Sports
Can Manchester United Secure a European Spot?
As the Premier League season enters its final stretch, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Every match, every point, and every mistake could define a team’s season. All the big teams are fighting for a position at the upper end of the table except one – arguably the greatest English football club – Manchester United.Sitting in 13th place with eight games left, United are a staggering 15 points adrift of the top-four. A club that once dominated English football is now scrambling to salvage pride in a turbulent-filled season. Their latest setback, a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, epitomises their struggles. Despite replacing Erik ten Hag with Rúben Amorim, results have hardly improved. So, with a near-impossible gap to bridge, is there any realistic hope of a late surge into any of the European places on the table?“Yes, there is hope!” – the words of the most optimistic United fanA Season of ChaosUnited’s campaign has been nothing short of a disaster. With 13 losses, only six teams have been beaten more often in the league this season. Injuries, tactical confusion, and underperforming players have all contributed to their downfall. Even the managerial change has done little to steady the ship.Meanwhile, the teams genuinely fighting for a top-four spot have shown the kind of grit and footballing excellence that United have lacked. Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton, and Newcastle—who have a game in hand and could climb into 4th—are all battling fiercely. To put Untied’s season in perspective, even Manchester City, with their headline ‘Poor Season’, are still a level above the chaos unfolding at Old Trafford. Even Fulham, sitting in 9th, have shown more structure and consistency than United this season.The Players Who Left and ThrivedAdding to United’s misery is the success of several stars who departed the club. Antony, who struggled at Old Trafford, is enjoying a resurgence at Real Betis. Marcus Rashford, after an underwhelming stint with United this season, is rediscovering his best form at Aston Villa. Jadon Sancho, who could barely get a game for United, has looked slightly better at Chelsea—almost as if the red shirt weighed them down. These exits raise serious questions about the club’s structure, player management, and overall culture.Is There Any Hope?Even if United were to miraculously pick up form, the idea of a top-four finish is pure fantasy. The gap is too wide! Before the loss to Nott’m Forest, a 12-point gap would reflect the same optimism Arsenal have with respect to pipping the league from run-away leaders, Liverpool. However, the current 15-point gap seems almost impossible. However, they can still fight for other European competitions like the Conference League. With the run of games left – only two of their remaining eight opponents are currently below them on the table – United can spring a surprise. In games where they are not favourites, they can play without the pressure of expecting a win, starting this weekend against cross-town rivals and fellow under-performers, Manchester City. Other games to look out for are the ones against Newcastle, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Aston Villa. The focus now should be on avoiding further embarrassment and laying the groundwork for a complete reset next season.For fans eager to follow Manchester United’s journey through the run-in and witness how the drama unfolds, GOtv remains your premier destination. With comprehensive coverage of all Premier League fixtures on SuperSport, you won’t miss a moment of the action. Stay tuned to GOtv for live matches, expert analyses, and in-depth discussions as the season reaches its climax.
Newcastle United’s rise has become one of the Premier League’s most intriguing stories. From relegation, promotion, mid-table obscurity to serious contenders, the Magpies are now the most in-form side in the league, with six consecutive wins, including wins over top teams.
Their turnaround can be traced back to the appointment of Eddie Howe and the 2021 takeover by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Backed by a financial powerhouse with long-term ambition, the club has steadily built a competitive squad, a smart recruitment system, and a solid management structure. Similar to Manchester City’s transformation under Sheikh Mansour, Newcastle’s growth has been driven by strategic investments rather than short-term spending.
That progress has already delivered silverware. Newcastle lifted the Carabao Cup in March 2025, beating Liverpool at Wembley to secure their first major title in 70 years. It was a defining moment and a statement of their new era.
Crucial to this rise has been a potent squad, spearheaded by the electric Aleksander Isak and the relentless Anthony Gordon. Their attacking chemistry, supported by a midfield engine room of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, has turned Newcastle into a well-balanced, high-intensity side capable of dominating possession or punishing on the counter.
This weekend, they face a major test against Aston Villa on Saturday on GOtv, another club punching above its weight. Villa are only six points behind Newcastle with six matches left in the season. They recently reached the Champions League quarter-finals and were just one goal away from the semi-finals. Their January signings, including Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, have added quality and depth to an already strong squad.
Newcastle won the reverse fixture earlier this season, but Villa’s current form makes this a high-stakes battle. A win could help Newcastle secure a top-three finish and build serious momentum heading into next season. A loss, however, could open the door for Villa to close the gap and reshape the top-four race.
With investment, form, and belief on their side, Newcastle are no longer outsiders. If they finish this season strong and reinforce wisely in the summer, they could be genuine title challengers next season.
Sports
UEL & UECL Quarter-finals on GOtv: Man United, Tottenham and Chelsea Battle for Glory & Survival
The UEFA Europa League and Conference League quarter-finals resume Thursday with decisive second-leg matches, as teams battle for a place in the semi-finals.
Manchester United return to Old Trafford to face Olympique Lyonnais after a 2–2 draw in France. With Champions League qualification looking unlikely through Premier League placement, Erik ten Hag’s side will be desperate to make home advantage count. The match airs live on Channel 66 (SS Action).
Tottenham Hotspur are also in a tight spot, heading to Germany to face Eintracht Frankfurt following a 1–1 draw in the first leg. With their domestic form faltering, the Europa League remains a crucial path back to Europe’s top competition. Catch this fixture on Channel 62 (SS LaLiga).
Elsewhere, Athletic Club host Rangers in Bilbao after a goalless first leg, while Lazio will hope to overturn a 0–2 deficit when they take on Bodø/Glimt at home.
In the UEFA Conference League, Chelsea welcome Polish side Legia Warszawa to Stamford Bridge, holding a healthy 3–0 lead from the first leg. The Blues, unbeaten in Europe this season, will look to seal their place in the semi-finals. Watch live on Channel 63 (SS Africa).
All matches kick off at 8:00 PM and are available live on GOtv.
Nigeria’s teenage boxing sensation and University of Lagos Law undergraduate, Raheem “Badoo” Animashaun, is set to return to action at GOtv Boxing Night 33 on April 26th, where he will face Gbodja Jean Coffi of the Benin Republic. The bout is one of the seven scheduled for the event, which will take place at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Badoo, who has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most promising boxing talents, comes into the fight with an unblemished record of 14 wins from 14 fights, including eight knockouts. He was named Best Boxer at the last two editions of the event and left a strong impression at GOtv Boxing Night 32, where he dispatched the experienced Hammed “Ese” Ganiyu via technical knockout.
The teenager will now go up against another experienced opponent in Coffi, a veteran from the Benin Republic. Coffi, nicknamed “Lit the Fire,” has recorded two wins in his last three outings. His most recent fight was against Congo’s Chadrack Kalala Mbenga.
Speaking ahead of the bout, Bamidele Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of Flykite Productions, said the encounter exemplifies the competition and growth that GOtv Boxing Night aims to deliver. He described Badoo as one of the most exciting young boxers in Nigeria and said the clash with Coffi would be a significant test of his ability to adapt against a seasoned opponent.
Also on the card is an international lightweight contest between Ghana’s Emmanuel Otoo and Nigeria’s Tosin “Sojar Boy” Osaigbovo. Other notable pairings include William “Kaki” Amosu against Emmanuel “Ability Famous” Abimbola in the light welterweight category, and national contests involving Segun Gbobaniyi, Sodiq Oyakojo, Tobiloba Ijomoni, and Sodiq Adeleke.
GOtv Boxing Night 33 is organised by Flykite Productions and sponsored by GOtv Nigeria.
From Lagos to Atlanta: Reality Shows You Just Can’t Miss on GOtv
No School, Still Learning: How GOtv is Helping Parents Win the Holiday Season
PRIMATE AYODELE SHOCKER!! Not Atiku, Not Obi, only Tinubu Can Make Nigeria Great Again!
