The Ballon d’Or returns with a historic 70th anniversary ceremony in London on Monday night, when the most prestigious individual award in football is handed out.

There are several leading contenders to be named football’s finest, but who is leading the race? We’ve looked at how the bookmakers assess the candidates ahead of Monday’s announcement.

Ballon d’Or – 2026 winner Betting Odds

5. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – PSG (66/1)

Kvaratskhelia was the inspiration behind Paris Saint-Germain’s success in the Champions League, with the Georgian winger devastating as the French side won a second straight crown. Kvaratskhelia scored 10 times and created six more for Luis Enrique’s side, earning the tournament’s Player of the Season prize. His absence from the World Cup with Georgia has hindered his hopes.

4. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami (40/1)

Had Argentina got over the line in the World Cup final, Lionel Messi might have been favourite for a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or. Messi was magic in North America over the summer, scoring eight times to lead Argentina to the final. The 39-year-old’s quest to defend the World Cup ultimately fell short in the decider, and his Ballon d’Or hopes might also be a near miss.

3. Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid (22/1)

Kylian Mbappe has been banging the drum for his Ballon d’Or campaign, insisting individual performance should outweigh team success. Mbappe failed to win a trophy last season, but did end as the top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League, and the World Cup. In the process, he became the first footballer to win multiple World Cup Golden Boots and became the tournament’s all-time record scorer.

2. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona (5/2)

All eyes will be on whether Lamine Yamal can make history on Monday night. No teenager has ever won the Ballon d’Or, but Yamal has a real chance after a runners-up finish in 2025. He was La Liga’s Player of the Season as Barcelona won the title, and also won the World Cup with Spain, despite limited impact in the tournament. He would obliterate Ronaldo Nazario’s record as the youngest-ever winner.

1. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich (1/3)

Harry Kane is the odds-on favourite to win the Ballon d’Or and become England’s first winner since 2001. Kane scored 61 goals in 51 games as Bayern won a domestic treble, and also netted six times at the World Cup in the summer. The European Golden Shoe winner has never played better football than in 2025/26.

Read – Cristiano Ronaldo ‘let Man United down’ with lack of effort

Read More – Carrick draws line under Martinez outburst at Wilcox

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Enzo Maresca has said Erling Haaland is ‘100% fit’ for Manchester City’s trip to Aston Villa this weekend.

Haaland did not feature as Manchester City beat AEK Athens 5-1 in the Champions League in midweek, as Maresca handed the Norwegian a rest.

Haaland picked up a knock after scoring twice against Ipswich Town last weekend, but Maresca has eased fears over his condition. The 26-year-old, who has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season, is available for the trip to Villa Park on Saturday lunchtime.

It’s a massive boost for the Cityzens, who are set to be without Antoine Semenyo for around two months.

“We have a session this afternoon – all of them can be available or not,” Maresca said in his pre-match news conference when discussing Haaland, Nico O’Reilly, Mateo Kovačić and Matheus Nunes

“In terms of [those] still in doubt, yesterday they were all improving and we will this afternoon.

“Erling is the only one 100% available. And the other three we need to wait for today’s session.”

Read – Cristiano Ronaldo ‘let Man United down’ with lack of effort

Read More – Carrick draws line under Martinez outburst at Wilcox

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Jamie Carragher has said Bruno Fernandes’ comments on Michael Carrick’s tactics are ‘disgraceful’ and questioned whether the midfielder should be Manchester United captain.

Fernandes questioned his manager’s methods in the aftermath of United’s 4-1 loss at Como in the Champions League, criticising a lack of bravery in their pressing. The comments came after Lisandro Martinez called out the club’s board last week, lamenting a lack of investment in the squad.

United are now without a win in seven games across all competitions, and Carragher believes the players should be focused on themselves.

He slammed Fernandes for his criticism, and said the Portuguese international is a big part of Manchester United’s out-of-possession issues. He said Fernandes ‘runs all over the place like a kid in the school yard’, in an approach that ‘kills’ Carrick’s side tactically. He also said the midfielder’s ‘attitude’ does not resemble a Manchester United captain.

“We said Lisandro Martinez was bang out of order for calling out the hierarchy,” Carragher said on CBS Sports.

“For Bruno Fernandes to do that, it is a disgrace. Last season he was Player of the Year. That was due to Michael Carrick coming in as manager. He wouldn’t have got that award without Carrick. He put him back in his right position.

“His attitude and the way he goes about things, it is not right at all. He has reacted like that because he was brought off and he has been embarrassed tonight by the manager.

“When he talks about pressing, whether it is man-to-man or zonal, for years, Bruno Fernandes has meant Man Utd can’t press.

“He runs all over the place like a kid in the school yard for the supporters. They all think he’s working hard, he is not. He is killing the rest of the team by doing it.

“He is not playing in a successful era at Manchester United but years ago there was a captain called Brian Robson, one of the greatest players to ever play for Man Utd.

“He didn’t play for teams that won leagues or European cups every year. He is still seen as one of the greatest players to play for the club. He never threw a manager or the players under the bus. He kept fighting for Man Utd.

“Watching him [Bruno] play every week, throwing his arms up at players constantly, it is a disgrace that he has called out the manager considering how he has performed this season on the pitch. Awful attitude and not what a Manchester United captain should be.”

Read – Cristiano Ronaldo ‘let Man United down’ with lack of effort

Read More – Carrick draws line under Martinez outburst at Wilcox

See Also – Five of the best Premier League away kits in 2026/27

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Arsenal want to recoup their £55m investment in Viktor Gyokeres as transfer interest builds around the unsettled forward.

Gyokeres was Arsenal’s leading scorer last season with 21 goals in all competitions but has lost his place during the current campaign. The Swedish striker has not started a Premier League game, with Kai Havertz preferred by Mikel Arteta.

Interest in the 28-year-old is growing as a result and Football Insider claim there are suitors for Gyokeres from the Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga.

Arsenal will not sell Gyokeres in January without a replacement, and are hoping to recoup around £55m. As a result, a transfer may need to wait until the summer.

The North Londoners signed Gyokeres from Sporting CP for around £54m in 2025, after the forward had scored 97 goals in 102 games for the Portuguese side. Despite a respectable record of 21 goals in 55 games last season, as Arsenal won the title, he has appeared an awkward stylistic fit for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Gyokeres came off the bench during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich on Wednesday and assisted Declan Rice’s late equaliser.

Read – Cristiano Ronaldo ‘let Man United down’ with lack of effort

Read More – Carrick draws line under Martinez outburst at Wilcox

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Championship

Charlton Athletic

24 Oct 2026 12:30

Norwich City

Prediction:

Norwich City to win 2.20

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Charlton AthleticDraw Norwich City

Charlton Athletic vs Norwich City Prediction & Betting Tips – 24/10/2026

Two sides mired in wretched form meet at The Valley on Saturday 24 October in a Championship fixture laden with anxiety. Charlton Athletic, winless in eight, host a Norwich City outfit rooted in 21st after losing their last six in all competitions. Neither side can afford another slip; for the Canaries, the spectre of relegation already looms, while the Addicks need a result to arrest their own drift towards danger. The occasion carries added significance as Charlton mark their annual Red, White and Black Day celebrations before a passionate home crowd.

Our prediction

1X: Double Chance Charlton Athletic or Draw

3.20 on Betfred · Confidence Medium

Odds recorded on 22 Oct 2026 at 14:57 · Odds are subject to change

Match Analysis

Charlton Athletic enter as home favorites at 3.20, and their record at The Valley justifies that status. Despite a wider eight-game winless run, the Addicks have avoided defeat in six of their last seven home fixtures, making them a tough proposition on their own turf.

• Unbeaten in 6 of last 7 home matches at The Valley, a stark contrast to away form.
• Norwich missing 4+ key players: Touré, Ahmed, Topic all out, Fisher doubtful, gutting squad depth.
• Norwich concede 28% of their goals by the hour mark, exposing second-half defensive fragility.
• Charlton's home draw rate provides a safety net, with the double chance 1X well supported by home odds.

Norwich City arrive as underdogs at 2.20, mired in catastrophic form with six consecutive losses across all competitions and sitting 21st in the Championship. A severely depleted squad and shattered confidence make this a daunting trip to southeast London.

• Lost all 6 most recent matches across all competitions, the worst run in the division.
• H2H record shows Norwich have won back-to-back 1-0 results at The Valley, but with a full squad.
• Charlton's low 0.7 xG per game limits the ceiling, yet Norwich's attack lacks the personnel to punish it.

Key point: With both attacks misfiring and Charlton averaging just 0.7 xG per game, a low-scoring affair is plausible; consider 1.95 as a complementary angle to the 1X prediction.

A 3-4-2-1 against a 4-2-3-1 shapes the tactical contest at The Valley, with Charlton's narrow back three looking to compress space and invite Norwich onto them. Both lineups carry a probable tag from a single source, so a degree of caution is warranted before kickoff.

Oliver Skipp will be central to Charlton's ability to control the midfield battle, while Norwich's double pivot is designed to protect a back four and release Anis Ben Slimane in the number ten role. The balance of the match may well hinge on which side wins that central corridor.

Our Verdict

The double chance 1X is our pick for this fixture. Charlton have avoided defeat in six of their last seven outings at The Valley, a record that carries real weight against a Norwich side who have lost all of their last five matches. The Canaries' vulnerability after half-time, conceding heavily between the 46th and 60th minute, plays into Charlton's hands on home soil. With the home win priced at 3.20 and the draw at 3.50, backing the hosts not to lose represents solid value given Norwich's dire run. Odds correct at time of publication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Manchester United are among the teams keeping tabs on FC Twente teenager Ruud Nijstad.

The 18-year-old is of interest to top teams across Europe after breaking into the first-team at the Eredivisie side. The left-sided centre-back has made 38 senior appearances for Twente and has represented the Netherlands at various age groups, up to u-19 level.

Nijstad has emerged as a potential candidate for Manchester United, report The Athletic, as the Red Devils plan to overhaul their defence.

Lisandro Martinez’s future is uncertain as his contract approaches its expiry next summer, though United hold an option to extend. However, Martinez’s recent criticism of the club’s board could lead to an exit. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are also both out of contract in 2027.

It leaves United in search of reinforcements and Nijstad is viewed as a player of promise. Already 6ft 3in, Nijstad has handled the step into senior football with ease. Negotiations could be aided by the presence of ex-Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, who is operating as technical director of the Dutch outfit.

Read – Cristiano Ronaldo ‘let Man United down’ with lack of effort

Read More – Carrick draws line under Martinez outburst at Wilcox

See Also – Five of the best Premier League away kits in 2026/27

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Chelsea are weighing up an approach to sign Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari, following an impressive start to the campaign.

Ayari has impressed in a Brighton side that sit third in the Premier League table and are the league’s leading scorers under Fabian Hurzeler. The 23-year-old has scored twice in six games, attracting interest from Chelsea, according to TEAMtalk.

Chelsea have regularly raided Brighton for talent in recent transfer windows, with Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck all making the move to Stamford Bridge.

Ayari is now a target as Xabi Alonso looks to add a midfielder to his ranks, following the deadline-day sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City. Chelsea remain eager to add a replacement, having failed in late summer moves to sign Manu Kone and Lamine Camara.

Galatasaray are also keen on Ayari, whose current contract expires at the end of the season. However, Brighton have an option to extend until 2028.

Brighton and Ayari have been discussing a new contract, but negotiations are yet to reach an agreement. The situation has alerted Chelsea, with the player well known to sporting director Paul Winstanley, formerly of Brighton.

Read – Cristiano Ronaldo ‘let Man United down’ with lack of effort

Read More – Carrick draws line under Martinez outburst at Wilcox

See Also – Five of the best Premier League away kits in 2026/27

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Martin Odegaard believes Arsenal ‘could have won the game’ during the club’s 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich.

Arsenal left the Allianz Arena with a point after Declan Rice scored an 82nd minute equaliser in Germany, after goals from Alphonso Davies and Harry Kane had cancelled out Eberechi Eze’s opener for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta spoke post-match and said he was pleased with the performance, praising his team for pushing for all three points against the German champions,

Odegaard agreed with his manager’s assessment and insists Arsenal were capable of claiming a statement win, though said a draw was ‘probably fair’ on the reflection of the game.

“Yeah, probably a fair result to be honest, but I feel like we could have won the game as well,” he told the club’s official website.

“I think we did a lot of good things, started the game really strongly and I thought we played a good game. It was a really tough team to play against, lots of man-to-man, duels all over the pitch and so much quality. I thought we did really well and it’s just a shame we couldn’t get the win, but it was a strong performance.

“We started the game strong, scored the first goal, but then went under, so I thought we did really well to fight to get into the game again and at least get the draw. So, lots of positives and a few things to work on, but it was a good performance.””

Read – Cristiano Ronaldo ‘let Man United down’ with lack of effort

Read More – Carrick draws line under Martinez outburst at Wilcox

See Also – Five of the best Premier League away kits in 2026/27

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Michael Carrick has been moved to odds-on favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave their post, following Manchester United’s heavy defeat at Como.

Manchester United lost 4-1 to the Italian side in the Champions League this week, a result which made it seven games without a win across all competitions. It’s the club’s longest winless run since 2015, with the honeymoon period from Carrick’s initial interim reign now over.

As a result, he’s been moved to the bookmakers’ favourite to be the next manager to leave.

Premier League – Next Manager To Leave Betting Odds

Matthias Jaissle – Newcastle (16/1)

Newcastle’s Saudi owners took a gamble on the German in the summer, following his success at Al-Ahli. Jaissle made a good impression during the season’s opening weeks, but results have slipped. The Magpies have lost three of their last four, including a 4-1 thrashing at newly-promoted Coventry.

Oliver Glasner – Nottingham Forest (14/1)

Oliver Glasner has insisted there’s no need to panic after a disappointing start to the season. Forest have won once in seven games to sit 19th in the table, though have been unfortunate on several occasions. Glasner looked a good fit for Forest, tactically at least, in the summer and that has not changed. His trophy success at Palace should see him earn some patience.

Alvaro Arbeloa – Fulham (6/1)

The five favourites to be the next coach to leave are all managers who took their posts, permanently, in the summer. Alvaro Arbeloa swapped Real Madrid for Fulham during the summer but endured a nightmare start, with reports of early fractures in the dressing room. A first win of the season against Hull last time out could be a springboard.

Pierre Sage – Crystal Palace (9/2)

Replacing Oliver Glasner was a tough task for any incoming boss and Pierre Sage has struggled. The ex-Lens gaffer is reportedly fighting for his job after the Eagles were hammered 5-0 by fierce rivals Brighton at the weekend.

Sage has won just two of his opening seven Premier League games, while the 17 goals they have conceded is a league-leading total.

Michael Carrick – Manchester United (4/6)

Michael Carrick has been moved into odd-on favourite after Manchester United’s humiliation at Como. Carrick’s side are winless in seven across all competitions and sit 13th in the Premier League.

A midfield rebuild had inspired hope of an improvement on a third-place finish last term, but United have started shakily.

Read – Cristiano Ronaldo ‘let Man United down’ with lack of effort

Read More – Carrick draws line under Martinez outburst at Wilcox

See Also – Five of the best Premier League away kits in 2026/27

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Michael Carrick has apologised to the Manchester United fans for their performance during the club’s 40-1 defeat at Como.

Carrick’s side suffered a heavy defeat to the Serie A side in Italy, extending their winless run to seven games in all competitions.

United conceded inside two minutes for the second successive Champions League game and failed to recover, as goals from Nico Paz (2), Anastasious Douvikas, and Jacobo Ramon secured a big win for Como. Joshua Zirkzee scored a stoppage-time consolation for the visitors.

The result leaves Carrick under fire after a poor start to the campaign and the United manager issued an apology to the fans for his side’s shortcomings.

“It was more than disappointing. I think everybody has got to take responsibility for that,” he said at his post-match press conference.

“I 100% take responsibility for the overall team and the performance – that’s where it stops. It stops with me and I’m absolutely fine with that. I accept that totally. But as a supporter of this football club for so long, to see a performance like that is unacceptable, I have to say.

“I care an unbelievable amount about the supporters. They are the heartbeat of this football club and they always will be. For them to travel, I had to apologise for the performance. To have to watch a performance like that, I totally feel for them. There are no excuses at all. It is not acceptable. It’s not about me. It’s about digesting the game and how it went. That is the most important thing right now.”

Read – Cristiano Ronaldo ‘let Man United down’ with lack of effort

Read More – Carrick draws line under Martinez outburst at Wilcox

See Also – Five of the best Premier League away kits in 2026/27

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