Mar 4, 2021; Weston, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Chazz Surratt performs a bench-press during the House of Athlete Scouting Combine for athletes preparing to enter the 2021 NFL draft. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Linebacker Chazz Surratt didn’t stay with the Minnesota Vikings for long, and last season, the man won a Super Bowl with Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks. Now, he’s on his way back, as Seattle re-upped with Surratt on Tuesday.
Seattle kept a familiar depth piece in the building.
Surratt didn’t physically play in the Super Bowl, but he got a ring anyway.
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Surratt Still Has Value on Seattle’s Special Teams Unit
The Seahawks get the band back together with a special teams move.
Sep 25, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) lines up against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, taking defensive snaps while also contributing on special teams during a road matchup as Seattle evaluated depth options across multiple units. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Surratt Re-Ups with SEA
Surratt is on tap to make it two years in a row with the reigning champions. NBC Sports‘ Charean William wrote Tuesday, “The Seahawks are re-signing inside linebacker and core special teams player Chazz Surratt to a one-year deal, Aaron Wilson of KPRC reports. Surratt, 29, spent last season with the Seahawks after they signed him Aug. 28 following his release by the 49ers.”
“He played 60 percent of the Seahawks’ special teams snaps before going on injured reserve with an ankle injury. He was activated back to the active roster before Super Bowl LX but was inactive for the game.”
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Most assume Surratt will resume a special teams role.
Seattle’s LBs
Surratt isn’t guaranteed a roster spot when training camp and the preseason roll around, but Seattle seems to enjoy him on special teams. With the NFL Draft five weeks away, these are the Seahawks’ off-ball linebackers:
Ernest Jones IV
Uchenna Nwosu
Drake Thomas
Tyrice Thomas
Patrick O’Connell
Derick Hall
Chris Paul Jr.
Chazz Surratt
Connor O’Toole
Ja’Markis Weston
It’s also worth noting that Seattle featured the NFL’s best defense in 2025 and was central to its Super Bowl win. Darnold, also a former Viking, received much of the media’s attention, and rightfully so because of his reclamation story, but Mike Macdonald’s defense proved to be the special sauce.
Seattle Sports‘ Brent Stecker on the Surratt re-signing: “With the reunion with Surratt, the Seahawks have brought back 10 players who were set to be free agents this offseason, while five have left the Super Bowl champs for other teams. With Surratt off the market, the Seahawks have just a handful of names left from their season-ending roster remaining in free agency.”
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“They are wide receiver Jake Bobo, a restricted free agent who Seattle has extended a right of first refusal tender to, and wide receiver Cody White, who was a restricted free agent who the Seahawks did not tender. There is also cornerback Tyler Hall, who Seattle released last week.”
Surratt’s Career Resume to Date
After leaving Minnesota, Surratt settled into a journeyman role, moving between teams and primarily contributing on special teams. Last season, he appeared in 11 games, playing the majority of his snaps (181) on special teams under Macdonald, where Seattle utilizes him in kick coverage. He has played just seven defensive snaps.
This usage mirrors his career as a whole. Over four seasons, Surratt has played in 52 games, starting five, and totaling 153 defensive snaps. His most active season was in 2024 with the Giants, when he played all 17 games and recorded 18 defensive tackles, in addition to 10 special-teams tackles.
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This career profile led to a quiet 2025 free agency period. Surratt remained unsigned for over two months before San Francisco evaluated him in late May. When that opportunity didn’t pan out, Seattle signed him, making them his fourth NFL team.
Aug 24, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets linebacker Chazz Surratt (55) walks off the field after a preseason game at MetLife Stadium, finishing a night of rotational defensive work and special teams duties while competing for a roster spot. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Surratt’s situation shifted quickly in Minnesota four years ago. The initial enthusiasm surrounding his selection as a 3rd-Round pick diminished when Mike Zimmer’s departure led to Kevin O’Connell’s arrival. By 2022, Surratt was on the verge of being cut and never regained his footing. His tenure with the Vikings concluded after nine games as a rookie in 2021, all on special teams.
His official career ledger:
Minnesota Vikings (2021)
New York Jets (2022–2024)
San Francisco 49ers (2025)
Seattle Seahawks (2025-now)
The Seahawks’ Free Agency Moves
Seattle has used free agency to re-sign many of its existing players, which makes sense given the almighty success in 2025. Here’s the list of newcomers and re-signings:
Noah Igbinoghene (CB) WAS → SEA
Josh Jobe (CB) SEA → SEA
Josh Jones (RT) SEA → SEA
Shemar Jean-Charles (CB) SEA → SEA
Brandon Pili (DL) SEA → SEA
Brady Russell (TE) SEA → SEA
Rashid Shaheed (WR) SEA → SEA
Chazz Surratt (LB) SEA → SEA
Rodney Thomas (S) IND → SEA
Emanuel Wilson (RB) GB → SEA
Aug 27, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chazz Surratt (41) warms up along the sideline before facing the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, preparing for preseason action early in his rookie campaign. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Dan Mullen arrived at UNLV, taking over for Barry Odom, and was able to bring the Rebels right back to the Mountain West Championship Game.
Will he stay for long in Las Vegas?
On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin and ‘Locked On Vandy’ host Corey Burton discuss 5-star QB Jared Curtis.
Will he keep Clark Lea’s momentum rolling for the Commodores?
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FanDuel has released its win totals for the Power 4 teams, and Colorado’s is at 4.5 for the 2026 season.
Deion Sanders and his team are underrated with that line.
00:00 Group of Six Playoff Outlook 05:59 Coaching Decisions and Opportunities 07:20 Big 12 + ACC Best 13:27 Freshman Quarterback Impresses Everyone 14:46 Michigan, Coaching, Vanderbilt Reset? 28:41 Colorado Football: 2026 Expectations 35:26 Deion Sanders Faces Crucial Year
Senegal’s Sadio Mane (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi, File)
NEW DELHI: Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph has been thrown into controversy after the Confederation of African Football overturned the final result and awarded the title to Morocco months after the match.The decision has sparked outrage in Senegal, with the government rejecting the ruling and demanding accountability.The original final saw Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 after extra time, despite chaotic scenes late in normal time when Senegal players briefly walked off the pitch to protest a penalty decision. Although they returned and went on to win, CAF later ruled that their temporary exit violated competition rules.
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Explaining the reversal, CAF cited regulations stating that any team that leaves the field without permission should forfeit the match 3-0. However, Senegal strongly disagreed. Government spokesperson Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye said, “By calling into question a result achieved at the end of a match that was properly played and won in accordance with the rules of the game, the CAF seriously undermines its own credibility”. She added, “Senegal unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession” and called for “an independent international investigation into suspected corruption within the CAF’s governing bodies”.
What happens next
Senegal’s football authorities have confirmed they will challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The federation stated, “The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which brings African football into disrepute”.Meanwhile, Morocco’s football body maintained that its appeal was only about enforcing rules, saying it “was never intended to contest the sporting performance” but to ensure regulations were followed.The controversy stems from a tense ending to the match, including a late penalty awarded after a VAR check and crowd trouble that disrupted play. Sadio Mane had helped calm the situation before the game resumed.With both sides standing firm, the final outcome of the tournament now depends on legal proceedings, leaving one of Africa’s biggest football events under a cloud.
England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and Australia batter Steve Smith during day three of the Fifth Test in the 2025/26 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 06, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo/Getty Images)
England wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith has said that missing out on the IPL 2026 could help him focus on red-ball cricket, as he prepares for the upcoming Test season at home.Smith, who went unsold in the IPL auction, said he initially wanted to be part of the league but now sees the break as useful ahead of England’s Test summer, which begins against New Zealand in June.
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IPL 2026 should be audition for the next India T20I captain
“At the time, I would have definitely liked to have gone (to the IPL). It’s an ambition of mine to strengthen all sides of my game, and I see the IPL as something that can really enhance the white-ball side and does have benefits for the red-ball (game),” Smith said, as cited by“But in hindsight, yeah, it’s fantastic to come here and have a block of red-ball (cricket) behind me. I felt that towards the back end of the summer and into the winter, technically, I felt a little bit out of kilter.“It’s been nice to come here (The Oval) and work on a couple of things, and then I’ll be able to hopefully implement them, for six or seven (County Championship) games, and we’ll see where we get to if there’s any England stuff after that. But, yeah, it’s nice to have a little block to try and get things right,” Smith was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo on Wednesday.Smith had a difficult Ashes series in Australia, scoring 211 runs with one half-century in five Tests as Australia won 4-1. He was later left out of England’s white-ball squads for the tour of Sri Lanka and the Men’s T20 World Cup.Reflecting on the tour, Smith spoke about the physical and mental demands of long Test series.“Mistakes are going to happen. The India series was physically and mentally very tough. It was my first five-Test series.“Also, we were out in the field for 22 out of 25 days or something stupid, and all the Tests lasted (five days). By the end, it was just actual exhaustion: I was just knackered physically and mentally from all that had gone. From there, the learning was how to make sure that from the first to the last game, your standards are still as high as possible,” Smith said.“It was similar in Australia, to be honest. I know a few of the games didn’t last as long as people were expecting or wanting, but again, I don’t feel like my standards were down too much,” he added.
The Champions League round of 16 is officially over, and the quarterfinals are set to arrive in April as eight teams remain in the biggest club competition in the world. Favorites PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Liverpool are still alive, while Atletico Madrid and Sporting Lisbon are aiming to continue their runs with talented squads more than capable of making the semifinals.
Here’s what to know and the bracket:
Key Champions League dates
April 7-15: Quarterfinals
April 28-May 6: Semifinals
May 30: Final
Get ready for the Knockout Stage like never before with the UEFA Champions League Bracket Games! Create a pool to compete against friends or enter our Bracket Challenge for a chance to win a dream trip to London, including 2 UCL tickets and a tour of the UCL Today set! Plus, see how you stack up against UCL Today’s own Jamie and Micah. Sign up now that brackets are unlocked after the Round of 16 draw, or play on the CBS Sports App!
When Rory McIlroy won the Masters last April, dropped to his knees and started to sob, you could sense the enormity of the moment. McIlroy had waited his whole life for this, to win the tournament that had alluded him for years.
He held a four-shot lead after 54 holes in 2011 but imploded on Sunday, shooting 80 and tying for 15th. He had seven top 10s since then, but never a win, not until last year, when McIlroy outlasted Justin Rose in a playoff to win the green jacket and complete the career Grand Slam.
And with winning the Masters, you get a pre-Masters press conference, like McIlroy did virtually on Wednesday with a handful of reporters. One of the questions he was asked was what he learned about how to win the Masters by winning the Masters.
His answer? The importance of staying aggressive. And he even gave an assist to Phil Mickelson.
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McIlroy said he played a practice round with Mickelson, a three-time Masters champ, about 15 years ago and Mickelson told him, “Rory, one of the reasons I love Augusta National is because I feel I can be so aggressive here.”
“I remember thinking, ‘What does he mean?’” McIlroy said. “I feel the opposite. I feel I can’t be aggressive here because there’s so many bad places to miss. But Phil had so much — still has, probably — faith in his short game that if he does miss an approach shot by being aggressive, he still feels he can get that ball up and down. I would say by becoming a better putter and by maybe working on my short game a little bit and becoming better around the greens, that probably allowed me to become more aggressive with my approach play at Augusta.”
McIlroy said that over the years, the demands of Augusta National have made his approach play more tentative, and that’s when you leave yourself in bad spots. But when he learned to start playing more aggressively, it paid off.
He could even look back at his final round last year and find examples. He piled up birdies while being aggressive on the front nine, but once he got the lead and got to the back nine, he changed the way he played.
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“The first time that my mindset or my tactics went a little bit defensive, like trying to protect the lead, that’s when I got into trouble,” McIlroy said. “Obviously what happened on 13 (double bogey) and on 14 (bogey), and when I got to 15, again, I needed to be aggressive. I needed to make a birdie again, and I was able to do it. So there’s probably a lesson in there somewhere of not taking your foot off the gas. I thought I was sort of doing the smart thing by playing 13 as a three-shotter and trying to protect the lead that I built. But in hindsight, everything that went well for me that day and that week was when I played aggressively, when I went for my shots. That’s probably the lesson to learn.”
Barcelona fans online were left in awe of Raphinha after his performance vs Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg. The Catalans secured an 8-3 aggregate win over the Magpies over both legs on March 18.
Raphinha had an exceptional game, scoring twice and assisting two more. He had five out of five shots on target, delivered six key passes, and created three big chances. The Brazilian was pivotal to Barcelona’s victory in the game, while both Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal also combined well with him as a trio to create momentum in the attack.
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Fans showered praise on Raphinha after the game, with many recognizing how he has delivered in significant games since last season. One Culer wrote on X:
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“This frontline cooked heavily. Raphinha is just the best big match player.”
Many other users shared similar sentiments:
Fans continued to share their thoughts on Raphinha’s performance:
Note: All in-game statistics were taken from SofaScore as of writing and are subject to change per the website’s prerogative.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick claims they cannot think of winning the Champions League ‘yet’
In the post-match press conference, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick made a clear statement about his next mission. The German mentioned it is not yet the time to think about winning the Champions League, as they have to take it step by step.
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“We can’t think about winning the Champions League just yet. We have to go step by step, match by match… Both Atletico and Tottenham are really great teams and we will have to fight,” he said (via Barca Universal).
Barcelona will face either Atletico Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter finals based on who wins their clash tonight. However, Los Colchoneros are more likely to be their opponent, given they are leading 5-2 over the Spurs from the first leg.
Flick also addressed the caveats in the Blaugrana defence, adding:
“We have to analyze this game. The defence is doing a really great job, and they have to play every minute. We have to think about that. We don’t have a lot of options to play. After the break we will get some players back, so we can improve in defence.”
Earlier this season, Barcelona lost 4-3 on aggregate to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. If they face the Spaniards in the Champions League quarter-finals, it could be their chance at redemption. However, Simeone’s side will not be an easy one to tackle given their form.
The Iranian women’s football team, whose plight has become embroiled in the Middle East war, returned back to Iran on Wednesday where they were promised a welcome ceremony in Tehran. Seven members of the delegation had sought asylum in Australia last week after their decision not to sing the national anthem before their opening game at the Women’s Asian Cup. With their demands for protection an embarrassment for Iran’s leaders, but lauded by US President Donald Trump, five later changed their minds, including captain Zahra Ghanbari.
Activists have accused Iranian authorities of pressuring the women’s families — including summoning parents for interrogations — but Tehran has in turn alleged that Australia sought to force the athletes to defect.
Two members have remained in Australia, but the rest of the team completed a long journey back on Wednesday via Malaysia, Oman and then to Istanbul and Turkey’s overland Gurbulak-Bazargan border crossing with Iran.
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AFP reporters saw them cross into Iran on a bus, wearing the national team tracksuits and with their hair covered.
In a post on X, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the players and their support team were “children of the homeland, and the people of Iran embrace them”.
By returning, they had “disappointed the enemies (of Iran) and did not surrender to deception and intimidation by anti-Iran elements,” he added.
Iranian news agency Mehr published images of a small welcome party waving flags on the Iranian side of the border, as well as the team and staff sat on a stage with a red carpet.
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“We have all gathered here to say well done and to express our appreciation,” the president of Iran’s Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, was quoted as saying.
“Although they are women, they showed manly courage and strength,” he added.
In a sign of their symbolic importance to Iranian authorities, a larger welcoming ceremony has been organised on Thursday at 8:00 PM (1630 GMT) in Valiasr Square where other pro-government rallies have taken place in recent weeks, Iranian media reported.
Rights groups have accused Tehran of systematically pressuring athletes abroad by threatening relatives with the seizure of property if they defect or make statements against the Islamic republic.
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Withdrawals
The Iranian women fell silent as the national anthem played ahead of an Asian Cup match in Australia, which was interpreted as act of defiance towards the country’s leaders.
Although the side sang Iran’s anthem — an ode to the glory of the Islamic republic — in later matches, human rights activists warned the damage was done.
An Iranian state TV presenter branded the players “wartime traitors”, fuelling fears they faced persecution, or worse, if they returned.
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Five players, including captain Ghanbari, slipped away from the team hotel under the cover of darkness to claim asylum in Australia on March 10.
Two more delegation members — a player and a support staffer — were later granted asylum.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government had spent days in secret talks with the players, who were whisked to a safe house after leaving their hotel on the Gold Coast.
Iranian authorities had accused Australia of pressuring the players to stay.
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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Matchday 11 of the Nigeria Women Football League Premiership delivered thrilling action across centres, with late goals, important away victories, and tightly contested fixtures shaping the latest round of matches.
In Aba, Ahudiyannem Queens secured a commanding 3–0 win over Osun Babes, thanks to a brace from Grace Aaron and a goal from Nwabueze Charles. The victory boosted their position as they continue their push in the league.
At Makwada, Adamawa Queens edged Ekiti Queens 2–1 in a closely fought encounter. Ifeoma Damien opened the scoring before Favour Godwin doubled the lead. Winifred Eyebhoria pulled one back late on, but it was not enough to deny the hosts maximum points.
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Rivers Angels impressed on the road with a 2–0 win over Naija Ratels in Abuja. Early goals from Abasiofon Uwah and Grace Saliu ensured the visitors took full control of the match.
In Akure, Sunshine Queens and Delta Queens played out a goalless draw in a cautious encounter with few clear chances.
Confluence Queens and FC Robo Queens shared the spoils in Iyamho after a 1–1 draw. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi had given Robo Queens the lead before Vicental Ezeani equalised from the penalty spot just before half-time.
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Another stalemate was recorded in Aba, where Abia Angels and Remo Stars Ladies settled for a 0–0 draw.
One of the most dramatic moments of the day came in Lafia, where Nasarawa Amazons snatched a late 1–0 win over Dannaz Ladies. Deborah Onyekachi scored deep into stoppage time to seal a vital victory for the hosts.
In Owerri, Edo Queens secured a narrow 1–0 away win against Heartland Queens, with Kafayat Mafisere scoring the decisive goal in the second half.
Meanwhile, Pacesetter Queens and Ibom Angels played out a 1–1 draw in Ibadan. Ibom Angels took the lead through an own goal by Olufunke Taiwo, but Olaronke Ola rescued a point for the hosts with a stoppage-time equaliser.
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Matchday 11 lived up to expectations, with late winners and dramatic finishes underlining the competitiveness of the league as teams continue their battle for top positions.
Chelsea set for two-Leg clash with PSG in Champions League
Arsenal have been paired with Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-finals, while Liverpool will clash with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The Gunners enter this stage as the only unbeaten team in this season’s competition after defeating Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 on aggregate in the round of 16. A 2-0 second-leg triumph saw Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice find the net to secure progression.
Arsenal’s path to back-to-back semi-finals is blocked by a Sporting side that staged one of the round’s most remarkable comebacks. After losing the first leg 3-0 to Bodo/Glimt, Sporting overturned the deficit with a dramatic 5-3 aggregate victory following extra time, setting up a reunion with former striker Viktor Gyokeres.
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If Arsenal navigate past Sporting, they will meet either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, with the Spanish giants having advanced past Newcastle and Tottenham respectively.
Liverpool, meanwhile, face a repeat of last season’s last-16 encounter with PSG, where the French club triumphed on penalties before claiming their maiden Champions League crown. The winners of the Liverpool–PSG tie will likely meet either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in a mouth-watering semi-final clash widely anticipated as the tie of the round.
Champions League quarter-final first-leg matches are scheduled for April 7 and 8, with return legs taking place a week later.
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Champions League Quarter-Finals
PSG vs Liverpool
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
Sporting vs Arsenal
Potential Semi-Finals
Winner PSG/Liverpool vs Winner Real Madrid/Bayern Munich
Winner Barcelona/Atletico Madrid vs Winner Sporting/Arsenal
Even though four teams have been knocked out this week, it is all but certain that the Premier League will get an extra place.
England (23.847) already have a coefficient score pretty much the same as last season’s second-placed country (Spain, 23.892).
Nothing should be completely taken for granted, as England seemed destined to get an EPS slot in 2023-24 only to suffer a terrible set of results in the quarter-finals.
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But it is going to take another very bad night on Thursday for there to be any real jeopardy.
It also helps that Bayern Munich will face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, meaning one of England’s closest rivals will lose a team. And Barcelona must play Atletico Madrid, too.
As a picture of how far England are ahead, German and Spanish sides are effectively 18 victories behind. And Serie A can no longer catch the Premier League.
SPAIN
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The Spanish league is in second place and now has more teams left in Europe (six) than any other league.
It will be a close battle as each win is worth less to the coefficient than for Germany.
The Champions League meeting between Bayern and Real Madrid could prove crucial in the race.
Spain will also be hit by their teams meeting each other.
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Atletico and Barcelona will meet in the Champions League quarter-finals.
In the Europa League, Celta Vigo and Real Betis are on a collision course in the semi-finals.
GERMANY
The Bundesliga has only Bayern left active in the Champions League, and it will need a strong turnaround of results on Thursday.
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Of the three German teams in action in the Europa League and Conference League, not one goes into their second leg with a lead. They all need positive results to be able to challenge Spain.
PORTUGAL
It seemed like Portugal’s chances of making the top two were effectively over when Santa Clara were knocked out of the Conference League in the qualifying rounds.
But three of their remaining four teams are still active.
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However, to be in contention for second all are going to have to go very deep.
ITALY
Serie A has lost four of its seven teams and now only has a slim chance of making second place.
Bologna and Roma face each other in the Europa League last 16, so another team will go out.
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At least Fiorentina won in the Conference League.
FRANCE
It has been a disappointing season for Ligue 1 teams, starting with Nice’s failure to make it through Champions League qualifying.
It did not get much better from there for Nice, as they were theneliminated from the Europa League.
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France do have four teams still active but seem unlikely to bridge the gap.
POLAND
It will come as a surprise to many to find Poland so high up in the table, and they were in the top two for a while. But Poland no longer have a realistic chance.
All four of the country’s teams have been playing in the Conference League, while more than a third of their coefficient points were picked up in the qualifying rounds.
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It would need both of their teams to win every remaining game.
No other country has a mathematical chance of the top two.
FanDuel has released its win totals for the Power 4 teams, and Colorado’s is at 4.5 for the 2026 season. 
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