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Newcastle United are flying high – nobody in the Premier League wants to face them right now. Six consecutive wins in all competitions has seen the Magpies weaponise the Carabao Cup feel-good factor.

No team has earned more top-flight wins since December. With Manchester United and Crystal Palace put to the sword in recent days, Newcastle can smell blood.

Just six games remain as Eddie Howe’s men – currently led by Jason Tindall as he recovers from pneumonia – aim to set up a summer spending spree. Securing Champions League football will allow PIF room to open the purse strings for the first time since the early stages of the takeover.

As memorable as the Carabao Cup triumph was, the trophy does little for the balance sheet. Newcastle will only bank around £100,000 for last month’s historic Wembley win.

While life-changing for the common man, that sum will not even cover a star like Anthony Gordon or Bruno Guimaraes for a week. The Champions League remains the holy grail for elite clubs, with Liverpool understood to have made £80million from the competition this season despite crashing out at the group stage

Even placing higher in the Premier League can substantially increase a club’s take for the 2024-25 campaign. On average, there is a £2.8million rise per position in the top flight, with a £53.6million difference between first and 20th.

According to Football365, this is how much clubs can expect to net based on current league positions. The gap shows how much more lucrative it is for Newcastle to finish third – and possibly second – over fifth.

Liverpool – £56.4million

Arsenal – £53.5million

Newcastle United – £50.7million

Nottingham Forest – £47.9million

Manchester City – £45.1million

Chelsea – £42.2million

Aston Villa – £39.4million

Bournemouth – £36.7million

Fulham – £33.8million

Brighton – £31million

Brentford – £28.2million

Crystal Palace – £25.4million

Everton – £22.5million

Manchester United – £19.7million

Tottenham Hotspur – £16.9million

Wolverhampton Wanderers – £14million

West Ham United – £11.3million

Ipswich Town – £8.5million

Leicester City – £5.7million

Southampton – £2.8million

Newcastle CEO Darren Eales stressed the importance of boosting all revenue sources when the club’s accounts were released last month. He said: “We are committed to sustainable success and we have started 2025 in a strong position.

“Our progress has been supported by diligent work on and off the pitch. Returning to the Champions League for the first time in more than 20 years was hugely memorable for everyone connected with the club, and it has clear upside financially as we continue to grow

“We grew our revenues by 28 per cent in the twelve months to 30 June 2024, with an increase in matchday revenue as well as significantly improved sponsorship deals and a sharper focus on everything we are doing across the club. We continue to make significant strides with our commercial deals and matchday offerings as we strengthen the foundations of the long-term project here at Newcastle United.”

Friday’s reports indicate that Juventus have an agreement in place with Porto to keep Francisco Conceicao on board for the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer, but there are still doubts over the Portugal international’s future in Turin beyond the newly-formatted tournament in the USA.

Juventus already have an agreement in place with Porto to ‘extend’ Conceicao’s loan deal so that he can still be with the squad for the end-of-season Club World Cup that kicks off in mid-June.
However, it remains to be seen whether Juventus will look to keep the 22-year-old on board for the 2025-26 campaign.

Conceicao joined Juventus on a straight loan deal from Porto, at a cost of €7m plus up to €3m in bonuses.
Reports over the last year confirm that there was an informal agreement in place to make the deal permanent for a further €30m, but as there was no official buy option included in the deal, there is no obligation for the Bianconeri to pay that fee.
The Portugal international has been slightly out of favour since the appointment of Igor Tudor in March.
The new Bianconeri head coach changed from Thiago Motta’s preferred 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-2-1 shape, which has reduced the need for out-and-out wingers like Conceicao

That means that he has had to settle for two substitute appearances during the Croatian’s first three games in charge.

Juventus will be less likely to spend €30m on signing Conceicao if he continues to be a back-up option, which could be the case if the Old Lady stick with Tudor as head coach for the 2025-26 season.

Former Rochdale midfielder Joe Thompson – who battled cancer on three occasions – has died at the age of 36.
He was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 and recovered before the cancer returned in 2017. He went on to recover a second time.
Joe revealed in March last year that he had stage four lymphoma which had spread to his lungs.

The footballer retired from playing in 2019 after making 203 appearances for Rochdale and saying he had “pushed his body to the absolute limit”.
After returning for the second time from cancer in December 2017, Thompson went on to score the goal that saw Rochdale avoid League One relegation.

He started his career in the Manchester United academy as a forward, before leaving to play for Rochdale, Tranmere, Carlisle amongst others.

Tottenham are potentially 90 minutes away from securing a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League. Ange Postecoglou’s side play Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of their quarter-final tie on Thursday evening with the score locked at 1-1.
Tottenham did have chances to win last Thursday’s first-leg encounter, but Brennan Johnson passed up a good opportunity late on while both Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur struck the crossbar. The Bundesliga club are now favourites to progress to the final four of the competition given they are on home soil for the deciding leg, but Postecoglou and Spurs will be out to ensure that is not the case.

The winner of Thursday’s tie at Deutsche Bank Park will play either Lazio or Bodo/Glimt for a place in the final. Bodo/Glimt lead 2-0 from the first leg in Norway and now they have to try and hold on to their two-goal advantage when they visit Rome.

Tottenham head into Thursday’s game with Radu Dragusin and Son Heung-min the only players in the treatment room right now. In training footage released by the club on Tuesday, Wilson Odobert trained after his absence at Wolves and Kevin Danso was also back with his teammates after a month out with a hamstring issue.

The hope will be that Postecoglou has all his players available apart from long-term absentee Dragusin if Spurs are to secure a semi-final berth. As things stand right now, three Tottenham players could miss a potential semi-final clash through suspension.

Under Europa League regulations, any player who picks up three yellow cards, or any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc.), are suspended for the next competition match. Tottenham are already well aware of this as Bentancur missed the round of 16 second leg tie against AZ Alkmaar after seeing yellow in the first game in the Netherlands.

Bergvall, Yves Bissouma and Dejan Kulusevski are currently on two bookings apiece and are one yellow card away from receiving a one-match ban. Dragusin is another Spurs star on two yellow cards in Europe but he cannot obtain a suspension as he is out for the remainder of the season through injury and no longer in Spurs’ European squad as a result.

Yellow cards are not wiped out until the conclusion of the quarter-final stage, meaning the three players in question have to try and avoid a caution in Frankfurt. Article 63.04 in UEFA’s Europa League rules stipulates: “Exceptionally, all yellow cards and pending yellow-card suspensions expire on completion of the play-offs. They are not carried forward to the league phase. In addition, all yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals.”
Amid confusion that players would escape a one-match ban for the first leg of a prospective semi-final given yellow cards are wiped out after the quarter-finals, they would indeed still serve a one-match ban if they are cautioned for a third time in the competition. This is because they would have picked up three yellow cards prior to the completion of the quarter-final ties, meaning a one-match ban would be given as punishment.

If they do not receive yellow cards then the slate is effectively wiped clean for the semi-finals as their bookings would not be carried forward. As yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals, a player cannot be suspended for the final even if they are cautioned in both legs of a victorious semi-final tie. The only way they could be banned for the Europa League final is if they were to receive a red card in the semi-final second leg or if they were dismissed for violent conduct in the first leg.

Arsenal staved off Champions League holders Real Madrid’s superstars and rich history of unlikely comebacks to snatch a 2-1 victory on Wednesday and reach the semi-finals with a superb 5-1 aggregate triumph.

The Gunners’ 3-0 quarter-final first leg triumph last week gave them a vital cushion in the Spanish capital as they made the final four for the first time since 2009, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain.

Bukayo Saka, who missed a first-half penalty, sent Arsenal ahead and although Vinicius Junior levelled the 15-time winners were never close to making up the deficit.

Gabriel Martinelli rubbed salt in their wounds with a stoppage-time winner for Arsenal, who have never lifted the Champions League trophy.

Los Blancos, far more brittle than when they won a Champions League and La Liga double last season, were convinced they could turn the game around but created too little against Arsenal’s tight defence. The Premier League side held their nerve to reach the semi-finals for only the third time in their history.

Kylian Mbappe chested home in the opening stages but was clearly offside, with the forward gesturing to the crowd to turn up the volume to create the fabled aura which helps Madrid pull off near-impossible feats at the Santiago Bernabeu. David Alaba was booked for hacking down Saka as Madrid tried to add the grit they badly lacked in their first leg demolition in London, and the Arsenal winger also had a drive fielded well by Thibaut Courtois.

Arsenal were awarded a penalty seemingly out of the blue when the VAR booth instructed French referee Francois Letexier to review an incident from an earlier corner.

Raul Asencio pulled back Arsenal forward Mikel Merino in the area and Letexier pointed to the spot, to the bemusement of the home crowd. Saka stepped up to take it but his poorly-executed Panenka, skewing off to the left, was saved by Courtois.

Inter hold off Bayern to reach Champions League last fourInter Milan reached the semi-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday after drawing 2-2 with Bayern Munich to win a pulsating last-eight tie 4-3 on aggregate.

Italian champions Inter will face Barcelona in the semis after goals in the space of three minutes from captain Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard cancelled out a Harry Kane strike for Bayern which levelled the tie in the 52nd minute. Eric Dier’s looping header in the 75th minute earned Bayern a draw on the night in soaking and blustery Milan but that wasn’t enough for Vincent Kompany’s side to continue their bid to be crowned Kings of Europe for a seventh time. Simone Inzaghi’s side came through in awful conditions at the San Siro where a combination of heavy rain and driving winds affected both teams’ ability to play their best football, but added uncertainty and tension to an already highly-charged occasion.

Real Madrid’s preparations for their all- important UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal took on new life on Tuesday night.

According to a report from Defensa Central, the players gathered at Valdebebas to watch the european fixtures together, and what they witnessed fuelled their belief.

With Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain collapsing in their respective ties, the Madrid players discovered renewed motivation, leaving the viewing session with a shared experience of belief: “We can do everything tomorrow, for sure.”

Optimism around the corner

The message that echoed around the complex became clear—if others can come near, so can they.
It must be noted that Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund both managed to score three goals against PSG and Barcelona respective, exactly the number of goals Real Madrid need just to level things with Arsenal.

While both teams were eventually eliminated, their efforts inspired the Real Madrid players as it showed just how quickly a tie can shift, especially with home support and attacking ambition.

Madrid’s belief fueled by past comebacks 

Despite the daunting 0-3 defeat from the first leg, belief within the Real Madrid dressing room is only growing stronger.
This group has constructed a legacy on comebacks and big moments in the Champions League, particularly at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The players recognize that their mission is tough, but no longer impossible—mainly when considering the expertise they have at their disposal.

It is said that The squad is completely aware of the importance of defensive discipline, especially given the away goals situation.
If Arsenal manage to score even once, Madrid will need to hit four, making it essential that they stay compact at the back while going all-out in attack.
Internally, the mood is focused and intense. The players recognize they have to give everything on the pitch. From veterans to young stars, every player knows what is at stake and what needs to be done.

Barcelona and Paris St Germain survived spirited comebacks from Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa respectively to reach the Champions League semi-finals.
Barca, who began with a 4-0 aggregate lead, were stunned by a Serhou Guirassy hat-trick in the second leg of their quarter-final at Signal Iduna Park but held on to progress 5-3 overall after a 3-1 loss.

PSG looked to be cruising through after following up their 3-1 first-leg victory by racing into a 2-0 lead at Villa Park but the Premier League outfit hit back to win 3-2 on the night.

Dortmund went all-out attack in the hope of pulling off an unlikely recovery and deserved to lead by more than Guirassy’s 11th-minute penalty at the break.

Guirassy finally doubled the lead after 49 minutes but Dortmund’s momentum was halted when Ramy Bensebaini turned into his own net.

Dortmund rallied again and Guirassy completed his treble 14 minutes from time but it was not enough as Barca held on to reach the last four for the first time in six years.

Villa also fell short despite producing a heroic response to goals from Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes in the opening 27 minutes.
Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Ezri Konsa all struck as Villa got within one goal of taking the tie to extra-time but PSG just did enough and prevailed 5-4 on aggregate.

UEFA will consider changing the seeding rules for next season’s European competitions amid criticism that Arsenal will play the second leg of their huge Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid away from home despite finishing ahead of them in the league table.
Current rules of the revamped competitions mean that teams that finished in the top eight are only guaranteed to play the pivotal second legs at home in the last 16.

Who would have the advantage of a home quarter-final or semi-final was decided by a random draw – with the Gunners without a home second leg for the rest of the tournament.

That left Arsenal, who finished third in the 36-team Champions League table, forced to play their quarter-final second leg against European champions Real Madrid, who finished 11th, at the Bernabeu.

Arsenal were dumped out of the competition in the quarter-final last season after losing the second leg away to Bayern Munich.
Thankfully for Mikel Arteta’s side, they take a three-goal advantage into their second leg in Madrid on Wednesday night after Declan Rice’s heroics at the Emirates.

However, they will again face an away second leg in the semi-final if they make it through to face the winner of Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain.

There’s a growing belief that having seeded second legs only for the last 16 does not give enough reward to the clubs who flourished in the league stage and Katikaa Sport understands UEFA chiefs will discuss whether to make a change for next season.

Bosses have already rejected calls to scrap extra-time in the knockout phases, despite growing concerns over player welfare in a jam-packed calendar, for fears it might result in more boring, negative football.
Uefa’s club competition committee discussed a proposal to change the rules but decided against sending any knockout games that were still level after 90 minutes straight to penalties.

They believed weaker teams would spend the closing stages of games playing for penalties instead of pushing for a winner.

Nearly 60 per cent of the Champions League knockout matches that have gone to extra time since the away goals rule was scrapped have been decided before penalties with around half in the Europa League and Conference League.

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has reportedly become a minority owner at a Championship club.
For a number of months, speculation has continued regarding the 39-year-old’s long-term future at the Bernabeu courtesy of his contract being due to expire at the end of the season.

Making a renewal official appears to be a formality, Modric known to want to extend his stay at Los Blancos for at least another 12 months.
Nevertheless, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Croatia international has agreed to make the step into football ownership.

Which Championship club has Modric joined?

Commenting on X, Romano says that Modric has become a new minority owner in Swansea City, who currently sit in 12th position in the Championship table.
The report stresses that Modric is not retiring from professional football and still aims to pen a new contract with Real Madrid.

Modric is no stranger to English football having spent four years between 2008 and 2012 playing in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur.
As a player, Modric has only ever made one visit to the club’s stadium, featuring in a 1-1 draw during the 2011-12 campaign.

However, it now appears that he is prepared to commit a level of investment to try to aid Swansea’s attempts to return to England’s top flight.

What is the challenge facing Modric?

Sitting eight points adrift of the playoffs and 12 points above the relegation zone with four matches remaining, it is fair to assume that Swansea will be playing second-tier football next season.

Alan Sheehan is currently in charge of an interim basis until the end of the season, Swansea having accumulated 14 points from eight games under the replacement for Luke Williams since the end of February.
Modric will presumably play a part in deciding whether Sheehan remains in the dugout or a higher-profile name is brought to the Swansea.com Stadium.

Barcelona defender Maria ‘Mapi’ Leon has received a suspension for her actions earlier this season, where she was accused of inappropriate touching during a game against city rivals Espanyol. Leon has denied doing so

During Barcelona Femeni’s 2-0 win over Espanyol in February, Leon appeared to have touched the genitals of Espanyol player Daniela Caracas, as the two jostled before a set piece was taken. Leon is also alleged to have said something disrespectful too, both of which she has denied.

In a statement from Leon, published by Barcelona, she claims that she touched Caracas’ leg, and that ‘the images are clear’. She also denies at any point endangering the intimacy of another professional, as it was put in a statement by Espanyol on the matter. This has been disputed by Espanyol, who describe the action as ‘inadmissable and unacceptable’, saying they would support Caracas in whatever course of action that she decided to take.

So far, the Colombian footballer has not taken any legal action against Leon, but Espanyol did file a complaint to the Competition Committee though. However the Disciplinary Committee have done so, as reported by RAC1. Leon was suspended by the Competition Committee for two games due to ‘unsporting conduct’, missing Barcelona’s 6-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday. The 29-year-old will also be absent from their clash against Sevilla on Wednesday.
Leon and Barcelona did appeal the verdict to the Administrative Tribunal for Sport (TAD), but were unsuccessful, with the ban being upheld. Caracas is yet to comment publicly on the matter.

Thus far, Barcelona have supported Leon in her version of events, and no investigation has been conducted. Leon has been outspoken about the sexism suffered by women’s football in Spain, refusing to return to the national team due to treatment she received during her time there, which she alleged was inappropriate and unprofessional.

Andre Onana’s catalogue of mistakes for Manchester United since his move from Inter Milan means Ruben Amorim faces the prospect of accepting his fate and signing a new number one.
The goalkeeper’s latest additions to his collection of errors came in midweek with him single-handedly handing Lyon a chance of knocking United out of the Europa League.

After letting the ball from Thiago Almada’s free-kick somehow make its way into the roof of his net, Onana’s tame shot-stopping allowed Rayan Cherki a free shot to make it 2-2 after the first-leg.

As a result, Onana is understood to have been left out of United’s squad for today’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United. Sources say that the 29-year-old has been omitted from the squad so that he will be available for Lyon.
Whether Amorim hands him a place in his starting XI at Old Trafford on Thursday remains to be seen, especially if Altay Bayindir impresses against the Carabao Cup winners this afternoon. The decision comes after The Manchester Evening News revealed on Friday that the goalkeeper feared he could lose his spot after his latest mistakes.
Whatever happens with Onana and United is unclear. But if Amorim does decide to sign a new goalkeeper, he isn’t short of talented options around European football.

Diogo Costa

Porto’s Costa has been on the brink of a Premier League move for a number of years now. The 25-year-old was on United’s radar back in 2023 and his value has only increased since then.

He enters the final two years of his contract in Portugal at the end of the season and with a market value of around €38million (£33.0m). The Portugal number one would be a mainstay in United’s defence for years to come but Manchester City have been linked with him to replace Ederson. If United want Costa, they’ll need to act fast.

Lucas Chevalier

Perhaps a cheaper option to Costa. Lille’s Lucas Chevalier has impressed with his performances in France since replacing Mike Maignan. At 23, the Frenchman has kept 10 clean sheets in Ligue 1 this term and has been linked with a move to United in recent months.

Chevalier is in a similar boat as Costa with his current contract expiring in 2027. However, with Lille in a battle for the Champions League and facing the prospect of losing out on European football, he could be available for a bargain fee.

Joan Garcia

Another goalkeeper who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past. Joan Garcia was close to joining Arsenal last summer but opted to stay in Espanyol for their return to La Liga.
His performances levels have continued to impress with 3.62 saves per 90 in a side that has struggled for defensive security. Espanyol are looking likely to stay in the top flight of Spanish football.
Yesterday, the 23-year-old pulled off a string of excellent saves to keep out Celta Vigo. Being young and Spanish, the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid are both keeping tabs, which tells a story in itself.

Zion Suzuki

Suzuki is a goalkeeper United supporters will be aware of. The Parma star is reportedly on United’s radar with the Italian side said to value him at around £40million. The Japan international has shone in a relegation battle after moving to the Serie A outfit. In 2023, United came close to signing him from Urawa Red Diamonds before he decided to move elsewhere.
That was under Erik ten Hag. United are now under Amorim and Suzuki has demonstrated his ability to perform against some of Europe’s best strikers.

Andriy Lunin

Should United wait on Garcia and he move to Madrid, Andriy Lunin will be available. The Ukraine international has been second-choice to Thibaut Courtois, but when called-up, has shown more than enough to be a regular at a top side.
At 26, the former Zorya Luhansk shot-stopper is about to enter his peak. His signing would be a wildcard option with him not having the pedigree as a regular number one but is a valuable option heading in the summer.

Anatoliy Trubin

The youngest goalkeeper on this list is Benfica’s Anatoliy Trubin. Since moving to Portugal from Shakhtar Donetsk, the 23-year-old has become Ukraine’s number one and one of the best-performing goalkeepers outside of Europe’s top five divisions.
His statistics show that he is a decent shot-stopper with 1.96 per 90 against an average of 2.85 each game. He would be more of a risk with his age and lack of experience at the top level.

Aston Villa defeated Southampton 3-0 at St Mary’s but not without their star player missing twice from the penalty spot

Marco Asensio has publicly addressed his two missed penalties in Aston Villa’s win at Southampton.
The Spaniard saw Aaron Ramsdale save both his second half spot-kicks but his blushes were spared as Ollie Watkins, Donyell Malen and John McGinn all scored to lift Villa to a 3-0 victory and fifth in the table.

Unai Emery ’s men are now well-placed, just three points of Nottingham Forest in third, to claim a Champions League qualifying spot for the second successive year.

However, not everything went according to plan at St Mary’s. Villa didn’t create much in the first half and needed Watkins to come off the bench to spark them into life.
He did just that by winning a penalty, which Asensio hit too close to Ramsdale, before opening the scoring himself. Malen made it 2-0 and then McGinn drew a second foul in the area.

Asensio went the same way and but this time Ramsdale could only turn his effort back to McGinn to ram home.
Asensio, who is on loan from Paris Saint-Germain took to social media to address the issue and said: “Sometimes these things can happen, the most important is to keep trying. Happy for another 3 points away. Thank you for the support villans!”
Meanwhile Emery admitted he will consider who is on penalties when Villa face PSG in the quarter-final second leg on Tuesday evening. He said: “I think it is normal that his challenge is to get the second one after the first one. It is clear which penalty shooter is first.

“We have our penalty shooter and the first one is Marcus Rashford. The second one is Asensio. Third ones are Tielemans, McGinn and Watkins.
“They are responsible when penalties are coming. We have to accept it and decide for the next match.”