Nottingham Forest's historic Uefa Champions League dream is still alive as they brace for a dramatic showdown against Chelsea, while Liverpool will finally get their hands on the Premier League trophy.
As the English top-flight season comes to an end on Sunday, Forest and Chelsea are among five clubs chasing the three remaining top five spots, along with Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa.
Unai Emery's Villa travel to face troubled Manchester United, whose misery was compounded by their Europa League final defeat against Tottenham in midweek.
Forest cling to a dream as the final curtain falls
From survival to soaring – Nottingham Forest stand on the cusp of rewriting history. Last season they just about scraped clear of relegation; this weekend, they could be booking flights for the Champions League.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side have defied expectations this season, clinging stubbornly to a top-five place. But a late-season wobble has left them needing more than just a final-day flourish – they need favours, too. They must beat Chelsea and hope Newcastle or Aston Villa lose.
“We are enjoying the moment,” said Nuno. “It’s a big match, and these players deserve it.”
Whether they cross the line or not, Forest’s rise has already entered the record books – the first club to double their points total from one Premier League season to the next. From wooden spoon contenders to top-table guests, this is a renaissance few saw coming.
Anfield prepares to party – finally
On Sunday, Liverpool will lift the Premier League trophy in front of their fans for the first time since that long-overdue 2020 title – cruelly celebrated in lockdown due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Arne Slot’s side clinched the crown weeks ago, but Crystal Palace's visit offers the grand finale: a trophy lift, a lap of honour, and perhaps a last look at Trent Alexander-Arnold. The academy product appears Real Madrid-bound, his exit wrapped in mixed emotions after last week’s jeers.
“Trent deserves to be part of this moment,” Slot said. “This is for everyone – 35 years of waiting has earned us this day.”
The numbers are staggering. Liverpool’s 5-1 dismantling of Tottenham sealed the deal, but Sunday will be about sentiment, send-offs, and soaking up a title that means more than most.
De Bruyne's City swansong
Kevin de Bruyne – Manchester City's midfield metronome, architect, and talisman for much of the past decade – will pull on the sky blue shirt one final time this weekend, bringing to a close the most successful chapters in the club's history.
Four league titles, countless assists, and a passing range that bordered on poetic – De Bruyne was Guardiola’s conductor-in-chief.
During his 10 years at City, De Bruyne helped the club win six Premier League titles – including four in a row, an English record, from 2021 to 2024 – as well as five League Cups, two FA cups, the Fifa Club World Cup and the Uefa Champions League – the first in the club's history.
City have replacements, but there is no replica. When the Belgian waves goodbye, a chapter ends – and the Etihad will feel it.
Expect one final act.
Old Trafford gloom – and Villa's golden chance
There’s an air of resignation around Manchester United. No banners, no belief, just the bitter taste of another campaign consigned to the scrapheap.
The 1-0 Europa League final defeat to Tottenham midweek was the final nail. And now United – a club steeped in silverware – could end the season in their lowest league position since 1974.
Enter Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s resurgent side can smell blood. A win at Old Trafford could haul them into the Champions League places – if results elsewhere swing their way.
They’ve only won twice at United in the Premier League era, but this is no longer the fortress of old. Ruben Amorim's side look lost, limp and leaderless.
The only thing harder than predicting United’s mood? Predicting what comes next.
Brighton chase European spot without Pedro
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has made it clear: standards come before stars.
Joao Pedro – the Seagulls’ top scorer – will miss Sunday’s season finale against Tottenham, not due to injury or suspension, but a training ground issue Hurzeler says is “closed” but non-negotiable.
"Principles are principles," he said. "No compromises."
Georginio Rutter remains out with an ankle knock, but the focus is firmly on what’s at stake – a possible European place, with eighth potentially enough to gain entry to next season's Conference League.
For Hurzeler, though, the message is simple: control what you can. “The other results we can’t influence.”
No Pedro, no Rutter – but no excuses either.
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
MATCH INFO
Rajasthan Royals 158-8 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 143/7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals won by 15 runs
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
RESULTS
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Sheikh Zayed's poem
When it is unveiled at Abu Dhabi Art, the Standing Tall exhibition will appear as an interplay of poetry and art. The 100 scarves are 100 fragments surrounding five, figurative, female sculptures, and both sculptures and scarves are hand-embroidered by a group of refugee women artisans, who used the Palestinian cross-stitch embroidery art of tatreez. Fragments of Sheikh Zayed’s poem Your Love is Ruling My Heart, written in Arabic as a love poem to his nation, are embroidered onto both the sculptures and the scarves. Here is the English translation.
Your love is ruling over my heart
Your love is ruling over my heart, even a mountain can’t bear all of it
Woe for my heart of such a love, if it befell it and made it its home
You came on me like a gleaming sun, you are the cure for my soul of its sickness
Be lenient on me, oh tender one, and have mercy on who because of you is in ruins
You are like the Ajeed Al-reem [leader of the gazelle herd] for my country, the source of all of its knowledge
You waddle even when you stand still, with feet white like the blooming of the dates of the palm
Oh, who wishes to deprive me of sleep, the night has ended and I still have not seen you
You are the cure for my sickness and my support, you dried my throat up let me go and damp it
Help me, oh children of mine, for in his love my life will pass me by.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
More Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions:
