Former Trinidad and Tobago stalwart turned coach Dwight Yorke, and Derek King, are on a shortlist of five coaches vying for the senior Soca Warriors Head coach job.

The revelation was made by Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards, who revealed that the five-person shortlist was narrowed down from over 400 candidates ranging from the Twin Island Republic, as well as North, Central, and South America, and Europe.

King, the current interim head coach was appointed following the dismissal of Angus Eve, to whom he was an assistant. However, King’s chances of assuming the role on a permanent basis might be slim, given the team’s recent Concacaf Nations League run in which they struggled to secure League A status under his guidance.

Their lone win of the campaign was a 3-1 scoreline over Cuba in their final Group B contest at the Dwight Yorke Stadium.

While Edwards was impressed with the energy shown in that game, he quickly pointed out that a new coach, to be named by the end of this month, will be critical to meet new strategy set to be implemented by TTFA in 2025 ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers resumption.

“I want to assure you that both Dwight Yorke and Derek King are two of the five that we’re looking at. I think with the work that Derek has done for the last two FIFA windows, especially this last window. We know that the first window was tough for him to instill his idea in the guys, but we saw a glimpse of it in the Honduras game, during the first 30 minutes or even the first half,” Edwards told Guardian Media Sports.

“I think Derek has proven himself worthy for the position, and of course, Dwight is there and thereabout, and there are a few others who I would not name at this time. I think those two are names that the country is expecting to be there, so I am allowing that to happen, plus we’re working with agents and managers of other coaches right now to have some discussions, and hopefully by the end of the weekend we can conclude those discussions,” he added.

Yorke, who had a successful stint as a coach at Macarthur FC in the Australian A-League in 2022, also applied for the Jamaican senior Reggae Boyz top job, but was overlooked.

The former Manchester United striker is now being considered the overwhelming choice among the local football fraternity. 

However, Edwards explained that the affordability of a proposed salary packages would be crucial to the selection of the new coach and his staff. Additionally, that new coach will also have the option to decide on international friendly encounters during the coming FIFA window.

“We have about five people we’re looking at in terms of options who fit the bill of the campaign that we’re looking at for the style of football that we want to play. And not just the campaign, but also it would lend to the association in terms of our development,” Edwards said.

“So it’s important because we have a new strategic plan that we’re rolling out early in 2025, and the coach would have to be part of that in terms of keeping our national teams engaged and so on,” he noted. 

Chris Armas wants Colorado Rapids to use their trip to Austin FC as preparation for the start of the playoffs when they meet in the final game of the MLS regular season.

Colorado secured their playoff place last month but are not yet sure where in the Western Conference they will finish.

Other results could see them move up or down the table, and after losing their last three matches, Armas is keen to finish the regular season on a high.

"You can tell something different is in the air," he said. "The playoffs are here.

"The energy in the team is really good, and we're looking forward to the weekend and the big test in Austin.

"We want to use it the right way, to finish the season in the right way and get into the right mindset for the first playoff game."

Meanwhile, Austin sacked head coach Josh Wolff after a 2-1 defeat to LA Galaxy last time out ensured they would not make the playoffs.

Davy Arnaud will take interim charge for their final game of the season, and his sole focus is on getting three points on Saturday.

"You saw guys [in the last two games] who are still giving everything they have," Arnaud said, as quoted in the Verde All Day substack.

"For me, there would be no reason that it wouldn't be a very similar feel inside the stadium on Saturday, and I think they'll see a group that I'm hoping that they're proud of, that still represents this club in a really good way, despite the fact that we won't be in the playoffs.

"I've loved my time here in Austin, but I think it's too early to really fully talk about those things right now because we have a focus on Saturday."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Sebastian Driussi

Each of Austin's last 15 goals have been scored from open play dating back to mid-June, with their most recent being scored by Sebastian Driussi last time out against LA Galaxy.

Austin have not scored from a set piece since a penalty goal on June 1 and have not scored a non-penalty goal from a set piece since late May.

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

Djordje Mihailovic (11 goals, 12 assists) is the first player in Rapids history to record 10 goals and 10 assists in a single regular season.

He enters the final day of the season tied with Diego Rubio (2022) for the most goal contributions in a single season in Rapids history.

MATCH PREDICTION: AUSTIN FC WIN

Austin are winless in five straight regular-season home matches (D2 L3) for the first time in club history. They have managed just one win in their last eight matches at Q2 Stadium dating back to late May (D3 L4), but they will be keen to sign off for the season with a victory.

Colorado have never lost away against Austin FC (W1 D2), with the last two meetings between the sides at Q2 Stadium ending in draws. The Rapids are one of two teams (Seattle Sounders – four) to play three or more regular-season away matches at Austin without a loss.

Colorado have collected 50 points this season after totalling just 27 in the 2023 campaign. The 23-point improvement is the largest year-over-year improvement by the Rapids in the club's MLS history (excluding the shortened 2020 season), surpassing a 21-point bounce from 2015 to 2016.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 40.7%

Draw – 26.7%

Colorado Rapids – 32.7%

Vincent Kompany does not believe any major changes are needed at Bayern Munich despite their current three-game winless run.

Bayern sit top of the Bundesliga on 14 points, ahead of RB Leipzig on goal difference, and are looking to get back to winning ways against in-form Stuttgart on Saturday.

Kompany's team, however, have been far from convincing in recent weeks, having lost to Aston Villa in the Champions League and drawn with Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.

They will need to quickly turn things around against Stuttgart with a busy match schedule ahead, including a trip to Barcelona next week in the Champions League.

"We know we have to do things better, but we have 100% faith that our way will be successful. Hopefully, we will take the next step in the next game," Kompany told a press conference.

The Bavarians were largely dominant against Villa and Eintracht but lost 1-0 in England and drew 3-3 in Frankfurt after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser.

"I come from Belgium, so we are very pragmatic, much like the Germans," Kompany added. "It is not only the belief but also what the analyses showed.

"We were dominant in those games [against Villa and Eintracht]. We had many, many more chances than our opponents.

"Of course, we have to be better, to optimise, but I believe if we are objective it would be stupid to change everything just because the results were not right.

"We will keep fighting to win games, but we are convinced we will win many games in the future."

Bayern will be without Jamal Musiala, who is recovering from injury, on Saturday while defender Dayot Upamecano is a doubt.

Stuttgart provided six players to the German national team for this month's international matches, twice as many as Bayern. Last season's surprise runners-up are eighth on nine points in the current campaign.

"Stuttgart have shown what they want to do," Kompany said.

"They want to play their game and that's what made them successful. That's why they were second last season.

"It shows they have worked really well."

Trent Alexander-Arnold said it took him a while to get used to being a hometown representative for Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold made his Premier League debut eight years ago under Jurgen Klopp as an 18-year-old and has since made 233 league appearances for Liverpool. 

In the top-flight, he has 59 assists, the joint-most by a defender in the competition's history, alongside team-mate Andy Robertson. 

Since making his debut, the 26-year-old has established himself as one of the best right-backs in the world, having also picked up 33 senior caps for England.

However, Alexander-Arnold admitted the position he was in had the potential to be overwhelming for someone like him.

"At first it's quite intimidating because so many people are watching you and so many people are wanting to see what you're doing and emulate what you're doing," he told the Liverpool club website.

"You get to a point where you embrace it and use it as motivation, I think," he said.

"Growing up I had idols like Stevie G [Steven Gerrard] and Carra [Jamie Carragher] who, not their message directly to me, but the careers themselves and being from the city and going through the academy system made it possible.

"In my mind, it was like, 'If they can do it, why can't I?' They've probably played on the same fields as I have. They were doing the same things in the academy, and they came through the same system and were able to achieve it. So, if I've got enough discipline, hard work and talent, then why can't I go and do that?

"I think that's something that sticks with me a lot of the time. It's sometimes the reason why I push myself to show people if you're willing to work hard enough that anything is possible."

Alexander-Arnold says he is aware of the example he sets to others who might be in the position he was before playing for Liverpool, though he was conscious of highlighting the effort it takes to get to where he is now.

"That's something that is firmly in my mind. If you do think it, you can do it, but it'll take hard work. But if you're willing to put that in, you can do and achieve any dream you want," he said.

Sonia Bompastor was pleased by Chelsea's efficiency in their Women's Champions League win over Twente but has been dealt a possible injury blow to Lauren James.

The Blues won 3-1 on Thursday, with Aggie Beever-Jones, Maika Hamano and Guro Reiten before Nikee van Dijk's consolation.

But they were forced to play without Lauren James, who pulled out of the game after sustaining a foot injury in the warm-up.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd replaced her for the match and was one of Chelsea's more influential attacking players, getting the assist for the opening goal.

However, with Tottenham next up in the Women's Super League, Bompastor is not sure if James will be available, while the winger is also set to link up with England next week.

"In the last moment of the warm-up she felt something in her foot," Bompastor said.

"At the moment it's too early for me to say something else about LJ. We will have to assess her [on Friday] in London and see how she feels."

Bompastor made seven changes from their win over Arsenal for their trip to the Netherlands, with Beever-Jones and Hamano among those brought in.

Beever-Jones had four shots, creating 0.51 expected goals (xG), while also having seven touches in the box and creating one chance.

Chelsea dominated overall, also having 31 touches in the opposition box to Twente's 31, and entered the final third 74 times.

And the manager was delighted with the front-footed approach her side took as they maintained their 100% start under her.

"I'm really happy with the first half," said Bompastor.

"We started the game strongly. We were efficient, being able to score really quickly. We saw some good movement from the players. For me, we just got the three points, which is really important. We are top now, which is the main goal.

"Also, we had the opportunity to rotate and manage some players. Some players could rest in preparation for the game on Sunday.

"It just shows how much quality there is in the group, and also how much I trust everyone in the group. Some of them were able to start and play 90 minutes in the Champions League.

"It's good to have the quality in the group to make sure we can rotate and play every single game with a lot of competition." 

Troy Lesesne believes D.C. United's confidence is as high as it has been all season ahead of their crucial Decision-Day meeting with Charlotte FC.

D.C. need a point to clinch a playoff place for the first time since 2019, which would end their joint-longest playoff drought (also four years between 2008 and 2011).

They are in contention with CF Montreal and the Philadelphia Union, with two wild-card spots still to be decided on the final matchday in the Eastern Conference, after recording back-to-back victories over Nashville SC (4-3) and the New England Revolution (2-1).

"When challenges come – and we've had many this year – it's easy for us to use those as excuses and pack it up," Lesesne told reporters.

"But our group has never done that, just look at all the things we've gone through this year, the mental endurance that these guys have displayed to be in this position...

"You learn so much about yourself and your players and I'm really proud of the group.

"You expected all along that it would go right down to the last game, but the confidence of this team right now seems to be at the highest it has been all year."

Charlotte, on the other hand, have already confirmed their postseason spot, though a victory could see them move from sixth to fifth and improve their playoff seeding. 

"I know this game is more for seeding than anything else, but the main thing for us is to keep this going," forward Patrick Agyemang said.

"The main thing is to just continue on the road we're on, which is positive results. We want the season to end with a bang to put us in a good position for the playoffs."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Christian Benteke

Benteke has scored 23 goals this season, equalling Raul Diaz Arce (1996) for the most in a single season in D.C.'s MLS history. 

His nine headed goals, meanwhile, are tied for the second-most in a single year by any player since Opta began detailed data collection of MLS in 2010, behind Josef Martinez's 10 in 2018. Can he draw level with the Venezuelan? 

Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang 

Agyemang's goal for Charlotte last Saturday, in a 2-0 win over Montreal, was his 15th goal contribution of the season (nine goals, six assists). 

He is one goal contribution shy of the single-season club record of 16, achieved by Karol Swiderski in each of the team's first two MLS campaigns.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

The home side has not lost any of the five previous meetings between D.C. and Charlotte, with D.C. recording a pair of 3-0 wins in their two home matches against the Crown. 

Charlotte, though, have lost only four of their last 11 regular-season away matches dating back to the beginning of May (four wins, three draws). 

D.C. United only need a point to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2019, ending a four-year postseason drought, and with home advantage on their side, they should get it.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 37.1%

Charlotte FC – 36.6%

Draw – 26.3%

Sonia Bompastor's perfect start to life at Chelsea continued on Thursday as the Blues beat Twente 3-1 to go three points clear at the top of their Women's Champions League group.

Having overcome Real Madrid in their Group B opener last week, Chelsea cruised to victory in the Netherlands to strengthen their grip on top spot.

Aggie Beever-Jones saw her 25-yard strike deflect in for a seventh-minute opener, and Chelsea were 2-0 up within 18 minutes as Maika Hamano lobbed goalkeeper Olivia Clarke.

Guro Reiten scored Chelsea's third from the penalty spot when Lieske Carleer fouled Mayra Ramirez just after the hour mark, with Nikee van Dijk netting a consolation for Twente five minutes later.

In the other match in Group B, Madrid got up and running with a resounding 4-0 victory over Celtic, with Scotland's Caroline Weir among the goals for Los Blancos.

Weir curled in a terrific opener from distance after just seven minutes, though Celtic then held firm and stayed in the contest until the latter stages.

However, Signe Bruun, Caroline Moller and Linda Caicedo all got on the scoresheet in the final 20 minutes as Madrid put some gloss on the scoreline at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium.

They were not the only convincing winners on Thursday, as Roma crushed Galatasaray 6-1 to go top of Group A on goal difference, with captain Manuela Giugliano scoring twice and laying on two assists.

The other game in Group A saw European heavyweights Wolfsburg and Lyon go head-to-head, with the French giants leaving Germany with a statement 2-0 victory.

Wolfsburg's Alexandra Popp joined Wendie Renard as the only players to make 100 Women's Champions League appearances, but the French centre-back overshadowed her by nodding in an eighth-minute opener.

Lyon had the better of the contest throughout, finishing with 2.75 expected goals (xG) to Wolfsburg's 0.83, and they killed the match from the penalty spot eight minutes into the second half, Lindsey Horan scoring after Melchie Dumornay was felled by Janina Minge. 

Manchester United have suffered another injury blow with the news that midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will be sidelined for several weeks due to a muscle issue.

Mainoo, alongside centre-back Harry Maguire, was forced off during United's goalless draw with Aston Villa prior to the international break.

The teenager then joined Morgan Gibbs-White and Ezri Konsa in withdrawing from England's squad for their Nations League fixtures against Greece and Finland. 

Ahead of their return to Premier League action against Brentford on Saturday, United issued a comprehensive fitness update, confirming Mainoo had joined Maguire on the sidelines.

While Manuel Ugarte took part in a recovery session after returning from international duty with Uruguay, the club said long-term absentees Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw are making "steady" progress in their recovery.

Noussair Mazraoui, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo all missed games for their respective national teams during the hiatus, but the trio are back in training.

Mainoo has played all seven of United's Premier League games this season, with the Red Devils earning their fewest points (eight) at this stage of any campaign in the competition.

He has the best pass completion rate (88.3%) of any ever-present United midfielder, with only Bruno Fernandes (261, 49) bettering his 250 completed passes or his 35 successful passes into the final third.

Lionel Messi has not given any thought to his retirement, though the Argentina legend has again refused to commit to playing at the 2026 World Cup.

One day before he celebrated the 20th anniversary of his senior debut for Barcelona, Messi recorded five goal involvements (three goals, two assists) in Argentina's 6-0 rout of Bolivia on Tuesday.

Messi has enjoyed a fantastic season for MLS Supporters' Shield winners Inter Miami, too, scoring 17 league goals and adding 10 assists despite only starting 15 matches.

While the forward has shown no signs of slowing down since joining the Herons last year, his decision to turn his back on Europe led many to suggest the end of his career was near.

He has yet to make any decision on his long-term future, however, and is simply focused on enjoying his football in the moment.

Speaking at the Marca America Award night in Miami, Messi said: "Coming to Inter Miami does not mean I will retire anytime soon, I still have more years to play.

"In the moment, we will see. I don't like to accelerate time or look ahead. I try to enjoy every day. I hope I can keep playing at this level to feel good and be happy. 

"When I get to do what I love, I am happy. I value that more than reaching 2026. I haven't set a goal to reach the World Cup, but more so to live day-to-day and be well.

"I am still hungry for titles even though I am a bit older and my family keeps growing. When I feel their support, I am unstoppable."

Messi could lead Miami to a historic achievement this weekend as they end their 2024 regular-season campaign at home to the New England Revolution.

A victory would take Gerardo Martino's team to 74 points, surpassing the single-season record of 73 set by New England in 2021.

In a powerful gesture of community upliftment, Reggae Boyz Vice-Captain Damion Lowe has returned to his childhood neighborhood in Rockfort, Eastern Kingston, to make a meaningful contribution to the Stimulation Early Childhood Development Centre—a place dedicated to nurturing children with special needs. This act of generosity, done in collaboration with the PrintWare Group, goes beyond just equipment; it is a reflection of Lowe’s deep connection to his roots and his desire to leave a lasting impact on the lives of children who face unique challenges every day.

The donation included a state-of-the-art multifunction printer and four television sets, resources that will transform the learning experience for over 190 children who attend the Centre. These children, many of whom live with conditions like cerebral palsy, autism, and Down syndrome, will now have better access to the educational tools they need to thrive, thanks to Lowe’s gift.

Speaking on his contribution, Lowe shared the personal significance of the moment. “It’s always a great feeling to give back, especially when it involves helping students with special needs,” Lowe said. “This is just a small gesture compared to the work of the teachers, parents, and caregivers. I’m grateful to be able to support what they do.”

The Stimulation Early Childhood Development Centre, opened in 2018, is a beacon of hope for children facing developmental delays and behavioral challenges. For Mrs. Antonica Gunter-Gayle, the school’s Principal, the new equipment means more than just upgraded technology—it represents new opportunities for these children to engage with the world in ways that were previously out of reach. “The new resources will enhance our ability to print educational materials and introduce more audio-visual learning opportunities,” she said with deep appreciation. “We are grateful for Damion Lowe’s generosity and the partnership with PrintWare Group.”

The multifunction printer, valued at over $1 million, comes with lifetime support—unlimited ink, toner, and maintenance—ensuring the Centre’s needs are met for years to come. The televisions, which were specifically requested to enhance the children’s audio-visual learning, bring a new dimension to the classrooms, creating an environment that fosters interaction and creativity.

Dominique Walker, CEO of PrintWare Group, expressed her pride in being part of such a meaningful initiative. “These students will now benefit from an enriched learning environment with the support of the multifunction printer and TV sets,” she said. It’s clear that this donation, much like Lowe’s presence in the community, is a testament to what’s possible when people come together for a greater cause.

Lowe, whose success as a footballer has taken him far from the streets of Rockfort, has never forgotten where he came from. He frequently returns to give back to the community, hosting an annual Christmas treat for over 300 children since 2021, a tradition that has brought joy and hope to many families.

But for Lowe, the work isn’t done. He has called on others to help fill some of the gaps still present at the Centre. “There’s still a need for more TV sets and also air conditioning units for the classrooms. I encourage anyone who can help to fill this gap,” Lowe said, urging others to join him in making a difference.

Through his ongoing efforts, Damion Lowe continues to prove that success is not measured solely by personal achievements but by how much one gives back. His latest contribution, driven by a desire to improve the lives of children with special needs, shows that his heart beats strongest when he’s lifting up those who need it most.

Jim Curtin knows it will be a tall order for the Philadelphia Union to clinch an MLS Cup Playoff place on Decision Day, simply telling his team to do their bit versus FC Cincinnati.

Philadelphia must beat last season's Supporters' Shield winners and hope CF Montreal and D.C. United both lose, to New York City and Charlotte FC respectively, to extend their season.

The Union have only missed the playoffs in two of their nine full campaigns under Curtin, but they are on the brink of doing so following back-to-back defeats to Orlando City (2-1) and the Columbus Crew (3-1).

Ahead of this weekend's Decision-Day clash with Cincinnati, Curtin said: "At this time of year you have to do the little things right and we didn't [versus Columbus].

"It's not in our control anymore, so we'll need some help. What we can control is getting a win at home against a strong Cincinnati team, something we're more than capable of.

"Obviously we've let ourselves down in recent weeks, we've played some great opponents and had chances to get back into games.

"But if we're honest, we were outplayed by Orlando and Columbus, those two teams are a level above us right now. Now it comes down to Decision Day."

Cincinnati have already clinched their playoff place but have suffered three straight defeats to Los Angeles FC, NYCFC and Orlando. 

Speaking after their most recent loss, winger Yamil Asad said he would prefer the Orange and Blue to make their mistakes before the postseason begins.

"This is tough because we are close to the playoffs, this is the third loss in a week," Asad said.

"But I think it's better to happen now and fix all of these bad things that we did and be focused on and keep doing the right things."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Philadelphia Union – Andre Blake

Philadelphia have scored 61 goals but sit below the playoff line entering the final day of the season. 

No team in MLS history has scored 62 or more goals in a regular season and missed the playoffs (35/35 entering 2024).

If they are to sneak into the postseason, they may need a big performance from Blake, whose save percentage of 75% is the second-best of any MLS goalkeeper with at least 10 appearances this year.

FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta 

Acosta has recorded 93 goal contributions over the last three seasons (41 goals, 52 assists), more than any other player over a three-season span in MLS history (Sebastian Giovinco – 92 from 2015 to 2017).

MATCH PREDICTION – PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN

Cincinnati enter the final match of the season with 10 away wins already 2024. The most road wins in a single season in the post-shootout era (since 2000) in MLS is 11, set by Montreal in 2022 and matched by Inter Miami this season.

They face a daunting task in looking to match those feats, though. The Union knocked Cincinnati out of this year's Leagues Cup in the last 16 with a 4-2 away win on August 13. 

The Union have taken 10 points from their last five home league games (three wins, one draw, one defeat), scoring 13 times in those matches, and simply must win.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Philadelphia Union – 46.8%

FC Cincinnati – 26.8%

Draw – 26.4%

Manchester City are the team leading the way in the Women's Super League standings with 10 points from four games, ahead of Sunday's home clash with Aston Villa.

However, it is Chelsea and Manchester United – who saw their scheduled matchday three meeting postponed – who boast the only two perfect records in the division.

Both sides have recorded three wins from as many games ahead of potentially testing fixtures this weekend.

While Marc Skinner's United go to Brighton, who have taken nine points from four matches in a fine start, Chelsea host Tottenham in a big London derby.

Elsewhere, Renee Slegers takes charge of Arsenal for the first time in the WSL following the exit of Jonas Eidevall, with a trip to West Ham marking her first league assignment following Wednesday's 4-1 Women's Champions League victory over Valerenga.

But which way will those games – and the three other contests taking place on matchday five – go? We turned to the Opta supercomputer to get its latest set of WSL predictions.

BRIGHTON V MANCHESTER UNITED

The weekend's action begins at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, with both Brighton and United having a chance to go top of the table ahead of Sunday's matches.

Dario Vidosic's team beat Crystal Palace 1-0 last time out, and their return of nine points from four matches is the best start Brighton have ever made to a WSL season. In 2023-24, they needed 11 games to reach the same tally.

They are, however, winless in their last six WSL meetings with United, drawing one and losing five since a 1-0 home triumph in April 2021. Skinner's side are yet to concede this season, and there has only previously been five instances of a team starting a WSL campaign with four straight wins without shipping a goal – one was United in 2022-23.

They are given a 63.4% chance of victory on the south coast, with Brighton only assigned a 17.1% win probability and a 19.5% likelihood of earning a draw.

MANCHESTER CITY V ASTON VILLA

City enter the weekend top of the tree, winning three straight since playing out a 2-2 draw with fellow title hopefuls Arsenal on matchday one.

In a run stretching back to November 19, 2023, City have won 18 of their last 20 matches in the WSL – in this time, they have won 10 more points than any other side (55).

Khadija Shaw's double handed them a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on their last league outing, taking her to 15 goals in 13 WSL matches in 2024, seven more than any other player and more than two ever-present clubs (Leicester City with 12 and West Ham with 14) have managed.

City are overwhelming favourites, winning 84% of the supercomputer's pre-match simulations, while Villa have just a 5.9% chance of earning their first win of the season, having started with two draws and two defeats. A draw is given a 10.1% likelihood. 

LIVERPOOL V CRYSTAL PALACE

Liverpool's own unbeaten start was halted by City last time out, but they are favourites to get back on track against a Palace team with one win and three defeats to their name.

The Reds' win probability is a hefty 63.3%, with Palace given a 17.2% chance and 19.5% of the match simulations finishing all square. 

Liverpool should be wary, however, as they won 10 straight games against newly promoted opposition in the WSL between 2016 and 2018 but have since only won two of six matches against such opponents (one draw, three losses).

Palace, meanwhile, earned their first WSL win at Leicester last time out on the road. The only two promoted teams to win as many as two of their first three away WSL matches are Tottenham in 2019 and Villa in 2020.

WEST HAM V ARSENAL

The biggest story to emerge from the WSL this week came from north London, as Arsenal parted company with Eidevall after taking just five points from four WSL matches.

Only once have the Gunners had fewer points through their first four matches of a WSL season, picking up a solitary point from their first four outings in 2014. They did, though, beat Valerenga in midweek for a winning start under interim boss Slegers.

Arsenal have won nine of their 11 games against West Ham in the WSL, but only one of the last three (one draw, one loss). However, the supercomputer still gives them a whopping 73.3% chance of travelling back across the capital three points better off.

West Ham, meanwhile, are on the longest current winless run in the WSL (13 games – six draws, seven defeats), since they beat Arsenal 2-1 back in February. The Hammers have not scored more than once in a single match in that run.

They are given an 11.7% chance of adding to the Gunners' woes with another memorable victory, and a 15% chance of holding their opponents to a draw.

LEICESTER CITY V EVERTON

Along with West Ham and Villa, Leicester and Everton are the remaining two sides still waiting on their first victory of the WSL season. Will either team change that on Sunday?

The supercomputer makes this fixture the toughest to call on matchday five, with Leicester given a 35.2% chance of victory to Everton's 38.8%. The draw threat is at 26%.

The Foxes will have to overcome their goalscoring woes to have any chance of a result, though. Since hammering Bristol City 5-2 in February, Leicester have scored just six goals in 12 WSL matches, failing to net in each of their last three matches.

Everton, meanwhile, have failed to score with any of their 37 shots in the WSL this season – their one goal came via an own goal from West Ham's Camila Saez. Neutrals might be best advised not to expect a thriller.

CHELSEA V TOTTENHAM

The weekend's action is rounded off at Kingsmeadow, as Sonia Bompastor looks to continue her perfect start to life in the Chelsea dugout against Tottenham.

Bompastor is looking to become only the third manager to win her first four WSL matches in charge, along with David Parker (with Birmingham City in 2011) and Eidevall (with Arsenal in 2021).

Including stoppage time, Chelsea have spent 73.7% of their time on the field in winning positions in the WSL this season, the second-highest percentage behind United (75.8%). However, the Blues have faced more shots than they've attempted (30 vs 29) when leading, whereas last season they had 137 more shots than their opponents when winning.

Tottenham may not be equipped to take advantage, though. They have shipped the most goals in the WSL since matchday two (eight) after keeping a clean sheet against Crystal Palace on the opening day.

They are given a measly 5.4% chance of causing an upset, and a 9.5% chance of earning a draw. Chelsea's 85.1% win probability is the highest of any team this weekend. 

Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has underscored the significance of the Nations League, particularly for players from the smaller islands in the Caribbean, as it provides them with a platform to compete against higher-level opposition and develop their skills on the international stage.

Montagliani, who was on a visit to the island, along with Bermuda and St Lucia Football Association presidents Mark Wade and Lyndon Cooper, believes that the tournament, which started in 2018, has been a game-changer for the region, offering crucial opportunities for exposure and growth that may have otherwise been limited.

In fact, the Canadian emphasized the role it plays in not only improving the competitiveness across the confederation but also in attracting heritage players to the Caribbean islands in particular.

“You've had coaches coming to want to coach here; you have players who never would have thought of playing for a country that they play for having the opportunity. Why? Because up until the Nations League, all you can offer them is one game every four years or two games every four years. That's not much of an international career. Now a player can play in the Nations League, can go to the Gold Cup, obviously a World Cup qualifying, and they have more of a body of work to attach themselves,” Montagliani said during a press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday.

Jamaica in Nations League action against Honduras.

“And at the end, the player wants to sell himself or herself because, don't forget, we also have it on our women's programme in terms of our road to the Women’s Gold Cup, which is in essence the Nations League. So, if you play five, six internationals a year versus one, you're going to be seen more, and so you see more players wanting to play international football because of it,” he added.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz have used the tournament to test their mettle against the region’s best teams—United States, Canada, Mexico, and Panama.

However, for other Caribbean nations like St Lucia, Bermuda, St Kitts and Nevis, and even Suriname, who will contest the quarterfinal stage for the first time, the Nations League has been a vital part of their football development, as it assists in nurturing young players who will form the core of their squad for years to come.

Montagliani pointed out that this kind of consistent international exposure is invaluable for teams aspiring to qualify for major tournaments like the World Cup or the Gold Cup.

“I know a lot of my presidents say all the time that they're getting calls from guys saying, ‘My dad was from wherever, and I play in League One or the championship.’ So it's really opening the doors to more players, more coaches, but also to more aspirations for the local players,” Montagliani reasoned.

“I just saw a great story about a 14-year-old goalie making his debut for Turks and Caicos in the Nations League group, so what I'm saying is that it gives an aspiration to a young player to say, ‘If Michail Antonio is playing at West Ham and he's playing for Jamaica now, that could be me down the road,” he shared.

Suriname celebrate their Nations League quarterfinal feat.

However, when it comes to the prospect of Jamaica hosting a future tournament or a knockout round of the Concacaf Nations League, Montagliani tempered expectations. He acknowledged that while Jamaica is a football-loving nation with passionate support, the infrastructure—most notably the National Stadium—currently isn’t up to the standard required to host a tournament of such magnitude.

“First and foremost, the National Stadium needs to be at the level that it sounds like it wants to be at. After having those discussions today (Wednesday), they tell me it's about a three- to four-year window here (for the Stadiums development). So when that happens, we can have those conversations,” he declared.

“But the reality is, just like FIFA, FIFA lives on one competition, the World Cup... that's 95% of its budget. Concacaf’s Gold Cup is about 80% of our budget. So the reality is, it's okay to move it around as it relates to a game or two, maybe even a group, but to have the significant majority of it outside a market that doesn't generate top dollar is not only unrealistic, but it's irresponsible as well. So we need to balance both,” Montagliani noted.

Montagliani went on to compare Jamaica’s situation with the Dominican Republic, in particular, as the Spanish-speaking Caribbean nation is further ahead in terms of infrastructure development, resulting in its hosting numerous club and youth tournaments.

“What's happened is that through One Concacaf funding and through FIFA, you're starting to see a lot of other nations that didn't have any facilities now having facilities as well. So it's not a bad thing, because back in the days, you only maybe had two or three of our member associations having the ability to host a U-17, and that was great for Jamaica.

“But now you have a lot of member associations that have that ability to do it, and we're spreading it around. Not to say that we would not host here (in Jamaica), but now we have more options, which is a sign of early development,” Montagliani stated.

Cayman Islands players celebrate a goal in the Nations League.

He continued: “We are building our own facility in the Dominican Republic, the home of football, where we will have pitches and a small little stadium and facilities. So, you know, we're going to be using that as well for events. The good thing about that is that we can go anywhere now, and so it pushes you (Jamaica) to build your standards.

“Before, if you were the only one in town and you had no incentive to really push the standards to a top, top level, that’s fine, but now you almost have to, because if you don't, you won't even get looked at in the RFP process. But the good news is that we no longer limit it to two or three options.”

As Concacaf continues to expand the reach and impact of the Nations League, Montagliani reiterated his commitment to ensuring that all member nations, regardless of size, have access to opportunities that will help them grow.

“Having our One Concacaf programme increases not only funding but also accountability and responsibility. You can't just keep giving people fish; you need to teach them how to fish as well, and I think we've done a good job with that. In the end, it's always about the football, and really, one of the biggest successes I think that turned around this organisation is the Nations League,” he ended.

Inter Miami are in a "perfect" position to etch their names into MLS history when they host the New England Revolution on Saturday, with a single-season points record within reach.

That is the view of defender Ian Fray, after Gerardo Martino's men wrapped up the Supporters' Shield – and home advantage for the playoffs – early.

Miami have 71 points with one game of the regular season remaining, and a victory would see them surpass the Revs' all-time high of 73 points from the 2021 campaign. 

Fray feels playing at Chase Stadium can help Miami get over the line, saying: "Having home-field advantage is amazing, especially with our fans. It's the perfect situation for us."

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were both substitutes for Miami's last game – a late 1-0 win at Toronto FC – as Martino opted to rest the forward duo.

"It was logical that after two complete games, as most of them had played, we would make a rotation," he said. 

"We were able to meet the two objectives, for the players to have some rest and to win the game, which is what we wanted. We wanted to be able to achieve the points record."

Opponents New England are playing merely to defend their 2021 honour, sitting some nine points adrift of the playoff picture, 14th in the Eastern Conference standings.

Head coach Caleb Porter, though, has already turned his attention towards what comes next after they missed the postseason for just the second time in six years.

"It's really important, when we're making corrections next year and in the offseason, that we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater," he said. 

"That's the tendency in the offseason when you end a season like this. You have to take a deep dive into what went wrong.

"I have to look at myself, I have to coach better, I have to figure out what I can do better. It starts with me."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

The favourite to be named this year's MLS MVP, Messi enters the final match of the regular season averaging 1.98 goal contributions per 90 minutes. 

Only one player in MLS history has averaged more than 1.40 goal contributions per 90 over a full season before: Carlos Vela (1.62) in 2019 (minimum 1000 minutes played).

New England Revolution – Aljaz Ivacic

New England's 4-0 loss at the Columbus Crew last Saturday was the eighth time this season that the Revs have lost a match by at least three goals. That equals the most three-goal defeats by a team in a single season in MLS history, done four times before.

If they are to avoid making unwanted history against a rampant Miami team, they will need Ivacic to be on top form, though his save percentage of 66% is only the 20th-best figure among the 33 goalkeepers to play 10 MLS matches this year.

MATCH PREDICTION – INTER MIAMI WIN

None of the seven all-time meetings between Miami and New England have ended in draws. 

The sides split the season series in each of the previous three years, with both sides winning once in each campaign, while Miami won in New England, 4-1, on April 27 this year.

Miami, on 71 points entering the final day of the season, can break New England's single-season MLS points record of 73 with a win. A victory would also be Miami's 22nd this season, equalling the most in a single season in league history.

New England have lost five straight away matches, including a 4-0 loss to the Crew on Saturday. 

The Revs have been outscored 15-1 in those games, so the chances of them denying Miami a slice of history appear slim.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 67.1%

New England Revolution – 14.9%

Draw – 18.1%

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will not be pressured into making a decision on his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium.

The 53-year-old's contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 season and he is, as yet, undecided on what he wants to do when that time comes.

City take on Wolves this weekend, and sit second in the Premier League after going unbeaten through their first seven games. They are just one point behind league leaders Liverpool.

"When it's going to happen, it's going to happen," Guardiola told BBC Sport, when asked if any decision on his future from the end of the season onwards had been made.

Guardiola had been heavily linked with the previously vacant England position, before it was announced this week that Thomas Tuchel will take over in January.

But even after that announcement, there have been rumours that Guardiola could follow the lead of director of football and close friend Txiki Begiristain, who has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season.

"One of the reasons I extended my contract two times is because Txiki is here," Guardiola said of Begiristain.

"We work together incredibly well. When we win, we try to analyse why. When we lose we try to analyse why. We don’t judge the other one. We both work for the best for this club.

"That’s why it’s a joy to work here with people like Txiki."

Sunday's hosts Wolves, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from their 5-3 defeat at Brentford in their last match before the international break.

That was a result that left the club bottom of the Premier League with just one point after seven matches.

After the match, head coach Gary O'Neil spoke about it being the "worst game I've been involved with as a coach".

"It’s the furthest I’ve seen the group from what we wanted to look like," he told BBC Match of the Day.

"The responsibility is on me. Of course, the players are going to make decisions, but I need to give them something that makes them make better decisions.

"I’ll do the best I can with the group I have. The club do what they can do off the pitch. My responsibility is to find results. This league can be tough. There are no hiding places."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wolves – Matheus Cunha

Cunha is Wolves' top scorer, having netted three league goals so far this term. He ranks 16th in the Premier League for xG overperformance, with his three goals coming from just 1.06 xG.

The 25-year-old has also taken the ninth-most shots (21) of any player in the Premier League this term, while two of his three goals have come against teams currently in the top five of the table (Aston Villa and Chelsea).

Manchester City – Erling Haaland

Haaland is the quickest player of all time to reach 10 Premier League goals, having done so in just five matches. He is also the biggest xG overperformer in the Premier League in 2024-25, with his 10 goals coming from 6.5 xG.

The Norwegian striker has scored eight goals in total against Wolves, including four in their most recent meeting in May, at an average of one goal every 40 minutes.

MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY WIN

City enter matchday eight as one of just two Premier League teams (alongside Arsenal) who still have an unbeaten record this season (W5 D2). In their last match before the international break, City beat Fulham 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium following back-to-back draws.

That start to the season puts City in second place, one point behind league leaders Liverpool, while Wolves are bottom of the table after taking just one point from their opening seven matches.

It is the first time since 2003-04 that Wolves have failed to win any of their opening seven league games, while they have only had three longer winless runs at the start of a league season: 1922-23 (eight), 1926-27 (10) and 1983-84 (14).

City won the last Premier League meeting between the two clubs, beating Wolves 5-1 at the Etihad in May with the aforementioned Haaland scoring four goals.

That was one of seven victories for City in their last eight Premier League meetings with Wolves, although the hosts did win 2-1 in this exact fixture last September.

Wolves have also scored in eight of their nine matches in all competitions this campaign, while City have fallen behind in four of their six Premier League games this season – as many times as in their previous 19 – and have recovered a league-high 10 points from losing positions.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Wolves – 13.3%

Draw – 17.9%

Manchester City – 68.8%