Despite Israel’s claim that it had resumed its ceasefire after a deadly wave of attacks across the strip on Tuesday, the Israeli army carried out numerous airstrikes across Gaza.
Published On 30 Oct 2025
Erling Haaland’s first blank in a lifetime at Aston Villa last week is still the best FPL captain this week, so don’t be offended by that.
Although Bournemouth has a strong defense at home, they are far better.
You can captain the Norwegian juggernaut at Etihad Stadium with confidence knowing that nine of their 11 goals have been conceded on the road.
Would you bet on Mohamed Salah against an Aston Villa defense that merely kept Haaland at bay in light of the way Liverpool are currently playing?
I wouldn’t.
As if you were playing a Free Hit, the team of the week is chosen based on the current FPL prices to fit within a £100m budget.
Sunderland’s Robin Roefs, £4.7 million keeper, Everton (h)
Sunderland’s excellent season start, especially their defense, cannot be ignored.
With four clean sheets and a penalty save, Roefs is currently the top-scoring keeper, and the Everton team has only scored three goals in their previous six games.
Everton (h) vs. Nordi Mukiele, Sunderland, £4.1 million
Why not join Sunderland in the double-up if you’re supporting their defense?
For their trip to Chelsea, I chose Omar Alderete over Mukiele, who received a 17-point return.
Expected goals (xG) and expected assists (xA) are very similar between the two. Both excellent budget choices, but Alderete is a possible injury this week.
Gabriel, £6.5m, and Jurrien Timber, £6.1m, both Arsenal – Burnley (a)
How can you currently prevent at least one of these pairings from playing on your team?
Arsenal can defend their defense by claiming five goals in two games from Burnley.
Six straight clean sheets followed, which they last conceded in any competition on September 28.
Brentford (h) Daniel Munoz, Crystal Palace, £5.7 million
If you want attacking returns from your defenders, Munoz is the man to turn to if you don’t want defensive contribution points.
The Colombian has already had four goals and three assists, which is partially attributable to his playing style, which is sometimes referred to as a “right winger.”
For a defender, Munoz has received 10 shots in the box in nine games.
Eberechi Eze, Arsenal, £7.6m – Burnley (a)
Given that he scored last week, it may seem like recency bias, but Eze is currently emerging as a better pick than Bukayo Saka, especially when you consider the £2.4 million price difference.
Saka has started four games since picking up the injury and is still a valuable asset. However, Eze has more shots, shots on target, shots in the box, assists, and a slightly higher xG overall this time outperforming him statistically.
You need an Arsenal attacking force, and Eze is essentially the best one, especially if you have budget constraints. In contrast, Burnley has conceded 17 times.
Alex Iwobi, Fulham, £6.5m – Wolves (h)
At least from an attacking standpoint, Fulham haven’t been as effective as an FPL team this season.
However, one should play at home against the bottom-skinned Wolves.
Iwobi has been responsible for 33% of Fulham’s goals while playing the pitch and has returned the best punt-three returns so far.
Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo, £8.2 million – Nottingham Forest (a)
Mbeumo has goals that correspond to those in his underlying data.
The Cameroon forward has the most shots in the box (23) and shots on target (12) of any midfielder, only Salah (19) having more than his 18 at the box.
Manchester City’s £14.8 million-a-month champion, Erling Haaland (captain)
Since Bournemouth have conceded the majority of their goals away from home, it should be a breeze to get started in Haaland this week.
Crystal Palace, Jean-Philippe Mateta, £7.7 million (h)
Mateta is the only league player to come close to achieving those goals, despite Haaland’s 37 shots and 8.91 xG in nine games.
The French striker has 29 shots and an xG of 7.8 (above Brentford’s Thiago’s 4. 5).
However, Mateta has not, whereas most players outperform their xG, for example, Haaland has 11 goals from a xG of 8.91. He has so far only scored five goals, which suggests he will increase his output.
Brentford’s defense is also in the bottom eight in terms of conceded goals (xGC).
When the underlying data come together, you adore it.
Danny Welbeck, Brighton, £6.4m – Leeds (h)
Welbeck has scored five goals in four games against a tough opponent on one of those scoring runs he has used in the past.
Like many other teams, Leeds has conceded nearly twice as many goals on the road as they have in home games.
Brentford midfielder Crystal Palace Dango Ouattara, £6 million (a)
Everton (h) midfielder Granit Xhaka, Sunderland, for £5.1 million
Brighton defender Ferdi Kadioglu, £4.4 million (h)
At least 119 people were killed in police raids on drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro, prompting protests to break out. Claudio Castro, the governor, defended the raids, claiming that officers “didn’t intend to kill anyone” and faced armed retaliation.
Published On 30 Oct 2025
Although it is the biggest series of all, England will only have one warm-up match in-house.
England travel to Australia for three weeks of fine tuning before the first Ashes Test in Perth following Saturday’s third and final one-day international in New Zealand.
Their only competitive game before the series kicks off is a three-day warm-up against the young development side England Lions. Is that enough?
The Lions program is under the control of Ed Barney, who is England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) performance director and has the following duties: “There is nothing more the guys will want to raise their game as far as it has ever been, put batters under pressure, and put bowlers under pressure,” he said.
Legendary former All-Star Lord Botham called this month’s lack of warm-ups for England against Australian state teams “borders on arrogance.” Such talk has not been dampened by the ongoing ODI series in New Zealand.
England has no doubt tried to use the white-ball tour to aid in their preparation, easing their Test players into more competitive cricket, increasing the workload of their fast bowlers, and attempting to get batters time in the middle.
Josh Tongue, Mark Wood, and Gus Atkinson, all three fast bowlers, have also been with the squads, where they collaborated with the backroom staff on their own programs.
Some people have found success. In the first overs match, limited-overs captain Harry Brook scored a century, and he appears to be in good form, while Jofra Archer, who is his first of the winter, quickly found his rhythm with a 3-23.
However, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, and Joe Root, who are all playing for the first time since September, have each scored 43 runs in four games, which raises the issue.
Barney questioned whether the discussion about the pre-Ashes schedule is unnerving because “I understand where the question comes from, the history of the game.”
Have you looked at the Future Tours Programme, in your opinion? Have you considered franchise cricket and the fact that a multi-format player left the nation on October 13 and will have less than two weeks off before the end of September?
There is a constant balance between the volume of cricket that occurs, including domestic and international commitments.
Since Botham’s Ashes tours, the cricket landscape has grown beyond recognition as a result of both the rise in international and domestic white-ball cricket.
England won the urn in 1986-1987 with three warm-up matches against Australian state teams, followed by additional tour matches between each of the first four Tests, and white-ball games between the final two.
Between the start of the tour’s first game and the series’ conclusion, there were 84 days. Only 56 will be present this time.
Prior to the first Test, England played three competitive first-class matches, won two, and won the series 3-1, on their most recent triumphant tour down under, under Sir Andrew Strauss, in 2010-11.
When they defeated them 5 0 0 when they returned under Sir Alastair Cook in 2013-14, they did the same.
Prior to the first Test, England played a two-day game and two first-class matches before the 4-0 defeat in 2017-18, while Covid-19 restrictions only allowed them to play two extra-squad games starring the Lions.
Because of the rain, those matches had only 109 overs available over seven days. There isn’t a single-all-around solution.
The current set-up can support their strategy on the strength of victories in previous series openers in both India and Pakistan.
The hierarchy chose to hold warm-up games on both of those tours, but England won the first Test of each before losing both series.
A mix of squads will play against Test bowlers in this year’s warm-up at Lilac Hill, which will start on November 13th.
A Lions squad full of talent but with limited experience will depart for Australia this weekend after training in an air-conditioned tent in Loughborough recently along with members of the Test side that aren’t from New Zealand like captain Ben Stokes.
Rehan Ahmed, Matthew Fisher, Tom Hartley, and Josh Hull are the only tourists with Test caps, despite Jordan Cox being a regular in recent first-team squads.
If injury or form were to strike, England would either have to choose a new face or be able to fly a replacement around the world.
The Lions’ side’s purpose, whether it should be a Next Best XI or a future-oriented one, has also been raised.
Barney, who took over from Mo Bobat in 2023, said, “The Lions are not a second team.”
“We are going after achieving the best results possible.”
We constantly balance people with the highest potential, people with whom we are excited, whether with the foresight that they might play for England in two to four years or those who might be the country’s next-best among us. This is where the fluidity and optionality of who we choose are.
In a series of Israeli airstrikes against southern Gaza, which was the worst violation of the ceasefire, over 100 people died and 253 others were hurt on Wednesday alone.
list of 3 itemsend of list
In southern Gaza on Thursday morning, the Israeli army carried out ten airstrikes against Khan Younis. Israel claimed on Wednesday that the ceasefire had been reinstated following a string of strikes it claimed were carried out in retaliation for Hamas killing one of its soldiers in southern Gaza, a charge Hamas denies.
Since the ceasefire ended, at least 211 people have died and 597 have been hurt in Israeli attacks, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The deep mechanical hum of the drones in the skies of the entire Gaza Strip is a constant reminder of how fragile this ceasefire has been, according to Hani Mahmoud, a reporter for Al Jazeera from Gaza City. It is also a “reminding that peace is out of reach in this region.
People constantly complain about how uncertain they are, how worried they are about the ceasefire holding, and how they can lessen the level of fear and trauma they’ve been through.
According to US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, Israel’s attacks on Gaza violate the ceasefire agreement that became effective on October 10. In exchange for nearly 2, 000 Palestinian prisoners, the release of Israeli prisoners is a major milestone. Additionally, the plan envisages the establishment of a new Hamas-unfriendly governing structure and the reconstruction of Gaza.
Palestinians are deeply affected by Israel’s war in Gaza, which has caused at least 68,527 deaths and 170,395 injuries. The unimaginable suffering continues to permeate the country.
We’re awaiting a genuine chance to try to rebuild our lives. The first week or two after the war saw a new beginning for things, but thankfully the truce was broken before it abruptly ended. When the second breach occurred, Gaza resident Mazen Shaheen told Al Jazeera, “We hadn’t even caught our breath.”
Israel’s repeated ceasefire violations have left many Palestinians without hope.
People who had just begun to feel some sense of security, peace, and reassurance, especially the children and women, are once again living in fear, according to Gaza City resident Hassan Lubbad, according to Al Jazeera.
People in Gaza City complain that the ceasefire hasn’t brought any peace or certainty, only raising more questions about when the next strike will occur, whether it will enter more quickly, or whether this cycle of fear will end. Mahmoud remarked.
Palestinians are determined to inform the world of their opinions regarding the ceasefire and what they expect from the international community.
Where are the international guarantees that were promised, is what we want to say. Where are the mediating nations who stepped up to negotiate the ceasefire and pledged to keep it? Shaheen remarked.
In the attacks on Wednesday, one of Shaheen’s friends was hurt. He claimed that his friend’s condition is now stable.
Rehanne Skinner, the manager of West Ham, is aware of how lonely her job can be, and thinks it’s common among women’s super league managers.
Frequently juggling expectations with little resources, constantly under scrutiny, and running the risk of being fired at any time during a winless run.
Because managers are taking on so many additional duties within a club, it becomes a thankless task that only makes things worse.
The 45-year-old has worked in the sport since 2002 and has also held positions in Wales and England, including at Leicester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, and West Ham.
Skinner’s three dogs have been a part of her mental health management strategy. She values their affection and the necessity of taking long walks outside, unaffected by football’s demands.
Alfie, the 14-year-old cocker spaniel, is the oldest and wisest of the three dogs, and he provides comfort to two-year-old sproodle Poppy, who trundles chasing deer for most of the walk. Lucky, an eight-year-old chocolate sproodle, is sensitive, “keeps Poppy in line,” and very playful.
Following a three-year stint at Tottenham, Skinner was hired by West Ham in 2023 after being accompanied by her dogs during the interview at Weald Country Park in Brentwood.
“My career has definitely had its highs and lows. The game has grown tremendously, but managers are now facing the highest demands, and the resources, support, and expectations frequently don’t match,” said Skinner.
“When that culminates in being fired, you must reevaluate everything.” It’s natural to question your methods, which can undermine your confidence. You’re concerned about your family’s financial future.
Partner can frequently switch jobs to support you because the role can change you throughout the world. It’s a significant commitment that is ignored by society.
Skinner managed Spurs without her partner between 2020 and 2023. By the time she was fired, she had “burned out.”
While Premier League managers frequently have more than one support staff member, a lucrative salary when they join, and longer, secure contracts with better pay-out clauses, this is rarely the case in the WSL.
Despite only being offered an 18-month contract, managers could be expected to relocate, work full-time, and temporarily break up with their partners.
Few senior staff members at women’s clubs have many responsibilities, which puts more pressure on them to hire players in the transfer window, for instance.
Although unnamed, their average salaries are thought to be around £70, 000, although a few unusually high wages at wealthy clubs defy that figure.
Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman is reportedly earning £400,000 annually, plus performance-related bonuses, while men’s manager Thomas Tuchel makes £5 million annually.
They cannot afford to be without work for a long period of time, which is reality.
Casey Stoney, an ex-Manchester United manager, was fired as San Diego Wave’s head coach after she had temporarily flown to England for a funeral. Due to the termination of their visas, she and her family were unable to return to their California homes.
“Every game is under pressure, and you get a lot of scrutiny for what you’re doing with little understanding of what’s happening behind the scenes, such as the staff size, the availability of players,” Skinner said.
Because of the lack of resources, many clubs don’t have strong senior staff, which necessitates more from the manager. What you receive is not in line with what you are expecting.
Because of my personal investment in Tottenham, it was difficult for me to leave. You ask yourself, “I’m not sure why I did that? ” when you look back.
According to Skinner, mental health support is frequently “reactionary.”
She thinks that there aren’t many people available for managers to contact. There is a fear that it will be seen as a “weakness” and used against them when they raise issues within clubs. Often, it is to a senior figure who determines their future in the job.
Being honest can take a risk. Whatever is happening in your life, you must show up and do it, according to Skinner.
“Performance is a component of mental well-being,” says the statement. Every week, coaches perform exceptionally well, just like players do. However, it is not a topic that is discussed.
It’s a significant issue, they say. Most managers will occasionally converse with other managers because it is extremely challenging to find support externally.
The LMA (League Managers’ Association) is the only place where there is one. The only independent organization that acknowledges the stresses managers are in is that.
The LMA receives a small membership fee from managers, but Skinner claims the organization requires more funding.
While Sporting Chance is a charity with a 24/7 helpline, the Football Association supports player care roles at clubs.
WSL Football hosts in-person coaching sessions with coaches, and they are represented by the Pro Coach Partnership (PCP), which reviews and discusses rules in both the men’s and women’s games.
However, the WSL’s emphasis on mental well-being is thought to be largely player-centered.
A government review in 2023, led by former England midfielder Karen Carney, identified several areas where performance improvement was needed, but it did not address coaches’ mental well-being.
“I simply don’t believe that it is embedded in the thinking processes of people.” Because it’s an afterthought, Skinner said, it seems like it’s being treated like lip service.
“The game has grown so quickly, but it hasn’t kept up in many ways.” People who aren’t in a great location already find it difficult to talk.
It becomes simpler “if you’re somewhere where it’s the norm and there’s consistency of support, and it’s discussed in the context of improving performance.”
Recent studies by Skinner and the LMA aim to shed light on some of the problems facing WSL managers and how they can assist them.
She frequently requests that an external mentor who works with a group of managers regularly instruct them on mental health support tools.
Instead of taking ad-hoc courses for education, “it would become a trained activity to support your mental health and performance,” Skinner said.
“Those courses are short-lived, but I appreciate them. That is the need for change. Only by investing money into it is the only way to accomplish it.
The FA, the league, and the clubs must all become involved, according to the FA. Everyone is concerned about the development of the game, a crucial component of which are managers.
“Every club needs managers with senior figures who can play senior roles, so that not one person is putting in too many jobs,” says the statement.
Skinner added that it was important to emphasize that mental health education and training could be used as a performance-enhancing tool rather than a taboo subject.
