Mentor Zaheer Khan parts ways with Lucknow Super Giants

It’s understood his vision did not align with that of head coach Justin Langer and team owner Sanjeev Goenka

Nagraj Gollapudi18-Sep-20256:17

‘Zaheer’s vision wasn’t bought by LSG leadership group’

Lucknow Super Giants’ team mentor Zaheer Khan has parted ways with the franchise after just one season. ESPNcricinfo has learned Zaheer informed LSG of his decision on Thursday.It is understood that the primary reason for Zaheer quitting is that his vision for the franchise did not align with that of head coach Justin Langer and team owner Sanjeev Goenka. While Zaheer’s relationship with captain Rishabh Pant remained strong, he was affected by the thought process that played a role in LSG sliding down the points table in the second half of IPL 2025.Zaheer had joined LSG in August 2024, filling the vacancy left by Gautam Gambhir’s exit after IPL 2023. Zaheer had been with Mumbai Indians from 2018 to 2022 and agreed to a two-year contract with LSG, taking charge of scouting, planning and strategy.Related

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After making the playoffs in their first two IPL seasons in 2022 and 2023, LSG did not reach the knockouts in the last two seasons. In 2025, they finished seventh with six wins from 14 games. It was a season of contrasting halves: LSG had five wins in their first eight matches but only one in the last six. Of the eight games they played at their home ground, the Ekana Stadium, they won only two.LSG had made headlines at last year’s mega auction when they bought Pant for INR 27 crore (USD 3.2 million approx.), making him the most expensive player ever in the IPL. The team was built around him, but Zaheer put in place building blocks he felt were needed to grow stronger every season. Despite there being a lot of chatter about Pant opening the batting, Zaheer spoke to the wicketkeeper-batter early on and told him that the better strategy would be for Mitchell Marsh to open with Aiden Markram. That strategy, Zaheer impressed on both Pant and the leadership group, would reduce the burden on their best batter, Nicholas Pooran, who was the No. 3.The role clarity allowed the batters to play with freedom and perform consistently. Markram had never opened in the IPL before, while Marsh, despite having been in the IPL for more than a decade, had never made a major impact. The move worked: Marsh was the fifth highest run-getter in IPL 2025 with 627 runs at a strike rate of 163.70, Pooran made 524 runs at 196.25, and Markram 445 at 148.82.

Man Utd making strong move to sign "joy to watch", £44m January bid planned

Manchester United are now making a strong move to sign Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra in the January transfer window, with a £44m January bid planned.

Signing a new midfielder is of key significance to Man United, not least because speculation surrounding Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Old Trafford continues to build, with it recently being revealed the England international is in talks to leave this winter.

That is despite the fact Ruben Amorim has made it clear he wants to keep hold of the youngster, saying: “I want Kobbie to stay, and he needs to fight for his place. We need Kobbie. That is not going to change.”

However, Amorim has been extremely reluctant to give Mainoo a consistent run in the team, with the 20-year-old featuring for just 138 minutes across seven Premier League appearances this season, having failed to dislodge Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in the starting XI.

With the academy graduate now in advanced talks over a move to Napoli, the Red Devils have now set out to bring in a new central midfielder in the January transfer window.

Man Utd making strong move to sign Javi Guerra

According to a report from Spain, Man United are now making a strong move to sign Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra in the January transfer window, and INEOS clearly mean business, with a €50m (£44m) offer being plotted.

Guerra, who has a €100m (£88m) release clause in his contract, could be available for a much lower fee this winter, given his inconsistent performances for Valencia this season, and United are now weighing up a winter approach.

However, there are several obstacles to overcome, with the Spanish club currently reluctant to sanction a departure, while Amorim would also have to offer the central midfielder regular game time in order to lure him to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are determined to get a deal over the line, and it is clear to see why, with the Spaniard impressing for Valencia over a sustained period of time, having received high praise from scout Jacek Kulig during the 2023-24 campaign.

The 22-year-old has remained a key player for the Spanish side this season, making 12 La Liga appearances, during which time he’s amassed two assists, although some of the maestro’s most recent performances suggest it would be a gamble for United to pursue a deal.

Indeed, as pointed out in the report, Guerra hasn’t been at his best as of late, receiving a 6.2 SofaScore match rating in Valencia’s 2-0 home defeat against Villarreal last month, which led to him being dropped for the following match against Real Madrid.

As such, it may be a wise idea for Man United to target a midfielder who has already proven himself in the Premier League, and a club-record bid for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is now being prepared…

How much Man Utd are willing to spend on Carlos Baleba How much Man Utd are ready to spend on Carlos Baleba with new talks now open

What a signing he could be for the Red Devils.

ByHenry Jackson Nov 4, 2025

Pooran powers all-round Knight Riders into CPL Qualifier 2

The other stars for Knight Riders were Usman Tariq and Saurabh Netravalkar, who returned 5 for 42 between them to stop Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at 166

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Sep-2025

Usman Tariq picked up two wickets in the same over to derail Antigua and Barbuda Falcons•CPL T20 via Getty Images

It was set up nicely for Trinbago Knight Riders after their bowling innings, with Saurabh Netravalkar and Usman Tariq, in the main, restricting Antigua and Barbuda Falcons to 166. Then it was over to Nicholas Pooran, with Alex Hales his able collaborator, to knock off the runs with 15 balls and nine wickets in hand – Falcons were out of CPL 2025, and Knight Riders are now in Qualifier 2, where they will take on either Guyana Amazon Warriors or St Lucia Kings, and take them on full of confidence.The last two games of the CPL group stage had been played in Providence too, and a total in the range of 185-190 might have been competitive based on that small evidence. On the night, though, Pooran made it seem like even 215-220 wouldn’t have been enough.Knight Riders had gotten off to a good start courtesy Colin Munro and Hales, who put on 25 in three overs before Munro fell. But that was it as far as Falcons’ bowling was concerned.Pooran signalled his intentions off only the third legal ball he had faced, sending wicket-taker Rahkeem Cornwall over deep midwicket for six to get off the mark. Then came Hales’ first six, in the last over of the powerplay, off Cornwall again, and Hales followed that up with two more sixes in the same over to end the powerplay with 59 runs on the board.

The game was pretty much over then and there, and for a while, Hales and Pooran went neck and neck, Hales on 42 from 30 and Pooran on 45 from 36 at the end of the 13th, with just 58 left to get. The sight of Cornwall in front of him in what was his last over switched something on in Pooran, and he took two sixes off the that over, two sixes and a four off the next, bowled by Shakib Al Hasan, and then it was all over in a flash, Pooran finishing the game in the 18th with another six, his eighth of the night, off Jayden Seales.Pooran finished with 90 from 53 balls, and Hales 54 in 40.ESPNcricinfo LtdEarlier, Amir Jangoo and Andries Gous put on a century stand for the Kings’ second wicket after Netravalkar had got his first wicket, of Cornwall, in the third over. Solid as they were, Jangoo and Gous were never going fast enough to really worry Knight Riders, their 108 runs taking 85 balls.As a result, when Jangoo (55 in 49 balls) and Gous (61 in 45) both fell in the 17th over, to the ever-impressive Tariq, all Falcons had on the board was 130. They had Shakib’s 26 not out in just nine balls, with four fours and a six, to thank for taking them to 166, but it looked like they had fallen short.Netravalkar returned 3 for 23 from his four overs and Tariq 2 for 19 from his four. When two of your five bowlers have figures like that, you usually finish on the winning side, as Knight Riders did, keeping alive their hopes of collecting a record fifth CPL title.

Moyes could unleash the new Iwobi in Everton "revelation" & it's not Ndiaye

Everton need to win against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

It’s a strange thing to say, almost. Clubs seek victory each time they enter the field, but after just one win across seven recent top-flight outings, David Moyes’ side need to return to form at the Hill Dickinson and pause for the November international break on a high.

Crucial in achieving this will be the availability of talisman Iliman Ndiaye, who was withdrawn after an hour against Sunderland on Monday evening with a suspected knock, limping off the field.

The latest on Iliman Ndiaye's fitness

In short, Ndiaye has been cleared to play. The Senegalese winger has been nothing short of brilliant this season, with his return of four goals and an assist across ten matches.

But that hardly paints the full picture. It was the goal that counted at the Stadium of Light, but the manner in which the 25-year-old skipped his way into the box, wrongfooted one man, two, and then struck so sweetly past Robin Roefs, who was not wrongfooted but frozen in place.

He’s fast, furious and clever in his decision-making. So guileful. There has been concern that he will sit this one out, but Moyes revealed on Friday morning that the winger had trained as usual and is ready to play.

Given that Moyes has been so reluctant to start the 19-year-old Tyler Dibling this season, Ndiaye’s availability is crucial, not least because Fulham are a resilient and well-structured outfit, and his maverick nature could unlock that backline.

However, he’s not the only one who has the skillset to shine. Pitted against Everton at the Hill Dickinson will be their former star Alex Iwobi, and Moyes has found the Toffees’ new version this season.

Moyes must unleash Everton's new Iwobi

Iwobi was a trusty servant across his four years on Merseyside, and it was under Frank Lampard’s wing that he was resfashioned from an electric winger into a robust central midfielder.

Here the Nigerian’s creativity has been allowed to flourish, hitting 15 goal involvements in the league last year. Everton have missed this kind of player, but in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Moyes might have signed the solution.

Dewsbury-Hall, 27, joined the club from Chelsea for a £28m fee this summer and he has impressed across his nine Premier League starts, scoring one goal, assisting one more, and creating four big chances. Sofascore record that he won 55% of his ground duels and completed 71% of his dribbles, too.

This is a complete midfielder, and while he doesn’t shirk from defensive responsibilities, Dewsbury-Hall’s bread and butter is his passing, and this makes him the perfect solvent of Iwobi’s talent, for he could overpower him in his number ten role.

The pair are considered statistically similar players in the Premier League this season by data-led platform FBref, and the £90k-per-week Dewsbury-Hall could now prove his worth by stepping up and leading the Toffees toward three points.

Premier League 25/26 – Dewsbury-Hall vs Iwobi

Stats (per 90)

KDH

Iwobi

Goals

0.11

0.11

Assists

0.11

0.22

Touches

43.93

57.59

Pass completion (%)

77.2

79.2

Progressive passes

5.19

6.24

Shot-creating actions

3.50

3.56

Through balls

0.56

0.45

Crosses

4.63

2.67

Progressive carries

1.36

4.46

Successful take-ons

1.13

0.56

Ball recoveries

3.05

4.23

Tackles + interceptions

1.47

1.34

Data via FBref

Playing balls in behind is Dewsbury-Hall’s speciality. He has the athleticism to dribble the ball forward, but is designated as the Blues’ conduit between midfield and attack, passing through the spaces and creating for his teammates.

Iwobi has probably enjoyed the better season so far, as the statistics will tell you above, but this is a chance for Everton’s summer recruit to properly announce himself and become the “revelation” that former boss Brendan Rodgers said he was at Leicester City.

Fulham are a tough team, and they thrashed lowly Wolves last weekend after skidding to four successive defeats. One point and one place behind Moyes’ side, they will be hungry to cause an upset.

If Dewsbury-Hall turns up, he could not only stand out and overshadow his opposite number in Iwobi but also take Everton back into the win column.

Everton flop "failed a succession of managers", now he's saving Moyes

This Everton veteran is proving to be the unlikely signing of the summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 7, 2025

Jalaj Saxena parts ways with Kerala after nine seasons, moves to Maharashtra

Allrounder Jalaj Saxena has decided to part ways with Kerala after nine seasons. *He will now turn out for Maharashtra in the upcoming domestic season.”It is a matter of great pride for me to join the Maharashtra cricket team,” Saxena said in a statement. “Maharashtra cricket has a rich legacy and I am fully prepared to contribute my best for the team. It is an honour to play alongside players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prithvi Shaw, Ankit Bawne as well as many talented newcomers…I sincerely thank the Maharashtra Cricket Association for the opportunity.”After making his domestic debut for his home state, Madhya Pradesh, in the 2005-06 season, he moved to Kerala ahead of the 2016-17 season and represented them through the 2024-25 season for a total of 125 matches.”It’s never easy to put my feelings into words, but today I want to share something close to my heart,” he wrote on his Instagram post. “I have played my last game in Kerala colours, and that thought still feels surreal. Saying this brings a strange mix of emotions – gratitude, pride and a little ache. Over the years, this team has given me more than just cricket. It gave me brothers, friends and a family that stood by me through every high and low.”I’ve given blood, sweat, and tears – everything I had – for this journey, and in return, it gave me memories and bonds that will last a lifetime.”Related

  • 'My emotions, heart, everything is with first-class cricket'

Saxena amassed 3153 runs for Kerala and claimed 352 wickets across formats. Among these, in 58 first-class matches, he scored 2252 runs, including three centuries, and took 269 wickets at an average of 20.68, with 23 five-wicket hauls. During the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season – when Kerala fell short in the final against Vidarbha – he became the first player in the tournament’s history to achieve the double of 6000 runs and 400 wickets. His 269 wickets are also the second-most by any player representing Kerala in first-class cricket behind KN Ananthapadmanabhan’s 310.Across his entire first-class career, Saxena has accumulated 7060 runs and 484 wickets, with 34 five-wicket hauls.”To each and every teammate – thank you for making the dressing room a place of laughter, learning, and unforgettable memories. To the KCA, coaches, support staff, and the unsung heroes – the groundsmen who work tirelessly so we can have our game – my deepest respect and gratitude. None of this journey would have been possible without your support,” he said.”Cricket has taught me that every ending is just a new beginning. My heart will always beat for Kerala, and I’ll always carry these memories with me whenever I go.”Despite being one of the most consistent performers in the Indian domestic circuit in the last two decades, the national team cap has constantly eluded Saxena.

Josh Tongue thirsty for overdue Notts debut after spate of cruel injuries

Fast bowler impressed in maiden Tests in 2023 but has barely bowled a ball since

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Mar-2025The 2025 season will be Josh Tongue’s second as a Nottinghamshire player. It speaks to the way things have gone for the fast bowler that he is excited to finally make his debut for the club.Tongue is no stranger to long periods on the sidelines. A previous 15-month stint prior to the 2023 summer led him to contemplate retirement and a move into coaching at the age of 25. He was suffering from thoracic outlet syndrome – a condition where nerves or blood vessel between the neck and shoulder are compressed – but Botox injections to alleviate the pressure (and pain) saved Tongue’s career.This time around, a rupture of his right pectoral muscle during the Hundred in August 2023 was followed by an aggravation at the start of last season. Having dealt with that issue, he was on the cusp of returning to action in Notts Outlaws’ T20 Blast campaign, but then he tore his hamstring. It was only at the start of 2025, on England Lions’ tour of Australia, that he made his competitive comeback.Indeed, 2024 was a bitter blow for Tongue given the strides he had made in between the two lay-offs. Having impressed on a Lions tour to Sri Lanka at the start of 2023, Tongue was thrust onto the international stage that summer, playing both Lord’s Test matches, against Ireland and Australia. He took five wickets on debut against the former, before pocketing Steve Smith twice on his Ashes bow, having already dismissed him earlier in the season for Worcestershire while Smith was playing for Sussex. He was also part of England’s limited-overs plans.Josh Tongue claimed a five-for on Test debut against Ireland•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesThat window netted Tongue the security of a two-year central contract with the ECB, who were enamoured by his high pace and impressive movement off the pitch and through the air. And the experience, along with the 10 wickets at 25.70, gave the 27-year-old something to hold onto during the toughest moments.”It was just like the end of the world,” Tongue said. “It was like, ‘How’s that happened? Really?’ Going through all my pec stuff, and then all of a sudden, I do one sprint session at Loughborough, and you just feel your hammy.”It’s just so cruel. But what I’ve been through in the past, I think that’s helped me mentally. Getting the right support around that has definitely helped me to where I am now.”I was out first with my thoracic outlet for 16 to 17 months, and then within the five, six months after that, I was playing for England. It just happened so quickly. So it’s just making sure, mentally, I’m in a good place, getting the right support. And even at Notts, Chris Marshall, our psychologist, helped me a lot during last summer. That just gives me the drive and the dedication to play for England again.”The winter has been very encouraging. Tongue attended a Lions bowling camp in South Africa last November, which led into the tour of Australia at the start of this year. His appearance against a CA XI on January 22 was his first since turning out for Manchester Originals against Southern Brave on August 23, 2023.Though Tongue went wicketless in that match, and the one-off unofficial Test match against Australia A, progress has been steady. His speeds over the off-season were consistently around the 90mph mark, and he is noticeably broader in the shoulders and chest than he was two years ago. His progress may have been stunted, but his development has not. Naturally, the ECB will carefully tailor his start to the season. It is unlikely he will play back-to-back rounds in the County Championship.”It was amazing to be back out on the field,” Tongue said. “Being out for that long, definitely, I wasn’t where I wanted to be in terms of how I was bowling. But for being out for 18 months, I knew that was going to happen. There were still snippets of my spells where I thought I was sort of back to where I was in ’23. But as the winter’s gone on, I feel like I’m getting better and better.”Related

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Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson ready to have it all – again

As expected from someone who does not want to take fitness for granted, he stopped short of admitting he had his sights set on a return to Test cricket this summer and the Ashes further along.Even the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at the end of May was waved away as something to aim for, despite the neatness of it taking place at Trent Bridge. Tongue’s focus right now is making sure he puts in performances at his home ground for his club before wondering what lies on the horizon for his country.”It’s everyone’s dream to play in an Ashes series away, and it’s natural to think like that – but I’m the sort of bloke who is focusing in the present. I don’t want to think too far in the future, because anything could happen in six, seven months.”There’s been a few people speaking about it [playing in the Zimbabwe Test]. But I want to get through that first block of Champos and make sure I’m bowling well. That’s the main thing, and my body’s holding up as well.”It is very weird,” he said of having not yet played for Nottinghamshire. “Signing, how many months ago during that Ashes (2023), but I haven’t played one game here. I’ve played here for Worcestershire and in the Hundred, but I haven’t played one game for Notts yet. But I’m looking forward to it.”

One of "Newcastle's best signings" under Howe is now on borrowed time

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will be chewing on his pencil over the November international break as he works toward solutions that are so badly needed.

Fortunes have gone somewhat askew at St. James’ Park this season, with the club’s away form laying waste to Howe’s hopes of progress after a testing summer transfer window.

But it may be that the ramifications of that Alexander Isak-dominated summer are still being felt. However, tactically, things aren’t right, and the wider struggle of the summer market has led to the current issues which must be overcome if the Magpies hope to make it another positive campaign.

Where PIF have gone wrong in the transfer window

Newcastle have fallen by the wayside, but it’s hardly too late for them to pick themselves back up. But there’s no question that PIF have to learn from their recent transfer struggles, with those brilliant windows of Howe’s early reign something of a distant memory.

In 2024, Newcastle failed to sign a right-sided forward, a glaring gap in the squad. That has now been amended through the £55m addition of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, but Elanga has blanked across 16 matches for the club, and with concerns over his form, questions must be raised over the extensive scouting that led to his signature being obtained.

Interestingly, Nick Woltemade’s fine form at centre-forward has eased the Isak blow, and before the season, that would have been viewed as the biggest issue. Newcastle’s attacking problems stretch more toward the creative side, with Anthony Gordon joining Elanga in having failed to register a goal contribution in the Premier League this season.

For a team whose 97 big chances created were bettered only by Liverpool in 2023/24, this is a real concern. This year, United have only created 14 from 11 matches, placing them 12th for that statistic. Gordon and Elanga must be doing a lot more, with the recruitment having felt they had hit the jackpot when shaping this wide duo.

While Newcastle have added exciting talents to their ranks this summer, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey among those with plenty of scope for growth, this is frankly an ageing squad and one whose freshen-up needs to go a lot further.

Tactical issues this season have been suggestive of this, and considering the company Newcastle are keeping in regard to the average age of their starting 11, it wouldn’t be unfair to suggest that younger profiles are needed for balance and continuity.

Everton

13th

28.0

Aston Villa

6th

27.9

Newcastle

14th

27.6

Fulham

15th

27.6

Burnley

17th

27.1

The need for depth and quality on the defensive flanks is alarming. Kieran Trippier at right-back is 35 years old and out of contract at the end of the season, and Tino Livramento has been unfit at times and deployed as a makeshift left-back at others.

This is largely because of Lewis Hall’s own unavailability this season. But with the 22-year-old drawing strength and fitness once again, we are turned toward the situation of one of Howe’s mainstays.

The Newcastle star now on borrowed time

Newcastle comprise players of myriads shapes and sizes and skills. Some are renowned as being among the best in the world, but some are of a shrewder nature, like Dan Burn, who returned home from Brighton for around £12m at the start of the manager’s reign and has since become one of his mainstays.

After all, it is only the skipper, Bruno Guimaraes, who has featured more prominently for Howe’s Newcastle than him.

1

Bruno Guimaraes

170

2

Dan Burn

165

3

Fabian Schar

163

4

Jacob Murphy

150

5

Joelinton

145

The 32-year-old has done more than endear himself to the Toon fanbase since arriving, but he’s getting on a bit and has been guilty of some suspect performances at left-back this season.

Naturally a central defender, Burn ranks against Premier League full-backs this term among the bottom 6% for shot-creating actions, the bottom 29% for progressive passes and the bottom 4% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

In the first five matches of the season, he was in the centre. Six appearances since have seen the England international deployed as a left-back, and this is inhibiting Newcastle’s flow and overarching connectivity.

Quite simply, Burn is not a natural left-back, even though he has played ample football in the moonlit role. He is a centre-back. 6 foot 6 and cool and composed.

Hall is far more dynamic and energetic in his role, and this will not only widen and add a dimension to Newcastle’s backline, but it could revive the likes of Gordon up ahead.

The boy from Blyth has been a revelation at Newcastle, and, pound for pound, “one of Newcastle’s best signings” since Howe arrived, as has been said by reporter Andy Sixsmith. A small fee and an immortalising contribution at Wembley last season have made sure of that.

But Howe will be putting a spoke in his own wheel if he continues to persist with Burn on the flank, limiting his side’s progression and mobility and dynamism at the back.

With this in mind, the modern legend might find himself slipping into his obscurity over the coming months, and perhaps that will lead to a departure to make way for this new chapter on Tyneside.

Newcastle must regret signing £100k-per-week flop who's cost £3.2m per game

Newcastle United must already rue signing this expensive flop, who is draining them dry.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 13, 2025

Sunderland reportedly emerge as leading suitor for Mexico’s Santiago Giménez amid doubts over AC Milan future

Santiago Giménez’s future at AC Milan has become increasingly uncertain, even though his contract runs through 2029. Local reports suggest the Mexican striker may be nearing the end of his spell at San Siro, drawing interest from several clubs across Europe – including a surprising contender in the Premier League with Sunderland.

Getty Images SportJoining the Black Cats?

Among the teams monitoring his situation, Sunderland have surfaced as one of the most serious candidates, according to Calciomercato.com. The Premier League club has started the season in unexpected form, sitting fourth in the table with 19 points, ahead of giants such as Tottenham, Manchester City, and Liverpool. Their rise – and need for added depth in attack – has put Giménez firmly on their radar.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportA difficult debut season in Italy

Giménez’s time with Milan has not unfolded as hoped. Through eight Serie A matches, he has yet to score or provide an assist, a downturn that has fueled speculation about a winter overhaul of attack. Giménez has also been linked to West Ham, who are reportedly exploring a swap involving Niclas Füllkrug – a sign that Milan could be preparing to move on from the Mexican forward.

AFPInjury concerns complicate his situation

Adding to the frustration, Giménez is recovering from a lingering ankle injury that has kept him sidelined for several weeks. His absence has hurt his rhythm in Milan and limited his opportunities with the Mexican national team. The lack of playing time has only intensified conversations about whether a change of scenery would benefit both sides.

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Getty Images SportOther Prem options emerge

According to the same outlet, Milan would consider signing a new center forward in January – but that move may hinge on Giménez leaving to free up a roster spot. In addition to Sunderland, Brentford have also inquired about a potential loan deal.

This wouldn’t be his first chance to cross into England: Giménez previously turned down an offer from Nottingham Forest during his final months at Feyenoord.

Now, with Sunderland flying high and Brentford solidly mid-table, both clubs see an opportunity to bring in a striker who, at Feyenoord, became one of Europe’s breakout goalscorers.

Botafogo entra em campo contra o Bahia para defender a liderança no Brasileirão

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo voltou a ser líder após nove rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Embalado no comando de Artur Jorge, o Alvinegro entra em campo para defender a liderança na competição.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Fogão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Botafogo

A vitória no clássico contra o Flamengo fez o Botafogo assumir a liderança provisória do Brasileirão. Com o fechamento da rodada, o Alvinegro voltou a ser lider pela primeira vez após a tragédia de 2023.

O técnico Artur Jorge foi o principal responsável pelo resultado, em razão de ter montado a equipe estrategicamente para o clássico. Isso fez com que os torcedores brincassem nas redes sociais afirmando que estavam “sentindo o dedo” de Artur Jorge.

continua após a publicidade

Na entrevista coletiva após o jogo contra o Vitória, Artur Jorge embarcou na brincadeira e riu ao ouvir a expressão. Confira abaixo.

Botafogo e Bahia se enfrentam às 18h30 deste domingo (5). A bola vai rolar no Estádio Nilton Santos.

Tudo sobre

BotafogoBrasileirãoFutebol Nacional

MLB Playoff Odds for Every Team in Wild Card Race (Yankees Skyrocket, Mets, Red Sox Slipping)

The MLB playoffs are quickly approaching, and there has been a lot of movement in the wild card standings — and the playoff odds — in the last week.

For the rest of the season, the SI Betting team is going to break down the playoff odds for every team to open each week, as there may be a team just outside the wild card mix that has some value in the betting market.

In the American League, a half game is all that separates the Boston Red Sox (the No. 1 wild card) from the New York Yankees (the No. 3 wild card) with the Seattle Mariners tied with Boston record wise. 

New York has rebounded from a rough stretch to win seven of 10 games and create a 3.5-game cushion over the chasing Cleveland Guardians.

Meanwhile, in the National League, the San Diego Padres remain just out of first place in the NL West, but they’re the No. 2 wild card behind the Chicago Cubs. 

The No. 1 record in the NL and in MLB belongs to the Milwaukee Brewers, who are 33 games over .500 entering Aug. 18’s action.

There are a few close division races, as San Diego and Seattle are both within two games of the top spot.

Plus, the NL East may have opened a bit for the New York Mets with Zack Wheeler (blood clot) landing on the IL for the Philadelphia Phillies.

With so much at stake over the final weeks, let’s take a look at the playoff odds for each team, and a few teams to consider betting on to make the final field.

American League Playoff OddsDivision LeadersToronto Blue Jays: -20000Detroit Tigers: -20000Houston Astros: -1800

The Blue Jays and Tigers both have sizable leads in their division races, but the Astros are far from a guarantee to win the NL West.

Even with Yordan Alvarez potentially returning for the final stretch of the regular season, the Astros hold just a 1.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the division. 

Houston does have the fifth-easiest remaining schedule, per Tankathon, which should help it finish atop the NL West. Still, it’s worth noting that oddsmakers aren’t nearly as bullish on the Astros making the playoffs as they are Toronto or Detroit. 

Wild Card RaceNew York Yankees: -1100Seattle Mariners: -900Boston Red Sox: -350Cleveland Guardians: +425Kansas City Royals: +425Texas Rangers: +550Tampa Bay Rays: +1300Minnesota Twins: +4000Los Angeles Angels: +4000

All it took was a 7-3 stretch from the New York Yankees to completely flip this market.

New York is now just a half-game back of the top spot in the AL wild card, and it has gone from -330 to -1100 to make the playoffs this season. The Yanks have the fourth-easiest remaining schedule, so it’s not a surprise that oddsmakers are high on them in the AL.

Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox have fallen from -450 to -350 to make the playoffs, despite the fact that they hold the top wild card spot in the AL. Boston is just five games out of the AL East lead as well, but it has dropped six of its last 10 games.

As for the chasing pack, Texas, Kansas City and Cleveland are all in the mix – although the Guardians (3.5 games back) and Royals (four games back) are in the best position. Texas has fallen off by dropping eight of its last 10 games.

Of those chasing teams, only the Guardians (15.4 percent chance) have better than 15 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to FanGraphs. 

National League Playoff OddsDivision LeadersPhiladelphia Phillies: -20000Los Angeles Dodgers: -20000Milwaukee Brewers: N/A

The three division leaders in the NL remain the same, although the Padres have made a push for the NL West crown with the Dodgers. 

After winning 14 games in a row before a loss on Sunday, the Brewers (33 games over .500) are viewed as a lock to make the playoffs and their odds have been taken off the board. 

One thing to watch here is the Phillies’ pitching staff with Wheeler on the injured list. While Philadelphia should be able to at least secure a wild card spot, the team’s five-game lead in the NL East is a little shakier today than it was before Wheeler went down. Still, I’d be surprised if the Phils blew this lead over the final weeks of the regular season. 

Wild Card RaceChicago Cubs: -3500San Diego Padres: -3500New York Mets: -370Cincinnati Reds: +280San Francisco Giants: +2500St. Louis Cardinals: +2500Arizona Diamondbacks: +3000Miami Marlins: +5000

Unlike the AL wild card race where there are multiple teams pushing for a playoff spot, only the Cincinnati Reds (+280) seem to have a real chance in the NL.

Cincy is just 1.5 games back of a Mets team that has struggled in recent weeks, but FanGraphs has given the Reds just a 14.5 percent chance to make the postseason. A big reason why? Cincy has the third hardest strength of schedule (.522 winning percentage) left this season, including 14 combined games against the Dodgers and Padres.

However, if the Reds are able to come out on top against one of those teams, it could give them another team to pass in the wild card race. For now, it seems like the betting market is higher on Cincy than FanGraphs and ESPN, who are both giving the Reds less than a 15 percent chance to make the final playoff field.

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