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      Fears grow for footballer, 35, who vanished on way to train station 4 days ago with phone ‘going straight to voicemail’

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      FEARS are growing for the welfare of a footballer who vanished after leaving for a train station four days ago.Leon Osborne, 35, was last seen leaving for Doncaster railway station, heading towards Birmingham, on Saturday morning, before he suddenly vanished.Now, his Lincolnshire-based club Brigg Town, who play in the North Counties East Football League, have launched an appeal to help find the winger.The club explained calls to his phone had been going straight through to voicemail, in a post on social media.They added: “We ask for everyone to please share this far and wide to get any information we can for Ozzy’s family and friends, who are worried about him.”Osborne is from Doncaster and previously played for a number of clubs across Yorkshire in the past.Read More on FootballHe began his career with Bradford City, making 36 appearances and scoring one goal between 2006 and 2012.Osborne went on to play for teams such as Harrogate Town and Stalybridge Celtic before eventually making his way through to Brigg Town.Brigg Town were formed in 1864 and are the seventh oldest football club in the world, playing in the small Lincolnshire market town of Brigg, home to around 5,600 people.Other local clubs, such as Scawthorpe Athletic in Doncaster, have also shared the appeal, as have some of his former clubs, including Ossett United, Buxton, and Matlock Town.Most read in FootballOsset posted on X, saying: “Very worrying to see this.”Leon Osborne, please let someone know where you are.”Fans and locals have also shared their hope that Osborne will return or make his location known.One wrote underneath Brigg Town’s post on Facebook: “For everyone who is sharing this post, thank you I received the phone call yesterday at the club that Ozzy was missing and informed people.”I can not imagine how his family are feeling at this time and I hope where ever Ozzy is he is safe and and comes home to his family I will be sharing this post on my Facebook.”I really hope he is ok.”Another added: “Hope he is found safe.”Take care Ozzy.”You are loved by many.”Family and friends are concerned for Leon Osborne, 35, who was last seen four days agoCredit: Brigg Town FC More

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      Late season points on offer with Everton due to host two relegated teams in May

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      FAR be it from us to kick teams when they’re down but it’s simply a fact that Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich have endured a miserable 2024/25.All three clubs were promoted from the Championship but are heading straight back to the second tier having been reminded of the harsh demands of the Premier League.Southampton have mustered just 11 points this seasonCredit: ReutersThroughout the campaign, players from the other 17 teams have taken advantage of the quality gap when facing the doomed trio to earn plentiful Dream Team points and there’s no reason to expect anything different from the final four Gameweeks.Following this logic, managers should be aware that Everton are due to host Saints and the Tractor Boys in May.The Toffees are only 15th in the table themselves but will be highly motivated to mark their farewell from Goodison Park with victories and they could hardly have asked for more favourable opponents.Ipswich and Southampton have scored 58 league goals between them this season, just two more than Brentford, while Everton boast the fifth-best defensive record in the top flight.The stats suggest it would be reasonable to expect clean sheets from David Moyes’ men in Gameweeks 34 and 36.Moyes will want to give Goodison Park a proper send-offCredit: GettyEVERTON’S REMAINING FIXTURESGW34: Ipswich (h)GW35: Fulham (a)GW36: Southampton (h)GW37: Newcastle (a)If clean sheets are on offer then Jordan Pickford (£3.9m) is therefore a viable option.Most read in FootballEngland’s No1 ranks joint-sixth among goalkeepers with 163 points to his name having kept 11 clean sheets.James Tarkowski (£3.6m) is out for the remainder of the season having undergone surgery and so the best selections in defence are Vitaliy Mykolenko (£3.5m), Jarrad Branthwaite (£3.2m) and Jake O’Brien (£2.6m).Pickford could add to his clean sheet tally before the season endsCredit: GettyIn terms of goal threats it’s relatively slim pickings but all attacking assets become more appealing when they’re about to face two of the bottom three.Beto (£2m) enjoyed a purple patch in February but his returns have dried up since then and so the player to pick would be Iliman Ndiaye (£4.3m).The Senegalese winger has scored nine goals this season and ranks relatively high for bonus points.Ndiaye is Everton’s top scorer this seasonCredit: ReutersGenerally speaking, Dream Team bosses should target the additional fixtures on offer in the European competitions and FA Cup but this Gameweek is a great example of how targeting ultra favourable fixtures can yield shed-loads of points.At the time of writing, Matheus Cunha (£5.4m) is the top performer of Gameweek 33 with team-mate Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.5m) in third, all because Wolves had the luxury of facing Leicester at the weekend.At the very least, gaffers should be open to Everton options in May given their schedule.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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      Brazil ‘set to appoint Ruben Amorim’s mentor, 70, as new manager following Carlo Ancelotti snub’

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      BRAZIL have been reportedly snubbed by departing Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and have identified their top alternative.Ancelotti, 65, is set to leave Real after losing the Copa del Rey to rivals Barcelona, getting eliminated from the Champions League quarter-finals by Arsenal and falling behind in LaLiga.Brazil have been reportedly been turned down by departing Real Madrid manager Carlo AncelottiBrazil are now prioritising Al-Hilal boss Jorge JesusManchester United boss Ruben Amorim sees Jesus as a mentorThe ex-Chelsea and Everton boss has been linked with a move to Brazil for over a year, in what would be his first job outside club football in his 30-year coaching career.According to journalist Edu Aguirre, however, the Italian tactician has turned the Selecao down.The Brazilian national team have now turned their attention to Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus, with Aguirre claiming a deal is “90 per cent” likely.Jesus, 70, has managed the likes of Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Braga and Fenerbahce.Read More on FootballThe Portuguese tactician has also worked in Brazil where he coached Flamengo and won the league as well as the Copa Libertadores in 2019.Jesus’ work also proved to be inspirational as he is seen as a mentor by Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.Amorim learned a lot from the experienced head coach when he played for him at Belenenses and Benfica.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe United boss took note of his mentor’s focus on defensive tactics, the necessity of team work and the importance of details.Most read in FootballJesus’ influence was equal to that of ex-Man Utd, Chelsea and Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho, who Amorim briefly shadowed when he was in charge at Old Trafford.Ruben Amorim will go all out to secure Europa League glory for Man Utd In the meantime, the Brazil target is enjoying success with current club Al-Hilal, having won five trophies in Saudi Arabia. More

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      Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard slammed for PSG no-show – but shock stats prove he is being LET DOWN by team-mates

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      IT is very easy to blame Martin Odegaard when Arsenal have lost this season – but don’t be so quick to point the finger.He is the club’s captain and talismanic figure, so often relied upon for magic moments and so often delivering over the past few seasons.Martin Odegaard has hit a rough patch but he might not be to blameCredit: RexThis term, those moments have been few and far between, with just five goals and nine assists in 40 appearances in all competitions.In second half injury time, losing 1-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in last night’s Champions League semi-final first leg, Odegaard was subbed off by Mikel Arteta for 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, having completed just 20 of 23 attempted passes and created one chance.That about sums up Odegaard right now.The French media went in hard on the Norwegian in their ratings. Get French Football News gave him 4/10. Maxi Foot went with 3/10.READ MORE IN ARSENALFoot Mercato compared Odegaard to a “ghost” who “continually made bad decisions”.It feels as though this campaign has taken its toll on Odegaard, each and every game looking like a painful struggle when normally he is effortlessly brilliant.His execution, his inspiration, his consistency, has been lacking, and that can be attributed to a number of factors.An ankle injury picked up on international duty with Norway on September 9 derailed his momentum at the start of the season, returning nearly two months later and just one goal in his next 18 matches.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThen the 26-year-old became a father for the first time in early December with his wife Helene, a significant period that will have left him exhausted mentally and physically.And then, perhaps most significantly, came the injuries to key players. First it was Bukayo Saka, then it was Gabriel Jesus and then it was Kai Havertz, all by the start of February.The spotlight, the scrutiny, the pressure on others suddenly honed in on Odegaard. The expectation was that he would rise to the challenge and drag Arsenal to glory.Any fan who has watched Arsenal recently can tell you that has not happened. He is letting games pass him by instead of taking them by the scruff of the neck, pulling rabbits out of the hat.And yet, the stats tell a slightly different story, that Odegaard DOES step up in the absence of others, but is being let down by those currently around him.Since the start of last season, when playing with Havertz up top, Odegaard has 14 goals and 13 assists, and per 90 minutes on average creates 2.5 chances, produces 2.7 crosses and plays 7.2 passes into the box.In the 20 games played without the German striker, Odegaard has just two goals and seven assists, but has produced per 90 minutes more chances [2.9], more crosses [3.5] and more passes into the box [8.6].It is the same story with Saka. With the England winger on the pitch since 2023/24, Odegaard has scored 11 goals with 15 assists, and averages per 90 minutes 2.5 chances created, 2.1 crosses and 6.8 passes into the box.Without him, Odegaard’s goal and assist tally drops to five, but racks up per 90 minutes 2.8 created chances, 5.4 crosses and 9.5 passes into the box.Odegaard’s numbers rise but his goal involvement does not. What does that tell us? It shows the likes of Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard are not making the most of Odegaard’s positioning and vision at times, leaving Arsenal’s playmaker frustrated and isolated.It is arguably why he lost possession 14 TIMES against PSG, as well as losing six of his eight ground duels.And between them, Merino, Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have missed a joint 21 big chances this season.Read More on The SunAs the saying goes, “a bad workman blames his tools”, but Odegaard may have a point.Following a summer of rest, recovery and family time, joined in pre-season by new signings with a view to quality over quantity, we will likely see Odegaard return to his best. More

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      Arsenal’s chance of winning Champions League revealed by supercomputer after 1-0 loss to PSG

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      A SUPERCOMPUTER has revealed Arsenal’s chances of winning the Champions League.The Gunners lost the first leg of their semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates.Arsenal’s chances of winning the Champions League have been slashedCredit: ReutersThe Gunners lost the first leg of their semi-final to PSGCredit: GettyOusmane Dembele’s 4th-minute goal was enough to give the French giants the advantage ahead of the second leg next week.PSG will have home advantage for the return fixture as they look to break their Champions League voodoo.The Parisians have never won the competition despite notable arrivals of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in recent years.Like PSG, the Gunners have also never tasted success in the Champions League and are up against it ahead of their visit to the Parc des Princes.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThis has been reflected in the chances of Mikel Arteta’s side progressing to the final and lifting the trophy.The supercomputer at Fruity King has revealed that the North London outfit has just a 12.7 per cent chance of winning the tournament.Arsenal will need to come from a goal down to knock out PSG and then topple one of Barcelona or Inter Milan to win the competition.The odds of the Gunners turning the semi-final score around have been given as just a 23.3 per cent chance.Most read in Champions LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSPSG have been named the favourites to go all the way with a 42.6 per cent chance of making history.If Luis Enrique leads the club to the trophy, then it would be the first time a French club has won it since Marseille in 2023.Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry give their verdict on Arsenal’s defeat to PSGArsenal’s odds could have been boosted if Mikel Merino had stayed onside when he headed home in the second half.Barcelona are the second favourites to win the tournament with a 23.8 per cent chance, while Inter Milan has a 20.9 per cent chance.Before the match at the Emirates, the Gunners were judged to be the least likely to win the Champions League.The previous supercomputer’s odds were higher, with a 22.8 per cent chance of success and a 42.9 per cent chance of reaching the final.Arteta, 43, has insisted that his team will need “something special” in order to go all the way.He said: “If you want to win the Champions League final, you have to do something special.”We’re going to have to do something special in Paris to be there.”We have a lot of chances to be in that final.Read More on The Sun”As I repeat myself, you have to do something special in the competition to have the right to be in the final. And the time to do it is going to be in Paris.”One development that could boost Arsenal’s hopes is the doubt over Dembele after he needed tests on a hamstring injury.Arsenal ratings vs PSG as Raya saves keep Gunners in it and poor Odegaard subbed offARSENAL face an uphill battle next week.The Gunners suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in their all-important Champions League semi-final home leg.Ousmane Dembele stunned the Emirates Stadium into silence when his first-time shot hit the post and bounced over the line just three minutes into the match.After a nervous start, it took the Gunners around 20 minutes to settle.But when they did, the momentum began to swing in their favour.Just moments into the second half, Mikel Merino finally put the ball in the net – only for it to be chalked offside after a lengthy VAR check.And Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard forced worldy saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma.David Raya then produced stunning stop from Goncalo Ramos as the Gunners held on at 1-0.It’s not over – there is still at least 90 minutes to be played.But away from home, it will not be easy.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated Arsenal’s stars on the night…Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates More

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      Europe’s friendliest club hoping to use secret weapon to take down Tottenham after incredible rise

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      THEY say people from Scandinavia are among the happiest – and it seems the same can be said for footballers too.For Tottenham face the friendliest club on the continent on Thursday in the Europa League semi-finals.Bodo/Glimt have seen a number of players sold and then re-signedBodo/Glimt aren’t paying attention to Tottenham’s dismal Premier League seasonTottenham and Bodo/Glimt will face in the Europa League semi-finalsBodo/Glimt have created a strong atmosphere that convinces players the grass is not greener elsewhereBodo/Glimt’s unlikely run to the last four has been powered by a number of players sold and then re-signed to the collegiate Norwegian outfit.Forward Jens Petter Hauge, for example, discovered the grass not to be greener elsewhere compared to Bodo’s plastic pitch when he first left for AC Milan in 2020.He came back to his hometown club permanently earlier this year, following a stint at Eintracht Frankfurt, whom Spurs saw off in the quarter-finals.Those returning are content to do so because of the pally atmosphere at the small club from the Arctic circle. Read More on FootballSporting director Havard Sakariassen, 48, explained: “We have some guys in our team, Patrick Berg, Frederik Andre Bjorkan, Jens Petter Hauge, Hakon Evjen, who have left us and tried the other side, going to European clubs.“It has a value in itself, in your life, to be able to play at this level in your hometown, also with your friends.“The culture in the club here is something they really enjoy. “Of course, over the years, we have become competitive in Scandinavia regarding salaries and the business part of it.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“But I think it has to be rare to be able to play football with your mates at this level anywhere in Europe and that has a value.”Bodo/Glimt grabbed headlines by battering Jose Mourinho’s Roma 6-1 in 2021.Ange Postecoglou says he will be around ‘for a little bit longer’ after Tottenham victory over Eintracht Frankfurt They then played Tottenham’s North London rivals Arsenal a year later, also in the Europa League, but lost both group games without scoring a goal.They have developed considerably since then, against the odds given their relatively tiny resources compared to some of the clubs they have seen off in Europe.They have beaten FC Twente, Besiktas, Olympiacos and Lazio already this season.While they certainly will not be taken lightly by Spurs chief Ange Postecoglou, whose Celtic side lost twice to Bodo/Glimt in the Europa Conference League three years ago.Sakariassen, who had two stints at the club as a player, added: “For us every game is learning and we have played a lot of difficult games against good teams in Europe since we played Arsenal some years ago.“We have cracked some codes regarding performance, especially away. Manager’s impact“To be more cynical, not to be naive going to play against good teams in Europe.“It’s maybe a better squad but also a better prepared Bodo/Glimt at this point.”Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen has been an integral part behind the club’s rise, having been in charge since 2018.He has been linked to numerous posts, including Leeds and Brighton, in recent years.Sakariassen is relaxed about his manager’s situation – while he reads nothing into Spurs’ atrocious league form ahead of the first-leg showdown in N17.The supremo added: “Of course Kjetil is an attractive coach, that’s just the nature of what we do.’We have all the tools’“I know that he enjoys being in Bodo, he enjoys working at this club. “Should he for some reason decide to do something else I think we should applaud him to the airport and say thank you. “But I’m not afraid of that at all, and I think that we will work here for more years to come – but who knows.“I don’t think we look at Tottenham’s league form at all. We know that we meet a good team, tremendous football players at a high, high level.Read More on The Sun“But we also walk into this game with confidence that whoever we meet we believe we’re able to compete. “I truly believe we have all the tools to be brave enough to go out in London and just be Bodo/Glimt.” More

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      Man Utd scout ‘Serbian Jude Bellingham’ with Ruben Amorim looking to add goals in summer transfer window

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      MANCHESTER UNITED scouts are on the trail of a talented Serbian teenager who is being compared to Paul Pogba and Jude Bellingham.The Red Devils’ search for fresh talent to overhaul an attack set to record their lowest tally of league goals in over 30 years has taken them to Belgrade.Ognjen Ugresic has been compared to Jude Bellingham and Paul Pogba in styleCredit: GettyRuben Amorim’s spies have identified 17-year-old Partizan Belgrade midfielder Ognjen Ugresic as a future prospect worth further inspection.According to reports, United have been to see him live in recent weeks after he made his first Serbian Super League start in early April.Ugresic scored his first top-flight goal in a 3-1 win over Radnicki Nis last weekend and, if he continues to impress, may soon be on the wanted lists of every major European club.His agent certainly thinks so as Ostoja Stjepanovic confirmed that several big names, including some from Serie A, have made inquiries.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut the former Macedonia international believes it is too soon for Ugresic to leave Partizan.Stjepanovic said: “I can confirm that the media reports are based on reality, there is interest in him from several sides.“Not only Manchester United scouts are following his development, there are also teams from Serie A.“However, it is too early for him to change his environment now, because in the coming seasons he should get the opportunity to play for Partizan and further develop and progress.”Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordAlthough protective of his client, the agent is not afraid of drawing comparisons between the youngster and two of the best central midfielders to have graced the game in the last decade.“His style is similar to Jude Bellingham or to some extent Paul Pogba,” he told Nemzeti Sport.“His technique is exceptional, but he also has speed, despite his height. “He plays behind the strikers, has good vision, participates in actions, is intelligent…“He has developed a lot under the leadership of Srdan Blagojevic, but he still needs time.“We have been working together for three and a half years, I see huge potential in him. “His parents and he made a lot of sacrifices to get to the Partizan first team, they travelled three hours by car and back every day to training.”Man Utd player ratings vs BournemouthBy Katherine WalshMANCHESTER UNITED managed to secure a 1-1 draw against 10-man Bournemouth in the sixth minute of injury time.Rasmus Hojlund’s last-gasp equaliser leaves United 14th in the Prem, after Evanilson was sent off for serious foul play with 20 minutes to go.Man Utd target Antoine Semenyo fired the home side into the lead with a thunderbolt opener, after a calamity of mistakes while playing out from the back.Yet United somewhat responded well, mainly through Alejandro Garnacho’s flurry of chances.So was the Argentine the star player for Man Utd? Check out how the players rated. More

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      Dream Team gaffers should remain loyal to Arsenal despite defeat to PSG… for now at least

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      MIKEL ARTETA was quick to stress that Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final with PSG was merely at “half time” after his side’s defeat at the Emirates on Tuesday night.And Dream Team managers would do well to heed the Spanish tactician’s encouragement.Arsenal are down but not out in the Champions League semi-finalsCredit: RexOusmane Dembele scored the only goal of the first leg as Luis Enrique’s side struck early and defended their narrow lead to frustrate the home fans in North London.The relatively even contest would have taken on a different complexion had Mikel Merino’s (£4.6m) header been allowed to stand early in the second half but the Spain international was adjudged offside upon review.Few would deny that the Ligue 1 champions are now favourites to reach the final but it would be foolish for Dream Team bosses to turn their backs on the Gunners at this moment in time.Arsenal are one of just four teams set to pull double duty in Gameweek 34 and so there’s little sense in ditching the likes of Bukayo Saka (£6.1m), William Saliba (£4.4m), David Raya (£4.5m) and Declan Rice (£4.9m).For many gaffers, the Gameweek 34 double header was always the primary motivating factor in the decision to recruit Arteta’s favourites in the first place.Saka features in 30.6% of teamsCredit: EPAThis coming Gameweek, Arsenal will host Bournemouth in the Premier League before travelling to Paris for what could be a tense second leg in Europe’s most prestigious competition.The Cherries have impressed again this season, not least when they beat Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium back in October, but this weekend seems like a good time for the reverse fixture.Andoni Iraola’s side are fading as the campaign draws to a close; only West Ham and the three relegated sides have earned fewer points from their last ten league games.Most read in FootballA trip to the Parc des Princes is a daunting task however you dress it up but with double Gameweeks getting rarer, gaffers can’t afford to be picky when it comes additional point-scoring opportunities.Dembele has given PSG the advantage but the second leg is still to comeCredit: EPARemaining loyal to Arsenal makes sense for now but that could all change after Gameweek 34.If they are unable to overturn the deficit against PSG then it might be time to consider replacements, especially if Manchester United, Tottenham and/or Chelsea succeed in their respective European semi-finals.Manchester City and Crystal Palace also have an additional fixture to fulfil in the form of the FA Cup final – a boost to their top performers.Looking further ahead, Arsenal finish the season with a trip to Southampton, the most one-sided match-up of Gameweek 37 on paper, but before that they are due to face Liverpool and Newcastle, two fixtures at the other end of the scale in terms of competitiveness.Saliba is the second-most popular defender in the gameCredit: GettyHowever, if Saka and company pull off something special in the French capital then many gaffers would be inclined to stick by their Arsenal assets until the very end of the season.What’s clear is that next week’s European second legs will have a huge bearing on how the rest of the Dream Team campaign plays out.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More