Consistency questions, Afcon drama and... blue cards?!

The Independent’s football newsletter ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0QvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD1saXdrY2R2YnNrOHFXBXNwY2V1Qgplu1A3xmVywyJ-Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Friday, February 9, 2024   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0REaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXV0aG9yL21pZ3VlbC1kZWxhbmV5P2xpZD0wcm1idWVodjRjNWNXBXNwY2V1Qgplu1A3xmVywyJ-Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0REaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXV0aG9yL21pZ3VlbC1kZWxhbmV5P2xpZD1ldTd3YzdiZnB1dGZXBXNwY2V1Qgplu1A3xmVywyJ-Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0Q-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvP2xpZD1rcjRsMXBwY2J4MzVXBXNwY2V1Qgplu1A3xmVywyJ-Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ Sin bin: Send pros to sidelines or are rules already clear? One intriguing storyline emerging on Friday is how "blue card" sin-bin trials are to be incorporated into the English game at senior level, having been in place in amateur football for several years. The plan is for players [shown a blue card to face ten minutes inside the technical area](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYmx1ZS1jYXJkcy1zaW4tYmluLWZvb3RiYWxsLWIyNDkzMTQ3Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTN2cXBnYjZzMzB5ZFcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) watching on, with dissent and tactical fouls among the potential incidents which could warrant them. As the FA says, protocol is still to be sorted over their use, but it quickly generated discussion on social media...and the Independent's sports desk, with amateur players here having already experienced them. The potential for improvement is, to steal and another officiating phrase we've come to hate, clear and obvious. Yet so too is the possibility of adding to a perceived sense of injustice, for increased managerial complaints and [for fans to pile onto referees inside the ground](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvdmFyLXByZW1pZXItbGVhZ3VlLXJ1bGVzLXJlZmVyZWUtZmFucy1iMjQ5MjY1OC5odG1sP2xpZD1xbHdxajE2aDQ0cHdXBXNwY2V1Qgplu1A3xmVywyJ-Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)even more than they do now. Should players perhaps simply accept that rules are already in place and, if they break them, be more forceful about implementing a yellow and then a red? Or is an additional middle ground now required?   Introducing our new Independent Betting newsletter If you’re looking for a one-stop shop to fulfil all your weekend betting needs, look no further. Our new Independent Betting newsletter is set to launch tomorrow, packed with all the latest tips, odds and offers to help you place your bets armed with as much information as possible. [SIGN UP TODAY](~/AAAHagA~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-Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   FPL Gameweek 24: Ollie Watkins, Luis Diaz and five players to consider for transfers Here are our five transfers for [Fantasy Premier League](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdG9waWMvZmFudGFzeS1wcmVtaWVyLWxlYWd1ZT9saWQ9am5uamswdmF6bDd3VwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) managers to consider for this gameweek before the deadline on Saturday morning! [Click here for the rest of our FPL picks](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZnBsLXRpcHMtdHJhbnNmZXJzLWJlc3QtcGxheWVycy1ndzI0LWZhbnRhc3ktYjI0OTA3MDAuaHRtbD9saWQ9MzdyM2MzOWh3djFmVwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZnBsLXRpcHMtdHJhbnNmZXJzLWJlc3QtcGxheWVycy1ndzI0LWZhbnRhc3ktYjI0OTA3MDAuaHRtbD9saWQ9OGl2cTJsaW05dXhjVwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj Afcon drama has provided great viewing Even for football fans who don't generally follow or enjoy international football during the season, international tournaments can capture the imagination. The unfamiliar faces, the kits, the knockout jeopardy...all of it lends a sense of excitement at almost every turn, and even if it takes a player or two away from your favourite club, the mid-season Africa Cup of Nations has provided plenty of that. Ivory Coast, as hosts, [have obviously been the story](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYWZyaWNhLWN1cC1uYXRpb25zLWl2b3J5LWNvYXN0LWRyLWNvbmdvLWIyNDkxOTYyLmh0bWw_bGlkPWoxMGx0MzRtZG1xaVcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). Their unheard-of mid-tournament sacking of a manager has turned out to be an inspired move, with the Elephants [now into the final for the first time in almost a decade](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbmlnZXJpYS1pdm9yeS1jb2FzdC1vc2ltaGVuLWFmY29uLWZpbmFsLWIyNDkyOTYyLmh0bWw_bGlkPTJ0Z2N2aWFkanFwYVcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), and on home soil too. But it's not just their last-minute equalisers which have enthralled; the VAR drama in final opponents Nigeria's semi-final was a good example of second looks getting matters right; the early-tournament favourites fell one by one in often dramatic circumstances (hello, Ghana) and as usual, seeing younger stars thrive on a more global scale holds great appeal too. The final on Sunday should provide plenty of excitement, regardless of who triumphs. Consistency is everything when it comes to titles Rewind only a week and a half and Liverpool provided one of the season's most complete performances to soundly thrash Chelsea. Rewind a week, however, and they were abject in defeat to Arsenal, as polar opposite as could be between those two performances against London opponents. By contrast, Chelsea followed that performance and another loss to Wolves by deservedly [knocking Aston Villa out of the FA Cup](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvY2hlbHNlYS1hc3Rvbi12aWxsYS1mYS1jdXAtcG9jaGV0dGluby1iMjQ5MjQ5NC5odG1sP2xpZD0waXU4ODkxOHByeHlXBXNwY2V1Qgplu1A3xmVywyJ-Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) - despite Villa being one of the country's best teams this season on home soil. That upturn comes ahead of another meeting with Liverpool of course, in the League Cup final in two weeks. It's Arsenal's turn now to make sure they keep consistent, needing to go to West Ham and win - and they've already lost twice to them this term - to [ensure their efforts against the league leaders](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYXJzZW5hbC13ZXN0LWhhbS1wcmVtaWVyLWxlYWd1ZS1zYWthLW1hcnRpbmVsbGktYjI0OTMwMDkuaHRtbD9saWQ9NzUxc3Q2MmM3cnN1VwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)(until Saturday lunchtime, at least) do not go entirely to waste. It's viable to [ask the question of how teams can swing so wildly in performance](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYXJzZW5hbC1saXZlcnBvb2wtcmVzdWx0LXNjb3JlLWFsaXNzb24tdmFuLWRpamstYjI0OTAyNzcuaHRtbD9saWQ9YXFxeDVndGV3bXh4VwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) level, but also for those at the very top, there will be an acceptance that they can't literally win every game. How they respond to those setbacks will dictate where the trophies go, and how long they give their rivals to open up a gap. Man City, of course, look ominous in this regard. Women's sport keeps setting records Over 46 million [viewers tuned into women's sport across Britain](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvd29tZW5zLXdvcmxkLWN1cC12aWV3ZXJzLTIwMjMtcmVjb3JkLWIyNDkyMDM0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWkwZ2djcWRzcjV4OVcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) last year, stats say, an increase in over a million from the previous report. While that's obviously an enormous positive and sees women's sport continue to generate more funding, more awareness and be highlighted more than before, it's also just the television-based numbers. Live sport continues to attract younger audiences as well as bigger ones, with families - certainly in football - also joining this trend to attend events together. In the WSL, Arsenal hosting women's matches at the Emirates Stadium has seen the attendance record smashed twice this season already: 54,115 on the [opening day against Liverpool](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0R5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYXJzZW5hbC1saXZlcnBvb2wtd3NsLXJlc3VsdC1zY29yZS1hdHRlbmRhbmNlLWIyNDIxOTI2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTJ5N2xkcW56NTV4cVcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), then 59,042 [against Chelsea in December](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYXJzZW5hbC1jaGVsc2VhLXdzbC1yZXN1bHQtc2NvcmUtcmVwb3J0LWIyNDYxNTcyLmh0bWw_bGlkPWRpdG1nYnZ3M3d3eVcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). With the north London derby also set for the same ground on 3 March, there's every chance it'll be a hat-trick of records for the club, the league and for women's sport to enjoy.   Top football features ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbmlnZXJpYS1pdm9yeS1jb2FzdC1vc2ltaGVuLWFmY29uLWZpbmFsLWIyNDkyOTYyLmh0bWw_bGlkPXdieGc1NzZsZzR0blcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Ivory Coast need a home soil hero but is Victor Osimhen finally ready to spoil the party?](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbmlnZXJpYS1pdm9yeS1jb2FzdC1vc2ltaGVuLWFmY29uLWZpbmFsLWIyNDkyOTYyLmh0bWw_bGlkPTJ4czBldGc3NTJ5b1cFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0R5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvdWVmYS1jb25ncmVzcy10aGUtZmEtYWxla3NhbmRlci1jZWZlcmluLXBhcmlzLWIyNDkyOTYwLmh0bWw_bGlkPXhvamVzbGF2enRqN1cFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Uefa president’s unexpected exit could yet have a twist in the tale](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0R5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvdWVmYS1jb25ncmVzcy10aGUtZmEtYWxla3NhbmRlci1jZWZlcmluLXBhcmlzLWIyNDkyOTYwLmh0bWw_bGlkPXZlOWJ3d2NzNTBwMlcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   Karl's Dispatches This weekend is a rare blank for me in recent times, with trips to Craven Cottage and the Emirates Stadium of late and more lying ahead to the Brentford Community Stadium and Wembley over the next couple of weeks. It means a bit of a free hit as to what to watch, with plenty of candidate fixtures...though, as is often the case, they're at the same time: Spain's top two meet on Saturday at the same time as Germany's top two do likewise; Italy's last two title-winners collide on Sunday, but kick-off 15 minutes before the Afcon final. Naturally, the Premier League is our biggest focus on the sportsdesk at the Indy, but there are always enticing and exciting games to be found elsewhere, which - despite not covering as much European football as in previous years - I will always encourage viewers to look further afield than their own team, when time allows. Given there are not too many marquee top-flight fixtures in England this weekend, perhaps this is one such moment to join in!   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25vcnRoLWFtZXJpY2EvdXNhL3N1cGVyLWJvd2wtdG91ci1uZmwtaGVyb2VzLWIyNDM2NTc4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWQ1YWUxaWV0cmVoa1cFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [The Super Bowl tour](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25vcnRoLWFtZXJpY2EvdXNhL3N1cGVyLWJvd2wtdG91ci1uZmwtaGVyb2VzLWIyNDM2NTc4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWczaHoxbnlrYXI5aFcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Get to know the hometown heroes of the seven most recent NFL champions ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0R1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25vcnRoLWFtZXJpY2EvdXNhL3Nwb3J0cy1sb3Zlci1ndWlkZS10by10ZW5uZXNzZWUtYjIzODg5MjIuaHRtbD9saWQ9Zm1lOGVteG1qMmEyVwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [A sports lover’s guide to one week in Tennessee](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0R1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25vcnRoLWFtZXJpY2EvdXNhL3Nwb3J0cy1sb3Zlci1ndWlkZS10by10ZW5uZXNzZWUtYjIzODg5MjIuaHRtbD9saWQ9YmVteHBpYndxeWN3VwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) From Minor League matches in Memphis to roller derby face-offs in Knoxville, explore the unique sporting personalities of Tennessee’s towns and cities ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25vcnRoLWFtZXJpY2EvdXNhL21hcnlsYW5kLWZvb3RiYWxsLWZvb2QtYmFsdGltb3JlLWIyMzg4OTc0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPW5mN2hqbGpxNnBxelcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Hail Maryland: football, food and festivals await in Baltimore and beyond](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0R2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvdHJhdmVsL25vcnRoLWFtZXJpY2EvdXNhL21hcnlsYW5kLWZvb3RiYWxsLWZvb2QtYmFsdGltb3JlLWIyMzg4OTc0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTV4YnFoaHloMDluMVcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Get ready to enjoy beaches, boardwalks and blue crab feasts among the myriad sporting experiences of this small, unique state QUOTE OF THE WEEK     "Just one sentence about his pathetic cry about morality. He was one of the rare persons who knew that I was not going to run in 2027. The moment that he got the info that I would disclose it after Congress he went out with his narcissistic letter. He could not wait because after my disclosure, his whining would not make sense anymore. Now think, whose personal aspirations are in question? And think, whose morality is in question?" Aleksander Ceferin's apparent resignation from Uefa came with "just one sentence" aimed at Zvonimir Boban   Reading the game quiz Ahead of Bayern Munich facing Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen this weekend, a German league quiz question! Harry Kane is seven goals clear at the top of the scorers charts in Germany and looks like he'll win that award for 2023/24 - continuing a trend of non-German winners in recent years. Across the past 16 seasons (so back to and including 2007/08), non-Germans have won or shared the top scorer award 13 times. Name the seven to do so! Hint: With perhaps one exception, they are all well-known names, even for those who do not watch the Bundesliga. And if you're stuck where to start, one player won it seven times! For bragging rights, name the four (much harder-to-name) Germans to win it in that time. ([You can find out the answers here](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWlndWVsLWRlbGFuZXktbmV3c2xldHRlci1xdWl6LWFuc3dlcnMtYjIwNzc5NjguaHRtbD9saWQ9b3NqZ2hwMGVlanh1VwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). The answer page will be updated weekly and contains answers from previous newsletters, too) [INDYBEST](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0Q-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0P2xpZD02eDZyenNiYmhweTJXBXNwY2V1Qgplu1A3xmVywyJ-Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) / [BEST BUYS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0RPaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHk_bGlkPXJjczF3aG5sbDQ0aVcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [exercise bikes](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0SVaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHkvc3BvcnRzLWVxdWlwbWVudC1hY2Nlc3Nvcmllcy9iZXN0LWV4ZXJjaXNlLWJpa2UtdWstaG9tZS1iMTkwMzQxNy5odG1sP2xpZD12dDQ2eXY3eXVlN3lXBXNwY2V1Qgplu1A3xmVywyJ-Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) We've reviewed the [best exercise bikes](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0SVaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHkvc3BvcnRzLWVxdWlwbWVudC1hY2Nlc3Nvcmllcy9iZXN0LWV4ZXJjaXNlLWJpa2UtdWstaG9tZS1iMTkwMzQxNy5odG1sP2xpZD0zdG4xcDNqNzVuNWpXBXNwY2V1Qgplu1A3xmVywyJ-Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) - so you can spin your way to fitness without leaving the house. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0Q_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYmV0dGluZy9mb290YmFsbD9saWQ9b3BwZXp5NGRhNWttVwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [Latest football odds and tips](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0Q_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYmV0dGluZy9mb290YmFsbD9saWQ9cWRoZjcwa2hkbHhvVwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Latest odds and tips across the Premier League, Afcon, acca selections, manager markets and more. [Latest football odds here](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0Q_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYmV0dGluZy9mb290YmFsbD9saWQ9bWhocmdhODJ1amN4VwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0Q8aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlL2FwcD9saWQ9d2doOTBpbjY1aXBsVwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL25vNXgvZDI1ZTc0Y2M_bGlkPTA3bWo1dTR5cjMzYVcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ Latest news and football reading ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0SaaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcmFzbXVzLWhvamx1bmQtbWFuY2hlc3Rlci11bml0ZWQta29iYmllLW1haW5vby1lcmlrLXRlbi1oYWctYWxlamFuZHJvLWdhcm5hY2hvLWIyNDkzNTI1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWRhdmUyanZteGV5NlcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Erik ten Hag sends message to Manchester United’s rising stars ahead of Aston Villa test](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0SaaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcmFzbXVzLWhvamx1bmQtbWFuY2hlc3Rlci11bml0ZWQta29iYmllLW1haW5vby1lcmlrLXRlbi1oYWctYWxlamFuZHJvLWdhcm5hY2hvLWIyNDkzNTI1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWtrbjc5bnRjZXBqaFcFc3BjZXVCCmW7UDfGZXLDIn5SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYXJzZW5hbC13ZXN0LWhhbS1wcmVtaWVyLWxlYWd1ZS1zYWthLW1hcnRpbmVsbGktYjI0OTMwMDkuaHRtbD9saWQ9Mzl5bXJmN3RsZW4yVwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [What Arsenal’s celebrations against Liverpool really told us about the title race](~/AAAHagA~/RgRnqLxQP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYXJzZW5hbC13ZXN0LWhhbS1wcmVtaWVyLWxlYWd1ZS1zYWthLW1hcnRpbmVsbGktYjI0OTMwMDkuaHRtbD9saWQ9NHJ5NXBvaGZzanpuVwVzcGNldUIKZbtQN8ZlcsMiflIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) The Independent proudly partners with 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