10 stories you might have missed from world football this weekend
The big five leagues have dominated the news once again, but here we’ll shine the spotlight on some of the other competitions from around the world.
Let’s take a look at the most interesting stories emerging away from the bright lights of the big leagues.
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Huddersfield take control
The Championship promotion race is really hotting up, with just ten points separating third and tenth. The real winners of the weekend were Huddersfield, who beat fellow playoff hopefuls Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Riverside. That victory puts The Terriers eight points clear in the race for the playoffs and, with just nine points left to play for, they will almost certainly feature in the end of season promotion shootout. Nottingham Forest were the other side who profited most this weekend, with their 4-0 win over West Brom boosting their playoff chances massively.
At the other end of the table, Derby finally succumbed to relegation, but it wasn’t without a fight as Wayne Rooney’s men fell to a late goal against QPR. The massive 21-point deduction handed down to the Rams this season proved crucial, but the side look in a great shape to make an immediate return.
Huddersfield to be promoted from the Skybet Championship this season @7/2
Porto make history
Porto now boast the ninth-longest all-time unbeaten run after an emphatic 7-0 win over Portimonense on Saturday. They have gone 58 league games without a loss, drawing level with the great AC Milan side of the early 90s. They have some way to go to beat the longest run of all time — Steaua Bucuresti’s record of 104 games without defeat should be safe for a while yet.
Elsewhere in Portugal, Darwin Nunez kept his name in the headlines with with a goal and assist for Benfica against rivals Sporting Lisbon. The young Uruguayan striker has now netted 25 times this season and continues to be linked with a big-money move to a European giant.
Darwin Nunez to sign for Newcastle United before 3rd September @9/1
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Erik ten Hag’s Ajax loses in Cup final
Erik ten Hag hasn’t been confirmed as Manchester United manager but it looks very close to completion in the coming days. It wasn’t a good weekend for the Dutch coach though, with his Ajax side falling to a 2-1 loss against PSV in the KNVB Cup final.
The two sides are still contesting the Eredivisie title, but PSV must play catch up in the league to keep alive hopes of a first domestic trophy double since 2005.
Kompany’s Anderlecht fall at the final hurdle
Brussels was the venue for the Belgian cup on Monday, with Anderlecht facing Gent for the right to lift the trophy. An attacking game saw everything but a goal, with the match eventually decided on penalties. Anderlecht were on the wrong end of the shootout, Michael Murillo missing the vital spot kick for Vincent Kompany’s men to hand Gent the victory.
Saudi Arabia dominates AFC Champions League
The Asian Champions League continued this week and it was the teams from Saudi Arabia that proved to be the leaders in the competition, with all three of the sides involved winning their matches. Al-Hilal, Al-Shabab and Al-Faisaly all lead the way in their respective groups as they target qualification for the knockout stage of the competition.
League One promotion race hots up
Rotherham got back to winning ways to keep themselves in pole position in the race for promotion to the Championship, ending a run of three straight defeats in the process. MK Dons are level on points with The Millers but have a worse goal difference and have played a game more, handing the advantage to Rotherham with just a handful of games left.
- League Two Winner Odds 21/22: Outright betting odds for League One promotion
- MK Dons to win promotion to the Skybet Championship @ 11/8
Forest Green inch closer to the title
Forest Green picked up a vital three points in the race for the League Two title, with the side needing just seven more points to secure an historic promotion. The playoff race remains wide open though, with 11 sides all still in contention to make the top seven.
- League Two Winner Odds 21/22: Outright betting odds for League One promotion
- Mansfield to win promotion to the Skybet League One @2/1
Serie B is wide open
Italy’s second division is set up for a grandstand finish, with six sides within four points of each other at the top of the table. Cremonese currently lead the way, but their lead is just one point and only a perfect run-in will ensure they return to Serie A for the first time since 1996.
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Man City and Chelsea to meet in Cup Final
The Women’s FA Cup final is set, with Manchester City and Chelsea advancing following this weekend’s semi-finals. City overcame West Ham 4-1 at London Stadium, while Chelsea were able to beat Arsenal 2-0 at Meadow Park. The two sides will meet at the Academy Stadium in Manchester on 15th May.
LAFC take control in MLS
LAFC overcame Western Conference rivals Sporting Kansas City 3-1 on Saturday, putting themselves top of the league. The side have scored 17 times in seven games, thanks in no small part to the partnership struck up between Cristian Arango and Carlos Vela. The pair have combined for six goals in seven appearances so far.
