Federico Chiesa’s Liverpool stint appears to be approaching a breaking point as Serie A giants Inter Milan, AC Milan and Roma circle ahead of a possible January move, with the winger still struggling for minutes under Arne Slot. Despite Liverpool’s inconsistent form and growing fan pressure, the Italian has yet to start a league game, fuelling rumours of a swift escape back to Italy.

• Chiesa courted by three Serie A giants

  Chiesa’s Liverpool career has taken another difficult turn after the winger was once again limited to a brief cameo in a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend. The Italian played just 22 minutes, continuing a pattern that has defined his frustrating campaign under Slot. The match was his ninth Premier League appearance of the season, yet not a single one has come from the start, with his only 90-minute outings arriving in the Carabao Cup.

  Despite Liverpool’s struggles and clear inconsistency in wide areas, Slot has shown no indication that Chiesa is part of his preferred rotation. The manager has consistently turned to Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo ahead of him, with even Hugo Ekitike getting time on the wings, leaving the 28-year-old unable to build rhythm or match fitness. This limited involvement has been heavily scrutinised in Italy, where analysts and supporters believe Chiesa should be given far more responsibility.

  According to reports from TuttoJuve, multiple Serie A clubs have already approached his entourage and Liverpool ahead of the January window. Inter Milan and AC Milan are understood to be the two leading candidates, with both clubs viewing Chiesa as a player who could immediately elevate their attacking depth. Roma have also registered interest, widening the list of potential destinations as the winger searches for a situation that offers minutes and a clear role.

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  Chiesa needs regular minutes for Italy recall

  Chiesa joined Liverpool in the summer of 2024 in what was widely hailed as a “smart gamble” for a fairly low fee, given his pedigree and the upside he possessed. However, his move to England quickly became overshadowed by recurring fitness issues, and his inability to withstand the physical demands of the Premier League has limited his contribution. Without regular playing time, his confidence and sharpness have steadily eroded, prompting debate over whether a move back to Italy is the only way to relaunch his career.

  Slot’s tactical structure has also compounded the problem. The Dutchman’s system relies heavily on high-intensity pressing and constant off-the-ball running, something Chiesa has struggled to maintain due to repeated muscular setbacks. While his per-minute productivity remains respectable, the lack of sustained involvement has left him unable to meaningfully challenge Liverpool’s established attackers. As the season progresses, it has become increasingly clear that Chiesa is not central to Slot’s long-term plans.

  This situation is drawing concern from the Italian national team setup, with regular minutes viewed as essential ahead of the 2026 World Cup playoffs. A January transfer, especially back to Serie A, is seen as the best possible scenario for Chiesa to reclaim a starring role and rebuild his standing with the Azzurri.

• Chiesa's injury crises over the years

  Chiesa’s Liverpool difficulties have highlighted deeper issues that predate his Premier League move. Since suffering a major ACL injury in 2022, the winger has been unable to maintain the explosive consistency that once made him one of Europe’s most feared wide forwards. His time at Juventus was similarly disrupted by stop-start spells of form, and his move to England was meant to offer a clean slate that has ultimately not materialised as hoped.

  Injuries remain central to the story. Chiesa has already missed extended periods since joining Liverpool, including over two months across 14 games in the 2024/25 season due to muscle problems. Even when fit, he has yet to start a league match this campaign, making just eight Premier League appearances from the bench and accumulating just over 100 minutes. Despite scoring twice, he has not done so with the regularity required to break into Slot’s preferred XI.

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  Chiesa likely to leave Liverpool in January?

  This lack of stability has fueled mounting speculation regarding a mid-season exit. Inter Milan are said to view him as an ideal depth option who can bring unpredictability to Simone Inzaghi’s forward line, while AC Milan consider him a player capable of complementing Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic. Roma are also monitoring the situation, emphasising that Chiesa’s stock in Italy remains high despite his struggles in England.

  Liverpool’s stance ahead of January will likely hinge on whether Slot sees any future role for Chiesa beyond rotation cameos. If his limited involvement continues, the club may be open to approving a loan with an option or obligation to buy, especially with multiple Serie A sides ready to negotiate. With Chiesa eager for minutes and Italy’s coaching staff pushing for a move that guarantees playing time, all signs point toward an exit gaining momentum.

Fast bowler responds to India not selecting him for their white-ball series against Australia in October

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Oct-2025

Mohammed Shami refuted any doubts about his fitness on the eve of Bengal’s first game of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, saying he wouldn’t be playing four-day cricket if he wasn’t feeling right.Shami last played for India during the 2025 Champions Trophy in March. The team has since gone on a Test tour of England, won the Asia Cup T20Is and swept West Indies 2-0 to kick off the new home season. It was in response to India excluding him from their next assignment – a white-ball tour of Australia starting later this month – that Shami said, “if I can play four-dayers [Ranji Trophy], I can also play 50-overs cricket.””Selection is not in my hands. If there is a fitness issue, I shouldn’t be here playing for Bengal,” the fast bowler was quoted as saying by PTI on Tuesday. “I think I do not need to speak on this and create a controversy. If I can play four-dayers [Ranji Trophy], I can also play 50-overs cricket.”Shami, who recently turned 35, has played only nine international games since recovering from ankle and knee injuries.”About giving an update, it’s not my responsibility to give an update or ask for an update,” he said. “It’s not my job to give updates on my fitness. My job is to go to the NCA [Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, formerly National Cricket Academy], prepare and play matches. That’s their matter who gives them updates or not. It’s not my responsibility.”India’s chief of selectors Ajit Agarkar explained Shami’s absence from Test cricket (his last outing was in June 2023) by saying he hadn’t played a lot of first-class matches in the last two-three years. “So, as a performer, we know what he can do. But, he will need to play something,” Agarkar said.Shami was a regular member of the Indian team, with 197 matches across formats since making his debut in 2013. He played a starring role during their run to the ODI World Cup final two years ago and remains hopeful of representing the country again. His recent performances include bowling 30 overs in nine matches in IPL 2025 and then turning up for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy this August.”Keep fighting, keep playing games. If you perform well, it will benefit you as well,” Shami said. “Selection is not in my hands. I can only prepare and play matches. I’ve no objection… If you don’t select me, then I will come here and play for Bengal. I’ve no issue with it.”I also don’t want to play in pain or make the [Indian] team suffer. I wanted to come back after the operation and make a strong comeback. I am trying to do the same. I am ready to go whenever they [selectors] want me to go.”Shami added he still values domestic cricket highly. “In the old days, Ranji Trophy was a big level for anyone. But today, we have a platform, and you think it’s an ‘insult’ to go back to play junior cricket like Ranji Trophy. I don’t think so. You should play four-day cricket.”

Over the last couple of weeks, Tottenham Hotspur have massively struggled to deliver within the final third, which has resulted in numerous disappointing results.

Thomas Frank will no doubt have huge questions to answer in the near future, with the Derby Day defeat against Arsenal the latest failure in his tenure after taking the reins in the summer.

The Dane made a bold decision to switch to a 5-4-1 system at the Emirates to try and nullify the threat posed by Mikel Arteta’s side, but ultimately, it was ineffective as seen by the 4-1 scoreline.

Such a decision also restricted the Lilywhites massively within attacking areas, as Richarlison’s long-range effort was the only moment of note in the final third.

Numerous figures from the club’s recent Premier League outings highlight the struggles in attacking areas, with an immediate solution desperately needing to be found by the manager.

The stats behind Spurs’ recent struggles in attacking areas

As previously mentioned, Sunday was an afternoon to forget for all Spurs supporters, with the defeat arguably the worst of Frank’s tenure after his appointment in June.

The defensive setup massively nullified their own attacking threat, resulting in an embarrassing 0.07 xG produced, with only one shot on target registered, excluding the goal.

In total, the Lilywhites only managed to notch a total of three shots, whilst also registering just four touches in the Gunners’ 18-yard box during the 90-minute contest.

However, the club’s struggles have also been evident in other outings, with the defeat to Chelsea on home soil at the start of the month also showcasing their struggles in front of goal.

Frank’s men failed to find the back of the net in the London derby, again only notching one shot on target and amassing a total xG of just 0.10 in the loss.

No player in the squad was able to complete a cross against Enzo Maresca’s men, which no doubt would have contributed to the lack of quality within the final third.

The Spurs star who can solve Frank’s attacking woes

Spurs’ lack of quality in front of goal has undoubtedly produced a cause for concern, especially given the numbers produced under Ange Postecoglou last season.

The Lilywhites managed to score 64 goals in the Premier League during 2024/25, an average of 1.7 per 90, despite recording a measly 17th-placed finish in England’s top-flight.

Such a tally was the sixth best in the division, but Frank’s men have been unable to replicate such levels over the last couple of months of the new season.

His men have netted 20 goals in the 12 league outings to date, an average of 1.6, with Richarlison sitting as their top scorer on five goals – a quarter of the whole team’s tally.

However, the manager could find an immediate solution to the Lilywhites’ issues in attacking areas by unleashing Brennan Johnson over the next few weeks.

The Welsh international netted 18 goals across all competitions last campaign, but has often struggled for starts under the Dane after the investment from the hierarchy.

Mohammed Kudus arrived in a £55m transfer from West Ham United, which has seen the Ghanaian international often fill the void on the right-hand side of the attack.

However, Johnson is deserving of a recall to the starting eleven, with his numbers from last campaign showcasing the threat he carries within the final third.

His goalscoring tally from 2024/25 was by far and away the highest of any player in the first-team squad, with his underlying figures reflecting his all-round quality.

The 24-year-old achieved a total xG and xA per 90 of 0.51, the third highest in the squad, which further highlights his ability to star alone or find a teammate in dangerous areas.

Brennan Johnson – stats in 2024/25

Statistics

Tally

Rank

Games played

51

2nd

Goals scored

18

1st

xG & xA per 90

0.51

3rd

Chances created

22

4th

Crosses per 90

1.4

2nd

Dribble success

56%

2nd

Shots per 90

2.2

3rd

Penalties won

2

1st

Stats via FotMob

Johnson, who’s been labelled “impossible to defend” by one analyst, also ranked fourth in the first team for chances created – which could provide Richarlison with the ammunition to improve his own tallies.

Other tallies, such as 1.4 crosses completed per 90 and how dribble success of 56% both placed him in second position, with the winger having the all-round quality Frank’s men have hugely lacked.

There’s little denying that Johnson is a player who has divided opinion in North London, but his figures from last season highlight the quality he does possess with the ball at his feet.

If Frank is to find an immediate short-term solution to his side’s struggles, he may need to recall the Welshman back to his starting eleven against Fulham on Saturday afternoon.

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Posts 2 ByDan Emery Nov 25, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have had a fair few talents that have been underappreciated over the years, but none more so than central midfielder Mousa Dembélé.

The Belgian joined the Lilywhites in a £15m deal from Fulham back in the summer of 2012, with many supporters unaware of the quality he possessed prior to his switch to North London.

He racked up a total of 249 senior appearances during his seven-year spell at the club, arguably cementing himself as one of their best ever midfielders.

From dazzling runs with the ball at his feet to dominant physical displays out of possession, the talent cemented himself as a key player during his spell in the Premier League.

Since his move to Guangzhou City in 2019, the Lilywhites have massively lacked a player of his quality, with Thomas Frank unable to rely upon one player to be his own version of the Belgian.

Why Bentancur has struggled with Spurs in 2025/26

After Frank’s arrival in the summer, there was a huge question mark around what system the Dane would operate with at Spurs after utilising various formations at Brentford.

However, it appears as though the 52-year-old has settled on a three-man midfield in a 4-3-3 system, which has seen Joao Palhinha operate at the base, with two box-to-box players ahead of him.

Rodrigo Bentancur has been one of the most utilised players in such an area, as seen by his tally of 10 appearances out of a possible 11 in the Premier League to date.

However, the Uruguayan has struggled to impress in those outings, even being benched against Manchester United in the final game before the ongoing international break.

The 28-year-old’s underlying stats from the 2025/26 season showcase his struggles of late, which could see him drop down the pecking order further in the months ahead.

He has only created 0.6 chances per 90 this season, which ranks him in the bottom 25% of all players in the division – often struggling to make a huge impact when in possession.

Such a skillset is vital when playing with Palhinha at the heart of the side, with the Portuguese international known to break up the play and allow those around him to provide the creative spark.

However, out of possession, Bentancur has also struggled under Frank, only making 0.5 interceptions per 90, which also places him in the lower quarter of all midfielders in England’s top-flight.

The aforementioned figures highlight his all-round struggles in North London, which could certainly put his long-term future at the club in jeopardy – that’s despite penning a new deal earlier this campaign.

The Spurs star who’s already showing 'shades of Dembele'

Top-level midfielders in the modern game cost a small fortune, with numerous clubs in the Premier League often forking out mammoth sums to land world-class talents.

Four teams in England’s top-flight have spent £100m or more on a midfielder in the last five years, with Chelsea doing so on more than one occasion, with deals for Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández.

However, Spurs are a club that unfortunately aren’t in a position to willingly fork out such funds in the market, with more of a focus being directed to younger prospects.

Dominic Solanke remains the club’s record addition at £65m back in the summer of 2024, with no midfielder in Frank’s current first-team squad being bought for over £55m.

The likes of Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr both cost a combined £22m, with both now managing to establish themselves as key first-team members in 2025/26.

However, the academy system is another avenue for clubs to go down, with the Lilywhites desperately needing to put faith in youngster Tyrese Hall in the years ahead.

The midfielder joined the club at the age of just eight, subsequently spending 12 years in the youth ranks, before making the move to join Notts County on loan in the summer.

Such a move came after the youngster registered six goals and seven assists in 28 U21 appearances in 2024/25, with such a move being his first taste of senior football.

However, whilst it may appear a daunting task to many, Hall has taken it all in his stride, as seen by his impressive numbers at Meadow Lane over the past few months.

Central midfield

30

6 (5)

Defensive midfield

19

3 (4)

Attacking midfield

18

5 (3)

Centre-forward

6

3 (2)

Left midfield

3

1 (1)

Right midfield

1

1 (0)

The 20-year-old has already found the net on six occasions, with his latest strike proving to be the winner in the affair with Cheltenham Town at the beginning of the month.

Whilst he’s operated in a more advanced role with the Magpies, Hall has previously featured slightly deeper – even playing as a number eight for the Lilywhites in a post-season friendly back in 2024.

The youngster was brought on as a substitute in such a fixture and even impressed, with one of the commentators that day claiming he was showing “shades of Mousa Dembele”.

Such praise is huge given the levels produced by the Belgian during his own time in North London, with real hope that Hall can match such levels if given the opportunity.

At 20, he still has bags of time to reach his full potential, with his loan spell at Notts County undoubtedly helping him in his quest in the professional game.

However, Frank will need to keep a close eye on his progress and potentially hand him the opportunity to impress him in pre-season ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

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Tottenham Hotspur already have an elite-level prospect on their hands in North London.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 18, 2025

Chelsea battled to a well-deserved point in their top of the table clash against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were the better side until Moises Caicedo saw red for his challenge on Mikel Merino in the 33rd minute. Despite losing their talisman, Chelsea took the lead early in the second half thanks to Trevoh Chalobah's glancing nod, but were quickly pegged back by a Merino header.

The Blues enetered the day with a chance to peg back their intra-city rivals at the top of the Premier League and were up for the challenge, asserting themselves physically against Mikel Arteta's men. The ferocious intensity in which the game was played inevitably brought on a flurry of yellow cards for both sides. 

However, that seemed to be part of Enzo Maresca's plans, as Chelsea disrupted their rivals all over the park, fashioning the better chances in the opening half hour. Estevao was full of industry on the right, creating shooting opportunities while Joao Pedro should have done better as he forced Piero Hincapie into losing the ball in his own box. 

Eventually, Chelsea's aggressiveness turned the tide against them, as Caicedo was rightly given his marching orders for a stamping tackle that crunched down on Merino's ankle. After a lengthy VAR check, Anthony Taylor reversed his original booking. 

Maresca reorganised his men into two banks of four in the second half, looking to soak up the eventual pressure from their foes. However, it was the Blues that opened the scoring, as Chalobah glanced home Reece James in-swinging coner at the front post. Chelsea were good value for their lead, but could not rest on their laurels, as the Gunners came fighting back, and the pressure told just minutes later, as Bukayo Saka's stood-up cross invited Merino to power home his header. 

The derby scrap continued for the next half hour, with neither side fashioning a clear-cut chance.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Robert Sanchez (7/10):

Outstanding stop low to his right to deny Martinelli on the stroke of half-time. Made a similar save with his opposite hand to deny Gyokeres later on. 

Malo Gusto (6/10):

Isolated at the back stick for Merino's equaliser. Little he could do to stop the powerful Spaniard. Defended well otherwise.

Trevoh Chalobah (8/10):

Muscles flexed, nursing a shiner, Chalobah's defiant celebration following his opener was a statement in itself. A brilliant glancing header to convert a wicked James corner. Resolute at the back, too. 

Wesley Fofana (6/10):

Will not get the headlines of his partner, but was crucial in rebuffing Arsenal's waves of attack in the second half. 

Marc Cucurella (6/10):

Won his battle against Saka for over an hour before the England winger bested him to set up the equaliser. Limited by a first-half booking, but toed the line well. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield

Reece James (7/10):

An exquisite delivery for the opener. Looks comfortable enough stepping into midfield, but the dismissal of Caicedo afforded him less time on the ball. 

Moises Caicedo (3/10):

Tore around the pitch, flying into tackles. His over-zealousness was the undoing of him in the end. Rightfully sent off for a stamping challenge on Merino's ankle. 

Enzo Fernandez (6/10):

Had to drop back into the heart of midfield to accommodate Caicedo's red card. Abrasive. 

Getty Images SportAttack

Estevao (7/10):

A menace with the ball at this feet. Got the better of Caliafiori in the first half but was wasteful with the half-chances he created. Pulled at half-time.  

Joao Pedro (5/10):

Dithered on the ball with a clear sight of goal in the first half. However, he fashioned the chance himself with tireless pressing.  Industrious, but lacking killer instinct. 

Pedro Neto (7/10):

Protected the ball brilliantly, providing an outlet for his side as they continued to press despite losing Caicedo. Mature decision making without losing his attacking edge. 

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Getty Images SportSubs & Manager

Alejandro Garnacho (5/10):

Brought on at half-time in a tricky situation with 10 men. Limited opportunities to impact the game in attack. 

Liam Delap (4/10):

Would have been under strict instructions to hold the ball up and provide respite for his embattled peers. Struggled to fulfil that job, but tested Raya from distance with a curling effort.

Enzo Maresca (7/10):

Clearly had his players prepared for a physical battle. The red card limited his ability to chase a result, forcing functional substitutes for a rearguard action. Will be proud of his team. 

And is Lhuan-dre Pretorius South Africa’s youngest centurion?

Steven Lynch08-Jul-2025Was Jamie Smith’s score at Edgbaston the highest in a Test by anyone at No. 7? asked Richard Boyce from England
That rapid 184 not out by Jamie Smith in the second Test at Edgbaston last week was the highest by an England wicketkeeper (previously Alec Stewart’s 173 against New Zealand in Auckland in January 1997), and also the highest by any England No. 7, beating the 175 of KS Ranjitsinhji against Australia in Sydney in December 1897.Overall, there have been 14 higher Test scores by wicketkeepers than Smith’s 184, and just five higher from No. 7.Smith was only the ninth England batter to score a century before lunch in a Test, joining his team-mate Ben Duckett on that list. England’s total of 407 at Edgbaston was the highest to include six ducks, surpassing Bangladesh’s 365 against Sri Lanka in Mirpur in May 2022, and the lowest to include a partnership of 300 or more (Smith and Harry Brook added 303 for the sixth wicket). That was previously West Indies’ 431 against Australia in Kingston in March 1999, when Brian Lara (213) and Jimmy Adams (94) put on 322 for the fifth wicket.Just to round off the Edgbaston stats fest, Shubman Gill’s 269 was the highest by an Indian captain in a Test, beating Virat Kohli’s 254 not out against South Africa in Pune in October 2019, while only his team-mate Karun Nair had made a higher score for India against England – his 303 not out in Chennai in December 2016.I heard that Lhuan-dre Pretorius was the youngest to score a Test century for South Africa. Who’s the youngest worldwide? asked Carter McKenzie from South Africa
Lhuan-dre Pretorius was just 19 years 93 days old when he scored 153 on debut for South Africa against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last week. He took the South African record from another precocious left-hander, Graeme Pollock, who was 19 years 334 days old when he made 122 against Australia in Sydney in January 1964.Pretorius moves into tenth place on the overall list of youngest Test century-makers, which is headed by Mohammad Ashraful of Bangladesh: he was 17 years and 63 days old when he made 114 on debut against Sri Lanka in Colombo in September 2001. (Some sources give him an even later birth date, which would make him 16 years 364 days old when he made his hundred.)Pretorius did claim another record, as the youngest man to reach 150 in a Test, a mark previously held by the great Pakistan batter Javed Miandad. He was 19 years 119 days when he made 163 on debut for Pakistan against New Zealand in Lahore in October 1976.Surrey scored 820 the other day after being put in to bat. Was this a record? asked David Cunningham from England
Surrey piled up 820 for 9 declared at The Oval last week after being put in to bat by Durham’s captain Alex Lees. This was actually the second-highest total after being inserted, behind Jharkhand’s 880 against Nagaland in Kolkata during the Ranji Trophy in March 2022. The highest in a Test match is Australia’s 735 for 6 declared after being put in by Zimbabwe in Perth in October 2003.This was Surrey’s highest total, beating their 811 against Somerset at The Oval in May 1899. In that innings the diminutive opener Bobby Abel carried his bat for 357, which remains Surrey’s highest individual score: Dom Sibley’s 305 last week was their eighth triple-century.There have been only three higher totals in the County Championship: Yorkshire’s 887 against Warwickshire at Edgbaston in May 1896, Lancashire’s 863 against Surrey at The Oval in May 1990, and Somerset’s 850 for 7 declared against Middlesex in Taunton in April 2007. For the list of the highest totals in all first-class cricket, click here.Also during Surrey’s innings last week, an unwanted record was claimed by Durham’s offspinner George Drissell, who finished with figures of 1 for 247. This was the most expensive return in County Championship history, eclipsing the 3 for 235 of Leicestershire slow left-armer Claude Henderson, also against Surrey at The Oval, in June 2006. The only more expensive analysis in any first-class match in England was 1 for 298 by another left-arm spinner – Australia’s Chuck Fleetwood-Smith – in 87 overs during England’s 903 for 7 declared at The Oval in August 1930.The last time a side won a Test after losing just two wickets was when South Africa beat England by an innings at The Oval in 2012•Getty Images I noticed that when England beat South Africa in the 1924 Lord’s Test, they lost only two wickets. Is this a record? asked Muhammad Riaz via Facebook
In the match you mention at Lord’s in June 1924, England declared at 531 for 2 and went on to beat South Africa (273 and 240) by an innings. Opener Jack Hobbs made 211, his only Test double-century.That was the first occasion in which a side won a Test while losing only two wickets. It has happened four times since: by England (267 for 2 declared) against New Zealand (67 and 129) at Headingley in July 1958; England (459 for 2 declared) against India (165 and 216) at Edgbaston in July 1974; South Africa (470 for 2 declared) against Bangladesh (173 and 237) in Chittagong in April 2003; and South Africa (637 for 2 declared) against England (385 and 240) at The Oval in July 2012.Which batters scored the most runs in the first over in the IPL? And which bowler has taken the most wickets in the first over? asked Amit Kumar via Facebook
We’re lucky to have full ball-by-ball details of all the IPL matches since the first one in 2008, so the stats team – who had fondly imagined they’d finished with the IPL for a few months – bravely attacked this particular pair of figures. The top batters probably aren’t that surprising: Virat Kohli has scored 506 runs in the first over of an IPL innings (he faced 398 balls in them), and David Warner 475 (from 524 deliveries). Next come Shikhar Dhawan (456 from 463), Rohit Sharma (384 from 374) and Ajinkya Rahane (355 from 438).You could have a good guess at the leading bowlers too: Trent Boult has struck 32 times in the first over of an IPL innings, having sent down 618 balls in them. Next comes Bhuvneshwar Kumar with 27 (816 balls), a fair way clear of Deepak Chahar (15 from 494), Praveen Kumar (15 from 534) and Sandeep Sharma (13 from 468).Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

Rain has followed New Zealand from Colombo to Navi Mumbai, compounding their problems, while India, after three successive defeats, are running out of opportunities as well

Sruthi Ravindranath22-Oct-20254:02

Preview: A knockout game for New Zealand

Big picture – Time and chances running out

The pressure on India is higher than ever. Three successive losses in matches they could have won, mounting criticism, and five games in, they are still tinkering with combinations. But they now return to Navi Mumbai, a venue many in the squad know well through T20Is and the WPL, needing just a win against New Zealand to reach the semi-finals.New Zealand haven’t had it easy either. Their last two matches were washed out, and qualification now requires them to win both remaining games, against India and England. It’s a tougher ask, but not beyond a side that just celebrated the first anniversary of their T20 World Cup win, where they beat India in the opening match. They have won 34 out of the 57 ODIs against India, including six of their last nine encounters since 2022.Related

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Their campaign this time started with heavy defeats to Australia and South Africa, before they bounced back against Bangladesh. But they remain over-reliant on Sophie Devine with the bat, and their thin spin attack – with just Amelia Kerr and Eden Carson – has had limited impact on slower pitches.India, on the other hand, have had different contributors in every game but haven’t settled on a clear first-choice XI. After four matches with five bowlers, they dropped Jemimah Rodrigues to play an extra bowler against England. The move did seem to work as England were kept to 288 for 8 after a strong start, but India’s batting faltered under pressure in the chase, which has been a familiar story. They will want to address that.The weather could, however, have a say. Devine called the washouts in Colombo “frustrating”, and the forecast for Thursday isn’t encouraging either. Rain hit Navi Mumbai for over two hours in the evening two days before the match, cancelling India’s training session. A washout, however, would favour India, considering New Zealand have a tougher opponent in England to face in their last game, and just haven’t been able to get any sort of momentum going.More than anything else, Sophie Devine will want New Zealand to get a full game to show what they have got•ICC/Getty Images

Form guide

India LLLWW
New Zealand WLLWW

In the spotlight – Kranti Gaud and New Zealand’s openers

After a promising start to the tournament, India’s young pacer Kranti Gaud has hit a bit of a bump. Her early spells, full of discipline and pinpoint yorkers, have been impressive, but her death bowling has come under the scanner. Against South Africa, she opened with a tidy 1 for 19 in five overs, only to concede 40 off her final four. She went wicketless in the last two games, conceding 73 runs off nine overs against Australia and 46 off eight against England. On a Navi Mumbai surface expected to be more batter-friendly, Gaud will need to recalibrate quickly if India are to keep New Zealand quiet.New Zealand are still waiting for their openers to turn up. Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer have endured a poor run – their partnership average of 10.66 is the second-worst among all teams this tournament. Bates followed two ducks with a 29 (run out) against Bangladesh, while Plimmer has managed just 35 runs across three games, struggling for fluency throughout. A more batting-friendly pitch probably awaits them at the DY Patil Stadium, where they will hope to give their side a strong start.Renuka Singh did well against England, but will she have to make way for Jemimah Rodrigues?•Getty Images

Team news

Will India revert to five bowlers for the crucial fixture? While their bowlers pulled things back well in the last ten overs against England, India might think they need the experience of Rodrigues at No. 5.India (possible): 1 Smriti Mandhana, 2 Pratika Rawal, 3 Harleen Deol, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Richa Ghosh (wk), 6 Amanjot Kaur, 7 Sneh Rana, 8 Deepti Sharma, 9 Renuka Singh/Jemimah Rodrigues, 10 Kranti Gaud, 11 Shree CharaniNew Zealand had kept their senior pacer Lea Tahuhu out tactically in the match against Sri Lanka, but brought her back in for the Pakistan game. They are likely to stay with the same XI.New Zealand (possible): 1 Suzie Bates, 2 Georgia Plimmer, 3 Amelia Kerr, 4 Sophie Devine (capt), 5 Brooke Halliday, 6 Maddy Green, 7 Isabella Gaze (wk), 8 Jess Kerr, 9 Rosemary Mair, 10 Eden Carson, 11 Lea Tahuhu

Pitch and conditions

While the Navi Mumbai pitch didn’t seem to offer much for bowlers in the last match, Sri Lanka could post only 202 after opting to bat against Bangladesh. Chamari Athapaththu had said that there was some dew in the second half. There has been some unseasonal rain in Mumbai, and an interruption is likely on Thursday too. It’s expected to be hazy in the afternoon, with a chance of rain in the evening.

Stats and trivia

• India have their poorest win-loss ratio for any team in ODI World Cups against New Zealand
• Bates is 67 runs away from becoming the second-leading run-scorer in ODIs. She needs 75 runs to complete 6000 runs in the format.
• Tahuhu will be playing her 200th international match.
• India have played eight T20Is at the DY Patil Stadium, winning four including one in a Super Over against Australia.

Leeds United are keen to revive their Premier League fortunes after a poor start to the season under Daniel Farke, who has now found out where he stands ahead of their trip to face Manchester City.

Leeds United and Daniel Farke caught in awkward situation

There is no point in beating around the bush. Farke has come under significant pressure recently at Elland Road, and a run of five losses in his last six matches has done little to win fans over in West Yorkshire.

On the face of it, the German is a talented coach who deploys an exciting brand of football that has won plenty of adulation, albeit the Whites have been undone too often by the fine margins of the top-flight.

Facing Manchester City is a daunting task at the best of times, not least when they managed to give a rest to key players during their Champions League exploits in midweek.

Another misstep and Farke could be in serious trouble, with former Union Berlin boss Bo Svensson and ex-Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers on Leeds’ shortlist should they decide to call time on his spell at Elland Road.

Survival is a difficult ask for any newly-promoted side, and nobody was expecting the Whites’ return to the Premier League to be straightforward. However, results are critical, and they appear to be in short supply at the moment.

Ultimately, only time will tell whether Farke gets an extended period to turn things around. As supporters hunt for clarity, a new update has now emerged regarding his future.

Daniel Farke given Leeds United sack ultimatum

According to sources from Football Insider, Leeds boss Farke has two matches to save his job at Elland Road, and the 49ers Enterprises are now ‘exploring new manager options amid growing fan discord over the performances and results under Farke’.

Carlos Corberan and Marcelo Bielsa are also mooted as options alongside Rodgers and Svensson, though whoever takes on the mantle, should the 49-year-old be relieved of his duties, will face some tough festive fixtures in the cold light of day.

Leeds United’s tough upcoming matches

Manchester City (A)

Premier League

Chelsea (H)

Premier League

Liverpool (H)

Premier League

Brentford (A)

Premier League

Crystal Palace (H)

Premier League

For now, Farke remains in post, but the fact that his club are already on the lookout for alternatives paints a bleak picture for his future unless Leeds can string together a run of meaningful results in the near future.

Leeds have a "laughable" signing who's a bigger waste of time than Perri

Leeds United fans must now be scratching their heads as to why their beloved side ever signed this dud.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 28, 2025

Truthfully, the Whites’ boss has been uncompromising in his methods and is willing to go down on his own terms rather than be forced to deviate from his tactical style.

While that is admirable in theory, it remains to be seen if he can evade doubters over the coming weeks with his job well and truly on the line.

The 2025 World Series may have turned on a wedgie. The Dodgers held on to beat the Blue Jays 3–1 on Halloween thanks to a ball getting stuck in the outfield padding right as Toronto looked like it was about to make a comeback.

The Blue Jays trailed the Dodgers 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning when Addison Barger hit a ball deep to left-center field. The ball landed right at the foot of the wall and wedged itself there. Outfielders Enrique Hernández and Justin Dean threw their arms up to signal it should be a ground-rule double, and the umpires agreed.

What should have been a run-scoring play for the Blue Jays ended up plating zero runs. The Blue Jays had runners on second and third with no outs, but Tyler Glasnow came in and got three outs with just three pitches with the game ending on an epic double-play.

When Barger hit the ball and it became clear it wasn't going to be caught the Blue Jays looked like they were on their way to a comeback and maybe a World Series. The second the ball got stuck everything changed.

Game 7 is Saturday night on Fox. All because of a wedgie.

After an absolutely thrilling wild-card round, the MLB postseason is down to eight teams competing for the right to be called World Series champions.

Both the ALDS and NLDS are set to get going on Saturday, with teams pitted against each other in a best-of-5 series with everything on the line.

Below we break down the schedule for each Division Series and the announcers charged with calling the games.

NLDS—Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers