Leeds United welcome Manchester United to Elland Road in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon for a vital clash as the hosts look to keep their unbeaten record going.
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There’s been quite a few goals between these two sides in the Premier League.
The last such match was in February 2023 where Man United scored two late goals courtesy of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
The one prior finished 2-2 thanks to a goal scored in the first minute by Wilfried Gnonto before three goals were scored in the second half.
The 2021/22 season saw the most goals though, with Man United winning this fixture 4-2 and winning at Old Trafford 5-1.
Both of those games also saw goals scored in the first and second half which is what we want to see from this game, especially after a disappointing lack of goals on New Year’s Day’s fixtures.
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Newcastle will be hoping to extend a ten-game unbeaten run at home in all competitions as they welcome an out-of-form Crystal Palace side to St James’ Park.
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Newcastle find themselves in the bottom half at the turn of the year but that owes more to a poor away record. At home, they haven’t been beaten since late September – in any competition. They’ll have been disappointed to only take one point from their most recent outing at St James’ against Chelsea, having led 2-0 early on.
Crystal Palace will be hoping they can turn a corner after a dismal December which saw them lose three Premier League games in a row, exit the Carabao Cup and fail to land in the top eight of the Conference League table.
A chance for Palace to turn things around
The bookies believe that Palace are too good of a side to continue struggling. They see this as the opportunity for them to get back on track.
Both teams to score
Draw or Crystal Palace to win
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Read more about the 2025/26 football season
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About the author
Nathan Hill
Nathan Hill is an experienced sports writer who obsessively follows football – both the round ball and American kind – as well as range of other sports including F1, basketball, darts and snooker.
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John McDonald knows he is ‘not getting any younger’, which is why this World Darts Championship will be his last.
McDonald, who has been the PDC’s Master of Ceremonies since 2007, and referee George Noble announced prior to the 2026 tournament that they would hang up the microphone.
Getty
McDonald’s booming voice has been a constant at the World Darts Championship[/caption]
Noble will referee Saturday’s final, where the winner will take home the Sid Waddell trophy and a staggering £1million, while McDonald will welcome the two finalists to the stage.
Before the showpiece, the legendary pair were inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame for their contributions over the years.
They have joined Phil Taylor, Dennis Priestley, Russ Bray, Barry Hearn and many more darts icons by being handed the honour.
Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, McDonald explained how a missed opportunity to watch one of his grandsons play football proved to be a driving factor in his decision to retire.
McDonald explains retirement call
“I’m not getting any younger for sure,” McDonald said.
“I’ve missed so much of my own children growing up, never mind my grandchildren.
“And what really spurred me on [to retire] was I got a call from my grandson, who plays at the Chelsea Foundation.
“He said, ‘I’m playing at Southampton tomorrow, grandad, can you come and watch?’
“I was like, ‘No, I can’t, I’m up in Leicester.’ And he said to me that it’s alright because his other grandad could take him, and I felt a bit left out again.
“I thought, ‘How many times do you do this in your life when you feel so left out,’ so I thought ‘Well, I’ve had a good run, it’s time for someone else to enjoy it.’
The veteran announcer has been involved with the PDC on a full-time basis for nearly 20 yearsGetty
“I thought that maybe I can go off and enjoy my eight grandchildren and my lovely wife, that’s what I’ll do and I can’t wait.”
Noble, who has been a referee for over three decades, revealed he too was prompted to walk away due to family reasons.
Noble puts family first
“I’m not getting any younger,” Noble said.
“31 years doing it, it’s probably long enough.
“I’ve actually got some other business interests outside of what I do now, which is taking up a lot of my time.
“I’ve missed 17 out of 22 birthdays of my daughter, being away on the road working on the darts.
Noble (far left) and McDonald (second left) joined talkSPORT’s Bent and Goldstein on Drive
“I’m able to mix the other business interests with family time. It’s not all possible to do all three in the long run now, so one of them had to give.
“Professional refereeing’s been great. I’ve seen every continent, near enough every country and enjoyed my time. But now it’s time to take it easy.”
Noble will referee Luke Littler vs Gian van Veen on Saturday night.
Littler booked his spot in the final thanks to a dominant 6-1 win over Ryan Searle as he moved one win closer to becoming the first player to defend their world title in a decade.
Meanwhile, Van Veen has become a first-time World Championship finalist and is now looking to make history by holding the World Champion and World Youth Champion titles at the same time.
Slaven Bilic is ready to answer an SOS from West Ham, talkSPORT understands.
Nuno Espirito Santo is under increasing pressure following the Hammers’ humiliating 3-0 defeat at bottom club Wolves.
Nuno watched his West Ham side crumble at former employers WolvesGetty
Bilic back to West Ham?
As previously reported by talkSPORT, owner David Sullivan has not been convinced by the performances since Nuno was appointed to replace Graham Potter as manager.
Sullivan actively explored the possibility of hiring fans’ favourite Bilic for a second time when Potter was axed before being persuaded to appoint Nuno by his fellow board members.
talkSPORT also understands that another former Hammer, Michael Carrick, would be high on the list to replace the Portuguese at the London Stadium and has been sounded out in the past.
Bilic has since told talkSPORT how close he came to landing the role when quizzed on the inside scoop behind a potential Irons return.
He said: “There was a bit, yeah, there was a bit.
“I was close or whatever, but I didn’t get the job. They got Nuno, who was a top manager and who’d done a great job at Wolves, not to mention Forest.
“And to be fair, after first couple of games that they were struggling also with the system and there were some players who were out of position.
“[In the] last couple of games, he put out a strong team and it clicked and six points in two games [wins against Newcastle and Burnley].
“He is top manager and I think they’re gonna be okay this season.”
That prediction sadly has failed to come to fruition for West Ham fans, and now a third manager could be in the offing.
Bilic could be back in east London if Nuno is given his marching ordersAFP
West Ham consider sacking Nuno
TalkSPORT previously reported that the Hammers will consider changing manager again if their form does not improve quickly.
West Ham are currently languishing in the relegation zone following a dire run of nine Premier League games without a win.
The horror showing at Molineux left the club four points adrift of safety in 18th spot, ahead of only Burnley and conquerors Wolves.
Defeat on his old stomping ground has meant Nuno has won only two of his 15 games since replacing Graham Potter in September.
“It is embarrassing, we have to apologise to the fans today,” the 51-year-old said following West Ham’s defeat to Wolves.
West Ham’s season hit a new low with their latest defeatGetty
“Today was the worst performance that we had.”
“It is not about my future, it is about how can we get out of this situation and improve and get the results that make us climb the table.”
“Now is the moment to reflect, speak amongst ourselves and see if we are strong enough to solve it.”
“We needed more, we needed much more from our players.”
“I’m sad to say this but what I saw from our players today was not good enough.”
“Wolves has a squad of talented players who on their day can play a good game.”
Sheffield United have confirmed the tragic passing of a fan during their 3-1 win over Leicester on New Year’s Day.
Goals from Japhet Tanganga, Thomas Cannon and Callum O’Hare confirmed the victory for the Blades, while Jordan James netted a late consolation for the Foxes.
The Blades confirmed the tragic news on social media
However, the New Year’s Day triumph was overshadowed after Sheffield United fan Russell Duke fell ill during the victory.
And the Blades posted on X on Friday that Duke had sadly passed away.
“Sheffield United is saddened to learn that Russell Duke passed away after taking ill at Thursday’s game,” a short statement by the Blades began.
“Our condolences to Russell’s family at this difficult time.”
The football community took to X to pay tribute to Duke and his family.
“Sincere condolences to Russell’s family and friends at this sad time. From a Kidderminster Harriers fan,” one wrote.
“Sorry to hear about that and send my thoughts from a Southampton fan,” a second added.
“Rest in peace fellow Blade,” another posted.
“Thoughts and condolences to his family,” a fourth commented.
Chris Wilder succeeded Ruben Selles at Bramall Lane in SeptemberGetty
Victory over Leicester on Thursday means Sheffield United have now won three of their last four, and they sit just eight points off the playoff spots.
The Blades endured a dire start to the season having lost eight of their opening nine matches.
Chris Wilder returned to Bramall Lane for a third stint following Ruben Selles’ dismissal in September and the 58-year-old has overseen 10 wins in his 20 league games following his return.
And the Yorkshire side can take a huge step towards a potential Premier League return with victory over relegation threatened Oxford United on Sunday.
The U’s sit 23rd in England’s second tier, three points off safety, and their poor start to the season cost Gary Rowett his job at the Kassam Stadium last month.
Oxford remain managerless heading into Sunday’s game at Sheffield United after John Terry ruled himself out of the running to take over the Oxfordshire-based side.
Brighton midfielder and Manchester United target Carlos Baleba is not for sale ‘in this or any future transfer window’.
That’s what Seagulls chairman Paul Barber has told talkSPORT, insisting he has no plans to cash in on the 22-year-old star.
United are well known admirers of Baleba as they look to revamp their midfield in the coming transfer windowsGetty
United are known to be admirers of Baleba, who has put himself on the radar of a number of top clubs following his superb emergence during three seasons at Brighton.
The Cameroon international, who is currently representing his country at AFCON, only joined the south coast side from Lille for around £23million in 2023.
talkSPORT understands the Seagulls expect Baleba to fetch a bigger fee than the club-record £115m Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo when they eventually decide to sell.
Brighton have built a reputation for cashing in when the price is right. They have banked close to £350million from Premier League giants through just five player transfers alone.
The Seagulls’ five biggest sales have all come in the last four years, and have seen Caicedo [£115m], Marc Cucurella [£63m] and Joao Pedro [£60m] all been flogged to Chelsea, Alexis Mac Allister [£55m] to Liverpool and Ben White [£50m] to Arsenal.
It has appeared Baleba would be the next one off that production line, with claims United are ready to make a move either in January or when the summer transfer window opens at the end of the season.
Manager Fabian Hurzeler has even gone public in saying United’s interest has affected the 22-year-old’s performances, following a dip in form earlier in the season.
However, Barber has insisted Brighton has ‘no desire’ to let him go and that there has been no contact at all from United this month.
“No call from Old Trafford, no call from anyone connected to Manchester United,” the Brighton chief told talkSPORT’s Alex Crook.
“We have no plans or desire to sell Carlos in this window or any future window.
Baleba has developed into one of the Premier League’s top young players with BrightonGettyBarber insists Brighton have no plans to sell another of their prized assetsGetty
“We know that he’s a talented player and he’s got a lot of options ahead of him in the future.
“But for us right now he’s an important player in the second half of the season and we’re looking forward to getting him back from AFCON.”
Ferguson return not on the cards
Barber also responded to claims Evan Ferguson could be in line for a return to Brighton in January.
The striker was shipped out to Roma on a season-long loan in the summer but it has not exactly got to plan for the Irishman, who has scored just three goals for the Italian side.
Ferguson has also faced criticism from manager Gian Piero Gasperini, leading to suggestions his loan stay could be cut short.
But Barber has ruled that out too, telling talkSPORT: “It’s very unlikely, I’d say – we don’t have that option.
Around a year ago, Ferguson was said to be valued at £100m after a stunning breakthrough at Brighton, but now he faces having two failed loan moves with West Ham and RomaGetty
“If he were to come back it would be because, for whatever reason, the club that has him at the moment doesn’t need him in the second half of the season.
“But at the moment I think it’s probably very unlikely. He’s playing well, scoring goals. So yeah, it’s not really one that’s in our gift.”
‘Gross’ heart is with Brighton’
Barber also opened up on the surprise deal to bring Pascal Gross back to the Amex Stadium from Borussia Dortmund.
The German midfielder only left Brighton in 2024 to join the club he supported as a boy in a deal worth £8m.
He even revealed after signing that he had his childhood bedroom painted black and yellow.
But after just 18 months and 66 games playing for his favourite team, he’s now back at Brighton where he will add to his 261 appearances in a Seagulls shirt.
Gross is back at Brighton less than two seasons after leaving the club to join boyhood side Borussia DortmundAFP
“It’s hard these days to keep transfers under wraps, almost impossible, but we did manage to do that and it’s just fantastic to have Pascal back,” said Barber after bringing the midfielder back for £1.3m.
“He played over 250 games for the club over seven or so seasons, scored a lot of goals, created a lot of goals, very popular on and off the pitch, not just with players and coaches but also the staff around the club and obviously with the fans.
“I think when Pascal left, it was because he wanted to play for his boyhood club, but I think his heart remained here.
“I think when he left, he alluded to the fact that it might not be impossible to see him again here and I think the fans took that to mean maybe as a coach at some point in the future.
Liam Rosenior is now the preferred choice for Chelsea to succeed Enzo Maresca, talkSPORT understands.
Maresca spectacularly left his role as Blues boss on New Year’s Day and Rosenior is expected to take over the Stamford Bridge reins in the coming days.
Rosenior took over as Strasbourg boss in 2024.AFP
The Strasbourg boss was immediately instilled as favourite to make the move to west London once Maresca’s departure was confirmed.
While the 41-year-old refused to comment on speculation linking him with the vacant Chelsea job, he acknowledged that the situation could develop quickly in the build up to Strasbourg’s meeting with Nice.
“There are no guarantees in life,” Rosenior said.
“What I do know is that I put everything into this job. I’ve created some unbelievable connections with the people at this club. We’ve created some really great memories.
“You can’t guarantee anything in life. In terms of interest for other clubs, I’ve had a lot of interest.
“A lot of approaches that I’ve always been open with the club about. Some have come out and some haven’t.
“My focus is always on the job that I do. But to say I’m definitely going to be somewhere or definitely going to do something, I don’t think that’s right.”
Rosenior will be in the Strasbourg dugout for Saturday’s visit of Nice and the Blues are hoping to appoint the Englishman before the midweek clash with Fulham, though that is not guaranteed.
In the meantime, Calum McFarlane, Chelsea’s Under-21s coach, will take interim charge for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Manchester City.
McFarlane has been thrust into the dugout for an away clash with high-flying Man CityGetty
“I was actually on the way to a Windsor light show with my family. I got a call and I said I can be in in an hour. The missus wasn’t very happy about that,” McFarlane said when he got the call to temporarily take over from Maresca.
Chelsea face stumbling block in Rosenior pursuit
However, Chelsea face a major stumbling block in their efforts to bring Rosenior to Stamford Bridge.
BlueCo group also own French side Strasbourg and their decision to appoint Rosenior hinges on how quickly they can bring in a replacement for the Wandsworth-born coach with the French side.
And the group has come in for criticism in the past for showing little regard for the UEFA Conference League contenders.
Any move for Rosenior would disrupt Strasbourg’s season, but according to someone close to BlueCo co-owner Behdad Eghbali, who was speaking with French publication L’Equipe, they ‘couldn’t care less’ about potentially derailing the French side’s season.
Porto boss addresses Chelsea rumours
One manager who won’t be succeeding Maresca is Porto boss Francesco Farioli.
The Italian, who took over for the Portuguese side last summer, has been linked with a switch to Stamford bridge.
Porto boss Farioli rebuffs Chelsea talkGetty
Speaking ahead of Porto’s first game of 2026, however, Farioli ruled out a winter departure.
“There is no doubt [I am staying] and there has never been any doubt about that,” the former Ajax boss said ahead of Sunday’s game at Santa Clara.
“If I look back at my past experiences, at Nice and then at Ajax, leaving mid-season was never an issue; it’s not something that’s on my mind.
“I also have a stronger and deeper connection with the club and the president. I am totally committed to FC Porto, totally connected to our reality.
“For the first time in my life, I feel we can build something on top of the existing foundations. I am very grateful to everyone who gave me the opportunity to coach a club of this size.
“Everything else is irrelevant. It’s the kind of noise that doesn’t even reach me.”
Saquon Barkley will not get the opportunity to hit a $250,000 incentive bonus on his contract this season.
The Philadelphia Eagles‘ superstar running back sits just 87 yards shy of recording a combined 1,500 rushing and receiving yards on the 2025 NFL season.
Barkley will miss out on a $250k contract bonus after being benched for the regular season finaleGettySirianni has opted to rest his stars for the regular season finale with all eyes on a deep playoff runGetty
But Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni‘s latest decision has hampered Barkley’s chances of earning his bonus.
Saquon Barkley loses out on $250k bonus amid Week 18 benching
With the reigning Super Bowl champions having already clinched the NFC East title and secured their playoff berth, Sirianni has opted to bench the three-time Pro Bowler ahead of their Week 18 clash against the Washington Commanders.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts joins Barkley in being benched by Sirianni in a move to ensure they avoid any risk of injury as they bid their quest to go back-to-back as world champions.
“#Eagles HC Nick Sirianni announced they will rest RB Saquon Barkley in Week 18 in preparation for the playoffs,” FOX Sports posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
Last season, Barkley was denied the chance to chase down Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards – falling just 100 yards short – after being shut down by Sirianni for Week 18.
However, there is still a possibility that the Eagles could adjust Barkley’s incentive target so that he still gets the bonus.
This would follow a trend they set last year when the organization adjusted ex-defensive end Josh Sweat’s contract so that he still got paid for his sack incentive.
Barkley spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with the New York Giants, but after being able to walk away in free agency, their NFC East rivals snapped him up on a three-year, $37.75 million deal.
Last season, the 28-year-old set the league alight when he rushed for 2,005 rushing yards and 13 scores in the regular season, in which he averaged 125.3 yards per game.
He did so in just 16 games and became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season, whilst also tallying an additional 278 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
In what was just his second ever post-season appearance, Barkley rushed for 499 yards from 91 carries and five touchdowns en route to the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
The one-two punch of Barkley (L) and Hurts (R) are expected to be rested on SundayGettyBarkley was an integral part of the Eagles offense that went on to win the Super BowlGetty
After Barkley struggled to get back into rhythm back at the start of the 2025 season, he eventually came back to life in the Eagles’ Week 8 win over the Giants, recording a season-high 174 yards from scrimmage.
He surpassed 100-plus rushing yards in just three games this season.
Eagles’ drama-filled season
The defending Super Bowl champions’ 2025 campaign got off to a winning – albeit strange – start.
In the first game of the new season against their biggest rivals in the Dallas Cowboys, star defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected from the game before the first snap had been played after spitting in Dak Prescott‘s face.
The Eagles would still go on to win the contest, and would also win their next three outings before they suffered back-to-back defeats to the Denver Broncos and the Giants.
Smith and Brown were left frustrated due to the lack of passing in the Eagles’ offensive schemeGetty
Super Bowl Power Rankings
6. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
The Eagles are at their best when they’re punching victories and playing the ‘Us vs Everybody’ card.
Philly reminded the NFL that it’s still the reigning world champs with a tough road win vs Buffalo in Week 17.
Checkout talkSPORT’s latest Super Bowl power rankings RIGHT HERE!
Murmurs had already begun to swirl that things weren’t all rosy in the Eagles camp, with frustrations appearing to be boiling over for Philadelphia’s two wideouts DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown.
With Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo having relied heavily on the run game, the receivers – particularly Brown – were unhappy with the amount of targets they were receiving.
Reports then emerged that Brown and Hurts’ relationship continued to be somewhat fractured after the former Ole Miss receiver candidly admitted that he wasn’t as close with his quarterback as in previous years back in the lead-up to Super Bowl LIX.
Despite Brown continuing to sound off on his team throughout the season, the Eagles overcame a mid-season three game skid to enter Week 18 with an 11-5 record, and possession of the third seed in the NFC.
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