Chelsea host Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday with both teams in desperate need of three points

Manchester City will look to inflict a damaging defeat on Chelsea when the two teams meet on Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s side will arrive at Stamford Bridge hungry to narrow the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

City could be 12 points behind the Gunners by the time they kick off with Mikel Arteta’s men facing Bournemouth on Saturday lunchtime. Guardiola’s men, meanwhile, face Liam Rosenior’s squad on Sunday afternoon (4:30pm BST).

It also signals the beginning of an extremely challenging week for Chelsea as they shift their focus back to league affairs. Less than a week after welcoming City, the west Londoners must then take on Manchester United at home in another examination of their top-six credentials.

Defeat at home this weekend could see Chelsea knocked out of the European qualifying spots with only a handful of fixtures remaining. Brentford and Everton are each merely two points adrift heading into week 32, and Chelsea have secured just one victory in their last six Premier League outings.

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Morale appeared positive in training over recent days, though, as the club seeks to build upon its 7-0 FA Cup victory over Port Vale. Our sister title fotball.london breaks down some of the key talking points from Cobham ahead of such a crucial encounter against City.

Enzo Fernandez absence

The primary talking point to surface from Friday’s session is the continued absence of Enzo Fernandez. The Argentinian was suspended for Chelsea’s FA Cup encounter with Port Vale following remarks he made indicating he’s uncertain whether he’ll stay at the club this summer.

Rosenior confirmed Fernandez would serve a two-match ban following his comments. While some Chelsea supporters may have anticipated he’d soften his stance given the challenging fixtures ahead, the manager appears resolute in implementing his sanction.

With Reece James currently sidelined through injury, Chelsea will be forced to identify a third-choice captain for Sunday’s clash with City. The situation also demonstrates that Rosenior isn’t one to make empty threats when his authority is questioned.

Marc Guiu working for comeback

Marc Guiu will surely feel frustrated by his limited playing time since returning from his loan spell at Sunderland. Particularly after the Spanish forward was omitted from the matchday squad that suffered a 3-0 defeat to Everton before the international break.

While a shortage of attacking options was apparent during that disastrous away trip, Guiu was putting in the graft in an attempt to demonstrate he merits an opportunity against City.

Andrey Santos catches Cole cold

One video shared by Chelsea ahead of Sunday featured the players competing in a bronco-style bleep test. Leading the group at one stage were Andrey Santos and Cole Palmer, although the Brazilian maintained a notable edge. Santos’ quicker strides proved superior to Palmer’s longer stride pattern as the duo embraced their lighthearted challenge in earnest (quite literally). Nevertheless, midfielder Santos was clearly approaching the segment with far greater intensity while his colleague could only chuckle at coming second.

Caicedo back in the mix

Following two full matches for Ecuador during the international window, Moises Caicedo was given a breather for the Port Vale thrashing. Nevertheless, he’ll undoubtedly represent a crucial element in Rosenior’s starting XI on Sunday, particularly if Fernandez is absent as anticipated.

That said, Caicedo seemed to be in focused mode and participating in his own individual running exercise this week. It demonstrates just how much significance he’s attaching to the clash with City.

Dario Essugo fighting fit

Having missed so much of this season recovering from thigh surgery, Dario Essugo is at last closing in on a Premier League contribution. Following two assists in the extra-time victory over Wrexham, he featured again with a 28-minute appearance against Port Vale.

Having been included on a league matchday squad for the first time since August, it’s evident Essugo is within Rosenior’s thinking. What better match than City to spring a surprise by handing the Portugal under-21 international some minutes this weekend.

1

Michigan
This ranking is based on the Wolverines returning four of the top six scorers — specifically Morez Johnson Jr., Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney and LJ Cason — from a team that finished 37-3 and won the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Brandon McCoy Jr. and four-star prospects Lincoln Cosby, Quinn Costello and Joseph Hartman.

— 37-3
2

Florida
This ranking is based on the Gators returning five of the top seven scorers — specifically Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, Reuben Chinyelu, Urban Klavsar and Isaiah Brown — from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by 7-foot center Jones Lay.

— 27-8
3

Illinois
This ranking is based on the Illini returning seven of the top 10 scorers — specifically Andrej Stojakovic, David Mirkovich, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis, Brandon Lee and Mihailo Petrovic — from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the 2026 Final Four. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Quintin Coleman and Lucas Morillo.

— 28-9
4

Michigan St.
This ranking is based on the Spartans returning six of the top eight scorers — specifically Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Kur Teng, Jordan Scott, Divine Ugochukwu and Cam Ward — from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Ethan Taylor, Carlos Mdelock Jr., Julius Avent and Jasiah Jervis.

— 27-8
5

Duke
This ranking is based on the Blue Devils returning three of the top six scorers — specifically Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer and Dame Sarr — from a team that finished 35-3 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Cameron Williams, Deron Rippey Jr. and Bryson Howard.

— 35-3
6

UConn
This ranking is based on the Huskies returning five of the top eight scorers — specifically Solo Ball, Silas Demary, Eric Reibe, Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart — from a team that finished 34-6 and advanced to the championship game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Colben Landrew and Junior County.

— 34-6
7

Arkansas
This ranking is based on the Razorbacks returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Meleek Thomas, Billy Richmond III and Malique Ewin — from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Jordan Smith Jr. and JJ Andrews, and four-star prospect Abdou Toure.

— 28-9
8

Iowa St.
This ranking is based on the Cyclones returning four of the top six scorers — specifically Milan Momcilovic, Killyan Toure, Blake Buchanan and Jamarion Bateman — from a team that finished 29-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Dorian Rinaldo-Komian, Jackson Kiss and Christian Wiggins.

— 29-8
9

Gonzaga
This ranking is based on the Zags returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Braden Huff, Davis Fogle and Mario Saint-Supery — from a team that finished 31-4 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Luca Foster, Sam Funches and Jack Kayil.

— 31-4
10

Arizona
This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning two of the top five scorers — specifically Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov from a team that finished 36-3 and advanced to the 2026 Final Four. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Caleb Holt and four-star prospect Cameron Holmes.

— 36-3
11

Virginia
This ranking is based on the Cavaliers returning five of the top 10 scorers — specifically Thijs De Ridder, Sam Lewis, Chance Mallory, Johann Gunloh and Elijah Gertrude — from a team that finished 30-6 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will eventually be joined by a recruiting class — but Virginia currently has zero prospects committed.

— 30-6
12

Purdue
This ranking is based on the Boilermakers returning five of the top nine scorers — specifically C.J. Cox, Daniel Jacobsen, Omer Mayer, Gicarri Harris and Jack Benter — from a team that finished 30-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year Caden Pierce, and four-star prospects Luke Ertel, Jacob Webber and Sinan Huan.

1 30-9
13

Texas
This ranking is based on the Longhorns returning four of the top seven scorers — specifically Dailyn Swain, Matas Vokietaitis, Camden Heide and Simeon Wilcher — from a team that finished 21-15 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Austin Goosby, Bo Ogden and Joe Sterling.

1 21-15
14

Houston
This ranking is based on the Cougars returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Joseph Tugler, Mercy Miller and Chase McCarty — from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Arafan Diane and Ikenna Alozie. — 30-7
15

St. John’s
This ranking is based on the Red Storm returning five of the top nine scorers — specifically Ian Jackson, Joson Sanon, Dylan Darling, Ruben Prey and Lefteris Liotopoulos — from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will eventually be joined by a recruiting class — but St. John’s currently has zero prospects committed.

— 30-7
16

Texas Tech
This ranking is based on the Red Raiders returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically JT Toppin, Josiah Moseley and Luke Bamgboye — from a team that finished 23-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Dakari Spear. — 23-11
17

USC
This ranking is based on the Trojans returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas and Jacob Cofie — from a team that finished 18-14 and missed the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Christian Collins and four-star prospects Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff.

— 18-14
18

N. Carolina
This ranking is based on the Tar Heels returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Henri Veesaar, Luka Bogavac and Jarin Stevenson — from a team that finished 24-9 and advanced to the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Dylan Mingo and four-star prospect Maximo Adams.

— 24-9
19

Vanderbilt
This ranking is based on the Commodores returning three of the top 10 scorers — specifically Tyler Tanner, Chandler Bing and Mike James — from a team that finished 27-9 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Ethan Mgbako, Anthony Brown and Jackson Sheffield.

1 27-9
20

Iowa
This ranking is based on the Hawkeyes returning six of the top eight scorers — specifically Alvaro Folgueiras, Cooper Koch, Cam Manyawu, Kael Combs, Tate Sage and Isaia Howard — from a team that finished 24-13 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Ethan Harris and three-star prospect Jaidyn Coon.

1 24-13
21

Nebraska
This ranking is based on the Cornhuskers returning five of the top nine scorers — specifically Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager, Ugnius Jarusevicius, Connor Essegian and Cale Jacobsen — from a team that finished 28-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Colin Rice and Jacob Lanier.

1 28-7
22

Kansas
This ranking is based on the Jayhawks returning one of the top seven scorers — specifically Kohl Rosario — from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Taylen Kinney and four-star prospects Davion Adkins, Trent Perry and Luke Barnett.

1 24-11
23

Alabama
This ranking is based on the Crimson Tide returning two of the top nine scorers from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Qayden Samuels, Jaxon Richardson and Tarris Bouie.

1 25-10
24

TCU
This ranking is based on the Horned Frogs returning five of the top seven scorers — specifically Xavier Edmonds, Micah Robinson, Liutauras Lelevicius, Brock Harding and Tanner Toolson — from a team that finished 23-12 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by JUCO prospect Trent Lincoln.

5 23-12
25

Saint Louis
This ranking is based on the Billikens returning five of the top seven scorers — specifically Trey Green, Amari McCottry, Kellen Thames, Ishan Sharma and Quentin Jones — from a team that finished 29-6 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Jermel Thomas.

— 29-6
26

Missouri
This ranking is based on the Tigers returning two of the top five scorers — specifically Trent Pierce and T.O. Barrett — from a team that finished 20-13 and advanced to the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Jason Crowe Jr. and four-star prospects Toni Bryant and Aidan Chronister.

— 20-13

The road to the 2026 College World Series in Omaha begins here. With over 300 Division I programs fighting for 64 spots in the NCAA Tournament, the conference tournament window is the most chaotic and exciting stretch of the season when you look at the 2026 college baseball postseason.

From the “Power 4” showdowns in Hoover and Charlotte to the mid-major battles across the country, we are tracking every bracket, every seed, and every automatic bid. Below is your master guide to the 2026 College Baseball postseason. Whether you are looking for the Men’s College World Series schedule, DII, DII postseason schedules, or conference brackets, we have you covered. 

2026 College Baseball Postseason Major Conference Brackets & Schedules

We have dedicated coverage for the P4 conference tournaments for the 2026 NCAA baseball postseason schedule. Get your high-resolution printable brackets and TV schedules below:

2026 Division I Conference Tournament Schedule

Here are the 2026 Division I baseball tournament schedules for you for the 2026 college baseball postseason. Dates, locations, and more where confirmed. We’ll update the schedule as we get finalized dates for tournaments like the 2026 Big East Baseball Tournament schedule, Atlantic 10, etc. 

Note: Matchups and brackets are updated daily as seeds are clinched. Most tournaments run from May 19-24, leading into Selection Monday.

Conference	Dates	Location	Venue
ACC	May 19-24	Charlotte, NC	Truist Field
America East	May 20-23	TBA	TBA
American (AAC)	May 19-24	Clearwater, FL	BayCare Ballpark
ASUN	May 19-23	DeLand, FL	Melching Field at Conrad Park
Atlantic 10	May 19-23	TBA	TBA
Big 12	May 19-23	Surprise, AZ	Surprise Stadium
Big East	May 21-24	TBA	TBA
Big South	May 21-24	TBA	TBA
Big Ten	May 19-24	Omaha, NE	Charles Schwab Field
Big West	No Tournament	(Regular Season Champion earns Auto-Bid)	N/A
CAA	May 20-24	San Bernardino, CA	Fiscalini Field
Conference USA	May 20-24	Ruston, LA	J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park
Horizon League	May 20-23	TBA	TBA
Ivy League	May 15-17	(Top Seed Hosts)	TBA
MAAC	May 20-23	Wappingers Falls, NY	Heritage Financial Park
Mid-American (MAC)	May 20-23	TBA	TBA
Missouri Valley	May 20-23	Murray, KY	Johnny Reagan Field
Mountain West	May 21-24	Mesa, AZ	Sloan Park, Mesa, AZ
Northeast (NEC)	May 21-24	TBA	TBA
Ohio Valley (OVC)	May 20-23	Marion, IL	Mountain Dew Park
Pac-12	No Tournament	Affiliate/Independent Year	N/A
Patriot League	May 9-10 & 15-17	(Higher Seeds Host)	TBA
SEC	May 19-24	Hoover, AL	Hoover Metropolitan Stadium
Southern (SoCon)	May 20-24	Greenville, SC	Fluor Field
Southland	May 20-23	Hammond, LA	Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field
SWAC	May 20-24	TBA	TBA
Summit League	May 20-23	TBA	TBA
Sun Belt	May 19-24	Montgomery, AL	Riverwalk Stadium
WCC	May 20-23	Las Vegas, NV	Las Vegas Ballpark
WAC	May 20-24	Mesa, AZ	Hohokam Stadium

Road to the 2026 College World Series

The road to the 2026 College World Series starts with Selection Monday. The 2026 NCAA DI baseball tournament schedule and brackets are announced during the telecast. 

• Selection Monday: May 25, 2026 (12:00 PM ET, ESPN)
• Regionals: May 29 – June 1, 2026
• Super Regionals: June 5-8, 2026
• College World Series: June 12-23, 2026 (Omaha, NE)

Division II & Division III World Series Hub

While the Division I race heats up, the national champions for DII and DIII will be crowned in late May. These tournaments offer some of the best “pure” baseball in the country and feature high-intensity, double-elimination brackets.

2026 NCAA Division II Baseball Championship

• Dates: May 29 – June 6, 2026
• Location: USA Baseball National Training Complex | Cary, NC
• Venue Utility: The National Training Complex features four MLB-standard fields. Fans traveling to Cary can expect a high-resolution experience with all games streamed via the NCAA.com platform.
• The DII and DIII brackets are being finalized. While you wait, get the official 2026 DI Baseball Tournament Bracket PDF

2026 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship

• Dates: May 29 – June 4, 2026
• Location: Classic Park | Eastlake, OH (Home of the Lake County Captains)
• Venue Utility: Classic Park offers a professional minor-league atmosphere just outside of Cleveland. Parking is available on-site, and the stadium is known for its fan-friendly sightlines.
• The DII and DIII brackets are being finalized. While you wait, get the official 2026 DI Baseball Tournament Bracket PDF

2026 College Baseball Postseason FAQ

When is Selection Monday for the 2026 NCAA Baseball Tournament? The official field of 64 will be announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. The selection show will air live on ESPN2 and stream via the ESPN app.

How many automatic bids are awarded? A total of 31 automatic bids are awarded to conference tournament champions. The remaining 33 spots in the 64-team bracket are filled with “At-Large” selections determined by the NCAA Selection Committee based on RPI, strength of schedule, and late-season performance.

Where can I watch the 2026 Conference Tournaments? Most “Power 4” tournaments (SEC, ACC, Big 12, Big Ten) are broadcast across the SEC Network, ACC Network, and ESPN+. Mid-major tournaments are primarily streamed on ESPN+ or the respective conference’s digital networks.

Are the conference tournaments single or double elimination? It varies by conference. Most major tournaments (like the SEC) use a hybrid format: a single-elimination opening round followed by a double-elimination bracket for the final eight teams. Always check the specific bracket for your conference to see the “loss” allowance.

When does the College World Series start? The 2026 Men’s College World Series begins on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska. The best-of-three Finals are scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 20.

Is there a Pac-12 Baseball Tournament in 2026? No. Due to conference realignment and the transition period for member schools, there is no official Pac-12 Baseball Tournament scheduled for 2026. Programs like Oregon State are competing as independents or in affiliate schedules for this season. The conference tournament is expected to return in 2027 following the addition of new member institutions.

Which other conferences do not have a tournament? The Big West is the only other major Division I conference that awards its automatic bid based solely on the regular-season standings. All other conferences listed above determine their NCAA representative through a postseason tournament.

What happens to Oregon State and Washington State in 2026? For the 2026 season, these programs are operating as “Pac-12 members” but without a full conference schedule or postseason tournament. They must qualify for the NCAA Tournament as at-large selections based on their RPI and overall record.

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson (WO40) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Jordyn Tyson scheduled a workout for NFL teams six days before the 2026 NFL Draft as the Arizona State wide receiver attempts to answer questions about his health, according to multiple reports.

The April 17 workout became necessary because Tyson was nursing a hamstring injury that prevented him from taking the field for testing at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

Initially projected as a first-round pick when he declared for the draft, Tyson could fall to the second round in a draft well-stocked with wide receivers.

He played in nine games last season and had 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight TDs while fighting the soft-tissue challenges. Tyson reeled in 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024.

But his injury history isn’t limited to his hamstrings. A transfer from Colorado, Tyson had MCL, ACL and PCL tears with the Buffaloes in 2022 and broke his collarbone in 2024.

There were 31 teams accounted for at the Arizona State pro day on March 27, but Tyson wasn’t a participant.

He has smaller hands for his 6-foot-2, 203-pound frame and durability no doubt will be a factor as teams decide where Tyson falls on their draft board. A redshirt junior, Tyson turns 22 in August. He’s the younger brother of 2024 NBA first-round pick Jaylon Tyson, who was selected 20th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

–Field Level Media

The legendary NASCAR team owner Richard Childress has recently come out in strong support of popular YouTuber-turned-driver Cleetus McFarland amid ongoing debate over his NASCAR opportunity. As critics argue he lacks the traditional seat time required for racing, Childress made it clear that he sees long-term value in McFarland’s presence.

McFarland, who has over 4.6 million subscribers, made his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at Rockingham Speedway last weekend, finishing 32nd with six laps down behind the wheel of the #33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.

His quick transition into NASCAR competition has sparked mixed reactions from fans and drivers, with some believing the opportunity was based on his massive social media following rather than traditional, grassroots racing accomplishments.

Addressing the criticism around McFarland, the former driver and RCR owner Richard Childress said (via Chris Weaver’s YouTube channel):

“Cleetus [McFarland] did a great job, and he loves the sport. He’s a car guy, and the fans follow him for that, and he’ll bring us a lot of new fans, and sure, he’s going to make a mistake or two. I can’t tell you how many mistakes previous drivers that I’ve had made when they very first started, you know. So, it’s racing. I’ve seen them all come and go. So, it’s been interesting to watch Cleetus, and seeing what he can do for NASCAR really is what pumps me up.” [1:04]

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“What a great idea, not just for RCR but for our sport”: Richard Childress backs the signing of Cleetus McFarland

Richard Childress defends Cleetus McFarland’s signing, calling his move a great idea for the sport. NASCAR Hall of Famer believes if his participation can convert 10 percent of his fans into NASCAR fans, it’s a win for the sport.

In the aforementioned interview, speaking about the decision to add him to the RCR lineup, Childress said:

“What a great idea, not just for RCR but for our sport. Here, Cleetus, which is Garrett (Mitchell), has close to five million followers. And if we can get 10% of those new fans coming to races and looking at the racetrack because of Cleetus… and I know he brought people to Rockingham, brought people watching the race.”

Meanwhile, NASCAR has not yet approved McFarland to run at Talladega Superspeedway in a few weeks following the Rockingham O’Reilly Series race.