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Leeds United have built up a six-point gap between themselves and the bottom three in the Premier League after their 2-1 win over West Ham United last week.

Three wins, two draws, and four defeats in nine matches is a respectable return for Daniel Farke’s side after their promotion from the Championship in the 2024/25 campaign.

Prior to this season, the last six teams to have been promoted from the Championship had all been relegated at the first attempt, which illustrates the size of the task ahead of the Whites.

Not only did that mean that Leeds needed to recruit well, which they have with the likes of Noah Okafor and Sean Longstaff, but they also needed some of their stars from last season to make the step up.

The Whites did not recruit an entire new starting line-up and bench to bolster their squad for the Premier League, instead hoping that some of their players could bridge the gap.

One player who is still looking to convince supporters that he is good enough for the top-flight is Brenden Aaronson, who has revived his Leeds career.

How Brenden Aaronson has revived his Leeds career

In the summer of 2022, Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta swooped to sign the American attacking midfielder from RB Salzburg for a fee of £28.5m to bolster the club’s options for the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

Aaronson scored one goal from 3.86 xG in 36 appearances in the division that season, earning himself the lowest Sofascore rating (6.51) in the entire division, as he made the website’s ‘Worst Team of the Season’.

The USA international opted to go out on loan to Union Berlin for the 2023/24 campaign, rather than remain at Elland Road to fight for promotion from the Championship, at which point the writing appeared to be on the wall for his career at the club.

However, Aaronson returned to the club after his loan spell and Farke revealed that he was “desperate” to help the team, and that he would need to win his place by working hard.

The American was met with some “boos” from supporters, per reporter Graham Smyth, in pre-season, but he then went on to feature in all 46 Championship games as Leeds racked up 100 points, scoring nine goals.

This shows that he proved to Farke, with his performances in training and in matches, that he could be a reliable player for the head coach, and that has carried over to the Premier League.

Appearances

9

xG

1.62

Goals

1

Key passes

9

Big chances created

3

xA

1.27

Assists

0

Duel success rate

52%

As you can see in the table above, Aaronson has not set the Premier League alight with his performances, with one goal in nine games, but he has been a solid performer and has been unfortunate not to register any assists.

Overall, it is fair to say that the 25-year-old has revived his Leeds career, after it looked all-but-finished when he joined Union Berlin on loan, thanks to his hard work and performances on the pitch.

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Aaronson, though, was not the first member of the current first-team squad who revived his career after being sent out on loan by the club. Dan James was the original Brenden Aaronson.

Why Dan James was the original Brenden Aaronson

A year before the American was signed by the Whites, Marcelo Bielsa and Orta swooped to sign James from Manchester United for a fee of £25m to bolster the team’s options out wide.

The Wales international scored four goals and provided four assists in 34 matches in the Premier League in his first season at Elland Road, per Sofascore, but ended the campaign with a new manager in Jesse Marsch.

Despite starting three of the first five league games at the start of the 2022/23 campaign, James was then sent out on loan to Fulham in the summer of 2022, and claimed that he made the move because he “wanted to play games”.

After that move was confirmed, journalist Phil Hay almost wrote off the winger’s chances of continuing his career at Leeds in the future. He wrote: “I don’t think I see Dan James coming back, or it feels like a long shot. James is 24. He’s not especially young and Leeds have essentially said to him that they can do without him this season.”

You can see where Phil Hay was coming from. Leeds were willing to let a player they signed for £25m a year earlier join another Premier League team on loan.

However, the Whites were relegated from the Premier League that season and Fulham did not opt to sign James permanently, which led to him emerging as a star under Farke in the Championship.

The Wales international scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in 40 appearances in the second tier in the 2023/24 campaign, per Sofascore, which shows that his performances paid back the faith that the German head coach showed in him.

Appearances

40

36

xG

10.0

10.46

Goals

13

12

Conversion rate

16%

12%

Big chances created

13

16

Key passes per game

1.4

1.3

Assists

7

9

As you can see in the table above, James delivered consistent quality at the top end of the pitch in his two seasons in the Championship under Farke, with 25 goals and 29 ‘big chances’ created.

The winger claimed last season that he wants to be “ruthless” and has a “ruthless” mentality, which is evidenced by his impressive goal return, as he outperformed his xG in both of those seasons.

James has yet to score a goal in the Premier League so far this season, but he has started three of his six appearances and is a key member of the squad.

His revival of his Leeds career, which looked on the ropes after his move to Fulham in 2022, pathed the way for Aaronson to follow in his footsteps after being in a similar position a year after James’ remergence at Elland Road.

Longstaff 2.0: Leeds plot January move to re-sign “exquisite” £60k-p/w star

Leeds United are considering a January move for this exciting star, who could be Daniel Farke’s next Sean Longstaff.

1 ByKelan Sarson Oct 28, 2025

James was the original Aaronson and now both players are brilliant examples for the club to show future players that there is always a chance to revive their careers, if they are willing to put the hard yards in to be reliable on the pitch.

Aaron Judge put forth yet another magnificent season for the Yankees in 2025, and he’s been rewarded with his third AL MVP award.

Despite fierce competition in the form of Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, Judge earned his second consecutive MVP and third of his career. The New York superstar hit 53 home runs and led the league in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, and OPS+. His 137 runs also ranked first in MLB.

Judge’s efforts helped lead the Yankees to a 94–68 regular season. New York advanced past the wild card round by beating the rival Red Sox in three games, but fell to the Blue Jays in the divisional round.

The 33-year-old slugger has been considered one of the best hitters in baseball for years now and this season proved no exception. For much of the season he was the primary, and occasionally only, source of offense for the pinstripes. He was so dangerous that, in addition to all his league-leading hitting stats, he also ranked first in intentional walks with 36. Judge was rewarded earlier this year for his efforts with his seventh All-Star nod.

What’s more, Judge shook off whatever remained of the perception that he struggled in postseason baseball with a strong playoff run. The Yankees’ slugger batted .364 against Boston in the wild-card round and .600 against Toronto in the divisional, totaling 13 hits and seven RBIs in seven games played. It wasn’t enough to push the Yankees over the finish line and return to the World Series but there’s no question Judge delivered upon the promises of another great regular season.

Judge becomes the 16th player in MLB history to win back-to-back MVP awards with his 2025 win. Another historic achievement for the big hitter.

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso was delighted with his team's performance against Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, claiming that the sensations within the dressing room are positive after breaking their three-game winless run. Alonso had come under a lot of pressure following Madrid's dramatic drop in form, but the manager assured that he is "handling it much more calmly than you might expect".

Madrid return to winning ways after Olympiacos scare

Madrid ended their run of three games without a win following a nervy 4-3 win in the Champions League over Greek champions Olympiacos at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium on Wednesday. 

The visitors were caught by surprise early on, as Chiquinho fired a brilliant volley into the bottom-left corner in the eighth minute. However, Madrid provided an exquisite response, as Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick within the space of seven minutes put Olympiacos to the sword before the game hit the half-hour mark. 

Jose Luis Mendilibar's men, however, were not in a mood to let Los Blancos have things go their way. Substitute Mehdi Taremi, who came on for the injured Chiquinho in the first half, pulled one back for the home side in the 52nd minute. Eight minutes later, though, Mbappe completed a poker by scoring his fourth of the night and ninth overall in the competition this season.

Ayoub El Kaabi breathed life back into Olympiacos once again, rising in the 81st minute to power a header into the back of the net and reignite hopes of a comeback. After the third goal, Mendilibar's side tightened the screw and played with incredible intensity, even coming close to finding the equaliser on a couple of occasions. It wouldn't matter, however, as Alonso's troops held Olympiacos at bay in the final 15 minutes (including stoppage time) to end their winless streak.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportAlonso reflects on the win and says he's 'novice'

Following the win, Alonso spoke to reporters and reflected on his team's performance. He even addressed the mounting pressure him and his players. 

When asked how the team were doing in the hours leading up to the game, Alonso responded: "They've been very positive, very productive. They've helped us to keep growing, to try and break the cycle, which we've managed to do. And to learn how to cope with difficult moments. Very positive. Like the things we've talked about, the unity the players have, their commitment… and this is the only way. Besides the three points, I'm left with positive things that have happened behind the scenes."

He further added that he was more relaxed about Madrid's recent woes than one could have expected. 

"No, no, no. I was handling it much more calmly than you might expect," he assured. "I'm no novice at this, and I know the road is long. And that it's not always a bed of roses. You have to know how to navigate difficult twists and turns without losing your mind. You have to be critical, demanding of yourself, and acknowledge your mistakes; but also know that there's always another game. And that you always have to look ahead."

Vinicius' return to form a big positive for Madrid

Over the past week, rumours have swirled about growing discontent within the Real Madrid dressing room over Alonso’s methods. At the centre of the speculation is Vinicius Jr., whose relationship with the 44-year-old has come under intense scrutiny. even described their dynamic as “strained.” Additional reports have gone further, suggesting the Brazilian star has informed the club’s hierarchy that he does not intend to renew his contract due to his fragile relationship with Alonso.

However, Alonso was glowing in his praise for the 25-year-old winger. Vinicius was on song on Wednesday, delivering two fantastic assists to Mbappe and having a goal of his own disallowed. In the process, he moved to 27 assists in the Champions League, tying Madrid icon Karim Benzema as the club's second-highest assist provider in Europe, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo's 31. 

"I'm really sorry about the disallowed goal, because it's a play we talked about yesterday, and it would have given him a good feeling, because it's a very typical goal of his," Alonso said. 

"Cutting in from the outside, into the far corner. I'm really sorry it was ruled out. But then, apart from that, the combination and connection with Kylian, the two assists, the impact he's had… the thing is, overall, with the difficulties we had, because [Eduardo] Camavinga couldn't go on at halftime, [Raul] Asencio had some discomfort in his hamstring… today was a game of moments. We pulled it off, and with positive things: Kylian's goals, Vini's performance , and other players who also did well."

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GettyCan Olympiacos win spark a turnaround?

The victory on Wednesday further strengthened Madrid's pursuit of a top-eight spot in the Champions League league phase. Plus, despite dropping points away at Rayo Vallecano and Elche in their previous two games, Madrid continue to be the La Liga leaders. 

With a few more away fixtures on the way before Madrid return to the Santiago Bernabeu, Alonso was confident that his side will navigate through the tricky schedule without further setbacks. 

"We'll see. Time will tell. We had a good feeling… and we shared some things. Regarding the match, we came here to do what we wanted, in a complicated context, with injuries and what happened during the game," he stated. 

"And we'll take that away from it. This is football, and we have to think about the next one. Now we have a visit to Girona, then we go to Bilbao… the schedule, exceptionally, I don't know if we'll play five or six away games. It's something that doesn't happen very often. But we're going to face it."

USMNT center back Chris Richards has reportedly opened talks with Crystal Palace over a new contract, with his current deal set to expire after the 2026–27 season. The American has grown into a key piece of Oliver Glasner’s back three in recent years, emerging as a reliable starter after an initially rocky adjustment following his move from Bayern Munich.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Discussions are ongoing

  Talks between Richards and Palace are reportedly gaining momentum as the American center back seems geared towards staying at the club, according to the BBC. There have been 'informal' discussions on both sides, and both are said to be 'comfortable' with the situation as Richards' current deal runs down. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  A key man for the USMNT

  The talks follow a strong run of form for Richards with the U.S. national team. Mauricio Pochettino has relied on the center-back throughout his 14 months in charge, making him a regular starter even amid frequent rotation. Richards missed the November camp as he continues to recover from a nagging injury.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Success for Palace

  He has been similarly successful at Palace. Oliver Glanser's 3-4-3 system has gotten the best out of the former Bayern Munich man. But he has also chipped in elsewhere, playing as a defensive midfielder, or even on the right when needed. Richards' performance in the FA Cup final – when he marked Manchester City's Erling Haaland out of the game – was instrumental in Palace securing silverware. 

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  A vital member of the Eagles

  Palace's need to hold on to Richards has only become more crystallized of late. Captain Marc Guehi was all-but set to leave Palace on the final day of the transfer window, but the club refused to sanction his exit. And although Guehi has remained a regular at the back, he has made it clear that he will not pen a new deal to stay at the club beyond the 2025-26 season. 

White Ferns allrounder too good for Northern Superchargers as Brave move top

ECB Media13-Aug-2025Southern Brave 103 for 2 (Wyatt-Hodge 43, Wolvaardt 33*) beat Northern Superchargers 102 (Armitage 36, Devine 3-15)A tight bowling performance led by Sophie Devine followed by a comfortable run chase with Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Laura Wolvaardt at the helm saw Southern Brave easily defeat North Superchargers by eight wickets at Southampton and make it three wins from three in The Hundred women’s competition.Electing to bat first, Superchargers started in a subdued fashion, scoring just four from the first 10 balls and losing Alice Davidson-Richards (2) and Phoebe Litchfield (5) on the way to posting 19-2 in the 25-ball powerplay.Davina Perrin (13) was run out by Tilly Corteen-Coleman going for an incredibly risky second as the visitors continued to labour against tight Brave bowling, reaching 43-3 at halfway.Mady Villiers took the big wicket of Annabel Sutherland (20), the Aussie well caught by Maia Bouchier at long-on, before Georgia Adams removed Superchargers wicketkeeper Bess Heath (3), brilliantly caught running backwards by her opposite number Rhianna Southby.Skipper Hollie Armitage (36 not out) stuck in and was joined by Lucy Higham (13) at 74 for 7, the pair rallying late in the innings, sharing a partnership of 27 before Higham was dismissed by Devine (3-15) as the Kiwi took two-in-two in the final set to see Supercharges 102 all out.In the chase, Grace Ballinger conceded just a wide from the opening set as Maia Bouchier started cautiously.A single by Wyatt-Hodge off Kate Cross to take the score to 5-0 saw the experienced right-hander become the second player to pass 1,000 runs in The Hundred after Nat Sciver-Brunt reached the milestone last week.Bouchier (5) was caught at mid-off off Cross, but Wyatt-Hodge put her foot on the gas, hitting Linsey Smith’s left-arm spin for three consecutive boundaries, combining with Wolvaardt to bring up the Brave’s 50.Wyatt-Hodge was stumped off Katherine Fraser for 43 with 20 runs still required, but Wolvaardt (33 not out) and Devine (15 not out) saw the Brave home with 17 balls to spare.Meerkat Match Hero Devine said: “The support we’ve had down here these last two games has been exceptional, so nice to have a couple of wins here and we’ve got a bit of travel to do now.”We were a little bit in two minds as well with the overhead conditions and a used wicket, the great thing about this competition is the wins at home and being able to play to your home conditions and I think we did that exceptionally well today.”Credit to everyone, I think we adapted really well with the ball and the way Danni and Wolvy went out there with the bat, they made it look like a different wicket.”

A former England international, who played Premier League football, has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape. The suspect, who is said to have represented the Three Lions in the 2010s, was detained when passing through Stansted Airport following an allegation from an ex-partner that is now being investigated by the relevant authorities.

Suspect apprehended at Stansted Airport

Police have announced that the player in question has been bailed pending further inquiries. He was apprehended by security when being stopped at Stansted. Border Forces stepped in at passport control.

reports that the former Premier League performer was wanted by police over a “non-recent allegation of attempted rape reported by a former partner”. He was stopped from boarding a flight with a budget airline on November 30.

AdvertisementGettyAllegation made by former partner

A source told The Sun, with efforts being made to avoid causing a scene in a very public place: “He was walking through passport control when he was discreetly pulled aside by Border Force. There was clearly an issue and he was led away.”

A complaint is said to have been lodged by the player’s ex-partner several weeks ago. Essex Police subsequently opened an investigation. Officers from that constabulary are said to have been alerted to possible movement, allowing them to descend on Stansted Airport and make an arrest.

Suspect held in police custody

The one-time England international will have been held behind bars after being taken to a local police station, as he waited for his solicitor to arrive. Fingerprints, a DNA sample and mugshots have been taken – as is standard procedure in a case of this type.

It is reported that the suspect was held in custody for “several hours” before being released on bail as inquiries continue. The player at the centre of the investigation is said to have “attended recent public events”, leading to confusion as to why he has only now been arrested when passing through an airport.

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GettyStatement from Essex Police

An insider for The Sun added on decisive action that was taken over the weekend: “It’s bizarre that he was arrested at the airport when he has been quite visible in public recently.”

The complainant is said to have been “interviewed by specialist sex crimes officers and offered counselling and support”. A spokesperson for Essex Police has said, with the suspect unable to be named for legal reasons: “A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape and has been bailed to a date in late February 2026 while we continue our inquiries.”

Jhye Richardson believes he could play Test cricket this summer if needed having progressed to bowling off his full run coming off shoulder surgery

Alex Malcolm09-Oct-2025

Will Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc bowl in tandem in the first Ashes Test?•Associated Press

Mitchell Starc believes Pat Cummins won’t need much preparation to play in the first Ashes Test in Perth, saying the skipper remains upbeat despite not yet being cleared to bowl with six weeks to go before the series starts.Doubts are growing over Cummins’ availability for the first Test of the Ashes as he continues to rehab the hot spot in his lower back having not bowled a ball since Australia’s last Test against West Indies in July.While it is understood that Cricket Australia has made no decisions on Cummins’ return to bowling and his availability for the first Test of the Ashes and beyond, the tightness of the timeline for the skipper to build-up his bowling loads adequately has become a major talking point.Related

Cummins says he's 'less likely than likely' to play in the first Ashes Test

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Doubts over Cummins' fitness for first Ashes Test grow

Starc, who will return to the BBL for the first time in 11 years in the upcoming season, believes Cummins is so unique that he could play a Test match off very limited preparation.”Playing with Pat and being close with Pat, he doesn’t need much,” Starc said. “Whether he bowls three warm-up balls and the first over the game, he’s on the money, he just knows when to switch on or how to switch on really quickly. So what it looks like for him in his prep, it’s going to be certainly different to what mine feels and looks like, and that comes with experience and age.”Having spent so much time with Josh [Hazlewood] and Pat and myself and Scotty [Boland], we all prepare slightly differently. We all feel like we need different things. I feel like at times I need to bowl more around preparation stuff, whether it be training or after layoffs.”Starc has returned to bowling ahead of the ODI series against India after a lengthy pre-season having not played since the Caribbean Test tour. Both Starc and Hazlewood are also set to play in New South Wales’ round four Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the SCG from November 10-13 in preparation for the first Ashes Test which starts on November 21 in Perth.Starc said he had been in touch with Cummins but had seen less of him since returning to NSW training as the skipper continues to do his gym rehab.Mitchell Starc expects Steven Smith to be “the logical choice” to lead if Pat Cummins isn’t fit•BCCI

“He’s in good spirits,” Starc said. “He’s ultra-positive as always, and there’s still some weeks to go before we get to Perth for the Test prep. So we’ll see where that lands. Hopefully we see a lot of him through the summer, and we’ll see where we get to in Perth.”If Cummins were to be ruled out, the question of who replaces him as captain will be raised but Starc said Steven Smith would be the logical choice given he has captained Australia in 40 Test matches including deputising for Cummins in six over the last four years.”We’ve got a group of us that have played cricket with Steve as captain anyway,” Starc said. “And then the times that he’s filled in over the last few seasons for Pat, whether it be for personal reasons, for illness or for injury, it’s an easy transition for Steve. He’s obviously a very experienced cricket brain and thinks heavily about the game, and we have a team of experienced guys that can give their two cents worth along the journey as well.”Cummins’ potential absence has also raised questions about Australia’s fast-bowling depth beyond the big four of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Boland.Starc cited Michael Neser and Sean Abbott as two experienced options and also mentioned another man who has played for Australia previously and took five wickets in an Ashes game in his most recent Test appearance.”There’s been a little bit of noise around Jhye Richardson coming back from his shoulder as well,” Starc said. “We know what skills he has. We’ve got a fairly talented group of 19-20-year-old bowlers, and then a lot of depth from there up to us that have played a lot of domestic cricket. I think the depth is there.”Richardson, speaking at another BBL event in Melbourne on Thursday, was confident he could play a Test this summer if required despite still progressing his bowling in the nets following shoulder surgery earlier this year.Jhye Richardson last played a Test match in December 2021•AFP/Getty Images

“I think so,” Richardson said. “Body’s really good. At this stage of the recovery what we wanted was for everything else to be right, and the only limiting factor to be my shoulder, which is the case at the moment, which is really good. I’m bowling off a full run, just waiting for a bit of ball speed to come back, which I think is a pretty good position to be in this time of year, or what we were hoping for anyway.”There’s no specific timeline in place at the moment, but I think returning to some sort of competitive cricket, whether it’s club cricket or second XI [for Western Australia] sometime in November I think would be a good start, and then build up from there, and then see where it takes us.”Richardson revealed he was still only bowling at speeds in the low 120s but expected the speed to come with more mobility and confidence in the shoulder, having been through the process before after previous shoulder surgeries. He is hoping to play round five or six of the Sheffield Shield, with WA’s two games starting on November 22 and December 4 respectively.”You never really know how linear the process is going to be,” Richardson said. “I think at the start of the year, we were sort of speaking around that [round] five or six mark leading into the Big Bash and potentially back-end Ashes.”But I don’t want to think too far ahead.”

The teams are better prepared and the gap between them has shrunk considerably

S Sudarshanan29-Sep-20253:00

Is this India’s best chance to win a World Cup?

Big picture: More ODIs, better clarityOn the eve of the tournament opener, the contrasts were subtle but telling in Guwahati. India’s training session was light, confident and precise. Avishkar Salvi, India’s bowling coach, tried Rana’s offspin grip before she showed him how it’s done. Kranti Goud charged in with rhythm and responded to match-specific challenges. It was a sight of a team that looked settled.Earlier in the afternoon, Sri Lanka had gone through a more muted, methodical session. They started with catching drills before quickly shifting to the nets. It was not all work and no play, though. Left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera teased the young seamer Malki Madara about getting Hasini Perera lbw, and Sugandika Kumari joked with fellow offspinner Dewmi Vihanga about why her grip was better.Two teams, two different rhythms. But the bigger picture was clear: this World Cup doesn’t begin with undercooked sides trying to find cohesion. This begins with teams well-prepared and clear on goals.Related

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Athapaththu alone at the top as she carries Sri Lanka above her

World Cup to World Cup, 2013 to 2025: The story of a revolution

Harmanpreet: 'This time we will cross the line'

This World Cup promises to take women's cricket to brand-new heights

Since the 2022 edition – which saw pandemic-hit schedules and limited preparation in the lead-up – the change has been striking. Sri Lanka, who didn’t qualify then and hadn’t played an ODI in three years, arrive with 31 games under their belt. India have been the busiest, having played 38 since the last edition, including 14 this year.”We’ve played more ODI cricket after the last T20 World Cup,” India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said. “We have won most of the games. That has definitely given us a lot of confidence to do well in ODI cricket. We now have a lot of experience. This group has played together for so many years. There is a lot more clarity.”And that clarity is evident – not just in numbers, but in body language, in banter, in how batters walk into the nets, and bowlers finish their spells. This World Cup picks up where the teams left off, with momentum already building.Form guideIndia LWLWL
Sri Lanka LLWWL3:45

Athapaththu: ‘Would like to see an Asian team lift the trophy’

In the spotlight: Jemimah Rodrigues and Udeshika PrabodhaniShe has already played 51 ODIs, but the match against Sri Lanka will be Jemimah Rodrigues’ maiden appearance in a 50-over World Cup. A natural top-order batter, she has slotted seamlessly into India’s middle order. Rodrigues scored her first ODI hundred earlier this year and showcased her finishing ability during India’s last two series – the tri-series in Sri Lanka involving South Africa, and the tour of England. With the pitch at the ACA Stadium expected to be flat, Rodrigues will aim to make her World Cup debut a memorable one.Veteran left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani will be key for Sri Lanka with the new ball. Her ability to swing the ball and maintain control during the field restrictions has been invaluable. She could pose a challenge to India’s right-hand opener Pratika Rawal with her inswingers. However, match rustiness could be a factor – Prabodhani last played international cricket at the 2024 T20 World Cup, and hasn’t featured in an ODI since August 2024. But if her performance in the last warm-up game is any indication – 2 for 26 from six overs, including two maidens – Sri Lanka have little to worry about.Team news: Amanjot could returnHarmanpreet confirmed that the entire squad is fit, which could pave the way for Amanjot Kaur’s return to the XI after recovering from a back injury. That would likely mean only one of Sneh Rana or Radha Yadav makes the final cut. While Amanjot did not bowl in either of the warm-up games, on the eve of the match, she bowled a short spell and then spent some time batting in the nets.India (probable): 1 Smriti Mandhana, 2 Pratika Rawal, 3 Harleen Deol, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Jemimah Rodrigues, 6 Richa Ghosh (wk), 7 Deepti Sharma, 8 Amanjot Kaur/Radha Yadav, 9 Sneh Rana, 10 Kranti Goud, 11 Renuka SinghBased on the two warm-up matches, Sri Lanka are expected to have Hasini Perera opening with Chamari Athapaththu. Vishmi Gunaratne, usually an opener, is likely to bat at No. 4. With Prabodhani back, only one of Achini Kulasuriya and Madara will play.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Hasini Perera, 2 Chamari Athapaththu (capt), 3 Harshitha Samarawickrama, 4 Vishmi Gunaratne, 5 Kavisha Dilhari, 6 Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), 7 Nilakshika Silva, 8 Sugandika Kumari, 9 Inoka Ranaweera, 10 Malki Madara/Achini Kulasuriya, 11 Udeshika Prabodhani2:06

Harmanpreet: ‘No pressure at all’ playing World Cup at home

Pitch and conditionsOn Monday, after a spell of slightly cooler weather, the evening in Guwahati turned noticeably muggier. Around the start of play, temperatures are expected to hover in the low 30°C, though it may feel hotter under the afternoon sun. The centre pitch will be used, which has minimal grass.Stats and trivia The ACA Stadium will become the 55th venue in India to stage a women’s ODI. Kavisha Dilhari’s 26 wickets are the most for Sri Lanka in ODIs since the 2022 World Cup. Three Indians have surpassed that mark in the same period – Deepti Sharma (59), Renuka Singh (35) and Sneh Rana (27). For the first time since 2016, Athapaththu is not Sri Lanka’s leading ODI run-getter in a calendar year. Harshitha Samarawickrama leads the pack with 336 runs, with Athapaththu fifth on the list. Smriti Mandhana’s 2100 runs are the most by any batter since the last ODI World Cup. The next best is Laura Wolvaardt with 1736. One of India’s three ODI defeats to Sri Lanka came earlier this year.Quote”No doubt it’s a quite new venue for us. But in India, many stadiums have a very similar feel, similar pitches, and we have played a lot of cricket in India. So we are taking it as an opportunity.”
“Udeshika is our strike bowler, she is the most senior player in my team. If I have to take a decision, sometimes I go to her for an opinion, and she helps me out. That is the [equation] we have. It’s a big privilege for me to play with her.”

Certain pundits and fanbases might be trying to hold their set-piece dominance against them, but it’s currently an excellent time to be an Arsenal fan.

Mikel Arteta’s side are undefeated in the Champions League, flying high at the top of the Premier League, and look like the best defensive side in world football.

Yet, the Gunners cannot rest on their laurels as their next opponent is the always dangerous Brighton & Hove Albion in the Fourth Round of the League Cup.

With that said, Arteta will need to make some changes to his team for the game, including dropping the talismanic Bukayo Saka.

Why Arteta should drop Saka

Now, there is undoubtedly an argument to be made that Arteta should keep Saka in the team for Wednesday’s game in a bid to help him build up more match fitness and momentum.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, such an argument loses a lot of weight when you consider that the Gunners’ next three games are against Burnley, Slavia Prague and Sunderland.

In other words, while those won’t be easy matches, they should be that bit more straightforward than a clash with the Seagulls and, in turn, even better opportunities for the 24-year-old to find some rhythm.

Moreover, and this interlinks with the main reason the manager should be dropping the Hale Ender: they are far more important games.

Following the last three years of almost getting there, it is far more important for Arsenal to win the Premier League or the Champions League; therefore, they need to play their best players in those competitions, not risk injury in lesser competitions.

Saka’s injrury record
Season	Days Out	Games Out
25/26	26 days	6
24/25	122 days	25
23/24	36 days	10
21/22	6 days	1
20/21	13 days	2
19/20	13 days	0
All Stats via Transfermarkt

Were this a couple of years ago, then perhaps it would be fine to play the Hale Ender in all four games.

Still, after he missed almost four months of action with a hamstring problem last season, and has already missed a month of action this year with another, it would be unwise to do so today.

Furthermore, with Noni Madueke and now Gabriel Martinelli out of action, risking the Ealing-born gem feels like it would be even more foolish than usual.

Finally, Arteta can happily rest Saka for the game against Brighton because, even with the other injuries, there is one player who could step in.

The Arsenal player Arteta must start over Saka

With Madueke and Martinelli out, the player who should and probably will come in for Saka against Brighton is Ethan Nwaneri.

The Hale End gem might be seen more as a central player in the long term, but last year proved he is more than capable of filling in for Saka on the right.

For example, in 37 appearances, totalling 1378 minutes, the “phenomenal” game-changer, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, managed to score nine goals and provide two assists.

That works out to a goal involvement every 3.36 games, or more crucially, one every 125.27 minutes, which is a rate of return many seasoned professionals can’t even match.

Moreover, the manager knows he can deal with the Seagulls, as the Enfield-born gem scored a brilliant goal at the Amex in the league last season.

Additionally, it’s not like he was just lucky last season, as the 18-year-old’s underlying numbers were just as impressive as his output.

According to FBref, he ranked in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the league last season for successful take-ons, the top 6% for take-ons attempted and carrying distance, the top 8% for crosses, the top 9% for non-penalty goals and more, all per 90.

Nwaneri’s Scout Report
Statistics	Per 90	Percentile
Goals – xG	+0.28	Top 1%
Non-Penalty Goals – npxG	+0.28	Top 1%
Successful Take-Ons	3.72	Top 2%
Successful Take-On %	59.7%	Top 2%
Take-Ons Attempted	6.23	Top 6%
Total Carrying Distance	286.79	Top 6%
Crosses	5.43	Top 8%
Non-Penalty Goals	0.40	Top 9%
Crosses into Penalty Area	0.60	Top 9%
Touches (Att 3rd)	34.09	Top 9%
Progressive Passes Rec	11.36	Top 11%
Progressive Carrying Distance	133.64	Top 11%
Goals	0.40	Top 12%
Goals/Shot	0.17	Top 12%
Goals/Shot on Target	0.44	Top 12%
Passes Completed (Short)	21.72	Top 12%
Carries	36.70	Top 12%
All Stats via FBref

Finally, regardless of the rest of the team, the manager should be looking to start the teenager in this game, as he needs more minutes to keep him content with his squad role at present.

Ultimately, Arteta should drop Saka for the game against Brighton and start the incredibly exciting Nwaneri in his place.

Arteta is brewing another Rice in Arsenal superstar whose "talent is scary"

The sensational Arsenal star could be as big a star as Declan Rice for Mikel Arteta.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Oct 28, 2025

Leeds United are now set to make an imminent bid for Real Madrid star Gonzalo Garcia, following involvement from manager Daniel Farke.

Leeds have been urged to sign a new striker, having failed to score in five of their 11 Premier League matches up to this point, with Clinton Morrison saying: “If Leeds want to survive, they need to bring in an out-and-out goalscorer that’s going to get them the 10 to 15 goals to keep them in the Premier League, which is going to be difficult.

“Because in the Premier League. You’re only as good as your strikers. But I hope Leeds do stay up because it’s going to be difficult.”

Farke would’ve been hoping Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be the man to fire his side to safety, but the centre-forward has recorded an xG of just 2.02 in the Premier League so far this season, with his only goal coming in the 3-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers back in September.

With Joel Piroe goalless, Farke is short on top-quality options to rival Lukas Nmecha for a starting spot, and the West Yorkshire outfit are now set to make a move for a new striker ahead of the January transfer window.

Leeds set to make imminent bid for Gonzalo Garcia

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Leeds are now set to make an imminent bid for Real Madrid forward Garcia, with a formal £17m offer ready, and the Spanish club are willing to sanction his departure for a fee in that ballpark.

Farke has managed to convince the 49ers the 21-year-old could propel the Whites to Premier League safety, which means the board have now sanctioned a move, but there could be competition from rival Premier League clubs.

Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also preparing moves of their own, with Brighton and Sunderland also being named as potential suitors for the Spaniard, who has been unable to force his way into the Real Madrid starting XI this season.

Hailed as “world-class” by journalist Zach Lowy, the youngster has impressed when given the opportunity by Xabi Alonso, finding the back of the net four times in six outings at the Club World Cup, while also grabbing an assist in the Champions League this season.

Unfortunately for the five-time Spain U21 international, however, he is behind some global superstars in the Real Madrid pecking order, with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo all vying for first-team spots, which means he is at risk of his development being hampered.

As such, Garcia should seek a move in the January transfer window, and he would become an instant cult hero at Elland Road if he were able to fire Leeds to safety…

Leeds looking to fund transfer business by selling "unbelievable" star in January Related Leeds open to selling £40k-p/w star who Firpo called "unbelievable" this January

The Whites are now willing to cash-in on a first-team star this winter, in order to reinvest the money raised into other areas of the squad.

Posts ByDominic Lund Nov 19, 2025