Unmissable Europa League Clash: 3 Crushing Problems for Braga

The hallowed turf of Celtic Park is set for a dramatic Europa League encounter this Thursday, but the visitors from Portugal arrive in Glasgow bearing the weight of a significant crisis.

Sporting Braga, despite a positive start to their European campaign with a matchday one victory over Feyenoord, land in Scotland under intense pressure. Their domestic form has collapsed, culminating in a shocking 1-0 home loss to lowly Nacional this past weekend. This result extended their winless run in Liga Portugal to five games, plunging them to seventh in the table and sparking fury among their fanbase.

The discontent was palpable, with supporters directing the dreaded waving of white handkerchiefs—a classic Iberian symbol of protest—towards the dugout. The target of their frustration is head coach Carlos Vicens, Pep Guardiola’s former assistant at Manchester City, who is finding life as the main man to be brutally unforgiving.

Vicens publicly criticized his squad’s attitude after the latest defeat, stating the performance was “unacceptable.” His rise from a work-experience role at City to a trusted member of Guardiola’s first-team staff was meteoric. However, his bold move to strike out on his own at Braga is now facing its first major test. What began promisingly with a 4-1 aggregate win over Cluj and two emphatic league victories has quickly soured.

The context makes this trip to Glasgow a daunting prospect. Braga’s recent away form in Europe is a major concern. Last season, they managed just a single point on their travels, losing to clubs like Roma and Union St Gilloise. This historical weakness, combined with their current domestic slump, provides a significant advantage to a Celtic side known for its formidable home atmosphere.

Further compounding Braga’s problems are their big-money signings failing to deliver immediate returns. Spanish striker Pau Victor, a £10.5m signing from Barcelona, has yet to find his scoring touch. To make matters worse, key midfielder Mario Dorgeles (£9.6m from Nordsjaelland) is a major doubt for the match, having been absent for their last five fixtures.

The match also marks an emotional return for Gustaf Lagerbielke. The Swedish centre-half, who left Celtic for Braga in the summer after making just 10 appearances under Brendan Rodgers, has become a virtual ever-present for his new club. He will be desperate to prove a point against his former teammates and help shore up a beleaguered Braga defense.

For Celtic, this presents a golden opportunity to secure a vital three points at home. By exploiting Braga’s fragile confidence and poor away record, Brendan Rodgers’ men can take a massive step toward the knockout stages. All eyes will be on Celtic Park to see if the Scottish champions can capitalize on a team in turmoil, or if Carlos Vicens can summon a resilient response and save his job with a stunning European result.

Coverage: You can listen to live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland Extra & Sounds and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app. Kick-off is at 17:45 BST.

Henry Winkler’s 5 Powerful Lessons on Dreams & Dyslexia

Upper West Side, Manhattan – In a heartwarming full-circle moment, beloved actor and author Henry Winkler returned to the hallways of his childhood, PS 87, not as “The Fonz,” but as a best-selling author inspiring a new generation to dream big.

The visit was more than a nostalgia trip; it was a powerful lesson in perseverance. Winkler, who has been open about his lifelong struggles with dyslexia, spoke to students about the challenges he faced and the importance of never giving up on your dreams.

From Learning Challenges to Literary Champion

Winkler’s journey as a reader was difficult. He famously didn’t read his first novel until he was 31 years old. “I was afraid to read,” Winkler has said. He described the words as “dancing all over the page,” making the process arduous. His breakthrough came with Jean M. Auel’s “The Clan of the Cave Bear,” a book he credits with showing him that with a little more time, he could indeed become a reader.

This personal triumph over fear is a central theme in his work. He co-wrote the “Hank Zipzer” series, inspired by his own experiences, to help children who learn differently see themselves in stories.

Celebrating a New Milestone: “Detective Duck”

The timing of his school visit coincided with the release of his latest children’s book, “Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond.” This marks a significant milestone—it’s his 40th published book. Co-written with Lin Oliver and illustrated by Dan Santat, the story follows a duckling named Willow Feather McBeavers.

Winkler describes the book as a tale about “friendship, jealousy, friendly competition, and the dangers of plastic.” He adds, “[It’s] about realizing that your life is big enough to have a lot of friends and you don’t have to worry because you are enough.”

A Message of Resilience and Self-Belief

Speaking to the students at PS 87, Winkler and his co-author Lin Oliver discussed their writing process and the power of big dreams. His message was clear: a learning challenge does not define your intelligence or your potential. His own career—from an iconic television star to a prolific author—is a living testament to that belief.

By sharing his story in the very school he once attended, Henry Winkler provided an unforgettable, real-life example of how resilience, patience, and self-belief can turn struggles into extraordinary success.

The post-Ryder Cup season intensifies as the Sanderson Farms Championship becomes a critical battleground for players to secure their 2026 PGA Tour cards.

JACKSON, Miss. – The echoes of the wild Ryder Cup have faded, leaving European stars celebrating and the American team regrouping. Now, the focus shifts from team glory to individual survival as the PGA Tour’s FedExCup Fall resumes, and the pressure is palpable. The next seven tournaments are a high-stakes scramble for crucial PGA Tour membership status, and it all continues this week at the Sanderson Farms Championship.

With 132 golfers assembled at The Country Club of Jackson, every shot carries immense weight. For those on the bubble of the FedExCup standings, this isn’t just another tournament; it’s a career-defining opportunity.

Sanderson Farms Championship: Power Rankings Preview

The field is packed with talent, from rising stars to seasoned veterans, all vying for the title. Here’s a look at the top contenders based on recent form and course history:

…Continued rankings include Mark Hubbard, Lanto Griffin, Kevin Yu, Garrick Higgo, and Rasmus Højgaard, all of whom have compelling reasons to believe they can win.

The Course: A Shootout Awaits at The Country Club of Jackson

The Country Club of Jackson is a familiar battleground, hosting this event for the 12th time. While it’s a lengthy par-72, it has consistently yielded low scores. In fact, the last three tournaments have been decided in a dramatic playoff.

Last year, Kevin Yu set a new tournament record with a stunning 23-under 265. While the rough is slightly taller this year, a dry summer has made it less punishing. The key to victory will be a classic recipe: hit the Bermudagrass greens and make putts, especially on the challenging par-5s.

“This is a classic shootout that requires hitting greens that are average in size and converting the putts,” the analysis confirms.

Weather and Conditions

Players can expect primarily sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-80s. However, a potential complication comes from easterly winds, which are opposite the prevailing direction. This could confuse club selection and add an extra layer of challenge for the field.

As the FedExCup Fall heats up, the Sanderson Farms Championship is set to be a pivotal and unpredictable showdown. With careers on the line, every swing will be filled with tension and triumph.