Saturday’s Highlights
Football
8am to 12pm (all BST)Matchday Live
This weekend promises thrilling action across various leagues. Our live football blog is the perfect destination as we approach the climax of the season. Viewers can look forward to five Premier League matches, Championship and League One play-off semi-finals, the Scottish Premiership title showdown, and several noteworthy top-flight European contests. Co-hosts Emilia Hawkins and Barry Glendening will share the latest updates, alongside reader engagement and questions. Join the conversation by emailing matchday.live@theguardian.com.
Cricket
11amCounty Championship Live
Tanya Aldred has been providing updates from nine county sites since the second day of the Championship. Fans eagerly anticipate the return of Ben Stokes as the England captain makes his debut for Durham, taking the role of a new-ball strike bowler. This appearance marks Stokes’ first since Friday’s Ashes match against Worcestershire, which he missed due to facial injuries requiring surgery. England’s white-ball captain, Harry Brook, also made his season debut against Yorkshire on Friday.
Premier League
12:30pmLiverpool vs Chelsea Live
Chelsea’s woes continue with a 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on Monday, extending their streak to six consecutive Premier League defeats— a record not seen since 1993. This unfortunate turn of events means that the world champions are now unlikely to secure a top-five finish, diminishing their chances of Champions League qualification. Following this setback, they will face Liverpool at Anfield. Scott Murray will guide the blog while Andy Hunter reports live from the ground.
Championship Playoff Semifinals
12:30pmMiddlesbrough vs Southampton Live
The Saints, under Tonda Eckert’s leadership, are enjoying a remarkable 19-game undefeated streak, having climbed to fourth place and nearly cracked the top two. In contrast, Middlesbrough has secured just two wins out of their last ten matches, putting their promotion hopes in jeopardy. Given Southampton’s previous 4-0 defeat to Teeside, Eckert remains cautious about the challenge posed by Kim Helberg’s squad. With the second leg at St Mary’s set for Tuesday, a draw could set up the Saints well for the return leg. Billy Monday oversees the blog along with Riverside’s Louise Taylor.
Women’s Six Nations
2pmItaly vs England Live
England’s Red Roses continue to dominate, but Saturday’s opponents, Italy, are showing improvement. In their recent Six Nations fixtures, Italy has narrowed their defeat margin from 74 points in 2022 to 33 in 2025. While Italy suffered losses to France and Ireland, they secured a 41-14 victory against Scotland in their last outing. England, on their end, triumphed over Wales 62-24, marking their 36th consecutive win. Ellie Kildon returns to the left wing, Emma Singh is back at full-back, and Mia Wenner makes her fourth cap on the right wing, while Zoe Harrison steps in at fly-half. Blog host Lee Calvert and reporter Sarah Rendell will provide insights.
Premier League
3pmClock Check
Barry Glendening returns for another round of updates at 3 PM, focusing on two of the three kickoffs. Interim coach Michael Carrick is back at a stadium where he faced his darkest days as a Manchester United player. It’s been 14 years since a dramatic finale turned into heartbreak when Manchester City claimed the title from Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. With the Premier League title now out of reach for United but Champions League qualification secured, they aim for solid performances in their remaining fixtures. Bournemouth currently sits in sixth place, targeting European qualification and eyeing a potential Champions League berth, relying on favorable outcomes from Aston Villa.
Premier League
5:30pmManchester City vs Brentford Live
Despite a disappointing draw at Everton, where Jeremy Doku scored a last-minute equalizer, Manchester City is determined to keep pace with Arsenal for the title. The recent draw leaves City trailing the leaders by five points. Pep Guardiola’s squad understands that securing four consecutive wins is essential as they embark on the final stretch of the season. Blog host Rob Smith will provide real-time updates, with Jamie Jackson reporting live from the ground.
Sunday’s Key Matches
Football
8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Matchday Live
Emilia Hawkins will keep fans updated on Sunday’s Premier League matches, culminating in a highly anticipated clash between West Ham and Arsenal at the London Stadium. The day will also feature the National League promotion playoff final at Wembley, a Women’s FA Cup semi-final, the Old Firm derby, and the much-anticipated Clasico.
Women’s Cricket
11amEngland vs New Zealand Live
Daniel Harris and James Wallace will deliver comprehensive coverage of the first ODI as England takes on New Zealand in Durham, albeit without their captain, Nat Silver-Blunt, who is sidelined due to a calf injury. Vice-captain Charlie Dean will lead the team during the three-match series, posing a challenge for England as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka on June 12. Raf Nicholson will report on this pivotal game.
Cricket
11amCounty Championship Live
Tanya Aldred provides ongoing updates and reader feedback on day three of the latest County Championship round.
First Minister of Scotland
12pmCeltic vs Rangers Live
Before Hearts’ clash with Motherwell on Saturday, Martin O’Neill’s Celtic held a three-point lead at the top of the table, trailing Derek McInnes’ side by five points on goal difference with three matches to go. Celtic aims to defend their title fiercely against their Glasgow rivals, who are looking to reverse a disappointing season following consecutive defeats. Billy Munday runs the blog while Ewan Murray reports live from Celtic Park.
Premier League
2pmClock Check
Simon Burnton focuses on two of the three matches kicking off at 2 PM. Nottingham Forest, aiming for an immediate bounce-back after their Europa League exit, takes on Newcastle. Forest is looking to build on their 3-1 victory over Chelsea while also remaining ahead of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Aston Villa will aim to enhance their European aspirations against a struggling Burnley.
Women’s FA Cup Semi-Final
3:30pmChelsea vs Manchester City
In a clash of titans, Chelsea, the former champions, squares off against Manchester City, who recently clinched their first Women’s Super League title in a decade. This encounter is crucial as City, fresh from a decisive 5-1 victory over Chelsea in February, seeks to complete a domestic double. Blog host John Brewin and reporter Suzanne Wrack will cover the action.
Premier League
4:30pmWest Ham vs Arsenal Live
After overcoming Atletico Madrid to secure their Champions League final spot, Arsenal prepares to face relegation-threatened West Ham in what could be a defining match for their title pursuit. With Manchester City’s slipup against Everton, this fixture has gained added significance for Arsenal as they aim for their first Premier League title in 22 years. Rob Smith will provide live updates with contributions from David Hytner and Bernie Ronay.
La Liga
8pmBarcelona vs Real Madrid Live
The weekend concludes with the iconic Clasico. If Barcelona avoids defeat, the league title will be in their hands. Meanwhile, Real Madrid faces internal turmoil, including disciplinary issues concerning key players following a recent training ground incident. With Kylian Mbappé’s availability in question due to a hamstring injury, this match promises to be anything but predictable. John Brewin will keep fans informed from Camp Nou.
