FA Cup final and Premier League betting tips: Cole Palmer to score in FA Cup final against Man City, Newcastle and West Ham to draw, and more FA Cup final and Gameweek 37 betting tips
This season's fascinating Premier League title race rumbles on, and we’ve also got the small matter of the FA Cup final, so read on for a breakdown of the best bets from this weekend’s TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including the Wembley showpiece between Chelsea and Manchester City on Saturday, May 16.
FA Cup final: Five players key to Chelsea’s victory hopes against Man City at Wembley
With the FA Cup final around the corner, Callum Macfarlane’s Chelsea have the chance to win a trophy after a rather underwhelming season.
This season’s FA Cup will come to its final conclusion on Saturday, May 16, kicking off at 3pm under the arch of Wembley Stadium.
It will be extremely difficult against a very good Manchester City side, who are vying with Arsenal for the Premier League title.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal looks at five Chelsea players who may hold the key to Chelsea winning the cup.
EFL news: Takeover talk provides hope for relegated Rotherham Utd as League Two awaits
The EFL season is almost at its conclusion, with some clubs celebrating promotion and others experiencing the bitter taste of relegation. One club which has seen a thoroughly disappointing last eight months is Rotherham United – the South Yorkshire club suffering demotion to League Two.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer and EFL follower AJ Becker reviews a poor season and looks forward to the potential future success that a takeover may help bring.
League Two play-off semi-final analysis: Predicting who will make it to Wembley
The League Two play-offs are currently underway with the second legs of the semi-finals taking place on Friday, May 15 (kick-off 7.15pm and 8pm).
After Bromley, MK Dons, and Cambridge United received automatic promotion, Salford City, Notts County, Chesterfield and Grimsby Town were left in the fight for the final promotion place.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Katie Butler looks into the question - who will make it to the League Two play-offs final at Wembley?
Soccer analysis: Are Luton Town set to contend for the 2026/27 League One title?
Luton Town are set to remain in League One for the 2026/27 season, after an enthralling final day saw the Hatters narrowly miss a play-off position by one point.
Despite a last-minute winner against play-off rivals Bolton Wanderers, a controversial last-minute goal for Stevenage’s Dan Sweeney meant the Hertfordshire side edged into the final play-off position.
Whether the play-offs would have been beneficial for Luton, given their single victorious play-off campaign from six attempts in the 21st century, is another thought.
Next season, however, Luton certainly will be gunning for that top spot, writes Sports News Blitz’s Uchenna Haq.
Soccer analysis: Are Manchester United ready to compete for European glory?
Manchester United were once seen as the benchmark for men’s football.
The Red Devils dominated the domestic scene during Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure, winning the Treble in 1999 and cementing their status as an elite force in Europe.
The club became synonymous with consistency, a winning mentality, and the ability to perform in big games, a culture that endured even after Ferguson’s departure, writes Sports News Blitz’s Nerea Fernandes.
Chelsea manager search: Leading managers to take over the job next season
Ever since the departure of Liam Rosenior, the big question for Chelsea has been simple: “Who will be taking the job for next season?”
Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal looks at the leading candidates for the Chelsea managerial position at the moment.
Soccer analysis: Is the cost of watching the beautiful game becoming too expensive for fans?
The cost of watching football, whether in the stadium or at home, is becoming too expensive. Is it affordable for the average UK resident?
Sports News Blitz’s Uchenna Haq shares his thoughts…
FIFA World Cup 2026 explained: Format, host cities and key dates
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest football tournament in history, featuring more teams, matches, and three host nations for the first time ever, writes Sports News Blitz’s Darshan Kaur Gill.
The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19 - jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Premier League news: Five takeaways from Newcastle Utd’s draw with Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest secured Premier League survival on Sunday thanks to Elliot Anderson’s late leveller in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United. The Magpies, meanwhile, were left to rue yet another missed opportunity in their quest for European football.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu examines five key takeaways from a season-defining clash for both sides.
Serie A news: Giovanni Stroppa, the mastermind behind Venezia’s return to the Italian top flight
Giovanni Stroppa has guided Venezia back to Serie A at the first time of asking after sealing the Serie B title on the final day of the season at a packed Stadio Pierluigi Penzo.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer and Serie A enthusiast Luca Salmasi takes a closer look at Stroppa’s impact in Venice.
Football analysis: Is specialisation in football refereeing a good idea?
With increasing demands and a trend among modern sports for referees to be specialised in certain areas of their role, the question of whether football should follow those steps is becoming more prevalent.
But is such a change feasible, says Sports Blitz Writer Uchenna Haq.
Europa League news: Aston Villa beat Nottingham Forest to reach first European final since 1982
Aston Villa’s remarkable European campaign reached a historic high as they powered past Nottingham Forest with a commanding 4-1 aggregate victory to book their place in the Europa League final.
For a club steeped in continental history but absent from the latter stages for decades, this run marks a powerful resurgence on the European stage. Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce explains why Aston Villa weren’t the team to bet against.
Premier League betting tips: Liverpool to beat omnishambles Chelsea, Viktor Gyokeres to score, and more Gameweek 36 betting tips
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from this weekend’s Premier League TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including the big ‘un between West Ham and Arsenal on Sunday, May 10.
National League news: York City vs Rochdale – Match to remember or wake-up call for modern football?
York City’s 1-1 draw with Rochdale last month was a thriller, with the Minstermen snatching away their hosts’ National League title hopes in the final moments.
While the game proved quite entertaining, it was the second time in four seasons that two teams have finished on 100+ points – and only one club can receive automatic promotion. Here, Sports News Blitz writer Uchenna Haq gives his thoughts on the current set-up.
Soccer news: From YouTube to FA Cup dreams, the SE Dons story
SE Dons, a football team founded by Andrew McHugh, known as Don Strapzy, and his friends, has grown from filming matches on YouTube to potentially competing in the FA Cup, as they rise to Step 5 football in the Southern Counties Eastern Football League.
Sports News Blitz’s Uchenna Haq takes a closer look at their rise through the ranks.
WSL news: England captain Leah Williamson extends her stay with Arsenal
Lionesses captain Leah Williamson has signed a new contract with Arsenal, continuing her two-decade journey with the club.
Arsenal officially confirmed that Williamson, 29, will remain with the team for the next few years.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Abbie Latymer looks back at her rise to stardom.
Soccer opinion: Leeds Utd set to secure Premier League status for next season
With Leeds United finding form on the back-end of the current Premier League season, the Whites’ U-turn from imminent relegation was not an overnight achievement, as managerial adaption and player brilliance could collectively keep Elland Road in the top flight.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke was given an ultimatum in December; provide results in the coming week or the job is at risk.
Games that week included two home fixtures against giants Chelsea and Liverpool, an aesthetically unpleasant sight for Farke and fans.
2026 World Cup Betting Odds: Who Are the Favourites and How Does the Market Look?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, and with 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the first time in the tournament's expanded format, the betting markets are already generating serious attention.
Whether you are a seasoned sports bettor or simply curious about how the odds reflect each nation's chances, the current pricing tells a compelling story about where the smart money is sitting - and where the value might be hiding.
Interest in World Cup betting has surged in recent months as the draw was confirmed and sportsbooks began releasing their full outright markets. This piece breaks down the current odds, analyses the leading contenders, and looks at some of the longer-priced nations that the market may be underestimating.
Top-five battle intensifies as Liverpool enter season-defining run-in
Only a year after winning a long-awaited 20th top-flight title, Liverpool are now fighting tooth and nail to avoid the ignominy of finishing outside the Premier League’s top five.
Title-winning manager Arne Slot has gone from being one of the Anfield favourites to becoming one of the most divisive figures on Merseyside in a dramatic fall from grace.
Back-to-back victories over Fulham and Everton eased the pressure on the Dutch tactician, moving the Reds five points clear of sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.