Fixtures, dates & teams in the race to the Premier League

The end-of-season mini-tournament for a place in the Premier League is potentially worth £170 million to the team that emerges victorious

The Championship play-offs are arguably the most exciting games in the English football season.

No match is more valuable than the division's play-off final at Wembley, with promotion, it was estimated last year, worth around £170 million to teams not already receiving parachute payments after relegation from the Premier League.

That applies to all five of the clubs who have secured or are in contention for a place in the play-offs this season. For one of them, the next month will be a huge one in their history.

The dates for the Championship play-off semi-finals will not be confirmed until the fixtures are finalised, but the first leg tends to take place the weekend after the final matches of the normal season and the second legs three days after that.

The last round of matches is scheduled for Sunday, May 7, meaning we are likely to see the first legs played on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14. The reverse fixtures will probably then follow on Tuesday, May 16, and Wednesday, May 17.

What we do know is that the final will be played on Monday, May 29, which is a bank holiday in the UK. The League Two final will be played a day earlier on Sunday, May 28, with the League One final moved forward a weekend (Saturday, May 20) to accommodate the FA Cup final on Saturday, May 27.

All of the Championship play-off matches — and, indeed, all of the Football League play-off matches altogether — will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK, with the exact schedule to be confirmed once the fixtures have been announced.

In the US, beIN Sports have the rights to Championship matches and will broadcast the final, though the semi-finals are yet to be confirmed. You can also watch via FuboTV, an online subscription service which includes beIN Sports.

Eto’o first hat-trick in three years hands Antalyaspor victory

The Cameroonian's first treble since 2014, with Chelsea, earned his side an away victory over Adanaspor to brighten their Europa chances

Antalyaspor moved closer to securing an Europa League qualification ticket as a first hat-trick in three years from Samuel Eto’o fired them to a 5-2 victory over Adanaspor on Sunday.

Rıza Çalımbay’s men seized the advantage with Deniz Kadah’s 22nd minute opener before the goals poured in at Adana 5 Ocak Stadium.

The former Cameroon international made certain of the victory for his side as he powered in two great goals, while a 56th minute goal completed his first treble at club level since January 19, 2014.

Eto’o, who took his tally to 14 goals in 25 games in all competitions, is third on the Super Lig topscorers’ chart.

Antalyaspor are three points away from sealing a spot in next season’s Europa League qualification zone, and they face eight placed Konyaspor in their next outing.

Comedian gears up for 9th edition of Yaw live on stage tagged "Apere"

Award-winning comedian, actor and OAP Steve ‘Yaw’ Onu has announced the 9th edition of his annual “Yaw Live on Stage”

The comedy show titled "Apere" is set to hold on Sunday, May 28, 2017 at Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Victoria Island Lagos.

This year, the show’s highlight is an amusing stage play titled ‘Apere’ (meaning basket) featuring Yaw and musician Sound Sultan as they take a completely satirical and holistic view at the issues surrounding Nigeria.

While Yaw is yet to announce the other entertainers that will be performing at the show, one can guess from previous editions that the stage will be graced by top comedians and music acts in the country and the show will also be attended by a host of celebrities, dignitaries and socialites.

Speaking on his plans for this year’s edition of the critically-acclaimed comedy show, Yaw remarked, “I am grateful to everyone for the support so far and I can only say that “Apere” is going to be the most entertaining performance Nigerians have ever witnessed yet. I will be joined by my brother Sound Sultan and what we have in store for you is very fantastic!”

Apere is a follow-up from last year’s show titled “Shalanga” which also had a stage play featuring Yaw and top-rated comedian Ayo ‘AY’ Makun.

Apart from being a sold-out show, Shalanga had in attendance most of the movers and shakers of the entertainment industry and some VIPs including Former First Lady of Lagos State Mrs Abiombola Fashola, Don Jazzy, Stephanie Okereke, RMD, Ali Baba, Burna Boy, Olamide, Phyno, Timaya, Reminisce, Patoranking and many others

St. Totteringham's Day has come to an end and Wenger's Arsenal contract should too

Wenger hasn't won against Spurs in six league games and the demoralising performance epitomised a dismal domestic season

How apt that after all the talk of power shifts, Tottenham comprehensively defeated arch-rivals Arsenal in Arsene Wenger’s 50th north London derby to confirm that the tide has officially turned in the battle for supremacy between these two great rivals.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men fully deserved the three points and would have scored more than two unanswered goals were it not for the excellent goalkeeping of Petr Cech, who made nine saves during the match. By comparison, Hugo Lloris was called upon just four times.

The main accusation made against Wenger this season is that his team have capitulated in the games against top six sides. The 3-1 losses to Chelsea and Arsenal, as well as the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, were all results that reinforced the notion that Arsenal can no longer challenge the big boys. The table now proves it too.

Even more gallingly for Gunners fans, the standings also now show that Spurs are a far superior side. They are fifth, a whopping 17 points behind Tottenham. For the first time since Wenger arrived in north London in 1996, Arsenal will finish below their second-placed north London neighbours.

"Well done to them," Wenger magnanimously stated afterwards, "but when you start the championship the target is not to finish above Spurs; it is to fight for the title. In 20 years, it happened once. Mathematically, it has to happen once.

"We are not happy with it but we don't compare ourselves to Spurs. We compare ourselves to where we want to be." 

The sad truth of the matter, though, is that Tottenham are now exactly where Arsenal used to be: fighting for the title playing a thrilling brand of attacking football. 

Spurs end 22-year derby curse

This fixture always threatened to illustrate the stark contrast in effectiveness and enthusiasm between these two sides - and their respective supporters, for that matter - and it did just that.

During a frenzied opening, both Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen missed glorious opportunities to give the home side what would have been a deserved lead in the final north London derby at White Hart Lane.

However, Spurs fans need not have worried about their side shooting themselves in the foot in familiar fashion. They are now better than that and got the goal their vigorous display merited when Alli bundled the ball home after Cech had denied the excellent Eriksen.

TV personality is considering a change in career path

After years of anchoring the "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" game show, Frank Edoho might be considering a change in career path.

The popular broadcaster and presenter has said that he is looking into working behind the scenes to support emerging talents.

He made the disclosure during a chat with Sunday Scoop, also revealing that he has a lot of things that he is working on at the moment.

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 Edoho said, “I’m a full broadcaster and everything I do revolves around entertainment. I don’t do anything else. However, I have a lot of new things that I’m working on at the moment. I like working behind the scenes and pushing my projects.

"I’m tired of being onscreen. I think it’s time to give opportunity to other people. I and my production company are churning out some radio programs and a TV show.”

When asked about what he has learned from hosting the popular game show, WWTBAM, he said, “The underlying theme for me is that knowledge is power. And for everything you want to do, you have to work for it. Even to win money on the show, people have to sit down and answer 15 questions.

"It has also taught me how to be a proper professional because I treat every episode in a different way and I prepare for it painstakingly. Preparation and hard work are the basis for success.”

Edoho attributed his success over the years to God, saying:

“I believe that God is the major factor that has kept me on as the presenter of the show. Anybody can be removed at anytime, so I’m not flattered by the fact that I’ve been there for 13 years; it doesn’t mean that I’m the best broadcaster.”

Advising other broadcasters, he had this to say:

“There are different aspects of broadcasting; for TV, the person has to look good, exude confidence and speak wonderful English. And I don’t mean common English but one that would command the attention of people and ensure that they get your message.

"You also have to work hard and read a lot. It is helpful to watch other broadcasters that you admire and before long, their talents would rub off on you.”

Frank got married to Sandra Onyenucheya in 2014 and they share two kids together.

The pair got together after the crash of his first marriage to Katherine Edoho and mother of three of his kids.

"The right man will come at the right time" says actress

Rita Dominic is single at 41 and she is loving it but you also need to know why she is comfortable with her marital status.

The Nollywood actress revealed the reason why she is still single during an interview with a lifestyle and fashion magazine, Schick.

She revealed that she could have been married years ago but things had not panned out well for her.

However, the multiple award-winning actress has not lost faith and is very hopeful that God will present the right man to her at the right time.

She said, “I believe that God is in charge of my life and will present the right man to me at the right time.”

When asked how she handles the pressure from the society especially in a country like ours, she said, “I am a human being and I would be lying to say that it doesn’t get to me sometimes.

“More so because it’s something I sincerely want to do but the feeling passes when I remember that society will not live with the person.

“I will live with the man, so it is very important that I do it because I want to, not because society wants it for me.”

Addressing the myth that sex peaks for women as they age, Rita says that sex is exactly what you make of it.

“If you ordinarily don’t enjoy it, age won’t make a difference.

“I find that when a woman embraces her sexuality, many Nigerians equate it to being Ashewo as if we should act like sex is not pleasurable.”

Describing dating as a nightmare for her, the 40-year-old adds,  “especially in these days of social media where with one click you are all over the internet.”

She adds, “I do date when someone special comes around.

“I love being totally drawn to someone and doing all those loving things couples do, but I am also wary of liars and bullies.‎”

Maradona's girlfriend scores first-ever goal - with her hand!

The Hand of God, or Goddess? Rocio mirrored her legendary partner by scoring a suspicious strike for Excursionistas' Ladies team!

Diego Maradona's girlfriend Rocio Oliva scored her first official goal in women's football on Sunday, repeating her partner's infamous strike by turning the ball in with her hand!

Oliva, playing for Excursionistas, was the star attraction at the weekend as her side took on Camioneros. 

Excursionistas ran out 3-0 winners, with Oliva herself opening the scoring to break her duck. 

The opposition, however, were incensed by her 'Hand of God' moment, after Rocio used the forbidden limb to beat the goalkeeper. 

"It was a clear handball, we all saw it," Camioneros coach Federico Maldonado seethed after the game. 

Like her paramour, Oliva (in the centre of the photo) did not seem too fussed about bending the rules, as she chatted to spectators and posed for photos after the game. 

"At the start [the ball] did not want to go in, but afterwards they all entered," she joked in the glow of victory. 

While there was no repeat of Maradona's second goal against England in that 1986 World Cup quarter-final, an impressive performance suggest there might be another star in the making - one who has a similar disregard for the laws of the game!