Ipswich Town face a tense fight to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League as Millwall and Southampton close the gap at the top of the Championship table.

Coventry City require just a single point at Blackburn on Friday to guarantee their top-flight return after a 25-year absence.

However, the race to join them in the second automatic qualification spot has become increasingly unpredictable.

The Tractor Boys appeared to be in complete control of their destiny with a two-point cushion and two games in hand.

A surprise 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth on Tuesday served as a stark reminder of the division’s unforgiving nature.

Chasing pack apply the pressure

Third-placed Millwall have renewed their push for the top tier.

Meanwhile, the Saints are surging up the standings following an impressive six-game winning streak that has lifted them into fourth.

Even faltering Middlesbrough remain mathematically in contention ahead of the final day on 2 May.

The Teessiders have slumped to fifth during their worst run of the campaign, suffering three draws and three defeats.

Trying to predict the final standings is now incredibly difficult, especially with Kieran McKenna’s men still needing to play both Boro and the South Coast side.

Inconsistent form causes concern

The Suffolk outfit were heavily tipped for promotion at the start of the season.

Sitting second on 75 points with five fixtures remaining meets those early expectations, yet their performances have often lacked a creative spark.

Despite boosting a talented squad with January arrivals Anis Mehmeti and Dan Neil, the team has struggled to replicate the thrilling football seen during their previous promotion charge.

Their longest winning streak this year stands at just four matches during the festive period.

“The result at Portsmouth summed up the season,” said Jobi McAnuff on the 72+ EFL podcast.

“When you look at the players at their disposal it’s ridiculous, but I’m not seeing what I should be given the quality within the squad.”

Navigating the final hurdles

The promotion hopefuls require 10 points from their final five matches to mathematically secure second place.

Former club captain Mick Mills remains confident that the current squad can achieve that target.

“When you look at the fixtures, we can pick up three wins,” Mills told BBC Radio Suffolk.

“Ideally one of them would be Middlesbrough because that would completely nail Middlesbrough, their chance to finish second would be pretty much gone.”

The impending return of natural left-back Leif Davis is expected to provide a crucial boost to the team’s balance and attacking threat.

Consistency remains the ultimate challenge for a talented but unpredictable group of players as the season reaches its climax.

Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Madrid Open due to a right wrist injury, meaning he will miss his home tournament for a second consecutive year.

The multiple Grand Slam champion was forced to pull out of the Barcelona Open earlier this week with the same physical issue.

Now, the Spanish star has admitted the problem is far more serious than his medical team initially expected.

Ongoing fitness frustrations

Missing the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event in the Spanish capital represents a significant blow for the young talent.

He also sat out the Madrid tournament last season because of a persistent right leg problem.

This latest setback disrupts his crucial clay-court preparations ahead of the upcoming French Open at Roland Garros.

‘Incredibly hard to share’

Announcing his withdrawal on social media, the former world number one expressed his profound disappointment.

“There are some news that are incredibly hard to share. Madrid is home, one of the most special places on my calendar, and that’s why it hurts so much not to be able to play here for the second year in a row,” he wrote.
“It hurts especially not to be in front of my people, in a tournament that means so much.”

Saudi Arabia have dismissed manager Herve Renard less than two months before the start of the 2026 World Cup in North America.

The 57-year-old Frenchman departs his role a mere 55 days prior to the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Greek coach Giorgios Donis is widely expected to be appointed as his successor on a one-year contract.

The former Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United midfielder currently manages Saudi Pro League side Al-Khaleej.

A second spell cut abruptly short

The departing head coach had only returned to the Saudi national team in 2024 for a second stint in charge.

His initial tenure spanned from 2019 to 2023 and included a memorable group-stage victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Roberto Mancini took the reins for 14 months following that first departure, before the Saudi Arabian Football Federation opted to bring their former manager back.

Speaking to news agency AFP regarding his sudden dismissal, the former Zambia and Ivory Coast boss remained pragmatic about the situation.

That’s football… Saudi Arabia have qualified for the World Cup seven times, including twice with me.

And there’s only one coach who has led them through both the qualifiers and the World Cup; that’s me, in 2022. At least there will be that sense of pride.

An extensive international pedigree

Beyond his successes in the Middle East and Africa, the highly travelled tactician ended a 20-year World Cup absence for Morocco when he guided them to the 2018 tournament.

He also recently managed the France women’s national team, leading them to the quarter-finals of both the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

His anticipated replacement, Donis, will now face the immediate and daunting challenge of preparing the squad for international football’s premier competition.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has confirmed the start time and complete schedule for its unprecedented fight card set to take place at the White House on Sunday, 14 June.

The event, officially named UFC Freedom 250, is planned as a celebration marking 250 years of the United States.

It will be staged on the South Lawn in Washington D.C. and coincides with US president Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.

Action inside the Octagon will commence at 01:00 BST on Monday, 15 June (20:00 ET on Sunday, 14 June).

Title fights headline historic card

A lightweight title unification bout between undisputed champion Ilia Topuria and interim holder Justin Gaethje serves as the main event.

The co-main attraction features former middleweight king Alex Pereira stepping up to face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight belt.

A heavyweight clash between fan-favourite Derrick Lewis and Josh Hokit was also recently added to the landmark showcase.

UFC president Dana White revealed that the US leader personally requested the matchup while sitting cageside at an event in Miami last week.

I said, ‘Derrick, the president just asked me why you’re not on the card. Do you wanna fight on the White House card?’ And he goes: ‘Of course I do. Tell the president thank you, I wanna do it.’

Dana White

Fight week festivities and schedule

Build-up to the momentous occasion will feature a series of public events across the American capital.

A press conference is scheduled at the Lincoln Memorial on Friday, 12 June, beginning at 01:30 BST the following morning.

Fans will then gather at the Ellipse park adjacent to the presidential residence for a festival on Saturday afternoon.

The ceremonial weigh-ins will follow that evening, culminating in a live concert performance by the Zac Brown Band.

Full UFC Freedom 250 fight card

Seven high-profile matchups have been officially confirmed for the unprecedented sporting spectacle.

England Women Under-23s have claimed the European Competition trophy following a decisive 3-0 victory over Sweden in the final.

First-half strikes from Isobel Goodwin and Hannah Silcock, followed by an Olivia McLoughlin finish, ensured a comfortable triumph for the young Lionesses.

The impressive result marks a dream start for head coach Lydia Bedford, who was appointed to lead the youth side just last month.

Early dominance sets the tone

The national team seized complete control of the match by netting twice within a breathless opening nine minutes.

Victory was then effectively sealed shortly after the break when Tottenham Hotspur prospect Lenna Gunning-Williams provided the crucial assist for McLoughlin.

Chelsea’s 17-year-old midfield talent Chloe Sarwie delivered another sparkling performance, seamlessly backing up her creative output from Tuesday’s semi-final against the Netherlands.

A remarkable tournament turnaround

Securing this silverware completes an impressive recovery in the season-long tournament, which features the 12 leading youth teams across the continent.

Bedford’s developing squad initially suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Germany in their opening group fixture last October.

However, the British outfit responded to that severe setback by drawing with Portugal and subsequently rattling off four consecutive 1-0 victories to reach the showpiece event.

This latest triumph demonstrates that the next generation of talent on the fringes of Sarina Wiegman’s senior squad remains firmly among Europe’s elite.

Dillon Brooks has spearheaded a dramatic cultural reset at the Phoenix Suns to lead the franchise to the brink of the NBA playoffs.

Following a disastrous campaign last year where the team finished 36-46 despite a record-breaking payroll, owner Mat Ishbia initiated a radical roster overhaul.

The ambitious billionaire abandoned his previous all-in strategy by trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets and waiving Bradley Beal.

That high-profile Durant deal brought the fiercely competitive wing to Arizona, a move specifically targeted by the Phoenix hierarchy to change the dressing room dynamic.

A relentless new identity

Ishbia wanted his revitalised squad to reflect the hard-nosed toughness he learned playing college basketball under legendary Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.

The veteran defensive specialist immediately delivered his trademark intensity, famously earning two technical fouls for arguing with local referees during a pre-season pickup game.

“He’s exactly the type of player who fits what we talk about here in Phoenix, what we want to be, the identity of the Suns.”

Mat Ishbia, Phoenix Suns owner

Exceeding offensive expectations

Widely tipped to miss the postseason again, Phoenix have instead shocked the league by finishing seventh in the Western Conference with a 45-37 record.

While signed primarily to instil a gritty mindset, the polarising forward is quietly enjoying the best offensive campaign of his nine-year professional career.

He has averaged 20.2 points per game this season, establishing himself as a reliable second option behind franchise cornerstone Devin Booker.

Phoenix now host the Golden State Warriors in a crucial play-in fixture on Friday.

A victory would secure a demanding first-round playoff series against the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

Wales Women will attempt to secure their first victory over France in a decade when they host the formidable tournament contenders at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday.

The home side are desperate to break a punishing six-match losing run in the championship.

They have managed just one win in their last 11 Test matches under head coach Sean Lynn.

In stark contrast, their upcoming opponents arrive in the Welsh capital full of momentum after delivering a commanding six-try demolition of Italy.

New systems and youthful injection

Despite an opening-round defeat by Scotland, there are clear signs of progress within the national camp.

New attacking and defensive structures are beginning to take shape alongside a renewed sense of belief among the squad.

Lynn has largely kept faith with the starting line-up that pushed the Scots close last weekend.

Nineteen-year-old Seren Lockwood has been handed her first international start at scrum-half after impressing as a second-half substitute.

Formidable French challenge

The dynamic Jasmine Joyce returns to the wing, replacing Lisa Neumann who has been ruled out of the entire championship with an injury.

Containing the free-flowing attacking style of the world-class opposition will require a monumental defensive effort from the hosts.

Newly appointed French boss Francois Ratier has opted for consistency by making only a single alteration to his dominant starting fifteen.

Aubane Rousset is brought into the backline following an impressive debut, taking the place of Joanna Grisez.

Building for the future

“We took a real step forward as a group of players, coaches and staff against Scotland and there was real evidence of what we have started to build.”

Sean Lynn, Head Coach

The coaching setup views this daunting fixture as another crucial opportunity to hone their preferred style of rugby against elite opposition.

“France are one of the best teams in the world and we know they will pose a real challenge, but this is about us delivering a performance and taking another step forward.”

Organisers are hoping the passionate home support will make the short journey across the city to back the team.

Over 10,000 spectators turned out at the Principality Stadium last week, and the players will be relying on that vocal backing once again at the Arms Park.

Mercedes driver George Russell insists Formula 1 will thrive without Max Verstappen following the reigning world champion’s recent threats to leave the sport.

The Dutch driver has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the current generation of cars following a challenging start to the season for Red Bull.

While acknowledging that losing a four-time world champion would be a commercial setback, Russell remains pragmatic about the sport’s enduring appeal.

A sport bigger than any individual

Speaking to the media during a recent web call, the British racer offered a blunt assessment of the ongoing speculation surrounding his rival.

“Formula 1 is bigger than any driver.”

However, the Mercedes star was quick to clarify that the current grid would lament the absence of their most successful contemporary opponent.

“You wouldn’t want to lose Max, because I think we all enjoy racing against Max.”

Contrasting performance perspectives

Russell also suggested that the current complaints from the titleholder stem primarily from no longer possessing a dominant racing machine.

“I didn’t enjoy driving the ’22 car when it was porpoising up and down, killing everybody’s backs. But he didn’t have the same complaint because he was winning.”

He noted that Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren are currently enjoying life at the front end of the grid with much more compliant cars.

“You understand and recognise the frustration, but he’s achieved what most drivers dream of, which is winning a championship.”

Release clauses and racing joy

The frustrated Red Bull driver is widely understood to possess a performance-related exit clause in his current contract, which officially runs until 2028.

If the prominent competitor finds himself outside the top two in the drivers’ standings by the summer break, he could reportedly activate a release option between August and October.

This contractual mechanism would permit the highly decorated racer to entirely walk away from his career at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Alternatively, the experienced driver could seek a seat with a rival constructor capable of providing a more competitive package.

In the meantime, the Dutch star has been seeking competitive joy outside of his primary duties, recently competing in a GT3 event at the legendary Nordschleife circuit in Germany.