Arsenal can take another big step towards the Premier League title when they host Sunderland on Saturday before Manchester City travel to Liverpool for a daunting clash at Anfield.
The Gunners already hold a six point lead at the top as they chase a first league crown since the 2003/04 Invincibles season. Aston Villa remain third but a recent dip in form has allowed Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool to close in on the Champions League places.
City’s latest setback came last weekend when they squandered a two goal lead in another second half collapse at Tottenham. With Arsenal expected to beat Sunderland at home and potentially move nine points clear, Pep Guardiola’s side have little room left for error.
Anfield has long been a difficult venue for City. Their only away league win over Liverpool since 2003 came behind closed doors during the COVID 19 pandemic in 2021. Identical home records mean City’s six point deficit to Arsenal is mainly down to weaker away form.
Despite that, Liverpool manager Arne Slot remains cautious. He noted that City beat his team 3 0 earlier in the season and comfortably reached the League Cup final against Newcastle even after Guardiola made five changes in midweek. Slot said those results show City are still a major force.
Behind Arsenal and City, the fight for Champions League places looks set to be a battle of three from four. Strong results in Europe mean finishing fifth is likely to be enough for a Champions League spot. Only seven points separate third placed Villa from sixth placed Liverpool.
Villa, who surprised many by staying in the title race for much of the campaign, have suffered back to back home defeats to Everton and Brentford. A midfield injury crisis has ruled out captain John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara for the foreseeable future, leaving Unai Emery’s side under pressure to respond away to Bournemouth.
Manchester United host struggling Tottenham as they aim for a fourth straight win under new boss Michael Carrick. Chelsea, also pushing up the table, visit bottom club Wolves.
Further down, Crystal Palace and Brighton meet in a crucial game between two out of form teams. Palace, winless in 12 league matches, spent over £80 million in January on Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brennan Johnson as they try to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
The Eagles currently sit nine points above the drop zone, but that gap could shrink to six if West Ham beat Burnley before they kick off. Brighton, just two points ahead of Palace, have won only one of their last 11, damaging their hopes of European qualification.
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Students, others feared dead as 3-storey hostel collapses in Anambra
The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge and located beside Tonimas Filling Station, reportedly caved in late Sunday night, trapping several occupants beneath the rubble. Rescue workers and a joint security team were still on the scene as efforts continued to save those trapped and recover victims. Some injured persons had already been rescued and taken to a hospital in the area, but the exact number of casualties had not been confirmed at the time of the report. Authorities said the operation was ongoing and urged calm as emergency responders worked through the debris. The collapse has sparked fresh concern over building safety and enforcement of construction standards in student-dominated areas of Anambra State.
DHQ, ICRC begin training to identify soldiers killed in combat
The week-long Battlefield Mortuary Affairs Programme began on Monday at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna and will run from July 27 to August 1. Participants were drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, with the training aimed at strengthening the military’s response to battlefield deaths and missing personnel. According to officials, the programme will equip soldiers with the knowledge and practical skills needed for personnel identification, search and recovery operations, mortuary collection points, respectful storage and transportation of human remains, temporary burials and cemetery creation. It will also expose participants to the humanitarian role of the ICRC and the legal framework guiding battlefield mortuary affairs, including international humanitarian law and Nigerian military doctrine. ICRC Forensic Manager Dr Habib El TaKach said the initiative grew out of engagements that began in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2024, and […]
Infantino slams World Cup critics for spreading hate
In an open letter and a long Instagram post shared after the tournament, Infantino said detractors were “consumed by hate and criticism” and had ignored the joy and togetherness experienced by supporters around the world. He described the World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, as “the greatest show on earth” and “the most outstanding” edition in history. “To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world,” Infantino wrote. He accused some commentators of “planting seeds of hate” instead of acknowledging what he called a tournament of unity, safety and inclusion. Infantino urged critics to “find love and peace,” suggesting they should […]
Iran foreign ministry says no current negotiations with United States
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told a press briefing in Tehran that Iran “has no negotiations with the American side at present” and has made no move to reopen direct talks with Washington. “Claims that Iran has requested negotiations are reports periodically circulated by our opponents,” he added. Baghaei said any contacts now take place only through intermediaries, noting that “mediators may convey messages from the American side regarding current developments in the region, but at present we have no negotiations with the American side.” He stressed that Iran’s recent discussions with Oman over the management of the Strait of Hormuz are purely bilateral. “These talks have no connection with the United States… and they are continuing,” he said, adding that the waterway “remains closed.”english.alarabiya+1 The comments follow earlier statements from Iranian officials who accused the US of violating a […]
Joshua survives knockdowns, stops Prenga
Two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua recovered from two knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga with a second-round knockout in Jeddah on Sunday.espn+1 Joshua was twice put on the canvas in the opening round, but he survived the pressure and returned stronger in the second. He regrouped behind his jab, pushed Prenga back to the ropes and then unloaded a powerful right hand that sent the Albanian crashing through the ropes, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 2:43 of round two.wtop+1 The victory was Joshua’s first fight of 2026 and marked a successful return to the ring after a tense opening round. Reports say the win could set up a blockbuster all-British showdown with Tyson Fury later this year.
BBNaija 11: Biggie divides housemates into male, female teams for tasks
According to Biggie, the house will now operate in two groups — the ladies and the guys — with wager tasks, arena games and other activities contested along those lines. The move is expected to raise the stakes in the house, as contestants must work more closely with members of their own team to win rewards and gain an advantage. The new structure is also likely to affect alliances and strategy, since housemates will now compete not just individually but as part of a broader team battle.
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Infantino slams World Cup critics for spreading hate
In an open letter and a long Instagram post shared after the tournament, Infantino said detractors were “consumed by hate and criticism” and had ignored the joy and togetherness experienced by supporters around the world. He described the World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, as “the greatest show on earth” and “the most outstanding” edition in history. “To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world,” Infantino wrote. He accused some commentators of “planting seeds of hate” instead of acknowledging what he called a tournament of unity, safety and inclusion. Infantino urged critics to “find love and peace,” suggesting they should […]
Messi leads Argentina against Spain in blockbuster World Cup final
Lionel Messi is set to lead Argentina against Spain in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup final. Argentina booked their place in the showpiece after a dramatic semi-final comeback, with Messi once again playing a decisive role in the team’s attack. The veteran captain did not score in the semi-final but created both goals as Argentina turned the game around late to reach the final. Spain, meanwhile, arrive with a strong defensive record and will be hoping to stop Messi and the defending champions from making history. The final promises a huge battle between two of football’s biggest nations, with Argentina aiming to retain the title and Spain seeking another world crown. Fans around the world are expecting a high-quality contest as Messi chases one more major trophy in what could be one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
Messi aims for another World Cup milestone
Argentina are just one victory away from making football history as they prepare to face Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. A win would make Lionel Scaloni's side only the third nation to successfully defend the World Cup, matching the achievements of Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962). Much of Argentina's hopes once again rest on captain Lionel Messi, who continues to deliver outstanding performances despite approaching the later stages of his career. Victory on Sunday would see him become the first captain in history to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy twice. Messi has enjoyed another remarkable tournament, scoring eight goals in seven matches and moving within one goal of Kylian Mbappé in the race to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. His performances have played a crucial role in guiding […]
Messi leads Argentina against Spain in blockbuster World Cup final
Lionel Messi is set to lead Argentina against Spain in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup final. Argentina booked their place in the showpiece after a dramatic semi-final comeback, with Messi once again playing a decisive role in the team’s attack. The veteran captain did not score in the semi-final but created both goals as Argentina turned the game around late to reach the final. Spain, meanwhile, arrive with a strong defensive record and will be hoping to stop Messi and the defending champions from making history. The final promises a huge battle between two of football’s biggest nations, with Argentina aiming to retain the title and Spain seeking another world crown. Fans around the world are expecting a high-quality contest as Messi chases one more major trophy in what could be one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
Burna Boy, Madonna, Justin Bieber, others to perform at World Cup final halftime show tonight
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World Cup: Nicky Butt urges Mainoo to boycott France clash, calls for Tuchel’s sack
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