United v Chelsea, the wait for technology and my tips for relegation

Manchester United v Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon is a classic not to be missed.

By Gary Newbon | Sport | Friday, 6 May 2011 at 3:27 pm

Championship preview: Norwich fans revel in their promotion

The fate of front-runners Queens Park Rangers may not yet be affirmed, and the odd play-off party occupant is doubtless dying to discover the verdict of the Londoners’ case, but the feting of Norwich City can certainly start.
Norwich, who host Coventry tomorrow, can ponder their life in the top flight having secured promotion and will participate in an [...]

By Giles Lucas | Sport | Friday, 6 May 2011 at 1:13 pm

iBet: It’s do-or-die for both Blackpool and Tottenham

Spurs v Blackpool, Premier League, Saturday 5.30pm

Lay under 2.5 goals at 2-1 with Betfair
It really is a crunch weekend in the Premier League at the top and bottom with a couple of do-or-die relegation battles on Saturday and then the top two going head to head on Sunday. The game that jumps off the [...]

By Gareth Purnell | Sport | Friday, 6 May 2011 at 12:01 am

Real Madrid played like a castrated pit bull

This week saw El Clasico marathon come to an end. The twist of fate that pitted the Spanish rivals against one another in a run of four fixtures in just two-and-a-half-weeks had football fans purring at the prospect of what was to come.

By Simon Rice | Sport | Thursday, 5 May 2011 at 5:30 pm

iBet: Villareal have no choice but to go for it

Villareal v Porto, Europa League, semi-final second leg

Lay under 2.5 goals at 6/4 with Betfair

This game should be a lot of fun. Villareal looked like they were cruising at half time in the first leg, and then it all went wrong in the second 45 minutes as they lost 5-1. It means the [...]

By Gareth Purnell | Sport | Thursday, 5 May 2011 at 12:01 am

Barcelona, Madrid, and Radiohead’s final sigh

So: Barcelona 1, Real Madrid 1. In the immortal words of the C&C Music Factory, this match was one of the things that make you go “Hmmmm”. I can’t help that think that, when football’s historians return to ponder this fixture, their verdict will be a slight frown and a brief stroke of the chin.
It [...]

By Musa Okwonga | Sport | Wednesday, 4 May 2011 at 1:56 pm

Rugby League: Coaches should not fear the consequences of speaking the truth

So, another coach hung out to dry, with Hull’s Richard Agar fined the not inconsiderable amount of £6000 – half of it suspended – for pointing out that James Child is not a very good referee.
Agar’s offence was to claim that Child was “100 per cent” responsible for his side’s defeat by Castleford. Now, obviously [...]

By Dave Hadfield | Sport | Wednesday, 4 May 2011 at 1:38 pm

The Solo Voyage Diaries: Won’t you Charleston with me?

If this final leg is windy I will give Brad a run for his money!

By Chris Stanmore-Major | Sport | Wednesday, 4 May 2011 at 1:27 pm

iBet: Man Utd to win open game

The first leg of this tie was the most one-sided European semi final you are every going to see. Man Utd completely out-classed Schalke in their best performance of the season and could have won by five clear goals if it wasn’t for their brilliant goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

By Gareth Purnell | Sport | Wednesday, 4 May 2011 at 10:00 am

iBet: Expect an open El Clasico

Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid have to win this by two goals and that will play into Barcelona’s hands.

By Gareth Purnell | Sport | Tuesday, 3 May 2011 at 11:00 am