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Premier League promotion race intensifies ahead of crucial Easter Monday clashes
The Championship promotion race is approaching a dramatic climax, with Easter Monday shaping up as a defining day for Leeds United, Burnley and Sheffield United.
With just three matches remaining, Leeds and Burnley, level at the summit on 91 points, stand on the brink of automatic promotion. Sheffield United, five points adrift, remains in contention but faces an uphill battle to avoid the playoffs.
Leeds took a significant step toward a Premier League return with a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Oxford United on Friday. Daniel Farke’s side, top on goal difference, is unbeaten in seven, and finding form at the perfect time.
It hosts Stoke City on Monday, knowing that three points, combined with a Sheffield United slip-up, could effectively seal its return to the top flight.
Burnley, under Scott Parker, continues to keep pace. Its 2-1 victory over Watford extended its unbeaten run to 30 league games, equaling a Championship record and keeping it locked at level with Leeds.
Now comes a crucial test. A showdown with Sheffield United that could all but confirm a fourth successive Premier League promotion from the second tier for the Clarets.
The top of the Championship could not be any tighter!
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 18, 2025
Leeds United and Burnley could both potentially win promotion to the Premier League on Easter Monday. pic.twitter.com/1CEB5xY6J4
For Sheffield United, it’s win or bust. Anything less than victory at Turf Moor would almost certainly confine it to the playoffs. A run of three defeats in its last four has derailed its promotion charge, and Chris Wilder’s side must summon something special to keep its hopes alive.
Monday’s fixtures could scarcely be more finely balanced. Leeds welcomes mid-table Stoke to Elland Road, while Burnley and Sheffield United face off in a high-stakes, head-to-head battle.
Should Leeds win and Burnley avoid defeat, both could clinch promotion with two games to spare. But a Sheffield United victory would blow the race wide open heading into the final week.
As form, pressure and opportunity converge, Easter Monday promises to be one of the most consequential days of the Championship season. One that could send Leeds and Burnley back to the Premier League, or spark a dramatic late twist.
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Lionel Messi Injury Update- Training Ground Footage Raises Questions Ahead of Inter Miami vs LA Galaxy
Lionel Messi’s fitness is under the microscope these days as Inter Miami prepares to face LA Galaxy on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Chase Stadium. After missing the MLS All-Star Game and then sitting out the previous match with a minor right-leg muscle injury, fans are itching to see him back on the pitch. Messi has been Miami’s main man up front this season with 18 goals in 18 appearances (and nine assists) and will be crucial in a game that could have a big impact on the team’s playoff position. Adding to the discussion about his readiness, a recent video showing Messi during an Inter Miami training session has raised eyebrows. Lionel Messi’s Status ahead of LA Galaxy match In a recent Instagram clip from journalist José Armando shows Messi getting some help on his left foot during the latest Inter Miami training. It was brief and the Argentinian superstar was back to full training afterwards, so no major issue. This, on top of the minor right-leg muscle injury he picked up in the Leagues Cup game against Necaxa. Despite the short training clip raising some questions, it does look like the left foot assistance was precautionary. Manager Javier Mascherano is being careful with Messi’s minutes to make sure he’s ready for the Galaxy game. Analysts say his presence will be key in a tactical battle given he can create chances, control the tempo and score big goals. If Messi trains without restrictions, expect him to play this Saturday, his first game since the All-Star Game and the injury. Inter Miami will be counting on their star to lead the line, make plays and potentially win the game for them in this big MLS match.
Browns' Shedeur Sanders could be losing valuable opportunity after injury update
Just when it seemed everything was going right for Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns' rookie quarterback caught an unlucky break on Wednesday. The 23-year-old QB was sidelined during Wednesday's joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles after suffering an oblique injury. Per Kelsey Russo of the team website, the 2025 fifth-round pick won't practice Thursday and is considered day-to-day. He is deemed unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason game against Philadelphia, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on NFL Network. Before Wednesday's practice, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed rookie QB Dillon Gabriel will start against Philadelphia as long as he's healthy enough to play. The 2025 third-rounder missed Cleveland's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers because of a hamstring issue. However, Stefanski previously said Sanders would get more reps this week after a solid preseason debut. The former Colorado Buffaloes star received the start in the 30-10 win over Carolina, going 14-of-23 passing for 138 yards and two touchdown passes. Not playing against Philadelphia could disrupt Sanders' momentum. More importantly, it may eliminate another opportunity for him to overtake Gabriel in Cleveland's four-way QB competition. Sanders is listed as the Browns QB4 behind Gabriel, Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco on the team's unofficial depth chart. Despite questions about Gabriel's size (5-foot-11, 205 pounds), the coaching staff seems to favor him over Sanders. Earlier this offseason, Gabriel's processing speed reportedly impressed Browns coaches, giving him an edge over Sanders. The former Oregon Ducks star also received reps with the first-team offense during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, while his fellow rookie didn't. If Gabriel plays well against the Eagles, that would continue to affirm the coaching staff's confidence in the 24-year-old QB. Neither Sanders nor Gabriel is expected to be the Week 1 starter for the Browns. It's likely going to be Flacco, who helped Cleveland make the playoffs in 2023 when he went 4-1 during a late-season stretch. Still, another solid preseason showing could help Sanders position himself to replace 40-year-old Flacco in the future. With the setback, it may take more time to climb the depth chart.
Browns HC confirms Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders whispers
A previous report suggested that the Cleveland Browns want to start 2025 third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel at quarterback for this coming Saturday's preseason game at the Philadelphia Eagles over 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders as long as Gabriel is healthy enough to play at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. While speaking with reporters ahead of Wednesday's joint practice involving the clubs, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Gabriel began the day on track to start Saturday's contest. "The plan was always to give both of those guys a start in the preseason, so we’ll see how it shakes out," Stefanski explained, as shared by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. Neither Gabriel nor backup Kenny Pickett played in Cleveland's preseason opener at the Carolina Panthers on Friday as they continued to recover from lingering hamstring injuries. Sanders received the bulk of the meaningful reps in that game and completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-10 win over Carolina. While Gabriel is doing 11-on-11 work during joint practices this week, Pickett remained relegated to 7-on-7 drills as of Wednesday. That said, FanDuel Sportsbook continued to list 40-year-old Joe Flacco as the betting favorite at -310 odds to be the Browns' starting quarterback for their Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals as of Wednesday. Pickett was at +360 odds, followed by Sanders at +1060. Gabriel was a +1800 underdog to get the nod for the Cincinnati matchup at that time. Gabriel began Wednesday as the Browns' unofficial QB3 ahead of Sanders. Meanwhile, Sanders did not get any reps in the opening few periods of the Browns' joint practice with the Eagles on Wednesday morning after suffering an oblique injury. Earlier in the month, the former Colorado star missed some practice time due to arm soreness. Per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Stefanski added that he wants "to get through" Thursday before he finalizes his plans for the Philadelphia game. Unless Gabriel experiences a setback ahead of the weekend, it seems he will receive an opportunity to silence critics while serving as Cleveland's temporary QB1 against the Eagles.
Yankees Announce Paul Goldschmidt News After Loss to Twins
The New York Yankees won their first series of August in a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins from Monday to Wednesday, but they're still in trouble. They're only one game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians for the third and final AL Wild Card spot with six weeks left in the regular season. The Yankees beat the Twins 6-2 on Monday and 9-1 on Tuesday before losing 4-1 on Wednesday, but Tuesday's victory came at a price. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt left early and didn't play on Wednesday, a night in which New York especially needed his bat. The Yankees released an update on Goldschmidt after Wednesday night's game, via MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. The 37-year-old has a low-grade knee sprain with inflammation. He's slashing .276/.331/.422 with 10 homers and 40 RBI over 112 games. Fellow first baseman Ben Rice went 1-for-4 in Goldshmidt's stead on Wednesday. The 26-year-old is slashing .233/.326/.456 with 17 homers and 38 RBI over 101 contests. Paul Goldschmidt comments on injury Goldschmidt said that he hopes he can avoid the IL with a "short-term" absence, via Hoch. While Rice is a high-upside player in his second year, the seven-time All-Star is still a more dependable contact hitter at this point. Goldschmidt is third on the squad with 110 hits, although his younger counterpart's OPS is 30 points higher. The Yankees need the veteran back as soon as possible to help them maintain their Wild Card spot. His presence allows Rice to play catcher, which is optimal given Austin Wells's struggles. The 26-year-old is slashing just .206/.264/.408 with 15 homers and 56 RBI over 94 games. Up next for New York is a road series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Goldschmidt's former team.
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