Welcome to another weekend of enthralling sporting action. With the season reaching its climax, there is no better place to get things underway than our rolling coverage across football, cricket, rugby, and more. Here is how to follow along with the finest writing and up-to-the-minute reports.
Saturday’s Action
Football: Premier League and Play-Offs
Our rolling football blog kicks off with five Premier League fixtures, both Championship and League One play-off semi-finals, a Scottish Premiership title-decider, and the best of Europe’s top games. Co-hosts Emillia Hawkins and Barry Glendenning will offer breaking news, updates from around the grounds, and readers’ thoughts. Join the conversation at matchday.live@theguardian.com.
Cricket: County Championship Live
Tanya Aldred keeps the updates flowing from nine county grounds on day two of her blog. Expect more from Ben Stokes’ county comeback, as Durham unleashes the England captain as a new-ball strike bowler. Stokes made his first appearance since the Ashes against Worcestershire on Friday, his return delayed after a stray ball to the face required reconstructive surgery. England’s white-ball captain, Harry Brook, also made his first county appearance of the season on Friday in Yorkshire’s clash at Warwickshire.
Premier League: Liverpool v Chelsea (12:30pm)
Monday’s 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest extended Chelsea’s desperate run, marking a sixth Premier League defeat in a row—the first time since 1993. It is now impossible for the World Club Champions to finish in the top five and qualify automatically for the Champions League. There is also an increasing likelihood they will struggle to finish high enough for other European competitions. Scott Murray helms the blog with Andy Hunter reporting from Anfield.
Championship Play-Off Semi-Final: Middlesbrough v Southampton (12:30pm)
Tonda Eckert’s Saints are the form team after a 19-match league unbeaten run that pushed them into fourth place, almost gatecrashing the top two. Middlesbrough saw their automatic promotion hopes checked after managing just two wins from their final 10 games. Southampton slumped to a 4-0 defeat on Teesside in January, so Eckert will not underestimate the challenge. Billy Munday has the blog covered, with Louise Taylor at the Riverside.
Women’s Six Nations: Italy v England (2pm)
There appears to be no stopping the Red Roses juggernaut, but Italy are heading in the right direction. Their most recent encounters saw the losing margin cut from 74 in 2022 to 33 in 2025. Italy lost their opening two matches to France and Ireland but thumped Scotland 41-14 last time out. England chalked up a 36th successive win with a 62-24 victory over Wales. Ellie Kildunne returns to the left wing in Parma, with Emma Sing restored at full-back and Mia Venner on the right wing for her fourth cap. Lee Calvert hosts the blog, with Sarah Rendell reporting.
Premier League: 3pm Clockwatch
Barry Glendenning focuses on two of the three 3pm kickoffs. Interim head coach Michael Carrick returns to the scene of one of his worst days as a Manchester United player—14 years since final-day delight at the Stadium of Light turned into a nightmare when Sergio Agüero’s late strike saw Manchester City snatch the title. Bournemouth are looking to clinch European qualification against Fulham after climbing to sixth.
Premier League: Manchester City v Brentford (5:30pm)
City will not ease off in their title pursuit despite Monday’s 3-3 draw at Everton, which required a 97th-minute equalizer. That draw left Pep Guardiola’s side five points behind Arsenal with one game in hand. Four straight victories is the minimum for City. Rob Smyth keeps the updates flowing, with Jamie Jackson reporting.
Sunday’s Action
Football: Matchday Live (8am-12:30pm)
Emillia Hawkins offers news, previews, and reader comments, keeping tabs on Sunday’s Premier League fixtures, including West Ham v Arsenal. Plus, build-up to the National League promotion playoff final, Women’s FA Cup semi-finals, an Old Firm derby, and the Clásico.
Women’s Cricket: England v New Zealand (11am)
Daniel Harris and James Wallace provide over-by-over coverage of the first ODI at Durham, with the hosts missing skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt due to a minor calf tear. Vice-captain Charlie Dean will captain the side. Raf Nicholson reports.
Cricket: County Championship Live (11am)
Tanya Aldred returns with updates and reader comments on day three of the latest round of Championship fixtures.
Scottish Premiership: Celtic v Rangers (12pm)
Celtic trail leaders by three points with three games remaining and are in no mood to give up their title defence. Rangers’ season is ending anticlimactically after back-to-back defeats, but they would take great pleasure in a win. Billy Munday steers the blog, with Ewan Murray reporting from Celtic Park.
Premier League: 2pm Clockwatch
Simon Burnton hones in on two of Sunday’s 2pm kickoffs. Nottingham Forest seek an instant rebound from their Europa League ejection, while Newcastle are refreshed after beating Brighton. Aston Villa’s sparkling European form contrasts with recent league performances.
Women’s FA Cup Semi-Final: Chelsea v Manchester City (3:30pm)
The freshly crowned champions confront the dominant club of the past six seasons. Manchester City claimed their first title in 10 years, and Andrée Jeglertz could now lead them to a domestic double. John Brewin hosts the blog, with Suzanne Wrack reporting.
Premier League: West Ham v Arsenal (4:30pm)
After reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal face relegation-threatened West Ham in a pivotal fixture. Mikel Arteta’s side are four matches away from a momentous double. West Ham are scrapping for survival points. Rob Smyth brings minute-by-minute coverage with David Hytner and Barney Ronay at the ground.
La Liga: Barcelona v Real Madrid (8pm)
Clásico time to cap off the weekend. Barcelona can clinch the title if they avoid defeat. Real Madrid are troubled by disciplinary issues, including a training-ground spat involving Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. John Brewin keeps the updates flowing, with Sid Lowe reporting from Camp Nou.
