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Champions League last 16 draw: Man City draw Real Madrid as Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle learn fate

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Champions League last 16 draw: Man City draw Real Madrid as Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle learn fate - Sky Sports
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Manchester City will face Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League, as Chelsea were drawn against holders Paris Saint-Germain.

Chelsea could have been handed an all-English last-16 tie against Newcastle, but Eddie Howe's side will face Spanish champions Barcelona.

Premier League leaders Arsenal, who topped the Champions League table with a perfect record, face German side Bayer Leverkusen.

Six-time winners Liverpool take on Galatasaray, while Tottenham have been handed a tie against Atletico Madrid.

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This is the fifth consecutive season Man City and 15-time winners Real Madrid have been drawn in the Champions League knockouts.

The last-16 first legs take place on March 10 and 11, with the second legs scheduled for March 17 and 18. The schedule is expected to be released on Friday night.

Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea have been placed in what appears to be the hardest side of the draw.

Were City to progress past Real Madrid, they will face either Bayern Munich or Atalanta in the quarter-finals, while Chelsea and Liverpool will meet in the last eight if they knock out PSG and Galatasaray respectively.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will play either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting if they beat Leverkusen. Were they to reach the semi-finals, Arsenal's opponents will be Newcastle, Barcelona, Atletico or Tottenham.

Analysis: A favourable draw for Arsenal?

A trip to Germany awaits for Arsenal as they face Bayer Leverkusen for the first time since a 4-1 win in 2002. Win that tie, and it's Bodo Glimt or Sporting next. It's a favourable draw, especially given the alternative was a potential quarter-final against Manchester City.

It's only two years since Leverkusen won the Bundesliga under Xabi Alonso but they are no longer the same team. Having finished second last season, they now sit sixth, with Kaspur Hjulmand at the helm after Erik ten Hag's brief spell in charge ended in September.

Analysis: A tough run of games for City

Not only will Manchester City have two tough assignments against Real Madrid coming up, but the two ties against Madrid will be in the middle of what looks a daunting run of fixtures for Pep Guardiola's side.

Between March 7 and March 22, City will have to play away to Newcastle in the FA Cup, then travel to Madrid in midweek, before returning to Premier League action at West Ham.

They will then face Real Madrid in midweek before taking on Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday March 22.

Analysis: What lies ahead for Liverpool?

Liverpool's last meeting with Galatasaray, the 1-0 loss in the league phase in September, occurred at the beginning of the dismal run of results that threw their season into disarray. Arne Slot has them in better shape ahead of their next meeting.

The Reds have avoided a last 16 tie against Atletico Madrid but their route to the final, beyond the meeting with Galatasaray, for which they will be strong favourites, looks daunting, with Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich potentially standing in their way.

Before that, though, it's a potentially awkward trip to Turkey, and a reminder that any side containing Victor Osimhen has to be taken seriously.

Analysis: Brutal March schedule for Newcastle

The Champions League draw has handed Eddie Howe's Newcastle a tough run of fixtures in March.

The Magpies will play Man Utd, Man City, Barcelona, Chelsea, Barcelona again and then arch rivals Sunderland back-to-back.

The games - including a FA cup tie with Man City - will form a defining period in Newcastle's season. As shown in the graphic above, Eddie Howe's side could play a maximum of 66 fixtures this season - the highest total for any Premier League club.

Analysis: Chelsea facing tough route to CL final

Chelsea have been placed in what appears on paper at least to be the hardest side of the Champions League draw.

Were they to progress past holders PSG, Chelsea will face either Galatasaray or Liverpool in the quarter-finals.

And if they reach the last four, Chelsea's opponents will be one of Real Madrid, Man City, Atalanta or Bayern Munich.

Analysis: How will Spurs juggle CL?

Head coach Igor Tudor said it was "not ideal" for Tottenham to be in the Champions League while also fighting a Premier League relegation battle - and Friday's draw highlights the balancing act he has.

Tottenham will go away to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie and then play Liverpool in the Premier League before hosting the Spanish side for the second leg.

But crucially, that second leg - when a Champions League quarter-final place could be on the line - comes just days before a huge relegation six-pointer at home to Nottingham Forest.

How will Tudor manage the battle on two fronts, given how he flagged the physical and mental demands the Champions League will place on his already injury-hit squad?

Home advantage in second legs for seeded teams

The top eight teams from the league phase are seeded and will have home advantage in the second leg of their round of 16 games.

This will extend to the quarter-finals for the teams that finished in the top four of the league phase - Arsenal, Bayern, Liverpool and Spurs - if they progress.

For Arsenal and Bayern, the top two, they will also have home advantage in the second leg of their semi-final if successful.

Any team that eliminates a seeded team will take their privileges.

When will fixture dates be announced?

The round of 16 match schedule will be available on Friday evening.

The quarter-final match schedule will be confirmed on March 19, while the semi-final schedule will be communicated on April 16.

When are the 2025/26 Champions League knockout stages?

Round of 16: March 10-11 and 17-18

Quarter-finals: April 7-8 and 14-15

Semi-finals: April 28-29 and May 5-6

Final: Saturday May 30

Where is the Champions League final?

The 2025/26 Champions League final will take place in Budapest at the Puskas Arena on Saturday May 30.

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Premier League predictions and best bets: West Ham win at Liverpool to spark Spurs relegation panic

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Our football betting expert Jones Knows provides his insight across the weekend Premier League card.

Wolves vs Aston Villa, Friday 8pm, live on Sky Sports

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The rise of set-pieces in the Premier League has changed the betting landscape in terms of how certain players, mostly centre backs, are now priced tighter than ever before.

But when one door closes, another opens in the betting game in terms of angles to exploit. And a market I've been keeping a very close eye on offered by Sky Bet this season is the "any goalkeeper to be fouled market" which is priced up for this encounter.

This is an area of the game this season which is seeing a big spike in the amount of goalkeepers being fouled due almost every team producing inswinging corners into the six-yard box and it's causing absolute chaos.

Home advantage is on the wane in the Premier League - Between the Lines

Over the previous six seasons, Premier League goalkeepers were fouled on average 0.24 times per 90. This season it's spiked. It's gone to 0.4 fouls per game. Last season there were 106 fouls on goalkeepers in 380 games. This season we're already at 106 fouls on goalkeepers in 271 games played, so we've already matched last season with another 109 games still to go.

In a game where Emiliano Martinez is playing, anything above 10/11 for a goalkeeper being fouled rates as an excellent value play. We can get 13/10 with Sky Bet.

Martinez is getting fouled at a rate of 0.65 this season and has been fouled seven times in his last five. He's the best hope of this bet landing but we've also got Jose Sa running for us too who was fouled last weekend at Crystal Palace and actually has been fouled in three of his last five starts vs Villa.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1 | JONES KNOWS' BEST BET: Any goalkeeper to be fouled (13/10 with Sky Bet)

Bournemouth vs Sunderland, Saturday 12.30pm

Across their last 10 matches Bournemouth are shipping around 1.64 expected goals against per 90 - that's not sustainable if you're harbouring ambitions of a strong end to the season. It's not just speculative pot-shots either, they're giving up big, high-probability chances far too easily. West Ham managed to squander 3.25 worth of expected goals last weekend without manage to breach the Bournemouth defence.

The market is leaning heavily towards the hosts but if Bournemouth continue to concede chances at such an xGA clip, they're going to get punished. Sunderland don't need to dominate for 90 minutes; they just need moments. And they're capable of producing them with Evens on offer on the double chance market.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2

Burnley vs Brentford, Saturday 3pm

Burnley's recent defensive tweak has seen Josh Laurent nail down that right-sided role and he's embraced it. He's competitive, front-footed and happy to engage early. But there's a fine line between aggression and indiscipline and Laurent has been wobbling along it for weeks.

Five bookings in 2026 tells its own story. That's a dangerous habit when you're facing a direct runner in Kevin Schade for Brentford. The winger is a walking booking magnet. Since the start of last season, he's been responsible for 14 opposition players seeing yellow. He commits defenders, shifts the ball quickly and forces rash decisions. If you're slightly off it, or slightly too eager, you're in trouble. Laurent is 3/1 with Sky Bet to be carded.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2

Liverpool vs West Ham, Saturday 3pm - PLAY SUPER 6!

Liverpool are short. Very short. And I'm not sure recent performances fully justify being 4/11 with Sky Bet.

Yes, they got the job done at Nottingham Forest, but the performance was dismal. Fine margins went their way and on another day they're walking off with dropped points. Arne Slot's controlled approach is clear to see: measured build-up, territorial dominance, reduced chaos. But there's a risk that in ironing out the madness, you also iron out the spark. At times they're drifting dangerously close to becoming sterile.

And when West Ham break, they break with purpose.

Jarrod Bowen remains one of the most efficient transition forwards in the league - direct, intelligent with his movement and ruthless when the chance lands. Crysensio Summerville adds that burst of acceleration and unpredictability that can turn defence into attack in seconds. West Ham need wins, therefore taking a swing at the 6/1 with Sky Bet for what would be a seismic away win makes plenty of sense.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2

Newcastle vs Everton, Saturday 3pm - PLAY SUPER 6!

When Newcastle get into rhythm at home, a lot of their best work funnels down the left. Lewis Hall has really grown into that role and, quietly, he's developing a knack that punters should be paying attention to. Since December he's drawing 2.27 fouls per 90. That's repeatable behaviour. He shifts the ball quickly, invites contact and he's becoming one of the best around at selling a foul when it arrives.

Iliman Ndiaye will be repeatedly engaging Hall and against a player averaging north of two drawn fouls per match in that zone, the maths starts to make sense on him making two or more fouls at 6/4 with Sky Bet.

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1

Leeds vs Manchester City, Saturday 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports - PLAY SUPER 6!

Everyone automatically looks at Erling Haaland for goals. But the smarter angle right now might be his creativity. There has been a dramatic uptick in creative output.

He only created 10 chances from open play in his first 18 league games of the season in 2025.

He's already created 10 in just nine league games in 2026.

And in terms of recent output, he's registered six assists in his last 17 games.

We're seeing a more rounded Haaland that is being asked to join in more with build-up. He's rolling balls across the six-yard box. He's slipping runners in behind.

With City expected to score twice by the market, Haaland's assist price of 7/2 with Sky Bet is of interest.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1

Brighton vs Nottingham Forest, Sunday 2pm, live on Sky Sports

Elliot Anderson has been nudged further forward under new boss Vitor Pereira - and the player himself has admitted the message is clear: more end product, more presence in the final third and importantly for us more shots.

Music to the ears of anyone who plays in the player-prop markets.

If you factor in the super-sub concession, he's fired off 17 shots across his last four appearances. For a player who, earlier in the season, was often stationed deeper and tasked with linking play rather than finishing it the algorithms that price the shots markets are lagging behind this positional tweak.

At 11/8 with Sky Bet for two or more shots, the line feels based on Anderson's old role, not his new one.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2

Fulham vs Tottenham, Sunday 2pm, live on Sky Sports - PLAY SUPER 6!

The relegation alarm bells are sounding for Tottenham, who are now 5/1 to be a Championship team next season.

With 11 games to go, that's real money being matched. We're no longer discussing the unthinkable. We're discussing the plausible.

They're in enormous danger.

And what should worry everyone associated with the club most, isn't just the results, it's the identity crisis. They look caught between philosophies and styles. There's an injury situation that's bitten hard. And when the pressure has gone up, the response hasn't been there so far.

Going down? Why relegation is a real risk for Spurs

What you need to know about Friday's Champions League draw

Fulham have won all five of their Premier League games against bottom-five sides this season. They've also won the last two Premier League meetings with Spurs.

And this is the key point: Fulham know exactly who they are. Structured. Aggressive in the right moments. Calm in possession. Against a side operating like a bottom-three team, at home, that's massive.

Do Spurs have the stomach for this? The mentality? The scrap? Because right now, all the underlying indicators say no. Fulham at Evens with Sky Bet looks good to me.

SCORE PREDICTION: 3-1

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace, Sunday 2pm, live on Sky Sports - PLAY SUPER 6!

This is one of those scheduling spots where Manchester United being out of Europe gives them a huge advantage. Oliver Glasner has developed a very clear pattern. When there's a knockout game in Europe, everything goes into it. Emotionally, tactically, physically, the dial gets turned up. The issue? The league game that follows often pays the price.

Across the last eight league fixtures immediately after a midweek knockout match, Glasner's teams have lost six, drawn one and won just once. And even that victory - against Wolves last weekend - had more than a whiff of fortune about it. Fine margins went their way.

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Now they head to face Manchester United who have started to find some rhythm. There's been more purpose in their attacking play. At 11/8 with Sky Bet for Manchester United to win by two or more goals, you're getting a price that doesn't fully account for a predicted post-Europe wobble from Palace.

SCORE PREDICTION: 4-0

Arsenal vs Chelsea, Sunday 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports - PLAY SUPER 6!

This fixture for Arsenal is one of only two remaining in the Premier League against another current top six opponent. The other is the trip to Manchester City in April.

Chelsea tend to raise their game when faced with a big fixture but Arsenal's defensive process is just too reliable to ignore when assessing the prices for this encounter. Arsenal's underlying process remains the best in the league by a fair way with goals being conceded because of mistakes or low probability shots going in from distance.

Joao Pedro thriving as Chelsea's No 9 - The Radar

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The last open-play Premier League goal they conceded inside the box that didn't come from an individual error was Ollie Watkins' consolation for Aston Villa on December 30. That's nine games ago.

They haven't allowed a properly constructed, carved-open, inside-the-box goal in that time. That is elite defensive control. The classic bet of Arsenal to win and under 3.5 goals at 11/8 with Sky Bet, which has landed in seven of their last 11 home Premier League matches, has a fine chance of landing.

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-0

Jones Knows' best bets:

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Tottenham: Igor Tudor says Spurs Premier League relegation battle is the biggest rescue-job of his career

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Igor Tudor says his task at Tottenham is the biggest rescue-job of his career.

The Spurs head coach arrived in the Premier League with a reputation for instant-impact turnarounds at previous clubs he's managed, having helped Juventus and Lazio secure European football and Udinese avoid relegation.

However, following the 4-1 thrashing at home to Arsenal last weekend in his first game in charge, which ramped up the relegation pressure on Spurs, Tudor admitted the scale of his challenge now is the greatest of his career.

Going down? Why relegation is a real risk for Spurs

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Spurs are just four points above the relegation zone and haven't won a league game in 2026.

"If I recognised the difficulties there are, probably yes [it is the biggest]," he said in his press conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Fulham, which is live on Sky Sports.

"It's an even bigger motivation that we do it," he added.

Tudor also said it is now all about results for Tottenham, regardless of style of play ,such is the severity of their situation.

"There's not too much time to think about performance or style," he said.

"Every game needs to be prepared in that way: How are we going to take the points? One way or the other way.

"Unfortunately, it's for me very clear. I'm not that kind of coach who doesn't want to cure style, how we perform - but in this moment it's not possible to think about those kind of things."

He later said: "The style is second because it's a question of life and death, if I can say that sportingly."

And on the mentality required, he suggested Spurs should see themselves like an underdog.

"In Italy they use the term, 'have the mentality of a small team'," he explained.

"That's the key always, to have the willingness and motivation like you play against bigger teams."

Champions League 'not ideal' with 'hard work' key

Tudor was keen not to dwell on the defeat to Arsenal - "The less we speak the better it is" - and admitted Spurs' Champions League involvement is "not an ideal situation" given their relegation battle in the Premier League.

"It's a beautiful competition to play, everyone wants to play. The problem is the lack of numbers we have in the team. There's the problem. If you need to play every three days with 10,12, 13... Also it's not only about spending physical energy but also mental energy when every game for us in the league is a final."

But he insisted his players were in no doubt about the situation they are in - and how they will have to fight their way out of it.

"The mentality changes by training. Doing the right things there and to have enough training sessions that you can transmit these things to the team so that on Sunday this can be seen from the fans in the stadium.

"Hard work. There is no other possibility."

Tudor confirmed Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso will be in contention to play at Fulham on Sunday after returning to training from injury and that Micky van de Ven should also be fine to feature, despite an issue with one of his little toes.

He also said he remains hopeful Dejan Kulusevski can return to the field before the end of the season.

Tudor dismisses suggestion Van de Ven ignored him during derby

Following Spurs' defeat to Arsenal, fan footage emerged appearing to show centre-back Micky van de Ven ignoring Tudor's encouragement to push up and then the head coach becoming frustrated.

However, Tudor insisted that was not the case.

"It was not an instruction to Micky, it was an instruction to the team to go up," he explained. "It was not about Micky. It was about the team coming up. We want to go up because we want to have this style that we press high but maybe in this moment it's too much for them. That's why there is a little frustration of that. Nothing special happened."

Pressed on whether Van de Ven had disrespected him, Tudor said: "If you watch carefully. You see I don't speak with him. After, I say to him come closer and he comes closer. At that moment I say this, it was for all the defence to go up.

"We didn't even speak about this because there's nothing to speak about. He's a fantastic guy, very good professional. He'd never do [those] things."

O'Hara: No stomach for a relegation fight

Ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara has slammed the attitude and mentality of the Spurs squad and believes they "haven't got the stomach for a relegation fight".

He told Sky Sports News' Fan Club: "I was expecting a bit of a manager bounce. Arsenal had a couple of sticky performances against Wolves and Brentford, so I was expecting the team to go into this game with a high attitude, a bit of passion, fight, relentless pressing, and not letting easy crosses in the box.

"[It was the] complete opposite. It was miles away from where I thought it was. I know there's injuries, but the attitude of the players is my biggest concern. The attitude to defend, to run, to compete, to not concede goals. That for me is basic 101, and then you can talk about creativity, whether we're good enough, whether we've got the players, the formation, but the basic defending, basic mentality of a football club."

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Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis to be on Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov undercard

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Conor Benn will fight Regis Prograis on the undercard of Tyson Fury's April 11 bout with Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The announcement follows Benn's industry-shaking decision to sever ties with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing and join Zuffa, the new promotion run by UFC boss Dana White.

Benn's first fight under the new arrangement will see him return to the scene of his victory over Chris Eubank Jr to take on two-time super-lightweight world champion Prograis, 30-3 (24).

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Benn said: "April 11 can't come soon enough, returning to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium again, where I made history against Eubank Jr means everything to me.

"My last fight there showed the world exactly who I am and what I'm about. Fighting on the biggest stages, in the biggest shows, I fear no one! I'm fully locked in and ready to deliver another statement performance."

Two of Prograis' three losses as a professional have come on English soil in world title fights against Josh Taylor in 2019 and Jack Catterall in 2024.

Prograis added: "Last time I fought in London, Conor Benn was on my undercard, so this is a full-circle moment for me.

"But this circle will close with me teaching him a lesson on April 11. He's not fighting some weight-drained super-middleweight. I am in shape and will bring home this victory."

Another surprise?

Sky Sports boxing journalist John Dennen says...

It's been a busy news week for Conor Benn, and it's still only Thursday. It was a shock to the industry when he made a promotional switch from Matchroom Boxing to new American entity Zuffa.

It's also a surprise to see him boxing on an undercard. With Tyson Fury vs Aslanbek Makhmudov the main event on April 11, Benn will be providing the chief support at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It's a familiar setting for Benn, in his last two fights he headlined at that stadium against Chris Eubank Jr. But playing a supporting role on the bill will be a step down for him.

Not necessarily a 'tune up' bout as such - Prograis has a track record of real success - but it will be viewed as a contest to prepare him for a bigger fight later in the year, with Ryan Garcia a particular target for the Ilford fighter.

Benn is working his way back down to welter after two consecutive fights at middleweight and he will be the favourite against Prograis.

The American was in a sensational fight with Josh Taylor when he lost their super-lightweight world title unification at the O2 Arena. He's only lost to top class opposition, Devin Haney and Jack Catterall as well as Taylor.

But Prograis is a former two-time world champion and if he's sharp, he will be dangerous. At 37 though the question is whether he will be.

This fight will give us more insights about Benn. Can he make it back to welterweight in good shape, and just how solid a contender will he be there? Benn will start answering those questions against Prograis.

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NFL London games 2026: Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars announced as home teams at Tottenham and Wembley in 2026 season

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The NFL has announced that the Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars will be the designated home teams for the 2026 London games.

Both will host a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, home of the NFL in the UK, before the Jags return to Wembley Stadium while playing back-to-back weeks in the capitol.

The Jaguars have played 14 regular-season games in London since 2013, including 11 at Wembley as part of their multi-year deal with the stadium in addition to three at Tottenham.

Jacksonville are coming off a 13-4 season in which they reached the playoffs before being eliminated by the Buffalo Bills during the Wild Card round, while the Commanders finished the 2025 campaign 5-12 as they seek to bounce back behind quarterback Jayden Daniels.

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"I think it's exciting, obviously the Jags are a team coming off a really successful season with a relatively young core and a new coach and had a run at the playoffs, so I'm really excited to have the Jags here," NFL UK General Manager Henry Hodgson told Sky Sports.

"And then Washington, they are a team that hasn't been back here for quite some time, so it will be great for fans. I think there's a lot of legacy Washington Commanders fans in this market who I think will be excited to see them play here.

"They've got some really exciting young players, and coming a year and a bit now removed from an NFC Championship game, perhaps, looking to reload and have another run at the playoffs themselves in 2026."

Washington return to London for the first time since October 30 2016 when they played out a 27-27 draw at Wembley Stadium.

They made history last season by playing in the first-ever regular-season game in Madrid, Spain as they lost 16-13 to the Miami Dolphins in overtime at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

"Last season's trip to Madrid was personally unforgettable, and a tremendous milestone for our organisation," said Washington Commanders Managing Partner Josh Harris.

"Playing in the NFL's first regular season game in Spain and experiencing the passion of fans was truly special and reaffirmed the power of and excitement for the Commanders and NFL globally.

"London is home to some of the most passionate sports fans in the world. We're grateful for the opportunity to bring the Commanders and NFL football to this unique city. This trip represents another meaningful moment to engage new communities, strengthen relationships, and continue to enhance our fanbase in the UK and worldwide."

The NFL has staged 42 regular season games in London since 2007, with its three matchups in the UK featuring as part of nine international games across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums in 2026.

Paris, Melbourne and Rio De Janeiro enter as new host territories, while the NFL is returning to London, Madrid, Munich and Mexico City.

"You've heard the Commissioner's (Roger Goodell's) objective is to ultimately one day to play 16 international games in the event that there's an 18-game season," Hodgson added. "And I think if you look at that, I think that's with the intent that the UK continues to keep the same number of games that we have now.

"I think the objective is sort of growing the global footprint of the sport. But, you know, those key markets like the UK to continue to have the same number of games and to continue having the NFL played locally in Tottenham and at Wembley."

The Jags were beaten 35-7 by the Los Angeles Rams on their most recent trip to London last October, before winning nine of their last 10 games to win the AFC South and reach the playoffs under first-year head coach Liam Coen.

"Last season was my first experience in London as head coach of the Jaguars, and my immediate takeaway was London is undoubtedly our home away from home." said Coen.

"We have a passionate and knowledgeable fan base in London, built over time and still growing, and we're making a positive impact with fans throughout the United Kingdom as well.

"That's something our entire organisation, starting with our ownership, has worked very hard to achieve and takes great pride in further developing each season.

"With two games in London in 2026, it's going to be great fun for our fans in London as well as for everyone in Jacksonville who will be making the trip. I'm definitely looking forward to it, and I know our players are happy to return as well."

Will the NFL return to Ireland?

Ireland drops off the international schedule having last year hosted its first-ever NFL regular season game when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Minnesota Vikings at Dublin's iconic Croke Park.

It was announced this week that the game boosted Ireland's economy by €104.5m, with more than 51,000 international visitors flying in for the game and 9.1m viewers watching on from home.

"If you'd said 18 months ago or two years ago that we would play a game in Ireland in a year, that we'd suddenly be playing flag football to the extent that we're in 100 schools now across Ireland, the Irish kids are representing their country at the Pro Bowl, that we'd have, for the first time, a local broadcaster in Virgin Media providing games, and that then you'd have a local hero in Charlie Smyth, that all would have blown our minds," said Hodgson.

"Reflecting on Ireland as a whole and the growth of the sport there, we're really excited about what we've done in the past 12, 18 months and the prospects going forward.

"After we announced the economic impact of the 2025 game, I was able to spend some time with the Irish government, with whom we'd worked to bring the game there in 2025. We had some good conversations and certainly everybody's objective is to try and bring another game back to Dublin.

"So, I think it's really, at this point, it's a matter of when, not if."

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NFL London games 2026: Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars announced as home teams at Tottenham and Wembley in 2026 season

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NFL London games 2026: Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars announced as home teams at Tottenham and Wembley in 2026 season - Sky Sports
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The NFL has announced that the Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars will be the designated home teams for the 2026 London games.

Both will host a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, home of the NFL in the UK, before the Jags return to Wembley Stadium while playing back-to-back weeks in the capitol.

The Jaguars have played 14 regular-season games in London since 2013, including 11 at Wembley as part of their multi-year deal with the stadium in addition to three at Tottenham.

Jacksonville are coming off a 13-4 season in which they reached the playoffs before being eliminated by the Buffalo Bills during the Wild Card round, while the Commanders finished the 2025 campaign 5-12 as they seek to bounce back behind quarterback Jayden Daniels.

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"I think it's exciting, obviously the Jags are a team coming off a really successful season with a relatively young core and a new coach and had a run at the playoffs, so I'm really excited to have the Jags here," NFL UK General Manager Henry Hodgson told Sky Sports.

"And then Washington, they are a team that hasn't been back here for quite some time, so it will be great for fans. I think there's a lot of legacy Washington Commanders fans in this market who I think will be excited to see them play here.

"They've got some really exciting young players, and coming a year and a bit now removed from an NFC Championship game, perhaps, looking to reload and have another run at the playoffs themselves in 2026."

Washington return to London for the first time since October 30 2016 when they played out a 27-27 draw at Wembley Stadium.

They made history last season by playing in the first-ever regular-season game in Madrid, Spain as they lost 16-13 to the Miami Dolphins in overtime at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

"Last season's trip to Madrid was personally unforgettable, and a tremendous milestone for our organisation," said Washington Commanders Managing Partner Josh Harris.

"Playing in the NFL's first regular season game in Spain and experiencing the passion of fans was truly special and reaffirmed the power of and excitement for the Commanders and NFL globally.

"London is home to some of the most passionate sports fans in the world. We're grateful for the opportunity to bring the Commanders and NFL football to this unique city. This trip represents another meaningful moment to engage new communities, strengthen relationships, and continue to enhance our fanbase in the UK and worldwide."

The NFL has staged 42 regular season games in London since 2007, with its three matchups in the UK featuring as part of nine international games across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums in 2026.

Paris, Melbourne and Rio De Janeiro enter as new host territories, while the NFL is returning to London, Madrid, Munich and Mexico City.

The Jags were beaten 35-7 by the Los Angeles Rams on their most recent trip to London last October, before winning nine of their last 10 games to win the AFC South and reach the playoffs under first-year head coach Liam Coen.

"Last season was my first experience in London as head coach of the Jaguars, and my immediate takeaway was London is undoubtedly our home away from home." said Coen.

"We have a passionate and knowledgeable fan base in London, built over time and still growing, and we're making a positive impact with fans throughout the United Kingdom as well.

"That's something our entire organisation, starting with our ownership, has worked very hard to achieve and takes great pride in further developing each season.

"With two games in London in 2026, it's going to be great fun for our fans in London as well as for everyone in Jacksonville who will be making the trip. I'm definitely looking forward to it, and I know our players are happy to return as well."

Will the NFL return to Ireland?

Ireland drops off the international schedule having last year hosted its first-ever NFL regular season game when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Minnesota Vikings at Dublin's iconic Croke Park.

It was announced this week that the game boosted Ireland's economy by €104.5m, with more than 51,000 international visitors flying in for the game and 9.1m viewers watching on from home.

"If you'd said 18 months ago or two years ago that we would play a game in Ireland in a year, that we'd suddenly be playing flag football to the extent that we're in 100 schools now across Ireland, the Irish kids are representing their country at the Pro Bowl, that we'd have, for the first time, a local broadcaster in Virgin Media providing games, and that then you'd have a local hero in Charlie Smyth, that all would have blown our minds," said Hodgson.

"Reflecting on Ireland as a whole and the growth of the sport there, we're really excited about what we've done in the past 12, 18 months and the prospects going forward.

"After we announced the economic impact of the 2025 game, I was able to spend some time with the Irish government, with whom we'd worked to bring the game there in 2025. We had some good conversations and certainly everybody's objective is to try and bring another game back to Dublin.

"So, I think it's really, at this point, it's a matter of when, not if."

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Tottenham relegation battle: Ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara believes squad 'haven’t got the stomach for a fight'

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Tottenham relegation battle: Ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara believes squad 'haven’t got the stomach for a fight' - Sky Sports
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Ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has slammed the attitude and mentality of the Spurs squad and believes they “haven’t got the stomach for a relegation fight”.

In a passionate analysis of Spurs' plight, O'Hara laid bare the team's issues following Sunday's dismal North London derby defeat to Arsenal.

The 4-1 home loss leaves Tottenham 16th in the Premier League and just four points above the drop zone with 11 games left.

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Without a league win in 2026, relegation to the second tier of English football for the first time since the 1977/78 season is now a real possibility.

New boss Igor Tudor will target a first win in charge as Spurs go to Fulham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, but O'Hara has brutally assessed the issues facing the Croatian and what Tottenham have to fix if they are to preserve their ever-present Premier League status…

'Attitude of players my biggest concern'

He told Sky Sports News' Fan Club: "I was expecting a bit of a manager bounce. Arsenal had a couple of sticky performances against Wolves and Brentford, so I was expecting the team to go into this game with a high attitude, a bit of passion, fight, relentless pressing, and not letting easy crosses in the box.

"[It was the] complete opposite. It was miles away from where I thought it was. I know there's injuries, but the attitude of the players is my biggest concern. The attitude to defend, to run, to compete, to not concede goals. That for me is basic 101, and then you can talk about creativity, whether we're good enough, whether we've got the players, the formation, but the basic defending, basic mentality of a football club.

"When you're down at the bottom, when you're fighting for results, Spurs haven't got it. They have not got the stomach for a fight, and it was evident in that Arsenal game, and it was actually embarrassing.

"I couldn't believe what I was watching because, having been a player myself at Tottenham, one thing you do first and foremost is fight and don't let people get the better of you.

"Arsenal got the better, and I know they're a better team, but they're getting better of you on the pitch in every way, running, defending, just everything about it. I couldn't believe it."

O'Hara questions mentality and culture at Spurs

Spurs are on a nine-game winless league run and have won only two top-flight matches in the last four months.

O'Hara said: "As a player who played in situations where you're down in the dumps, first and foremost, 20 minutes, track runners. Don't let your man get the better of you. Don't let him run past you.

"And that is a mentality. That is not about ability. That's not about talent. That is a mentality and a culture at a football club where players are like, 'Nah, I don't want to do that. I pass him on.' What do you mean, pass him on? It's the first 15 minutes of the game.

"I went and done the clips this morning. It took me five seconds to see the clips because I knew. First 15 minutes of the game, you're passing players on, you're not tracking runners. It was embarrassing. Forget talent. Forget creativity.

"Xavi Simons, you are in a relegation fight. You're in a fight. You've got to play like you're in a relegation fight. None of these players are playing like they're in a relegation fight.

"Passing on, tracking runners, not getting back, allowing shots on the edge of the box. Embarrassing."

He added: "The biggest worry I've got is the stomach for a fight. These players that we've brought in, I think their heads are down, they're looking at an excuse, 'Oh, the board's not doing this, we've not signed anyone'. Yeah, I get all that, but you have got to find a way as football players to get yourselves out of this hole, and that's what I'm worried about, because I don't know if they have.

"I don't know if they're looking at the exit door before actually the job is done, and the job right now is to stay in the Premier League."

O'Hara: They haven't got the stomach for a fight

Spurs have been outrun in their last five Premier League games, while this season they rank bottom for high turnovers, meaning they are losing the ball near their goal more than any other team.

"That just confirms my argument," O'Hara said. "That is shocking. That's relegation form, because if you don't run, if you don't track runners, if you give the ball away in your own area and you're allowing people to get on top of you and press you, you're going to lose the game.

"They haven't got the stomach for a fight. When you're in it as a player, there's a different set of skills when you're down at the bottom of the table. But saying that, look at Arsenal, look at the pressing, their running, the way they'll go after teams.

"Spurs don't even want to run. They're passing players on. That's what matters. That's what counts when you're at the bottom. That's how you get results. They're not tracking runners. They're not getting tight. They're not dying on the pitch.

"You can't have Newcastle running nearly six kilometres further than you. Arsenal, in the North London derby, when you're fighting for everything, they're running four-and-a-half kilometres further than you as a team.

"It's embarrassing. And that, for me, is a culture and a mentality at a football club which is in disarray. These players do not want to run. They don't want to fight. They want to pass players on. They want to make it easy.

"They want to turn up in the Champions League, and you're playing Copenhagen, and you want to play nice football, and Xavi Simons, little flicks and tricks, all that rubbish.

"But when it matters in the Premier League, when you're fighting for points, they haven't got the stomach for it. That's what I've noticed, and that's what needs to be addressed, and it needs to be addressed quickly, because Spurs will go down.

"The teams down the bottom, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, they'll run. They'll fight. They'll scrap, because they know they're in it. They've been in it before. Spurs don't want to be in it. Players don't want to be in it. They want to be in the Champions League, playing nice football.

"They're in a relegation fight, and that for me was the biggest thing that I've noticed, especially in the Arsenal game, how embarrassing it was to see. Forget the creativity. Forget the chances that you can create because you've got some decent players, that right there [points at running stats], is why Spurs are in big trouble."

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