Summary

  • Celtic could be Scottish Premiership champions if Aberdeen lose at Dundee (19:45 BST)

  • Man Utd's Smalling & Jones have 'long-term' injuries

  • Ireland did not protect McCarthy, says Everton boss Koeman

  • Tottenham given Wembley deadline extension

  • Taylor desperately sorry for Coleman tackle - Bruce

  • Get Involved: Your player of the year - #bbcsportsday

LIVE stream page 1

  1. Time to go...published at 17:00 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    ...but a big weekend of sport is nearly upon us.

    There will be live text commentary of Dundee v Aberdeen later with Celtic to be crowned Scottish Premiership champions if the Dons are beaten.

    Tomorrow the Merseyside derby is the lunchtime focus before Chelsea aim to strengthen their grip on the Premier League title against Crystal Palace.

    Johanna Konta will aim to win the biggest title of her career in the Miami Open tomorrow while rugby union's European Champions Cup reaches the quarter-final stage.

    This is the best place to follow it all. Sportsday will be back from 08:00 BST to look back on everything. Thanks for keeping us company and we'll see you then. Cheerio.

  2. GB's medal-winning autistic figure skaterpublished at 16:58 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    #GetInspired

    As the World Figure Skating Championships continue in Helsinki, meet  Calum Titmus from Peterborough, a 21-year-old with severe autism, who has won more than 30 medals in international competition in figure skating and speed skating.

    He recently won silver at the 2017 Special Olympics in Austria - thanks to his own determination and a lot of parental sacrifice. Here's Calum's story...

    Media caption,

    Calum Titmus: How he defied autism to become a skating star

    The World Figure Skating Championships continue today, with live coverage of the ladies free programme on the BBC Sport website now.

    And if you want to try figure skating yourself, check out our Get Inspired guide.

  3. football

    Johnson plans to attend Robins gamepublished at 16:55 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Football

    Gary JohnsonImage source, Getty Images

    Cheltenham Town boss Gary Johnson hopes to be in the stands for Saturday's game against Morecambe, as his recovery from triple-heart-bypass surgery continues. 

    The 61-year-old had the operation on 16 March and has missed two of the League Two club's matches while recuperating. 

    "I'm pretty sure I'll be well enough to go to the game and not feel stressed," he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

  4. football

    South coast derby sees sides level on pointspublished at 16:52 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Southampton v Bournemouth (Saturday, 17:30 BST)

    Simon Brotherton
    Match of the Day commentator

    Nathan RedmondImage source, Getty Images

    Bournemouth's recent upturn in form has eased fears of being drawn into the relegation scrap and means they go into this game level on points with Southampton.

    Eddie Howe's team could win three in a row for the first time in just over a year and, if they did, it would be a first ever win away to Saints.

    Interestingly, Bournemouth's three-match unbeaten run has coincided with Jack Wilshere dropping out of the starting line-up, costing him  his England squad place., external

    Meanwhile, two more Southampton players, Nathan Redmond (above) and James Ward-Prowse, made their debuts for the Three Lions in the recent international break.

    Bournemouth celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  5. football

    Sunderland keen to end sorry runpublished at 16:48

    Watford v Sunderland (Saturday, 15:00 BST)

    Bottom club Sunderland badly need a victory of course, but the last three league matches between these sides at Vicarage Road have ended in draws.

    They will be pleased to know Watford have only won two of their previous 13 league matches and kept just one clean sheet in their last 18, but the Black Cats themselves have failed to score in six of their last seven and could go five consecutive top-flight matches without a goal for the first time since February 1982.

    Ten-goal thriller or drab goalless stalemate? Or somewhere in between? We'll find out tomorrow afternoon.

    Sunderland v WatfordImage source, Getty Images
  6. football

    'West Brom often raise their game against high-profile opponents' published at 16:43 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Man Utd v West Brom (Saturday, 15:00 BST)

    Conor McNamara
    BBC MOTD commentator

    Chris Smalling and Phil JonesImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Chris Smalling and Phil Jones both have "long-term" injuries picked up while with England

    'April', wrote TS Eliot, 'is the cruellest month'. Jose Mourinho knows exactly what he meant.

    Mourinho starts April beset by injuries and suspensions. His debut campaign at Manchester United may well be defined by the nine games they play in this month.

    West Brom  beat Arsenal  last time out and often raise their game against high-profile opponents. They have defeated Manchester United in each of the last three seasons.

    United start this weekend in fifth position, four points behind Liverpool, but with two games in hand.

    The fourth month of the year could well determine whether Mourinho gets among the top four places this season.

  7. football

    Shakespeare seeks to re-write history bookspublished at 16:39

    Leicester v Stoke (Saturday, 15:00 BST)

    Leicester have allayed fear of relegation under new boss Craig Shakespeare and have moved up to 15th, six points and six places behind Saturday's opponents at the King Power Stadium, Stoke. 

    BBC commentator Steve Wilson will be at the match and he says: "With Craig Shakespeare bidding to become the first British manager to win his first four Premier League games, Leicester suddenly look to be only a couple of victories away from safety.

    "How they would love to have those points chalked up before tackling Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

    "Stoke are having another very creditable season; ninth place again at the moment - the position in which they have finished each of the last three seasons."

    Stoke v LeicesterImage source, Getty Images
  8. football

    'Opportunity knocks for Hull'published at 16:34 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Hull City v West Ham (Saturday, 15:00 BST)

    Martin Fisher
    Match of the Day commentator

    Marco SilvaImage source, Getty Images

    Hull City, 18th in the table, have never suffered relegation directly after promotion to the Premier League. If they're to avoid that outcome in May it's clear their escape route centres on continued home success.

    Since becoming head coach, Marco Silva has taken 10 points from a possible 12 at the KCOM Stadium. However, Hull have lost 12 of their last 13 on the road.

    Fellow strugglers Middlesbrough are in town on Wednesday, but first the visit of a badly out-of-form West Ham side who have lost three games in a row and haven't won since 4 February.

    Treading water in mid-table, the Hammers are hampered by an ever-lengthening injury list and are leaking far too many goals... opportunity knocks for Marco's men.

  9. football

    Burnley 'a different proposition at home'published at 16:30 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Burnley v Tottenham (Saturday, 15:00 GMT)

    Steve Bower
    Match of the Day commentator

    Burnley celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Spurs have never had as many points at this stage of a Premier League season but they know they have to keep on winning.

    It was an important psychological step for them to get over the line  last time out against Southampton  without Harry Kane. Dele Alli, who has 11 goals in his last 12 league games, looks ready to assume more responsibility.

    A glance at Burnley's hugely impressive home record will remind Spurs of the task ahead at Turf Moor.

    Sean Dyche's team will be delighted to be back in Lancashire, having played their last four games on the road, and second-placed Tottenham are only too aware that they are a different proposition at home.

  10. football

    Burton's Turner given ban for racial abusepublished at 16:24

    Football

    Burton defender Ben Turner has been given a five-match ban by the Football Association for racially abusing Brentford midfielder Nico Yennaris. 

    The incident happened in the Championship match on 10 December at Griffin Park. 

    Turner (below) was one of four players booked in the same injury-time incident in  the game at Griffin Park,  which also involved his own team-mate Jon McLaughlin and Brentford's Yennaris and Romaine Sawyers.

    An independent FA commission fined Turner £8,000 and said he must attend an education course.

    Ben TurnerImage source, Rex Features
  11. football

    Back in the last century...published at 16:18 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Liverpool v Everton (Saturday, 12:30 BST)

    Kevin KeeganImage source, Getty Images

    The world was quite a different place when Everton last won at Anfield in 1999:

    • Kevin Keegan was England manager
    • Tony Blair was UK Prime Minister
    • Bill Clinton was US president
    • Twitter, Facebook and YouTube did not exist
    • In fact, mobile phones did not exist*

    *not strictly true

  12. football

    How the internet used to lookpublished at 16:13 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Liverpool v Everton (Saturday, 12:30 BST)

    Everton's last Anfield win was so long ago that this website (born in summer 2000) did not exist. You can read the BBC News match report  here.

    In truth, though, this was an era when Ceefax still reigned supreme.

    BBC News match report
  13. football

    It's been a while since Everton's last Anfield win...published at 16:09 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Liverpool v Everton (Saturday, 12:30 BST)

    Kevin Campbell scores against Liverpool in 1999Image source, Getty Images

    Evertonians have had a long old wait for a win at Anfield, last beating Liverpool in front of the Kop in 1999.

    Kevin Campbell got the only goal while three players were sent off with Toffees striker Francis Jeffers and Reds keeper Sander Westerveld dismissed for some proper handbags.

    Defender Steve Staunton ended up in goal as Liverpool had already made three substitutions and made a superb save from Abel Xavier. 

    A 19-year-old midfielder called Steven Gerrard was also red-carded late on for a wild challenge on Campbell (below).

    Steven Gerrard sent off in 1999Image source, Getty Images
  14. football

    'A derby that should deliver'published at 16:04 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Liverpool v Everton (Saturday, 12:30 BST)

    Guy Mowbray
    Match of the Day commentator

    Sadio Mane scores v EvertonImage source, Getty Images

    Does form go out of the window for derbies? With both teams in fine fettle before the break, let's hope not.

    Everton's upturn goes back to December's  derby . Beaten only once since losing at home to Liverpool in the last seconds, they've narrowed the gap on their rivals from 16 points on 1 January to six on 1 April.

    Might a win across the park for the first time this century even prompt thoughts of pipping the Reds (and two other reds) to a top-four finish?

    It might, although Liverpool's performances under Jurgen Klopp in the biggest games means that remains a far-flung thought for now.

    Anfield expects. The match SHOULD deliver.

  15. football

    Palace seek to repeat Stamford Bridge shockpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Chelsea v Crystal Palace (Saturday, 15:00 BST)

    Let's have a look at some of the weekend's big matches in more detail and leaders Chelsea take their 10-point advantage into a home match against Crystal Palace, who are 16th, four points clear of 18th placed Hull.

    The Eagles won on their last trip to Chelsea, in August 2015, but that is their only top-flight victory at Stamford Bridge, although recent meetings have been close, with six of the last seven meetings settled by single-goal margins . 

    Crystal Palace win at Chelsea in 2015Image source, Getty Images
  16. football

    Celtic's coronation could happen tonightpublished at 15:52 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Dundee v Aberdeen (19:45 BST)

    Celtic celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    A reminder that, without kicking a ball, Celtic could be crowned Scottish Premiership champions tonight if Aberdeen lose at Dundee (19:45 BST).

    The Dons are 25 points behind Celtic with nine matches remaining so will be doing well to catch them.

    Aberdeen have won the last five meetings with Dundee, conceding just once.

  17. football

    'Tension running very, very high' at Arsenalpublished at 15:44 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Football

    Former Arsenal and England women's striker Kelly Smith is now coaching at the club and told BBC Radio 5 live's Friday Sports Panel  the uncertainty over Arsene Wenger's future is causing problems.

    She says of the atmosphere at London Colney: "To be honest it’s quite hard being around the training ground especially at this time because the tension is very running very, very high just with the pure fact that no one knows whether he is going or staying and I think by him keeping quiet it’s not helping the whole situation."

    Arsene WengerImage source, PA
  18. get involved

    Get Involved - who's your player of the year?published at 15:38 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Text 81111

    You can read 15 BBC pundits choose their player of the year here   and we want to hear your selections. Tweet #bbcsportsday, text 81111 or head to the  Match of the Day Facebook page. , external

    POTY - Has to be Kante, two men in one and allows a team to be built perfectly around him. Sanchez would be in my top six instead of Zlatan - the only Arsenal player who cares and tries.

    David in Kent

  19. When tackles go wrong...published at 15:28 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    #PeoplesCup

    Just how did those legs end up there? Find out with our top 10 magic moments from last weekend's FA People's Cup semi-finals.

    For more FA People's Cup action, watch our semi-final highlights programme,  available on the iPlayer from 06:00 BST on Saturday morning, 1 April, and on the Red Button at 13:50 BST and repeated throughout the weekend.

  20. football

    'Woodgate a fantastic appointment'published at 15:23

    Swansea City v Middlesbrough (Sunday, 13:30 BST)

    Caretaker boss Steve Agnew is delighted to welcome back Jonathan Woodgate to Middlesbrough as first-team coach.

    "I’ve known Jonathan a number of years and he’s a proper football guy," he says.

    "I couldn’t believe how excited he was in terms of the coaching work - he can’t get enough of it. I’m sure he’ll prove to be a fantastic appointment. We’ve got a nice balance so I’ve been pleased."

    Joe Jordan and Paul Jenkins are the other new additions to Agnew's staff.

    Jonathan WoodgateImage source, PA