Tag Futebol

Glasgow Rangers will be looking to get back to winning ways this evening when they travel away from Ibrox to take on Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

The Light Blues dropped points for the first time under Danny Rohl in the league last weekend with a 0-0 draw against Falkirk, and there will be changes to the starting XI for tonight’s match.

Oliver Antman, as confirmed by the manager in the post above, will be unavailable to retain his place on the wing after suffering a muscle injury in recent days.

As well as the Finland international’s forced absence, Rohl should take attacking midfielder Thelo Aasgaard out of the team after his disappointing display against Falkirk.

Why Danny Rohl should drop Thelo Aasgaard

The Norway international was selected to play in the number ten position for the Light Blues at Ibrox on Sunday, but failed to deliver a quality performance for the side.

Aasgaard had no shots on target, missed one ‘big chance’, made one key pass, and failed to create any ‘big chances’ for his teammates in 68 minutes on the pitch against Falkirk, per Sofascore.

That set of statistics paints a very clear picture. He was ineffective at the top end of the pitch for Rohl, in what was a drab goalless draw, and that has been the theme of his season.

Per Sofascore, the Liverpool-born midfielder has produced one goal and one assist in 21 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants, playing 1179 minutes in that time.

His lack of impact on the pitch in the league and across all competitions is why Rohl should drop him from the side tonight to finally unleash the rarely-seen attacking midfielder Lyall Cameron against Dundee United.

Why Lyall Cameron should finally be unleashed

The summer signing from Dundee has only played 18 minutes under the German boss, per Sofascore, and has only played 361 minutes across eight appearances all season.

Chalkboard

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

He was an unused substitute in the goalless draw with Falkirk at Ibrox, as Rohl opted not to call on him, but he should now be given a chance to show what he can do in Aasgaard’s place as the number ten.

In his pre-match press conference, the Rangers manager said that Cameron has been “patient” and that the youngster needs to be ready to “seize” his chances when it comes, which will hopefully be this evening.

The Light Blues signed the 23-year-old star off the back of his impressive form for Dundee in the Scottish Premiership during the 2024/25 campaign, and that form suggests that he could come in as an even better option than Aasgaard.

Cameron racked up nine goals and five assists in 32 starts for his former club last season, per Sofascore, which shows that he does have the potential to deliver quality on a regular basis at Premiership level.

As you can see in the table above, the Scottish ace was one of the top-performing attacking midfielders in the division, with his ability to both score goals and create chances at an impressive rate.

Yet, Cameron has only played 191 minutes across five appearances in the Premiership for Russell Martin, Stevie Smith, and Rohl combined, per Sofascore, which shows that he has not had much of an opportunity to showcase the best version of himself.

Aasgaard, meanwhile, has been given over 1,000 minutes of game time without being able to deliver goals or assists on a consistent basis for the Light Blues in recent months, with as many goals (one) as red cards (one).

Therefore, Cameron should finally be unleashed this evening to see if he can offer more than the Norwegian flop by producing the kind of performances that he showed for Dundee throughout the 2024/25 season.

Danny Rohl sends 13-word warning to his Rangers players ahead of the transfer window

The manager has has sent a pretty clear message to his players…

By
Ben Goodwin

Dec 1, 2025

If Rohl does bring him into the starting XI tonight, the onus will be on the 23-year-old summer signing to make an instant impact to show the manager that he deserves more minutes moving forward this term.

The start of this season couldn’t have gone much better for Tottenham Hotspur, with convincing wins over Burnley and Manchester City.

However, in the months since, things have really gone off the rails for Thomas Frank and his side.

They currently sit 16th in the Champions League and, following their dismal defeat at the hands of Fulham on Saturday night, 11th in the Premier League.

Frank looked bereft of ideas against the West Londoners, and his team appeared all at sea, including one player who could be in danger of becoming their new Serge Aurier.

Spurs' worst players against Fulham

Aside from maybe Micky Van de Ven for his goalsaving tackle and Randal Kolo Muani for his general play, there were dismal displays across the entire Spurs starting lineup.

Chalkboard

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

The player who has received the most stick during and after the game is undoubtedly Guglielmo Vicario.

The Italian goalkeeper was the main culprit for the visitors’ second goal, with him rushing out to intercept a long ball, kicking it into danger and then being way out of the penalty area when Harry Wilson curled the ball into the net.

Such a costly blunder, and the fact that the team were 2-0 down in just the sixth minute, led to sections of the home support booing the former Emploi man at every touch.

While not responsible for conceding a goal, Richarlison was another Lilywhites ace who was practically useless on the night.

In his 60 minutes of action, he offered no threat at all, producing an expected goals figure of 0.00 and completing just six of his nine passes.

Moreover, while he took 21 touches, he ended up losing possession nine times, which helps to justify the 3/10 match rating he received from the Standard’s Matt Verri.

It was also a poor showing for Kevin Danso, who was second best to Raul Jimenez throughout the game, and it was his headed clearance that led to the opening goal.

Unfortunately for Frank and the fans, another starter put in a horror display against the Cottagers and could end up becoming the Spurs’ next Aurier if he’s not careful.

Spurs' new Serge Aurier

It was clear that Aurier was a talented player during his stint with Spurs, but what was also clear was that he was error-prone and became something of a scapegoat.

After all, he got sent off on his Premier League debut, and it was his foul that led to Manchester City’s winning free-kick in the 2021 League Cup final.

After that mistake, Jamie Carragher described him as “one of the biggest liabilities in Premier League football.”

The Ivorian left the club that summer, and unfortunately, it feels like Pedro Porro could be becoming the new version of him.

Now, to be clear, the Spanish full-back, originally signed on loan by Antonio Conte, is a hugely talented footballer and someone who is capable of delivering a brilliant cross at times.

However, he has become a growing concern for North Londoners over the last season or so, both offensively and defensively, with the game against Fulham a perfect example.

In his 94 minutes on the pitch, he lost 100% of his aerial duels, lost five of eight ground duels, was dribbled past three times, was accurate in just three of 16 crosses, failed in 100% of his dribbles and completed only 62% of his long balls.

Minutes

94′

Ground Duels (Won)

8 (3)

Aerial Duels (Won)

3 (0)

Dribbled Past

3

Crosses (Accurate)

16 (3)

Dribbles (Successful)

2 (0)

Long Balls

8/13

In short, it was a poor attacking display and a truly horrendous defensive one, which more than justifies Verri’s match rating of 4/10 and description of him looking a ‘nervous wreck at the back.’

As if that wasn’t enough, he then proceeded to throw his shirt to the floor and storm off the pitch when the full-time whistle went, in what journalist Mitch Fretton described as “absolute embarrassment.”

It’s this combination of yet another poor performance and the petulance afterward that makes it hard not to think of the former Ivorian international.

Ultimately, Porro is still a talented player and could turn things around, but it’s been some time since fans have seen him at his best, and that display against Fulham was more than worrying.

New Soldado: Frank must bin Spurs flop who had fewer touches than Vicario

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank must drop this flop who is becoming the new Roberto Soldado.

ByDan Emery Nov 30, 2025

The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without star Mookie Betts during the two-game Tokyo Series vs. the Chicago Cubs, starting on Tuesday, because of an illness that he's had for the past week, manager Dave Roberts told the media.

Betts's illness, which is unknown, has caused him to lose 15 pounds. He's been trying to rehydrate and gain strength back, Roberts said. It's possible that Betts could fly back to the United States earlier than the Dodgers so he can rest before the home opener on March 27.

"He's not going to play in these two games," Roberts said, via ESPN. "When you're dehydrated, that's what opens a person up to soft tissue injuries. We're very mindful of that."

Betts participated in some of the Dodgers's workouts while in Tokyo, but he started feeling worse over the weekend, specifically on Sunday, as Dodgers insider David Vassegh reported that Betts started feeling light headed and weaker.

Roberts noted last week that Betts started feeling sick the day before the team flew to Japan. Both Roberts and Betts didn't think the illness would linger this long, which is why the eight-time All-Star made the trip in the first place.

Miguel Rojas will take Betts's place at shortstop, which he's transitioning to this season, during the Tokyo Series.

Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood return to both the T20I and ODI squads as does the fit-again Matt Short

Andrew McGlashan30-Jul-20251:29

David, Owen pepper the stands with sixes

Mitchell Owen has earned his first ODI call-up to face South Africa in northern Australia next month following his successful start in the T20I side and fast bowler Lance Morris has been recalled to the 50-over squad.Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood return to both the T20I and ODI groups after being rested for the West Indies series while Matt Short has recovered from the side strain that ruled him out of those T20Is. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will miss both series as they continue to rest ahead of the home summer with Mitchell Marsh assuming the ODI captaincy.Related

Bailey declares Weatherald 'in the mix' for Ashes

Should Nathan Ellis be a first-choice Australia T20I bowler?

'Not much will change' – Owen plans to bring his T20 approach to ODI cricket

Nerves with the ball, calm with the bat, Owen happy with dream debut

Markram, Bavuma return for SA's white-ball tour of Australia

Owen made 125 runs at a strike-rate of 192.30 against West Indies including a half-century on debut in Jamaica as he took on a middle-order finishing role. In last season’s One-Day Cup he struck an astonishing 149 off 69 balls for Tasmania against South Australia.As flagged by head coach Andrew McDonald during the West Indies tour, Marnus Labuschagne keeps his place in the ODI side following his omission from the Test team in the Caribbean.From the squad that completed the 5-0 sweep of West Indies, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett won’t feature in the T20Is against South Africa. However, Bartlett has been included for the three ODIs.Fraser-McGurk was a late addition to the squad after Short’s injury and only played one game while Connolly made 13 and 0 in his two innings alongside claiming one wicket. Hardie put in two useful performances at the end of the series, including steering the final chase home to secure the whitewash.Lance Morris brings more pace to Australia’s ODI side•Getty Images

“As we build towards the T20 World Cup the flexibility and depth shown in the West Indies, outside of the obvious results, has been a huge positive,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “The flexibility within the batting order and ability of bowlers to bowl in different stages of the innings were particularly pleasing to see.”Mitch Owen and Matt Kuhnemann making their respective debuts and the preparation and work done by Nathan Ellis to allow him to play all five matches were highlights.”From Australia’s last one-day squad at the Champions Trophy in March, Fraser-McGurk, Connolly, Hardie, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha drop out as does the injured Spencer Johnson. The matches against South Africa will be the first ODI series since the retirements of Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell from the format.Morris, the Western Australia fast bowler who holds a Cricket Australia central contract, made his previous ODI appearance against Pakistan last November. He has been carefully managed due to a history of back injuries, but the selectors retain confidence he can be an all-format option. Last season he took 13 wickets at 20.84 in four Sheffield Shield matches and 15 in eight BBL outings for Perth Scorchers.”The smaller squad for a home series, along with the return of Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood, see some players not part of the squad for this Top End series, but all remain in the frame moving forward and we feel the entire group embraced every opportunity,” Bailey said.”We expect that to continue through this series, and the New Zealand and Indian series later this year, as we balance continued opportunities for players and the preparation for the Test summer.”The South Africa tour starts with the first two T20Is in Darwin on August 10 and 12 before the final match of the series is played in Cairns on August 16 where the first ODI will also be played on August 19. The 50-over series then concludes with two matches in Mackay on August 22 and 24.Australia T20I squad vs South Africa Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam ZampaAustralia ODI squad vs South Africa Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

South Africa enforced the follow-on on Zimbabwe who collapsed in 43 overs

Shashank Kishore07-Jul-2025

Wiaan Mulder brought up the second fastest triple century in Test cricket•Zimbabwe Cricket

July 7, 2025 may not invoke the same grand feeling of that unforgettable summer afternoon at Lord’s last month, but it’ll still have a reverence of its own for Wiaan Mulder, who, only weeks earlier, stood on the winner’s podium as a newly crowned World Test Champion.One of cricket’s most iconic and celebrated records – Brian Lara’s majestic 400 not out, which he held like a crown jewel after reclaiming it from Matthew Hayden – was in real danger of being knocked off its perch after 21 long years. When Mulder, South Africa’s stand-in captain, went into the lunch interval unbeaten on 367, it seemed a matter of time before history books would be rewritten. Then came a quiet message from the change room, like a bolt from the blue. South Africa had declared. Mulder had declared.”Why did he do that?” is a question that lingered on for much of the day as Zimbabwe collapsed in just 43 overs, and were asked to follow-on. With so much time left in the match, the decision will be rightly debated for a while. Sure, barring Blessing Muzarabani, the quality of Zimbabwe’s attack was hardly Test class, but the opportunity to etch yourself into Test history doesn’t come knocking everyday.Related

Mulder makes 367*, the fifth-highest individual Test score of all time

Stats – Wiaan Mulder breaks records and Zimbabwe with 367*

Mulder: 'Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be'

Five highest individual scores in Test cricket history

South Africa declared on 626 for 5. Mulder’s feat became all the more special as it came in front of his father, who had made the trip to soak in the occasion after he had been informed of Mulder’s promotion to captaincy in the lead-up to the game after Keshav Maharaj had been ruled out due to an injury. Along the way, Mulder may have cemented himself as South Africa’s new No. 3, a spot once occupied by legends he may have grown up watching, Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla among them.In the morning session, every run or over carried the weight of a milestone either impending or ticked off. Records came; records went. Mulder went past some heavyweights in South Africa: Gary Kirsten, Daryl Cullinan, Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers. And soon after his triple-ton, he went past 311 to eclipse Amla, and achieve the highest Test score by a South African.Mulder could’ve chosen a calmer, more serene path if he had wished. South Africa’s run-scoring on the opening day, where they surged to 465 for 4, meant time was never going to be a consideration. Mulder, though, had other ideas. Except for his first boundary very early in the day off Muzarabani, off a streaky edge that flew through vacant third slip, there was control and authority in every stoke he played and every run he ran.Mulder’s authority stemmed from his own confidence, and Zimbabwe’s hit-me lengths. Without any swing on offer, even with the second new ball that they took late on the opening day, the pacers erred on the shorter side and kept getting punished square of the wicket on both sides. When spin came on, Mulder channeled the golfer in him to club them downtown. He hit 49 fours and four sixes in all – one of them landed out of the ground – forcing them to bring out a different ball.Wiaan Mulder and Dewald Brevis added 88 off just 94 balls for the fifth wicket•Zimbabwe CricketAmid Mulder’s run-fest, that South Africa lost Dewald Brewis was lost on everyone. He survived on 24 when Craig Ervine put down a regulation chance in the fifth over off Muzarabani at slip, but couldn’t capitalise. On 35, Brevis attempted to flay a cut, only to get a thick outside edge to the wicketkeeper. Kyle Verreynne then came and enjoyed a good hit out to remain unbeaten on 42.The day’s big moment – Mulder’s triple – arrived in the 101st over when he clipped a low full toss off Tanaka Chivanga to fine leg to wild applause and cheer from his team-mates on the balcony. It had come off 297 balls, the second-fastest in Test history, behind Virender Sehwag’s that had come off 278 balls against South Africa in Chennai 17 years ago.After Mulder got past the 300, there was carnage aplenty as Muzarabani was dispatched for three boundaries in an over, the third of those helping him surpass Amla. There was more punishment in the next as Mulder cleared his front leg to wallop him out of the ground to enter the 360s. This is when everyone seemed to be readying for the moment, when the declaration came.Mulder wasn’t done yet. With the ball, he took out Wesley Madhevere and Ervine in quick succession. Madhevere was out to a nip-backer that flattened the stumps; Ervine was felled by an effort ball that lifted off the deck to have him fend one into the hand of backward point. Mulder’s fiery spell wasn’t the highlight, though. Debutant Prenelan Subrayen and Senuran Muthusamy’s flight and loop were equally noteworthy. Subrayen ended with 4 for 42.Sean Williams, who spent much of the first evening and the opening session on the sidelines due to an illness, came out swinging and raised his half-century off just 32 balls, the fastest by a Zimbabwean. But he ran out of partners, and remained stuck on 83 as last man Chivanga’s wicket meant Zimbabwe were bundled out for 170.Made to follow-on, Zimbabwe lost Dion Myers early, but Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Nick Welch batted a tricky last 30 minutes to take them to stumps on 51 for 1, with Zimbabwe still needing 146 to surpass Mulder.

Scott McTominay could be on his way back to the Premier League, just over a year after leaving Manchester United for Napoli. Despite guiding the Italian giants to a Serie A title and becoming a fan favourite in Naples, reports claim the Scottish midfielder has struggled to adapt to the intensity of life off the pitch — with sources describing the attention as ‘suffocating’.

• McTominay dazzles in Italy

  After a glittering debut campaign in Italy, McTominay’s time at Napoli has taken an unexpected turn as per The Sun. The Scotland international joined the club from Manchester United in the summer of 2024 for around £25 million and played a pivotal role in their title triumph, scoring 12 goals and earning Serie A’s Player of the Year award. His performances even saw him finish 18th in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

  However, as per The Sun’s report, things have become more complicated this season. While McTominay has scored three times in the opening weeks of the new campaign, Napoli have found consistency harder to come by and sit third in Serie A, trailing AC Milan by two points, before their win over Inter Milan on Saturday. The midfielder is reportedly finding life off the pitch more challenging than on it, prompting talk that he could consider a return to English football sooner rather than later.

  That speculation has only grown after The Sun reported that McTominay is finding the overwhelming passion of Napoli’s fanbase increasingly difficult to manage. Despite being adored in the city, the constant public attention and limited personal freedom are said to have taken a toll. The same report suggests that several Premier League sides are already monitoring his situation closely ahead of next summer’s transfer window.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  McTominay 'suffocated' in Serie A

   According to a source quoted in the report, McTominay’s struggles have more to do with lifestyle than footballing matters. “Scott loves elements of Italian life and had a wonderful first season,” the source said. “But the passion of the fans can be a blessing but also make things difficult. He is treated as a god over there but it means he finds it difficult to do simple things when he’s not training. The attention can be suffocating.”

  The Scot’s profile in Naples has skyrocketed following his heroics last season, where he was often the driving force in Antonio Conte’s midfield. His blend of physical strength, late runs into the box, and leadership have made him indispensable to the reigning champions.

  Still, McTominay’s fame has brought challenges few expected. The streets of Naples are football-mad, and top players are treated like royalty — a status that comes with constant attention from fans and media alike. However, the same fanfare can quickly turn into rage if performance levels drop and results fail to back the team.

• McTominay still scoring

  McTominay’s transition to Italian football was viewed as a bold step in his career after 22 years at Manchester United, where he came through the academy and became a reliable figure under multiple managers. His £25 million transfer to Napoli was primarily driven by United’s need to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules, with the club reluctantly sanctioning his sale despite Erik ten Hag’s preference to keep him. The move allowed United to generate “pure profit” in their books while McTominay sought a new challenge abroad.

  In Naples, the midfielder wasted no time silencing any doubters. He became the heartbeat of a Napoli side that dethroned Inter Milan to lift their fourth Serie A crown. His goals, leadership, and physical presence earned him player of the year honours and widespread praise across Europe. McTominay’s success even sparked debates among pundits, with some calling United’s decision to sell him “a mistake,” given how integral he became in Italy.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  What comes next?

  Despite the growing talk of discomfort off the field, McTominay remains a central figure in Conte’s plans. His professionalism and form continue to make him one of Serie A’s most valuable midfielders, and there has been no formal indication from Napoli that they are willing to part ways. However, with several Premier League clubs reportedly keeping tabs on his situation, the prospect of a return to England cannot be ruled out.

  Much will depend on how McTominay adapts to life in Naples over the remainder of the season. Should the off-field pressures persist, a summer move might suit all parties, especially given Manchester United hold a 10% sell-on clause for his transfer. The Red Devils are not expected to re-enter the race, but mid-to-upper-table Premier League sides could see him as an ideal addition due to his experience, leadership, and proven goal threat from midfield.

“Relax, rejuvenate, get a massage, and be in a great mindspace.”That is Shreyas Iyer’s agenda ahead of Tuesday’s IPL 2025 final, where he’ll have the chance to win a second straight title as captain, this time with Punjab Kings (PBKS), following his success with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last year.Iyer played a truly special innings to get there. His unbeaten 41-ball 87 in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians (MI) took PBKS to their second IPL final, their last one coming way back in 2014. Iyer’s knock contained eight sixes, including four in what became the match’s final over as PBKS won with six balls to spare.Related

• Power, stance and backlift: how Iyer took his ball-striking to new heights

• The night MI felt the full force of Shreyas' ire

• IPL to crown a new champion as RCB and PBKS meet in the final

• Sensational Shreyas Iyer powers PBKS to second IPL final

Iyer was a picture of composure as he struck the winning runs, even as his team-mates rushed onto the field to celebrate.”I don’t know, to be honest,” he said of his demeanour. “I love big occasions. I say to myself and my colleagues, the bigger the occasion, the calmer you are, and you’ll get the best results. Today I was focusing on my breathing rather than sweating it out.”Iyer also spoke of an attitude shift in the PBKS camp since their defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1 three nights ago. He said he had underlined to the team that one bad game wasn’t going to define their season. Having thrown the “hiccup” against RCB “in the bin”, they wanted to show “intent and positivity” going into a knockout clash against MI.”All the players need to be assertive,” he said. “Show intent from ball one. We weren’t able to capitalise on the start, but the intent was stupendous. Even for me, when I went out there, I had to take some time, but the batsman at the other end [Josh Inglis], he was striking pretty well. I know the more time I spend on the field, the better I play and my vision also gets better.”‘Today I was focusing on my breathing rather than sweating it out’•Associated Press

Iyer’s handling of a group of hugely talented uncapped Indian players at PBKS has come in for widespread praise. Among this group is Nehal Wadhera, who made crucial 29-ball 48 during an 84-run stand off just 47 balls with his captain.”I just let them be, don’t ask too much of them,” Iyer said. “I love the fearless nature we bring to the table, the ideas they share. Talk to any of them and they’ll have a fair set of ideas on how to play a situation. Even if they haven’t got that much experience, I feel they have that brave nature, and in such big occasions, it’s important they need to gain more experience.”Asked to jog back to auction day and the prospect of going to a new team, Iyer revealed he wasn’t focused as much on going to a particular team as he was on playing in a “good environment”, which he said he got at PBKS this year.”I am very comfortable around the management and everyone around me and the environment is very positive,” he said. “I am just staying in the moment, cherish the situation. I want to go to the dressing room and celebrate with team-mates about getting into the final. But in my mind the job is only half-done, so I don’t want to think too much about the final.”

Quetta Gladiators continued their resurgence with a comfortable win over Peshawar Zalmi, with Faheem Ashraf’s five-wicket haul helping skittle Zalmi out for 114 and sealing a 64-run win.Gladiators started brightly after being sent in to bat, with Finn Allen taking charge in the first four overs, and Rilee Rossouw picking up after Allen was dismissed for a breezy 16-ball 31. Four boundaries in the final over of the powerplay off Ali Raza saw Gladiators surge to 67 in six overs, before a tidy eight-over spell of spin bowling saw Zalmi drag them back.Sufiyan Muqeem and Saim Ayub bowled four overs each and as Gladiators failed to dispatch them, the wickets fell, too. Ayub removed Rossouw in the tenth over before a slightly less fluent innings from Saud Shakeel also came to an end. Their eight overs allowed just 57 runs, and a pair of tight comeback overs from Raza and Alzarri Joseph dragged Gladiators back further.But as has happened so often this tournament, inaccuracy at the death let the bowling side down as Mark Chapman went after Raza’s final over, smashing three boundaries and plundering 17. Joseph and Luke Wood kept the Gladiators below 180, and Zalmi appeared to have shaded the first innings, sitting prettier than they had after the onslaught of the powerplay.But Gladiators needn’t have worried. When Ayub smashed Amir away for a first-ball four and Babar Azam slapped Faheem for a six and a four off the bowler’s first two deliveries, it was a false dawn. Faheem struck back, drawing extra bounce from the surface to surprise Ayub and coax a nick that Kusal Mendis clung to behind the stumps. Four balls later, Amir had Babar trapped plumb in front, and Zalmi’s resistance appeared to melt away as Gladiators surged.Mohammad Wasim was finding inswing, and also found Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s stumps with a lovely full-length ball nipping in to reduce Zalmi to 32 for 3. In disarray, they prioritised caution over run-scoring, and in the end achieved neither. When top-order slogger Mohammad Haris found Rossouw at long-on, the run rate had sunk to just over six. Two balls later, middle-order hitter Abdul Samad, too, fell to Faheem as the game hurtled towards a conclusion.Gladiators managed the game expertly, refusing to let power-hitters from the lower order build up any head of steam that would allow Zalmi to sniff their way back into the game. Mitchell Owen was good value for a cameo, but Khurram Shahzad took away the on-side as an option, and the Australian carved him straight to deep cover-point. The following delivery, Joseph nicked off to Mendis, and Gladiators were into the tail.Hussain Talat continued to fight a valiant hand despite the outcome of the game long having been settled, before his 34-ball 39 came to an end when Abrar Ahmed deceived him in flight. Fittingly, though, Faheem had the final say, polishing off the final wicket and picking up his first five-wicket haul in the PSL when Muqeem tamely scooped him to mid-on, sealing a win that had, in truth, been secure from the early stages of the chase.

DC are unbeaten in IPL 2025, and while RCB have won the same number of games – three – the only one they have lost was at home

Shashank Kishore09-Apr-20252:15

Is 2025 finally going to be RCB’s year?

Big picture: DC’s spinner vs RCB’s middle-order batters the big contestIn three seasons since IPL 2020, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have won at least three of their first four games. Only once, in 2021, they came close to challenging for a top-two berth, but lost out to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on net run-rate despite winning nine out of their 14 games. None of those wins were at home, though – they didn’t play there because of Covid restrictions.RCB have long grappled with the home-advantage question long before it became a raging debate among teams in IPL 2025. The pitch, the altitude, the short boundaries – of which enough and more has been said over the years – make the M Chinnaswamy Stadium a bowlers’ nightmare. And RCB hadn’t really got their bowling right in all those years. They have this season.Which is why their return to the Chinnaswamy for their second home game of the season, against Delhi Capitals (DC) – they lost the first against Gujarat Titans (GT) – coupled with an excellent start is being met with optimism by fans, who haven’t forgotten the remarkable run of late results that took them into the playoffs.Related

Hazlewood eyes the dots as RCB reach unforgiving Chinnaswamy

Mott on Axar the captain: 'He's not taking it all on himself'

Rahul: 'Enjoying my cricket, not thinking about taking it deep'

Rayudu backs Patidar's RCB to make it 18th time lucky

RCB's winning formula comes with a distinct Indian flavour

DC schedule has been less hectic, with at least four days off between matches, allowing players as much time on the driving range as they have had at training. There’s a relaxed vibe around the group that stems from being the only unbeaten team in the competition.In Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul, they have two first-XI batters who know the ground inside out. Not to forget reserve batter Karun Nair.They look well-rounded. They are playing as a team – no batter has scored more than 92 (Rahul), when the season’s best at the moment is 288 and the bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc, have almost all chipped in. At this stage, DC look like the team to beat.For RCB, their partnerships for the third to seventh wickets have turned their batting efforts around. Against GT here last week, for example, their Nos, 5-8 were largely responsible for ensuring they recovered from 42 for 4 to 169 for 8, 120 of which came in the last 12 overs.This has largely been down to their handling of spin in the middle overs. RCB have three of the seven middle-order batters in this IPL who average over 40 while striking at more than 150: Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma and Tim David.This facet could be challenged by DC – Kuldeep Yadav taken six wickets at an economy rate of 6.00, while they also have Axar Patel and Vipraj Nigam to lend depth to their spin department.Form guideRCB WLW
DC WWWNew loyaltyDu Plessis, who became an RCB hero after leading them to two playoffs in three seasons (2022 and 2024), is now with DC. He was RCB’s top run-getter in two consecutive seasons (2022 and 2023).Team news and likely XIIsThe Impact Sub is likely to be RCB’s only selection dilemma. Rasikh Salam, picked ahead of legspinner Suyash Sharma, struggled in their previous home game against GT, conceding 35 in three wicketless overs.Royal Challengers Bengaluru (probable XII): 1 Virat Kohli, 2 Phil Salt, 3 Devdutt Padikkal, 4 Rajat Patidar (capt), 5 Liam Livingstone, 6 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 7 Tim David, 8 Krunal Pandya, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Yash Dayal, 12 Suyash Sharma/Swapnil Singh/Rasikh SalamFaf du Plessis missed DC’s previous game due to a niggle•BCCI

Faf du Plessis, who missed the previous game, is being assessed for a groin strain, but DC assistant coach Matthew Mott said “he certainly looks like he’s moving around a lot better from the naked eye without having to look at him.” If he is fit to return, he will slot back in at the top with Jake Fraser-McGurk. This means Sameer Rizvi could miss out. Left-arm quick T Natarajan is nearing full fitness from a shoulder injury. If fit, he could come in for Mohit Sharma.Delhi Capitals (probably XII): 1 Faf du Plessis/Sameer Rivzi, 2 Jake Fraser McGurk, 3 Abishek Porel, 4 KL Rahul (wk), 5 Tristan Stubbs, 6 Axar Patel (capt), 7 Vipraj Nigam, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Mukesh Kumar, 11 Mohit Sharma/T Natarajan, 12 Ashutosh SharmaThe big questionRCB have the second-lowest win percentage (50) at home in the IPL. Since last year, they have won four of their eight games at the Chinnaswamy. All their three wins so far this season have come away. Do they have the squad to win more than they lose at home?In the spotlight: Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell StarcJosh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will be featuring in the WTC final for Australia in June, but for now, they are on opposite sides. This face-off forms a nice subplot.Hazlewood has the best dot-ball percentage (72.92) among bowlers who have delivered multiple overs in powerplays so far this season. His partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar – they are both in the top three for powerplay economy rates – has gone a long way in RCB’s success with the ball. Across eight overs, Hazlewood has picked up four wickets while conceding just 4.6 per over. His most expensive outing so far was at home against GT, when he conceded 1 for 43 off four overs. He’ll hope for better returns on Thursday.Starc has been equally effective, picking up nine wickets at an economy of 8.9. His strike rate of 7.8 is the joint-second-best so far at IPL 2025. Starc is no stranger to the Chinnaswamy, having previously played for RCB in 2014 and 2015. The other player key to DC’s fortunes against a marauding RCB middle order is Kuldeep, whose economy of 6.00 is the best among spinners who have bowled at least five overs in IPL 2025. He has also been in wicket-taking form.Stats and trivia Virat Kohli is going harder in the powerplay than ever before. Since IPL 2024, he’s striking at 162 in his first ten balls, as against 122 in the two seasons prior to that. Kohli has a favourable match-up against Starc, having hit him for 40 runs off just 19 deliveries without being dismissed in the IPL. Bhuvneshwar’s 73 wickets are the most in the IPL during the powerplay. Trent Boult comes second with 64 wickets. Among those who have made at least 200 runs, Fraser-McGurk’s strike rate of 205 is the highest in the powerplay since IPL 2025. Axar versus RCB’s middle order promises to be a good contest. He has dismissed Jitesh twice in three innings, and Tim David twice in eight T20s. Their strikes rates against Axar are just 87 and 81 against Axar, respectively.Quotes”He doesn’t come across as being the only voice. He wants to leverage off others and make sure he’s getting the best out of the people around him.”

Transfer deadline day is always an exciting one for fans all over England, but today could prove to be a huge day for Tottenham Hotspur in their quest to end the window on a positive note.

Up to now, the business conducted by Thomas Frank has been a huge success, spending around £155m on new additions, with Xavi Simons being the latest big-money signing in North London.

The Dutchman joined in a £52m deal last week, adding to the £55m signing of Mohammed Kudus and a permanent move to land Frenchman Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich.

However, new boss Frank is evidently still hunting for further additions to help boost his chances of securing any form of success in Europe and or the Premier League this campaign.

Numerous names have emerged on their shortlist throughout deadline day, with progress being made on deals to land various top-level European talents.

Spurs’ hunt to land new talent on deadline day

Despite Simons’ transfer in recent days, Spurs have been hunting for the signature of Ademola Lookman over the last couple of hours – potentially costing a fee in the region of £43m.

The Nigerian, who scored 20 goals for Atalanta last season, has been desperate for a transfer this summer, potentially getting himself a move to North London before tonight’s deadline.

However, another name has emerged on their radar in recent hours, with Football Insider reporting the Lilywhites are keen on a late move for Conor Gallagher.

They claim that the Atlético Madrid star is available for €60m (£52m) in the coming hours, with Newcastle United also battling Frank’s side for a potential switch back to England.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be perfect for Kolo Muani

Alongside Lookman, Spurs are negotiating a deal with PSG for the signing of striker Randal Kolo Muani – despite the Frenchman looking certain to join Juventus this summer.

It’s been reported this morning that the Lilywhites are close to agreeing personal terms with the forward over a deal to North London – with a loan with an obligation to buy mooted before tonight’s deadline.

Such a deal has advanced after Dominic Solanke suffered a setback with his current ankle issue, with no timeframe currently placed on his return to first-team action.

Kolo Muani, who scored 10 goals in 22 appearances on loan in Italy last campaign, would offer another impressive option in the final third – potentially being aided by Gallagher in his quest for goals in 2025/26.

Whilst the former Chelsea star is primarily a ball-winning option, he’s also showcased his ability to break the lines and play key passes into attacking areas – having the tools to be a perfect box-to-box talent in Frank’s side.

His underlying stats from the 2024/25 campaign showcase the talent he possesses, with £52m potentially being an excellent price – should he replicate such figures in North London.

The 25-year-old, who’s been labelled “sensational” by journalist John Cross, ranked in the 89th percentile for tackles won (1.8) and in the 90th percentile for recoveries made (5.9) in LaLiga – showcasing his ability to regain possession should he move to Frank’s side.

However, in possession, the England international also impressed, making an average of 3.5 progressive passes per 90 at a pass completion rate of 85% – tallies which could provide Kolo Muani with constant chances in dangerous areas.

Games played

32

Goals & assists

6

Pass accuracy

85%

Progressive passes

3.5

Passes into final third

2.5

Tackles won

1.8

Interceptions made

1.1

Recoveries made

5.9

2.6 of his progressive passes last season were made into the final third, further showcasing his talent with the ball at his feet, offering added ammunition for the Frenchman should he join the Lilywhites.

£52m would be another huge investment from the Spurs hierarchy, but it’s a deal that could add further quality into Frank’s already impressive midfield department.

If he can replicate his numbers from LaLiga last season, it would be a sensational pickup and one that could allow Kolo Muani to adhere himself to the supporters in the process.

Frank's next Wissa: Spurs close to agreeing terms to sign £50m star

Tottenham are set for a frenetic finish to the summer transfer window.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Sep 1, 2025