Well then! It’s been a busy 24 hours hasn’t it.

The news that Pep Guardiola will depart in the summer has dominated the headlines and there’s plenty to digest, we’ll flag plenty of it here as we go along but there is a game on this evening though, and a vital one with City needing a win at Bournemouth to take the title race to the final weekend of the season.

Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 victory over Burnley on Monday night means the Gunners will be champions for the first time since 2004 if City fail to win on the south coast.

If the Blues can claim the three points they will host Aston Villa on the final day of the season knowing a victory, coupled with Arsenal failing to beat Crystal Palace, will see Guardiola bow out with a Premier League title and a domestic treble.

Bring it on

Jannik Sinner is two victories away from becoming the first home male player to win the Italian Open in half a century. And it doesn’t seem like anybody can stop him – either in Rome or at the French Open that starts in 10 days.

The top-ranked Sinner landed shots on the lines repeatedly in a 6-2, 6-4 triumph over No. 14 Andrey Rublev to reach the semifinals Thursday and move past Novak Djokovic with a record 32nd consecutive victory in Masters 1000 events – the biggest tournaments outside the Grand Slams.

“I don’t play for records. I play just for my own story. And obviously at the same time it means a lot to me,” Sinner said.

The last Italian man to raise the singles trophy on the red clay of the Foro Italico was Adriano Panatta in 1976. Panatta will present the title to this year’s champion on Sunday, with Italian President Sergio Mattarella also slated to attend the final.

“It’s a special tournament for me,” Sinner said.

Sinner’s semifinal opponent will be 2023 Rome champion Daniil Medvedev, who came back to beat Spanish qualifier Martin Landaluce 1-6, 6-4, 7-5.

The other semifinal will feature Casper Ruud of Norway against Luciano Darderi, an Argentine-born Italian.

Huge partisan support: 
With nearly everyone inside the 10,500-seat Campo Centrale cheering for Sinner, many supporters wore hats and T-shirts in orange – his theme color.

One group of fans held up a sign that said, “Sinner, Facce Sogna” – “Sinner, Make us dream.” 
Sinner lost last year’s final in Rome to Carlos Alcaraz, who is now sidelined due to a right wrist injury, while Jasmine Paolini in 2025 became the first Italian woman to raise the trophy in 40 years.

Sinner broke serve in the opening game for a third straight match and never lost control against Rublev, who was once ranked as high as No. 5. 

Rublev noticed there were “many points where he played really well or close to the line or in a line. But he’s No. 1 and it’s normal. You need to force him to miss and it takes a lot of focus to be able to play at that level.” 
Sinner had only one brief lapse when Rublev broke him late in the second set.

“It was a bit breezy, a bit windy, so it was very tough conditions,” Sinner said. “I felt we both didn’t play at our best today.” 
Sinner said he felt fatigued toward the end.

“I’m going to be all right. It’s normal that one day in the tournament you are slightly tired,” he said. “It has been very long days for me.” 
Unbeaten since October Sinner hasn’t been beaten in a Masters event since he retired with cramps in extreme heat against Tallon Griekspoor in Shanghai in October.

Djokovic won 31 straight Masters matches in 2011.

Including all tournaments, Sinner’s winning streak reached 27 matches. He was last beaten by Jakub Mensik in the Qatar Open quarterfinals on Feb. 19 – and he hasn’t even dropped a set since his opening match of his previous tournament, the Madrid Open.

Sinner is also aiming to become the second man after Djokovic to triumph at all nine Masters events. Djokovic has won each event at least twice.

The Italian Open is the only Masters event that Sinner hasn’t won.

Coco Gauff back in final: 
In the women’s tournament, Coco Gauff beat 36-year-old Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-3 to reach the final for a second straight year.

Gauff will face two-time Rome champion Elina Svitolina in the final after the Ukrainian beat three-time champion Iga Swiatek 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.

Gauff saved a match point in a three-set victory over Iva Jovic in the fourth round and then came back from a set down to defeat Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals.

Against Cirstea, Gauff got 78% of her first serves in and had only one double fault.

“I’m just happy to be through in straight sets today,” Gauff said. “It’s been a marathon week.” 
Gauff was beaten by Paolini in the 2025 Rome final, then went on to win the French Open.

Svitolina won Rome in 2017 and 2018.

PV Sindhu and Virat Kohli (Instagram Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s badminton icon PV Sindhu shared a heartfelt message for Virat Kohli after meeting him at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit in Bengaluru. The badminton star posted a picture with Kohli on Instagram and thanked him for always supporting and guiding her during difficult moments in her career.“Every time I’ve needed guidance, you’ve always been there with the right advice and the right words. There is no better example of what a true senior in Indian sport should be: generous, grounded, inspiring, and always willing to lift others. ‘Never back down, PV.’ Advice taken. Keep being the absolute force of a human being that you are. Indian sport is better because of people like you,” Sindhu wrote.Sindhu has been slowly returning to her best after dealing with injuries over the past year. Recently, she reached the quarterfinals of the Thailand Open before losing to Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi. She also performed well during India’s Uber Cup campaign and has taken on a major leadership role off the court as Chair of the BWF Athletes’ Commission.The role gives Sindhu voting rights on the Badminton World Federation Council, marking an important step in her career beyond playing badminton.Meanwhile, Kohli continues to shine for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. The veteran batter has played a major role in helping RCB qualify for the playoffs, including a match-winning century against Kolkata Knight Riders earlier in the season.Apart from cricket, Kohli was one of the key speakers at the sports summit, where he discussed athlete fitness, leadership, recovery, mental strength, and the future of Indian sports. The interaction between Sindhu and Kohli quickly became a talking point among fans, with many praising the mutual respect shared by two of India’s biggest sporting icons.

Kylian Mbappe said after not starting in Real Madrid’s Spanish league soccer match against Oviedo on Thursday that coach Alvaro Arbeloa told him that he is the team’s fourth-choice striker.

Arbeloa appeared to be caught by surprise by Mbappe’s words and said he never told him that. He said he doesn’t know why Mbappe felt like that.

Mbappe, who had been nursing a left hamstring injury, said he was ready to play from the start against Oviedo but Arbeloa decided not to use him.

“I’m 100% fine,” Mbappe said. “I didn’t play because the coach told me I’m the fourth striker in the squad behind (Franco) Mastantuono, Vini (Vinicius Junior) and Gonzalo (Garcia). I accept it. I was ready to start, it was his decision. You can’t be angry with the coach, you always have to respect the opinion of the coach. I’ll keep working hard and wait to be the starter.” 
Arbeloa later said he never told Mbappe he was the fourth striker in the squad.

“I don’t have four strikers, and I haven’t told anything like that to Mbappe,” Arbeloa said. “He probably didn’t understand me. I don’t really know what to tell you. I wouldn’t tell him that he’s the fourth-choice striker.” 

 
The disagreement between Arbeloa and Mbappe is the latest in a chaotic week for Madrid, which started with an altercation between players in training that led the club to fine Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni 500,000 euros ($589,000) each.

Then came the 2-0 loss to Barcelona in the clasico on Sunday that allowed its rival to clinch the league title. On Tuesday, an edgy Madrid president Florentino Perez called for new elections after saying he was the victim of an “organized campaign” to unseat him.

Mbappe was booed by the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium after coming into the match to replace Garcia in the 68th minute. He assisted in Jude Bellingham’s 79th-minute goal that sealed Madrid’s 2-0 win.

The France star had been criticized by some fans who claimed he was saving himself for the World Cup. During his time off because of the injury, Mbappe reportedly traveled to Italy with actress Ester Exposito, prompting criticism in Spanish media that he may not be taking his rehabilitation seriously.

The striker downplayed the importance of his trip.

“I had the club’s permission to be away from Madrid,” Mbappe said. “I wasn’t the only one, but you have to accept it and move on. I can easily turn this situation around.” 
Mbappe has not yet fully met expectations of his high-profile signing with Madrid two seasons ago. The club has not won a major trophy since he arrived.

France head into the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup as the top-ranked nation in the world. Even without the validation of the men’s football rankings, the 2018 champions boast an abundance of quality as they pursue a third World Cup title.  Missing out from their 2nd consecutive world title last time on penalties against Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Les Blues are coming into this edition with another power-packed squad with them.

This edition will also mark the final tournament for coach Didier Deschamps, one of only three men in history to lift the World Cup both as a player (1998) and as a manager (2018). The two-time champions are drawn in Group I alongside African giants Senegal, Erling Haaland’s Norway, and Iraq, who return to the global stage after 40 years.  France’s Group I in FIFA World Cup 2026 

• 
  France
• 
  Senegal
• 
  Norway
• 
  Iraq

Kylian Mbappé leads France as captain at his third World Cup finals. With 12 goals already to his name, the Real Madrid star is closing in on Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 World Cup goals. He remains the focal point of France’s attack and leadership on the biggest stage.

France will not rely on Mbappé alone, as he is supported by a wealth of world-class attacking talent. Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé will operate on the flanks, while Ballon d’Or contender Michael Olise adds further creativity and flair. Notably, the two teammates are set to face each other in the Champions League semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern München.

Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté, Adrien Rabiot, Manu Koné, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaïre-Emery 

Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Marcus Thuram, Jean-Philippe Mateta

Optus Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 10 AFL game between West Coast Eagles and
GWS Giants. The game kicks off at 6:15 pm with GWS Giants heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the West Coast Eagles vs.
GWS Giants
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday May 17, 2026 at 6:15 pm

Where: Optus Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

West Coast Eagles vs GWS Giants Odds

West Coast Eagles vs GWS Giants Preview

GWS will aim to move back to an even record for the season when it travels west to face a struggling Eagles outfit. The Giants showed impressive resilience last week, overturning a 26-point deficit against Essendon to keep their finals hopes alive. While GWS has been inconsistent away from home this year, the matchup against West Coast presents a significant opportunity given the Eagles’ disastrous recent form. West Coast has now lost six straight games by more than 60 points on average and continues to battle badly with defensive structure and contested football. GWS has also dominated recent meetings between the clubs, including a crushing 59-point victory last season led by Finn Callaghan’s outstanding midfield display. Unless West Coast can produce a dramatic improvement defensively, the Giants appear well positioned to continue their climb back towards the top eight.

About once or twice per year, VikingsTerritory publishes an article detailing the fruit of Jordan Ta’amu’s labor in the UFL. The 2026 campaign is no different, but there’s a catch: Ta’amu is now hurt.

Ta’amu’s spring football rise added another unfortunate turn before the Defenders’ postseason push.

The man was cooking, but the Defenders must improvise.

Ta’amu’s Minnesota Stay Was Brief but a Bit Memorable

It’s a blow for the champs.

Ta’amu Out for Year

NBC Sports‘ Mike Florio wrote Monday, “Even though the UFL has been generating solid TV ratings, it’s had a hard time moving the needle. That’s largely because the NFL continues to dominate the calendar, even in the months when NFL games aren’t being played. Still, certain developments merit a mention.”

“Like this one: D.C. Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu has been lost for the season due to an injury suffered in a Week 8 loss to Louisville. The specific injury was not specified.”

Defenders head coach Shannon Harris said of the setback, “We never want to lose a quarterback of that caliber, especially a guy who’s been an MVP-level player and championship leader for us. But we still have a really good football team, and we are going to rally behind Spencer Sanders and Jason Bean.”

Time with the Vikings

Just before the 2023 regular season, the Vikings signed Ta’amu to bolster their preseason quarterback depth. He arrived with significant spring buzz, having won the XFL’s 2023 Offensive Player of the Year award five months earlier.

However, his tenure in Minnesota was brief. Ta’amu lasted only a week before being cut, eventually returning to the Defenders on February 22, 2024. The Vikings, already boasting Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall on their roster for the 2023 season, further solidified their quarterback room during that season by trading for Joshua Dobbs a couple of months later.

Last Year’s Masterclass

In 2025, the Defenders won the UFL Championship, as Ta’amu passed for 2,153 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, along with 178 rushing yards and 2 scores, in nine games. Nearing the end of the current campaign, the Defenders have a 5-3 record, so they’re trending toward another championship push. Ta’amu has produced 1,516 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, and 9 picks, in addition to 196 rushing yards in 8 games.

Of course, the injury ends his dream of back-to-back titles and MVP awards. A brutal blow.

Pro Football Newsroom‘s James Larsen on the Defenders’ without Ta’amu: “Earlier this year, the Defenders traded for Jason Bean from the Kings. He seems like the perfect prospect to fill in, with his mobility – and ability to push the ball down the field. Through four weeks of play with the Louisville Kings, no QB in the UFL had more big-time throws than Bean, with 10.”

“The clock is ticking on what was shaping up to be another big year for DC. If any team can manage this instability – it’s the Defenders. Shannon Harris has chartered strange waters before, and now will have to lead DC to success without their signal caller of the past four seasons.”

Bean might be the meal ticket sans Ta’amu.

Larsen concluded, “Hopefully, this isn’t the last we’ll see of Jordan Ta’amu. He has been one of spring football’s best over the past several years, with two Championship appearances (and a win) in DC. The veteran is, no doubt, on the Mount Rushmore of spring football.”

Lucky Jackson Thriving

Another former Viking has stood out in the offshoot league: Jackson. He plays for the Louisville Kings, a club with a 4-4 mark through eight games, and has tabulated 27 receptions for 341 yards and 2 scores in eight games. Much in part due to his first name, Jackson is well-known in recent Vikings lore as a summer attraction and preseason stud.

And he’s been associated with the Vikings for a while, beginning around the time that Ta’aum initially entered the mix. Jackson signed with the Vikings in May 2023, sticking around for the whole summer and later reaching the 2023 practice squad. He earned active roster placement in late 2023 and signed a futures contract at the start of the 2024 offseason.

Then, he encountered the same arrangement from the summer prior in 2024 — an August cut, followed by a practice squad assignment. In 2025, Jackson actually flirted with becoming the team’s WR4 due to a notable training camp and preseason. But in the end, Minnesota dropped him on September 23, 2025. He signed with Louisville on February 18th — three months ago.

Overall, he’s known for his 4.36 speed coming out of college (Western Kentucky) in 2020.

The Ta’amu-less Defenders’ next game is Friday at the Orlando Storm. Ta’amu will turn 28 in December.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker