Minnesota Vikings owners Leonard Wilf and Mark Wilf react before an NFL International Series matchup against the New Orleans Saints at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. On Oct. 2, 2022, the Vikings ownership group participated in another overseas showcase as Minnesota continued expanding its presence during the league’s international push in London. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
We call them the Nopedy Nopes, and we reveal a new batch each weekend at VikingsTerritory — takes and happenings from the Minnesota Vikings orbit that did work out, are too far-fetched for believability, or were flat-out wrong.
Three rumors. Three verdicts. One more offseason reality check.
This week tackles two false theories and one WR theory that won’t come to fruition.
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Noise Patrol Tackles the Latest Vikings Rumor Cycle
Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf stands on the field during Jared Allen’s Ring of Fame induction ceremony before a home game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium on Oct. 30, 2022. Wilf has overseen one of the franchise’s most successful ownership eras, helping guide the organization through consistent playoff contention and major stadium development. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings didn’t spend much in free agency, so they will probably be sold by ownership.
Pioneer Press‘ Charley Walter unloaded the idea last weekend, claiming, “It’s beginning to look as if Vikings ownership now could be mirroring Twins ownership, which has sought to sell its team. Figuring they were championship worthy, the Vikings a year ago spent more money on player payroll in the offseason ($350 million) than any of the NFL’s other 31 teams.”
“This offseason, the Vikings have spent just $226 million, second lowest in the league. It appears Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf have decided on a significant payroll slash this year. The Vikings won’t admit it, but this sure looks like a rebuilding year. This is the 21st year the Wilfs have owned the Vikings. Until this year, they have made a commendable attempt at winning the Lombardi Trophy.”
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On the pursuit of a Super Bowl in 2026, it is unclear why Walters believes the Vikings have said “no thanks.” Minnesota featured a Top 3 defense last year and signed Kyler Murray two months ago.
Walters continued, “Meanwhile, the Twins’ Pohlad ownership isn’t unlike what Red McCombs did with the Vikings in 2005 before selling to the Wilfs. McCombs, who bought the Vikings for $246 million in 1998, cut player and coaching staff payroll to a bare minimum and waited until he got his price ($600 million) from the Wilfs.”
“If the Wilfs, who curiously still haven’t named a permanent general manager since firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah last January, were to sell the Vikings today, they could get between $8 billion and $9 billion.”
The Verdict: Teams that spend big in free agency — like the Vikings from 2022 to 2024 — are forced to reset because the money runs out. Suggesting a sale of the team is on the way can be construed as the grandaddy of all “nopey nopes.” Credible Vikings sources have since smacked down the reporting. The franchise is not for sale.
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The Nopedy Nope: Stefon Diggs is a WR option for Minnesota.
Days after the 2026 NFL Draft, Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker analyzed Diggs’s employment options in 2026, and the Vikings got the nod.
Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs walks off the field after a road game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sep. 22, 2024. Diggs returned to Minneapolis years after his memorable tenure with the Vikings, remaining one of the NFL’s most productive receivers and a central figure in Houston’s evolving offensive attack. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
He wrote, “The Kansas City Chiefs are in a much different spot organizationally. They’re aiming to contend despite quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL. Like the Raiders, the Chiefs didn’t take a receiver until Day 3. Cincinnati’s Cyrus Allen went in the fifth round, so signing Diggs to a short-term contract makes sense for Kansas City.”
“Would one of Diggs’ old teams consider a reunion? Jordan Addison has yet to make a true breakthrough with the Minnesota Vikings. The team’s depth really falls off once you get past him and Justin Jefferson as well. The Vikings have one quarterback on a one-year contract (Kyler Murray) and another who may be heading into a make-or-break season (J.J. McCarthy). Bringing Diggs back to Minneapolis has some merit.”
Fast forward a week, and Minnesota added Jauan Jennings, not Diggs.
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The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Diggs to Minnesota. The choice was Jennings instead.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings have one of the league’s worst quarterback rooms entering 2026.
Naming the Vikings’ quarterback situation the NFL’s eight-worst, CBS Sports‘Garrett Podell wrote, “One would think the Minnesota Vikings’ signing of two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray would keep them off this list, but that’s not the case. Murray earned his Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2021. That’s a lifetime ago in NFL years. From 2022 to 2025, Murray missed 30 of his possible 68 games.”
“In the five games Murray played for the Cardinals in 2025, he averaged a career low 227.0 total yards per game. Recent first-round pick J.J. McCarthy was the worst quarterback in the NFL in 2025, which sparked the signing of Murray. McCarthy’s performance was simply incredible considering the offensive ecosystem under 2024 Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell.”
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray wears a WVB memorial bow tie patch honoring late owner William V. Bidwill during pregame warmups before a home matchup in Glendale, Arizona, on Oct. 13, 2019. Murray entered the NFL with enormous expectations after becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft following his standout collegiate career at Oklahoma. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Republic, Arizona Republic via Imagn Content Services, LLC.
He added, “Despite an electrifying supporting cast, McCarthy ranked dead last in the league in completion percentage (57.6%), touchdown-to-interception ratio (11-12), and passer rating (72.6). Murray could rediscover his early career form with Minnesota.”
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Murray as the league’s eighth-worst signal-caller. That doesn’t make sense.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev seem ready to move on from each other. The energy heading into UFC 328 was incredibly hostile. Post-fight, they found closure despite the narrow scorecards.
Let’s get one thing out of the way: there’s no need for a rematch. Chimaev vs. Strickland was built on their deep disdain for each other. Once the fight started, that hatred melted away. Chimaev gleefully wrapped the title around Strickland after an unmemorable fight. Furthermore, despite being undefeated, Chimaev didn’t notch a single title defense. Fortunately, there are opportunities on the horizon that are more exciting than they first appear.
Strickland is one of the best underdog fighters in MMA. He’s upset Chimaev, Israel Adesanya, Anthony Hernandez, Brendan Allen and Nassourdine Imavov. Speaking of Imavov, he’s the rightful No. 1 contender with a lot of animosity towards the new champ.
UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van is a breath of fresh air in the division. His all-action style has already produced several memorable fights. He has a chance to elevate the often-overlooked weight class with plenty of dance partners.
There’s finally room to breathe after one of the tensest builds in UFC history. Breathe in, breathe out and take a look at the fights worth making after UFC 328.
Middleweight
Sean Strickland (c) vs. Nassourdine Imavov: Strickland’s win is the best thing for Imavov. UFC already passed over Imavov in favor of the bigger box office attraction. Furthermore, Chimaev didn’t want to fight someone from the Caucasus. Strickland and Imavov have legitimate beef dating back to 2023. Strickland beat Imavov in a short-notice light heavyweight main event. Imavov hasn’t been shy about how much he dislikes Strickland or how badly he wants the rematch. There’s ammo for a feud, and it’s legitimately the best worthy fight.
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Light Heavyweight
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa: Chimaev told UFC CEO Dana White after the fight that he wants to move up to 205 pounds and White acknowledged that it’s an exciting proposition. With that said, there’s a lot of uncertainty at light heavyweight right now. The current champ, Carlos Ulberg, is on the mend for at least six months with a torn ACL. The No. 1 ranked fighter, Magomed Ankalaev, would likely turn down a fight with a fellow countryman. No. 2, Alex Pereira, is moving up to heavyweight. And No. 3, Jiri Prochazka, was just knocked out by Ulberg. You could put Chimaev in with Prochazka for pure chaos, but Costa seems like a more doable proposition. Costa just recently moved up as well and probably needs at least one more fight before being considered title fight material. Chimaev gets to take on a brutal striker where he can test out how his game translates up 20 pounds in weight.
Flyweight
Joshua Van (c) vs. Alexandre Pantoja: The current and former champ have unfinished business. Van rightfully won the title, but wasn’t definitively the better man. Pantoja suffered a fight-ending arm injury after being pushed over. After UFC 328, there’s no denying Van is a world-class fighter. The rematch will be bigger than the first go. Between Van’s defensive skills and Pantoja’s durability, there’s good reason to think it’ll live up to Van vs. Taira.
Tatsuro Taira vs. Manel Kape or Kyoji Horiguchi: Taira elevated himself in defeat. Everyone respected his skill, but few comprehended his toughness. Van nearly knocked him out in Rounds 2 and 3. Remarkably, Taira endured and likely won Round 4. Next month, Horiguchi and Kape headline UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. The winner will knock on the door of a title shot. The loser will need an opponent. Either matchup is great, but taking Taira vs. Horiguchi to Japan is a no-brainer.
Heavyweight
Alexander Volkov vs. Alex Pereira or Ciryl Gane: Volkov is in an unfortunate and undeserved position. He should have fought for the heavyweight title after a 2024 loss to Gane, widely considered a robbery. Now he’s stuck waiting for the dust to settle. Pereira and Gane will fight for the interim heavyweight title at Freedom 250 in June. The winner is expected to unify with heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. There are two best-case scenarios for Volkov: replacing an injured party on June 14 or challenging the interim champ if Aspinall isn’t cleared to fight. Otherwise, Volkov is stuck with scraps.
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Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes: Cortes Acosta has work to do after losing a potential title eliminator. Several newer heavyweights are rising through the ranks. The division needs a facelift, so it’s best to avoid having new contenders fight each other. Blaydes is coming off a high-profile loss to Josh Hokit in one of the all-time best heavyweight fights. There’s a valuable scalp to collect in either direction.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Thanks largely to an impressive outing from young starting pitcher Chase Burns, the host Cincinnati Reds snapped their longest losing streak since 2024 with a win Saturday over the Houston Astros and now seek a series win in Sunday’s rubber game.
Left-hander Andrew Abbott (1-2, 5.13 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Reds on Sunday. He carried a shutout into the sixth inning of his previous start but did not factor into the decision of a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, allowing four hits and four walks with four strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings.
Abbott has just one decision in his last four starts, going 1-0 with a 4.43 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings. He has faced the Astros once. He tossed six scoreless innings in a 2-1 road win June 16, 2023, allowing four hits and two walks with two strikeouts in his third career start.
In his 16th career start, Burns limited Houston to one run on four hits and three walks over six innings in a 3-1 win, one day after the Astros slugged out a 10-0 victory in the series opener.
In addition to Burns’ strong start, three Cincinnati relievers covered the final nine outs without allowing a baserunner, with Pierce Johnson earning his first save with a perfect ninth inning.
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“Honestly, that was a big win for the team,” Johnson said. “We’ve been going through it on this last road trip. We needed one right there, so I’m glad I could come through and help us out a little bit.”
On the heels of another impressive road offensive display that featured four different batters recording home runs, the Astros were handcuffed by Burns, who earned the praise of Houston manager Joe Espada.
“He’s tough,” Espada said of Burns. “We didn’t do a very good job of not chasing that slider. He really kept us off balance and threw us off our plan.
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“Credit to their pitching. They did a nice job. They quieted down one of the best offenses in the game.”
Houston wasted a solid start from right-hander Spencer Arrighetti and a combined 2 1/3 perfect innings of relief from Enyel De Los Santos, Steven Okert and Bryan Abreu. The Astros were unable to solve Burns’ mostly two-pitch repertoire of four-seam fastballs and sliders.
Kai-Wei Teng (1-1, 1.80) will make his 14th appearance and second start, with a bulk pitcher likely to follow for the Astros. The right-hander started against the Baltimore Orioles on April 28 and allowed two runs on five hits with two strikeouts in three innings.
In his last appearance against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, Teng allowed one hit and struck out two over two scoreless innings of relief. Teng has made eight starts in 26 career appearances. He will make his first appearance against the Reds.
Two digits on a ping pong ball bouncing the right way is all it took to change the entire mood of a fanbase. A season filled with frustrations, bad decisions and disappointment for the Toronto Maple Leafs is melting away like the last remnants of snow on a warm spring day. Now, hope, optimism and enthusiasm fill the air, as the Leafs will have their pick of any player they like in the upcoming 2026 draft.
It’s something the team desperately needed. Toronto’s cupboards are bare. It wasn’t going to have a first-round selection for two of the next three years, and the future of Auston Matthews remains unclear. John Chayka noted how he and Mats Sundin were going to have to catch a moving train, and even though the draft lottery win doesn’t solve everything, it’s definitely given them a titanic boost.
Having the No. 1 pick also means the Leafs have choices and more flexibility. It’s a highly coveted selection, and while the obvious choice to most is to draft Gavin McKenna and not think twice, Chayka and Sundin could look for creative ways to utilize it and fill more holes on the roster.
Maple Leafs should explore trades, drafting someone other than Gavin McKenna
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One of the most obvious needs for the Leafs is on the blue line, as they’ve been lacking a true No. 1 defenceman for, well, decades really. Had they simply kept the fifth pick, that’s likely the path they would’ve gone down, since there are a few talented blue-liners at the top of this draft. That said, could Toronto move down a few slots in a trade that includes a few other assets and still grab a high-end player like Chase Reid or Keaton Verhoeff on the back end?
There’s also a possibility the Leafs could consider trading the pick for multiple assets that could help them today. Would the St. Louis Blues consider moving Robert Thomas and the 11th overall pick, for example, for the right to the top selection? Thomas was on the block at the deadline but ultimately stayed put. We know the Leafs want to get back into the playoff mix immediately, and getting a quality, established centre would certainly help the cause.
Plus, Chayka’s resume shows he isn’t afraid to move high picks. While with the Arizona Coyotes, Chayka flipped the seventh overall pick for Derek Stepan. That was a bad swap, but it does point to the fact Chayka is willing to get aggressive with top-10 picks.
There’s also the possibility that the Leafs could keep the pick and draft someone other than McKenna. If there’s a defenceman they really covet, they could choose to take him at one, or they could look at another forward. Some value Ivar Stenberg ahead of McKenna and Caleb Malhotra, who plays centre, wouldn’t be far behind. Toronto has plenty of options worth considering.
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There are some scenarios where it would make sense for the Leafs to consider doing something other than drafting McKenna, but making him their selection gives them the player with the highest upside, and it’s also what’s best long-term.
You can’t assume McKenna is going to have the same impact as a teenager like Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer did, but it really does feel like his ceiling is the highest in his class. He’s still going to be able to step in right away and play in Toronto’s top six, taking care of one hole the Leafs needed to address. McKenna would also instantly help a power play that has struggled to find consistency since Mitch Marner departed.
There are also only a handful of trade scenarios that would make sense to pass up for someone with McKenna’s potential. The talent level of players really drops once you get out of the top five in most drafts, so trading down wouldn’t be worth it unless you’re getting a handful of other assets. If you wanted to look at moving it for an established NHLer or two, they would have to be elite talents, and few teams would probably dangle those in this situation.
The Leafs also need to prepare for the scenario that this retool may not work. What if they are sitting in 11th or 12th in the East at the midway point of the season, and Auston Matthews decides he doesn’t want to extend? You’d almost certainly be heading towards a rebuild at that point, and it would be much better to start that off by building around someone like McKenna.
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There will definitely be tempting opportunities for the Maple Leafs to consider regarding this No. 1 pick, but the safest and smartest play is to take McKenna.
The Lightning have major questions to address this off-season
It’s hard to believe a team as talented as the Tampa Bay Lightning has now exited the playoffs in the opening round four years in a row. The Lightning were close to breaking the streak against the Montreal Canadiens, but they came up short, and many of the issues from past years resurfaced. Andrei Vasilevskiy was really good for stretches, although he ultimately finished with a save percentage below .900 for the fourth consecutive post-season. As for Nikita Kucherov, he’s still factoring in on the scoresheet, though he’s tallied just two goals in Tampa’s past four playoff series. Kucherov is also now pointless in seven career Game 7s.
The majority of the Lightning’s core is 30 or older, and Darren Raddysh will be a UFA after a breakout season. Tampa is facing more questions this off-season than ever before, and if it doesn’t address them, its contention window could start shrinking quickly.
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Raddysh’s situation looms largest for Tampa, as the emerging blue liner scored 70 points last season, and that offence would be hard to replace if he walks out the door. Retaining him would come with risk, though. Raddysh is likely looking for a massive raise on the $975K he made this year, and handing out big dollars with significant term for a 30-year-old with only one good offensive year could backfire. If he leaves, Victor Hedman would likely take back the power-play duties, though the unit could suffer without Raddysh.
When it comes to Vasilevskiy, Tampa may have to finally invest in a more capable No. 2 option to reduce the former Conn Smythe winner’s regular-season minutes. Vasilevskiy will turn 32 in July and has played a ton of hockey over the past several seasons, so prioritizing keeping him fresh for the playoffs going forward will be paramount. Jonas Johansson has handled the backup duties for the past three seasons, though the Lightning haven’t really been able to trust him. With the cap going up, it could be beneficial to invest in someone capable of playing 30-35 games to lighten Vasilevskiy’s workload a little.
The Lightning may have to target a centre, too. Brayden Point is one of the best in the business, but after him, things really drop off from an offensive perspective. Anthony Cirelli was nominated for the Selke this year, though his offence is on the low end for a top-six centre. Tampa and Kucherov are easier to defend without another high-end offensive pivot on their top two lines. It’s easier said than done, of course, but if it could add a centre who could make it more threatening in the offensive zone, Tampa would become more balanced and tougher to match up against.
General manager Julien BriseBois may not be able to tackle everything on his wish list. However, I’d argue that if he doesn’t upgrade in a couple of areas, it’s going to be tough for Tampa to compete with the younger up-and-coming teams in the East.
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Mitch Marner has shed the narrative he can’t come through in the clutch
There is no denying Mitch Marner is a fabulous player and one of the best at his craft, but many, especially Leafs fans, will point to his shortcomings in the playoffs. At first glance, Marner’s playoff numbers in Toronto look good, though he did most of his damage earlier in a playoff series. The 29-year-old scored just once in a Game 5, 6 or 7 during his time with the Maple Leafs across nine playoff appearances. In this go-around with Vegas, though, things are starting off on a much better foot.
Marner scored twice in Game 6 versus Utah in the opening round, including the game-winning goal that sent the Mammoth home. He looks more comfortable this post-season without the weight of carrying several playoff disappointments like he did in a hockey-mad market in Toronto, and was dominant Friday night against the Anaheim Ducks, scoring a hat trick. Let’s also not overlook a couple of massive overtime goals he tallied for Team Canada at the 4 Nations and Olympics. Perhaps Marner has put the narrative that he can’t produce in the clutch behind him.
Marner has certainly been impressive for the Golden Knights so far this spring, but it’s still early. There’s a lot of hockey yet to be played, and one clutch outing in the first round against a first-time playoff team won’t completely erase the memories of past post-seasons. That said, the fact that Marner is playing a new position at times, and the most critical one on the ice for skaters, for that matter, while elevating a player like Brett Howden deserves a lot of praise. He’s given Vegas a lot more versatility and flexibility in its forward group. That could propel the Golden Knights on a deep run, where Marner would get more opportunities to deliver in the clutch and silence his critics once and for all.
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What Frederik Andersen is doing this post-season is really incredible. The Carolina Hurricanes netminder has conceded just 10 goals in eight games thus far, barely giving up more than an average of a goal per game. Andersen’s save percentage is also sitting at .950, which is a massive increase from his regular-season number. The 36-year-old didn’t have a strong campaign, posting just an .874 save percentage with a goals against average of over three. This unexpected surge in play from Andersen has powered the Canes to an 8-0 record in the playoffs, as Carolina looks like it’s going to steamroll through the East. Even though there’s still more than two rounds to go, it really does feel like the Conn Smythe Trophy is Andersen’s to lose at this point.
There are some others that have really stepped up this post-season, but none are on the level of Andersen. Kirill Kaprizov, Quinn Hughes and Matt Boldy have all been excellent for the Minnesota Wild, but they are trailing the Colorado Avalanche in their series, and none have been so exceptional to unseat Andersen. Nathan MacKinnon and Jackson LaCombe have a case as well, although I don’t think you could argue either has been as far ahead of his peers as Andersen is. Goalies often end up winning the award, and it’s hard to believe Andersen wouldn’t claim it if this keeps up and Carolina goes on to win it all.
With Katherine Coleman as his training partner, Peter Moody notched a repeat victory in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m), 14 years on from Black Caviar’s commanding performance in 2012.
Luke Nolen rode both winners; the 1.3 length success for Black Caviar was relatively tight by her elite benchmarks, whereas Desert Lightning’s narrow result had the Morphettville audience on edge until confirmed.
The six-year-old gelding, a $18 shot, withstood the surge from $3.50 market leader Extragalactic to win by half a head, followed half a length later by Grand Larceny ($17) in third.
After trying the 2400m New Zealand Derby, Desert Lightning has stuck to 1400-1600m in Australian assignments, with Coleman praising his preparation through careful race spacing and retained vigour.
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“He’s so quirky, he’s got so much character,” Coleman said.
“He’s an older gelding, normally, they’re the quiet ones that know their job and they don’t cause too much fuss.
“Well, he carries on out there like a two-year-old, a cult most mornings and upsets other horses on the track and bounces around the stable.
“We thought he was going to be a horse that would stretch out over ground as well, but he just seems he’s best when he’s fresh and happy and bouncing, and that’s how he is today, so it’s great and a fantastic ride from Luke Nolen as well.”
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Nolen tracked in the rear group before taking the quicker strip wide late, surviving by the slimmest of margins as Extragalactic rallied furiously, costing Trent Edmonds and Luke Cartwright a breakthrough Group One.
“That drone kept following me around everywhere,” Nolen said.
“I thought, oh, it must be a bloody chance.
“Lukey Cartwright, he does a bit of work for Moody. He’s a great little kid, his time is going to come, he’s at the start of his career, I’m a long way towards the end of mine.
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“So I’m getting every one of these good races I can before we knock up time.”
“The horse has been going really well, so I think the next port of call is Queensland for another go at the Stradbroke.
“He sprinted well then on soft ground, there’s a lot of options for him, so I’ll leave it in the camp’s capable hands the way he goes off the back of it, but I’ll be joining him wherever he goes.”
Manchester City defeated Brentford 3-0 on Saturday to keep their Premier League title hopes alive
Manchester City kept their Premier League title hopes alive with a 3-0 win over European hopefuls Brentford on Saturday afternoon, but know they need a favour from others to knock Arsenal off top spot. City are currently two points behind the Gunners, though that could be extended to five if Mikel Arteta’s side beat West Ham United this afternoon.
Pep Guardiola made it clear he was fully behind the Hammers this weekend, with a crossed-arms gesture and playfully shouting “Come on you Irons” as he made his way out of his post-match press conference following the win over Brentford.
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If Nuno Espirito Santo’s side do beat Arsenal this weekend, City will have a game in hand and the balance of the title race will swing back in their favour.
Arsenal still have Burnley and Crystal Palace left to play after this weekend’s round of fixtures, while City still have games against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
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It’s pretty simple, City need to win their games and hope Arsenal slip up in one of their remaining three games. If they do and City are victorious in all three of their remaining games, Guardiola’s men will be champions again.
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The draw with Everton last weekend allowed Arsenal to reclaim top spot, though the win over Brentford kept the pressure on the Gunners.
Goals from Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush fired Guardiola’s men to victory. City had appeared edgy against a Brentford side chasing their own European ambitions, but once the in-form Doku curled in a sublime opener on the hour mark, they began to crank up the intensity as Haaland bundled home a second before teeing up Marmoush for a late third.
Despite his side no longer holding their own fate in their hands following Monday’s 3-3 draw at Everton, Guardiola is relishing the excitement of yet another title battle.
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“I love to be here again,” he said. “We finish second again this season minimum so I love it. I didn’t enjoy last season and that moment when we were fighting to qualify for the Champions League was so difficult.
“But the Carabao Cup is in our pocket and the FA Cup Final at Wembley is the most beautiful day of the season and I love it.”
Doku was the standout performer for City against the Bees and he believes the goals are now starting to flow as a result of the belief.
“I’ve always been a confident player,” he said. “Obviously now the goals are there but, in terms of play, I’ve always played like this.
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“Now there are goals added. I’ll just try to find those spaces, try to shoot again and continue like this, have the consistency.
“I know where I can be, I know where I want to go and it’s just on the line of it. The goals are coming, assists too.”
Barcelona will host arch-rivals Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday in a highly anticipated El Clásico, with the Catalan giants just a point away from being crowned La Liga champions for the 2025-26 season. This is the first time Barcelona can win the title with a win over their direct rivals on the night.
Barcelona currently sit 11 points clear at the top of the table and have been the standout side in Spain this season. With 29 wins from 34 matches and a 10-game winning streak in La Liga, Hansi Flick’s side are on the brink of sealing another league title. Their recent form includes a 2-1 win over Osasuna, and they also defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in the Spanish Super Cup earlier in the campaign.
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Overall, Barcelona have dominated recent encounters, winning five of the last six meetings, although Real Madrid did secure a 2-1 league win at the Bernabéu in October 2025. Despite their dominance, a defeat this weekend would not significantly dent Barça’s title hopes given their strong lead.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, arrive amid turbulence both on and off the pitch. Internal tensions within the squad have reportedly affected morale, with injury concerns and dressing-room issues adding to their struggles. Despite a recent 2-0 win over Espanyol and improved league form, they remain 11 points behind and are likely set to finish as runners-up.
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With pressure mounting on the club’s management and speculation around a potential managerial change, Real Madrid will look to salvage pride in this high-stakes clash, while Barcelona aim to seal the title against their fiercest rivals.
Barcelona team news
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Barcelona will be without star winger Lamine Yamal for the rest of the season after he picked up a hamstring injury, dealing a significant blow to their attacking options. However, the squad remains in good condition overall, with defender Andreas Christensen returning to training after a lengthy spell out due to a knee problem.
Head coach Hansi Flick now faces several selection dilemmas across the pitch as he prepares for the crucial fixtures ahead. Eric García is being considered for a midfield role, potentially lining up alongside Pedri and Gavi in the centre of the park.
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In attack, Fermín López is expected to start in the final third, while Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski could also feature in the starting XI, adding experience and firepower to the frontline. Meanwhile, Raphinha has recovered from his hamstring issue and is likely to be eased back into action, with a role off the bench anticipated.
Real Madrid team news
For Real Madrid, Federico Valverde will miss the match due to the injury he sustained during his recent altercation with Aurélien Tchouaméni, although neither player has received a suspension, meaning Tchouaméni is still available for selection.
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The team received positive news as both Thibaut Courtois and Kylian Mbappé have recovered from their recent fitness concerns and are expected to start on Sunday night.
However, Madrid will be without several key players through injury, including Rodrygo (knee), Arda Güler (hamstring), Éder Militão (hamstring), Dani Carvajal (foot), and Ferland Mendy (thigh), alongside Valverde.
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In midfield, Eduardo Camavinga and Thiago Pitarch are in contention for starting roles, while Vinícius Júnior is set to feature in the attacking line, providing pace and threat in the final third.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid La Liga probable starting XI
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Barcelona XI: J Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Cancelo; E Garcia, Pedri; Rashford, Gavi, Fermin; Lewandowski
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, F Garcia; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Pitarch; Bellingham; Vinicius, Mbappe
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La Liga: Barcelona vs Real Madrid live telecast and streaming details
When will the La Liga 25/26 match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF be played?
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The La Liga 25/26 match between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be played on May 11 (according to IST).
What time will the La Liga 25/26 match between Barcelona and Real Madrid begin on May 11?
The La Liga 25/26 match between Barcelona and Real Madrid will start at 12:30 am IST (May 11).
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What will be the venue for the La Liga 25/26 match between Barcelona and Real Madrid?
Camp Nou will host the La Liga 25/26 match between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
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Where will the live telecast of the La Liga 25/26 match between Barcelona and Real Madrid be available in India?
The live telecast of the La Liga 25/26 match between Barcelona and Real Madrid will not be available in India.
Where will the live streaming of the La Liga 25/26 match between Barcelona and Real Madrid be available in India?
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The live streaming of the La Liga 25/26 match between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be available on the FanCode app and website.
CSK vs LSG LIVE Score | Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants LIVE Updates, IPL2026: CSK Star Shows Field Brilliance As Aiden Markram Departs; LSG 5 Down
“We are here at Chepauk to host this exciting clash. Regarding the ground dimensions, the longest boundary is straight down the ground at 70 meters in the ‘V.’ As you move toward the squares, it tapers down to the mid-60s, while behind square, it’s roughly 61 meters. To look closer at the surface, I’m joined by England’s World Cup-winning captain, Eoin Morgan. Eoin, what are your views on this pitch? Good afternoon, Raman. It’s an interesting surface. We’ve seen three games here in a short span over the last few months, two during the World Cup and one in this year’s IPL. That IPL fixture featured an absolutely beautiful hundred from Sanju Samson; notably, it was a day-night game. However, we’ve had a couple of rainy days recently,” reckon WV Raman & Eoin Morgan
However, major improvement is needed in the centre of the park as well as defence, should the Reds hope to continue to grow in 2026/27. Casemiro is set to leave the club when his contract expires in the coming months, while Luke Shaw is in need of replacement, considering he is entering the twilight years of his career.
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Here’s how MEN Sport would approach things if we were in the United hot seat this summer…
A £155million Newcastle United transfer raid
It’s clear that United need to strengthen two positions: left-back and the engine room. While Shaw has been a key player in 2025/26, making 35 appearances in the Premier League alone, the Englishman is out of contract at 31 next summer.
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Heading into the latter stages of his career, the Reds would be wise to source reinforcements in the coming months and integrate a new full-back into their first-team.
Lewis Hall has been a standout in an otherwise lacklustre Newcastle United side this season, providing reliable performances on the left-hand side against stiff domestic and European competition. Given that Newcastle are unlikely to contend in any form of European football next season, and a wealth of interest from bigger clubs, Hall may look for the door in the coming months.
The crux is that any deal will not come cheap and that the Magpies will likely command a fee of around £55m for him. That figure could also soar further, depending on interest from other parties. Like Hall, Sandro Tonali’s future with his current club is also in doubt. The central midfielder has frequently been one of the first names on Eddie Howe’s team sheet when fit.
Too good to be limited to just domestic competition, Tonali could also be headed for the exit in the coming months if recent speculation is anything to go off. But with Arsenal and Manchester City also said to be interested in the 25-year-old, who is under contract until 2028, United may have to pay an inflated price to strip Newcastle of their most prized player.
A recent valuation of around £100m has been put on Tonali by the Magpies, according to reports. And while there may be far cheaper alternatives on the market, United would be wise to pay whatever Newcastle are asking for if they’re serious about finding the best-quality successor to Casemiro.
Marcus Rashford issue resolved
Despite a highly successful season-long loan with Barcelona, Marcus Rashford’s future away from United is still nowhere near certain. While the La Liga giants have an option to make his move permanent in a matter of weeks for around £26m, it is thought that Barca could use those funds to secure an out-and-out striker as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
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While Rashford has proven that he can operate through the middle, his favoured position is on the left-hand side, which is largely occupied by Raphinha. It’s a long shot, and ultimately all down to Rashford, but there could be no harm in integrating him back into the first team this summer.
The 28-year-old has shown United what they are missing on the left flank time and time again in sunny Spain this season, Matheus Cunha arguably more suited to a traditional No. 10 role or as a second striker. With Amorim out of the picture, Rashford could once again thrive at Old Trafford.
An ambitious swoop for Cole Palmer
One could easily ignore Paul Merson’s claims that Cole Palmer will not want to play for Chelsea should they miss out on Champions League football. The attacking midfielder is the heartbeat of the club and appears incredibly settled in west London.
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But with Chelsea losing their last six Premier League games and making a U-turn on their faith in Liam Rosenior, a number of key players may have one eye on the door, Palmer included.
The Englishman was linked with a shock move to United in the January window before Rosenior branded him untouchable. But similarly to Tonali, he will want to consistently challenge himself at the highest levels in his career.
Of course, should United be fruitful in their endeavours of securing Hall and Tonali or players of a similar fee this summer, splashing out on Palmer may be too rich for the board’s blood. That’s especially considering Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s notoriety for cutting costs and saving cash coupled with a valuation of around £150m at present.
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Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Ben Hayes, co-trainer at Lindsay Park, has singled out blinkers as the key factor in Plymouth’s comeback win at Caulfield.
Trained by Ben, Will and J D Hayes, the galloper earned his maiden victory since the September Benalla Cup by dominating the Lamaro’s After The Last Handicap (2000m) this Saturday.
Plymouth ($7.50), piloted by Jamie Mott, prevailed by three-quarters of a length against Howlin’ Rain ($13), as Brayden Star ($51) was half a length adrift in third.
Hayes revealed the Lindsay Park stable had bided their time before reapplying blinkers to Plymouth, who had been equipped with winkers previously.
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Post his 12th in April’s Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield, Plymouth took third in a benchmark 1000 race with the same parameters as Saturday.
“We just felt last start at Flemington that he probably hit the front early and peaked on his run.” Hayes said.
“He had been relaxing so well all prep after we had been wanting him to relax, that we had put the blinkers on him.
“Back in trip, the blinkers went on today and it was a ten-out-of-ten ride from Jamie.
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“He had been running really well, and it was well-deserved.”
Hayes indicated they aimed to have Plymouth close to the pace to boost his morale from Saturday’s performance.
Prior to the race, the Lindsay Park trainers’ main uncertainty was Plymouth’s suitability for Soft 7 going.
“After today I think we’ll keep him to 2000 (metres) and with the blinkers on, he definitely got the couple of lengths that he needed,” Hayes said.
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“He’s lightly exposed on wet tracks, and that was a question mark, the Soft 7. I thought he did a good job handling that, so it’s all very good going into winter.”
Hayes and his brothers will convene to decide on forthcoming targets.
Brisbane in the north is among the possibilities.
“I was thinking about that, but I’ll need to talk to my brothers, or we could stay here and win another one of these types of races,” Hayes said.
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“But I know the owners don’t mind a trip.”
Visit leading betting sites to find racing odds for handicaps akin to the Lamaro’s After The Last.
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