A day after losing his father, Mandeep Singh chose to step out in the Kings XI Punjab’s IPL 2020 match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Dubai. Singh’s father Hardev died on Friday evening, and he is understood to have told his franchise that he was up to playing the game. The Kings XI team wore a black armband as a mark of respect.On Saturday, Singh opened with his captain KL Rahul but could manage only 17 off 14 before being caught in the deep off Sandeep Sharma.As Singh walked out to bat, some of the Sunrisers’ players consoled him including their lead spinner Rashid Khan. A couple of years ago, Khan lost his father while playing for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League. Khan, too, had opted to continue playing at the time. Earlier in the day, the Kolkata Knight Riders’ Nitish Rana dedicated his half-century against the Delhi Capitals to his father-in-law, who died of cancer on Friday. Opening the innings, Rana scored 81 off 53 and, along with Sunil Narine, added 115 in 56 balls for the fourth wicket to steer the side to 194 for 6. Varun Chakravarthy then picked up 5 for 20, the first five-wicket haul of IPL 2020, to help give the Knight Riders a 59-run win.The Knight Riders’ victory has made things difficult for the Kings XI. If the Kings XI beat the Sunrisers and also win their next two games, they can reach up to 16 points but even that may not be enough to qualify for the playoffs.

Cricketer took five-week leave in New Zealand but has linked up with Rajasthan

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Oct-2020Ben Stokes says that his return to cricket comes with the “love and blessing” of his family, after linking up with his Rajasthan Royals team-mates in the UAE to take part in the IPL.Stokes was granted indefinite leave during England’s Test series against Pakistan in August, after his father Ged was diagnosed with brain cancer, and has spent the past five weeks in New Zealand.However, he flew into the UAE late last week, having returned to training in Christchurch prior to that, and could be ready to feature in Rajasthan’s next fixture, against Kings XI in Sharjah on Friday, once he’s completed his mandatory six-day quarantine.”Sitting in a hotel room in quarantine once again after leaving New Zealand is not how I thought I would be arriving at the IPL, but here I am and all things considered, I’m in a good place,” Stokes wrote in his column for The Mirror.”Saying goodbye to my dad, my mum and my brother in Christchurch was tough. It has been a difficult time for us as a family, but we’ve pulled together and supported each other as best we can.”And I was able to get on the plane with my parents’ love and blessing after we reached the decision, for me to get back playing, as a family with no external influences.”Stokes has often cited the influence of his father throughout his playing career, and regularly dedicates his on-field milestones to him with a three-fingered salute, in recognition to the finger amputation that Ged underwent during his days as a professional rugby league player in New Zealand.”My dad was very strong on the responsibilities I have,” Stokes added. “He told me I have a duty to do the job that I do and I have a duty as a husband and father as well.”We gave it all a lot of thought and talked it over at length, and we came to a decision that now sees me back focusing on the game.”Stokes senior, 64, first fell ill while watching his son in action on England’s tour of South Africa over Christmas. He was hospitalised for five weeks in Johannesburg, and was subsequently diagnosed on his return to New Zealand.He played one rugby league Test for New Zealand in 1982, and moved to England with his family after his playing days, when he was appointed coach of Workington Town in 2003.

Tourists condemned for mingling in hallways, sharing food, not wearing masks as quarantine is reset

Danyal Rasool26-Nov-2020Mixing in hotel hallways, sharing food and not always wearing masks were the clear violations of strict Covid-19 isolation protocols in New Zealand that have led to stark warnings that more breaches could see the entire team being sent back. Sarfaraz Ahmed, Rohail Nazir, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Abid Ali and Danish Aziz returned positive Covid-19 tests after landing in New Zealand and the man behind New Zealand’s successful quashing of the pandemic has warned further positive tests could emerge.”Rather than being in their own rooms, which is a requirement for the first three days, there was some mingling in the hallways, chatting, sharing food and not wearing masks,” Dr Ashley Bloomfield, the country’s director-general of health, told RNZ, New Zealand’s public-service radio broadcaster.”I don’t know how many times they did that, but it only needs once for us to take a dim view of it. These players signed up to the arrangements in an undertaking that made what was expected of them very clear. At the moment, they are all required to be in their rooms, which was the requirement anyway. The training exemption would not have kicked in until after we had the results of the day-three testing, if we were happy with the results.”Bloomfield has been credited for leading the Covid-19 elimination strategy that currently sees no community transmission of the virus in New Zealand. He’s been widely praised for his measured, mild-mannered approach, becoming a familiar household name while being beamed on to television sets across the nation to deliver regular Covid-19 media briefings, often alongside New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern.As a result of the breaches, the players will not be allowed to begin training today – as was a possibility at the start of the tour – regardless of test results that emerge. The touring party’s quarantine period has been reset, meaning they begin 14 days of isolation from Thursday, the date of the breach of regulations. Bloomfield made clear this was not a punishment, but necessary precautionary measures for public health.ALSO READ: Wasim Khan warns players – ‘One more breach and they’ll send us home'”Not being able to train is not a punishment, that was a requirement anyway for the first three days. Looking at Day 3 test results and CCTV footage, we will have to take a judgment on if or when they may be allowed to be exempt from the arrangement everyone else has to undertake, so they’re allowed to break off in bubbles and train. I take a dim view of what we’ve seen already and we’ll take it really seriously.”All six of the positive tests were players, not the other members of their squad. It’s possible they could have infected other team members, but the key point is that everyone in the squad is treated as if they may have Covid. At least four of them are acute infection, while the other two may well be historical, but that’s being confirmed. That these infections were found on arrival in this country suggests there may be other positive results from the Day 3 test, which we should have today. There’s no evidence of interaction with people other than the squad, but the mingling amongst team members was not allowed, and it occurred.”No player returned a positive test before leaving Pakistan. The players were tested on several occasions before flying out though had no restrictions placed on them until November 18, two nights before departure. All members of the travelling party then met at a hotel in Lahore, where they spent two nights in isolation before being tested and flying.Bloomfield explained those tests served a purpose, but in and of themselves, could not hope to catch all possible cases. “The pre-testing is helpful in that if it identifies anyone at that set point that has Covid, they would not be allowed to travel. It doesn’t rule out that people may get infected after the last test but before they board the plane. Not to mention they may have the infection incubating.”The news that players violated health protocols mandated by the New Zealand government has proved particularly uncomfortable for the PCB who, in partnership with New Zealand Cricket, convinced the New Zealand government to make exemptions for the Pakistan side that enabled the tour to go ahead. PCB CEO Wasim Khan, in a voice message directly addressing the players, warned them he had been told in no uncertain terms they would be sent back to Pakistan if any further breaches of the Covid-19 protocols occurred, saying it would be “hugely embarrassing for the country”.The low rate of Covid-19 transmission in New Zealand means the bio-secure bubble need not be maintained following the expiry of the quarantine period. With no active cases outside of borders or isolation facilities, the entire nation is operating under what are known as Level 1 conditions, which effectively mean no restrictions on movement within New Zealand. At one point, the nation went over 100 days without an officially recorded positive Covid-19 case, and a second wave that saw a few hundred further cases was swiftly extinguished.Pakistan are scheduled to play three T20s and two Test matches against New Zealand, beginning in Auckland on December 18, in just over three weeks’ time.

GOAL runs through the big winners and losers as the Reds reclaimed top spot with a hard-fought victory over Enzo Maresca's men at Anfield

Now we know, then: Liverpool are very much in the Premier League title race. The Reds may have gone into Sunday's clash with Chelsea second in the table, but there were legitimate doubts over their credentials, given the softness of their fixture list.

However, a hard-earned 2-1 win over the in-form Blues proved that Arne Slot's side are made of stern stuff. They didn't play particularly well at Anfield, but they still found a way to win – the mark of potential champions, as they say.

As for Chelsea, they performed well on Merseyside but were punished for the kind of sloppiness and ill-discipline that are already becoming something of a trademark.

Below, GOAL runs through all the winners and losers from a low-quality but nonetheless intriguing encounter at Anfield that ended with Liverpool reclaiming top spot in the Premier League standings from Manchester City…

Getty Images SportWINNER: Curtis Jones

Eyebrows were raised when the team sheets dropped. Slot had decided to drop Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister to the bench. It made sense, of course, given both had been on international duty in South America during the week, but it felt like both would be missed, particularly Mac Allister.

Indeed, Cody Gakpo has been in fine form this season despite mainly serving as Diaz's understudy. He arguably warranted a start in such a big game. But there were some doubts over whether Jones would do just as good a job filling in for Mac Allister, who has been hugely influential for Liverpool ever since he joined from Brighton last season – no matter where he plays.

However, Jones was outstanding, easily the best player on the pitch. Even though he was, ostensibly, playing in a deeper midfield role, he caused chaos with his perfectly-timed runs into the area, which resulted in a penalty for Mohamed Salah and a goal for himself.

It wasn't in the least bit surprising, then, when Slot made a beeline for Jones immediately after the full-time whistle blew to give the Scouser the biggest of hugs. He'd well and truly earned one.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Jadon Sancho

This was a big game for both sides, and a lot of players, including Jadon Sancho. But it couldn't have gone much worse for the maddeningly inconsistent winger.

Sancho didn't complete a single dribble or win a single duel. He also lost the ball seven times in 45 minutes and offered nothing defensively, resulting in him being hauled off during the break and replaced by Pedro Neto, who immediately added some much-needed incision to Chelsea's left-hand side.

Sancho is still only 24 and has recently shown glimpses of the player that looked like a world-beater at Borussia Dortmund, but this was yet another sighting of the £73 million ($95m) flop we saw at Manchester United.

He'll obviously get further chances to prove his worth to Chelsea, but if there's one thing that the Blues do not lack, it's options out wide. If Sancho doesn't up his game – and fast – he could once again end up spending an awful lot of time on the bench.

AFPWINNER: Mohamed Salah

How has Mohamed Salah been allowed to enter the final year of his contract? Seriously, it beggars belief. He may be 32 years of age, but just give him what he wants. He's worth it. He remains the most decisive player in English football.

After the Egyptian's latest masterclass in how to win games and influence people, he's now both scored and assisted in 34 different matches in the Premier League – only Wayne Rooney has managed that particular double on more occasions (36).

He's a living legend, it's as simple as that – and he's showing no sign of slowing down. Liverpool simply cannot do without him. He proved that once again on Sunday with an emphatic penalty and the most gorgeous ball for Jones' winner.

So, sign him up, Liverpool – before someone else does. There are few better players in the world.

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AFPLOSER: Diogo Jota

Diogo Jota scored the winner in Liverpool's game against Crystal Palace just before the international break and was once again chosen to lead the line against Chelsea. However, he was forced off inside half an hour after suffering yet another injury.

It was a seriously unfortunate incident, with Jota succumbing to what looked like a chest problem after Tosin Adarabioyo effectively fell on him after hauling the Portuguese to the ground as he looked to latch onto a long ball over the top.

Jota tried to play on for a while but could not continue and was replaced up front by Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan did well in Jota's stead, but there's no disguising just how big a blow it was for Liverpool to see their first-choice forward injured again.

Jota is, in most people's eyes, Liverpool's most clinical finisher, but he just cannot be relied upon to stay fit and his incessant injury issues could undermine the Reds' hopes of challenging for the title, just as they did last season.

Ipswich Town won't just be targeting flashy additions ahead of their voyage into the Premier League, with a focus on adding in future talents also on the agenda at Portman Road.

Kieran McKenna will be content with the main components of his squad currently, knowing that the back-to-back promotions that were achieved was due to having a tight-knit group moving up to League One and then the Championship, but that doesn't mean the Tractor Boys won't seal some incomings soon.

One potential incoming won't instantly break into the first-team, considering Ipswich are entering into an almighty tough season ahead as underdogs in the elite division, but he could end up being a Wes Burns repeat, who joined from lowly Fleetwood Town in 2021 and is now a key first-team performer.

Ipswich looking at exciting non-league starlet

According to a report by football journalist Graeme Bailey, Ipswich, alongside a whole host of other clubs up and down the English leagues, are eyeing up 18-year-old centre-back George Nevett from Rochdale this summer.

Crystal Palace and Southampton have allegedly been looking at Nevitt since January, according to Bailey, whilst the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall and Peterborough United are also keeping tabs on the Dale youngster.

Calm on the ball when playing out from the back for the National League side this season just gone, as can be seen in the video above, Nevett would go on to amass 34 league appearances.

It would still be a gigantic leap up for Nevett if Ipswich were successful in winning his services, however, considering this was his first full senior campaign.

Yet, Burns was playing at the same level for Forest Green once upon a time, with the Welsh winger now immortalised into the Ipswich hall-of-fame after bagging versus Huddersfield Town on the final day of the campaign, in a match that saw automatic promotion be clinched.

His compatriot in Nevett would be some way off becoming a hero in the first-team ranks if he does join, but he will take inspiration from Burns' ascent, as well as looking at Luke Woolfenden's rise, who was once a youngster learning the ropes at Portman Road himself before becoming a promotion-winner.

Why Nevett can look at Woolfenden for inspiration

Woolfenden is a story of perseverance paying off, with the 25-year-old very much contemplating an exit from his hometown club before McKenna's arrival on the scene, having found his first team opportunities limited.

It was a breakneck start to his senior career, making his Championship debut when just one year older than Nevett for the Tractor Boys back in 2018, before opportunities began to dry up in the first-team mix.

Season

Games played

Goals

Assists

23/24

42

1

1

22/23

47

2

1

21/22

38

0

0

20/21

28

1

0

19/20

36

1

2

18/19

1

0

0

17/18

4

0

0

Making a combined 89 appearances over the last two campaigns in all competitions, with McKenna at the helm, Woolfenden will hope he's still a vital name on the team sheet for the move up to the Premier League, having worked hard to get to this point.

Nevett will strive to be as patient if he ends up leaving the comforts of Dale behind for Suffolk soon, having been tipped to go "right to the top" by football analyst Tom Williams, when being linked with a switch to Oliver Glasner's Eagles back in January – having also been lauded as a "highly-rated" by journalist Pete O'Rourke.

This could end up being a major transfer battle, as Nevett weighs up whether a move to the Premier League early into his fledging career would be beneficial, or a switch that could be detrimental to the teenager.

Transfer reunion: Ipswich eyeing dream Hutchinson alternative

Ipswich Town could set their sights away from Omari Hutchinson with this summer addition.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 12, 2024

Despite the recent PSR troubles that have plagued the club, Everton have already conducted some shrewd business in the transfer market in an attempt to avoid another Premier League relegation battle in 2024/25.

Sean Dyche’s side have already secured the signing of midfielder Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa, with Lewis Dobbin heading the other way in a deal to boost their PSR position.

The Toffees are also edging closer to finalising a deal to sign Marseille forward Iliman Ndiaye, which could end the club’s awful goalscoring record that only saw them bag 40 times in their 38 outings last season.

However, despite the recent deals, the club are still targeting reinforcements to bolster Dyche’s squad, with the club targeting one talent despite his previous unsuccessful stint in England’s top-flight.

Everton interested in signing former Liverpool flop

According to Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness, Everton have made contact over signing Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo, who’s free to leave the Italian giants this summer.

The Brazilian spent last season on loan at fellow Italian side Fiorentina in an attempt to resurrect his career after his failed £72m move to the club back in 2020.

He’s also previously endured a terrible temporary stint on Merseyside at rivals Liverpool, but only featuring for 13 minutes during the duration of his loan in a spell plagued with various injury troubles.

However, his time with the Europa Conference League finalists last season has put him back on the track he’s previously been on, making 33 appearances – in a campaign that has caught the eye of Dyche and the Everton hierarchy.

Why Arthur Melo would be perfect for Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has struggled to find the net over the last 12 months, despite registering a tally of seven goals in the Premier League during the 2023/24 campaign.

The 27-year-old had an xG of 12.9 last season, meaning he missed out on nearly six goals in the league based on the opportunities he missed in front of goal for Dyche’s side – part of the reason for the club’s dismal goalscoring record.

However, Arthur’s potential arrival at Goodison Park could be perfect for the striker, with the former Barcelona talent producing numerous impressive stats that could hugely benefit Everton’s number nine.

In Serie A last season, the Brazilian was excellent in possession, demonstrating his abilities that saw Juventus fork out the huge fee for his signature just a handful of years ago.

He averaged 68 passes per 90 during his 33 appearances in Serie A, completing 91% of them – a figure that ranks him within the top 1% of all players in Italy’s top flight over the course of the last 12 months.

Arthur Melo's stats per 90 in Serie A (2023/24)

Statistics

Tally

Games

33

Passes

68

Pass completion rate

91%

Progressive passes

6

Tackles

2

Shot-creating actions

3.3

Stats via FBref

Arthur also averaged six progressive passes per game, with the “outstanding” midfielder, as dubbed by former teammate Jordan Henderson, able to play the ball into attacking areas for the likes of Calvert-Lewin, orchestrating 3.3 shot-creating actions per 90, further demonstrating his ability to provide chances for Dyche’s attackers.

Although he’s previously failed to make an impact in the Premier League, Arthur has proven over the last year that he can still thrive in Europe’s top divisions, with his qualities undoubtedly improving the Toffees.

The club have very tenacious ball-winning players such as Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana, but the Brazilian’s talents could provide Dyche with a different option in the middle of the park and one that could complete his midfield.

Related Dyche must sell Everton "monster" who's worth more than Broja & Minteh

This could be a necessary sacrifice for the Goodison Park side.

Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 1, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

Brigando para subir na classificação do Campeonato Brasileiro da Série B, Sampaio Corrêa e Operário-PR entraram em campo na tarde deste sábado, no estádio Castelão, em São Luís. Apesar da insistência dos dois times, o placar acabou ficando zerado para frustração de ambos os lados.

Com o resultado, a Bolívia Querida chegou aos 35 pontos, porém caindo para a 7ª colocação. Já o Fantasma, por conta do empate, subiu um degrau, chegando ao 9º lugar, agora com 33 pontos.

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>Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS

INÍCIO EQUILIBRADO DE JOGO

Mesmo tentando fazer valer o fator casa, o Sampaio Corrêa não conseguiu impor uma pressão muito forte no começo. Em uma única chegada perigosa, Pimentinha, após boa jogada individual pela direita, mandou a bomba mas que parou nas mãos de Simão.

POUCAS CHANCES ATÉ ENTÃO

Até meados dos 30 minutos, por conta da intensa marcação de ambos os lados, poucos foram os momentos de chances reais de gols. Porém, em algumas chegadas ao seu campo de ataque, por pouco o Operário não abriu a contagem com Paulo Sérgio e Marcelo, mas em ambas não surtiram efeito.

Mesmo após a pausa para a hidratação do árbitro, as coisas se mantiveram no mesmo ritmo, com uma única chance criada pelos donos da casa com Watson, sendo esse o último lance da etapa inicial.

SAMPAIO DESPERDIÇA GRANDE CHANCE

Na volta para o segundo tempo, apenas Felipe Surian optou por uma mudança de atacantes, colocandoDiego Cardoso no lugar de Jackson. Porém, Não muito diferente de como foi no primeiro tempo, poucas chances foram aparecendo com exceção aos 9 minutos, quando Diego sofreu um pênalti do goleiro Simão que levou amarelo no lance.

Entretanto, na cobrança, Nadson acabou perdendo a chance de abrir o marcador, batendo no canto esquerdo, mas o arqueiro levou a melhor comemorando a bola que acabou indo para fora.

TÉCNICOS MUDAM, MAS PLACAR NÃO ALTERA

Com o tempo passando, os treinadores não satisfeitos com o rendimento de suas equipes em campo, passaram a recuar para seus suplentes. Mesmo apostando no setor ofensivo, até meados dos 35 minutos praticamente os goleiros eram meros espectadores.

Na reta final, em uma última investida, o Sampaio foi pra cima dando um sufoco no rival e, por pouco, não conseguiu surpreendê-lo. Aos 44, Gui Campana, que momentos antes havia entrado no lugar de Nadson, mandou uma bomba de longe, mas a bola acabou indo para fora, tendo na sequência uma chance com Pimentinha, aos 45, sem êxito também, dando a deixa para o árbitro encerrar o duelo em São Luís.

FICHA TÉCNICA
SAMPAIO CORRÊA 0x0 OPERÁRIO-PR

Data e horário: 11/09/2021, às 16h30 (de Brasília)
​Local: Estádio Castelão, em São Luís (MA)
Árbitro:Vinicius Gomes do Amaral (CBF-RS)
Assistentes: Rafael da Silva Alves (FIFA-RS)e Leirson Peng Martins (CBF-RS)
VAR: Jean Pierre Gonçalves Lima (CBF-RS)

Cartões Amarelos: Watson, 46’/1ºT; Simão, 9’/2ºT; Pimentinha, 47’/2ºT

SAMPAIO CORRÊA: Luís Daniel; Watson, Joécio, Éder Lima e Mascarenhas; Ferreira, Eloir (Márcio Araújo, aos 31’/2ºT) e Nadson (Gui Campana, aos 41’/2ºT); Jean Silva (Roney, aos 19’/2ºT), Jackson (Diego Cardoso, aos e Pimentinha.
(Técnico: Felipe Surian)

OPERÁRIO-PR: Simão; Fábio Alemão, Rodolfo Filemon, Reniê e Fabiano; Leandro Vilela (Pedro Ken, aos 25’/2ºT), Marcelo Santos, Thomaz (Gustavo Coutinho, 18’/2ºT), Marcelo (Alan, aos 25’/2ºT) e Djalma Silva (Alemão, aos 32’/2ºT); Paulo Sérgio (Jean Carlo, aos 18’/2ºT).
(Técnico: Matheus Costa)

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke “would love” to sign a £40,000-a-week player after Joe Rodon, according to one journalist.

Gray to Tottenham, Rodon to Leeds

It has been a busy few days at Elland Road, with the Whites cashing in on academy product Archie Gray. It looked as if the 18-year-old was on course to join Brentford on Saturday before a transfer twist which saw Tottenham take full advantage.

Spurs have now won the race to sign Gray and will pay £40m for his services, whereas Leeds will re-sign centre-back Joe Rodon following a successful loan spell last season. Rodon will join on a permanent deal this time around, costing £10m, with both deals now officially announced.

The deals will help Leeds comply with PSR rules for the last financial year, and selling Gray could help the club keep the likes of star wingers Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto, who have both been linked with exits since Leeds' playoff final defeat.

One player who isn’t involved in the deal for Gray, though, is Oliver Skipp, but it looks as if Farke is keen on the midfielder’s services.

Farke “would love” Skipp at Leeds

Reliable Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold, speaking on the Gold and Guest Talk Tottenham Podcast, relayed by TBR, said that Farke “would love” to reunite with Skipp after working with him at Norwich City.

However, even if Tottenham were open to letting him go, Gold feels there would be a number of Premier League clubs keen.

“We mention Oliver Skipp. It doesn’t seem as though he’s involved in this deal in any way, although Daniel Farke would love to have him there after a terrific season with Norwich.

“I get the sense that if Spurs were to allow him to go, Oliver Skipp, there would be Premier League clubs queueing up to take him.”

Farke could land an "exciting" Piroe upgrade for Leeds

The Whites have been linked with a swoop to sign the attacking midfielder this summer.

ByDan Emery Jul 2, 2024

Gold also wrote in a story for football.london on Saturday that a loan or permanent deal for Skipp, on £40,000-a-week, could be looked at by Leeds.

“Leeds are expected to look at Skipp in terms of both a permanent or loan move – depending on their financial situation. The lure of playing for Farke again would be appealing for the young midfielder, although it's likely that a string of Premier League clubs would also enter the equation if Tottenham decide to let the player go and that's likely the level he would expect to be playing at.”

It could still be one to keep an eye on as the window progresses, even if a deal looks to be complicated with Skipp a senior homegrown player in north London.

GOAL lays out the four major storylines for MLS' regular season finale – including yet another record Lionel Messi can help break

Decision Day2024 is nearly here. The regular season finale of the MLS campaign, and a chance for a few teams to try and extend their time on the pitch.

Two playoff spots, both wildcard roles, are up for grabs in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta United, CF Montreal, the Philadelphia Union and D.C. United are all fighting for a chance to compete in the play-in game for a berth in the Round One best-of-three series spot in the postseason.

Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the title itself is going to be determined Saturday evening with the victor being either Los Angeles FC or the LA Galaxy. In the East, LiMessi and Inter Miami are looking to make history, securing the regular season points record.

Individually, the league's finest strikers will also be looking to secure the 2024 Golden Boot, but a clear frontrunner stands in their way in Christian Benteke.

GOAL looks at some of the biggest storylines Saturday evening.

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• USA Today Images
  

  Western Conference title up for grabs

  The La Galaxy sit in an advantageous spot to claim the division title. They head on the road to take on the Houston Dynamo, where a win or a draw secures them the no. 1 seed in the postseason and the regular season conference title.

  LAFC, meanwhile, are not far behind.

  The host the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday evening, a match where they are the heavy favorites. However, in the league standings, they trail the Galaxy by three points. For them to clinch the Western Conference title, they would need a Galaxy loss, and they would need to be ahead of their arch-rivals in criteria points as well.

  As things stand heading into the regular season finale, the Galaxy have a +2 higher goal-differential then LAFC. Steve Cherundolo's men would need to defeat the Earthquakes, while making up that gap, and hoping the Galaxy fall on the road.

Advertisement

• USA Today Images
  

  Who will claim the Golden Boot?

  It's looking like D.C. United's Benteke will lift the 2024 trophy, but there are a handful of contenders still in the hunt.

  The ex-Liverpool forward has scored 23 goals for D.C. this season, with two separate hat-tricks being a part of his scoring run, and only three of the goals being penalty kicks, as well.

  Both LAFC's Denis Bouanga and Columbus Crew's Cucho Hernandez are not far behind, though. They both sit on 19 goals, while Inter Miami's Luis Suarez sits on 18. It's not unrealistic to say that either of the three could go on a scoring spree in their regular season finale, but it's far-fetched, for sure.

  If Benteke wins the award Saturday evening, he will be the first D.C. player since Dwayne De Rosario in 2011 to claim the award.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Will Inter Miami break the points record?

  are looking to make more history this weekend, as Lionel Messi searches for yet another record to break. The South Beach club host the New England Revolution on Decision Dayand with a with they'll become the MLS side to record the most regular season points in one single campaign, ending the season with 74-total points.

  The Revolution themselves set the record during the 2021 season, accumulating an impressive 71 points during that run. However, their record is now in jeopardy, and in storybook fashion, they're the only ones who can do anything about it in the regular season finale.

  Can Caleb Porter's side hold off the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield winners, or will Messi and Co. make more history?

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• USA Today Images
  

  Who will claim the final Eastern Conference playoff spots?

  Four teams, two spots. It's as intense as it gets heading into the regular season finale for the Philadelphia Union, Atlanta United, CF Montreal and D.C.

  The final two wildcard playoff spots are up for grabs, with the No. 8 and 9 seeds still available. At the conclusion of Decision Day, the two teams in those spots will then meet midweek in a play-in game to qualify for the Round One best-of-three series against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.

  D.C. and Montreal are in pole-position for those spots, as they both sit on 40 points, while both the Union and Atlanta trail at 37 points alike. However, if one of D.C. or Montreal loses, it opens opportunity for Philadelphia and Atlanta, who could sneak into a playoff spot if they secure three points.

  GOAL lays out the scenarios below:

  Montreal: Win or draw and you are in the playoffs

  D.C. United: Win or draw and you are in the playoffs

  Philadelphia: Three points AND a Montreal or D.C. United loss AND they need to have a higher goal-differential than the losing team between Montreal and D.C.

  Atlanta: Three points AND a CF MTL or DC United loss AND they need to have a higher goal-differential than the losing team between MTL & DC

  Note: The first three criteria points for tiebreaker scenarios are No. 1. wins, No. 2. goal differential, No. 3. goals scored. The entire list of tiebreakers can be found here.

With Steve Cooper now in the dugout at Leicester City, the Foxes' manager's priority will be to balance replacing outgoing stars with getting in the reinforcements that can help his side stave off relegation from the Premier League next season.

Leicester eager to replace lost star

The big news out of the King Power Stadium so far this summer has been the departure of star player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Chelsea have agreed a £30 million fee to bring the midfielder to Stamford Bridge, leaving Leicester with work to do in order to fill the void in the middle of the park.

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In return for the English midfielder, Chelsea have let Michael Golding join Leicester in a reported £5 million move. With Golding clearly not the direct replacement for Dewsbury-Hall, the club are now looking at other targets in this area of the pitch.

Recent reports in the Portuguese media have suggested that Leicester City are set to battle against Everton to sign Benfica's Florentino Luis. Having already turned down a £25 million bid for his services, Benfica may require a huge fee to part ways with midfielder this summer.

Whilst part of the priority at Leicester is to replace outgoing stars, the club are also looking to bolster Cooper's side in other areas of the pitch.

Foxes just shy of star's release clause

As first reported by Sport Witness, Leicester City have made a bid in the region of £15 million for CA Talleres’ Ramon Sosa which has been considered as too low by the club's president. The report goes on to claim that the club are holding out for a team to match the winger's release clause which stands at around £15.8m.

Whilst it is clear that the Foxes should have no issue in upping their offer and paying the release clause, it suggests that the Midlands outfit were eager to gauge the Paraguayan's interest with this opening bid.

The left winger, who can play across the front three, had previously been linked with a move to fellow Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers with the Foxes perhaps using their opening offer to see if Wolves are still interesting in agreeing a deal for the Paraguay international.

The 24-year-old has sparked interest from England following a stellar season playing in Argentina. Sosa contributed 7 goals and 6 assists in the Argentine Primera División last campaign.

His exploits on the domestic stage earned Sosa a call-up to this summer's Copa America. Prior to the tournament the winger was even named as Paraguay's player to watch by GOAL on a list including the likes of Brazil's Endrick and Man United and Argentina star Garnacho.

Whilst Paraguay have lost both of their opening games at the tournament, Sosa was able to contribute an assist in his nation's 2-1 loss against Colombia. As his side are set to be sent home at the conclusion of the group stage, now could be the time for Leicester to match the release clause and bring the player to the King Power this summer.