After a four-game losing streak, Manchester City are hoping to turn things around as they face Tottenham. Arsenal's win over Nottingham Forest helps them stay in the race for their first Premier League title in over 20 years, thanks to a strong performance from Martin Odegaard, who returned from injury. Meanwhile, Chelsea remain ahead of Arsenal on goal difference after a win against Leicester in Enzo Maresca's first game as manager.
Manchester City Aims to End Losing Streak against Tottenham
Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, have endured a four-game losing streak that has dented their title ambitions. However, they face a crucial test on Saturday when they host Tottenham Hotspur, who are also seeking to regain momentum.
City's recent slump has seen them slip to second place in the standings, five points behind league leaders Arsenal. The Citizens have lost to Southampton, Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Brentford in succession.
Tottenham, who are fifth in the table, have been inconsistent this season but are capable of causing problems for City. Antonio Conte's side have won three of their last four games, including a thrilling 4-2 victory over Leicester City last weekend.
A win for City would revive their title hopes, while a defeat could further damage their chances. Tottenham, on the other hand, would move within three points of the top four with a victory at the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal Bolstered by Martin Odegaard's Return
Arsenal's title bid received a boost last weekend as they returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli scored the goals for the Gunners, who are now level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table.
The return of Martin Odegaard from injury played a pivotal role in Arsenal's victory. The Norwegian midfielder provided creativity and drive in the final third, creating several chances for his teammates.
Arsenal will face a stern test of their title credentials next weekend when they travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool. A win would send a strong message to the rest of the league about their title aspirations.
Chelsea Remain Ahead Despite Managerial Change
Chelsea remain ahead of Arsenal on goal difference after a 2-1 victory against Leicester City last weekend. Enzo Maresca took charge of his first game as Chelsea manager and oversaw a hard-fought win.
Mason Mount and Kai Havertz scored the goals for Chelsea, while James Maddison netted a consolation for Leicester. Despite the managerial change, Chelsea's performance was largely similar to under Graham Potter, with a focus on possession and control.
Chelsea will face a tough test next weekend when they travel to the London Stadium to take on West Ham United. A win would extend their unbeaten start under Maresca.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
In a crucial match of the five-match series between Australia and India, captain Pat Cummins has won the toss and elected to bat first at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Both teams are tied at 1-1 after a draw in the previous test. Despite the expected hot weather with a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius, a large crowd of over 90,000 is expected to attend the match.
Australia's young opener Sam Konstas makes his debut while India opts for spin in their playing XI. With the pitch likely to wear out quickly, India may have the upper hand in the batting order. However, Australia's young talent and strong fast bowling attack remain a threat for the Indian team. Follow live updates as the two teams face off in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting believes Indian opener Shubman Gill can improve his overseas record by making minor changes to his approach. Despite scoring four hundreds in 17 Tests at home, Gill's average of 23.8 across nine Tests in England, Bangladesh, West Indies, South Africa and Australia is a cause of concern for Ponting. The 21-year-old may be overcomplicating his approach, and Ponting suggests that he should trust his instincts and maintain an attacking mindset for better results.
Despite being left out of the Uttar Pradesh's Vijay Hazare Trophy squad, Sameer Rizvi has been dominating the Under-23 One Day State A tournament with his incredible performances. In a recent match against Vidarbha, Rizvi smashed a double century in just 105 deliveries, setting a new record with 10 fours and 18 sixes. The talented player's aggregate in the tournament is an impressive 728 runs with 52 fours and 64 sixes, cementing his position as a rising star in the world of cricket.
After much anticipation, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025, which will see India playing all of their matches in Dubai. This event will also introduce a new hybrid model for India and Pakistan's matches, with neutral venues being used until 2027. This agreement covers all ICC events for the next few years, creating a new dynamic for both teams in future tournament matches. Stay updated with News24 for all the latest news and updates on this exciting development.
Utah Jazz's star forward Lauri Markkanen had to be helped off the court in the fourth quarter after colliding with Spurs' Victor Wembanyama. After being diagnosed with a left knee contusion, Markkanen was unable to return to the game. The Jazz ended up losing to the Spurs 128-115, resulting in their elimination from NBA Cup contention.
After missing the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar series, Rohit Sharma is expected to return as opener for the crucial Boxing Day Test. This change in the Indian batting order could also have a domino effect on other players, potentially impacting young Shubman Gill's position in the team. Meanwhile, Australia has made two changes to their playing XI for the 4th Test, with Scott Boland and debutant Sam Konstas added to the squad.
Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma was irritated by a female fan's repeated requests to call Shubman Gill during practice at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. With the WTC Final dreams at stake, this match is crucial for both India and Australia. Despite his struggles with form, Rohit does not want Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant to be weighed down by outside suggestions as they are all "capable" players. These three youngsters will form the core of Indian batting in the next decade, and Rohit knows their worth.
After months of delay and uncertainty, the schedule for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has been announced, with a major change to the format. All India matches, including the highly-anticipated clash against Pakistan, will now be played at a neutral venue. This comes after a stalemate between the BCCI, PCB, and ICC over India's matches in Pakistan, finally leading to the implementation of the Hybrid Model. The tournament will kick off in Dubai next year, with a revamped group division.
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been facing a string of injury setbacks since the 2023 ODI World Cup. After recovering from a heel injury, Shami has now experienced slight swelling in his left knee, ruling him out of contention for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The BCCI is monitoring his fitness and his participation in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on the progress of his knee.