Welcome to another weekend packed with thrilling sports action. As the Premier League season reaches its climax, our rolling football blog will bring you live updates across five fixtures, Championship and League One play-off semi-finals, a crucial Scottish Premiership match, and the best of Europe’s top games. Co-hosts Emillia Hawkins and Barry Glendenning will provide breaking news, updates from the grounds, and interact with readers. Join the conversation by emailing [email protected].
In cricket, Tanya Aldred continues day two of the County Championship live blog from nine grounds. Expect more from Ben Stokes’ comeback for Durham, where the England captain is being used as a new-ball strike bowler. Stokes made his first appearance since the Ashes against Worcestershire on Friday, after a delay due to reconstructive surgery from a ball to the face. England’s white-ball captain Harry Brook also made his first county appearance of the season in Yorkshire’s clash at Warwickshire.
Premier League action features Liverpool vs Chelsea at 12:30pm BST. Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Monday extended their desperate run to six consecutive Premier League losses, the first time since 1993. The Blues, World Club Champions, now cannot finish in the top five for automatic Champions League qualification, and are at risk of missing out on other European spots after dropping to ninth. Scott Murray hosts the blog with Andy Hunter reporting from Anfield.
In the Championship playoff semi-final, Middlesbrough host Southampton at 12:30pm. Tonda Eckert’s Saints are in form with a 19-match unbeaten league run that lifted them to fourth, nearly gatecrashing the top two. Middlesbrough managed only two wins from their final 10 games, denting their automatic promotion hopes. Southampton will recall their 4-0 defeat on Teesside in January, so Eckert will not underestimate Kim Hellberg’s side. With the second leg at St Mary’s on Tuesday, a draw would be a solid result for Saints. Billy Munday hosts the blog with Louise Taylor at the Riverside.
In women’s Six Nations, Italy play England at 2pm. England’s Red Roses juggernaut shows no sign of stopping, but Italy are closing the gap: their losing margin has shrunk from 74 points in 2022 to 33 in 2025. Italy lost their opening two matches to France and Ireland but thumped Scotland 41-14 last time out. England recorded a 36th straight win with a 62-24 victory over Wales. Ellie Kildun9ne returns on the left wing in Parma, Emma Sing at full-back, and Mia Venner on the right wing for her fourth cap. Zoe Harrison replaces Holly Aitchison at fly-half. Lee Calvert hosts the blog with Sarah Rendell reporting.
