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Manchester City are now ready to make a big offer for a “spectacular” forward, but there could be fierce competition from their Premier League rivals, according to a report.

Man City set for summer rebuild

Pep Guardiola is tasked with revolutionising his aging squad this summer, and perhaps one of the manager’s most difficult tasks will be finding a suitable replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, whose 10-year stay at the Etihad Stadium is set to come to an end.

Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison has reportedly been identified as an heir to De Bruyne, with City willing to make a £60m bid for the England international, while they are also in talks over a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.

Attacking midfield is not the only area in which Guardiola is looking to strengthen, however, with the manager also keen on strengthening his wide options, and FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is among the more audacious targets.

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That said, it may be difficult to prise Yamal away from Barcelona, given that he is protected by a £850m release clause, so the Sky Blues may be forced to move on to other options.

According to a report from Italy (via Sport Witness), Man City are now ready to make a big offer for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz, whose future in Italy is uncertain, amid interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

Manchester United and Chelsea are also ready to make approaches for the 19-year-old, so there could be fierce competition for his signature this summer, at which point Juventus are worried they may struggle to keep hold of the teenager.

With the Serie A side at risk of missing out on Champions League qualification, Yildiz could be on the move, but he will not come cheap, with previous reports detailing Juventus could hold out for over £75m.

"Spectacular" Yildiz impressing in Italy

Despite his age, the Turkey international has managed to establish himself as a key player for Juventus this season, making 31 appearances in the Serie A, during which time he has amassed six goals and three assists.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has singled the starlet out for praise too, claiming he has “high on-the-ball bravery to make spectacular solo runs”, while also suggesting he is “almost perfectly two-footed”.

Yildiz could be an excellent signing for Man City, and at 19-years-old he is at the right age to be a long-term success at the Etihad Stadium.

However, finding a suitable replacement for De Bruyne should be City’s number one priority for the summer, rather than bringing in a new winger, given that it will be an extremely difficult task to find an heir for the Belgian.

أبدى النجم البرازيلي نيمار دا سيلفا، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي سانتوس، استياءه من ترتيب مواطنه رافينها في سباق الكرة الذهبية 2025.

وأعلنت مجلة فرانس فوتبول هوية الفائز بجائزة الكرة الذهبية “بالون دور” للعام 2025، مساء أمس، الإثنين، في الحفل الذي أقيم بمدينة باريس عاصمة فرنسا.

وتنافس على الجائزة 30 لاعبًا، بينهم النجم المصري محمد صلاح، جناح فريق ليفربول الإنجليزي، بعد الموسم المميز الذي قدمه مع ليفربول.

وحصد الفرنسي عثمان ديمبلي المركز الأول في سباق الفوز بالبالون دور، فيما جاء لامين يامال، نجم منتخب إسبانيا وبرشلونة في المركز الثاني، وفيتينا البرتغالي جاء بالمركز الثالث، بعدما توج مع باريس سان جيرمان ببطولات مميزة بجانب فوزه بدوري الأمم الأوروبية مع البرتغال.

اقرأ أيضًا | رئيس تحرير فرانس فوتبول يفجر مفاجأة غير متوقعة بشأن فوز ديمبلي بالكرة الذهبية

وعبر نيمار بالرموز التعبيرية الضاحكة عبر منشور على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي، تناول مقارنة بين عدد أهداف ديمبلي وعدد أهداف نيمار مع برشلونة.

ونقلت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، ما كتبه نيمار حول ترتيب فرانس فوتبول للكرة الذهبية الخاص بمواطنه رافينها نجم برشلونة الذي احتل المركز الخامس: “أن يكون رافينها خامسًا هو مجرد مزحة”.

قدّم رافينها موسمًا رائعًا العام الماضي وقاد فريقه نحو التتويج بالثلاثية المحلية “الدوري والكأس والسوبر الإسباني” بجانب الوصول إلى نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا لأول مرة منذ عام 2019.

وعلى المستوى الفردي قدم رافينها موسمًا مميزًا للغاية إذ سجل 35 هدفًا في جميع المسابقات مع برشلونة وقدم 25 تمريرة حاسمة.

da poker： Eight more points. That is the maximum number of points that Leeds United need from their last four matches to guarantee their place in the Premier League next season, although seven would likely be enough due to their superior goal difference.

da dobrowin： The Whites are five points clear of Sheffield United, who still have Burnley to play, in the Championship and are closing in on an automatic promotion place.

Daniel Farke’s side took another step towards promotion with their 2-1 win over Preston North End at Elland Road on Saturday, thanks to goals from Manor Solomon and Jayden Bogle.

With promotion on the horizon, the powers that be will be assessing the squad and preparing to build a team that can compete in the Premier League, and one player who must be kept is Ao Tanaka.

Why Leeds must keep Ao Tanaka

The Japan international, who joined from Fortuna Dusseldorf last summer, has been an exceptional performer in the Championship this season and should remain a key player next term.

Tanaka has shown his quality on the ball, with four goals and a pass completion rate of 90%, in midfield to control and dictate matches for the Whites.

He has also provided defensive strength, with 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game and a duel success rate of 56%, to protect his own goal.

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Per Capology, Tanaka currently earns £25k-per-week and has offered fantastic value for money in midfield when you consider that Illan Meslier is on £30k-per-week, and the French dud must never play for the club again.

Why Illan Meslier must never play for Leeds again

The 25-year-old flop was finally dropped by Farke after his third error that directly led to a goal this season against Swansea in a 2-2 draw last month, after pundit Jeff Stelling claimed that the player’s “confidence is shot” as a result of his mistakes.

Meslier played the first 39 matches of the Championship campaign and made three errors that directly led to goals and conceded 2.73 more than expected based on the xG of the shots against him.

Illan Meslier (Championship)

23/24

24/25

Appearances

44

39

Penalties saved

0/1

1/4

Goals prevented

-4.49

-2.73

Error led to shot

1

0

Error led to goal

1

3

Aerial battles won per game

0.3

0.5

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the French dud has consistently let Leeds down at Championship level by underperforming as a shot-stopper and making too many errors.

Karl Darlow, meanwhile, has prevented 0.56 goals and not made a single direct error in his three appearances since coming into the team against Luton, providing an assured pair of hands between the sticks.

Meslier’s current contract at Elland Road is due to expire in the summer of 2026 and that makes this summer a big one for Leeds, because they either have to commit to him with a new deal or cash in on him before they lose the goalkeeper for nothing next year.

Scout Mick Brown recently told Football Insider that Leeds will “listen to offers” for the former Lorient gem, which suggests that he could be on his way out of Yorkshire ahead of next season.

With this in mind, Meslier should never play for Leeds again because Darlow has proven that he has the quality needed to help push them over the line in the final four matches of the current campaign.

Therefore, the English stopper should remain in goal for the rest of this season before Meslier is sold, and replaced, in the summer transfer window which would mean that the French dud’s last game for the club will end up being the 2-2 draw with Swansea last month.

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Whilst it would be a sad way for him to end his Leeds career, the 25-year-old liability’s performances this season suggest that it would be the right decision, as he has not provided value for money with his £30k-per-week wages – earning more than the impressive Tanaka despite struggling throughout the campaign.

2021 St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals have been one of the better franchises in the National League over the last 21 seasons. They’ve made the postseason in back-to-back years, with 14 trips to the playoffs and two World Series wins since 2000. St. Louis has 12 championships (1886, 1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006, and 2011) over the team’s 139-year history.

St. Louis pushed all in the offseason to acquire 3B Nolan Arenado from the Rockies for SP Austin Gomber, IF Mateo Gil, IF Elehuris Montero, RP Tony Locey, and RP Jake Sommers. Colorado will also pay over $50 million of Arenado’s contract.

They lost 2B Kolten Wong, 3B Brad Miller, and C Matt Wieters to free-agency. The Cardinals re-signed C Yadier Molina and SP Adam Wainwright.

The only other minor deal was OF Dexter Fowler traded to the Angels for a minor league player. The Cardinals picked over $12 million of Fowler’s contract.

Their starting rotation has one ace in Jake Flaherty, supported by three veteran arms. SP Kwang Hyun Kim has a short resume of success starting for the Cardinals, but he showed the ability to offer good winning innings in 2020. St. Louis would be significantly helped if SP Carlos Martinez can regain his early-career form.

Offensively, the Cardinals have strength at the top half of the lineup. To push higher in runs and home runs, they need their young outfielders (Dylan Carlson, Tyler O’Neill, and Harrison Bader) to become more consistent and productive.

The bullpen should be in good hands with RP Jordan Hicks back from TJ surgery while also having two other arms (Alex Reyes and Giovanny Gallegos) with closing potential. RP John Gant and Ryan Helsley will also help shorten games.

If you thought the Glazers’ time at Manchester United was full of mistakes and errors, then check out how Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first few months have gone at Old Trafford.

While Ratcliffe will be the man to help fund United’s amazing new 100k-seater arena, regenerating the area around the current stadium, he’s also been the man to get rid of free lunches in the canteen, the man who has made a lot of hard-working staff redundant.

He’s also calling out players for their performances. Talk about being honest.

Speaking in a revealing interview last week with the BBC, the INEOS chief was rather scathing of a few players in particular.

Out of all those players, it’s safe to say that Antony has been one of the worst. Still, he’s enjoying quite a nice time of it at Real Betis.

Antony's form at Real Betis in 2025

If there was ever one player who totally encapsulated the reckless spending of the previous regime then it has to be the deal to bring Brazilian winger Antony to Manchester.

Skilful, yes, dazzling, yes, full of promise, yes. He had even worked with Ten Hag. In principle the ideology behind bringing Antony in made sense.

What didn’t make sense, however, was the transfer fee. He moved from Ajax for a colossal fee of £85.6m, prompting the question: Is Antony the worst value for money signing in Premier League history?

It’s hard to say no. In United red, he scored just 12 goals in 96 games. As a result, he’s cost £7.1m per goal and £891k per game. That’s without even considering his wages too. The whole transfer has been a mess.

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While Ratcliffe was brave to name-check the likes of Hojlund and Onana last week given they are regulars under Amorim, he was right to bring up Antony.

That said, perhaps it was just the environment. While the 25-year-old still isn’t proving himself worthy of such a high price tag, he is at least now finding form.

In the winter, the winger headed to Spain and Real Betis on loan where he’s enjoying a far better time of things. Remarkably, he’s one of the most in-form players in LaLiga now, scoring four goals and supplying four assists in 11 outings.

In the words of European football expert, Zach Lowy, he’s “finding a new lease on life at Betis.”

His form in Spain should, at least, mean United can now generate a decent fee so that’s one problem potentially solved for Ratcliffe.

How does he solve the Onana problem, though? He’s swiftly becoming the next Antony.

Manchester United's new Antony problem

It’s safe to say that the Brazil international became the biggest scapegoat going during his time in the north west of England.

Yet, while Hojlund did actually score last time out, the form of goalkeeper Onana continues to be questioned.

Put simply, he’s becoming the new scapegoat, the new Antony if you will, and head coach Amorim simply has to sign a replacement over the summer.

It will be a big window of change for United but part of that must be finding a new goalkeeper. This season, he has struggled significantly, described as an “absolute pushover” by Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst back in December.

#1 Arijanet Muric

5

=1 Robert Sanchez

5

#3 Bart Vergbruggen

4

#4 Andre Onana

3

#5 Ederson

2

Since then, he’s not got much better with the nadir of his time at Old Trafford coming against Ipswich in February.

It’s strange, largely because the gloveman looked to have turned a corner. Earlier in the season he led the league for the most clean sheets with six but that display against the Tractor Boys only highlighted why there are persistent doubts surrounding the Cameroon international.

The game was just four minutes old when he darted towards the edge of the box. New signing Patrick Dorgu was running towards him and played a pass towards where he expected Onana to be.

Shamefully, Onana was not where he was expected to be and not for the first time either. As a result, it allowed Jaden Philogene to run past both players and tap the ball into an empty net.

This wasn’t the first time, nor will it be the last time the £120k-per-week earner is at fault for a goal. Since moving to the Premier League, he’s made four – what the top-flight label as ‘errors leading to a goal’ – three of which have come this campaign.

There was that blunder against Ipswich and in January, there was the error against Brighton, spilling a low cross right into the path of Georginio Rutter who was left with a tap-in.

Meanwhile, he’s not been much better in Europe either, something that stems back to last term. After that unforgettable error-stricken night in Turkey against Galatasaray, it signified that Onana had made seven errors which have led to goals in the Champions League since 2018/19. Dismal indeed.

So, while Antony never lived up to his big price tag, Onana has also struggled to live up to his hefty £47.2m fee.

Ratcliffe simply has to get rid of both of them when the summer rolls around. Amorim’s side will be better for it.

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da bwin： It’s safe to say that numerous Leeds United talents have thrived this season, massively helping Daniel Farke in his quest to secure Championship promotion.

da betway： The German has led the Whites to top spot, winning 22 games out of their 35 outings, the second most of any side in the division to date – aiding their title challenge.

The forward line has massively impressed, registering 72 goals in the league to date, an average of 2.1 per game – by far and away the best tally in the division.

Joel Piroe has contributed with the most finishes, scoring 15 times – the highest of any player in the second tier – already outscoring his tally from last campaign, subsequently taking his career to the next level under Farke.

The Whites’ star quality in the final third has been made all the more impressive, especially after losing two of their key forwards from last season over the summer window.

Rutter & Summerville’s stats for Leeds in 2023/24

Despite losing the play-off final against Southampton, winger Crysencio Summerville starred throughout the campaign – registering 20 goals and nine assists in his 46 outings.

The Dutchman produced countless moments of magic, finishing as the Whites’ top scorer and would subsequently depart in a £25m deal to join West Ham United after failing to secure promotion.

Georginio Rutter also starred in the final third during 2023/24, scoring seven goals and 15 assists, with the Frenchman and Summerville contributing with a combined 51 goals – with their tally equating to 63% of the team’s total.

The 22-year-old also departed in a £40m deal to join Brighton, leaving a huge hole in the side, which Farke has done tremendously to fill, given their form in recent weeks.

However, he’s not been able to rely on one player who’s spent the last couple of years out on loan, with the hierarchy needing to cash in on him this summer after his lack of impact elsewhere.

The Leeds dud of his been “abysmal” out on loan

After relegation back to England’s second tier, it was to be expected that numerous players would depart the club to once again play at a higher level.

The likes of Rasmus Kristensen and Max Wober would both depart to join Roma and Borussia Mönchengladbach on loan, respectively, aiming to further their careers after relegation.

However, Jack Harrison also followed in the same footsteps, joining Premier League outfit Everton on loan for the 2023/24 season – looking to play a key role in the Toffees’ survival bid.

The 28-year-old featured 29 times in the league last campaign but only managed to score three times and notch three assists, failing to match the expectations he joined the Merseyside outfit with.

Despite his lack of form, now sacked Everton boss Sean Dyche would re-sign the Englishman for the ongoing season, once again moving to Goodison Park temporarily.

However, this time around, he’s come under serious criticism for his lack of impact in the final third, failing to register a single goal or assist in any of his 27 appearances to date – leading to writer Ell Bretland dubbing him as “abysmal”.

In recent days, Harrison has been linked with a return to the MLS after his previous stint with New York City FC, with Farke and the hierarchy needing to cash in on his signature amid the recent interest in his services.

Jack Harrison’s stats for Everton in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

23

Goals & assists

0

Shots on target per game

0.34

Pass accuracy

75%

Cross success

21%

Dribble success

36%

Possession lost per game

2.2

Stats via FotMob

With his contract not running out until 2028, the Whites will still demand a fee for his services despite his lack of impact at Goodison, but it could have an impact on how much they will receive should they decide to sell him.

Regardless of the fee they’d receive, they desperately need to cash in on his services this summer to avoid losing more money on him down the line.

Should the Whites complete the job and secure promotion in the coming weeks, it’s pivotal they equip themselves with the tools to compete in the top flight – with Harrison no longer at the level required after his form during his loan spell this campaign.

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Former Tottenham Hotspur scout Bryan King is “sure” two players will be trying to convince an “exciting” midfielder to move to north London in the summer.

Tottenham eyeing summer move for midfielder

Tottenham were forced into action during the January transfer window, with Ange Postecoglou in need of reinforcements in light of the injury crisis the manager has been forced to deal with over the past few months.

To ensure a similar situation does not arise again, however, Postecoglou may feel he needs more squad depth, and Spurs are thought to be pursuing a new central midfielder, identifying a number of targets.

Johnny Cardoso is thought to be of particular interest, with the Real Betis midfielder set to be available for the relatively low fee of £21m due to a release clause in his contract, which the Lilywhites are planning to activate.

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Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Larsson is another long-standing target for Tottenham, who has also attracted attention from the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich, and there has now been a new update on the pursuit of the midfielder.

Former Spurs scout King has now claimed Swedish duo Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall will play a pivotal role in convincing the midfielder to move to N17 this summer when they link up with Larsson on international duty.

King said: “They have already brought Bergvall in, for a lot less of course. Larsson moved out of Sweden before Bergvall did and he has since established himself in Germany. Spurs should be looking at these players before they make the move to Holland or Germany.

“However, I’m sure that Kulusevski and Bergvall will be recommending the club to Larsson to help get a transfer across the line. They’ll obviously meet up on international duty, and I imagine they will be selling life at Tottenham to Larsson.”

"Exciting" Larsson impressing in Germany

Although he is still just 20-years-old, the Swedish maestro has established himself as a key player for Frankfurt this season, making 31 appearances in all competitions, during which time he has amassed five goals and one assist.

Sky Sports Germany journalist Kerry Hau has been full of praise for the youngster, in light of his top-drawer performances, saying: “Hugo Larsson is one of Eintracht Frankfurt’s shooting stars and is currently one of the most exciting midfielders in the Bundesliga,”

Of course, it would be useful for Tottenham if Bergvall and Kuluveski make an attempt to lure their compatriot to north London this summer, but the truth is it will still be very difficult to win the race for his signature.

Barring a Europa League triumph, it seems very likely Spurs won’t have European football on offer next season, which could play a big part in Larsson’s decision-making, amid interest from Arsenal, Bayern and a number of other clubs who are set to be in the Champions League.

وجه أشرف صبحي وزير الشباب والرياضة رسالة خاصة لـ مسؤولي الكرة المصرية، قبل ساعات من انطلاق الموسم الجديد لبطولة الدوري المصري، متمنيًا التوفيق والنجاح لجميع عناصر المنظومة الكروية في مصر.

ومن المقرر أن تنطلق بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز لموسم 2025-2026، يوم 8 أغسطس 2025 وينتهي بنهاية شهر مايو 2026.

ويقام الدوري المصري الموسم الجديد، بمشاركة 21 فريقًا، ومن دور واحد كمرحلة أولى ثم تتنافس 7 فرق في مجموعة تحديد البطل، و14 في مجموعة تحديد الهابطين، ومن ثم تهبط 4 فرق.

وقال أشرف صبحي في تصريحات صحفية: “الوزارة تؤكد التزامها الدائم بدعم وتطوير كرة القدم المصرية، من خلال التكامل مع مختلف الهيئات والمؤسسات الرياضية، من أجل تحقيق الريادة الكروية إقليميًا ودوليًا، وبناء أجيال قادرة على تمثيل مصر بالشكل الذي يليق بها”.

طالع | وزارة الرياضة توضح حقيقة وجود أزمة في تقنية الفيديو قبل انطلاق الموسم الجديد

وأضاف: “الوزارة تتابع بكل اهتمام ودعم الجهود المبذولة من رابطة الأندية المحترفة في إدارة وتنظيم المسابقة المحلية بشكل احترافي يعكس طموحات الجماهير المصرية، والعمل التنسيقي بين الرابطة والاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم يُعد نموذجًا مهمًا في تطوير البنية المؤسسية والإدارية لكرة القدم المصرية”.

وواصل: “هناك سعى من الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم نحو تطوير لجانه المختلفة التي تمثل حجر الزاوية في نجاح الموسم الكروي وخاصة لجان الانضباط والتظلمات والمسابقات فضلاً عن التطوير الذي تشهده منظومة التحكيم المصري وما يتطلبه الأمر من جهود إضافية للوصول إلى أعلى المستويات الفنية التي تلبي طموحات الجماهير المصرية”.

وثمّن وزير الشباب والرياضة الدور المحوري الذي تقوم به الأندية الرياضية في بناء وإعداد اللاعبين، والارتقاء بالمستوى الفني، والتزامها بمعايير الاحتراف، ما يسهم في تحقيق التوازن والتنافسية بين الفرق، ويعود بالنفع على المنتخب الوطني.

كما أشاد أشرف صبحي بالدور الوطني والمسؤول للإعلام الرياضي ومؤسساته المختلفة، مؤكدًا على أهمية تعظيم الرسالة الإعلامية في دعم الروح الرياضية، وتقديم محتوى موضوعي واحترافي يسهم في رفع الوعي الرياضي لدى الجماهير، ويعكس الصورة الحضارية للرياضة المصرية لتحفيز العمل مع المنظومة الكروية المصرية ويحمل الضوابط والأخلاقيات الوطنية التى تنعكس إيجابيا على كل عناصر المنظومة تنسيقا مع مؤسسات الدولة وقطاعاتها المختلفة.

وأوضح: “أثني على نجاح الجهود من كافة الأطراف مرهون بالأساس بالحضور والمؤازرة الجماهيرية ودور وزارة الداخلية وكافة المؤسسات الأمنية التي أبدت تعاوناً كبيراً وحرصاً على تهيئة الأجواء للحضور الجماهيري فى إطار من الروح الرياضية والتشجيع المثالي لمختلف الأندية المصرية”.

وأتم: “انطلاق موسم كروي منظم وقوي سيكون له انعكاسات إيجابية مباشرة على منتخب مصر، من خلال تجهيز اللاعبين بدنيًا وفنيًا، بما يعزز من فرص التنافس بقوة في الاستحقاقات القارية والدولية المقبلة”.

Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals returned to winning ways with a spectacular performance against Kolkata Knight Riders after five defeats in their previous six games, but they have little room to relax. If they lose to Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday, the maximum points they can finish on is 14, which will leave them depending on several results going in their favour to qualify for the playoffs.Though they can still make it with 14 without the help of net run rates (NRR), it is also possible for five other teams to finish on 15 or more points, thus knocking out Royals. Royals have an excellent NRR of 0.633 though – second only to that of Gujarat Titans at present – so that could come in handy if things get tight on points.Related

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On the other hand, if they win both games then Royals will almost certainly qualify. That is because their two games are against teams who also need to win all their matches to finish on 16. It is possible that Royals and Mumbai Indians might fight for the fourth spot if Titans, Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants finish on more than 16, but in that case Royals’ NRR will certainly trump Mumbai Indians’ (they are currently on -0.117).

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers are in a similar position as Royals in that they need to win all games to finish on 16, but there are a couple of crucial differences: they need to win three on the trot, not two; and their NRR is languishing at -0.345.If Royal Challengers lose on Sunday, they will almost certainly be out even if they win their last two and end up on 14 points. That’s because three teams – Titans, Super Kings, and at least one of Super Giants or Mumbai Indians – will finish on more than 14 points, and Royals’ NRR will ensure they are placed higher too.Even if Royal Challengers win all three, it could still come down to NRRs as six teams – Titans, Super Kings, Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers and Punjab Kings – could all finish on 16 or more points.

Chennai Super Kings

A win against Knight Riders will ensure that Chennai Super Kings enter the playoffs, but it won’t yet confirm a top-two finish, as Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants can get to 17 or more points.Even if they lose on Sunday, Super Kings will get another chance to get to 17 when they play their last game, against Delhi Capitals in Delhi on May 20. However, if they lose both these matches, then they will be at the mercy of other results as four teams can finish on 16 or more points.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Wins in their two remaining games will take Knight Riders to 14, which will still leave them relying on other results. Their best case would be for Titans to win their last two, Royal Challengers to beat Royals and then lose their last two, Super Giants and Royals to lose their last two, and Punjab Kings to lose to Delhi Capitals in their return game on Wednesday. Then Titans, Super Kings and Mumbai Indians will qualify, leaving Knight Riders and Punjab Kings to fight for the fourth spot on 14 points. There isn’t much to choose between their NRRs at the moment (-0.357 for KKR and -0.268 for Punjab Kings) which means Knight Riders will still have to win handsomely to lift their NRR.

It’s been 32 years since Australia have been pinned down so expertly by tourists, and their captain wants clearer plans from his batsmen

Daniel Brettig29-Dec-2020Last time Australia stumbled through an entire home Test match without a single batsman passing 50, against the mighty West Indies at the MCG in 1988, the aftermath went down as a seminal moment in the minds of many members of what was then a developing team.Allan Border had led his men to the 1987 World Cup and a Test series win over New Zealand at home the following summer, but a defeat in Pakistan followed by three consecutive thumpings from Viv Richards’ Caribbean side caused plenty of hurt and no little frustration in the home dressing room.None of Australia’s batsmen could build on their starts•Getty ImagesNot unlike the top six harried repeatedly into error by India’s seamers in Adelaide and Melbourne 32 years later, Australia’s batsmen were playing without confidence or system, allowing the visitors to dictate terms. To see this pattern reach such a point at the MCG where no one was able to hang around long enough to pass 50, the then team manager Ian MacDonald chose his time to let Border’s team know exactly what he thought, something recounted some years ago by the late Dean Jones.”Macca came from an AFL background and he was filthy at our insipid, gutless performance. He then gave us a coach’s address of which the great Ron Dale Barassi would have been proud,” Jones wrote in in 2016. “Macca yelled out: ‘Enough is enough. We need to start to throw some punches against these blokes as they are killing you. They are making you look like a bunch of weak pricks. Listen to them next door, just bloody listen.Related

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‘They are treating you guys like club cricketers. Now we better get together, stick tough and sort out our own issues or this team will be remembered as the worst and most gutless Australian team of all time! Now let’s stick together and start talking how bloody good we are and not how bloody good they are! Let’s draw a line in the sand here as enough is enough!'”Undoubtedly, the dressing room now occupied by Tim Paine’s XI will be feeling similarly low, having failed completely to counter the plans and spells of the Indians, marshalled so expertly by Ajinkya Rahane. They will now be looking eagerly towards the fitness of David Warner, and the recovery from concussion of Will Pucovski, who looms as a potential option either at the top of the order alongside Warner or in the middle.Either way, the opener Joe Burns looks to be on incredibly shaky ground, while the experiment with Matthew Wade has failed to produce the sorts of tempo-building innings that Australia have come to rely upon from Warner. Paine was clear that the hosts needed to find a better balance between attack and defence after India managed to cut down their scoring avenues for the second consecutive Test series.”That’s the game isn’t it, it’s risk/reward, it’s being clear – I think everyone’s going to do it differently,” Paine said. “Matthew Wade looks like he’s going to sweep, some other guys are going to use their feet. Cameron Green didn’t attack overly today but played really nicely.”Everyone’s got to have their own plan, be clear on it and then have the confidence to go out and execute it. We have if anything been slightly tentative in committing to exactly how we want to play the spin or the fast bowling when they’re attacking our stumps and setting really strong leg-side fields.”Paine denied that either Steven Smith or Marnus Labuschagne have been caught out by India’s planning over many long, Covid-19 affected months leading up to this series, even if few can remember seeing Smith’s rotation of the strike so cut back by the posting of two square legs when the pacemen attack the stumps. Instead, he argued that Smith simply needed to get himself established at the crease in one innings to find the metronomic rhythm that has served him so well in the past.

“We have been slightly tentative in committing to exactly how we want to play the spin or the fast bowling when they’re attacking our stumps and setting really strong leg-side fields”Australia captain Tim Paine

“India are bowling well, they’ve been extremely disciplined, we haven’t been able to get partnerships together, but from what I’ve seen watching say Marnus and Steve Smith in their Test career, this is not the first time teams have targeted their stumps. That happens every single Test match,” Paine said.”These guys are executing it better and someone like Steve in particular hasn’t been able to get in yet. Once he does he’ll find a way, as he always has, and the rest of us will follow suit and need to improve, there’s no doubt about that. But these aren’t plans that we’re encountering for the first time.”For Smith, the key is that he has not been able to play a single long innings for all of 2020, leading him to the worst two Test matches of his career in terms of runs scored, usurping Edgbaston and Trent Bridge in 2015 where his rapid dismissals set England on the course to regaining the Ashes. “At the moment I’m searching for time in the middle; that’s the most important thing for me,” Smith told SEN Radio before play.”When I look at this year, 64 balls [66, during the first ODI] is the longest I’ve spent in the middle during those one-day games. For me, that’s important. I find a lot of rhythm out in the middle. You can bat as much as you want in the nets, but there’s nothing that can replicate what a game can do, so that for me is what I’m searching for at the moment. That can be tough to do, particularly in a Test match when you’ve got some quality bowlers.”This of course will also be a challenge for Warner if he is deemed fit to return from a groin strain, while Pucovski will know that his recent concussion history is likely to see him facing plenty of short balls should he be included for a Test match debut in either of the two remaining matches.”David looks really good from what I’ve seen,” Paine said. “He’s been training this week in the nets and started running a bit between the wickets, so I think the early signs with him are very good for the third Test, which is awesome for us, and Will Pucovski a similar boat, I think he’s not far away.”There’s some return-to-play protocol that he has or needs to tick off, I’m not across it all, but my conversations with Will are that he’s pretty close to a return. My conversations with him are that he does feel okay and he’s excited to come back inside the bubble and prepare.”Either way, the Australians have the chance to redeem themselves over two more matches within this series. Border’s men 32 years ago had already lost the series, but went on to win the fourth Test and draw the fifth, an outcome that Paine undoubtedly would take right now.