Real Madrid soccer player Kylian Mbappe will miss a match against Real Betis due to a knee injury. He is hoping to be back in time for a match against Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup next week. His team has been struggling recently, with some other players, like Vinicius Jr., also facing challenges.
Key Facts
Kylian Mbappe is injured with a sprained left knee and will not play against Real Betis.
Mbappe wants to return for the Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Atletico Madrid.
He has equaled Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 59 goals in a calendar year for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid has had a drop in performance, with earlier leadership in the league slipping.
The team drew three games in a row and lost to Celta Vigo at home in December.
Vinicius Jr. has not scored any goals since October and has only five goals this season.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso expressed confidence in the team and hopes for Mbappe’s quick return.
The rivalry between Leeds United and Manchester United is intense and has historical roots. Fans of both teams feel strongly about the matches, with Leeds fans especially eager for a victory as they haven't beaten Manchester United at home since 2002. This game is important for fans, managers, and players alike, highlighting the strong emotions and history tied to these encounters.
Key Facts
Leeds United hasn't won against Manchester United at Elland Road since 2002.
Sir Alex Ferguson described Leeds-Manchester United matches as particularly tense.
Lifelong Leeds fans like Gary Edwards express their rivalry by avoiding the color red, which is associated with Manchester United.
The rivalry might date back to historical events like the War of the Roses or the industrial revolution.
Players have often switched between the clubs, increasing the tension between the teams.
The match atmosphere is described as intense and unfriendly, with significant police presence and road closures on game day.
Neither current manager has previously participated in a Leeds-Manchester United match.
LSU's quarterback situation is changing as Garrett Nussmeier, the starting quarterback, leaves to enter the NFL Draft. Michael Van Buren Jr., who was expected to take over, has also decided to enter the transfer portal to find a new college team. This leaves LSU's new coach, Lane Kiffin, needing to find a new quarterback for the upcoming season.
Key Facts
LSU's starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is leaving to enter the NFL Draft in April.
Michael Van Buren Jr., who backed up Nussmeier, is entering the transfer portal to find a new college team.
Van Buren Jr. played seven games for LSU in 2025, throwing for 1,010 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The NCAA transfer portal opened for a two-week period, allowing college football players to change schools.
Lane Kiffin, the new LSU coach, is now searching for a new quarterback for the team.
LSU is considering quarterbacks Sam Leavitt from Arizona State and Brendan Sorsby from Cincinnati.
Indiana's college football team, led by coach Curt Cignetti, will play against Oregon in the Peach Bowl semifinal. Indiana recently beat Alabama, while Oregon presents a challenge due to a previous season loss against Indiana, which might give Oregon a psychological advantage in their upcoming rematch.
Key Facts
Indiana won the Big Ten Championship and advanced with a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Indiana beat Alabama in the CFP quarterfinal with a score of 38-3.
Indiana will face Oregon in the Peach Bowl semifinal.
Coach Curt Cignetti noted that Oregon could have a psychological advantage since they lost to Indiana earlier in the season.
Oregon is known for having a strong offense and good coaching.
In their previous matchup, Indiana's quarterback threw for 215 yards and a touchdown, while their running back achieved two touchdowns.
Oregon's quarterback threw for 186 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions in the last game against Indiana.
Golden State Warriors' coach Steve Kerr and player Draymond Green had a heated disagreement during a game against the Orlando Magic. The issue began when Kerr thought Green was distracted during a timeout and called him back to the huddle, but it turned into a verbal clash. Kerr later explained that he should have handled the situation more calmly.
Key Facts
The disagreement happened during a game against the Orlando Magic on December 22, 2025.
Steve Kerr and Draymond Green argued after Kerr called a timeout to regain the team's focus.
Kerr and Green each believed the other was upset over different reasons, leading to the argument.
Kerr acknowledged the need for calmness in future situations to prevent heated disagreements.
Draymond Green said he left because he did not think staying would improve the situation.
The Warriors have had a challenging start to their 2025-26 season and rely heavily on veteran players.
Green and Kerr have worked together since the 2014-15 season, winning four championships.
Nottingham Forest lost 3-1 to Aston Villa, continuing a series of recent defeats. Sean Dyche, Forest's head coach, believes his team has the ability to improve and aims to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Forest is only four points above the relegation zone, and their upcoming match against West Ham is crucial.
Key Facts
Nottingham Forest recently lost 3-1 to Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Forest was near the top of the league last year, aiming for the Champions League.
The team has had four consecutive losses, placing them near the relegation zone.
Sean Dyche is the current head coach, the third this season.
Dyche believes the team can improve and wants to maintain perspective.
Forest previously achieved a six-game winning streak earlier in the season.
The next match against West Ham is important for their standing in the league.
The NFL fined New York Jets player Jermaine Johnson $17,389 for a controversial hit on New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye during a Week 17 game. The hit occurred during a game where the Patriots secured a decisive win and clinched the AFC East title.
Key Facts
The NFL fined Jermaine Johnson from the New York Jets for a hit on Drake Maye.
The fine was $17,389 for a "blow to the head-neck" of a quarterback.
Drake Maye plays for the New England Patriots and is in his second year.
The Patriots won the AFC East after beating the New York Jets 42-10.
Drake Maye performed well, completing 19 of 21 passes and scoring five touchdowns.
The NFL and NFL Players Association have rules to protect players from risky hits.
The Patriots have one more game in the regular season against the Miami Dolphins.
Penn State has signed Benjamin Brahmer, a top-rated tight end, from the transfer portal. Brahmer previously played for Iowa State and is expected to quickly make an impact at Penn State.
Key Facts
Penn State's new coach, Matt Campbell, is actively recruiting players through the transfer portal.
Benjamin Brahmer, a tight end from Iowa State, has joined Penn State.
Brahmer had a successful three-year stint at Iowa State, with 37 catches, 446 yards, and six touchdowns in his last season.
247Sports ranked Brahmer as the second-best tight end in the transfer portal.
The top-ranked tight end in the portal, Luke Reynolds, is already at Penn State.
The transfer portal will remain open until January 16, 2026.
Indonesia has appointed John Herdman, a former coach for Canada, to lead their men's national soccer team. Herdman takes over from Patrick Kluivert after the team did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His initial focus will be to prepare the team for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Key Facts
Indonesia hired John Herdman as the new coach for their men's national soccer team.
Herdman previously coached Canada and took its team to the 2022 World Cup.
He replaces Patrick Kluivert, who left his position as coach in October.
The Indonesian football federation views Herdman as someone who builds strong teams.
Indonesia last participated in a World Cup in 1938 when it was known as the Dutch East Indies.
Herdman signed a contract for two years with an option for another two years.
His first major goal is to prepare the Indonesian team for the 2027 Asian Cup.
Before this position, Herdman was coaching Toronto FC in Major League Soccer (MLS).
The Denver Nuggets had a strong season but faced challenges due to injuries to key players. There were significant changes in the team's management and roster, including discussions about a potential trade for Michael Porter Jr. with the Chicago Bulls. The trade discussions involved exchanging Porter for Zach LaVine, but the deal did not happen.
Key Facts
The Denver Nuggets are performing well, holding the fourth seed in the Western Conference with a 23-11 record.
Several key players, including Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, are currently sidelined with injuries.
David Adelman became the permanent head coach after leading the team through the playoffs as an interim.
The Nuggets made several strategic roster changes, including trading Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets.
There were serious trade discussions about swapping Michael Porter Jr. for Chicago Bulls' Zach LaVine, but it did not materialize.
Michael Porter Jr. is currently playing for the Brooklyn Nets and is performing well, averaging 25.8 points and over 7 rebounds per game.
The Miami Heat will play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night. The game will take place at the Kaseya Center in Miami, with Miami on a four-game winning streak and Minnesota having lost three of their last four games.
Key Facts
The game between the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves is on January 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
The TV channels broadcasting the game include FanDuel Sports Network and NBA TV.
Miami Heat's recent game ended in a 118-112 win against the Detroit Pistons.
Norman Powell leads the Heat with an average of 24.2 points per game.
Tyler Herro is listed as day-to-day due to a bruised right big toe.
Anthony Edwards leads the Timberwolves, averaging 29.1 points per game.
Fans can live stream the game on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Celtic's manager, Wilfried Nancy, expressed confidence in turning around the team's recent poor performance despite losing to Rangers. The defeat marked Celtic's sixth loss in the last eight games and led to fan protests. Nancy emphasized staying united with the club's board and believed the team could still improve.
Key Facts
Celtic lost 3-1 to Rangers, marking their sixth defeat in eight games.
Wilfried Nancy is the current manager of Celtic.
Celtic's lead goal was scored by Yang Hyun-Jun, but Rangers came back with goals from Youssef Chermiti and Mikey Moore.
The defeat puts Rangers equal on points with second-placed Celtic.
Fans protested against Celtic's board following the match.
Nancy stressed the need for more goals and better defense in the second half.
There is dissatisfaction among fans and former players regarding Nancy's management.
Harrison Bader, a Philadelphia Phillies outfielder, is a free agent after a strong season. There's a prediction that he might join the San Francisco Giants due to his excellent defensive skills and reasonable cost.
Key Facts
Harrison Bader played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins last year.
He had a strong season, performing well both defensively and offensively.
Bader is currently a free agent and could get a good contract this winter.
It is predicted that the San Francisco Giants might sign Bader.
The Giants need strong outfielders, and Bader’s defense is particularly valuable.
Bader would be an affordable option, allowing the Giants to pursue other high-cost players in free agency.
The Seattle Mariners' player Eugenio Suárez is likely to leave the team and might sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Reports suggest Suárez would be a good addition to the Pirates on a short-term contract to help improve their offense.
Key Facts
Eugenio Suárez, currently with the Seattle Mariners, may leave to join a new team.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are predicted as a potential fit for Suárez.
Suárez is expected to sign a short-term contract.
The Pirates have been making significant changes to improve their team.
Recent acquisitions by the Pirates include Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, and Ryan O'Hearn.
The addition of Suárez could significantly boost the Pirates’ offensive lineup.
The New York Yankees are considering potential replacements for shortstop Anthony Volpe after a challenging 2025 season. Despite undergoing shoulder surgery and team leaders expressing confidence, Volpe's performance has been below expectations. Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. and recent draft pick Dax Kilby are seen as possible future options for the shortstop position.
Key Facts
Anthony Volpe struggled in 2025 with a batting average of .212 and led the American League in errors.
Volpe had shoulder surgery, and the Yankees are hopeful he will improve this season.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone still have faith in Volpe, but the situation is uncertain.
George Lombard Jr. is ranked as the Yankees’ top prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
Dax Kilby, although only in Single-A, is seen as a strong prospect with advanced hitting skills for his age.
Kilby had a promising start with a batting line of .353/.457/.441 in 18 professional games.
There are questions about Kilby’s defense, but his hitting makes him a breakout candidate.
Volpe will not be eligible for free agency until 2029.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is no longer in the WBA cruiserweight rankings after losing to Anthony Joshua. Joshua knocked out Paul in the sixth round, breaking Paul's jaw, which required surgery. The changes in rankings were announced for the period ending December 31.
Key Facts
Jake Paul was defeated by Anthony Joshua in a boxing match last month.
The fight ended with Joshua knocking out Paul in the sixth round.
Paul suffered a broken jaw in two places and needed surgery.
Paul had been ranked No. 15 in the WBA cruiserweight rankings before the fight.
Bosnia’s Edin Puhalo replaced Paul in the WBA rankings.
Paul previously entered the rankings at No. 14 after defeating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
The rankings changes were announced for the period ending December 31.
The Seattle Mariners are considering trading for infielder Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals. This move comes after the Mariners lost Jorge Polanco to the New York Mets and missed out on signing Kazuma Okamoto, who joined the Toronto Blue Jays.
Key Facts
The Seattle Mariners need to fill an infielder position after losing Jorge Polanco to the New York Mets.
Kazuma Okamoto was considered as an option but signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Mariners may consider trading for Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Brendan Donovan is a versatile player who can play several positions, including second base, third base, first base, and corner outfield.
Joel Reuter from Bleacher Report predicts Donovan is a strong trade candidate for the Mariners.
If Donovan joins, the Mariners could also consider other players like Luis Rengifo and Willi Castro to fill utility roles.
Donovan's hitting is above the league average, making him a valuable addition to the Mariners' lineup.
The San Diego Padres may lose infielder Luis Arraez to the Washington Nationals during the baseball offseason. This prediction comes as the Padres face financial challenges and competition in their league. Arraez's move to the Nationals is considered realistic due to his unique playing style and Washington's budget.
Key Facts
The Padres are behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in their league standings.
The team faces budget constraints, limiting their ability to make big moves.
Luis Arraez is an infielder with a focus on contact hitting rather than power.
Bleacher Report predicts Arraez will join the Washington Nationals.
Arraez could complement player James Wood on the Nationals.
The Nationals have a talented young team and seek to add a consistent hitter.
This potential move reportedly aligns with the Nationals' financial capacity.
The Carolina Panthers will play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18 of the NFL season. This game is important as it will determine which team wins the NFC South division and secures a spot in the playoffs.
Key Facts
The game takes place on Saturday, January 3, 2025, at 4:30 PM ET.
It will be held at Raymond James Stadium and broadcasted on ABC and ESPN.
The Panthers must win to secure the NFC South division title for the first time since 2015.
A loss for the Panthers would complicate their playoff chances due to tiebreakers.
The Buccaneers need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive after a difficult season.
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield is questionable due to shoulder and knee issues.
Carolina's running back Rico Dowdle is returning to practice, providing an offensive boost.
The game can be streamed live on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Quarterback Kenny Minchey is leaving Notre Dame and is likely to join the Nebraska Cornhuskers through the NCAA transfer portal. Minchey, who was a high-ranking recruit, didn't play much at Notre Dame and hopes for more opportunities at Nebraska. Reports suggest Nebraska is the leading choice for Minchey's transfer.
Key Facts
Kenny Minchey, a quarterback, entered the NCAA transfer portal after leaving Notre Dame.
Minchey was a four-star recruit and ranked No. 14 among quarterbacks in his recruiting class.
He completed 79.3% of his 29 passes for 212 yards at Notre Dame.
At Notre Dame, Minchey did not score any touchdowns through passing but ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
Nebraska Cornhuskers are reportedly the favorites to recruit Minchey.
Nebraska is seeking a new starting quarterback after Dylan Raiola left the team.
If Minchey joins Nebraska, he will have the opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback position.
