Feb 26, 2026, 04:55 AM ET We’re fast approaching the business end of the 2025-26 Premier League season, and heading into March, everything is still very much to play for. The title race has coalesced into a two-team battle between leaders Arsenal and chasers Manchester City, while the push for Champions League soccer next season

Welcome to the latest edition of The Alternative Premier League Table, where each week, The Athletic analyses the entire division through a specific lens. After looking at crosses in last week’s edition, this week we will dive into late goals, with 85 minutes into games our chosen threshold for a late strike throughout this article.

The shock value is notable. The Serie A champions not making it through the Champions League league phase. The current best in class and league leaders by 10 points going out to Bodo/Glimt. Two teams exiting in the play-off round this season. Three last season. Eliminations at the hands of Belgians and the Dutch in

Manchester United are set to explore the La Liga market this summer, as they seek to improve Michael Carrick’s squad. They have plans to bring in a new midfielder, with former Real Madrid man Casemiro already confirmed to be leaving at the end of the season. There are an abundance of top midfielders currently plying

Strap yourselves in, we have ourselves a proper title race. Five points separate Manchester City from league leaders Arsenal, which could close to just two if City win their game in hand on Mikel Arteta’s side.  With the pair due to play each other in the Premier League in April, that means the title is

Heidenheim, Real Oviedo and Burnley are among Europe’s struggling teams that have taken a more proactive approach in their bid for survival. Goal markets Odds Werder Bremen vs Heidenheim – Over 2.5 & BTTS +101 Burnley vs Brentford – Over 2.5 -125 Fulham vs West Ham – Over 2.5 & BTTS +105 Odds courtesy of

Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa could not specify a recovery timeline for superstar forward Kylian Mbappé, only revealing that the Frenchman will be out for as long as it takes his “discomfort to disappear.” Mbappé was an unexpected absence for Los Blancos in their 2–1 victory over Benfica in the second leg of the Champions

Sam Tighe Close Sam Tighe ESPN Sam is a writer, broadcaster and podcaster for ESPN. He will write on the Premier League, scouting and transfers. ,  Mark Ogden Close Mark Ogden Senior Writer, ESPN FC ,  Julien Laurens ,  Gab Marcotti Close Gab Marcotti Senior Writer, ESPN FC Multiple Authors Feb 25, 2026, 08:24 PM

1 Serie A giants Juventus suffered a heartbreaking knockout from the Champions League in the playoffs against Galatasaray, despite being 3-0 up at the start of extra time while being down to ten men. Lloyd Kelly was controversially sent off when the Bianconeri were only 1-0 up. They two dramatic second-half goals to level the

Now there are 16 teams left in the fight for the Uefa Champions League 2025/2026. The last four qualifiers from the round of 16 playoffs were determined this Wednesday (25). A day that began with Atalanta advancing in epic fashion. And ended with more insanity. Advertisement The round of 16 matches will be determined next

Since the reintroduction of the last-16 knockout round to Europe’s showpiece competition in 2003-04, there has always been at least one Italian representative. Not since 1987-88, when Napoli went out in the first round of the European Cup to Real Madrid, has Serie A had no teams in the last 16 of the competition –

Real Madrid handled business at the Bernabéu on Wednesday night, securing a 2–1 victory over Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League knockout phase playoffs to book their place in the last 16. Things got off to a nervy start in the Spanish capital after Rafa Silva opened the scoring in the 14th

La Liga giants Real Madrid have on Wednesday been dealt a fresh blow on the personnel front. This comes owing to developments in the club’s meeting with Benfica. Los Blancos are of course currently locked in action on the continent, in a Champions League playoff 2nd-leg meeting with Benfica. Advertisement As things stand, Real are

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid was without Kylian Mbappé for Wednesday’s match against Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League playoffs. Mbappé was not included in the squad for the game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium because of a left knee injury he has been nursing for some time. The France star, who