Jack Norris 
Middlesbrough and Southampton face off in the Championship play-off semi-final. Middlesbrough fans greeted their team with a raucous welcome. Boro are unbeaten in their last four games against the Saints.
Marco Penge has withdrawn from the Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic due to health reasons. He stated that it is “nothing serious” and that he wants to be “fully fit for next week at the PGA Championship.” Penge is the sixth player to withdraw from the Oneflight this week.
Liverpool have received advice concerning Florian Wirtz. Elsewhere, there’s news on Wirtz and Konate’s fitness. The confirmed starting XI against Chelsea has also been revealed.
Liverpool has made three changes for their lunchtime match against Chelsea at Anfield. Giorgi Mamardashvili returns in goal. Alexander Isak is back in the squad and on the bench.
Hearts won their Scottish Premiership match, but Hibernian’s effort was praised after the side played with nine men. Hibs’ head coach David Gray said he couldn’t ask for more from his players after the dismissals. Hearts manager Derek McInnes said his side’s win gives them confidence.
Jannik Sinner aims to continue his impressive run at the 2026 Italian Open. Rain has disrupted the early rounds, leading to a packed Saturday schedule. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are also among the stars in action.
Jeremy McWilliams is aiming for more success at the North West 200. At 62, McWilliams says he feels “happier than I’ve ever been” as he bids to add to his three North West 200 race wins. He insists he is still spurred on by the prospect of more success.
Coco Gauff made a triumphant return at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Tereza Valentova. Gauff broke Valentova’s serve six times in victory. The third seed needed 1 hour and 34 minutes to pick up her 18th career match win at the Foro Italico.
Dean Harrison set the fastest Superbike time in Thursday’s delayed qualifying session at the North West 200. Michael Dunlop was best of the Superstocks, Peter Hickman topped the Supertwins timesheets and Alastair Seeley was fastest in the Supersport session. The qualifying run was rescheduled after an earlier session was halted due to an incident.
Pakistan has introduced Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal into their Test side for the opening match against Bangladesh in Dhaka. The two left-handed batters were drafted into the playing XI after Babar Azam was ruled out due to injury. Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and elected to field first.