Soccer analysis: The key parts of Xabi Alonso’s appointment
After the disappointment of the FA Cup final defeat to Man City, there was at least something for Chelsea fans to smile about.
Less than 24 hours later, it was announced that Spaniard Xabi Alonso would be the club’s next manager.
Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal reviews this appointment and looks ahead to what might be in store for Chelsea fans with Alonso at the helm.
IPL betting tips: Best bets and predictions for week nine with play-offs on the line
The IPL 2026 play-off race is heading for a blockbuster finish as we enter the final group-stage week. Only Royal Challengers Bengaluru have sealed qualification so far, with seven teams fighting for the remaining three play-off spots.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s cricket expert Himanshu Sharma breaks down the best bets, odds values, and key angles for week nine.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 2nd MVP in a row for the Thunder’s player
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s second consecutive MVP puts him deeper into NBA history and adds fresh momentum to the Thunder’s playoff run.
Premier League news: Man Utd overcome Nottingham Forest as Bruno Fernandes equals assist record
Manchester United overcame a spirited Nottingham Forest side 3-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday to secure third spot on the Premier League table. Goals from Luke Shaw, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo got the job done for Michael Carrick’s charges while Morato and Morgan Gibbs-White struck for the Tricky Trees.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Robert Bore reviews the final home game of the season for the Red Devils.
Premier League news: Aston Villa thrash Liverpool at Villa Park to seal Champions League return
Aston Villa produced one of their finest performances of the season in defeating Liverpool 4-2 at Villa Park to secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
In front of a packed and electric home crowd, Unai Emery’s side delivered a ruthless second-half display that exposed Liverpool’s defensive frailties and underlined Villa’s remarkable rise under the Spanish manager. Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce reviews Friday’s clash.
Premier League news: Five takeaways from Newcastle Utd’s win over relegation-bound West Ham
William Osula scored twice as Newcastle United beat West Ham 3-1 at St James’ Park to leave the Hammers on the brink of relegation from the Premier League.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu discusses five key takeaways from the Magpies’ final home game of the season.
Bundesliga news: Newly promoted SV Elversberg are German football’s latest fairytale story
SV Elversberg are one of the smallest professional football teams in Germany, and on the last weekend of the season, they did what many clubs dream of and reached the Bundesliga for the first time in the club’s history.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Luca Salmasi takes a closer look at SV Elversberg’s story and the latest addition to Germany’s top flight.
La Liga analysis: Boos, bust-ups and backlash – Real Madrid drama deepens
This season has proved a difficult period for Real Madrid and it only seems to be getting worse, with Madrid fans recently booing star player Kylian Mbappé. That comes after a training ground bust-up between two other players left the club in a crisis.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal looks at a traumatic last few months for Madrid and considers what the future may hold.
Football news: How social media fuels reactionary fan culture within the beautiful game
Social media allows people to communicate more quickly, enabling football fans to share reactions, commentary, and controversial opinions instantaneously.
But does it have an overall positive influence on football? Here, Sports News Blitz writer Uchenna Haq explores the various effects of social media on the sport’s fandom.
Motorsport news: What is the IndyCar-NASCAR Double – and who is attempting the feat in 2026?
The Double is a racing feat that involves completing both IndyCar’s Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600. Both races happen on the same day, with the Indy 500 in the early afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600 in the evening at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Together, the races comprise 1,100 miles – 500 miles in 200 laps for the Indy 500 and 600 miles in 400 laps for the Coca-Cola 600. But is anyone attempting The Double this year? Sports News Blitz’s Katie Butler takes a look.
Women are driving a new era of sports growth as female viewership numbers continue to increase
The number of women watching sport is growing – and the statistics are there to back it up. From the ashes of Heated Rivalry and Formula 1: Drive to Survive rise female sport fans, who are loyal and ready for sporting fun.
They not only aid consumer statistics and records, but also expand the realms of diversity, virality, and financial stability. Here, Sports News Blitz writer Katie Butler unpacks the growth of female viewership within sport.
FA Cup final and Premier League betting tips: Cole Palmer to score in FA Cup final against Man City, Newcastle and West Ham to draw, and more FA Cup final and Gameweek 37 betting tips
This season's fascinating Premier League title race rumbles on, and we’ve also got the small matter of the FA Cup final, so read on for a breakdown of the best bets from this weekend’s TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including the Wembley showpiece between Chelsea and Manchester City on Saturday, May 16.
Rugby league betting tips: Predictions and suggested bets for Super League Round 11
Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos take on title challengers Wigan Warriors in Round 11 - and there’s a Yorkshire derby between York and Castleford.
With Leeds Rhinos beating high-flying Wakefield last week and St Helens defeating York, the quality is shining through with these two teams looking like hot favourites early on.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Elliot Ward takes a look at upcoming fixtures, highlighting the best betting angles and offering some choice tips.
FA Cup final: Five players key to Chelsea’s victory hopes against Man City at Wembley
With the FA Cup final around the corner, Callum Macfarlane’s Chelsea have the chance to win a trophy after a rather underwhelming season.
This season’s FA Cup will come to its final conclusion on Saturday, May 16, kicking off at 3pm under the arch of Wembley Stadium.
It will be extremely difficult against a very good Manchester City side, who are vying with Arsenal for the Premier League title.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal looks at five Chelsea players who may hold the key to Chelsea winning the cup.
EFL news: Takeover talk provides hope for relegated Rotherham Utd as League Two awaits
The EFL season is almost at its conclusion, with some clubs celebrating promotion and others experiencing the bitter taste of relegation. One club which has seen a thoroughly disappointing last eight months is Rotherham United – the South Yorkshire club suffering demotion to League Two.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer and EFL follower AJ Becker reviews a poor season and looks forward to the potential future success that a takeover may help bring.
League Two play-off semi-final analysis: Predicting who will make it to Wembley
The League Two play-offs are currently underway with the second legs of the semi-finals taking place on Friday, May 15 (kick-off 7.15pm and 8pm).
After Bromley, MK Dons, and Cambridge United received automatic promotion, Salford City, Notts County, Chesterfield and Grimsby Town were left in the fight for the final promotion place.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Katie Butler looks into the question - who will make it to the League Two play-offs final at Wembley?
IPL cricket review: Virat Kohli stars as Royal Challengers Bengaluru win and go top of the league
Virat Kohli stars once again with his ninth IPL century as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeat the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Raipur to go back to the top of the league standings.
With RCB going top and KKR most likely now out of the running for qualification, Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal looks at the key takeaways from this match.
Soccer analysis: Are Luton Town set to contend for the 2026/27 League One title?
Luton Town are set to remain in League One for the 2026/27 season, after an enthralling final day saw the Hatters narrowly miss a play-off position by one point.
Despite a last-minute winner against play-off rivals Bolton Wanderers, a controversial last-minute goal for Stevenage’s Dan Sweeney meant the Hertfordshire side edged into the final play-off position.
Whether the play-offs would have been beneficial for Luton, given their single victorious play-off campaign from six attempts in the 21st century, is another thought.
Next season, however, Luton certainly will be gunning for that top spot, writes Sports News Blitz’s Uchenna Haq.
ITV horse racing tips and best bets for York and Salisbury on Thursday, May 14
Day two of the Dante Festival gets underway at York Racecourse on Thursday and Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh is back for the main event.
ITV are showing five races from York and one from Salisury, all spearheaded by the Dante Stakes at 16:05.
Premier League Darts night 15 preview and betting tips
The race for the play-offs continues to heat up in the Premier League of Darts, with just two nights of regular season action remaining. It really is now or never for the remaining arrowsmiths to bag a play-off place.
Sports News Blitz’s Charlie Fawcett previews all the action ahead of a huge night of darts in Birmingham.