Linebacker isn’t in dire need of help, but there is a definite lack of depth. Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson have been very solid at the position the last few years, with the defense struggling when Cashman was out 2 seasons ago, and Wilson was on the Packers.
When he was out in 2025, Wilson really held everything together until he got back into the lineup. Styles is more athletic than both of them and has the potential to become a player like Micah Parsons, with his speed and ferocity at the position. The term “freak” gets thrown out at some players too often, but Styles is in that realm of possibly meeting those expectations.
With Cashman’s injury history and Wilson past 30, a youthful infusion and great upside in skill would make the defense even more dangerous, with a speedy blitzer coming from any angle. He could most likely move outside on passing downs and spell Johnathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel at times. Styles can hit, tackle, and drop into coverage and never have to leave the field, no matter the down or situation. He probably won’t slip all the way to 18, but if he does, the Vikings should use a Corvette to hand in the card.
Chances: 5%
Jeremiyah Love
RB Notre Dame
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“Running backs are a devalued position in today’s NFL.” You can’t escape that statement in the off-season. However, I don’t think it’s as strong a statement as it has been. The last great running backs that teams built around were LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson, and it’s been about 10 years since they were viewed that way.
When the Super Bowl rolls around, it always seems the two teams have strong defenses and running backs that can keep the sticks moving. Kenneth Walker III was the MVP this year. Love may be in the vein of past running backs, with some experts saying he could be a generational player. He can do it all with the ball in his hands, whether the quarterback places it there with a handoff or a pass.
Once he gets loose, you can’t catch him, and if you do, he is hard to bring down. He also does a good job with pass protection, which head coaches love when they have a great or premier passer. Kevin O’Connell definitely rates that trait highly. Regardless of who quarterbacks the Vikings, Love would make the offense a headache for defensive coordinators.
Teaming him up with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason gives the room depth like never before, with the trio capable of wearing the opposition down by sprinting and grinding out yardage. He has a good chance of slipping down due to his position, but there isn’t the depth of backs like last year, meaning teams will snatch them up earlier. The Vikings should ignore other positions if he is sitting there waiting to run rampant on the NFC North.
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Chances: 50%
Carnell Tate
WR Ohio State
Do the Vikings need wide receiver depth? Do they need to take a receiver this early? On the first question, yes. The depth at receiver is questionable at best. On the second question, no, but it doesn’t hurt if the best is available. Tate is the prototypical wide receiver coming out of “THE” Ohio State: he is tall and can catch anything in his orbit.
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Dec 6, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) scores a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first quarter during the 2025 Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Adding him to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson would make the passing game frightening should they all remain on the team. He is also immediate insurance should there be an injury, an off-field incident, or should Addison be traded or released in the future. Tate has the size, the hands, and the precise route running to put defensive backs on skates.
The only thing he lacks is top-end speed, but it doesn’t really matter. Cris Carter wasn’t known for his speed, and he seemed to do just fine in the NFL. His quickness off the line gets him in position quickly, and his athleticism to make difficult catches in and out of traffic makes him a threat all over the field. He’s fast enough. You can never have too much of a good thing, especially at the wide receiver position.
Chances: 25%
Kenyon Sadiq
TE Oregon
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Tight end is also pretty shored up on the Vikings roster. Hockenson is back with a revised contract, and if the offensive line stays healthy, he can get back to what he does best: catch the football. Josh Oliver is known more for his blocking, but he has had solid receiving games since coming to Minnesota 2 years ago.
Ben Yurosek is a combination of the two, and I feel could be an impact player if he gets more time on the field. Sadiq is being seen as a bit of a “unicorn” at tight end with the combination of size and speed that goes with him. He can get down the field quickly, is tough to tackle, and can make athletic catches and runs if he doesn’t just bully his way through a tackle. His highlight tape has him not only running over tacklers but also hurdling their attempts.
Like Hockenson, a team could line him up outside at a wide receiver position, putting more pressure on the defense to maintain coverage. What I keep hearing is that he’s also a “willing blocker,” meaning it isn’t necessarily his strength, but he will do it and can be good enough. Whether J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray is at quarterback, having a tight end like him would be a godsend in targeted routes or if they need to get creative. He is a matchup nightmare for most linebackers and safeties in the league.
While this draft seems deep with tight ends, there is a significant drop from him to the next ones on the list. There’s a fair chance he will be available at the 18th pick, and the Vikings may need to pause if Sadiq and the next prospect are on the board.
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Chances: 70%
Dillon Thieneman
S Oregon
15 years ago, the Vikings made a move back into the bottom of the first round for a safety named Harrison Smith. He was a rangy, smart, hard-hitting player on the Notre Dame squad that had few question marks coming into the draft.
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He spent the next 14 seasons (so far?) wreaking havoc on opposing offenses in the run and pass game. Aaron Rodgers named him specifically as the one player he hated facing. Being that good and staying with one team your entire career is tough in today’s NFL. While safety isn’t seen as a high-priority position to fill, occasionally one or two players who are can’t-miss prospects garner attention in the 1st round.
Thieneman isn’t seen as the best prospect in the 2026 Draft at safety, but he’s the one most likely to be available at pick 18. Caleb Downs would be the guy if they were both sitting there. So why don’t I list him if anything is possible, and he falls to 18? This is more along the lines of taking a guy who will fill the void left by Smith, while others argue for taking a different position or player, or even trading down. In other words: don’t overthink it.
Yeah, just about every mock you see has him landing with the Vikings at 18 with just a few outliers. You know why? Because it makes sense. If he and Downs are both there at 18, I still take Thieneman because of what Lance Zierlein said in his analysis, “Thieneman is an extension of his defensive coordinator, aligning and adjusting the secondary to motion and pre-snap shifts.” Exactly like Smith with Brian Flores.
The choice would be razor thin, but this puts him over the top and could make him the higher of the two taken come draft day.
Chances: 80%
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I’m a small-town boy with12 years in telecommunications and 13 years in radio but a lifetime as a Vikings … More about Tony Schultz
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