The dog days of summer have come and gone and as the temperature in some parts of the globe begins to gradually drop, the temperature in MLB is rising. Division and wild card races are running hot as the calendar prepares to flip from August to September and contenders move ever closer towards solidifying playoff spots. The playoff picture in MLB is beginning to take shape but there is much still to decide. Can the defending champion Dodgers hold off a furious second-half push from the Padres to win the National League West division title? Can the Astros do the same against a surging Mariners club?

The final month of the regular season will provide the answers to these questions and more. But before all that, it's worth taking a look at the remaining schedules of each contender. Who has the toughest remaining schedule? Who has the easiest path?

Ranking MLB Contenders' Strength of Schedules

The following contending teams are ranked in order from easiest schedule to hardest schedule, in terms of opponent winning percentage.

Team

Strength of Schedule

Philadelphia Phillies

.493

New York Mets

.494

Detroit Tigers

.495

Kansas City Royals

.495

Houston Astros

.496

Cleveland Guardians

.497

Los Angeles Dodgers

.497

Milwaukee Brewers

.497

Cincinnati Reds

.498

Texas Rangers

.499

Toronto Blue Jays

.501

Boston Red Sox

.502

San Diego Padres

.503

Seattle Mariners

.505

New York Yankees

.506

Chicago Cubs

.506

Now, let's take a deeper dive into each team's schedule in the divisional and wild card races.

American League EastToronto Blue JaysPosition in Playoff Race: 1st in AL EastFangraphs Playoff Odds: 99.7%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. NYY Sept. 5-7, vs. BOS Sept. 23-25

Toronto will be battle-tested in the final month, as four of its final nine series will be against teams currently in the postseason picture.

Boston Red SoxPosition in Playoff Race: 1st AL Wild CardFangraphs Playoff Odds: 94.6%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. NYY Sept. 12-14, vs. TOR Sept. 23-25

Boston has it slightly easier than Toronto, as just three of its final nine series are against playoff teams. Six straight games against the Blue Jays and first-place Tigers to end the season is certainly a gauntlet, though.

New York Yankees Position in Playoff Race: 2nd AL Wild Fangraphs Playoff Odds: 98.1%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. TOR Sept. 5-7, vs. BOS Sept. 12-14

One thing is for sure: the Yankees will find out what they're made of in the season's last month. From Sept. 2 to the 14th, the Yankees, respectively, face the Astros, Blue Jays, Tigers and Red Sox. Blue Jays and Tigers and Red Sox, oh my!

American League WestHouston AstrosPosition in Playoff Race: 1st in AL WestFangraphs Playoff Odds: 90.8%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. SEA Sept. 19-21

The late-September series against the Mariners very well could decide the division. But games against the Yankees, two series against the Rangers and games against the Blue Jays loom large as well.

Seattle MarinersPosition in Playoff Race: 3rd AL Wild CardFangraphs Playoff Odds: 90.4%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. HOU Sept. 19-21

The Mariners' sneaky-tough schedule peaks in the season's final week with a pivotal series against the Astros and a test against the defending-champion Dodgers sandwiched around a series against the lowly Rockies.

American League Wild Card Race

Kansas City RoyalsPosition in Playoff Race: 4th in AL Wild Card chase Fangraphs Playoff Odds: 14.6%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. SEA Sept. 16-18

Kansas City has played its way back into the AL Wild Card race and will have a chance to at least cause mayhem with matchups against the Tigers, Guardians, Phillies, Mariners and Blue Jays in September.

Texas RangersPosition in Playoff Race: 5th in AL Wild Card chaseFangraphs Playoff Odds: 7.3%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. HOU Sept. 5-7, 15-17

Even after losing ace Nathan Eovaldi to a rotator cuff strain, the math still says the Rangers have a chance to make the postseason. And six games against the Astros in September give the 2023 World Series champs a chance to take destiny into its own hands.

Cleveland Guardians Position in Playoff Race: 6th in AL Wild Card chaseFangraphs Playoff Odds: 3.8%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. SEA Aug. 29-31, vs. KC Sept. 8-11, vs. TEX Sept. 26-28

The Guardians have had a nightmarish August but are still in the running for the AL Wild Card. Worst case, they muck up the plans of playoff-caliber teams like the Mariners and Red Sox. Best case, they take their nearly 4 percent playoff odds and make something crazy happen.

National League EastPhiladelphia PhilliesPosition in Playoff Race: 1st in NL EastFangraphs Playoff Odds: 99.8%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. MIL Sept. 1-4, vs. NYM Sept. 8-11, vs. LAD Sept. 15-17

Despite a three-game sweep at the hands of the Mets, the Phillies remain in the driver's seat for the NL East title. But four straight games against the Amazin's in mid-September could widen their lead or make this race very interesting.

New York MetsPosition in Playoff Race: 3rd NL Wild CardFangraphs Playoff Odds: 96.6%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. PHI Sept. 8-11, vs. SD Sept. 16-18, vs. CHC Sept. 23-25

The Mets can take one last shot at the division when they take on the Phillies later in September. But games against the Padres and Cubs present a chance for the Mets to rise up the standings and potentially secure home-field advantage for a Wild Card series should they end up as the first Wild Card.

National League WestLos Angeles DodgersPosition in Playoff Race: 1st in NL WestFangraphs Playoff Odds: 100%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. PHI Sept. 15-17, vs. SEA Sept. 26-28

As they look to hold into first place in the NL West, the Dodgers will benefit from a schedule that will see them play just two of their last nine series against current playoff teams.

San Diego PadresPosition in Playoff Race: 2nd NL Wild CardFangraphs Playoff Odds: 99.5%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. CIN Sept. 8-10, vs. NYM Sept. 16-18

The Padres don't have it as easy as the Dodgers, even though they do get to play the Rockies seven times in September. Games against the Reds and Mets will be pivotal for San Diego's standing in the Wild Card race, as well as its chances of catching Los Angeles.

National League Wild Card Race

Chicago Cubs Position in Playoff Race: 1st NL Wild CardFangraphs Playoff Odds: 99.5%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. CIN Sept. 18-21, vs. NYM Sept. 23-25

While the Cubs still have an outside shot at the NL Central title, their most likely path to the postseason is through the wild card, in which they currently hold homefield advantage for a potential series.

Cincinnati RedsPosition in Playoff Race: 4th in NL Wild Card chaseFangraphs Playoff Odds: 3.5%Biggest Remaining Matchups: vs. NYM Sept. 5-7, vs. SD Sept. 8-10, vs. CHC Sept. 18-21

The Reds have a golden opportunity to increase their playoff odds with September series against the Mets, Padres and Cubs, each of whom is ahead of them in the NL Wild card standings.

Strength of schedules and playoff odds are subject to change. Here are the latest, up-to-date strength of schedules and playoff odds.

Shohei Ohtani took to the mound on Saturday against the Giants on the team's Bobblehead Day for MLB legend Barry Bonds.

Bonds was in attendance at the game to take part in the festivities around him and his bobblehead. Everyone wanted their hands on a bobblehead as fans lined up outside Oracle Park for a chance to take home one of the 20,000 available. But, it wasn't just fans wanted to take home the souvenir—Ohtani made sure he got to grab one, too.

Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow shared the fun story of Ohtani securing a Bonds bobblehead when appearing on KNBR's show this week. Someone with Ohtani after the game went up to a group of Giants workers who happened to be collecting the leftover bobbleheads after the game. Ohtani apparently wanted one of the bobbleheads, so the guy he was with asked a worker if he could grab one.

“He wanted the Barry Bonds bobblehead,” Krukow said. “Isn’t that a cool story?”

It's understandable why Ohtani would want a Bonds bobblehead—the guy's a legend of the sport. But, the way he went about securing one was pretty funny.

Ohtani walked away with two wins on Saturday. The Dodgers won 2-1 over the Giants, and the pitcher/designated hitter got his bobblehead.

Vote for the best individual Border-Gavaskar Trophy performance by an Indian in Australia since 2000

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Nov-2024Update: This poll has ended. Rishabh Pant’s performance goes into the final. Check the other polls here.ESPNcricinfo LtdRishabh Pant helped India achieve the unimaginable at the Gabba•Patrick Hamilton/AFP/Getty Images

Rishabh Pant – 89* in Brisbane, 2021

India won by three wickets, and the series 2-1All the things that didn’t make sense on this tour – India all out for 36, their three jillion injuries, the hassle of cricket in quarantine – found meaning when Rishabh Pant began to play the innings of a lifetime. He was 23 and he helped obliterate a record that had stood for way longer than he’d been alive. Australia’s undefeated streak in Brisbane was 32 years old when it was finally laid to rest. “This is one of the biggest things in my life right now,” Pant said after a performance that proved just how dangerous a batter he could be when he adopts even the smallest bit of restraint.Chasing 328 at the Gabba – 324 on the final day – India still needed 161 runs with about 43 overs to go when Pant walked in at No. 5. He got going, and kept going, even as wickets fell and the overs ticked by. Eventually, with only minutes left on the clock, he lashed Josh Hazlewood down the ground to accomplish one of the greatest series wins in Test history.Round of 16: Pant’s 89* beat Ajit Agarkar’s 6-41.Quarter-final: Pant’s 89* beat VVS Laxman’s 167.By Alagappan MuthuWatch the highlights of these performances on the Star Sports network at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm IST, from November 2 onwards.

Virat Kohli – 115 & 141 in Adelaide, 2014

India lost by 48 runsIn a career full of milestones, Virat Kohli has a very special place in his heart for these two hundreds. He’s made that plain on every subsequent trip to Adelaide. The runs that he made, the way he made them, getting hit on the head by a Mitchell Johnson bouncer early and brushing off the Australians who came up to him to ask him if he was okay just so he wouldn’t have to break out of that bubble he needs to be in to score those big runs, and the path that he put his team on, saying they will not be going for the draw – all played a big role in helping him decide what kind of cricketer and captain he wanted to be.His 114 in the first innings on captaincy debut kept India in the game after conceding 517, and his 141 in the second gave India hope that as long as Kohli was batting, there was a chance of pulling off an outrageous chase of 364. That performance made Kohli the first visiting batter since 1961 to score two centuries in a Test in Australia, and no once has done it since.By Alagappan MuthuRound of 16: Kohli’s 115 and 141 beat Sourav Ganguly’s 144.Quarter-final: Kohli’s 115 and 141 beat Kohli’s 123.

A near-home run from Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez was prevented in unusual fashion by Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Blake Perkins.

In the top of the first inning, Ramirez hit a shot deep toward center field. The ball was set to fall just outside of the back wall for a home run before Perkins managed to reach over the fence and briefly get the ball in his glove. Perkins could not secure the ball for an out, but his efforts did enough to keep the baseball from going over the wall. Instead, the ball bounced on the top of the wall before landing back on the field.

The play was originally called a home run by the umpires, before it was overturned and finally ruled a double.

Though Perkins failed to catch the ball and record the out, he still did enough to prevent the home run, and the Brewers managed to keep the Marlins from scoring in that inning.

Each team would later score on solo home runs, and the game is tied 1–1 through six innings. The Brewers will look to pull off the win and hold onto the best record in MLB.

أجريت منذ قليل مراسم قرعة بطولة كأس العالم نسخة 2026، والتي ستنطلق الصيف المقبل، وذلك مساء الجمعة في مركز “جون كينيدي”.

ومن المقرر أن تستضيف كل من الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، كندا والمكسيك نهائيات النسخة المقبلة من بطولة كأس العالم، في الفترة بين 11 يونيو و19 يوليو.

طالع.. مباشر | قرعة كأس العالم 2026

وتُعد تلك هي النسخة الأولى من نوعها التي تشهد فيها بطولة كأس العالم بمشاركة 48 منتخبًا، حيث سيتم تقسيمهم على 12 مجموعة.

وتأهل 42 منتخبًا حتى الآن إلى بطولة كأس العالم، حيث تتبقى 6 مقاعد سيتم حسم هويتهم من خلال مباريات المحلي الأوروبي (4 مقاعد) والملحق العالمي (مقعدان). مجموعة السعودية في كأس العالم 

وأسفرت قرعة كأس العالم عن وقوع منتخب السعودية، في المجموعة الثامنة، وشهدت: 

1- إسبانيا 

2- أوروجواي

3- السعودية 

4- كاب فيردي

One half down, one half to go.

The All-Star Game and its thrilling tiebreaker swing-off officially marked the midway point of the baseball season. While some players used the first half to build a surprising MVP resume (we're looking at you, Cal Raleigh), others didn't quite live up to expectations.

Here's a look at six players who are hoping to turn things around in the second half:

Anthony Volpe, SS, Yankees

Over two-and-a-half seasons to start his career, Volpe has never really gotten his bat going. He owns a career 84 OPS+ (the league average is 100) and a .224 batting average. This year, Volpe is hitting .214/.287/.384 with 10 homers and 10 stolen bases.

In the past, Volpe has made up for his offensive shortcomings with an elite glove. That hasn't been the case in 2025. Volpe, who won a Gold Glove as a rookie in 2023, has struggled at shortstop. He has made 11 errors—the fourth-most in baseball and the most among AL shortstops—and has just two defensive runs saved at the break, compared to 15 DRS in '23. Volpe appears to be in his head, too, making mental mistakes like this one:

There's still plenty of baseball left to play this summer. But if Volpe can't figure it out, perhaps the Yankees will be shopping for a new shortstop this offseason.

Ozzie Albies, 2B, Braves

Albies was a key piece of the Braves' run of six straight NL East titles from 2018 to '23, but his best days appear to be behind him.

Among the 16 qualified second basemen across MLB, Albies ranks 15th in OPS (.606), batting average (.220) and wRC+ (72). He has yet to rediscover the power that helped him hit 33 homers in 2023, socking just seven long balls over the first half.

Albies still has his everyday job at second base. But his future in Atlanta is in doubt with a $7 million club option looming in 2026.

Willy Adames, SS, Giants

Still searching for a new franchise shortstop after they rescinded a lucrative offer to Carlos Correa in in 2022, the Giants signed Adames to a seven-year contract worth $182 million in December. It hasn't aged well.

Adames, who hit at least 31 homers in two of the last three seasons, only mashed 12 dingers over 96 games in the first half. He is actually making good contact—a career-high 45.2% hard-hit rate—but it hasn't produced the results San Francisco was hoping for with a slash line of .220/.307/.373.

If the Giants are going to catch the Dodgers in the NL West, they'll need their $182 million shortstop to start living up to his price tag.

Mookie Betts, SS, Dodgers

For the first time since 2015—his first full season in the big leagues—Betts wasn't named an All-Star this summer.

The uber-talented shortstop batted just .244/.315/.381 over the first half, adding up to a .696 OPS—well short of his career .885 OPS. In fact, Betts has never posted an OPS south of .803 in his 12-year career.

So, what's going on? His BABIP sits at a career-low .247, so there might be a bit of bad luck involved. But his average exit velocity is way down (28th percentile), and his hard-hit rate (35.4%) ranks in the bottom fifth of qualified hitters.

“If I knew [what was wrong]," Betts said in late June, "I promise you I wouldn’t keep doing it."

Royce Lewis, 3B, Twins

In the early days of his career, Lewis, the No. 1 pick of the 2017 draft, was one of the most exciting players in baseball. The only problem was he couldn't stay healthy.

Lewis has struggled with his health again in 2025, missing some time due to hamstring issues. But his production on the field has been far short of what the Twins have come to expect. In 42 games, Lewis is batting .216/.281/.302 with just eight extra-base hits (six doubles, two homers). His 1.3 HR% is a far cry from the 5.5 HR% he posted over the first three seasons of his career.

Minnesota entered the season featuring one of the most exciting offensive trios in baseball in Lewis, Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton. While Buxton has held up his end of the bargain (.925 OPS), Correa (.694 OPS) and Lewis (.583 OPS) have not.

Zac Gallen, RHP, Diamondbacks

Unless he drastically turns things around in the second half, Gallen, pitching on the final year of his deal, probably won't land the free-agent contract he was hoping for this offseason.

In a league-high 20 starts, Gallen has registered a 5.40 ERA and 1.374 WHIP. His strikeouts are significantly down this year—8.6 K/9 compared to 9.5 K/9 last year—and his walks are way up—3.5 BB/9 compared to 2.0 BB/9 in 2023 when he finished third in NL Cy Young voting.

With the Diamondbacks (47-50) falling behind in the NL playoff race, Gallen is a candidate to be dealt at the deadline. Perhaps a change in scenery can help the 29-year-old find his old form.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Nova Iguaçu vive grande momento neste início de temporada, e um dos destaques da equipe tem sido o atacante Xandinho. Autor do gol do Laranjão sobre o Vasco, no empate em 1 a 1 na ida da semifinal do Carioca, o camisa 7 do Laranjão falou sobre o sentimento de marcar em um jogo tão importante e comentou a polêmica do VAR no lance.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

– O sentimento é de gratidão e felicidade! Foi minha primeira vez jogando no Maracanã. Eu prometi pra mim e pra Deus que só pisaria no Maracanã se fosse pra eu jogar e isso aconteceu marcando ainda um belo gol! Agradeço a Deus, ao Nova Iguaçu e todos meus familiares, além das pessoas que são responsáveis por gerir minha carreira. E sobre o gol analisado pelo VAR, entendemos que a decisão final foi justa – disse Xandinho, em entrevista ao Lance!.

O atacante falou também sobre a partida de volta, no próximo domingo (17), e prezou cautela e respeito pelo Vasco. Por ter se classificado à frente do adversário na Taça Guanabara, o Nova Iguaçu tem a vantagem do empate no confronto. No entanto, Xandinho afirmou que a equipe tem de manter a coragem que vem apresentando nos jogos.

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– Consideramos e sabemos da grandeza do Vasco da Gama. Sabemos que é uma equipe qualificada e temos que ter cautela nesse jogo de volta. Porém iremos nos comportar com a coragem de sempre como estamos fazendo em todas as partidas. A expectativa é de fazer mais um grande jogo e se Deus quiser, sairmos com a classificação – afirmou o atacante.

Por fim, o camisa 7 do time da Baixada Fluminense respondeu sobre a preparação para a sequência de jogos decisivos, tanto no Carioca quanto na Copa do Brasil, contra times de Série A. Além do duelo com o Vasco no estadual, o Nova Iguaçu enfrenta o Internacional nesta quarta-feira (13), pela competição nacional. Xandinho elogiou o staff do clube e falou sobre o suporte dado aos jogadores.

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– O Staff do clube está trabalhando de maneira muito inteligente quanto a sequência de jogos grandes. Nós jogadores temos todo o suporte para pensarmos apenas no campo e jogo – disse o jogador.

Tudo sobre

Campeonato CariocaNova IguaçuVasco

Newcastle United didn’t rest on their laurels after winning the Carabao Cup and restoring their place in the Champions League last season, breaking their transfer record for expenditure in a summer transfer window.

Of course, Eddie Howe’s side parted ways, rather acrimoniously, with centre-forward Alexander Isak, who had refused to train throughout August in order to force his way out and to Premier League champions Liverpool.

There is no two ways about it: this was a big blow for a club on the up. However, if you are going to lose your star man, swap him with an elite-class replacement.

Having banked £125m for the Sweden star’s signature, funds were redirected toward Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade, who completed a £69m move at the end of August.

Why Woltemade could be one of Newcastle's best signings

Given that he’s Newcastle’s club-record purchase, you’d hope that Howe would be receiving bang for his buck when welcoming the striker to the fold, not least because he is stepping into Isak’s boots.

But seven games into his career in black and white, the German international has scored four goals from seven matches and is grasping the opportunity to nail down his spot as Yoane Wissa continues to recover from a knee injury suffered before he could make his debut.

Praised by Stuttgart captain Atakan Karazor in the past as “the two-metre Messi”, the 6 foot 6 striker is as rangy as they come, but he’s anything but ungainly.

Endowed with a deft technical skill and an awareness that allows him to link up fluidly with his teammates, there’s so much potential for Howe to tap into over the coming years, and if he continues as he has started, Toon fans will remember Isak as little more than an afterthought.

It’s hard to hit the ground running in the Premier League, and the likes of Isak and Anthony Gordon stand as evidence at St. James’ Park as to why it’s important to give players time to integrate.

Howe's original Woltemade-type signing

Though his first foray into English football was heavily disrupted by a ten-month fan as a result of betting breaches, Sandro Tonali started as he would eventually go on, netting on his debut for Newcastle against Aston Villa in August 2023.

It was clear from the off that Howe had signed a high-quality midfielder, welcoming Tonali from AC Milan in Italy for a £55m fee. Hailed by Italian reporter Carlo Garganese for his “world-class” potential when cutting his teeth in his homeland, Tonali has rebounded from that first-season setback and now plays as the linchpin at the heart of the Magpies’ engine.

Elegant and effortless on the ball, the 25-year-old works perfectly alongside Bruno Guimaraes, with his control and reading of the game opening up avenues for the Brazilian, whose athleticism and ability to cover vast stretches of ground have seen Howe nudge him into a slightly more advanced berth.

As with Woltemade, Tonali’s signature came at a heavy financial cost, but he is playing with a gusto and quality that suggests he could be one of the key pillars of Howe’s tactical vision for many years to come.

Both players have yet to hit their prime, and that’s an exciting thing. Moreover, Tonali is becoming ever more important as the architect of Newcastle’s ball-playing fluency, just as, with Wissa injured, Woltemade is tasked with scoring the goals for this title-chasing team.

Newcastle’s Most Progressive Passers (25/26)
Player	Apps	Prog. passes (per 90)
Kieran Trippier	6	10.4
Sandro Tonali	7	7.31
Jacob Ramsey	2	7.14
Bruno Guimaraes	6	6.33
Lewis Hall	3	6.00
Data via FBref

He’s been ever-present in the Premier League so far this season, and there’s a reason Howe has entrusted him with such an important role.

Tonali, like Woltemade, faced questions upon completing a big-money move to Tyneside, but his quality on the pitch has prevailed and he has risen to a standing in Howe’s squad as one of the most significant cogs in the machine.

Forget Gordon: Newcastle's "Geordie striker" could be England's next superstar

Newcastle have replenished their academy system in recent years.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 15, 2025

Last season, Arsenal’s squad depth, or lack thereof, was tested to the absolute limit. Really, it was amazing that this team got as far as they did.

The Gunners were not a million miles away from the title and reached the Champions League semi-finals.

That all happened without a number of key players. Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel all missed large chunks of the campaign with serious hamstring problems.

Skipper Martin Odegaard also missed a lot of the early exchanges through an ankle injury, a problem that subsequently dampened his form for much of 2024/25.

So, with Andrea Berta at the helm for his first summer window, the message was loud and clear; add depth.

Add depth they did, in abundance too. The likes of Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres have improved numbers in forward areas. At the back, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie have been added to the collection.

Yet, all of that means that competition for places is now intense. Some of the club’s finest young talents are struggling for game time.

The biggest losers from Arsenal's increased squad size

Mikel Arteta has not been afraid of making big calls since becoming Arsenal manager if it means his squad improves.

The most notable example is undoubtedly Aaron Ramsdale. The England international looked like the Gunners’ number one for the next decade but Arteta was dissatisfied and swooped for David Raya, now one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

In the current side, a number of players are suffering from similar treatment. Jurrien Timber’s emergence as one of the Premier League’s finest right-backs means that Ben White is now reduced to a regular role among the subs.

Before then, Kai Havertz’s leading role as the striker meant Gabriel Jesus had become a fringe player.

In midfield, the arrivals of Eze and Madueke has also dampened Ethan Nwaneri’s game time.

When Saka was out, it was Madueke who deputised. With Odegaard now out, it’s Eze who is deputising. Nwaneri’s moment will no doubt come but he’ll have to be patient to get regular opportunities again.

Nwaneri’s fellow attacker in the shape of Gabriel Martinelli has also been hit with reduced starts so far in 2025/26.

The positive is that it has inspired improved performances. Martinelli has only started four games in all competitions but has scored three times and registered an assist.

Yet, for one of Hale End’s finest, he’s perhaps been hit the hardest this season.

Hale Ender is being given the Smith Rowe treatment at Arsenal

When Arteta first became Arsenal manager he relied on two players to carry his project forward.

One of them was Bukayo Saka, still the poster boy of this project, and Emile Smith Rowe, who appeared for Fulham in their 1-0 defeat to the Gunners on Saturday.

For Smith Rowe, his exit in the summer of 2024 was a sad one. He is an Arsenal boy, he loves the club, but he simply couldn’t re-find his form or reclaim his place in the team after a succession of injury problems.

This was a player who once scored ten goals in one Premier League campaign. That came back in 2021/22 and since then it has been a struggle. During his final year with the club, he featured in the matchday squad for a league fixture on 31 occasions but only started three times and came off the bench on ten occasions.

Smith Rowe was fit for much of the season but simply didn’t get his opportunity; instead he was kept out by Odegaard and Co.

The same now appears to be happening to a few players. Nwaneri is one of them but the other is Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Now, it must be stated that Lewis-Skelly is still only 19 years of age. He’s an England regular and was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award last season. The teenager has the world at his feet and will no doubt become a regular under Arteta again.

However, at the moment, there are certainly echoes of the Smith Rowe situation. A sparkling and dazzling Hale Ender who saved Arteta’s lack of depth last season, the youngster is now paying the price for an increased squad size and the form of his teammates.

Liam Delap

Ipswich

Dean Huijsen

Bournemouth

Milos Kerkez

Bournemouth

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Arsenal

Ethan Nwaneri

Arsenal

Morgan Rogers

Aston Villa

Hailed as a “future captain” by club insider Hand of Arsenal, Lewis-Skelly’s potential is enormous but it is slightly in danger of being wasted, certainly this term.

He has been in the squad for all eight Premier League matchdays but is yet to start, has come off the bench five times and has only featured for 83 minutes.

So, why is that? Well, Riccardo Calafiori – who spent much of last campaign on the treatment table – has enjoyed a finer time of it with regards to fitness.

Calafiori hasn’t picked up a single injury yet and has been an ever-present member of the starting XI in the league. He’s been magnificent, too.

It was the Italian who scored the winning goal against Manchester United on the opening week and it was the defender who also picked up two assists a game later against Leeds.

The full-back then had a remarkable finish ruled out against Fulham on Saturday, cruelly denied a scintillating goal courtesy of the offside flag.

Calafiori was everywhere on Saturday, and it gave us all the evidence needed to demonstrate why Lewis-Skelly isn’t starting. His fellow full-back has been a man possessed this season and without an injury, isn’t budging from that position anytime soon.

So, how can Lewis-Skelly get more minutes? Well, like Smith Rowe, he must be wondering what on earth he needs to do. With Hincapie also signed and due to return from injury imminently, it surely only dampens the prospect of Arsenal’s Hale End prodigy getting playing time even more.

A midfielder by trade, a spot may well open up there but considering Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi have locked down those two positions, there isn’t a huge amount of hope that he’ll get chances there in 2025/26.

For a player who is the “future of Arsenal and English football” in the words of scout Jacek Kulig, it has been sad to see Lewis-Skelly’s decline in minutes. It is similar to Smith Rowe, but he has the talent, pedigree and fitness levels to ensure he doesn’t leave the club as early as his fellow Hale Ender.

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James Rodríguez não viajou com o elenco do São Paulo para Guayaquil e será desfalque na estreia do técnico Luis Zubeldía nesta quinta-feira (25), contra o Barcelona-EQU, pela fase de grupos da Libertadores.

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➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!

James Rodríguez teve detectada lesão muscular na coxa no dia 15 de abril e foi ausência nos últimos dois compromissos do São Paulo na temporada.

➡️ Siga o Lance! São Paulo no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Tricolor

A nova comissão técnica do Tricolor não deu prazo de recuperação para James, mas o colombiano deverá ter sua carga nos treinos aumentada, e o clube trabalha para tê-lo à disposição na segunda-feira (28), contra o Palmeiras, pela quarta rodada do Brasileirão, no Morumbis.

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Caso não se recupere a tempo para o Choque-Rei, James deverá ser relacionado por Zubeldía no duelo de ida do São Paulo contra o Águia de Marabá, no dia 2 de maio, pela terceira fase da Copa do Brasil.

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários dos jogos do Brasileirão

Com três pontos e em segundo lugar no Grupo B, a odd no Lance! Betting para o São Paulo terminar a fase de grupos em primeiro lugar está em 1.71.

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James RodríguezSão Paulo