Title Race

Arsenal faces a gauntlet of tough fixtures: a Champions League clash, Man City, and Newcastle. Can they secure crucial points to stay in the title race? Their final games could decide the season. #Arsenal #PremierLeague #TitleRace #Football #UCL #WeAreSoccer #Gooners #Citizens #ManCity #Newcastle

Mikel Arteta's methods might be making his players more nervous in the title race.

Manchester City gained ground last weekend but the league leaders have plenty of reasons to remain positive By Opta Analyst Last weekend was nightmarish for Arsenal. They lost at home to Bournemouth on Saturday with a flat, disjointed performance, and matters deteriorated further the following day when Manchester City beat Chelsea convincingly at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal’s lead at the Premier League summit has narrowed from nine points to six, and City still have a game in hand. The two sides meet at the Etihad on Sunday for a match that could define the title race. The narrative pretty much writes itself: City win that game, then win their game in hand, and the title is surely theirs given how strong they are at the end of the season. That scenario is being talked about as an inevitability in some quarters, as though Arsenal have already let things slip.

Manchester City have reportedly been dealt the blow that Ruben Dias will not be fit in time to play against Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend. The Portugal international has been an important player for Man City down the years, but he also missed the Carabao Cup final victory over the Gunners. DOWNLOAD THE […] The post Manchester City dealt injury blow ahead of crucial Arsenal game appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Like many Arsenal fans, Ian Wright has been despairing at watching his side's Premier League title hopes 'falling away'.

Manchester City have won six of the last eight Premier League titles and have become, for some, the ‘default champions’. But what does it say about the modern game that many neutrals would prefer to see a ‘sportswashing project’ edge out Mikel Arteta’s team in the title race? By Miguel Delaney

After Al Nassr's last game, head coach Jorge Jesus explained that Cristiano Ronaldo's early exit to the locker room was due to star suffering from "stomach pains." Cristiano Ronaldo has been the cornerstone of Al Nassr’s recent surge, but his blistering goalscoring streak came to a halt Wednesday against Al Ettifaq. Following a uncharacteristically quiet performance from the club’s captain, head coach Jorge Jesus revealed that Ronaldo’s abrupt exit to the locker room was the result of “stomach pains” the forward had been battling since before kickoff. After returning from a hamstring injury in March, Ronaldo had been flawless, netting a brace against Al Najma and a clinical strike against Al Okhdood to keep Al Nassr’s title hopes alive. However, his impact against Al Ettifaq was far more subdued; despite registering seven shots, only two found the target, and he uncharacteristically squandered a golden opportunity in the 47th minute. Ronaldo was eventually subbed off in the 89th minute for Abdullah Al-Hamdan, but rather than joining his teammates on the bench, the Portuguese icon headed straight down the tunnel. While his departure initially sparked speculation regarding his frustration with the substitution, Jorge Jesus was quick to clear the air during his post-match press conference. When asked about his star player, the Portuguese manager admitted that Ronaldo was nearly omitted from the lineup entirely. “I considered leaving him out; he simply wasn’t in good shape,” Jesus said. “He was suffering from stomach pains and general fatigue. When I finally substituted him, he went straight to the dressing room and threw up.“ تبديلان إضافيان للنصر، وخروج كريستيانو رونالدو 🔄#النصر_الاتفاق | #دوري_روشن_السعودي pic.twitter.com/YfP5bPeLTg — رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) April 15, 2026 Jesus assured reporters that Ronaldo was recovering well after the match, explaining that his absence from the post-game celebrations following the 1-0 victory was simply because he was still indisposed. Although his scoring run has ended, the veteran striker is expected to be back in the selection for the club’s next fixture. One step closer to the SPL title Wednesday’s hard-fought victory moves Al Nassr within touching distance of the Saudi Pro League title. The club currently sits atop the table with 76 points through 29 matches, fueled by a staggering 15-game winning streak in league play. Al Hilal remains in second place with 68 points and a game in hand, but they now face a daunting eight-point mountain to climb. Riding the momentum of 17 consecutive wins across all competitions, Jorge Jesus reflected on the culture shift he has implemented in his debut season. “Al Nassr are not used to competing for titles, but now the players feel they are close to winning the league. I have won 24 titles, so I consider myself among the best coaches in the world. We have a great feeling and sense that we’re close to the title, but our focus now is to take it one match at a time,” he stated.

Martín Zubimendi has dismissed ongoing rumors linking him with a move to Real Madrid, insisting his focus is entirely on securing silverware with Arsenal.

Arsenal have received a significant fitness boost with the news that Noni Madueke is expected to be available for Sunday's pivotal Premier League clash against Manchester City.

The start of April saw Arsenal sitting pretty nine points clear at the top of the Premier League. Just a few weeks later, it’s Manchester City who look primed to seize control of the title race. The two contenders will meet at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in what will no doubt be the title […] The post Premier League title showdown set for the Etihad appeared first on Esteemed Kompany.

Manchester City assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirmed after Manchester City’s 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool that Bernardo Silva would leave the club at the end of this season. Lijnders’ announcement didn’t come as a major surprise. It was expected that Bernardo would leave City once his contract expired at the end of this […] The post Bernardo Silva confirms that he will leave Manchester City at the end of this season appeared first on Esteemed Kompany.

While Arsenal look like a team shackled by the weight of the world on their shoulders, Manchester City are leaning into the pressure of the title race. Nobody reflects that more clearly than Rayan Cherki.

After a comprehensive 3-0 win over Chelsea, David Mooney is joined by City fan Ally Fogg and football commentator Mike Minay to reflect on where that has left the title race - in the wake of Arsenal's defeat at home to Bournemouth. They look at the strength of the back five, plus the influence of Rayan Cherki on City's creativity at the business end of the season. Why do City always seem to hit their stride in the springtime? Sam Rosbottom has been looking at what Pep Guardiola and others say about it. Plus, with Arsenal to come, we hear from Arsenal fan Michael Keshani about the mood at the Emirates after the last few weeks. On top of that, we've also got Guardiola's fashion sense, our favourite pre-takeover players and goals, and mascots that we hate (for various reasons). ========== To get more podcasts or to listen without the ads, join our Patreon. It's just £2 per month for all the extra content and you can get a 7-day free trial first: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/BlueMoonPodcast⁠ And why not gift a Patreon subscription to a friend or family member? More details: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/BlueMoonPodcast/gift Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Declan Rice called Arsenal’s upcoming trip to the Etihad Stadium “the ultimate test” as the Gunners prepare for a huge fixture in the title race. Following last weekend’s defeat to Bournemouth, Arsenal are just six points clear at the summit, and they have played a game more than second-placed Manchester City. Mikel Arteta’s side did […] The post ´The Etihad is the ultimate test´ – Rice relishing Man City title clash appeared first on Soccer News.

Paul Merson has delivered a scathing verdict on Arsenal and their attack as they look to hold off Manchester City in the title race with their grip loosening on top spot

We saw some thrilling football in the Champions League this week and it was mostly from Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, PSG and Barcelona so why do the English teams look so sluggish by comparison? Or does Arsenal's safe passage to the semi-finals and six-point lead at the top of the Premier League prove that Arteta's conservative approach is still paying off? Liverpool are out of the Champions League and looking at a season of relative failure, what now for Arne Slot and will they have to spend big in the summer again? And what about the big game on Sunday - will a victory for Manchester City prove fatal to the Gunners' title hopes? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football For more information, head to visitlasvegas.com/soccer-2026 Join The Players Lounge for FREE for access to our FPL, tips from Fantasy Football Hub, AI-powered team ratings and our private Slack community. Sign up today at: therestisfootball.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ✅ Subscribe Here: https://www.youtube.com/@therestisfootball?sub_confirmation=1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🎙️ Listen To The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/therestisfootball ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🗞️ Sign Up To The Newsletter Here: https://mailchi.mp/therestisfootball/trif ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 📱 Follow Us On Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRestIsFootball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therestisfootball/ Snapchat: https://story.snapchat.com/p/8c729650-9d54-407d-8c62-c658546eee44 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@restisfootball Twitter: https://twitter.com/RestIsFootball ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARSENAL legend Ian Wright admitted it is "killing me" to see his former club falter in their title charge. Wright, 62, claimed that Arsenal are "falling away" in their pursuit of a first Premier League triumph for over 22 years. The Gunners have won just one of their last five games in all competitions, exiting...

Declan Rice demands Arsenal improvement for 'title-defining' Man City clash espn.in

Le informazioni su Manchester City-Arsenal, 33esima giornata di Premier League: le formazioni e come seguire il match.

A huge Clash of the Correspondents as the top two meet ahead of Sunday's crunch meeting at The Etihad. Manchester City fan Jonny Pringle and Arsenal fan Adam Pritchard joins James to discuss the title race and their FPL assets ahead of the Double Gameweek. There's discussion on contrasting moods and fortunes since City's win in the Carabao Cup Final and the unusual scenario where both have the title in their hands; have Arsenal got the mental strength to see this through? Is it over for City if they don't win on Sunday? Plus, key FPL discussion on best City assets for the double and beyond, with discussion featuring O'Reilly, Guehi v Nunes, Cherki & Haaland. Whether keeping Arsenal assets on a Bench Boost is right, and their options for Free Hitters in 34 and from Gameweek 35 until the end plus lots more... Tomorrow on Planet FPL: The Weekender ep.31 Today on Patreon: Money in Football (IT+) & The Midweek FPL Dilemma (AT) The full Planet FPL schedule for this week can be found via this post: https://www.patreon.com/posts/155489999 Want to become a member of our FPL community and support the Podcast? Join us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/planetfpl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow James on Twitter/x: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/PlanetFPLPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Suj on Twitter/x: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/sujanshah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Clayton on Twitter/x: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/claytsAFC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow David on Twitter/x: https://x.com/PlanetFPLHunter Follow Nico on Twitter/x: https://twitter.com/nico_semedo Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PlanetFPL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Like us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/planetfpl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/planetfpl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #MCFC #AFC #FPL Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘Etihad is the ultimate test – bring it on,’ says midfielder ‘We have six games to go and we know how big it is’ Declan Rice has insisted Arsenal must be better at Manchester City on Sunday if they are to press their Premier League title claims. The midfielder is conscious of his club’s curious situation: six points clear of City at the top of the table, albeit having played an extra game, and the only English team in the Champions League semi-finals. But the mood is edgy and Rice is aware that the fans have concerns over the style of play.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has sent a strong message ahead of the huge Premier League clash away to Manchester City this weekend. The Gunners have not been at their best in recent matches, including a 2-0 defeat to Man City in the Carabao Cup final, but now have the opportunity to make a major statement […] The post “Bring it on” – Declan Rice makes strong statement ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City appeared first on CaughtOffside.

This weekend’s clash is being billed as a title-decider but anyone expecting pulsating football hasn’t been paying attention.

Arsenal fans have been warned that they risk “killing” their team as the club heads into the crucial Premier League title run-in. The Gunners can take a decisive step towards the Premier League title this weekend as they take on their nearest rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, but the team hasn’t been performing […] The post “Unless they stop…” – Richard Keys explains what’s “killing” Arsenal ahead of crucial run-in appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has voiced his despair over his former side's recent run of form, which has seen the league leaders leave the door ajar for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

Supporters everywhere will be watching Sunday’s big game against Manchester City, united by nerves My father is a Liverpool fan. When he was watching a game I saw an advertisement for the Premier League broadcast and saw Thierry Henry scoring a goal and that was it.

Runaway Serie A leaders Inter Milan resume their pursuit of a 21st Scudetto on Friday as they host relegation-battling Cagliari at San Siro. According to Corriere dello Sport via FCInterNews, head coach Cristian Chivu is weighing major changes to his starting lineup. Despite Lautaro Martinez’s absence, Inter pulled off a stunning comeback at Como last […] The post Inter Milan Vs Cagliari – Cristian Chivu Considering Major Starting XI Changes appeared first on SempreInter.com.

Former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre has suggested Manchester City have the edge in the Premier League title race at the moment. The Frenchman, who won four Premier League titles during his time at Manchester United, and who also spent two seasons at Arsenal, admits he’d rather be in the Man City dressing room right now. […] The post Ex-Arsenal star admits Man City have “massive advantage” and makes claim about Arteta’s future appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Welcome back to Stick to Football, brought to you by ARNE. Paul Scholes joins Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright as the team tackle the biggest talking points in football. Following Liverpool’s Champions League exit and Manchester United’s first loss under Michael Carrick, the panel assess where things went wrong. What can Carrick learn, and does PSG defeat sum up Liverpool’s disappointing season? The focus then shifts to the title race, with Wrighty losing faith in Arsenal ahead of a huge trip to the Etihad. Is this the title decider? Sports psychologist Dan Abrahams joins the show to break down Arsenal’s struggles, before the panel make their Super 6 predictions and call the title race run-in. What are your predictions for Sunday’s showdown? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode. 00:00- Intro 07:33- Lisandro Martinez red card 18:42- Liverpool Rebuild Questions 23:22- Rory McIlroy Masters victory 27:22- Arsenal Title Nerves 46:27- Declan Rice 53:25- PL Companion by Microsoft Copilot 57:30- Dan Abrahams on mentality in football 01:10:36- Title Run In Predictions 01:23:15- Super 6 01:31:54- Spurs Relegation Debate 01:38:44- Community Questions This episode is sponsored by Microsoft Copilot as part of their partnership with the Premier League. This episode is sponsored by Huel. Gary Neville and the Stick to Football team know - when your day’s full-on, you need fuel that’s fast and actually good for you. Huel is the ultimate meal on the go - high protein, packed with 26 essential vitamins & minerals, and ready in seconds. 🏆 Exclusive for The Overlap listeners: Get your first Huel with a special discount AND a free gift. That goes for all of their range, including Huel Lite! 👉 Claim Your Offer Now – and see why millions have made the switch. Go to https://huel.com/theoverlap This episode is sponsored by Heineken. Enjoy Heineken responsibly. Heineken contains 5% ABV. Heineken 0.0 contains no more than 0.05% ABV. For the facts about alcohol, visit https://wwww.bedrinkaware.co.uk This episode is sponsored by Sky Bet’s Super 6. Visit super6.skysports.com for your chance to win. Terms and conditions apply: https://super6.skysports.com/terms Stick to Football is brought to you by our partners ARNE clothing https://arneclo.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’ll surely be huge demand for Manchester City vs Arsenal tickets as this weekend’s game...

The Saudi Pro League returns with a high-stakes clash that could shape the title race, as Al-Nassr welcomes Al-Ettifaq in Riyadh. The Saudi Pro League returns with a high-stakes clash that could shape the title race, as Al-Nassr welcomes Al-Ettifaq in Riyadh. With Cristiano Ronaldo at the center of attention, uncertainty surrounding his involvement has added intrigue to an already crucial encounter. The home side enters the match in dominant form, sitting at the top of the table and pushing for a long-awaited league title. A five-point lead and a remarkable winning streak have placed Al-Nassr in a commanding position, but the pressure remains intense with only a handful of matches left. Meanwhile, Al-Ettifaq arrives looking to disrupt the momentum despite inconsistent performances in recent weeks. The stakes could hardly be higher as the league campaign approaches its decisive stretch. Al-Nassr has collected over 70 points and built one of the strongest attacking records in the competition, scoring freely while maintaining defensive stability. Its recent 2-0 victory over Al-Akhdoud reinforced its credentials as the team to beat. Al-Ettifaq, on the other hand, finds itself in a very different situation. Sitting seventh with mixed results, the team has struggled for consistency, including a recent 3-2 defeat that exposed defensive vulnerabilities. Despite that, their ability to challenge stronger opponents keeps this fixture unpredictable. Will Ronaldo play? As anticipation built, the focus inevitably shifted to whether Ronaldo would feature in such a crucial match. Cristiano Ronaldo will start and lead the attack, adding firepower to the lineup. The Portuguese partnership between Ronaldo and Joao Felix has added creativity and finishing power in the final third. The Portuguese forward returned from a recent hamstring injury in sharp form, scoring three goals in his last two appearances. His tally of 24 league goals and an astonishing 968 career goals underline his continued influence, even at this stage of his career. What’s more, he needs six more goals to surpass Mohammed Al-Sahlawi and become Al-Nassr’s all-time top goalscorer in the Saudi Pro League. Inigo Martinez and Cristiano Ronaldo in training Both sides enter the match with important squad updates that could influence the outcome. Al-Nassr will be without Angelo Gabriel after a fitness setback, while the return of Inigo Martinez strengthens the defensive options. Al-Nassr vs Al-Ettifaq: Confirmed lineups Al-Nassr confirmed XI (4-3-3): Bento; Martinez, Al Amri, Simakan, Boushal; Brozovic, Al Khaibari, Felix; Mane, Ronaldo, Coman. Al-Ettifaq confirmed XI (5-3-2): Rodak; Radi, Khateem, Jack, Calvo, Nkota; Duda, Medran; Wijnaldum; Al Ghannam; Dembele.

Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has revealed he is backing former teammate Antoine Semenyo and Manchester City in the Premier League title race following his side’s win over Arsenal.Scott scored in Bournemouth’s 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium, a result that handed City a timely advantage and reduced the gap at the top to six points ahead of a decisive clash.Speaking after the match, the 22-year-old disclosed he had contacted Semenyo, who recently joined City, and admitted he hopes his former teammate ends the season as champion.“I texted Antoine Semenyo afterwards; he was happy with us winning,” Scott said. “I’m hoping for Antoine, but Arsenal have been brilliant all year, so whoever wins it will deserve it.”Scott’s goal proved crucial in shifting momentum in the title race, with City capitalising by beating Chelsea 3-0 to close the gap further.Semenyo has played an important role in City’s recent form since his arrival, adding depth to Pep Guardiola’s attacking options.The title race has taken a dramatic turn heading into the final weeks of the season, with Arsenal’s form dipping and City gaining momentum.

MATCH OF THE DAY presenter Gabby Logan believes Mikel Arteta has become more "maniacal" in recent weeks - due to Pep Guardiola. The legendary broadcaster, 52, has claimed that Guardiola is deep in his rival's head at the most important part of the season. Arsenal have lost three of their last four games - including...

Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi has rubbished speculation about his long-term future in the Saudi Pro League (SPL). The 50-year-old only joined Al-Hilal at the start of the 2025/26 season after leaving Inter Milan. However, he has been linked with the vacant Italian national team job following their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World […]

As Newcastle United fans you will well remember supporters of both Arsenal and Liverpool taunting us. Arsenal fans throughout much of last season seeing it as a formality that Alexander... You can click here to read the full article.

Let's overreact to last weekend's Premier League action, from Arsenal's slip in the title race to alarm bells ringing at Tottenham.

Arsenal will hope a destructive three weeks does not carry over into the Champions League as they seem susceptible to collapse in the Premier League title race

Ahead of Bayern Munich's possible title-clincher against VfB Stuttgart, we're offering Bundesliga app users the chance to win exclusive Southern derby-themed prizes.

Al-Nassr stands in a commanding position compared to Karim Benzema's Al-Hilal, but the final steps toward glory still demand precision and consistency. The pressure is building around Cristiano Ronaldo as the Saudi Pro League season approaches its decisive stretch, with the title race entering a critical phase. Al-Nassr stands in a commanding position compared to Karim Benzema’s Al-Hilal, but the final steps toward glory still demand precision and consistency. The club has placed itself at the summit of the table after a dominant campaign, showing authority in both attack and results. The margin at the top provides confidence, yet the title is not secured, and every remaining match carries weight. From the opening months, Jorge Jesus’ side has established itself as the most consistent side in the league. With 73 points from 28 matches, the Knight of Najd leads the standings with a five-point cushion over Al-Hilal and a further seven-point gap to Al-Ahli, placing it firmly in control. The numbers highlight a campaign driven by attacking firepower and resilience. A record of 24 wins and a goal difference of +57 underlines the club’s dominance, making it the benchmark for the rest of the league. However, dominance alone does not guarantee silverware, especially with six matches still to play. Saudi Pro League standings after Matchday 28 What it will take for Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr to become champion The key figure in this title race is 87 points. That number represents the maximum total Al-Hilal can reach if it wins all six of its remaining matches (68 + 18 = 86). Therefore, for Al-Nassr to guarantee the title regardless of other results, it must surpass that total. Currently, Al-Nassr needs 14 points from its remaining six matches to mathematically secure the title, a total that would take it beyond the maximum possible tally of its closest rival. This would take the team to 87 points, making it unreachable. There are multiple ways to reach that number, each carrying its own level of risk: Five wins = 15 points (more than enough) Four wins and two draws = 14 points Four wins, one draw, and one loss = 13 points (not guaranteed) Anything less than 14 points opens the door for Al-Hilal to potentially overtake Cristiano Ronaldo’s side. The road to the title is far from straightforward, with several challenging fixtures ahead. Matches against teams like Al-Ettifaq, Al-Ahli, Al-Qadsiah, and a crucial showdown with Karim Benzema‘s side will test the club’s resolve. ristiano Ronaldo of team Al Nassr FC celebrates scoring Three different scenarios Scenario 1: Al-Nassr takes care of business If Jorge Jesus’ players win at least five of their last six matches, the title is theirs; simple as that. Even four wins and two draws would be enough. Given their current form, 24 wins in 28 matches and a +57 goal difference, this is a very realistic outcome. Scenario 2: Slips open the door If Al-Nassr drops points, especially through defeats, the pressure shifts. For example, if it collects 12-13 points, it could finish on 85-86 points. That would allow Al-Hilal to catch or surpass it if the latter wins all remaining matches. In this case, goal difference could even come into play, although Al-Nassr currently has a strong edge. Karim Benzema of Al Hilal looks on. Scenario 3: Rivals drop points Al-Nassr may not even need the full 14 points if the club’s two rivals stumble. If Al-Hilal loses or draws even once, its maximum total drops below 86. That reduces the number of points Al-Nassr need to secure the title. For instance, if Al-Hilal drops three points (one loss), its maximum becomes 83. Al-Nassr would then only need 11 more points to guarantee first place. The same applies to Al-Ahli, who are slightly further back but still mathematically in the race.