Sport

Manchester City close in on Guéhi, Malen joins Roma, derby looms for Carrick: football – live
Posted on Friday January 16, 2026

⚽ The latest football news going into the weekend⚽ Premier League preview | Follow on Bluesky | Mail usA very poor 9/15 from me.Afcon is moving to a four-year cycle, a decision the Confederation of African Football has been accused of forcing through without proper consultation. Ed Aarons and Romain Molina report:Several presidents of African football federations have told the Guardian they were not informed of the decision until it was surprisingly announced by the Caf president, Patrice Motsepe, on 20 December, prompting claims that the confederation breached its statutes by failing to seek approval at a general assembly. Continue reading...

The Glasgow prop turns 30 on Monday and helping to raise four kids under seven he is feeling it, but has Saracens to deal with on Sunday firstIt is a proper challenge. The screeching pressure, the hard graft, the energy-sapping demands. And all that before Zander Fagerson, father of four kids under seven including 14-month-old twins, heads out for his intense day job with Glasgow Warriors and Scotland. As the big man wryly puts it: “You definitely need a lot more patience with the kids. It’s different stresses. One’s more physical, one’s more mental. I love them both.”Welcome to Zander’s insanely busy life. For him and his wife, Yasmine, “hectic” does not begin to cover it. But talk to him immediately after another full-on session on the training field – “The backs have coffees and do their hair, the forwards are out grafting” – and the British & Irish Lions prop is clearly full of beans. And why not? Glasgow remain unbeaten in their Champions Cup pool and will sit among the top seeds for the start of the knockout stage should they beat Saracens at Scotstoun on Sunday. Continue reading...

Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Posted on Friday January 16, 2026

Chelsea need to avoid long-throw blues, plus: a vacant spot for Liverpool and West Ham’s best hope for survivalRace for the golden boot: Premier League top scorersCan the 198th derby be any spicier for Manchester United and their latest interim manager, Michael Carrick? This is his second caretaker tenure, though the three games of November-December 2021 (beating Villarreal and Arsenal, drawing with Chelsea) hardly compares with sending out an XI to try to beat Manchester City in Saturday’s early kick-off. Pep Guardiola’s high-performing unit remain in contention on all fronts. Carrick takes charge of a United suffering the aftershocks of a latest manager sacking, hoping to salvage the season via European qualification. The lad from Wallsend has 17 games to do so – his new team are in seventh place on 32 points, so victory over City would be a fine start. But you wonder if the match might end with Carrick and United humbled or, even worse, humiliated. Jamie JacksonManchester United v Manchester City, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)Chelsea v Brentford, Saturday 3pmLeeds v Fulham, Saturday 3pmLiverpool v Burnley, Saturday 3pm Continue reading...

African football chiefs accused of not consulting fully over controversial Afcon change
Posted on Friday January 16, 2026

Tournament to be played every four years from 2028Federation denies statutes breached in making decisionThe Confederation of African Football (Caf) has been accused of pushing through its controversial decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) every four years without properly consulting member federations.Several presidents of African football federations have told the Guardian they were not informed of the decision until it was surprisingly announced by the Caf president, Patrice Motsepe, on 20 December, prompting claims that the confederation breached its statutes by failing to seek approval at a general assembly. Continue reading...

Katie Boulter hires Sharapova’s former coach to revive career after dismal 2025
Posted on Friday January 16, 2026

Player fell to world ranking No 113 at end of last yearNorrie will be highest-ranked British player in MelbourneKatie Boulter is hopeful that she can rediscover her best form and return towards the top of the WTA Tour this year with the help of Maria Sharapova’s former coach Michael Joyce.Boulter opted to split with her previous longtime coach, Biljana Veselinovic, at the end of last year after an incredibly difficult season in which she fell from her career high ranking of No 23 at the end of 2024 to her current ranking of No 113. Continue reading...

NFL divisional round predictions: which No 1 seed is set for an unpleasant shock?
Posted on Friday January 16, 2026

The postseason continues with the Broncos and Seahawks entering the fray, but there could be trouble for one of the frontrunnersWhat the Bills need to do to win: Keep winning short-yardage situations. The tush push on fourth down that propelled Josh Allen 10 yards and helped secure Buffalo’s win over Jacksonville last weekend epitomised how the Bills dominated the game’s crucial moments. The Bills converted four of their five third downs with four yards or to go last Sunday, and they finished fifth in third-down rate in the regular season in the same situations. Denver were eighth this season in third-and-short defensive efficiency (50.6%). Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady will have to find ways to create leverage for Allen and the Bills in those vital moments to keep the scoreboard moving. Continue reading...

Max Verstappen admits new F1 season is step into unknown amid rule changes
Posted on Friday January 16, 2026

Red Bull first to launch 2026 car under new regulationsRow brewing over possible loophole in engine rulesRed Bull formally began their tilt at the forthcoming Formula One season, unveiling the livery for their challenger, the RB22, in a showcase event in Detroit on Thursday, with Max Verstappen admitting the sweeping regulation changes for 2026 will be a step into the “unknown”.Before a highly anticipated season, with a swathe of big rule changes presenting a challenge across the grid, Red Bull are the first in what is due to be a hectic period of launches before pre-season testing begins. Continue reading...

Australia legend Lockyer hopes new Broncos can buck London’s rugby league resistance
Posted on Friday January 16, 2026

Former playing great starts new season as an owner in sport’s second tier aiming to rebuild club who would give British game a major lift if they return to Super LeagueDarren Lockyer has faced some monumental challenges for club and country but this year his trickiest task may be finding the opponents of his new club on a map as he takes on rugby league’s mission impossible.Throughout his illustrious career Lockyer faced Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters and some of the world’s best international teams. This year, Lockyer’s interests will be centred on places such as Goole, Swinton and Batley after taking ownership of London Broncos late last year and attempting to make them a rugby league powerhouse. Continue reading...