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UK fires ambassador to US Peter Mandelson over Epstein links

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Peter Mandelson was fired as Britain’s ambassador to the United States

Peter Mandelson was fired as Britain’s ambassador to the United States on Thursday after his ties to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became another unwelcome problem for the embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Mandelson had been under mounting pressure over his relationship with Epstein after US lawmakers on Monday released a “birthday book,” compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003, in which the veteran Labour party politician had penned a handwritten note describing Epstein as “my best pal.”

Despite the revelation, Starmer forcefully defended his ambassador on Wednesday, telling parliament that Mandelson had his “full confidence.”

Hours later, the scandal snowballed after Bloomberg published a trove of emails between Mandelson and Epstein, in which Mandelson expressed support for his friend and offered to discuss his infamous 2008 Florida case with his political contacts.

Epstein pleaded guilty to two state prostitution charges and served 13 months in prison after a controversial plea deal. But the emails obtained by Bloomberg showed that Mandelson continued to support Epstein after that conviction.

Credit: cnn.com

Polish Prime Minister vows military upgrade after Russian drone incursion

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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has pledged to push ahead with a “great modernisation programme” for his country’s military, a day after Polish and NATO forces shot down drones violating the country’s airspace during a Russian aerial attack on neighbouring Ukraine.

The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency announced on Thursday that Poland had introduced air traffic restrictions along its eastern borders with Belarus and Ukraine. It said the step was taken at the request of the Polish army for national security reasons, but did not elaborate.

The restrictions will apply until December 9, Polish air traffic authorities said. Under the rules, civilian unmanned aircraft, such as drones, are banned; general aviation – mainly small and recreational aircraft and helicopters – can operate during the day provided they have a radio and transponder, but cannot fly at night.

Tusk said on Wednesday that the drone incursion incident was “the closest we have been to open conflict since World War II,” though he also said he had “no reason to believe we’re on the brink of war”.

European officials described Wednesday’s incursion, which occurred during a wave of recent relentless Russian strikes on Ukraine, as a deliberate provocation, forcing the NATO alliance to confront a potential threat in its airspace for the first time. Neither Poland nor NATO has yet given a full account of what they suspect the drones were doing.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushed Kyiv’s allies on Thursday for a tougher response to the incursion into Poland, saying the move was likely aimed at slowing supplies of air defences to Ukraine ahead of this winter.

Zelenskyy, speaking at a briefing in Kyiv alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb, also urged allies to rethink their own air defence capabilities, adding that missile-based systems are too expensive to use against cheaper drones.

Credit: aljazeera.com

France suspects foreign intelligence over pigs heads left outside mosques

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Two foreign nationals are suspected of leaving the pigs' heads outside mosques

French police suspect that people who put pigs’ heads outside Paris mosques on Monday night were acting under orders from a foreign intelligence service, probably Russian.

The heads were found on Tuesday morning outside nine mosques in central Paris and surrounding suburbs, prompting a wave of outrage and condemnation.

But investigators have now said the two people involved drove a Serb-registered car, used a Croatian mobile telephone, and crossed into Belgium a few hours later.

The incident has striking similarities with other recent provocations – notably the daubing of Stars of David on Paris walls in October 2023, and the painting of red hands on the city’s Holocaust memorial in May 2024. Police identified a Moldovan connection in the first case, and in the second four Bulgarians are due to stand trial in October.

The prosecutor in the red hands affair said it appeared “to be an attempt to destabilise France orchestrated by Russian intelligence”.

Russia and Iran have both been named by French intelligence as countries liable to provoke dissension in France through “dirty tricks”.

Police investigating the latest affair told media that they were approached by a Normandy farmer who said he had sold “about 10” pigs’ heads to two men driving a Serbian-registered car.

The same car was seen in CCTV footage in the Oberkampf region of eastern Paris on Monday evening, and then again near some of the mosques.

Credit: bbc.com

Nasa bans Chinese nationals from working on its space programmes

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Nasa

US space agency Nasa has blocked Chinese citizens with valid US visas from its facilities – a move that effectively bars them from working at one of the most respected space research centres.

Chinese nationals, who could only work at Nasa as contractors or students contributing to research, found out on 5 September that they had lost all access to Nasa’s systems and facilities, Bloomberg news reported, citing sources.

Nasa then confirmed this, saying Chinese nationals would be restricted from using the agency’s “facilities, materials and networks to ensure the security of our work”.

China’s accelerated space programme has alarmed the US and ramped up the race between the two biggest economies.

Chinese astronauts are already excluded from the International Space Station (ISS) because Washington has barred Nasa from sharing its data with China.

The latest restriction from Nasa only adds to the decline in scientific collaboration between the two sides because of national security concerns.

As they compete to gain a technological edge, Beijing and Washington have also grown increasingly wary of each other.

The suspicion has made it harder for some Chinese students, especially those studying science and tech, to get visas, or even enter the US, once they have secured a visa.

There have also been several cases in the US recently of alleged espionage by Chinese nationals, and scientists in particular have come under the scanner.

Nasa’s press secretary Bethany Stevens told news outlets that Nasa had indeed taken “internal action pertaining to Chinese nationals – including restricting physical and cybersecurity access to our facilities”.

China has made no secret of its space ambitions, with both Beijing and Washington competing to send their crew to the moon.

Credit: bbc.com

What is Foot Supination?

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Your feet have an important function in your body. Not only do they take you where you want to go, but they are also at the base of your skeleton and bear all your weight.

Taking care of your feet and properly distributing your weight is incredibly important for the rest of your body to be correctly aligned. If you have issues with your feet, you will feel the effects spread to the rest of your body.

Foot supination happens for different reasons. It causes most of your weight to transfer to the outer edge of your foot, which can create structural problems and pain.

Causes of Foot Supination

Foot supination happens when you don’t use the proper muscles to walk correctly. People who develop this issue struggle with pushing or activating the right muscles in their feet as they walk.

It could be due to a number of factors, but usually, it’s caused by a muscle imbalance in the feet. If some muscles are weaker and some are tighter, you could be putting more weight on some parts of your feet than others. Supinated feet can also cause pain in the pelvis and lower part of the spine (lumbar spine).

The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs through the foot and attaches to the heel. People who have high arches and inflexible feet are likely to have a tight plantar fascia. These people are very likely to have or develop supinated feet.

Impact of Foot Supination on Your Health

Your feet need to be flexible to operate effectively and healthily. There are three stages to taking a proper step:

  1. Your foot adapts to the surface you’re walking on.
  2. Your muscles absorb any shock from the step.
  3. Your foot acts as a lever that pushes you forward to take the next step.

When your feet are supinated, they become rigid and inflexible. A key, S-shaped joint in your foot, the midtarsal joint, locks to provide stability for your foot. This can also affect the lower part of your leg (calves).

Supinated feet can also cause your outer leg muscles and tendons to become very tight. It can also lead to hip and lower back issues.

Diagnosing Foot Supination

There are a few ways you can receive a diagnosis if you think your feet are supinated. A medical professional can perform a gait analysis to identify where you put pressure as you walk. This is the most accurate way to find out if your feet are supinated.

You can also do a simple test at home to check if you have high arches, which are heavily associated with supine feet. You’ll just need water and a piece of paper or cardboard.

To perform the test, dip your foot in water and step onto a piece of dry paper or cardboard. Step off and examine your footprint. If you have a high arch, you’ll see the ball and heel of your foot, but you’ll barely see any of the foot’s middle part in the print.

Managing Foot Supination

Once you’ve been diagnosed with foot supination, there are many ways to deal with the condition.

Physical therapy. Working with a physical therapist can help you manage supination. These professionals will analyze how you walk and stand, take you through guided exercises to improve the condition, and make other recommendations.

Try orthotics. Orthotics, or padded shoe inserts, are a common, effective way to relieve the pain and discomfort from supination.

You can get premade or custom-made orthotics. Premade or prefabricated orthotics usually cost less than the custom versions and can produce similar results. Custom orthotics are designed for your feet specifically, so use what works best for you.

Wear athletic shoes when you can. Because supinated feet have high arches, it puts stress on the outer part of the foot. Choose an athletics shoe that is soft and supportive for everyday use, if possible. Look for shoes that stabilize the heel. ‌

Try these tips when shoe shopping to find more comfortable, supportive, and well-fitting shoes:

  • Bring any orthotic devices you have and use them when trying on shoes instead of using the original insole.
  • Try both shoes on and walk around. Your feet can be different sizes, and this technique will ensure they’re comfortable.
  • Leave a little space, about ¼ inch, between your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
  • Go shoe shopping toward the end of the day, when your feet are at their largest.
  • Make sure the heel of the shoe fits your feet properly. The shoe should wrap snugly around the base of your heel to provide lots of support.

Credit: webmd.com

Godlessness In The Last Days

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Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee, Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. – 2 Timothy 3:1-5

INTRODUCTION

The last days here is not referring to a brief period of time before Christ’s return. In a very broad and general sense, the “last days” can include the entire era between Christ’s first coming, by birth and His literal second coming at the end of the tribulation period. In this passage, Paul may be referring more specifically to the period beginning with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the united believers in Jerusalem, which was the start of the Church (following Christ’s resurrection and ascension back to heaven – Pentecost and concluding with Christ’s return to earth). Through Paul’s prophecy here, the ungodly and immoral behaviour in society will accelerate as the end approaches.

  1. The last days will be marked by a widespread collapse of the moral structure of the family and of society in general as people are arrogant “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God”. Even in churches, unfaithfulness to God and disloyalty to His truth will increase. These times will be especially difficult and disheartening for God’s true servants.
  2. Paul warns that within organized Christianity many will have “a form of godliness” (insincere, hypocritical religion) and will appear to do the right things outwardly; but they will lack the authentic power that comes from a right relationship with God. Such people deny the true power of Christ’s message that produces genuine life transformation and godly character. Paul adds: “I have nothing to do with them”.

The full benefits of spiritual salvation and the mighty end-time outpouring and activity of the Holy Spirit will occur through churches that are truly passionate for Jesus, actively serving His purpose and anticipating His coming. Followers of Christ who remain true to God and His Word will experience greater favour and empowerment from God than they have ever known.

LOVERS OF THEMSELVES

Paul gives a list of sins that all have their root in a love of self:

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – 2 Timothy 3:2-4

Many people today teach that a lack of love for oneself is the root of destructive behaviour and petrsonality disorders. However, God’s Word reveals that the problem lies in a self-centeredness that has no concern for God or others.

 

WITHOUT LOVE

In the last days, God’s people must be prepared to face an over-whelming rise in ungodliness as history enters its final stages. Paul prophesies that Satan will bring great destruction on the family. Children will be “disobedient to their parents”, and men and women will be “without love”. This can be translated “without family affection” and refers to a lack of natural tenderness and love, as shown by a mother who rejects her children or kills her baby, a father who abandons his family or children who neglect their aging parents.

Men and women will become lovers of money and pleasure and will pursue their own selfish desires with no thought or concern for God or others. Many will consider parenthood, with its demands for sacrificial love and nurture, an unworthy or undignified task. Parents with true love for their children will be rare; they will be replaced more and more by those who are selfish and brutal and who abandon their children, emotionally and physically.

If Christian parents are to safeguard their families in the difficult times of the last days, they must protect them from evil influences and teach them to reject the corrupt values of the society in which they live.

 

HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS

Paul is referring to those who claim to be Christians, appear to be religious and seem to do the right things, but who do not have an authentic personal relationship with Jesus. Their lives are not characterized by the spiritual power that frees people from sin (their own God-defying ways), selfishness and ungodly behaviour. Such people tolerate immoral behaviours and lifestyles in their churches and among those who claim to know God.

They even teach that a person may practice the sins listed and yet still be spiritually saved and have a part in God’s kingdom. While Christians need to reach out and maintain positive relationships and influence with people who do not know Christ, they are to “having nothing to do with” hypocritical people who pretend to follow Christ but are simply trying to fool God and others. Such people tend to distort Christ’s message, mislead others spiritually and cause divisions in the church.

WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE – MHB 820

Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?

Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?

Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?

Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?

By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,

We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

 

Jesus, Thou hast bought us, not with gold or gem,

But with Thine own lifeblood, for Thy diadem;

With Thy blessing filling each who comes to Thee,

Thou hast made us willing, Thou hast made us free.

By Thy grand redemption, by Thy grace divine,

We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

Stay Blessed!

Please note that the preaching program on Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays at 5:30 am has been temporarily put on hold. However, please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays at 5:30 am and YFM 107.9 – Sundays at 6:30 am for our Radio Bible Study, as well as on Sunny 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm for Hymns and Their Stories.

Feature: NPP, Learn From CPP

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Africanus Owusu Ansah (Hot Issues)

“If we do not listen and restructure our party, the NPP will become as irrelevant to the politics of Ghana as the CPP has become … I don’t agree with the top-to-bottom up.  We are trying to get the young people running the party to halt, look and listen so we get the direction right”.  –   Kwame Pianim  –  Statesman, NPP Founding Father

Some of us have not only studied Ghana’s political history – we have lived it.  Awards in history, among others – English, Physical Education, Music; Yes, Music – tone, tone, semi – tone.  Time was when Ghana had only two radio stations relayed from Accra Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and GBC 2, commencing from July 31st 1935 code-named Radio XOY (when we had not been born).  The ‘Sunshine Governor; Sir Arnold Wienholt Hodson stated: “One of the main reasons for introducing the Relay Service is to bring News, Entertainment and Music into the homes of all and sundry …”.

In 1965, the Ghana Television was opened, and pictures were seen in ‘black and white’ and in 1985, Colour television was introduced.  As we write now, there are many radio (FM) and TV Stations, mostly private, numbering over 150.  In those days, news could only be obtained from one source; there was hardly any possibility of cross-checking from other sources – unlike the present situation, with a plethora of TV stations: GTV, Metro TV, TV3, Onua TV, Royal TV, Angel TV, Adom TV, XYZ TV, Pan African TV, Kessben TV, GH One TV, Police TV…

Why would any person sympathetic to NPP restrict himself or herself to one TV station and listen to one voice when there are several others churning out the same facts but with different interpretations and lines of argument?

Objective NPP “political watchers” will not take the “warning” or “advice” from the Statesman Kwame Pianim lightly.  We know the “die-hard” but “un-objective” NPP analysts will just dismiss this, and argue loudly and think life will go on unabated, and NPP will push on and succeed in their political life – deviations notwithstanding.

Kwame Pianim, speaking on Accra-based TV3 on 13th August, 2025 this year stressed:  “I’m hoping that we’ll soon get our act together to rebuild, restructure and build a united front to move forward.” Mr. Pianim continued  “Once 50% of the solution is identifying the problem and posing the question, they have to listen, because it’s their future.  If we do not listen and restructure our party, the NPP will become as irrelevant to the politics of Ghana as the CPP has become”.

He criticised the decision to elect the party’s flagbearer before choosing its polling station, constituency, regional and national executives, saying: “I don’t agree with the top-to-bottom approach instead of bottom-up.  We are trying to get the young people running the party to halt, look, and listen so we get the direction right”.

He asserted  further.  “I know a lot of founding members of the party who are unhappy with the state of the party and are contacting the current leadership, both in Parliament and at the National Secretariat?

On Monday, September 8, 2025, Dr. Arthur Kennedy repeated Kwame Pianim’s “warning” or “advice” (refer to p 18 of the Monday’s (September 8, 2025) edition of the Daily Graphic).  Dr. Arthur Kennedy is no stranger to Ghanaian (and for that matter, NPP) politics.  After the 2008 elections in which the NPP lost, he authored “196- page book: “Chasing the Elephant Into The Bush:  The Politics of Complacency”.

And save for President Kufuor’s reaction to p 148 with regard to the Tain election (where President Kufuor had proceeded to Wenchi to canvas for votes for the NPP candidate) the book serves as a guide “for critical evaluation and guidance for posterity”.  One may note in the book “the Kyebi mafia …in their eagerness to serve Nana’s interest, they ruffle feathers … (and) … it pays to put competence ahead of loyalty …”.

This time around, Dr. Arthur Kennedy expresses deep concerns about NPP’s current state, warning that it is heading towards collapse if drastic measures are not taken.  He cited the disillusionment over corruption, patronage and perceived abandonment of founding principles as key factors contributing to the party’s troubles.  The 2007 presidential aspirant of the NPP notes: “The NPP, like the proverbial elephant, has lost its way and is in the bush”; ominously stating the obvious: “if we don’t heed the voice of the people, the NPP will die, like the Whigs of North America, the Liberals of Britain, the UGCC and CPP of Ghana”.

In a lamentation, Dr. Kennedy reminded the party faithful the effect of the splintering of the Danquah–Busia–Dombo family in 1979 “due to pettiness and selfishness” which created room for Dr. Hilla Limann’s PNP rise, leading further to two decades of Rawlings’s rule.

He highlighted the recent electoral setbacks including the abysmal performance of the NPP in the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections; the Prof. Mike Oquaye’s Committee Report; the Ablekuma North re-run and the results of the Akwatia by-election – being clear reminder that something is amiss.  He gave the example of Lord Halifax who in 1940 stepped aside as a potential Prime Minister of the U.K. in favour of Winston Churchill at a time of war, hinting: “I want to be Prime Minister but Churchill will, at this time, be a better Prime Minister”.  You see, where “the greater good” is placed above “personal ambition”?

If NPP will not take advice, the party (at this time in our history) stands to lose further some of the 88 seats they have in Parliament.  You may laugh it off, just as ex-President Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia will heartily laugh off (showing their 32 teeth) at the late Lumba’s funeral.  Can you imagine:  Members of the NPP (MPs for that matter) will mass up at EOCO office, sit on the floor insisting they would not leave until Chairman Wontumi was released! “Ghanafoɔ ee, monsore oo, NPP foɔ ee, monsore oo; afei deɛ mennyɛ Ghanani bio?”.  The NPP MPs appear not to have done O-Level Music: listen to their husky voice; “… mo mma yɛn nyinaa mmom, obiara nnyɛ n’afamu deɛ … Oman! Bɛnya nkɔso, Ghana betu mpon …”.

And a man calling himself “Chairman of NPP at Bono Region “with eleven parliamentary seats now reduced to only one (1) would sit in his studio (Ohia TV) and insult the hard-working President Mahama and the affable IGP, Yohunu – what!

A Communications member of the NPP Benjamin Asare calls on NPP faithful not to defend the acts of the Bono NPP Chairman: “In all aspects, it is not right to insult people regardless of their age, to the extent that you insult the first gentleman of the land.  It is not right and shouldn’t be tolerated or defended”.

After insulting Kennedy Agyapong with unprintable words, Abronye now goes a pitch higher, and he expects “docile” NPP members to come to his aid? You will not be wrong to ask: “what training did Abronye have at home or school? Kevin Taylor has gone scot-free after all his insults, so Abronye with his putrid mouth should also go …?  The song we heard in our childhood days was “Akoko ne kra ne obirekuo deɛ nse, obiara na ne nkrabea” Ramblers Band it was that sang it. Correct for 3 points! Take the CPP beat …!

Juventus, Inter Milan go head-to-head in Turin

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Lautaro Martínez, Inter Milan

Italy will stand still on Saturday evening, as Serie A giants Juventus and Inter Milan go head-to-head in Turin.

While Juve come into the season’s first Derby d’Italia with maximum points on the board, Inter faltered just before the international break and already have ground to make up.

Reprising a rivalry that began way back in 1909, the two clubs with most Scudetti to their name meet again this weekend, with Juventus playing host at the Allianz Stadium.

Saturday’s clash will do well to match the sides’ first contest last season, when Juve’s Kenan Yildiz struck twice in the closing stages of a frantic 4-4 draw in Milan.

After that eight-goal thriller last October, Francisco Conceicao was the sole scorer in February’s reverse fixture, as the Bianconeri continued their impressive recent record at home to Inter.

Heading into this week’s game, Juventus have lost just one of the teams’ last 11 league meetings in Turin, so history will certainly be on their side.

This latest instalment of the Derby d’Italia will offer more clues as to which side is best equipped to challenge for the title, with hosts Juventus hoping to lay down a marker.

However, they may have to settle for a low-scoring draw, as Inter will fight all the way to avoid rare back-to-back defeats.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Arsenal welcome Forest to Emirates Stadium

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Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal

The script has already been written for Saturday’s early Premier League kickoff, as Ange Postecoglou‘s Nottingham Forest travel to Mikel Arteta‘s Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The Garibaldi are gearing up for their first assignment under the former Tottenham Hotspur head coach, while the Gunners have first place in the Premier League table in their sights.

From one erstwhile Spurs boss to another, Nottingham Forest’s tumultuous early-season period culminated in the inevitable departure of Nuno Espirito Santo.

Whethernew coach Postecoglou seeks to instil his ideas right away remains to be seen, as the Australian takes over a visiting side boasting an indifferent four points from nine games after Santo’s reign ended in an embarrassing 3-0 home loss to a hitherto hopeless West Ham United side.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have now adopted a more controlled approach, which nearly earned them a hard-earned point away to champions Liverpool just before the international break.

However, Forest’s rearguard action over the past few months has left a lot to be desired, and even if the new manager bounce does take effect for the visitors, it should only earn them a consolation goal as Arsenal get back to winning ways.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Real Madrid to post 4th straight win against Real Sociedad

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Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid

Real Madrid will endeavour to post a fourth straight win at the start of the 2025-26 La Liga campaign when they make the trip to Reale Arena on Saturday afternoon to tackle Real Sociedad.

Los Blancos are top of the La Liga table, boasting nine points from their opening three matches, while Real Sociedad are down in 16th, picking up just two points from their first three games of the season.

Real Madrid have made a solid yet unspectacular start to the season, recording three straight wins over Osasuna, Real Oviedo and Mallorca, scoring six times in the process and conceding just once.

It would be fair to say that Alonso’s side are yet to find their rhythm, but winning matches while they wait is an excellent habit to have, and they would move five points clear of the reigning champions Barcelona in the La Liga table with a victory on Saturday afternoon.

Los Blancos are unbeaten against Real Sociedad in La Liga since May 2023, while they have only lost once against the Basque outfit in the top flight of Spanish football since May 2019.

Real Sociedad are capable of making this a tricky match for Real Madrid, but the Basque outfit have not exactly been brilliant early in the season, and we are backing Los Blancos to shade a close match on Saturday.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

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