The Premier League is now in its final weeks of the 2022/2023 campaign.

And as is always the case, there is something to fight for all across the table.

This weekend promises to be another exciting instalment.

Here are four fixtures where you could see shock results.

1. West Ham vs Man Utd: Erik Ten Hag’s men have a poor away record this season. And that was not enhanced by their dramatic 1-0 defeat at Brighton on Thursday. Forget that the winning goal came in the 99th minute, Roberto De Zerbi’s men outplayed the Red Devils and deserved the three points. United face another tough game at the London Stadium, against the Hammers who will be welcoming back key players.

2. Man City vs Leeds: Sam Allardyce returned to the Premier League this week, replacing Javi Garcia at Elland Road. And the former Everton and West Brom boss provided some interesting soundbites, claiming he is just as good as City boss, Pep Guardiola. Well, he could as well prove that in his first game in charge at the Etihad, as he tries to keep Leeds in the top flight.

3. Bournemouth vs Chelsea: Frank Lampard is yet to win as Chelsea’s interim boss, losing his first six matches in all competitions. If the Blues drop points to Bournemouth, then it is officially a crisis at Stamford Bridge. However, the Cherries have been in fine form lately and are capable of causing yet another upset, just like Wolves did in Lampard’s first game.

4. Liverpool vs Brentford: In the reverse fixture, the Bees stung Jurgen Klopp’s men, winning 3-1 on their home patch. And you cannot bet against them taking points off Liverpool, even though this fixture will be played at Anfield. The Reds are looking to sneak into the top four this season and this is a must-win game if they are to take advantage if Manchester United slip up.

Golden Eaglets head coach, Nduka Ugbade is expecting a tough encounter against South Africa at the 2023 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations on Saturday.

The two-time champions will be up against the Amajimbos in their final Group B game at the Stade Mohammed Hamlaoui.

The Eaglets sit in second position in Group B with three points from two games.

Ugbade’s side need just a point to seal a place in the quater-finals of the competition

The Amajimbos are on similar point with the Golden Eaglets but have inferior goal difference.

“We are prepared against South Africa, we saw the game they played against Zambia, totally different from the first one,” Ugbade said in a short video posted on NFF TV.

“When you look critically to the situation the two of them met at the COSAFA and Zambia won 1-0. I’ve seen the whole team, very strong team. My concern is more about development.”

The game will kick-off at 8pm Nigerian time.

Nigeria’s head coach Nduka Ugbade wants his side firing on all cylinders when they take on South Africa in a crucial Group B fixture at the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Constantine on Saturday night.

Nigeria need to avoid defeat against the South Africans to affirm their second place in the group, but Ugbade does not want his side taking chances and has affirmed they will be going for a win.

Looking back at their defeat at the hands of Morocco, Ugbade says they have worked to sharpen their forward line to ensure they convert the chances that come their way.

“We have put the defeat against Morocco behind our backs and we are fully focused on getting a good result against South Africa. We didn’t deserve to lose against Morocco because we dominated the game but couldn’t convert our chances,” said the coach during Friday’s pre-match press conference.

He added: “We want to be more effective, more prolific in front of goal. It is a bit confusing because when we were in Nigeria preparing, we were scoring so many goals but when we came here we are not doing that. Sometimes with these young ones it is about psychology and we have addressed that.”

Forward Charles Agada, who came on as a substitute against Morocco, said the players have sharpened their scoring boots over the last two days in training

Ugbade meanwhile admits it will be a tactical battle of wits against the South Africans, but remains confident they can do just enough to get over the line.

The competitors will arrive in Lagos on May 23 and travel to Auchi on May 24 to familiarise themselves with the area before the major event on May 27.

Organisers of the annual Okpekpe International 10km Road Race announced on Thursday that May 27 is the date for the ninth edition of the Gold Label international competition.

Briefing reporters in Benin, the Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, revealed the 2023 edition of the event is for two purposes.

“The first is for the prize money, while the second is to create awareness about cancer and the HIV.

“We are happy that the Okpekpe road race is kept alive as we are getting closer to our target to make the race an event of Diamond Label status.

“The 2023 race will have a gold label as we put in our best to make the race the best in the world.

“I will not be participating for a prize, but I will be running for a cause which is to create awareness for cancer.

“Apart from running for a prize, you can run for a cause. I encourage those that cannot run for the prize to run for a cause to encourage people to go for cancer screening and HIV testing for early detection.

“We have gone beyond the race as a sports event, as we have also brought in students to use sports to sharpen their knowledge and reduce social vices in the society,” Shaibu said.

The Edo deputy governor, however, assured the prospective athletes of adequate security throughout the duration of the event.

“Adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure that all residents and visitors, including athletes, coming into the state for the race are all safe and protected,” he added.

Also speaking, Zack Amodu, the race director, said they are expecting athletes from about 10 countries for the competition.

Amodu said they expected the athletes to arrive in Lagos on May 23, from where they would proceed to Auchi on May 24 to familiarise themselves with the environment before the main event on May 27.

“Last year we organised a technical officiating course for officials with a view to enhancing the pool of technical officials we already have in Nigeria.

“We are delighted to set the pace for road races in Nigeria and to become the first to have its course measured by a World Athletics-certified measurer and the first to be granted a label status,” he said.

In his remarks, the event’s chief marketing officer, Mike Itamuagbor, said the event is now a Gold Label race because it has gone international.

“The road race this year has added a few innovations as we will be partnering with Edo University, where about 200 students will work as volunteers for the event in the areas of accommodation, medicals, and, media,” he said.

Also, the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Yusuf Ali, said the Okpekpe road race has brought much honour to Nigeria.

An exceptional 2022/2023 season for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has seen him linked with a move away from Italian Serie A Champions Napoli but club President De Laurentiis has announced he “will not sale this summer”

The 24-year old scored his 22nd Italian Serie A goal of the season in the 1-1 draw at Udinese to help Napoli end a 33-year wait for another league title on Thursday May 4.

With the league top-scorer linked to Manchester United, Chelsea and PSG, De Laurentiis has come forward with his plan for the Summer.

While featuring on Rai Sport show ‘Cinque Minuti’, after their confirmation as champions of Italy, Napoli President De Laurentiis said “I will not sell Victor Osimhen this summer – no way!”.

This comments will notify potential suitors for the Nigerian striker that if Napoli must do business then a significant transfer fee must make its way into the clubs account.

Before then, Osimhen will look forward to banging more goals in the five remaining league games to win the Serie A top scorer award for the 2022/2023 season. Inter Milan forward Lautauro Martinez is in hot chase and has scored 19-goals, just 3-goals short of the Napoli forward.

Speaking further on his plans to keep the clubs shape and push for even more successes next season, the Naples based outfit President confirmed a contract extension offer has been tabled before manager Luciano Spalleti.

“He’s a legend I’ve been chasing for at least ten years. I finally brought him to Naples after the Covid crisis and I hope to open a cycle with him, because he is a great leader. I exercised the clause for the renewal of the contract, now it’s up to him to say the word,” De Laurentiis added.

Lionel Messi apologised to Paris St Germain and his team mates on Friday after being suspended for making a trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this week and missing a training session as a result.

French media reported that Messi was suspended for two weeks after an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia when he was supposed to train with the squad the day after the Ligue 1 leaders’ 3-1 defeat  at home to Lorient on Sunday.

“I sincerely believed that I would have the day off after the game as had been happening in previous weeks. I had this trip organised and I couldn’t cancel it, I had already cancelled it before,” Messi said in a video on Instagram.

“I apologise to my team mates and I’m waiting for what the club wants to do with me,” added the Argentina forward.

PSG boss said earlier on Friday that he had nothing to do with the club’s decision to suspend Messi, who is set to miss the next two matches at Troyes and home to Ajaccio as they look to keep their Ligue 1 lead intact.

“We’ll see when Leo returns, we’ll see what happens. Obviously there will be discussions with the entire club, but also with Leo,” Galtier had said at a press conference.

PSG are five points clear of Olympique de Marseille with five matches left in the season.

Messi has received a formal offer to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal next season, a source close to Argentina’s captain said, with a contract renewal at PSG not on the cards for the World Cup winner who turns 36 next month.

The oil-rich nation appointed Messi its tourism ambassador last year and he visited Jeddah in May 2022.

He returned in January to play a friendly match with PSG against a team of Saudi League stars, when he faced great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.