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.

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.