Australia’s Elijah Pepper during a game vs Syria in the Fiba World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Australia barely broke a sweat in its 123-64 rout of Syria in the second round of the 2027 Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.
The Boomers remained undefeated in the qualifiers after seven games, leading Group E with 14 points.
“As the game grew on we did a better job at taking better care of the ball,” coach Jacob Chance said.
“We knew coming in that Syria, after the state of the qualifiers, would be desperate for a good performance so I’m happy with how our starters came out.”
Elijah Pepper led the Australians with a game-high 32 points. Luke Travers had 14 while the duo of Josh Bannan and Anthony Dell’Orso scored 11 points each.
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James Justice Jr. registered 21 points for the Syrians in the loss. Christian James Maran, meanwhile, tallied 12.
Syria, on the other hand, found itself crashing to a 2-5 slate, good for nine points.
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Gilas Pilipinas celebrates after beating Jordan in the Fiba World Cup 2027 Asian qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Gilas Pilipinas escaped Jordan, 82-81, in overtime to open its second round campaign with a much-needed win in the Fiba World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Kevin Quiambao nailed a go-ahead three with 13 seconds left in overtime and Kai Sotto came up with a huge block on Abdullah Olajuwon’s game-winning attempt for Jordan as the Philippines got back on the winning track in these qualifiers.
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Sotto, who played for the Nationals for the first time since 2024, led with 18 points and 14 rebounds while CJ Perez, who scored crucial baskets that helped Gilas Pilipinas force overtime, added 16 points.
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Gilas Pilipinas ended a four-game losing skid dating back to February and breathed life into its World Cup hopes.
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Estacado’s Debriyah Britt hits the ball against Lubbock High in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Estacado’s Debriyah Britt hits the ball against Lubbock High in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Lubbock High’s Addi Moser hits the ball against Estacado in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
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(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Estacado’s Aa’Zaerius Riddle serves the ball against Lubbock High in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Lubbock High’s Gracen Brown (7) and Nayeli Taylor attempt a block against Estacado in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Lubbock High celebrates an ace against Estacado in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Estacado’s Jada Phea sets the ball against Lubbock High in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
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(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Lubbock High’s Nora Crago hits the ball against Estacado in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Lubbock High’s Lincoln Scheppler hits the ball against Estacado in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Estacado’s Jada Phea digs the ball against Lubbock High in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Lubbock High’s Cameron Herring hits the ball against Estacado in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
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(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Estacado’s Aa’Zaerius Riddle hits the ball against Lubbock High in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Lubbock High volleyball coach Matthew Leesman talks to Jazline Astorga in a non-district volleyball match against Estacado on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Lubbock High’s Akaia Martinez digs the ball against Estacado in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Lubbock High’s Lincoln Scheppler hits the ball against Estacado in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
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(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Estacado volleyball coach Gloria Maestas talks to her team against Lubbock High in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Estacado’s Kalani Inthisan-Johnson digs the ball against Lubbock High in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Lubbock High’s Cameron Herring hits the ball against Estacado in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Lubbock High’s Jazline Astorga passes the ball against Estacado in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
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(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Lubbock High’s Addi Moser hits the ball against Estacado in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Estacado’s Kalani Inthisan-Johnson sets the ball against Lubbock High in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
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Estacado hosts Lubbock High volleyball to open 2026 season | Photos
Estacado’s Adriana Hinojos digs the ball against Lubbock High in a non-district volleyball match Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Estacado High School.
(Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal)
High school volleyball is back. The first matches of the 2026 season are Monday, with district play beginning as soon as the following week for local Class 5A teams.
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Here are the top returning players from the Lubbock area. Stats and accolades are from 2025, unless otherwise noted.
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LUBBOCK-AREA PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2026
Lexie Allgood, Jr., OH, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty
The District 5-4A co-offensive player of the year, Allgood notched 313 kills with a .271 hitting percentage. She added 121 digs, 24 blocks, seven aces and five assists.
Brown made the all-District 3-5A first team with 720 digs, 109 assists, 40 aces and four kills.
Austyn Flowers, Sr., MB, Seminole
Flowers recorded 286 kills, 93 blocks, 336 digs and 32 aces to earn District 3-4A blocker of the year.
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Natalie Garcia, Sr., S/OH, Denver City
Garcia, a first-team all-District 3-3A selection, posted 752 assists, 322 kills, 383 digs, 40 blocks and 83 aces.
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Jade Guetersloh, Sr., OH, Plains
Guetersloh was the District 2-2A MVP, notching 359 kills, 347 digs, 44 aces, 30 assists and 12 blocks. She also posted a 2.03 serve-receive rating.
Makenzie Ivy, Jr., OH, Frenship Memorial
Ivy earned District 5-4A co-offensive player of the year with 304 kills, 178 digs, 63 aces, 13 blocks and 13 assists. She had a 1.93 serve-receive rating.
Broox Lopez, Sr., S, Lubbock-Cooper
Lopez, the District 3-5A setter of the year, totaled 955 assists, 124 kills, 170 digs, 86 aces and 21 blocks.
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Ashley Martinez, Sr., L, Denver City
Martinez recorded 942 digs, 74 assists and 48 aces to earn District 3-3A defensive MVP.
Reese Roberts, Sr., OH, Frenship
Roberts, a first-team all-District 2-6A selection, finished with 389 kills, 366 digs, 67 aces and 38 blocks.
Elbrus Osmanov will return to kickboxing to face Denis Souza Jr. at ONE Fight Night 48.
A bantamweight kickboxing matchup that fight fans have been waiting on is finally getting its moment. A bout between Elbrus “The Samurai” Osmanov of Russia and Brazilian technician Denis “Denizinho” Souza has been rescheduled for ONE Fight Night 48 on Prime Video on October 2 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The two were first booked to meet at ONE Fight Night 46 in August, but a fight-week injury above Osmanov’s eye pulled the plug before either man threw a punch.
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The 25-year-old Dagestani carries a 15-1 professional record and nine promotional victories spanning both kickboxing and Muay Thai. His six-fight promotional kickboxing winning streak came to an end against Yuki Yoza.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Osmanov then pivoted to Muay Thai and went 3-0, finishing the run with a US$100,000 bonus-earning TKO of Ratchasiesan Laochokcharoen. Now he steps back into kickboxing, recovered and focused, with a title shot in his long-term sights.
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When Osmanov pulled out, Souza accepted a last-minute booking against Dmitrii Kovtun without hesitation.
The multiple-time South American Champion imposed his technical game from the opening bell and earned a unanimous decision with a controlled, high-output performance.
The 28-year-old Dutch-style kickboxer arrives at ONE Fight Night 48 in sharp form with something to prove against a higher-profile name.
ONE Fight Night 48 broadcasts live in U.S. primetime and is free for Prime Video subscribers in North America.
If you held a spring ticket on the first player to 40 homers this season and wagered on Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber, well, congrats! You cashed on Wednesday. This is the fourth time in five seasons with the Phillies that Schwarber has hit at least 40 after never doing so with the Cubs. Those four 40-homer seasons are tied with Ryan Howard for the most in franchise history and tied with Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani for the most among active players — Ohtani might get a fifth in 2026. But we still have no one on track for 50 with Schwarber on pace for around 48 and leading the field by three. He is your -295 leader to win the home run title in MLB prop betting.
Speaking of home run prop betting, there are no games Friday at hitter-friendly parks in Denver or Cincinnati but one in Sacramento. Alas, there aren’t any home run props I like much for Orioles-Athletics matchup even with winds blowing out per usual at the minor-league park.
Those who want to get into MLB betting, particularly home run prop betting, need to take a look at what I’m playing for Friday’s games. Over the past four MLB seasons, I’m up $1,681 on MLB picks. You can find more of my picks at SportsLine, and in the member-exclusive SportsLine Discord server, a community of sports betting enthusiasts and SportsLine experts.
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Last Friday, my home run picks were the Rays‘ Yandy Diaz (+507) and White Sox’sRandal Grichuk (+320). Diaz was a dud in Baltimore at 0-for-4 with a strikeout. But Grichuk paid as he went yard at home off Mets pitcher Sean Manaea — and Grichuk’s career splits vs. Manaea were the only reason for that pick. Surprised New York let Manaea face Grichuk in the sixth inning, but that’s just one of many reasons why the Mets are a disaster and under an interim manager. As usual, all of my home run prop picks mean I like Over 1.5 total bases at the best sports betting apps even better.
Kansas City visits Cleveland in an AL Central series opener at matchup at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Guardians have one advantage in that they were off Thursday, while the Royals finished a series in Toronto and had to travel late. Winds will be blowing in Friday at Progressive Field but only slightly so it shouldn’t matter.
Cleveland right-hander Tanner Bibee is a good pitcher who won double-digit games in each of his first three big-league seasons, but that’s going to end in 2026 as Bibee is 5-13 despite pretty solid overall numbers with a 3.97 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 123 strikeouts in 156.1 innings. Bibee has just been very unfortunate from a run support standpoint — he’s getting a league-low 3.02 runs per nine innings this year. Thus, he has been the second-worst pitcher in the Show this season in terms of money lost for bettors. You’d be down $1,064 if you bet on Cleveland to win each of his starts with the Guardians 8-19 in his 27 outings.
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And I’m not sure things will go all that well tonight because several Royals have good career splits off Bibee, led by All-Star infielder Bobby Witt Jr. The 26-year-old is having a typically fine year, although his power is down slightly with 16 homers and a .459 slugging percentage that would be Witt’s worst since his 2022 rookie season when he hit a career-low 20 dingers.
The Royals are one of the hottest teams in the majors — it’s too late for this season — and Witt has been a big part of that in August with a .934 OPS and three homers. He is 9-for-24 off Bibee with three homers, good for a 1.233 OPS. Bibee is 0-1 with a 5.19 ERA in two starts this year vs. the Royals. Also consider lefty slugger Vinnie Pasquantino (+500), who is 10-for-17 off Bibee with two homers, two doubles and at triple, good for a 1.808 OPS.
You know we are reaching the end of the MLB regular season when the Cubs play their penultimate Friday matinee at Wrigley, which is the case today with a 2:20 ET first pitch in an NL Central matchup against Cincinnati. Winds are blowing out slightly. Normally, I’d preview this game separately but there’s a lot going on this weekend with college football kicking off.
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I do like the Cubs to win against struggling Rhett Lowder (5-8, 5.13 ERA), although the only Chicago batter with a career homer off him is part-time player Michael Conforto. Lowder has allowed 15 homers this season and has 6.92 ERA overall on the road and 7.71 in all day starts. So while I expect a few Cubs to go yard, there’s really none with great career splits off Lowder, who is in his first full big-league season. Ian Happ is having a good run with three homers in his past six and is +421 to go yard but has a single in five at-bats off Lowder.
So while I will be playing the Cubs in some form today and it thus pains me to recommend a Cincinnati player to homer, I nonetheless have to do it with outfielder JJ Bleday, who is hitting just .219 but already has surpassed his career high with 21 dingers. He’s a bit due as since a four-hit game including a homer on Saturday at Arizona, Bleday is 1-for-13.
He is a career 6-for-12 with a homer off Cubs lefty starting pitcher David Peterson (7-7, 5.17 ERA). The veteran has been quite a bit better since coming over in trade from the Mets in late June but still is prone to the gopher-ball with 12 total homers allowed. Peterson hasn’t faced the Reds since the trade but pitched twice against them while with New York (one start) and was 0-1 with a 10.13 ERA, one homer allowed and a .382 opponents’ batting average.
Also consider Cincinnati catcher Tyler Stephenson (+640) as like Bleday he’s 6-for-12 career off Peterson, but Stephenson hasn’t homered with two doubles. He has hit 12 out this year but not since a pinch-hit shot vs. Miami on Aug. 16.
1 min read Last Updated : Aug 22 2026 | 11:20 AM IST
Football legend I M Vijayan has expressed his excitement over the upcoming India-Brazil international friendly on October 3 in Kolkata, saying the visit to the country by the five-time World Cup-winning team will be a lifetime memory for young players.
He said the Brazil team’s visit would be a major positive development for Indian football and will bring global attention to the country, according a release from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
“The young players will play and gain experience, which is a very big thing. It will become a memory for them for the rest of their lives,” said the former captain Vijayan who is regarded as one of the greatest footballers India has produced.
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“My football career ended a long time ago. Whatever I played, I played wholeheartedly. Now our players should enjoy the game,” he said in the release, adding that hosting a team of Brazil’s stature could help generate greater interest in football among people across the country.
He also said, according to the AIFF, hosting a world-class team involves considerable expenditure, but it also demonstrates that the people in India are willing to invest in and spend money on football.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season will kick off today, Friday, August 28, despite major changes in the administration of Nigerian football less than 24 hours before the opening match.
The new NPFL campaign begins with an exciting clash between Shooting Stars and newly promoted Inter Lagos, as both sides look to start the season on a winning note.
The remaining nine Matchday One fixtures will be played on Sunday, August 30, with clubs across the country beginning their battle for the league title, continental places and survival.
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Former champions Abia Warriors will welcome newly promoted Kun Khalifat FC, while another new top-flight side, Barau FC, will host Nasarawa United.
Rivers United will face Plateau United in one of the weekend’s biggest matches, while seven-time champions Rangers International will take on a strengthened Katsina United.
Kwara United will host Kano Pillars, while Niger Tornadoes will welcome Enyimba in another interesting opening-day fixture.
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In the South-South, Bendel Insurance will face returning side Warri Wolves in a derby that is expected to be closely contested.
Newly promoted Ikorodu City will begin their campaign against Ranchers Bees, while Doma United will host Sporting Lagos.
The opening fixtures come after several clubs strengthened their squads during the transfer window, with new players expected to make their debuts and coaches looking to introduce fresh tactical ideas.
However, the start of the new season comes against the backdrop of a major shake-up in Nigerian football.
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NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye was removed from his position less than 24 hours before the season was due to begin.
The development followed the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee.
The National Sports Commission has also approved Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, the former NFF Deputy General Secretary, to oversee the NFF Secretariat as Acting General Secretary, while Dr Ademola Olajire, former Director of Media and Communications, will serve as Acting Deputy General Secretary.
The changes have also affected the country’s domestic leagues.
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The Chairmen, appointed Directors and Chief Executive Officers of the NPFL, Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and Nationwide League One (NLO) have been directed to hand over the administration of their leagues to their respective Chief Operating Officers.
Despite the changes, the NPFL season is set to go ahead as planned today.
Fans will now turn their attention to the pitch as Shooting Stars and Inter Lagos get the new campaign underway.
The season promises plenty of competition, with traditional clubs such as Enyimba, Rangers, Kano Pillars, Shooting Stars and Rivers United hoping to challenge for honours, while the newly promoted teams will be aiming to prove they belong among Nigeria’s top clubs.
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The first whistle will finally bring the focus back to football, with clubs beginning their long journey towards the 2026/27 NPFL title.
Following the summer arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, the 22-year-old completed his move from Brighton on Tuesday to further bolster the midfield.
United director of football Jason Wilcox praised Baleba as “an elite midfielder with immense potential to develop further”, but fans face a wait to see him play.
The Cameroon international arrived with an ankle problem, ruling him out of Sunday’s Premier League home fixture against promoted Ipswich and beyond.
“He’s got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks,” Carrick said.
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Carrick confirmed Baleba is not ready to play yet (PA Wire)
“We’ll see but we knew that before, so it’s no major issue but it’ll be great to have him back when we can.”
Asked if Baleba and Amad Diallo could return before the three-week international break, the United boss said: “It’s obviously new, the break to deal with, but we’ll wait and see.
“We’re hopeful but I don’t want to put any deadlines on it just yet.
“Amad won’t be involved this week. He’ll be out for a little bit longer. Mase (Mason Mount) is back around the group, which was great. Trained this week, so that’s a big positive for us.”
Baleba’s injury ruled him out of Brighton’s Conference League fixtures and Premier League opener, with Carrick’s timeline pointing to a potential debut against his former club.
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United host Albion in the Carabao Cup before travelling to Fulham on September 20 – their final game before hosting Tottenham after the international break on October 10.
Despite the delay, there is strong excitement about what the 22-year-old can achieve at Old Trafford.
“We’re delighted to have Carlos,” Carrick said. “I think huge potential, massive potential. I think he’s a really exciting signing for us.
“I think the quality that he has, the attributes that he has that offsets a little bit of the balance of the group that we’ve got. Different strengths, different combinations.
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“So, for us to have that, absolutely delighted to have him. I think there’s so much more to come from him as well, which with the player that he already is with that little bit more to come is exciting for us.”
United are looking to bounce back after losing to Hull last weekend (PA Wire)
United are looking for a response after last weekend’s 2-0 loss at play-off winners Hull marked a nightmare start to the season.
Marcus Rashford was introduced at half-time having been granted additional rest after the World Cup, alongside fellow substitutes Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo.
“We’ve got a squad to choose from. We’ve got a good squad and we could pick we could pick a variety kind of combinations within the team,” Carrick added.
“We’ll pick a team for the weekend but, yeah, certainly the boys are massively in contention.”
Friday is the penultimate day of the NFL preseason slate, and with 10 games on the docket, the NFL DFS player pool is quite robust. One of the matchups features the LaFleur brothers facing off as Matt’s Packers face Mike’s Cardinals. Arizona has rookies like Jeremiyah Love and Carson Beck who could be fixtures in daily Fantasy football lineups for years to come, but it’s another pair of Cards who could better factor into your preseason NFL DFS strategy. RB Corey Kiner entered the week leading the preseason in rushing yards, while his teammate in WR Jalen Brooks tops in receiving yards.
Many teams will be sitting their starters which throws a wrench into finding high-quality NFL DFS picks. Projected playing time should be top of mind when deciding who to utilize in NFL daily Fantasy for Friday. Before making any NFL DFS picks for this slate on sites like DraftKings and FanDuel, be sure to check out the NFL DFS lineup advice, strategy and player stacks from SportsLine NFL expert R.J. White.
White is an elite NFL betting handicapper who has cashed huge twice in the world’s most prestigious handicapping tournament, the Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest. He’s also SportsLine’s No. 1 all-time NFL ATS expert. In addition, he serves as CBS’s Fantasy expert, making him the ideal expert to dig deep on these rosters and make NFL DFS picks.
Top 2026 NFL preseason Week 3 DFS picks for Friday
One of White’s top NFL DFS picks for Friday is Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said earlier in the week that the backup job to Dak Prescott is still up for grabs, meaning Milton should see ample playing time to show his merit. He has 286 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns and a rushing score across two games, leading Dallas in pass attempts in each contest. After the Cowboys and Saints held joint practices this week, New Orleans is electing to sit starters for Friday’s preseason game, which gives Milton even more value in facing backups.
He’s also building around Bengals wideout Colbie Young, who has drawn 12 targets during preseason and leads Cincy with 76 receiving yards. The Bengals are sitting their starters in the third preseason game, just as they did in the second, and Young had a 3-48-1 stat line in that contest. A fourth-round rookie, Young is safely on the roster but could move up the depth chart with another strong showing versus a Philly defense which rested all of its starters last week. You can see the rest of White’s NFL DFS picks here.
How to set NFL preseason Week 3 Friday NFL DFS lineups
Jan 24, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Sean O’Malley (red gloves) fights Song Yadong (blue gloves) during UFC 324 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Saturday’s main event pits Umar Nurmagomedov against Song Yadong in the biggest fight of Song’s career, a chance to derail the sport’s most efficient rising bantamweight in front of his home crowd in Shanghai, and the statistics explain why bookmakers see almost no path for the local hero.
The Numbers That Jump Off the Page
Picture a fighter who almost never gets hit and rarely misses his mark: that’s Umar’s profile. He lands 3.86 significant strikes per minute at 56% accuracy while absorbing just 1.86 per minute behind 61% striking defense, numbers that place him among the stingiest defensive strikers in the division. Song, by contrast, absorbs 3.81 significant strikes per minute, more than double Umar’s rate, while landing at just 43% accuracy of his own. That gap alone tells you Song will eat significantly more damage than he lands if the fight stays standing.
The wrestling numbers widen the gulf even further. Umar averages 4.03 takedowns per 15 minutes at 46% accuracy, backed by a 79% takedown defense that has shut down nearly every opponent’s counter-wrestling attempts. Song lands just 0.82 takedowns per 15 minutes at 41% accuracy, and while his own takedown defense sits at a respectable 73%, he’s never faced a volume and chain wrestler like Umar. Visualize the cage as Umar’s canvas: constant pressure, level changes, and if the takedown doesn’t land clean, a scramble that usually ends with him on top anyway.
A Finishing Resume Built on Control, Not Power
Umar’s finishing numbers reveal a grappler first, striker second. Of his 20 wins, seven have come by submission (six rear-naked chokes, one guillotine) against just two knockouts. Song’s power is more traditional: nine knockouts among his 23 wins, giving him a real puncher’s chance if he can keep the fight in the pocket and avoid the clinch entirely.
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Why the Numbers Favor a Lopsided Night
Song’s only realistic path is landing something big before Umar closes the distance, because once this fight hits the fence or the mat, the numbers become almost entirely one-sided. Song needs an early finish more than trying to beat Umar over five rounds, an eerily similar bind to underdogs who’ve faced elite wrestle-strikers before and simply run out of takedown defense before the final horn.
Nov 5, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Fans bang thunder sticks during the League of Legends World Championships between T1 and DRX at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Team Falcons pushed past Lynn Vision Gaming 2-1 on Thursday as Group B play began at the BLAST Open Fall event in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In the other Group B upper-bracket quarterfinals, Legacy toppled FUT Esports 2-0, MOUZ dumped 9z Team 2-0, and IC Esports downed Team Vitality 2-0.
The $1.1 million Counter-Strike 2 event features 16 teams divided into two groups for the double-elimination opening stage. The group winners advance to the playoff semifinals. The group runners-up move on to the playoff quarterfinals as high seeds, while the two third-place teams head to the playoff quarterfinals as low seeds. The remaining teams will be eliminated.
All group-stage matches are best-of-three.
The single-elimination playoffs, which begin Sept. 4 in Porto, Portugal, will feature best-of-three matches in the quarterfinals and semifinals. The grand final on Sept. 6 will be best-of-five.
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The championship team will receive $250,000 ($150,000 for the players, $100,000 for the club) plus three BLAST Frequent Flyer Tokens.
On Thursday, Team Falcons captured Inferno 13-4 before Lynn Vision Gaming claimed Ancient 13-10. Team Falcons closed the series with a 13-9 triumph on Dust II. Russia’s Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov led Team Falcons with 58 kills and a plus-28 kill-death differential. Qihao “C4LLM3SU3” Su topped all-Chinese Lynn Vision Gaming with 48 kills and a plus-5 K-D differential.
Legacy slipped past FUT Esports 13-10 on Ancient, 13-11 on Dust II behind 42 kills and a plus-20 K-D differential from Argentina’s Santino “try” Rigal. Ukraine’s Dmytro “dem0n” Myroshnychenko propelled FUT Esports with 34 kills and a plus-2 K-D differential.
MOUZ manhandled 9z Team 13-4 on Cache, 13-7 on Nuke. Hungary’s Adam “torzsi” Torzsas logged 36 kills and a plus-16 K-D differential for MOUZ. Uruguay’s Franco “dgt” Garcia and Argentina’s Luciano “luchov” Herrera each amassed 23 kills for 9z Team.
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IC Esports bested Team Vitality 13-8 on Anubis, then prevailed 16-13 in overtime on Cache. Arseniy “cptkurtka023” Derevinskiy recorded 43 kills and a plus-13 K-D differential for all-Ukrainian IC Esports. Estonia’s Robin “ropz” Kool finished with 36 kills and a plus-3 K-D differential for Team Vitality.
The upcoming schedule:
FRIDAY
Group A upper-bracket semifinal — Team Spirit vs. G2 Esports
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Group A upper-bracket semifinal — FURIA vs. M80
Group A lower-bracket quarterfinal — DENDELE CS vs. Aurora Gaming
Group A lower-bracket quarterfinal — paiN Gaming vs. Natus Vincere
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SATURDAY
Group B upper-bracket semifinal — Team Falcons vs. Legacy
Group B upper-bracket semifinal — MOUZ vs. IC Esports
Group B lower-bracket quarterfinal — Lynn Vision Gaming vs. FUT Esports
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Group B lower-bracket quarterfinal — 9z Team vs. Team Vitality
BLAST Open Fall prize pool, with money winnings (player prize, team share) and BLAST Frequent Flyer Tokens
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