Playing today
Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano
LaLiga | Thu 24 Apr 2025 | 19:30 UTC
A painful 1-0 away defeat to Las Palmas, with the decisive goal coming in stoppage time, dealt a blow to third-placed Atletico Madrid's aspirations in the La Liga title race.
The Colchoneros will be eager to reassure their supporters and demonstrate their continued commitment to competing with FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of the league.
They can take heart from their formidable home form this season, having suffered only one loss in 16 matches at the Civitas Metropolitano -- a 4-2 defeat against FC Barcelona, a match where they initially held a 2-0 lead until the 70th minute.
For Rayo Vallecano, a 1-1 draw at home against Valencia extended their streak without a La Liga victory to three games.
However, they can rely on a relatively solid defensive record on the road, having conceded just 15 goals in 16 away fixtures this season. Only Atletico Madrid has a better away defensive record in the league.
Playing tomorrow
Atalanta vs Lecce
Serie A | Fri 25 Apr 2025 | 18:45 UTC
Following a hard-fought 1-0 away victory over AC Milan, third-placed Atalanta have now secured two consecutive wins without conceding. While the Serie A title race appears to be primarily between Inter and Napoli, Atalanta (currently sitting 7 points behind the leaders) still mathematically holds a slim chance of overtaking them.
Their more immediate focus, however, will be to solidify their Champions League qualification, making this home fixture against Lecce a key opportunity to widen the gap on their rivals.
Interestingly, Atalanta's once formidable home form has become a recent concern, with only one win in their previous eight league games at the Gewiss Stadium.
However, that solitary victory came in their last home match against in-form Bologna (2-0), potentially signaling a return to their dominant ways in Bergamo.
Lecce, in stark contrast, arrive in dreadful form, having suffered defeat in seven of their last eight Serie A encounters. Sitting precariously just one point above the relegation zone with 26 points, every remaining match carries immense weight.
With four teams separated by a mere three points near the bottom of the table, Lecce faces a fierce battle to maintain their Serie A status. This away trip to a Champions League-chasing Atalanta presents a daunting challenge as they fight for survival.
Stoke City vs Sheffield Utd
Championship | Fri 25 Apr 2025 | 19:00 UTC
Stoke City will be looking to swiftly put their recent humbling 6-0 away defeat at Leeds United behind them, a result that abruptly ended their promising five-game unbeaten streak in the Championship.
The Potters return to their home ground acutely aware that the relegation zone, while currently four points distant, still casts a shadow. This match presents a vital opportunity to regain their footing and further distance themselves from the drop.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United arrive in Stoke with their sights firmly set on playoff preparation, having conceded the chase for automatic promotion. However, a recent dip in their away form will be a cause for concern.
The Blades have suffered defeat in their last three Premier League away fixtures, a stark contrast to their impressive earlier record of six consecutive victories on the road. Manager Paul Heckingbottom will be keen to arrest this slide and rebuild momentum before the crucial playoff campaign begins.
Despite their recent travel woes, Sheffield United can draw confidence from their consistent ability to make a strong start to matches. They boast the Championship's best record for scoring the opening goal, doing so in an impressive 31 of their 44 league encounters this season. This potent attacking threat will undoubtedly test Stoke City's resolve as they aim to recover from their heavy Leeds setback.
Played yesterday
Arsenal 2 - 2 Crystal Palace
Premier League | Wed 23 Apr 2025 | 19:00 UTC
Another draw for both Crystal Palace and Arsenal leaves a sense of déjŕ vu. For Crystal Palace, this result marks their 12th draw of the Premier League season now the most frequent outcome for them, surpassing their 11 wins and 11 losses.
For Arsenal, the single point gained is an even more familiar story; this is their 13th draw of the season, a result that unfortunately pads Liverpool's lead at the top of the table.
With not even 3 minutes played, Odegaard's whipped, deep free-kick from the left plunges into the box, where Kiwior rises at the near post to glance a powerful header into the top left corner (1-0).
The Eagles found the equalizer on the 27th minute. A pinpoint corner from the right is flighted perfectly to the edge of the area, finding an unmarked Eze. With time to compose himself, he connects with a delicate, flicked volley that slightly hits the inside of the right post before nestling in (1-1).
The Gunners were to take the lead again three minutes before the break. Timber initiates a driving run from midfield, slipping a well-weighted pass to Trossard on the edge of the box. The Belgian international cleverly cuts inside, evading two defenders, and unleashes a low shot that takes a slight deflection, enough to guide it into the bottom right corner (2-1).
Even as Arsenal intensified their efforts, probing and pushing for a third goal, the Crystal Palace defense held strong, their organization and determination denying any breakthrough.
Instead, on the 83rd minute, during Arsenal's attempt to play out from the back, a sharp interception by Mateta on the edge of the box sees him cut out a pass from Saliba in a central area. He shrugs off the challenge of Odegaard, and with Raya scrambling back from an advanced position, Mateta coolly drills a lofted shot that sails over the goalkeeper, grazes the underside of the bar, and drops into the net (2-2).
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