Sportsday - rolling sports news

1. Man Utd's Rooney fit to face West Brom
2. 10 Premier League news conferences
3. Team Sky's Nordhaug wins Tour of Yorkshire stage one
4. West Indies v England third Test (from 15:00)
5. GET INVOLVED: #maypacprediction

Have a good evening

So that brings our time together to a close, for now.

But allow me to mark your card on what else is flying around over in our neck of the ether.

England are 119-4 on the opening day of their third Test against West Indies in Barbardos. Head over here for live text commentary.

Snooker's World Championship continues at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with Barry Hawkins to resume his semi-final 3-13 down on Shaun Murphy. You can watch that here, very soon.

And we'll also have a live text commentary of Celtic's match at home to Dundee in the Scottish Premiership, with coverage to begin at 19:15 BST.

Plenty more sport tomorrow of course too. We'll see you again very soon.

Bale tops gossip

And speaking of Bale, a reminder of one of the big transfer speculation stories of the day.

The Daily Telegraph has Manchester United preparing a £100m deal to sign the Real Madrid forward at the end of the season. Bale, 25, cost Real £85.3m when he joined from Tottenham in September 2013.

Where's the money going to come from you say? Well what about a world-record £750 million kit deal with Adidas, and a return to the Champions League?

And as ever, you can catch up with all of the best gossip from today over here.

Gareth Bale returns for Real

EPA

As if the conclusion of the Football League season this weekend wasn't enough, Tuesday and Wednesday see the return of the Champions League at the semi-final stage.

OK there aren't any British teams involved (nor were there in the quarter-finals by the way) but Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale should be fit to play against Juventus in Turin on Tuesday.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti says Bale has already returned to training with the squad and should be fit to play Sevilla on Saturday.

...while Rangers miss out

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And by contrast not one Rangers player has been voted into the PFA Scotland Championship team of the year.

Six members of Hearts' title-winning side are included, with three from Hibs, who are favourites to clinch second spot, and one from each of Queen of the South and Falkirk.

Championship XI: Neil Alexander (Hearts), David Gray (Hibs), Alim Ozturk (Hearts), Danny Wilson (Hearts), Lewis Stevenson (Hibs); Jamie Walker (Hearts), Morgaro Gomis (Hearts), Scott Allan (Hibs); Osman Sow (Hearts), Gavin Reilly (QoS), Rory Loy (Falkirk).

Celtic dominate team of the year...

Reuters

Six Celtic players have been named in the PFA Scotland Premiership team of the year. Second-placed Aberdeen provide two players, while Inverness, Dundee United and Dundee each have one representative.

Premiership XI: Craig Gordon (Celtic); Shay Logan (Aberdeen), Jason Denayer (Celtic), Virgil van Dijk (Celtic), Graeme Shinnie (Inverness CT); Stuart Armstrong (Celtic), Scott Brown (Celtic), Stefan Johansen (Celtic); Nadir Ciftci (Dundee Utd), Adam Rooney (Aberdeen), Greg Stewart (Dundee).

Power for Pacquiao

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Residents of a Philippine island have been urged to switch off electrical appliances on Sunday to ensure they will have enough power to watch Manny Pacquiao's fight against Floyd Mayweather.

The island of Palawan has recently been suffering from daily power shortages and there are concerns about interruptions to the televised bout in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao has been elected to the Philippine Congress and is one of the most famous and popular figures in the Asian country, inspiring almost religious devotion among some of his fans.

Wigan keen on Pennant stay

Juliette Ferrington

BBC Sport

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Wigan manager Gary Caldwell is hopeful Jermaine Pennant will stay at the club despite relegation to League One.

The 32-year-old former Arsenal, Birmingham, Liverpool and Stoke winger joined on short-term deal in February.

Caldwell said: "I have spoken to Jermaine. Since he's come in he's been absolutely brilliant in terms of his attitude, work ethic and personality. We want to keep him, we have made an offer to him. Hopefully we can get that done soon."

Last week, Pennant tweeted: "If we do go down I couldn't see anything better then being a part of getting back up under Caldwell."

Warburton waiting for the phone to ring

Reuters

Meanwhile, Brentford manager Mark Warburton says his own future remains unresolved, despite his having led the club to the brink of the Championship play-offs a year after promotion from League One.

The 52-year-old will leave Griffin Park at the end of the season, even if the Bees win promotion to the Premier League - although they will have to leapfrog Derby into sixth on Saturday to be in with a chance.

"I've thought about my future but don't know where it is going to come," he told BBC London 94.9.

"All we can do is go as hard as we can, finish as high as we can and hope after the final kick of the season that the phone rings. It's as simple as that."

Jokanovic focuses on Championship title

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Watford head coach Slavisa Jokanovic has been laying down the law at Vicarage Road, telling his players to remain focussed on beating Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and securing the Championship title.

The Hornets won promotion to the top flight last weekend but Jokanovic said it would be "silly" to miss out on first place to Bournemouth, who trail by one point.

"We are obligated to start celebrations after the game on Saturday not before," he told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"Right now we need to concentrate, it would be silly when we still have the chance to lift some silverware."

Football League - the final round

PA

This weekend is the final round of fixtures in the Football League and there's still plenty to be decided.

Ipswich, Derby, Brentford and Wolves will be scrapping for the two remaining Championship play-off berths, Preston and MK Dons are competing for second and automatic promotion behind Bristol City in League One, while one of Southend, Bury and Wycombe can still go up from League Two.

That's not even mentioning that dreaded word at this stage of the season - relegation.

Head over here for a full run-down of all the potential ups and downs and comings and goings in England and Scotland. Although if you read it all in one sitting you may well need a lie down afterwards.

Scholes on Pogba

Reuters

In his latest column with The Independent, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been lifting the lid (so to speak) on Paul Pogba's departure from the Old Trafford club.

Just to recap, Pogba, 22, left United following the expiry of his contract to join Serie A club Juventus in 2012. He's since become a mainstay for his native France, and is widely regarded as one of the hottest talents in football.

"The understanding in the dressing room was that Paul's advisers just asked for too much money," says Scholes, who goes on to wonder whether his own decision to continue with United may have affected the youngsters decision to leave.

Marquez - the bionic man?

Reuters

Spanish world champion Marc Marquez was never going to let a broken finger slow him down now was he?

The 22-year-old placed third in Friday's practice session ahead of this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, despite riding with a titanium plate in his hand.

"It hurts a lot but at least I can put in the laps," he said. "We'll see if tomorrow it is better and doesn't swell up."

Championship leader Valentino Rossi ended the day in 13th as Jorge Lorenzo dominated the two sessions in Jerez.

Courtois v Azplilcueta

johnterry.26/Instagram

Even a dabbler like myself can tell you table tennis is all about the winning. None of this tiki-taka ping pong nonsense.

But the question is, who would you back out of Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois and Cesar Azplilcueta? Surely the Belgian stopper for the extra height? Or would Azplilcueta have the gravity distribution advantage?

Find out by watching this video on John Terry's Instagram page. Who said Chelsea were boring eh?

Arter ready for 'fairytale ending'

AP

Bournemouth's Harry Arter says making absolutely certain of promotion at Charlton, the club who released him as a teenager, will be a "fairytale ending".

Only defeat at The Valley, a Middlesbrough win over Brighton and a highly unlikely goal difference swing can deny the Cherries a place in the top flight - and even then they would have a second chance via the play-offs.

"It's nice to go back to where you start and go back on a high," Arter told BBC Radio Solent.

Wet and wild

Welshman Geraint Thomas is also taking part in Tour de Romandie - instead of the Yorkshire equivalent, where Team Sky's Lars Petter Nordhaug claimed victory on the opening stage in sunny Scarborough earlier today.

Bad call, big chap...

Geraint Thomas

Tour of Romandie

EPA

Stefan Kung claims victory at a rain-soaked fourth stage of the Tour de Romandie. The Swiss 21-year-old broke clear with a daring effort around 25km from the line to finish 38 seconds ahead of Jan Bakelants of Belgium, with Bertjan Lindeman of Netherlands third.

Race leader Michael Albasini finished in the main bunch alongside Britons Chris Froome and Simon Yates, who remain third and fourth overall respectively.

Nigeria aiming for World Cup last four

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Nigeria are aiming to make history at the 2018 World Cup by becoming the first African team ever to reach the semi-finals.

"All efforts we are building now are geared towards getting Nigeria to play the semi-finals in Russia," Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick told BBC Sport.

"We have the manpower to do that. The talent in Nigeria is amazing."

The three-time African champions have reached the last 16 in three of their five World Cup appearances, and were knocked out by France in the last 16 in 2014.

Lunch scorecard - England v West Indies

The England players are tucking in to their cucumber sandwiches over in Barbados after losing three wickets in the opening session of the third Test against West Indies.

England 71-3 (25 overs) after winning the toss

Batsmen: Cook 31 from 83 balls, Root 19 from 16

Fall of wickets: 0-1 (Trott 0), 38-2 (Ballance 18), 38-3 (Bell 0)

Bowling figures: Taylor 7-4-17-0, Gabriel 4-1-6-1, Holder 6-1-15-2, Samuels 6-1-18-0, Permaul 2-0-15-0

Match scorecard

A reminder you can follow full coverage with our live text commentary by clicking here.

Blackpool explain Mortensen statue removal

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Blackpool explain their decision to temporarily remove a statue of club legend Stan Mortensen as relating to "safety reasons".

Fans of the club, recently relegated from the Championship, have been angered by a move they claim was made to thwart a demonstration on Saturday.

Fans' groups had planned to lay memorabilia at the statue of former England and Blackpool striker Mortensen outside the ground as part of a protest against club owner Karl Oyston.

In an email sent to Blackpool parliamentary candidate Gordon Marsden, the club says the statue has only been removed "temporarily" and will be put back in place on Tuesday.

Pacquiao refinds his "killer instict"

BBC

You've heard the predictions (if not click here), now hear from the man himself - Manny Pacquiao has been speaking ahead of Saturday's super-fight with Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas.

"The feeling of the killer instinct and the focus that I had years ago is back," Pacquiao says. "Every time I've been the underdog, like against Oscar De La Hoya, it's a different feeling and I'm so glad that it's back.

"I haven't felt like this in my recent few fights, but now I feel different. I want to make this fight for my boxing legacy. I want to win, that's my goal."

Bantams extend Paladini talks period

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Bradford City and Gianni Paladini have agreed an extension to the Italian's period of exclusivity for buying the club, BBC Sport understands.

The club revealed a fortnight ago that they were in talks with the former QPR chairman over a potential takeover.

The initial period ended on Friday but it is understood it has been extended by two weeks.

Paladini, who was interested in second-tier side Birmingham City, visited Bradford's training ground this week.

Dick Advocaat news conference

More from Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat: "We know what we have to do. If we get the six, seven points, then I'm sure we will stay up. There's no sense in looking so much at other teams.

"It helps sometimes when they lose, but we still have to do it by ourselves."

Sunderland are 18th in the Premier League table and one point away from safety, although Advocaat's side have played one game less than the clubs around them.

Dick Advocaat news conference

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Would you remind your players of an 8-0 defeat? Not unless you really had to, surely?

Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat certainly won't be, but he himself has watched the video of his side's 8-0 defeat at Southampton earlier this season.

"I don't think it's a good idea to discuss that game again," he said. "I saw the game two days ago - we gave the goals away really, really easily. Own goals, some mistakes from the goalie, some mistakes from the defence, I didn't think you could make that many mistakes in one game.

"That definitely will not happen tomorrow."

Anthony Ogogo Q&A

John Equator (@JohnEquator) asked: Who is your money on between Floyd and Manny and why?

"I think Mayweather will win. He is the best boxer of his generation. Putting it simply, he is a better boxer than Pacquiao.

"The first two or three rounds will be tough and Mayweather will have to be on his guard, but once he gets into the fight I think he will pull away in the mid rounds and end up winning on a unanimous decision."

Rotherham will not appeal points deduction

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Rotherham decide not to appeal a three-points deduction for fielding an ineligible player after securing their Championship status.

The Millers were penalised three points last week for playing Farrend Rawson in the 1-0 win over Brighton on 5 April.

In a statement the club maintained their punishment was "disproportionate" to what was "an honest human error" but added they would like to "draw a line under the matter".

League Two ups and downs

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Jimmy Floyd Hasslebank's Burton were the first team to secure promotion and Shrewsbury joined them by beating Cheltenham last weekend.

Burton will be crowned champions if they beat Cambridge on the final day of the season, or if Shrewsbury fail to overcome Plymouth.

The other automatic place is between Southend, Bury and Wycombe, who are all assured of a play-off place.

Stevenage have secured a play-off place and Plymouth will definitely join them if they get a point against Shrewsbury.

Cheltenham and Tranmere have already been relegated.

League One ups and downs

Bristol City have already taken the title and therefore the first of two automatic promotion places.

PA

The second spot is between Preston and MK Dons - the Deepdale side will be promoted if they beat Colchester or match MK Dons' result against Yeovil.

Swindon, Sheffield United and Chesterfield have secured the other play-off spots.

Yeovil Town have already filled one of the four relegation positions, and three from a further six teams will join them, with Leyton Orient, Colchester, Crawley, Notts County, Crewe and Coventry all still in danger.

Championship ups and down

It the final weekend of the Football League season and the Championship title is still up for grabs. Watford have already secured promotion to the Premier League and need to match Bournemouth's result to clinch the trophy.

The south coast side have effectively sealed their place in the top flight, too, as they are three points and 19 goals clear of third-placed Middlesbrough.

Boro and Norwich are guaranteed at least a play-off place, while Ipswich, Derby, Brentford and Wolves will fight it out for the two remaining berths.

Wigan, Millwall and Blackpool have already been relegated to League One.

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Tour de Yorkshire

A Norwegian win for Team Sky then as Lars Petter Nordhaug claims victory on a day they lost their only Englishman in the race Ben Swift, who abandoned after a crash.

It was Stephane Rossetto who went for it but Nordhaug roared through and up past his slipstream on the line, closely followed by Thomas Voeckler.

But there was bad news for the Tour as whole with Marcel Kittel's decision to abandon. The German clearly wasn't feeling up to it and climbed off his bike after falling six minutes behind in what was his first race in two months following an illness.

West Indies v England

England are 38-2 halfway through the 15th overs against the West Indies in the third Test in Barbados. Jonathan Trott was dismissing third ball for a duck and Gary Ballance has just been bowled for 18.

Follow our live text commentary here.

AFP

Tour de Yorkshire

Lars Petter Nordhaug was backed by Philip Deignan in the build-up to the line to see off the challenge of a strong group including Samuel Sanchez of BMC, Thomas Voeckler of Europcar and Stephane Rosetto of Cofidis.

Where did Sir Bradley Wiggins finish?

Tour de Yorkshire

Lars Petter Nordhaug is over the line first, just ahead of Thomas Voeckler. Great teamwork from Team Sky to get the Norwegian into a winning position.

Tour de Yorkshire

1km to go and all five are back together. A mini-bunch sprint to end it? Can Team Sky do it together?

Tour de Yorkshire

With 3km to go a veering left-hand turn takes the leaders on to the sea front. Team Sky's Philip Deignan with it but Thomas Voeckler is hot on him. A great pantomime act from the Frenchman, as always.

Tour de Yorkshire

It's going to come down to a sprint finish in Scarborough but who's got the legs?

Team Sky's Lars Petter Nordhaug goes off the front with under 5km to go but is reeled in. He's distanced his team-mate Philip Deignan but Thomas Voeckler of Europcar and Samuel Sanchez of BMC are hot on his heels.

Trump v Bingham

PA

Judd Trump and Stuart Bingham have shared the opening four frames of Friday's session in the second semi-final at the Crucible. That means the unheralded Bingham leads 7-5 in the first-to-17 contest.

The players are currently enjoying a cup of tea and a scone but, in the meantime, coverage continues on BBC Two and online here.

Tour of Yorkshire

AP

There's just under 10km to go until the finish of today's opening stage at Scarborough.

Team Sky's Lars Petter Nordhaug and Philip Deignan are in a leading group of five riders including Samuel Sanchez of BMC, Thomas Voeckler of Europcar and Stephane Rosetto of Cofidis.

A chasing group of riders are 55 seconds behind, with the main field further back still. A one-two from Team Sky would soften the blow of losing Ben Swift, who abandoned after a crash earlier. It's pretty much all flat from here...

Murray delayed at Munich Open

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Andy Murray could have to play three times on Saturday after his Munich Open quarter-final against Lukas Rosol was postponed because of rain.

The Briton is trying to win his first clay title.

Should top seed Murray beat Rosol on Saturday, he will play Roberto Bautista Agut or Victor Estrella Burgos in the semi-final later in the day.

Murray is then scheduled to play the doubles semi-final alongside Dutchman Jean-Julien Rojer.

England in family blood - Ince

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Tom Ince says playing for England "flows through the blood" in his family but he had to end his under-21 career to focus on club football.

Derby County's on-loan Hull winger, 23, turned down the chance to play for the England Under-21 side in March.

"I put my country to one side to get a bit of confidence back, but people were very quick to judge," Ince, son of Paul, told BBC East Midlands Today.

"England flows through the blood in the Ince family. I never snubbed England."

European Champions Cup final

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While Mayweather and Pacquiao go head-to-head in Las Vegas, there's a French battle commencing at Twickenham on Saturday, as Toulon take on Top 14 rivals Clermont Auvergne in the European Champions Cup final.

Toulon are looking to become the first team to claim a hat-trick of European titles, while Clermont are looking for their first, to add to two Challenge Cup trophies.

Swift abandons Tour de Yorkshire

Some disappointing news from the Tour de Yorkshire. Team Sky's Ben Swift has been forced to abandon after an earlier crash near Grosmont.

The main pack are just tackling the 'Cote de Robin Hood's Bay', while Europcar's Thomas Voeckler is panting at the head of a leading pack on the descent. There's about 25km to go before the finish in Scarborough.

Team Sky/Twitter

Anthony Ogogo Q&A

Earlier on, we asked for questions to put to Olympic medal-winning boxer Anthony Ogogo.

Rena Mukherjee (@RenaMukherjee) asked: If you wouldn't be a boxer then what would you be?

"I'm not just saying this because I am at the BBC but when I was a kid I always wanted to be a Blue Peter presenter. I remember one day turning it on and all the presenters were doing different crazy things and it really appealed to me.

"I also wanted to be an actor. I was well into the performing arts - that's what I studied at sixth form. Boxing took over, but maybe that is something I could go back to when my career is over."

Celtic v Dundee

Celtic can edge closer to a four consecutive title on Friday when they welcome Dundee to Parkhead.

Should Ronny Deila's side win, Aberdeen have to match that result at Dundee United on Saturday to keep the race alive ahead of the meeting of the top two at Pittodrie next weekend.

You can follow our live text commentary on the BBC Sport website later, while those lucky enough to be north of the border can listen to the match on BBC Radio Scotland 810 MW.

Phillips signs new London Welsh deal

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London Welsh head coach Rowland Phillips has signed a new deal with the club as he prepares to lead them in the Championship next season.

Phillips took over the role in March, having initially joined the club as defence coach in November 2014.

Welsh are rock-bottom of the Premiership table with just one point having lost all 20 matches this season.

Road Cycling

There's less than 40km to go on the opening stage of the Tour de Yorkshire as the peleton reaches Whitby.

A nasty crash near Grosmont (Heartbeat country) thinned out the field and has left Perrig Quéméneur of Team Europcar with a handy break.

The finish of day one of three will be on the seafront at Scarborough.

Bradley Wiggins, whose new team is racing for the first time, is safely tucked in near the back.

Newtown's 120-year Welsh Cup wait

NEWTOWN AFC

Encased in the middle of Wales is a charming place called Newtown - or Y Drenewydd to the natives - and the local football team are hoping to do something special on Saturday.

Newtown FC are looking to end their 120-year wait to lift the Welsh Cup, when they face treble-chasing The New Saints.

You can read more about the game by clicking here.

Good luck - or pob lwc - to both.

"Boring, boring Chelsea"

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Premier League champions-elect Chelsea have been accused of being "boring" but only one opinion matters in that debate, according to Amy Lawrence.

The football writer looks at the expectations of their boss upstairs, Roman Abramovich.

New deal for Robinson

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Birmingham City club captain Paul Robinson has signed a new one-year contract with the Championship club.

The 36-year-old former Watford and West Bromwich Albion defender was without a club when he joined Blues on a one-month trial in September 2012.

But this is the fourth new contract he has signed at St Andrew's as he continues to extend a career that now totals more than 700 appearances.

Big names on the big fight

While you mull over your prediction for the big fight, why not take counsel from some of the biggest names in boxing.

Carl Froch, Deontay Wilder, Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, Abner Mares and Evander Holyfield have all given BBC Sport their thoughts on the bout, with one man emerging as a strong favourite...

#MayPacPrediction

Keep your Mayweather-Pacquiao predictions coming into us on Twitter via the hashtag #MayPacPrediction or on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Luis Miguel Echegaray: Heart says Manny Pacquiao. Head says Floyd Mayweather. Floyd wins on points.

Neil: Pacquiao to knock Mayweather out in the sixth round.

ScarletVarlet: I predict many, such as my self, don't care about the fight and are weary of hearing about it.

Only another 40-odd hours to go, Scarlet.

The fight for survival

Robbie Savage

The Premier League title race is as good as over so BBC Sport pundit Robbie Savage has taken a look at the relegation dog fight.

There's seven teams involved. Do you agree with his predictions for the drop?

Find out here.

Federer advances

Roger Federer has secured a hard-fought place in the Istanbul Open semi-finals after beating Spain's world number 62 Daniel Gimeno-Traver in three sets. The players each won a set on a tiebreak before the Swiss took the third 6-3.

Mauricio Pochettino news conference

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Pochettino on Leicester boss Nigel Pearson's rant: "I didn't hear it but yes, we as managers are always under a lot of pressure and at the end of the season it's always massive. It's not easy, our job, but sometimes you lose your head."

Pochettino on Manchester City failing to retain the title: "Premier League is the most difficult league to win in the world. It's is not easy when they fight with Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, us. It hasn't surprised me."

Pochettino on what Spurs need to do: "Maybe in the future we'll have the same resources as Manchester City. To be realistic and fight for the title, we need to improve our squad and our game. We need to get a good balance in the team."

Double Dutch

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Sunderland's Dick Advocaat is our 10th and final managerial speaker of the day.

While we wait for his pearls of wisdom, here's Southampton's Ronald Koeman speaking about his fellow Dutchman and former manager.

"He is a very experienced manager, but it is very difficult to change a lot in a short time," said Koeman.

"Sunderland are really in a difficult situation, but always you have surprises in the last part of the season with the results.

"At least Advocaat will give them the right fighting spirit to fight to the last second to stay in the Premier League."

On this day

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In 2000, Wimbledon's Norwegian owners sacked manager Egil Olsen after eight successive defeats, replacing him with assistant Terry Burton.

West Indies v England

@BBCTMS

Play gets underway in around 20 minutes in Barbados, with an unchanged England having won the toss and chosen to bat.

That's about as much as I can tell you, but my colleague Jamie Lillywhite can further inform you via our live text commentary here.

Louis van Gaal news conference

Simon Stone

BBC Sport

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Another couple of snippets from Manchester United - Michael Carrick is again missing with a calf injury and Marcos Rojo has a groin problem.

Louis van Gaal was asked about his squad's extensive injury list: "There are many circumstances that you can find for the reason for the injury list. In the second part of the season we had fewer injuries. Then we have made the points.

"Injuries are part of the job. Football is a sport of resistance."

Federer and Murray in action

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Roger Federer is being made to work hard for a place in the Istanbul Open semi-finals as Spain's world number 62 Daniel Gimeno-Traver takes the Swiss number one seed to a third set in Turkey.

Andy Murray is in action later on too, over at the Munich Open quarter-finals. He's playing Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic, the world number 29.

The Scot's on court after Phillip Kohlsschreiber's match with David Goffin, which gets under way at 14:45 BST.

Trump v Bingham

Play is about to get underway in the second semi-final between Judd Trump and Stuart Bingham at the Crucible, with Bingham 5-3 ahead after yesterday's session. You can watch the action live on BBC 2 or by clicking here.

Jumping for joy

Nick Hope

BBC Olympic sports reporter

Nick Hope

British divers Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow seem pleased with their bronze medals, won in the World Series 10m synchro event at the London Aquatic Centre today.

European Challenge Cup final

Premiership Gloucester face Pro 12 side Edinburgh in the European Challenge Cup final at Twickenham tonight (19:45 BST)

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Edinburgh are the first Scottish team to contest a European showpiece, having secured a comfortable win over Newport Gwent Dragons in the semi-finals.

Gloucester, appearing in their first Challenge Cup final since 2006, have endured a hit-and-miss season domestically but are unbeaten in Europe.

You can listen to live commentary of the game on BBC Radio Gloucestershire and BBC Radio Scotland, or follow our live text commentary on the BBC Sport website.

Get involved

The vote is now closed and 40% of the great Sportsday public have decided Floyd Mayweather will win Saturday's super-fight with Manny Pacquiao on points.

However, almost 24% of you think the Filipino will knock his American rival out, with a further 19% going for the bookmaker's underdog on points.

On this day

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In 2011, former boxer Sir Henry Cooper died aged 76. The Englishman was left bloodied by the then Cassius Clay in 1966.

#MayPacPrediction

We want to know your predictions for Saturday's fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.

Get involved on Twitter via the hashtag #MayPacPrediction or on BBC Sport's Facebook page.

Here's a few we've already received:

Rian N: Can't wait for Saturday night, really want Pacquiao to win but can see a late round knockout for Mayweather.

James Draper: If PAC doesn't win early on I think Floyd will out-score him. Would love PAC to do it though.

Michael Conlan: Mayweather on points or late stoppage, though I hope I am wrong! Would love to see Pacquiao do him!

How much was your ticket, Junior?

BBC

Chris Eubank Jr will be appearing on The Clare Balding Show this evening (22:00 BST, BBC Two), just before jetting off to Las Vegas for the Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao super-fight.

Clare asked the pertinent question - "do you know how much it's going to cost for your ticket?" - but Eubank showed he can duck and weave like the best of the them.

Eubank's dad Chris had a lot more to say when asked to explain his philosophy on life however. This video's worth watching for the look on Harry Redknapp's face alone...

Louis van Gaal news conference

More from the Manchester United manager:

On Tony Pulis' comments that he needs to challenge for the title next season: "The board has given me three years for that objective, so yes.

"This year we have not challenged Chelsea but we are very close to second position.

"Chelsea are far above the other clubs. Next year it can be different. Next year we shall be better prepared."

Tour de Yorkshire

PA

It's all back together on the opening stage of the Tour de Yorkshire - the three-day event organised after the huge success the Tour de France Grand Depart enjoyed in the county last year.

Five riders had established an early lead of over five minutes but the peloton has reeled them in. You can follow live text coverage by clicking here.

Will there be any more escapes ahead of the expected finish time in Scarborough at 16:15 BST?

Louis van Gaal news conference

Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will play tomorrow despite suffering a knee injury.

The manager also said that Robin van Persie and Phil Jones are both available, but Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans are injured.

"Rooney is fit to play, it was not so heavy as we expected," the manager said. "Jones is fit but we have to see his match rhythm, but Shaw has trouble with his groin so he cannot play."

Alan Pardew news conference

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Pardew on Chelsea again: "I know Stamford Bridge well. If there is a team that I know well, it'd be Chelsea. I studied there. We've got to try and produce a performance that doesn't get carried away in the emotion of the day. They will dominate possession and the two thirds of the pitch that we have to defend, but we carry a threat."

Pardew on the need for a reaction: "Last weekend was below the group's standard. I didn't even need to tell them, they told me. This is one terrific group of players. Our solution this week has been to work hard. Work on our fitness levels, our technical skills and our team shape."

Tour de Yorkshire

PA

The peloton is over a third of the way through today's opening stage of the Tour de Yorkshire - a 174km run from Bridlington to Scarborough.

Five early breakaway riders established a lead of over five minutes but have since seen their lead cut back to two minutes, 20 seconds.

You can follow the race in a separate live text page here.

Alan Pardew news conference

Pardew on the run in: "We always knew it was tough. We wanted to get the job done and we've done that. We need to respond following our recent defeats. For ourselves and to keep the Premier League title race interesting."

Pardew on defeat by Hull: "You don't always win when you play well. But on Saturday it was by far the worst performance during my time here. We have worked really hard to put that right."

Pardew on Chelsea: "They have lost two games this season - one to Spurs, one to Newcastle. That's an outstanding record. I think Chelsea, in terms of quality and the team they have, the manager they have, will win the league."

Get involved

Keep your predictions for Saturday's super-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao coming using #MayPacPrediction on Twitter, or drop us a line on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

KirrubanKrishnarajah: Pacquiao to win on points. His aggressive nature will help him tilt the scales when it comes to the judges' decision.

Danny Houston: Pacman all the way.

Anonymous: Pacquiao got the ruthlessness but Mayweather has the calm... So I think Mayweather will win on points.

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - but please don't forget to include your name and location.

Manuel Pellegrini news conference

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Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has been talking about this season's failures:

"It's difficult to say a lack of goals when we're the most scoring team in the Premier League.

"Compared to last season we scored less but it's not easy to score more than 100 goals in the Premier League.

"You can't do that every year, you always try but can't do it always.

"We'll see what we need, it's important to be balanced. We need to improve on goals conceded for next season, not just scoring goals."

Friday Sports Panel

BBC Radio 5 live

The Friday Sports Panel is on right now. Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by Ashes winning England cricketer Sarah Taylor, British boxer Anthony Ogogo and multi-medal winning curling skip Eve Muirhead.

On this day

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In 2006, Graeme Dott won the snooker World Championship with an 18-14 victory over Peter Ebdon.

Mauricio Pochettino news conference

Mauricio Pochettino is now in session. The Tottenham manager has said Danny Rose is available after a recent hamstring strain.

"Danny is back, he's fit and he's trained well this week," said Pochettino.

"We have one more training session remaining on Saturday to assess him again but we're happy with how he's progressed."

World Series

Nick Hope

BBC Olympic sports reporter at the London Aquatics Centre

Nick Hope

"We don't often see Tom Daley look angry but he just came on the TV cameras in the venue to issue a stern warning to hundreds of school children in the Aquatics Centre about the noise they're making.

He said: 'Please be quiet when the whistle goes because if a diver hears a lot of noise all of a sudden when they're in the air it can scare them and when jumping from 10m that could mean they hurt themselves and you don't want to cause that.

"'But you can make as much noise as you want once they hit the water!'"

#MayPacPrediction

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Floyd Mayweather's fight with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on Saturday has got the whole world talking and former four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr is the latest to weigh in with an opinion.

"Guys have tried to pressurise Floyd but no-one has pressurised him like Pacquiao will," he says. "Of course Manny can be reckless and that's what Floyd will be planning on.

"Is Floyd going to master aggression with aggression, or is he going to use tactical boxing? He can do either. Manny can do one thing, Floyd can do two. It's going to be a very good fight and I'm not sure who is going to win."

Remember you can continue to send in your own predictions on Twitter using #MayPacPrediction or on the BBC Sport Facebook page. You can also text us on 81111 (UK only). Surely you're not going to sit on the fence like Roy though?

Manuel Pellegrini news conference

More from Manuel Pellegrini: "It is a very tough game. Spurs play in an offensive way so we must work hard in defence."

"We hope we will play a very good game for the fans."

Manuel Pellegrini news conference

BBC

Boss Manuel Pellegrini is offering up some Manchester City team news pre-Tottenham.

"Yaya Toure is injured. I think he will be out at least one more week. It will be difficult for him to play v QPR."

"Vincent Kompany is progressing and maybe next week he'll be ready. Stevan Jovetic is also injured but no one else."

Nick Hope

BBC Olympic sports reporter at the London Aquatics Centre

"A solid rather than spectacular set of dives from Britain's Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow helped them secure the 10m synchro bronze.

"China's Ruolin Chen and Huixia Liu are simply unstoppable, though. They now have four titles in a row and are the overwhelming favourites for World Championship gold this summer.

"British pair Matthew Lee and James Denny are up next in the men's 10m synchro event."

Tour de Yorkshire - day one

PA

Today's opening stage of the Tour de Yorkshire is already under way and a reminder you can follow the action with live text coverage by clicking here.

Earlier this morning Team Sky boss Sir Dave Brailsford told BBC Radio 5 live it would be "strange" to see Sir Bradley Wiggins, who won the Tour de France under Brailsford in 2012, lining up for his new team Team Wiggins at the event.

Brailsford also said Ben Swift (pictured above) is Team Sky's best bet for a stage win. "He's a real Yorkshire lad. It's going to be questionable weather and he thinks it will suit him."

On this day

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In 2012, Roy Hodgson was confirmed as the England manager on a four-year deal. Here's to another glorious three years...

Pochettino and Pellegrini news conferences

We're expecting to hear from Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini anytime soon.

Hopefully they won't keep us too long. It's nearly lunchtime, after all.

Favourites keep powder dry

Cornelius Lysaght

BBC horse racing correspondent

Two of the favourites for Sunday's 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, Found and Together Forever, are both non-runners in the fillies-only Classic. Their trainer Aidan O'Brien has not declared either, so is only represented in the 13-strong field by Qualify, the mount of his jockey-son Joseph.

Jose Mourinho news conference

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It's official - there are no big celebration plans in Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's diary.

Asked what he'll be doing on Sunday if Chelsea wrap up the Premier League title the Portuguese says:"I will go home. As you can imagine we have nothing prepared. So normally I finish the game and I go home."

He's not been in a great mood this afternoon, Jose. Especially for a manager set to pick up his umpteenth major title.

Bronze for Couch and Barrow

British divers Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow have won World Series bronze in the 10m synchro event at the London Aquatic Centre.

The Plymouth pair came third in the same event in the last series meeting in Russia.

You can watch coverage from London by clicking here.

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Jose Mourinho news conference

More from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: "We have been top of the league since the beginning of the season. That is something very difficult to do."

A bit of team news and Loic Remy is fit but Diego Costa is out, although he hasn't suffered an injury setback. "It isn't worth the risk," Jose says. "There is a chance he might not" play before the end of the season, he adds.

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Anthony Ogogo Q&A

We've just spotted London 2012 bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo wandering around the BBC. As trailed earlier, he is on the BBC Radio 5 live Friday Sports Panel today but he's agreed to have a chat with us afterwards.

Anything you'd like us to ask? Send your best questions - from big fight predictions, injury woes to superstitions - to #bbcboxing. You've got until 13:45 BST.

Chelsea news conference

"We are calm," adds Mourinho. "We need two or three points to be champions. Let's say three to make sure you don't depend on goal difference.

"Obviously we want to finish as soon as possible. If we can finish it at home, on Sunday, even better. That's what we have in our minds."

Jose Mourinho news conference

Jose Mourinho's here. "Hello," he says. A good start.

Premier League news conferences

What's on the agenda you ask? Well over the next couple of hours we'll be taking you for a tour around all the Premier League news conferences still to come. First there's Chelsea and Tottenham from 12:30 BST.

We'll be at Manchester City from 12:45, Manchester United and Crystal Palace from 13:30, and Sunderland from 14:00.

Ireland's D'Arcy to retire

Ireland and Leinster centre Gordon D'Arcy will retire from professional rugby after the World Cup in October.

The 35-year-old has won 81 caps for Ireland and he formed a formidable centre pairing with Brian O'Driscoll. D'Arcy has also helped Leinster to three Heineken Cup triumphs and four Celtic League/Pro12 titles.

"My decision has always been that I would leave at this time - after the Rugby World Cup 2015," he said.

Murphy v Hawkins

PA

Barry Hawkins looks like he needs his mammy as Shaun Murphy's relentless potting shows no sign of abating. The former world champion ends the session 13-3 ahead and needing just four more frames this evening to move into the final.

He might be in fine form, but that doesn't excuse those spats, though...

Where it all began for Messi

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We love a good anniversary here at Sportsday, and this here's a nice one.

Ten years ago today Barcelona forward Lionel Messi scored his first senior goal. Naturally it wasn't bad either, with the Argentine lobbing Albacete's goalkeeper after a chipped through ball from Ronaldinho.

The 27-year-old has since added a healthy 402 strikes to his tally. That's 40.3 goals a year. A nice round figure.

Granada sack manager Resino

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Spanish top flight club Granada sack their manager Abel Resino with just four games of the season remaining.

Resino won just two of 16 games since taking over at Granada for a second time in January, a run leaves the club second-bottom in the table and six points from safety.

Granada are still to face Getafe, Cordoba, Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid as they bid to preserve their La Liga status.

Get Involved

Can we point you towards today's vote? We want to know your prediction for the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao and have given you five options to chose from. You've got until 14:00 BST.

Where is it? Look to the right if you're on desktop or click the tab above if you're on mobile.

The Cap backs The Money

We've been asking you to send in your predictions for Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao.

And now West Brom manager Tony Pulis has thrown in his opinion, and he's in the American corner.

"I think Mayweather is one of the best defensive boxers I've seen for a long time," said the Baggies boss.

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Diving World Series

Nick Hope

BBC Olympic sports reporter at the London Aquatics Centre

"The London Aquatics Centre holds mixed memories for Tom Daley - he won Olympic bronze here, but it's also where he developed the fear over what became his 'demon dive'.

"Daley was forced to re-take the piked 2.5 somersault, 2.5 twist routine after being distracted by camera lights.

"With that in mind, the crowd have just been played a 'friendly' reminder from Tom.

"'Please do not use flash photography, or I'll hunt you down and chuck you off the 10m,' he says with a smile."

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Tour de Yorkshire

PA

Our online coverage of the Tour de Yorkshire is already under way and you can follow updates by clicking here.

The three-day event was organised after the Tour de France Grand Depart visited Yorkshire in 2014 and attracted crowds of more than 2.5.

Today's opening stage is a 174km ride from Bridlington to Scarborough, with Sir Bradley Wiggins among the 144 taking part.

The 2012 Tour de France winner is making his first appearance for his new team, Team Wiggins, since leaving Team Sky.

#MayPacPrediction

Mayweather v Pacquiao is only a day away.

We're asking for your predictions for the big fight. Here's what some of you have been saying on our Facebook page...

Dave Langdon: Mayweather to KO Pac Man in the 10th. I want Manny to win but think he'll run out of gas. Or we are about to watch the worst fight in history and ends in a draw.

Darren Reece: I would like packman to win but just can't see it happening.

Johan Ebersohn: Mayweather will comfortably win on points.

Do you agree? Let us know by tweeting #MayPacPrediction

Marc-Vivien Foe remembered

Today would also have been Marc-Vivien Foe's 40th birthday.

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The Cameroon midfielder died, aged 28, after collapsing during a Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia in Lyon.

He first came to the English game in 1999 to play for West Ham and also had a spell on loan at Manchester City from Lyon.

Manchester United almost signed him in 1998, but he broke his leg. And Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp had faxed an offer for him on morning of the day he died.

He's remembered in a tribute on Fifa's website here.

Happy birthday

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Celebrating his 47th birthday today is Oliver Bierhoff, who scored both goals in Germany's Euro 96 final win over the Czech Republic and is now part of the national team's technical staff.

Also blowing out candles and munching on cake are golfer Stuart Appleby (44), Italian rugby international Mauro Bergamasco (36), former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb (34) and tennis players Tommy Robredo (33) and Shahar Peer (28).

Pulis on Van Gaal

West Brom manager Tony Pulis has given his views on Saturday's opponents Manchester United and believes Louis Van Gaal will be under pressure to win the title next season.

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"Louis has obviously spent a bit of money and brought quite a few players in, I think he has had a year to look at it," said Pulis.

"Next year he has to come close to winning the league - he'll know that.

"It's been great experience for him this year. I'm sure he'll add a few players to the squad next year. They'll want to win it, I see them getting stronger, I can't see them getting weaker."

Liverpool news conference

David Ornstein

BBC Sport

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"There was plenty of discussion about Daniel Sturridge's latest setback - Brendan Rodgers admitting the striker has suffered from 'little issues' over his injury record in the past - but the manager stopped short of ruling him out of the rest of the campaign.

"Rodgers refused to criticise his players or contemplate how missing out on the Champions League would affect the club's transfer plans, except to say they will be looking to boost their squad this summer."

Winston picked first

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers took Florida State's 21-year-old quarterback Jameis Winston with first pick in the NFL's annual draft.

In the draft, one of the biggest events in the US sporting calendar, teams pick from the best college players. All 32 teams took part in Thursday's first of seven rounds.

Second pick was quarterback Marcus Mariota, taken by Tennessee Titans, while Jacksonville Jaguars took defensive end Dante Fowler Jr third.

World Series

Nick Hope

BBC Olympic sports reporter at the London Aquatic Centre

Nick Hope

Good news for British diving fans this morning as English Commonwealth gold medal-winning duo Jack Laugher and Chris Mears look set to compete in the 3m synchronised World Series event (19:00 BST).

Mears suffered a back spasm a week ago. He missed the last event in Kazan, Russia and hasn't trained this week, but is gently easing back into action in the early practice session here at the London Aquatics Centre.

You can watch the men's and women's 3m & 10m synchro finals here.

Murphy v Hawkins latest

Shaun Murphy has reeled off breaks of 79, 73, 105 and 79 to go in at the interval with a 10-2 lead against Barry Hawkins in their World Championship semi-final.

The 2005 champion needs seven more frames to clinch his place in a third world final.

Murphy v Hawkins

George Riley

BBC Sport at The Crucible

"Brutally dominant from Shaun Murphy. He's bullying Barry Hawkins now and leads 9-2. Hawkins looks like a kid who's had his lunchbox nicked."

Charlie Adam in a van

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Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam has revealed to Football Focus that he had to hitch a ride in his friend's work van in order to meet Kenny Dalglish and sign for Liverpool.

Adam moved to Anfield from Blackpool in 2011, and is now enjoying life at the Britannia Stadium under Mark Hughes.

You can watch the full interview on Football Focus on Saturday, 2 May at 12:10 BST on BBC One and the BBC Sport website.

BBC secure Rugby World Cup rights

Good news for those who are fans of the egg-shaped ball and BBC commentary.....

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The BBC has secured live radio commentary rights for this year's Rugby World Cup, which will be held in England and Wales from 18 September to 31 October.

The deal means BBC radio is the only place to hear match commentary in full.

The best of the action will be broadcast across BBC Radio 5 live, 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio

And all commentary will be streamed via the BBC Sport website, BBC Sport app and BBC iPlayer Radio app.

Chisnall guarantees play-off place

Dave Chisnall secured a Premier League Darts play-off place with victory in Birmingham, while Raymond van Barneveld boosted his chances of a top-four spot.

St Helens-born Chisnall, 34, defeated Adrian Lewis 7-4 to stay second behind already-qualified Michael van Gerwen, while defending champion Van Barneveld won his matches against Gary Anderson and Lewis to jump into third.

Phil Taylor, the 16-times world champion, is in danger of missing out on the play-offs for the first time since the competition was introduced in 2005 and will be eliminated if he loses to Anderson in Newcastle on 7 May.

The last man to beat Mayweather

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Floyd Mayweather is defending a 47-fight unbeaten professional career in Saturday's super-bout against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

The American hasn't lost since the semi-final of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, when he was beaten by Bulgarian fighter Serafim Todorov.

But while Mayweather recovered to enjoy a glamorous and successful professional career, Todorov did not have the same success.

BBC World Service spoke to Todorov about beating Mayweather, his regret at turning down a pro deal and how Pacquiao could triumph.

#MayPacPrediction

Roll up, roll up. Time for you to share your predictions for Saturday's big fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Get involved on Twitter via the hashtag #MayPacPrediction or on BBC Sport's Facebook page.

Farul Miah: "Pac will start fast, fade in middle rounds and drop his guard for a ninth-round KO from Floyd Mayweather."

Ben Kahihu: "My gut says Mayweather on points but a tough call. Hope it will live up to it's hype."

John McEnerney: "Mayweather to win in seven. Should be easy to stay up as my better half is five months pregnant with twins and snoring like a bear!"

Someone's going to be in the doghouse/spare room this weekend....

Westwood faces Spieth test

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Britain's Lee Westwood will have to beat American Masters champion Jordan Spieth to progress to the last 16 WGC Match Play after beating Finland's Mikko Ilonen.

World number one Rory McIlroy now plays Billy Horschel after maintaining his 100% record against Brandt Snedeker. The unbeaten Horschel beat Jason Dufner, meaning the winner of Friday's tie will reach the knockout stage.

The world's top 16 are the leading seeds in as many groups of four players, with only the winners of each group progressing to the knockout stage.

Brendan Rodgers news conference

David Ornstein

BBC Sport

Brendan Rodgers appeared calm and relaxed. The assembled media were keen to establish whether he felt his side's chances of finishing in the top four were now over following Tuesday's limp defeat at Hull City - but there was no white flag from the Northern Irishman. To the contrary, he was in bullish mood and vowed to "fight until the final minute" of the season.

He finished by giving a team news update name by name - Lucas is fit, Mario Balotelli is out, Alberto Moreno should be available etc - and there was a laugh at the end when, as if in school, he asked "register over?"

Murphy v Hawkins

Shaun Murphy goes five clear, taking the first frame of the day against Barry Hawkins to lead 7-2 at the Crucible.

Watch the World Championship semi-final live on BBC Two, the Red Button or the BBC Sport website.

Get involved

Lalhlunmawia Patea: Mayweather will win, but I'm a Pacquiao fan.

Karim A Hussain: Knockout Pacquiao or decision Mayweather.

Ernst Stavro Blofeld: He's a much more pleasant person so I can understand the support for Pacquiao. From a pure sporting point of view Mayweather is a supreme talent and a brilliant boxer who will win easily

Give us your opinion on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

It's a Trans-Tasman washout

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Talk about cutting it fine. Today's rugby league Test between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane is postponed until Sunday after torrential rain, just two hours before kick-off.

As you can see from the photo above, the Suncorp Stadium surface has been left unplayable by freak weather in south-east Queensland state.

It's only the second time a Test has been postponed. In 1948, a match between Britain and Australia in Bradford was put back because of fog.

Women's Hour

BBC Radio 4

BBC Women's Hour

There's a sporting theme to Women's Hour on BBC Radio 4 today, with snooker player Reanne Evans and referee Michaela Tabb joined in Sheffield by cyclist Joanna Rowsell.

Listen now.

Freedman not chasing Bolton's Mills

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Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman has ruled out a move for Bolton Wanderers centre-half Matt Mills.

The Scot told BBC Radio Nottingham he was not interested in signing the 28-year-old former Reading and Leicester defender, who is out of contract in the summer.

"Matt Mills is a very easy story; he is a free transfer and I have worked with him before at Bolton. But it's a false story," Freedman said.

Remembering Ayrton Senna

It's 21 years to the day since the death of Ayrton Senna.

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The three-time Formula One title winner died on 1 May, 1994 at the age of 34, when his Williams crashed at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.

The death of the Brazilian came a day after Austrian Roland Ratzenberger was killed when he crashed his Simtek in qualifying for the same race.

At the time, veteran BBC commentator Murray Walker said: "This is the blackest day for grand prix racing that I can remember in the many, many years I have been covering the sport."

During a 10-year Formula 1 career, Senna won 41 grands prix, third on the all-time list behind Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost, and achieved 65 pole positions.

Brendan Rodgers news conference

Rodgers confirms defensive midfielder Lucas will return on Saturday, while Mamadou Sakho and Mario Balotelli - who picked up an injury at Hull - will be absent.

"It will be a very tough game," Rodgers says. "Chris [Ramsey] has got them very well organised, they are pressing the ball high up the field. Young Charlie [Austin] and Bobby Zamora are a real handful. We respect them but focus on ourselves."

Murphy v Hawkins

Barry Hawkins and Shaun Murphy are about to get back underway in their World Championship semi-final. Murphy leads 6-2 after yesterday's action.

Watch it live here or on BBC Two.

Brendan Rodgers news conference

And Rodgers seemingly still hasn't given up on Liverpool (miraculously) making the top four.

"It's never over until final whistle blows," he says. "We have to keep working to the end. The players will give absolutely everything. This isn't a team lacking effort or commitment. They will fight right to the end."

Fifth-placed Liverpool trail fourth-placed Manchester United by seven points, with four games left to play.

Liverpool's transfer plans

What about the transfer window this summer? Will Rodgers be looking to invest in his Liverpool squad?

Reuters

"Come the end of the season you look to improve the squad," Rodgers says.

"What I've said is we have been short of goals this season, but that's not the strikers, it's the whole team. Wide players, midfielders, defenders. These are areas we want to improve on."

That and get Sturridge firing, you suspect.

Will Gerrard play for Liverpool v QPR?

EPA

Will Steven Gerrard be playing against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday?

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers suggests he will be after being left out against Hull in midweek. "Saturday - Tuesday games were always going to be difficult but he will be flying for the weekend," Rodgers says.

Jon Flanagan won't be though. Rodgers confirms the 22-year-old is set to miss another six to nine months after having a new knee operation. A "huge miss".

Tsonga confirmed for Nottingham

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It has been confirmed that Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will play at the Aegon Open in Nottingham in June.

The Frenchman will join Feliciano Lopez and James Ward in the field the week before Wimbledon, where he has twice reached the semi-finals.

"I have some great memories of playing at the Nottingham Tennis Centre where I won a title back in 2004," Tsonga said.

Wenger on the Chelsea gap

Here's a bit more from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's news conference earlier this morning.

Asked about the gap between his side and Chelsea the Frenchman said: "Once you are fighting for the Championship you win some games because you smell you can do it, games that you don't necessarily win if you are fourth or fifth. That doesn't always represent the value of the team.

"The gap is there because they have been more consistent than us from start to end. They had a very strong start, and that got them through to the end."

Daniel Sturridge latest

Brendan Rodgers is in the building ladies and gentleman.

First up is the latest word on Daniel Sturridge, who has flown to the United States to determine whether he needs surgery on an ongoing hip problem.

"We've found some underlying issues and we're doing everything we can to get him fit and available," says Rodgers.

Steve Bruce news conference

Steve Bruce also said Nikica Jelavic has trained for the last four days with the squad.

The Hull striker had surgery on a long-standing knee problem in March.

Get Involved

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While everyone is asleep - or engaged in assorted nefarious pursuits - in Vegas, we want your thoughts on the meeting of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Which fighter will win? And in what round? And how likely are you to stay awake for it?

Tweet to #maypacprediction, text 81111 (UK users only) or post on BBC Sport Facebook.

It's Brendan time

BBC

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is also going to be talking this morning. Hopefully.

The scene at Anfield is set but there's no sign of the Ulsterman yet.

Steve Bruce news conference

Hull City manager Steve Bruce has arrived! Here's what he has to say on the relegation fight:

"Six weeks ago we couldn't get a win. It can happen to anyone - top or bottom - that's how hard this league is and we've found it difficult. But back-to-back wins this late on in the season has given us a chance. A lot of people wrote us off a week ago.

"We've still got four games to play. We need results -. last week teams around us did so it's all still to play for. It's exciting from afar. If you're involved you have to come out fighting."

Falcons swoop for Italy cap

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Italian international Giovanbattista Venditti is to join Newcastle Falcons on a two-year deal.

The 25-year-old Zebre back, who can play on the wing or at centre, has 27 caps for the Azzurri and scored against England in the 2012 RBS 6 Nations.

"I'm really excited about the move and the team, it is a big experience for me and my family and I can't wait," Venditti said.

Tony Pulis news conference

WBA Twitter

A standing Tony Pulis isn't giving much away to the waiting media, as his West Brom team prepare for a trip to Old Trafford.

"We've a few injuries this week but I'm not going to say who is injured and who isn't," he said."

Thanks, Tony. And sit down, will you?

Steve Bruce news conference

Hull manager Steve Bruce was due to arrive at his pre-Arsenal news conference at 08:30 BST. But he's late and is keeping the Tigers fans waiting.

The media call is broadcast on the club's YouTube channel and would you believe it's even got an international following?

Hull City Youtube

Arsene Wenger news conference

"I believe in my goalkeepers. You see that David Ospina is top of the league in terms of stats this season"

Arsene Wenger news conference

Arsenalpics.com/Twitter

"With the last two results it looks like they will stay up but it's very difficult to predict who will go down."

Arsene Wenger news conference

"I am happy with the depth of the squad because I have many top international players who sometimes cannot make the squad. It took us some time to find a good balance in the team and we dropped some points because of that."

Arsene Wenger news conference

Steve Bruce might still be nursing a morning coffee elsewhere but Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger is pleasingly punctual.

He begins by issuing a medical bulletin, including the news that full-back Mathieu Debuchy is struggling with a hamstring problem and midfielder is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain unavailable.

When black ball pots go wrong...

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The first World Championship semi-final between Shaun Murphy and Barry Hawkins resumes at 10:00 BST with Murphy leading 6-2.

Murphy, winner in 2005, was left stunned in yesterday's session when he completed a difficult pot across the table on the black, only for the white ball to drop into the middle pocket after bouncing off the baulk cushion.

You can watch that moment here, and catch live coverage of this match on the BBC sport website or on the red button.

Friday Sports Panel

Eleanor Oldroyd

BBC presenter

Boxing meets curling meets cricket on BBC Radio 5 live's Friday Sports Panel, with Anthony Ogogo, Eve Muirhead and Sarah Taylor my guests from 1pm.

Bloody minded: Dowsett's record bid

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Commonwealth time-trial champion Alex Dowsett will attempt to break cycling's iconic hour record on Saturday.

The 26-year-old spoke to BBC Sport's Tom Reynolds about the event, being a trailblazer in his sport and dealing with haemophilia - a potentially life-threatening condition.

Read Alex's story here via Get Inspired.

Brief encounter

Eoin Hempsall

Only 500 tickets went on general sale for the meeting of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao and this American fella has managed to get his hands on two of them. They weren't cheap, mind. Each brief cost him $2500 (£1625).

That being so, we're not sure if it's the wisest move to be brandishing them in public...

Hull City news conference

Hull City boss Steve Bruce is due to talk to the media any time soon.

His side have pulled four points clear of the Premier League relegation zone after back-to-back wins over Crystal Palace and Liverpool.

Can they make it three in a row against Arsenal on Monday?

Football League award winners

Some Friday silverware for you.

Watford head coach Slavisa Jokanovic has been named Championship manager of the month for April, after leading his side to the Premier League.

MK Dons boss Karl Robinson has claimed the League One prize with the Dons securing 19 points from 21 to close in on Preston for the second automatic promotion place.

Southend's Phil Brown is League Two manager of the month after a run of seven wins. Look how happy he is about it, too.

Football League

Friday's news conferences

We'll be hearing from 10 Premier League managers today, as we look ahead to the weekend's fixtures.

First up is Hull boss Steve Bruce, followed by Arsene Wenger, Tony Pulis and Brendan Rodgers in the morning session.

Liverpool boss Rodgers may be able to shed some more light on Daniel Sturridge's injury woes.

BBC Sport's Ben Smith reports the England striker has flown to the United States to determine whether he needs surgery on an ongoing hip problem.

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Pearson v Murphy

I made a promise to you at 08:00 that I wouldn't mention ostriches, and I will keep that promise.

But Leicester boss Nigel Pearson is still making the headlines two days after his bizarre post-match rant following his side's defeat by Chelsea.

This time, he faces BBC Sport's Pat Murphy in a hostile seven-minute exchange. Watch it all here.

Why richest fight may not revive boxing

It's the fight everyone is talking about.

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Sports editor Dan Road is out in Las Vegas, battling through the media scrum and slot machines, to watch Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao.

But can the bout billed the "fight of the century" revive the sport? Read more here.

West Indies v England

England start the third Test against West Indies in Barbados today (15:00 BST) but could be without all-rounder Ben Stokes.

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The 23-year-old Durham man is currently struggling with a back problem and if he's not fit he is likely to be replaced by Yorkshire's Liam Plunkett.

Alastair Cook's side lead 1-0 in the three-match series after drawing in Antigua before winning by nine wickets in Grenada.

You can listen to ball-by-ball on Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW, online, tablets, mobiles and the BBC Sport app. There's also live text commentary on the BBC Sport website.

Tour of Yorkshire

Matt Slater

BBC Sport

Matt Slater

Bridlington is ready for the Tour of Yorkshire...

Matt Slater will be on BBC Breakfast at 08:40 BST ahead of the 174km opening stage of the race from Bridlington to Scarborough.

Friday's gossip column

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If you're not fully satisfied with our newspaper preview, move over to our gossip column where you'll find more tasty morsels of football goodness.

Today's edition features Aston Villa's Christian Benteke, Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne and the aforementioned Mr Gareth Bale.

Friday's papers

Over in Spain, AS depict a very happy looking Javier Hernandez, with the headline (loosely translated): "Ancelotti is like Ferguson and gives you freedom."

AS

The Manchester United striker is currently on loan at Real Madrid and, after initially finding opportunities limited under boss Carlo Ancelotti, has popped up to score three goals in his last two games.

Friday's papers

Daily Telegraph

Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph lead with Gareth Bale - complete with alice band - and Manchester United's pursuit of the Real Madrid and Wales attacker.

They report United manager Louis van Gaal will be given £100m to lure Bale to Old Trafford.

Friday's papers

The Sun

The Sun have an exclusive with QPR defender Rio Ferdinand who admits, despite their strained relationship, that former England colleague John Terry has had an outstanding season for Premier League champions elect Chelsea.

The paper also carries a story regarding David De Gea's future at Manchester United, as Real Madrid vie for the Spain goalkeeper's future.

Friday's papers

Daily Express

Let's kick off with the Daily Express who lead on Manchester City's quest for a new strike force.

The paper reports City are interested in signing four new forwards, including Liverpool's Raheem Sterling, to assist leading scorer Sergio Aguero.

Good morning

Welcome to Friday. You've made it through the week, well done.

As a reward, we're going to bring you many hours of continuous rolling sports news - featuring bikes, boxing, football bosses and hopefully not one single mention of ostriches.

First up, today's papers...