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• Ja's Cavalier FC poised for redemption in Caribbean Cup showpiece against Dom Rep's Cibao FC

  Jamaica’s Cavalier FC are determined to rewrite their story as they face Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC in the highly anticipated Concacaf Caribbean Cup final.

  The first leg of the two-way clash kicks off on Tuesday at 8:00pm at the National Stadium in Kingston.

  Cavalier, who lost last year’s finals 0-3 on aggregate to Suriname’s Robinhood, have shown marked growth this season and will be aiming to make their second consecutive final appearance count.

  Both Cavalier and Cibao FC topped their respective groups with three wins each, before topping Dominican Republic’s Moca FC and Haiti’s Real Hope 7-0 and 4-2 on aggregate in their respective semi-final clashes.

  In their dominant second-leg performance, Cavalier’s offensive firepower came alive. Kaile Auvray notched a brace, while Shaquille Stein dazzled with a hat-trick. Dwayne Atkinson played a pivotal role, delivering two assists.

  On the defensive end, stalwarts like Richard King, Jeovanni Laing, and Christopher Ainsworth anchored the backline, contributing to two consecutive clean sheets. Their collective brilliance earned six Cavalier players a spot in the semifinals’ Best XI.

  Cibao FC, the tournament’s last unbeaten team, booked their final berth with a 4-2 aggregate win over Real Hope FA. Spearheading their attack is the in-form Rivaldo Correa, who has tallied five goals in the tournament, including two in the semifinals.

  Correa’s knack for delivering in clutch moments is complemented by teammates Jean López and Juan Díaz, both of whom scored in the semis and also made the Best XI.

  While both teams have already secured spots in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, the stakes remain high. The winner on aggregate will not only claim the Caribbean Cup title but also earn a direct bye to the Round of 16 in the Champions Cup.

  Cavalier’s Head coach, Rudolph Speid, has taken a meticulous approach to preparing his side for the challenge.

  “It’s been good; we’ve looked at their strengths and weaknesses, and we have a plan. This time, we play the first leg at home, so we have to be on top for 180 minutes. It also places an emphasis on us not to concede, and if we do, then it’ll be a little more difficult for us to go away. I’m confident that Cavalier is capable of doing the business either home or away,” Speid said.

  The home advantage in the opening leg provides Cavalier with an opportunity to set the tone, but they must remain resolute, as away goals will serve as the first tiebreaker if things are even at the end of next Tuesday’s decisive leg in the Dominican Republic.

  Trinidad and Tobago’s Kaile Auvray, one of Cavalier’s standout performers, echoed similar sentiment.

  “At the end of the day, it’s just football. Our objective is to go out there and get our hands on the trophy while enjoying ourselves. I feel like we’re very positive, and it’s about taking our opportunities when they come. I don’t feel much pressure; I’ve played in the Gold Cup before, and I’ve played in the Nations League, so I feel I’ve played these types of matches before,” Auvray noted.

• Arsenal must be 'ruthless' to earn statement win at Sporting, says Arteta

  Arsenal need to be ruthless to secure a win against Sporting and snap their negative run of form away from home in the Champions League, manager Mikel Arteta said ahead of Tuesday's clash.

  Winless in their last four European outings, Arsenal arrive in Portugal following a 1-0 defeat against Inter Milan at San Siro earlier this month.

  Arteta's side currently sit 12th in the new Champions League 36-team format, where the top eight teams qualify automatically for the last 16, and the next 16 enter a two-legged playoff to join them.

  The Spaniard acknowledged that improving their away form is key to his team's chances in Europe's top-tier club competition.

  "It's certainly something we have to improve. We have the right steps, and looking back at the way we played against Inter, we dominated the game and should have won," Arteta told a news conference on Monday.

  "But the reality is you have to make it happen, and we didn't. Those steps are what we need to take next - be ruthless and much more efficient in the opposition box.

  "We wanted to be higher (in the standings), but it's the position we are in right now.

  "We have to play in a way that's going to give us a chance to win the game and fight to do it as quickly as possible. Tomorrow we have a great opportunity to do that."

  It will be the seventh meeting between Sporting and Arsenal in European competition. The Portuguese side are still looking for their first victory over the Gunners (D4 L2), though each of their last three meetings have ended level.

  Sporting, who thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in their last outing, are enjoying an outstanding campaign, remaining unbeaten in second place with 10 points. However, they are now without former manager Ruben Amorim, who has departed to Manchester United.

  Arteta acknowledged the Portuguese champions pose a major challenge for Arsenal but also offer an opportunity for a morale-boosting triumph.

  "The run they are on is incredible, which tells you it's not only about their qualities but their ambition and the team energy they have. That's the great challenge we have," he said.

  "To come here tomorrow, make a statement, and show that we are capable against this kind of opponent by being ourselves and winning the game." 

• Howe bemoans 'strange decisions' from Newcastle in West Ham defeat

  Eddie Howe bemoaned some "strange decisions" and individual errors as Newcastle United lost 2-0 against West Ham at St James' Park.

  Newcastle's three-match winning run in all competitions was halted as goals from Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka earned West Ham victory in Monday's Premier League clash.

  Soucek's 10th-minute opener came via a free header from a corner, while Wan-Bissaka had space inside the box to get a shot away for his goal early in the second half.

  At the other end, Alexander Isak failed to find the target from any of his six shots, including one Opta-defined big opportunity at 1-0 down.

  Reflecting on the defeat, Howe told Sky Sports: "It was a mixed night for us. In the first 60 minutes, although we were 2-0 down, we played some good football. 

  "But I was disappointed by the two goals we conceded and the last half-hour was really disappointing. We got our organisation wrong and made a couple of individual errors. 

  "If you leave a player with Tomas Soucek's aerial ability unmarked, you are going to pay the price. It's something we have to learn from.

  "I was always confident we were in the game and there was a very good chance we could come back. But we missed some gilt-edged chances in the first half. 

  "I didn't feel we really got going in the second half. We made some strange decisions. I didn't like the end part of the game."

  Newcastle have now lost two of their past three Premier League home games, as many losses as in their previous 20 outings at St James' Park.

  The Magpies tasted defeat against West Ham in the Premier League for only the second time in 11 outings and dropped one place to 10th in the table, four points adrift of the top four.

  "It's a really difficult one to take," Newcastle defender Lewis Hall told BBC Sport. "It was a massive game for us. We'd have been two points off second if we won.

  "It was a frustrating game for us. We had a lot of the ball. When you are on top, you have to find a way to put the ball in the net, which we didn't do today."

  Newcastle have failed to find the net in three of their past six league games and have just 13 goals for the season – only Everton, Crystal Palace (both 10) and Southampton (nine) have fewer.

  "We know we can score goals," Hall added. "This season, we've defended better than we've attacked. But last season, we attacked better than we defended.

  "It's about doing both. My message to the fans is to stick with us. Everyone works so hard throughout the week."