This year’s champion will be crowned in Saturday’s grand final, the last ever live episode to be hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman
© BBC
⚽ All the latest in the buildup to Saturday’s action
⚽ Ten things to look out for | Tables | Mail us here
Good morning all and welcome to another of our matchday live blogs. It’s Saturday morning so that can only mean one thing – buildup! And we can safely called it a bumper day of action with no less than eight Premier League games, starting with Newcastle v Chelsea at 12.30pm, heading into the four 3pm kick-offs, Tottenham v Liverpool at 5.30pm and then two 8pm games: Everton v Arsenal and Leeds v Crystal Palace (all times GMT).
There is also a full schedule of games in the Scottish Premiership, Championship, League One and League Two, plus lower down the pyramids and in Spain, Germany and beyond too. See – bumper.
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© Composite: Guardian Design
© Composite: Guardian Design
© Composite: Guardian Design
This art-filled hotel is loved by the A-list, which comes as no surprise to Kate Wickers when she checks in for the chance to experience a nighttime safari
© Parminder Saggu
The Frenchman, who has been named the best male footballer in the world by the Guardian, has benefitted from PSG’s focus on the team rather than individuals
What makes a good player great, and a great player the best? This question has been occupying me since 2014, when the Guardian first asked me to contribute to its inaugural Next Generation feature. My job was to look for a France-based talent born in 1997 who could go on to have a stellar career.
After a great deal of research, I narrowed it down from my shortlist of five by asking questions not about the players’ football ability, but about other attributes: resilience, adaptability, decision-making, creativity, work ethic, response to feedback and willingness to learn. Qualities we cannot see, and are harder to measure.
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© Photograph: Kristy Sparow/UEFA/Getty Images
© Photograph: Kristy Sparow/UEFA/Getty Images
© Photograph: Kristy Sparow/UEFA/Getty Images
The Celtic manager wants to focus on the things that matter but after starting with four defeats he may not have the chance
Years ago when sport was good, you didn’t have optics. You just had what happened. And what happened was what you had seen happen.
Things are different now. If you haven’t lent into optics when discussing your underperforming team, then you’re missing out. One dictionary definition for you: Optics (1) “The way in which an event or course of action is perceived by the public.”
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© Illustration: Matthew Green/The Guardian
© Illustration: Matthew Green/The Guardian
© Illustration: Matthew Green/The Guardian
Funding to tackle misinformation and cyber-attacks, and boost democracy, cut from £40m to £24m
Keir Starmer’s raid on overseas aid has led to a 40% cut in funds for countering Russian aggression and misinformation in a region of Europe described by the prime minister as vital to the UK’s national security.
British funding committed to bolstering the western Balkans, where Russia has been accused of sowing division and creating destabilisation, has been cut from £40m last year to £24m for 2025-26.
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© Photograph: Darko Vojinović/AP
© Photograph: Darko Vojinović/AP
© Photograph: Darko Vojinović/AP
A pair of paragliders had a close shave when they landed inches away from a polar bear enclosure.
© Peak Wildlife Park
© PA Wire
While all exercise comes with the risk of injury, there are three things runners can do to reduce this
© Getty
India says 50 citizens awaiting ‘early discharge’ from Russian armed forces
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© Patrika
In plum position in the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kate Wickers discovers the ultimate glamping experience at this treetop-set safari camp
© Buluu Poppy
Around 240 people experience the traumatic and life-changing effects of a stroke every day in the UK
© Getty/iStock
Cyclist and road safety groups argue proposed alternative route away from traffic-free Le Piétonnier is unsafe
On an unseasonably mild winter’s day, people are gathering at Le Piétonnier, the pedestrian zone in the heart of Brussels. Tourists buy mulled wine and churros at the Christmas market outside the Bourse, the old stock exchange, now repurposed as a beer museum. A few people drink coffee on cafe terraces. Up and down the length of the 650-metre-long space, people come and go, bikes and scooters weaving in and out of the crowds.
Next year, this scene will look somewhat different: bikes and scooters will be banned from this 18,000-sq-metre pedestrian zone for most of the day. People on two wheels will be allowed to ride only between 4am and 11am. At all other times, they must dismount and push their vehicle up the street, or face a fine.
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© Photograph: Jennifer Rankin/The Guardian
© Photograph: Jennifer Rankin/The Guardian
© Photograph: Jennifer Rankin/The Guardian
England were left on 207 for 6, needing a 228-run miracle on day five in Adelaide, while Australia require four more wickets to seal a 3-0 lead
© AFP via Getty Images
Anthony Joshua ended a 15-month absence from the ring to inflict a sixth round knockout of Jake Paul before turning his attention to 2026 and a grudge match with Tyson Fury
© Getty Images for Netflix
Joshua stopped the YouTuber-turned-boxer in the sixth round after struggling to pin him down early on
© AP
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