NBA news: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown and the MVP favourites after Nikola Jokic’s injury
While he remains in first place on the MVP ladder, Nikola Jokic suffered a knee injury against the Miami Heat in December and is reported to be out until the end of January.
The Serbian’s absence has allowed other leading players in the league to make a worthy claim for the MVP award, with the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hitting form at the perfect time.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Finn Littlewood takes a look at the contenders in what is turning out to be an unpredictable MVP race.
Golf news: Brooks Koepka makes statement return to PGA Tour after four years with LIV Golf
American golfer Brooks Koepka has made a statement return to the PGA Tour after a four-year stint with LIV Golf.
The move comes after the PGA instituted a new Returning Member Program that allows players who have been away from the American circuit for at least two years and have won The Players Championship or a major between 2022 and 2025 to return. Koepka is the only LIV member to return to the PGA thus far.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Finn Littlewood considers what Koepka’s decision means for the future of the Saudi-backed tour.
ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Windsor, Market Rasen and Newcastle on Friday, January 16
After picking out a couple of winners on his debut, Sport News Blitz horse racing pundit Kieran McHugh returns.
ITV have offered up seven races this Friday afternoon, which is our pundit’s lucky number, and he is thus hoping for a magnificent seven.
The greatest horses owned by JP McManus in British & Irish National Hunt racing
Billionaire owner JP McManus started 2026 by appointing former champion jockey Harry Cobden as his retained rider from May.
It’s certainly a bold statement from McManus, filling a role that hasn’t been taken since Barry Geraghty retired in 2020. And before that, AP McCoy held the position, so Cobden has huge boots to fill. There is also a slew of top-class horses for him to mount.
Here, Sports News Blitz reveals the greatest JP McManus horses to shine at the Cheltenham Festival, Aintree, Punchestown and beyond.
MMA news: Is the UFC building Paddy Pimblett’s star power with easy fights?
Paddy Pimblett is a controversial figure within the MMA community, with some seeing him as the UFC’s next massive star. However, since his clash with Tony Ferguson, his resume has left a lot to be desired.
This resume includes King Green, Michael Chandler and now Justin Gaethje.
It is starting to feel like the UFC is giving Pimblett fighters who are past their prime with massive star power to build his credibility and boost his status easily, writes Sports News Blitz’s Cameron Cleugh.
NBA news: Trae Young trade to Washington Wizards sparks NBA deadline speculation
With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, Trae Young’s move to Washington has the potential to set off a chain reaction across the league.
Last season, the NBA was rocked by one of the most eye-catching regular-season trades in recent memory, with the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis.
With just under a month remaining until the trade deadline, the league has now seen its first major move of the season, as Trae Young heads to the Washington Wizards in a deal involving CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
Will teams look to make their own moves after Young’s mega move? Sports News Blitz writer Lorenzo Gagliotta finds out more.
Soccer news: Liverpool, Man City or Spain? Where next for Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso’s sudden departure from Real Madrid has sparked immediate speculation, with several European heavyweights now monitoring his next move.
Real Madrid, despite being the most successful club in Champions League history and one of the biggest sporting institutions in the world, are not known for their patience, something Alonso discovered on Monday.
Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Powell looks at what could be next for Alonso, with a return to one of his former playing sides a possibility.
Cricket news: Time for change? Evaluating Brendon McCullum as England head coach
England’s rapid Ashes defeat in Australia has reignited debate over Brendon McCullum’s leadership and whether Bazball is delivering enough results at the highest level.
The ‘Bazball’ approach has undoubtedly transformed English cricket, bringing an exciting and aggressive brand of play. The question now is whether it has delivered the results many expected.
Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Howson offers his thoughts.
Wrestling news: Drew McIntyre changes the WrestleMania picture as WWE champion
With WrestleMania season underway, Drew McIntyre’s surprise WWE title win has opened the door to fresh challengers and unexpected storylines.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu discusses what McIntyre’s win means with WrestleMania season looming.
Horse racing news: Who will replace Harry Cobden as Paul Nicholls’ retained rider?
Former champion jockey Harry Cobden will become JP McManus’ number one jockey in Britain and Ireland from May.
Sports News Blitz’s racing expert, Kieran McHugh, explores the question on many people’s minds - who will replace him at Ditcheat?
Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble go head-to-head as Ka Ying Rising returns
Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble have both been entered for the HK$13 million (approx. £1.2m) G1 Stewards' Cup (1 mile/1600m), while superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising is set to return in the G1 HK$13 million (approx. £1.2m) G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (6f/1200m) on 25 January at Sha Tin.
How Manchester City’s January transfers could shape their February push
Manchester City is heading into February with a common set of problems. It needs to fight on multiple fronts while seeking marginal gains that will determine its chances of a trophy.
This includes a tight Premier League race, domestic cups in play, and the European season.
Pep Guardiola’s side will therefore use the January transfer window to fine-tune the team further.
They will especially focus on strengthening depth, addressing emerging weaknesses, and maintaining high competition across the squad.
In this article, we’ll cover those transfers.
Premier League news: Caretaker or contender – Manchester United’s latest managerial dilemma
One week on from Ruben Amorim’s departure, Manchester United once again find themselves searching for short-term stability amid long-term uncertainty.
With the season itself unravelling, the Red Devils are expected to appoint a caretaker manager until the summer, writes Sports News Blitz’s Alex Rhodes.
FA Cup news: Winners and losers from the third round as Macclesfield upset holders Crystal Palace
The FA Cup delivered another classic weekend of football, once again showcasing the magic of multi-tier clashes.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Eloise Stevens breaks down the winners and losers from the third round.
FA Cup news: Aston Villa outclass Tottenham in North London to advance into the fourth round
Aston Villa secured an impressive 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, with Emiliano Buendía and Morgan Rogers getting the goals for Unai Emery’s men.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce examines how Villa progressed in London.
Horse racing news: Harry Cobden announced as retained rider for leading owner JP McManus
Former champion jockey Harry Cobden has been announced as the new retained rider for JP McManus from May onwards.
Cobden will hold the position of number one jockey to McManus in both Britain and Ireland, writes Sports News Blitz racing expert Kieran McHugh.
FA Cup news: Man Utd dumped out by Brighton as interim manager Darren Fletcher awaits first win
Brighton beat Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday to knock the Red Devils out of the FA Cup and increase the pressure on interim manager Darren Fletcher.
Brajan Gruda and Danny Welbeck put the visitors two goals up before United grabbed a consolation strike through Benjamin Šeško.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Robert Bore runs through the game and takes a trip down memory lane.
2026 Australian Open: When is it, what to expect, talking points and players to watch
With the tennis season fully underway and players already competing in their respective ATP and WTA tournaments, Melbourne Park looms around the corner as the 114th edition of the Australian Open awaits.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Lorenzo Gagliotta dives into what to expect at the first Grand Slam event of the new season.
NFL news: Everyone is talking about John Harbaugh - but where will he coach next?
Black Monday came and went, there was a host of sackings - but only one name is being talked about throughout the NFL – John Harbaugh.
Black Monday in the NFL is the first Monday after the regular season ends, and it is traditionally when head coaches, GMs and leading staff members find out if they are out or not, writes Sports News Blitz’s NFL expert Graeme Bailey.
Horse racing tips and best bets for the King’s Plate Festival in South Africa
Oisin Murphy features as South Africa’s finest descend on Kenilworth racecourse this weekend - with a place at Breeders’ Cup at stake.
Sports News Blitz’s Kieran McHugh offers his suggested tips for the three Grade One races featured at the King’s Plate Festival, including the 165th running of the main event.
The three Grade One races are all part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, giving the victors a guaranteed starting spot, in their respective races, at Keenland in the USA.