Yesterday's results & headlines

Reigning Premier League champions Arsenal tasted their first defeat of pre-season, going down 3-1 to Real Betis at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Wednesday evening. The Gunners were undone by an early error from Kepa Arrizabalaga, who came for a corner and missed, allowing Rodrigo Riquelme to tap in at the back post. Nelson Deossa doubled the lead with a stunning long-range strike before an inswinging corner from new signing Christos Tzolis was bundled over the line by Piero Hincapié. Pablo Fornals restored the two-goal cushion late on to leave Mikel Arteta with plenty to ponder ahead of the Community Shield against Manchester City on 16 August.

Elsewhere on the pre-season circuit, Premier League squads continued to fine-tune their preparations with the 2026/27 campaign now only a fortnight away. The window remains busy off the pitch too, with the summer transfer deadline set for the start of September and several marquee clubs still chasing high-profile targets (more in Player News below).

Racing

Summer Flat racing rolled on across Britain and Ireland on Wednesday, setting up another jam-packed Thursday programme headlined by Newmarket's July Course. Timeform and the leading tipping panels have already turned their attention to today's cards, with Home Hero — a recent Sandown winner — and Ralph Beckett's lightly raced Koala Rose among the names generating early market support.

Cricket

The Hundred remains in full swing, with the men's and women's competitions building towards their 16 August finals. The tournament, which began on 21 July, continues to draw big crowds around the country as the play-off picture starts to take shape.

Today's fixtures & previews

Football

There is no Premier League or EFL league action today — the top flight does not kick off until the weekend of 21 August, with the Community Shield between Arsenal and Manchester City on 16 August the first piece of silverware on offer. Expect a light schedule of pre-season friendlies and behind-closed-doors run-outs as clubs manage minutes and integrate new signings before the campaign proper.

Horse racing

It is a bumper afternoon and evening of racing. Newmarket (July) is the feature, running from 14:20 through to 17:08 across six races. Southwell stages an eight-race card on the Tapeta from 17:04, while Chepstow gets under way at 17:20 and Sandown Park's popular evening meeting runs from 17:00 to roughly 19:58. Add Irish action at Leopardstown (from 16:50) and Sligo, and punters are spoilt for choice from early afternoon into the night.

The Newmarket opener at 14:20, the Knight Frank East Anglia Apprentice Handicap, looks a competitive heat, while Charlie Appleby's odds-on Cerro Blanco heads the market for the Cambridge Connections Novice Stakes at 16:00. William Haggas saddles the well-supported Fast Performer in the 15:30 novice, and the Eastern Counties Handicap at 16:33 has attracted a solid field led on ratings by Koala Rose and High Fibre.

Cricket

The Hundred serves up further double-headers this week as the franchises jostle for play-off positions. With both the men's and women's tournaments reaching their business end, every points-table swing now carries weight ahead of the 16 August finals day.

Betting tips & odds analysis

Player news & injury updates

Rodri set for surgery

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is set to undergo a back procedure, described in Spain as a minor "in-and-out" operation. Reports conflict on the timeline — some suggest the Ballon d'Or winner will be fit for the start of the campaign, others cast doubt over his availability — so City fans will await a firm update ahead of their opener. The 30-year-old was outstanding as Spain lifted the 2026 World Cup this summer.

Bournemouth blow up front

Eli Junior Kroupi is expected to miss the first three to four months of the season after suffering a fifth metatarsal fracture that required surgery — a significant early setback for the Cherries' attacking options.

Spurs manage their returnees

Tottenham report that Sandro Tonali is close to returning after a minor knock, while Dejan Kulusevski's comeback from a long-term knee injury will be handled carefully as he builds towards match sharpness following a full season out.

Transfer round-up

Chelsea are said to be eyeing Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who carries a reported £51m release clause. Nottingham Forest have made Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders a £55m target, while Tottenham have been offered Monaco striker Folarin Balogun and are also credited with interest in City winger Savinho. With the window open until early September, expect plenty more twists.