Scottish Football Update
“No drama in Scotland today, Rob,” begins Simon McMahon, “given that Dundee United were confirmed as CHAMPIONS!!! of the bottom six on Tuesday with a point at home to already relegated Livingston. Congratulations to them.
“St Mirren will play Partick Thistle in a two-legged play-off to decide who plays in the Scottish Premiership next season. There are games today, United currently 1-0 up at Paisley, and Dundee 1-1 Aberdeen, Livingston 1-1 Kilmarnock.”
Enzo Le Fée: Sunderland’s Magician
Enzo Le Fée has been chatting for 25 minutes when it becomes clear that his ability to extract rabbits from hats is not confined to the pitch.
“I’m a magician,” says Sunderland’s French playmaker as the conversation drifts to life off the field. “Yes, really! I can do some magic, tricks with the cards, that sort of thing. I used to practise a lot when I was young so I got really good. I still sometimes like to do my tricks but I’m a bit shy about performing them now.”
These days Le Fée prefers to concentrate on casting his spells on rival teams, bewitching Sunderland fans and bewildering opponents in equal measure. Régis Le Bris’s £20m signing from Roma possesses an unerring ability to glimpse attacking possibilities undetected by other players and transform midfield chaos into a coherent threat.
Wolves v Fulham Preview
It’s been over a month since Josh King started a game for Fulham – he was substituted at half-time during the last start, and since then has only appeared off the bench, never playing more than 26 minutes. It makes sense for Marco Silva to protect and nurture such a valuable talent, especially given King plays in midfield, an area demanding experience.
However, Silva is preparing his team to compete regardless of his presence, and a game against a relegated side presents an opportunity to field King, who after a period of adjustment this season, could become a regular starter next season.
Many young players possess imagination and technical skill, but King stands out for his ability to receive the ball under pressure and either pass forward or dribble past opponents, opening up the pitch. Though raw, the objective is to have him ready by August.
Everton v Sunderland Preview
Everton’s strikers have largely limited the team’s progress this season, but it is their defense that has cost them in the final push for European qualification. While this ambition seemed unrealistic at the start of the campaign, there remains a slim chance if several favorable results occur. For manager David Moyes, who values solid defensive foundations, recent weeks have been frustrating.
Everton would be level with sixth-placed Bournemouth if not for dropping six points in their last four games, each marked by poor defending—whether at set pieces against Liverpool and West Ham, or from open play against Manchester City and Crystal Palace. This decline can be traced to the 87th minute of the Merseyside derby when Jarrad Branthwaite, the team’s best defender, suffered a season-ending injury. Everton coped well in his absence earlier in the season but have struggled to regain that resilience following his latest hamstring setback.
Leeds v Brighton Preview
Georginio Rutter returns to Elland Road on Sunday, likely hoping to avoid another afternoon on the bench. The former Leeds forward transferred to Brighton for a record £40m in 2024 but, after a decent first season, has struggled for game time this term, scoring only three goals and starting just one of the past seven games.
This is partly because Brighton’s head coach Fabian Hürzeler has made Danny Welbeck his principal striker, while Jack Hinshelwood has excelled in Rutter’s preferred No 10 role.
“I know Georginio’s not happy with his game minutes,” said Brighton’s head coach. “That’s normal … but he’s 100% committed. I feel he’s there for his teammates and for the club. It’s team first and there are moments when you have to put your ego behind you. Of course he’s not happy, that’s normal, but I’m pleased with his reaction.”
Manchester United defeated Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford in the day’s early game. Just don’t mention VAR.
Bradley Lowery, the Sunderland mascot who passed away in 2017, would have turned 15 today. There will be a minute’s applause at Hill Dickinson Stadium after 15 minutes of today’s game, and two fans—one from each club—have organized efforts to raise funds for the Bradley Lowery Foundation. Commendations to them.
Two more goals have been scored in a thrilling end-of-season game at Old Trafford, and Bruno Fernandes has equaled a major record.
Brentford v Crystal Palace Preview
Brentford’s pursuit of European qualification continues, with complex scenarios likely to determine their fate. The situation may remain unclear until the final moments of the season. Should Aston Villa win the Europa League on Wednesday and finish fifth in the Premier League, a Champions League spot would open for sixth place. Brentford can reduce the gap on sixth by defeating a Crystal Palace side focused on the 27 May Conference League final. Bournemouth’s next game is not until Tuesday.
On the final day, if Villa is beating Manchester City and closing on finishing above Liverpool or Manchester United, it could be in Brentford’s or Brighton’s interest to lose to those teams; Brentford face Liverpool a week on Sunday. This presents a complex equation for Keith Andrews. Should it fall in his favor, he would deserve the manager of the season award. There is a strong case that he already deserves it.
Wolves v Fulham Team News
Wolves (3-4-2-1): Jose Sa; Mosquera, S Bueno, Krejci; R Gomes, J Gomes, Andre, Moller Wolfe; Armstrong, Mane; Hwang.
Subs: H Bueno, Arokodare, Lima, T Gomes, Bentley, Bellegarde, Tchatchoua, A Gomes, Edozie.
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Bobb, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Muniz.
Subs: Tete, Jimenez, Wilson, Cairney, Cuenca, Chukwueze, Kevin, Lecomte, King.
Leeds v Brighton Team News
Leeds (3-5-2): Darlow; Rodon, Bijol, Bornauw; James, Stach, Ampadu, Tanaka, Justin; Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson.
Subs: Perri, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Byram, Gnonto, Chadwick, Cresswell, Lienou.
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Gross; Minteh, Hinshelwood, De Cuyper; Welbeck.
Subs: March, Rutter, Kostoulas, Milner, Boscagli, Steele, Gomez, Ayari, O’Riley.
Everton v Sunderland Team News
Seamus Coleman starts on the bench, though he is expected to come on during the match, which will be met with significant noise from the crowd.
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Iroegbunam, Garner; Rohl, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto.
Subs: Patterson, McNeil, Barry, Travers, George, Dibling, Coleman, Alcaraz, Armstrong.
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Geertruida, Mukiele, Alderete, Mandava; Xhaka, Sadiki; Hume, Le Fee, Angulo; Brobbey.
Subs: Cirkin, Talbi, Rigg, Mayenda, O’Nien, Isidor, Diarra, Ellborg, Ta Bi.
Brentford v Crystal Palace Team News
Brentford (4-3-3): Kelleher; Kayode, Ayer, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Jensen, Yarmolyuk; Dango, Thiago, Damsgaard.
Subs: Validmarsson, Hickey, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Henderson, Schade, Dasilva, Nelson, Furo.
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Riad, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Strand Larsen.
Subs: Benitez, Clyne, Richards, Devenny, Lerma, Hughes, Johnson, Guessand, Mateta.
David Moyes on Séamus Coleman
David Moyes has described Séamus Coleman as “the glue that kept Everton together” during their relegation battles and vital to the club’s survival in the Premier League.
The Everton manager’s tribute followed Coleman’s announcement that his distinguished 17-year playing career with the club will end when his contract expires next month. Everton have offered the 37-year-old a coaching role starting this summer, but he wishes to continue playing for the Republic of Ireland and may seek another club.
Coleman has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons but remains a significant influence on standards behind the scenes. The captain galvanized the team during relegation fights under Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche, and Moyes stated Everton’s top-flight status would have been in greater jeopardy without Coleman.
Other Matches and Context
Manchester United lead Nottingham Forest 2-1 in the early game at Old Trafford. Fans can follow the last half hour with Michael Butler.
Welcome to the penultimate clockwatch of the 2025-26 Premier League season. Four games kick off at 3pm, all involving teams aiming for European qualification next season.
Manchester City’s FA Cup final victory benefits Brighton, Brentford, Everton, Fulham, and Sunderland, as it means the team finishing eighth in the Premier League will qualify for the Conference League.
Brighton and Brentford are targeting higher goals – the Europa League, or potentially the Champions League if Aston Villa wins the Europa League on Wednesday and secures sixth place in the league.
The permutations are complex, and further analysis risks confusion. For now, focus remains on the immediate four important games, with team news provided above.
