Bristol Pity
yep, that is indeed the worst pun in the Guardian’s history
I had exactly the same thought while watching Thursday’s game. With pre-emptive apologies for any ignorance, it does feel like both Bristol clubs have enormous potential. I know the concept of ‘cool’ is a load of nonsense in many ways but Bristol is arguably Bristol’s coolest city and that alone should generate more interest.
Forty years ago tomorrow, 56 football supporters lost their lives at Bradford’s Valley Paradeand hundreds more were injured. The city came together that day and its unity since has been a constant source of pride.
At 11am, our award-winning correspondentSuzanne Wrackwill be here to answer your questions about all things WSL. You can email them tomatchday.live@theguardian.comor post below the line.
On this day in 1995… Nayim.
Sunderland are favourites to meet Sheffield United* at Wembley after a terrific 2-1 win at Coventry last night.Eliezer Mayendascored a clinical winner in the 88th minute after a bad mistake from Coventry defender Milan van Ewijk.
- Or Bristol City. Anything can happen, but we won’t be putting the farm on City after their 3-0 defeat in the first leg at Ashton Gate.
Today’s matches – see below, orclick here– all involve teams hunting a European place.
Manchester CityandAston Villaaiming for the Champions League.
Bournemouth,Brentford, BrightonandFulhamare in a four-team battle for eighth place. That will be enough for a place in the Conference LeagueifManchester City beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.
It’s 20 years since the Glazersgot their grubby hands on Manchester United. Jonathan Liew revisits their takeover in 2005.
Chelseawill become the first team to go through a 22-game WSL season unbeaten if they win or draw at home to Liverpool.
ArsenalandManchester Unitedare battling for second place, which would mean a later start in Champions League qualifying. They meet at the Emirates with Arsenal needing a draw to stay in second.
Those are the main things. Crystal Palace have already been relegated so there’s no jeopardy at the bottom of the table. Arsenal’sAlessia Russowill win the golden boot unless West Ham’s Shekiera Martinez scores at least a hat-trick at Leicester.
And on this day in 1986, Liverpool did the Double by beating Everton in the FA Cup final.Thanks to the wonders of technology, Scott Murray was able to cover it on the information superhighway.
On this day in 1978…Liverpool retain the European Cup. Here’s David Lacey’s report from that night at Wembley. And if you don’t want to click on anything – anything – written by David Lacey, I’m afraid I can’t help you.
Nick Ames, our European sport correspondent,tells some fascinating stories from across the continent. This one, on a town and football club that were devastated by a volcanic eruption in 2023, is particularly good.
Mayenda gives Sunderland playoff advantage over Coventry
Women’s World Cup to expand to 48 teams in 2031
Alonso confirms Leverkusen exit ahead of expected Real move
Guardiola reveals emotional demands of ‘most difficult’ season
Slot confident Liverpool will make ‘new stars’ after Alexander-Arnold exit
Arteta confident of kicking on despite Paris pain
Good morning my dear football friends. Welcome to our Saturday build-up blog, known in Guardian Towers as matchday live (lower case).
This is our home for all the latest news and previews ahead of today’s action, which for our purposes begins at 12.30pm with the final day of the WSL season. Then we’ll have EFL playoffs, five Premier League games, a Bayern Munich title party and much else besdies.
At 11am we’ll have a WSL Q&A with Suzanne Wrack, so please send in any questions for that. You can contact us atmatchday.live@theguardian.comor post below the line.
Before we get cracking, these are some of the key matches we’ll be following today.
Fulham v Everton
Ipswich v Brentford
Southampton v Man City
Wolves v Brighton
Bournemouth v Aston Villa (5.30pm)
Arsenal v Man Utd
Aston Villa v Brighton
Chelsea v Liverpool
Everton v Tottenham
Leicester v West Ham
Man City v Crystal Palace
Leyton Orient v Stockport (League One, 12.30pm)
Notts County v AFC Wimbledon (League Two, 8pm)