Manchester United are closing in on a return to Champions League football as they prepare for the Premier League visit of Brentford

Manchester United return to action on Monday night in the Premier League when they welcome Brentford to Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick’s side remain third in the table ahead of Liverpool on goals scored and Aston Villa on goal difference. The top two is all but out of reach for United, who have five games remaining, but they are in pole position to secure Champions League football for next season.

The Reds have taken huge strides under Carrick and are now closing in on a return to Europe’s top table. Brentford are still in the hunt for European football themselves as they prepare to visit Manchester, and a win for the Bees would move them into sixth.

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For United, three points would represent a huge step towards securing a top-five spot and Champions League football. If Carrick’s men earn a victory, they would move to 61 points with four games to play and out of reach of Chelsea, Brentford and Fulham. Should United then go on to beat Liverpool next weekend, that will be enough to earn a top-five spot.

But Carrick’s side could secure a top-five place before the final whistle at Anfield. If both Brighton, who are away at Newcastle on Saturday, and Bournemouth, who welcome Crystal Palace next weekend, fail to win then United will be assured of a top-five finish regardless of how they fare on Merseyside.

There are still plenty of permutations to play out, but whatever happens in the closing weeks of the season, six points from five games will guarantee United a return to the Champions League, regardless of how others get on.

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.

Arsenal secured a 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League standings, but Manchester City still have a major chance to clinch the title next month

Arsenal leapfrogged Manchester City back into first-place in the Premier League on Saturday evening, but the Sky Blues still have the ball in their court in the title race. The Gunners are three points clear of City following a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium.

Eberechi Eze scored the decisive goal nine minutes into the action from a well-worked corner – a common theme this season. However, given City have a valuable game in hand and lag Arsenal by just one in terms of goal difference, a couple of big results in their final five could see Pep Guardiola’s side storm to pole position once more.

Arsenal are also plagued by injuries at present, picking up another two issues during Saturday’s clash in the capital…

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Ebere Eze

Despite proving the match-winner and collecting the Player of the Match award, Eze was hauled off less than 10 minutes into the second half. While supporters feared the versatile attacking midfielder could be facing a spell on the treatment table, Eze was swift to address his condition with Sky Sports at the final whistle.

He explained: “Yeah, I’m alright. I’m all good,” before adding: “Just precaution, didn’t want to do anything. Yeah, I’ll be okay.”

Potential return date: Wednesday, April 29 vs Atletico Madrid (A)

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Kai Havertz

Havertz was also substituted for Viktor Gyokeres just 35 minutes into the match, having received treatment on the pitch before Mikel Arteta ultimately made the decision to withdraw him, with the forward heading straight down the tunnel for further evaluation.

Speaking after the final whistle, Arteta addressed both Havertz and Eze’s conditions, saying: “Lets see, at the moment they have to be looked after but hopefully they’re going to be okay.”

In his post-match press conference, he further explained: “Muscular niggles, we don’t think it is too much.”

Potential return date: Wednesday, April 29 vs Atletico Madrid (A)

Riccardo Calafiori

The Italian was absent from Saturday’s squad entirely as he continues his recovery from an ongoing issue. Nevertheless, Arteta offered an update on Calafiori prior to the game, with the defender also spotted participating in a training session on the pitch following the final whistle.

He said: “He was very close. But we have certain players that are coming back from injuries and can play certain moments as well, and we need to be balanced in what we need to.”

Potential return date: Wednesday, April 29 vs Atletico Madrid (A)

Jurrien Timber

Timber was also absent from Arteta’s squad for the Newcastle fixture due to a hip injury sustained nearly six weeks ago. Arteta has yet to provide a recent update on his condition.

Potential return date: Unknown

Mikel Merino

Although the Spaniard could yet feature before the campaign draws to a close, Arteta has been guarded about putting a timeframe on Merino’s comeback. The midfielder, who has been an integral part of Arsenal’s set-up since joining from Real Sociedad in 2024, is working his way back from a foot injury.

Arteta recently said of the player: “It’s a bit premature to say that [he will play again this season]. He’s evolving really well he’s really pushing every boundary that he possibly can but it’s a bit early to answer that question.”

Potential return date: Unknown

The fifth-seeded Toronto Raptors look to even their best-of-seven series with the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers when they meet in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff matchup on Sunday in the 2026 NBA playoffs. Toronto is coming off a 126-104 win in Game 3 on Thursday to cut the series deficit to 2-1. The Cavaliers (52-30), who finished second in the Central Division, are 25-17 on the road this season, including the postseason. The Raptors (46-36), who placed third in the Atlantic Division, are 25-17 on their home court, including playoffs.

Tipoff from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto is set for 1 p.m. ET. The Cavs lead the all-time postseason series 14-3, and have won 12 of the past 13 playoff meetings with the Raptors. Cleveland is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Cavaliers vs. Raptors odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 220.5. Before making any Raptors vs. Cavaliers picks, check out the Cavaliers vs. Raptors predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model entered the first full week of the 2026 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 24-9 roll (73%) on top-rated NBA spread picks this season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.    

Now, the model has simulated Cavaliers vs. Raptors 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Raptors vs. Cavaliers:

Top Cavaliers vs. Raptors predictions

After 10,000 simulations of Cavaliers vs. Raptors, SportsLine’s model is going Over on the total (220.5). The Over has hit in six of the past 10 head-to-head meetings, including three of the past four games played in Toronto. The Over has also cleared in seven of the past 10 Cleveland games, and in four of the past six Raptors games. The Cavaliers had the fourth-best scoring offense in the NBA this season, averaging 119.5 points per game.

The SportsLine model is projecting the Cavaliers to have four players scoring 14.8 points or more, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 26.7 points. Brandon Ingram is projected to lead the Raptors with 21.5 points scored, as five Toronto players will score 11.1 or more points. The teams are projected to combine for 223 total points as the Over has all the value, making it a great selection for anybody targeting NBA parlay betting. See the Cavaliers vs. Raptors spread pick at SportsLine, and you can bet the Over in Cavaliers vs. Raptors at FanDuel here:

How to make Raptors vs. Cavaliers picks

After simulating each possession of Cavaliers vs. Raptors 10,000 times, the model also says one side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NBA picks. 

So who wins Raptors vs. Cavaliers, and which side of the spread hits in well over 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.

Chris Waller needs only one more success to join a select group, courtesy of Panova handing him his 199th Group One in the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville.

No more than two Australian conditioners, T J Smith and Bart Cummings, have delivered over 200 elite wins, both legends ending on 246.

This result lifted Waller to 19 Group 1 victories this term, equalling his own Australian record from the 2024-25 season.

Waller reveals that the pursuit of 200 hasn’t been central to his plans, expressing joy at Panova’s return to form after playing second fiddle all prep.

“She had a temperature at the start of the autumn, and we don’t want to push them. We gave her time,” Waller said.

“But as a result she was a bit bigger, and we all know about that. Once you get out of shape, it’s hard to get back in shape, whether you’re a racehorse or a person, so we’ve just worked away, we haven’t rushed her, and she’s got there today.”

Panova had shown promise in Sydney stakes without a win, her prior success marking the end of spring in Flemington’s Carbine Club Stakes (1600m).

James McDonald, aboard for the win, attributed part of it to the left-hand track, ecstatic for his first Adelaide Group 1 after 10 during Sydney’s autumn carnival.

“It’s an honour to be here,” McDonald said.

“To win one of the nice Oaks, I enjoy winning classics. They’re one of my favourites, rich in history and this race is no different.”

Per Waller, Panova’s campaign is ramping up, with eyes possibly on Eagle Farm’s Queensland Oaks (2200m) in June.

“She is very adaptable. A talented horse,” Waller said.

“We started a long way behind the eight ball, and she has caught up now. She will train on from it and might even get to the Queensland Oaks.”

The $11 shot Panova powered down the outside from the pack to triumph by a length ahead of $6 favourite Mating Call, with Paltrow Miss ($15) next best.

Punters should visit premier racing betting markets for Australasian Oaks insights and promotions.

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (PTI)

Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad found himself in the record books for the wrong reasons after registering the slowest fifty of IPL 2026 during a tough outing against Gujarat Titans at Chepauk.Gaikwad’s half-century came off 49 balls, making it not only the slowest fifty of the current season but also the slowest in the Impact Sub era since 2023. The previous slowest this season was a 43-ball effort by Rishabh Pant against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad.