Topics Below

• Premier League table update

• NFL wild card round explained / playoff update

• Injury drama in lead up to Australian Open / competing Aussie athletes

EPL ⚽️

This season has been far from ideal for Premier League giants Manchester City. The reigning champions started in typical dominant fashion, winning their first four games. However, cracks began to appear soon after, with several “winnable” matches ending in frustrating draws and unexpected upsets piling up.

At the halfway mark of the season, with 20 of 38 Matchweeks completed, Man City find themselves in an unfamiliar position — 6th on the Premier League table, trailing league leaders Liverpool by a daunting 12 points.

In December, manager Pep Guardiola admitted there is "no chance" of Manchester City retaining the Premier League title this season.

Guardiola also emphasised the need for reinforcements ahead of the January transfer window, which opens on Wednesday.

"In some positions we need help," Guardiola explained. "When we're all together, we're the team we were, but with important players out for weeks and months, it's so difficult.

"I thought central defenders would be fit all season, but we have struggled—holding midfield and central defenders, we need help.

"The market is the market—it's not easy, it's expensive, so we will see what the club can do."

With Guardiola eyeing reinforcements and City looking to turn their season around, January could prove to be a critical month for the defending champions.

With less than half of the season remaining, Liverpool are $1.17 favourites to take out the title, Arsenal are second favourites at $5.00 and Man City are the next best if you ask the bookies, despite paying $23 at time of writing.

NFL 🏈

The NFL playoffs are here, kicking off with six cracking matchups for Wild Card Weekend as we wrap up the 2024 regular season. Now, if you're used to straightforward, fixed finals brackets like the NRL, you might find the NFL’s setup a bit confusing. Here’s a quick rundown of how it all works so you can look like an expert at your next BBQ.

How many teams make the playoffs?

14 teams get a shot at Super Bowl glory. That includes the eight division winners, who score a playoff berth and a home game in the opening round. Each conference – the AFC and NFC – also throws in three wild-card spots for the top-performing teams who didn’t win their divisions. It’s sort of like sneaking into a party you weren’t invited to, but no one minds because you’re on fire.

Who gets a bye?

Only 2 teams get to put their feet up during the first week: the No. 1 seeds from the AFC and NFC. This year, that honour goes to the Detroit Lions (NFC, 15-2) and Kansas City Chiefs (AFC, 15-2).

How are teams seeded?

Here’s the pecking order:

1. No. 1 seed: Best record in the AFC/NFC

2. No. 2 seed: Second-best division winner.

3. No. 3 seed: Third-best division winner.

4. No. 4 seed: Fourth-best division winner.

5. No. 5 seed: Best wild-card team.

6. No. 6 seed: Second-best wild-card team.

7. No. 7 seed: Third-best wild-card team.

How are the matchups decided?

Here’s how Wild Card Weekend shakes out:

• No. 1 seeds: Take the weekend off

• No. 7 seeds @ No. 2 seeds

• No. 6 seeds @ No. 3 seeds

• No. 5 seeds @ No. 4 seeds

After that, it’s a free-for-all: the lowest remaining seed always faces the No. 1 seed in the next round. So, if a No. 7 team pulls off an upset, they’ll have to face the big dogs next. On the flip side, if a No. 2 team holds their ground, they dodge the top seed for a bit longer.

Wild Card (Round 1 of Playoffs)

Tennis 🎾

Australian Open

It’s been three long years since Nick Kyrgios graced the courts at the Australian Open, with injuries wreaking havoc on his career since his run to the 2022 US Open quarter-finals. But now, the Aussie firebrand is edging closer to his long awaited comeback—well, maybe.

Kyrgios has been ramping up his fitness and even hit the court at the Brisbane International in preparation for Melbourne Park. However, just days out from the tournament, he’s cast some doubt on his return. After overcoming a chronic wrist injury, Kyrgios has flagged a new concern following his limited return to action, leaving fans wondering if his comeback might hit another snag.

Using his protected ranking of World No. 21, Kyrgios secured a spot in the Australian Open main draw, setting up a first-round clash with Jacob Fearnley. If he takes the court as expected on Monday, January 13, it will mark his first Grand Slam appearance since his loss to Karen Khachanov in the 2022 US Open quarter-finals.

Despite the setbacks, Kyrgios remains one of the sport’s most enigmatic talents, and the buzz around his potential return has Aussie fans holding their breath. Can the homegrown star rekindle the fire and make his mark in Melbourne? Time will tell—but with Kyrgios, it’s sure to be anything but boring.

All Aussies in Australian Open 2025 (singles)