ServerVultr

Arsenal reached the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years as Bukayo Saka sealed a 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Mikel Arteta’s side settled the semi-final second leg with Saka’s strike late in the first half at an ecstatic Emirates Stadium.The Gunners, who drew 1-1 in the first leg in Madrid last week, held firm after Saka’s goal to go through 2-1 on aggregate.

Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final in Budapest on May 30.Holders PSG, who beat Arsenal in the semi-finals last year, have a 5-4 lead ahead of the second leg in Munich on Wednesday.

It was a cathartic night for Arsenal, who are back in the Champions League final for the first time since losing 2-1 to Barcelona in their only previous appearance in the showpiece in 2006.

Arsenal have never won the Champions League, with their two major European trophies coming in the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup and the 1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

Their last continental final ended in a 4-1 defeat against Chelsea in the 2019 Europa League.

It is shaping up to be Arsenal’s greatest ever season as they chase a Premier League and Champions League double.

Even Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ – who won the club’s last English title in an unbeaten top-flight campaign in 2004 – might have to bow to the current generation if they finish the job.

Fittingly, it was Saka – the homegrown symbol of the Arteta era – who proved Arsenal’s match-winner.

Now just four games from immortality, Premier League leaders Arsenal were given a huge boost in the title race when second-placed Manchester City drew at Everton on Monday.

The Gunners will be crowned champions if they win their last three games against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.

Once the title is decided, Arsenal will head to Hungary with a maiden Champions League crown in their sights.

Arsenal endured jibes about their perceived lack of mental strength after a run of four defeats in six games in all competitions sparked painful memories of previous failures to end their six-year wait for silverware. But the ‘nearly-men’ and ‘serial choker’ labels applied only weeks ago are on the verge of being banished forever.

Thousands of Arsenal supporters massed outside the stadium before kick-off to greet their team with flares and flags, a vociferous display of affection underlining Arsenal’s desperation to make history.

It was the kind of evening in north London, when nothing was beyond the realm of possibility as Arsenal moved closer to casting off the shackles of two decades of underachievement.

After some tense performances during the Premier League run-in, Saturday’s 3-0 rout of Fulham had showed Arsenal at their flowing best in a riposte to the critics who claim they only win ugly.

This was a more prosaic display but no-one with an affinity to Arsenal was bothered in the slightest.Arsenal were nearly caught on the counter in a frenetic start when Julian Alvarez shot just wide before Giuliano Simeone’s close-range effort deflected past the post.

But Arsenal recovered from those anxious moments to deliver a dominant spell that brought their 44th minute goal.

Viktor Gyokeres’ clever run unhinged the Atletico defence and his cross reached Leandro Trossard inside the area. Trossard wriggled into just enough space for a low drive that Jan Oblak weakly pushed out to Saka, who reacted quicker than his flat-footed markers to slot home from four yards.

Arteta jubilantly punched the air as all around him the Emirates erupted into a roiling red sea of celebration.

Atletico tried to ruin the party in the second half, but Gabriel Magalhaes made a last-ditch tackle on Simeone to avert a certain goal before David Raya repelled Antoine Griezmann’s blast.

Arteta recently revealed he visualised Arsenal conquering the Champions League even in the difficult early days of his reign. The Spaniard now is just one win away from seeing that daydream become a glorious reality.

Related

Betis are all set to host Real Madrid in a Friday night La Liga clash hoping to make it back-to-back wins for the first time since February.�

Betis are coming off a thrilling 3-2 away win at Girona, leaving them in fifth place with 49 points.�

They host a second-place Real Madrid side who were 2-1 winners against Alaves on Tuesday night. Madrid remain nine points behind league leaders Barcelona, with a win here cutting it down to six points.�

Gonzalo Garcia scored a hattrick in the reverse fixture as Madrid hammered Betis 5-1 in January. Alvaro Arbeloa’s charges are looking to complete the league double over Betis for the first time since the 2016/17 season.�

Which one of these sides will make it back-to-back La Liga wins? We have a look at both teams ahead of the clash and offer our predicted outcome.�

What time does Betis vs Real Madrid start?�

The game kicks off at 10PM E.A.T�

ALSO READ: Tusker vs Mara Sugar prediction: SportPesa League match preview, current form & h2h

Betis vs Real Madrid team news�

The hosts are still without the services of Junior Firpo, Angel Ortiz and Diego Llorente who are all injured.�

Pablo Fornals and Sofyan Amrabat will retain their positions in midfield, while Cucho will lead the attacking line.�

Antony and Abde Ezzalzouli will provide the attacking options up front.�

For the visitors, top scorer Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior will be the focal point of the visitors attack.�

The rest of the team will be similar to the side who started in the 2-1 victory against Alaves.�

Betis vs Real Madrid head-to-head and current form�

Both these sides have only managed one win in their last five matches in all competitions, making this a key fixture at the business end of the season.�

Betis have lost once in that run, while settling for three successive draws. Madrid on the other hand have lost three of their last five games – their worst record all season.�

However, Madrid hold the advantage with three wins in the last five head-to-head games against Betis, losing just once. �

ALSO READ: La Liga round 33 midweek predictions: Match preview, key stats, current form & h2h

Current form:�

Betis – WLDDD

Real Madrid – WLDLL

Betis vs Real Madrid previous games�

Betis vs Real Madrid prediction�

There has only been one goalless match in the last 10 matches between these two teams and we can expect goals here as well.�

With only one home win from their last five, Betis are not favorites to win here.�

Prediction – Both teams to score – CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME!

Related

Chelsea are desperate to recover from a three-match losing streak when they host Manchester United in the English Premier League on Saturday.�

The highly anticipated match will be the last of the day in a game week filled with plenty of action. Chelsea come into the game in sixth place with 48 points after 32 games.�

The Blues have lost three consecutive Premier League games ahead of this tough test against their eternal foes. Their most recent outing ended in a 3-0 demolition at home to Manchester City.�

Third-place Man United have 55 points, level with Aston Villa in fourth. The Red Devils are also without a win in their last two games, coming from a shock 2-1 home defeat to Leeds United last weekend.�

Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro were both on target as United beat 10-man Chelsea 2-1 in the reverse fixture last September. Michael Carrick’s side are hoping to complete the double over their opponents for the first time in almost a decade.�

Can Liam Rosenior’s side bounce back and finally get a win here or will United make it back-to-back wins against Chelsea? We have a look at both sides and offer our predicted outcome.�

ALSO READ: English Premier League round 33 predictions: Match preview, current form, key stats & h2h

What time does Chelsea vs Man United start?�

The game kicks off at 10PM E.A.T at Stamford Bridge.�

Chelsea vs Man United team news�

Enzo Fernandez is set to return to the squad after a club-enforced absence. The Argentine midfielder has created the most chances in a Chelsea shirt this season.�

Jorrel Hato and Wesley Fofana will retain their defensive partnership, with Marc Cucrella and Malo Gusto on either flank. Reece James remains sidelined with an injury.�

Joao Pedro will lead the attacking line. Estevao is expected to return to the starting XI – with Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto completing the attacking force.�

For the visitors, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are suspended and will sit this one out. Lenny Yoro and Aiden Heaven are expected to start. �

Bryan Mbeumo hasn’t scored in five games but will lead the attacking line, supported by Matteus Cunha and Fernandes. Amad Diallo will start as well.�

Chelsea vs Man United head-to-head and current form�

Both sides have won twice in their last five head-to-head matches, with only one resulting in a stalemate – making this a rather evenly matched fixture in recent history.�

The Blues have only managed one win in their last five games, a 7-0 demolition of Port Vale in the FA Cup quarters.�

United on the other hand have won twice in that run, losing two games as well to Newcastle and Leeds.�

Current form:�

Chelsea – LWLLL

Man United – LDWLW

ALSO READ: SportPesa League round 28 predictions: Match previews, key stats, current form & h2h

Chelsea vs Man United previous games�

Chelsea vs Man United prediction�

The last time there was a goalless result between these two sides was in 2021. We can expect at least a couple of goals in this fixture as well.�

Despite their recent poor run of form, Chelsea could turn things around enough to at least avoid defeat here.�

Prediction – Chelsea to win or draw – CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME!

Related

As we kick off a two-week international break, the preliminary stage of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification gets underway. �

The 2027 edition of the continental showpiece will be co-hosted by a trio of East African nations – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. A total of 24 teams will qualify for the tournament.�

The preliminary round kicks off on Wednesday, March 25 – featuring the eight lowest-ranked teams from the FIFA rankings. The winners of the two-legged ties will then progress to the group stage of the competition.�

These teams are Somalia, Djibouti, São Tomé and Principe, Chad, Mauritius, South Sudan, Liberia and Eswatini.�

Here we have a look at the first leg of the matches and offer our predicted outcome.�

Eritrea vs Eswatini – Wednesday, 5PM�

After an 18-year absence from AFCON, Eritrea are all set to battle it out for a place in the tournament. The last time they featured in the tournament was in 2008.�

They come into the game without a win in their last five outings – with their last game resulting in a 1-0 defeat to Niger in May last year.�

They take on an Eswatini side who are also without a win in their last five games – losing four times and sharing the spoils in another. They lost their last match 3-0 to Cape Verde in a World Cup qualifier last October.�

With the lack of playing time, Eritrea are not favorites to win here and they may have to settle for a point in the first leg.�

Prediction – Eritrea to win or draw�

São Tomé and Principe vs Ethiopia – Wednesday, 5PM

The hosts are looking to make it back-to-back wins for the first time since 2019. Their last match was a 1-0 win against Malawi in a World Cup qualifier last October.�

The win snapped a dismal seven-game losing streak as they look to get a positive result in the first leg.�

They face an Ethiopia side who have won two and lost three in their last five games. Burkina Faso beat Ethiopia 3-1 in their last outing on October 12 last year.�

These two sides have played each other twice in their history – with each team winning once.�

Prediction – Over 1.5 goals�

Djibouti vs South Sudan – Thursday, 4PM�

Djibouti are currently on the worst run of form on the continent, losing all of their previous 10 games prior to this encounter. They have conceded 19 goals in their last five matches.�

South Sudan are also on an eight-game winless run and are coming off a 2-0 defeat to Syria. The visitors have been dominant over their opponents in their previous head-to-head encounters, winning four of the last five matches.�

There is plenty on the line for both sides as they seek a way back into the tournament, setting this up to be a rather cagey encounter. Aside from Sudan’s 1-0 win in 2022, the remaining matches have produced over 1.5 goals and the same can be expected here.�

Prediction – Over 1.5 goals�

Chad vs Burundi – Friday, 4PM�

Both these sides come into the game on similar runs of form – losing four times and sharing the spoils in the other.�

Chad played out to a 2-2 draw against Mozambique in their last outing, while Burundi lost 2-0 to Gabon in a World Cup qualifier on October 14 last year.�

This will be the first competitive meeting between these two nations. The hosts have a fully fit squad and are tipped as favorites to avoid defeat in the first leg.�

Prediction – Chad to win or draw (1X)

Related

Roma will host Bologna in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League knockout playoff on Thursday night, looking to book a place in the quarterfinals.�

The two teams played out to a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week, setting up the second leg to be a potentially explosive encounter. Lorenzo Pellegrini scored a late equalizer to salvage a point for Roma.�

Roma have been eliminated from this stage  in four of their last seven appearances in the competition. The pressure is on for a victory in the home leg as they look to qualify for the last eight.�

Bologna are unbeaten in 10 Europa League matches and will be a true test for the hosts. Their impeccable away form also gives them more than a fighting chance at qualification.�

We have a look at both sides ahead of the highly anticipated clash and offer our predicted outcome.�

ALSO READ: Europa League knockout round second leg predictions: Match preview, key stats & h2h

What time does Roma vs Bologna start?�

The game kicks off at 11PM E.A.T�

Roma vs Bologna team news�

Paulo Dybala and Evan Ferguson remain sidelined through injury and will not feature. Zeki Celik also went off injured in the first leg and will sit this one out.�

The goal scorer from the first leg, Pellegrini will be a key part of the hosts. The attacking trio will be completed by Stephan El Shaarawy and new signing Donyell Malen.�

The rest of the team will remain unchanged from the first leg.�

For the visitors, Juan Miranda is suspended and will not play. As well as Lorenzo di Silvestri and Nikola Moro who are injured.�

Bologna are expected to remain a similar XI to the side that started at the Stadio Olimpico.�

ALSO READ: Senegal to appeal ‘unjust’ AFCON 2025 ruling after CAF award title to Morocco

Roma vs Bologna head-to-head and current form�

The hosts come into the game without a win in their last four games in all competitions – losing twice in that run.�

Bologna on the other hand have won three of the last five matches, losing just one of those games. The visiting side have won all of their last five away matches and will be confident they can extend that record here.�

There have been two draws in the recent five head-to-head matches between these two sides, with Bologna holding a slight advantage with two wins.�

Current form:�

Roma – LDLDW

Bologna – WDLWW

Roma vs Bologna previous games�

Roma vs Bologna prediction�

Despite having home advantage, Roma’s form has been worrying, and they are expected to be under pressure from Bologna throughout the 90.�

Bologna’s away form is impressive and they cannot be counted out here, goals are a better option for the game.�

Prediction – Both teams to score�– CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME!

Related

On a Thursday evening in Mumbai, the Pusalkars aren’t on their couch. They’re on a court.

However, urban India is steadily embracing an active lifestyle to overcome the hours they have to spend sitting. Just look around you, fitness and physical activity are the new buzzwords, and everyone from your 70+ neighbour to your 30-something professionals is all moving, bouncing, stretching, and probably playing a sport.

In Mumbai, you will find an emerging tribe of adults taking up recreational sports as part of their daily routine. And an example of this trend is the recent popularity in Pickleball, Padelball, tennis-ball Cricket, Football, Tennis, Squash, Badminton and Throw-ball. In fact, there are regular tournaments for these sports, and booking turfs or courts for them has become another activity in itself! You have families, groups of women, men, couples, and single people, all out there on the courts, playing out a hard week of work or celebrating a holiday.

In this series, KheloMore will showcase various such active-lifestylers. And who else to kickstart with but the Pusalkar family – Rishi, Puja and two boys, Veer and Vihaan. Between the four of them, they tackle, squash, padel, crossfit, marathon, HyRox, yoga.. sometimes together, sometimes individually.�

 “My father played Squash for India and wanted my brother and me to be involved in some form of sports while we were growing up. Although I chose a different path, the seeds for an active lifestyle were sown then,” informs Puja, 48, adding, “and I always kept active through some activity or another – starting with basic gym after my older son was born.”

For Rishi, 52, a busy Dental Surgeon, an active lifestyle has also always been a way of life. “Being Gen X, our only entertainment was outdoor play. I started tennis at the age of 6 and continued till I turned 20. Summer vacations were spent on the tennis courts and ‘gully cricket’. Monsoons were football.”

It is one thing to start a recreational sport or even get a gym membership, it is another to keep at it day after day, month after month and definitely year after year. Especially if one is not a professional sportsperson.

“Well, two things that kept me going were a motivating partner and the long-lasting happy feeling one gets after a workout,” says Puja, a textile designer with a demanding work schedule involving long commuting hours. “Add to that, having two boys who needed to expend their energy, especially when the pandemic hit.”  Alongside CrossFit and yoga, she has recently taken up playing Padel with any available group of women thrown up by the booking app.�

For Rishi, working out “gives me my daily dose of dopamine and endorphins, making me ready for the challenges of everyday routine.” He adds that since he has been indulging in some sort of physical activity for so many years now, he is addicted to it!

He, too, has tried his hand at Padel recently and finds it a great combination of Tennis and Squash. And he is a budding marathoner, having recently completed two half marathons and a 21 km trail run in Goa.�

Besides, keeping physically active has given them their dream family vacations. Along with 19-year-old Veer and 14-year-old Vihaan, they have taken many an active vacation – be it a cycling vacation in the Netherlands, a surfing trip to Sri Lanka or a trekking and fishing one in the Tirthan Valley.  “I am very happy that we all enjoy the outdoors, and in my opinion, the most valuable habit passed on to my children,” says Rishi, a tad proudly.

The boys, regular Squash players, love the intensity and challenge provided during the vacations. Their best holidays are the ones they spent cycling throughout the Netherlands and Italy, visiting different towns and eating local food. What’s more, the only girl, Puja, in this all-boy family, has learnt to keep up with them through her own activeness. “If you can’t beat them, join them, is my mantra.” And join them, she has!�

Remember the last time you stared at a treadmill timer? It probably felt like watching paint dry in slow motion. You run, you sweat, you check the clock. Thirty seconds have passed. Agony.

Now, compare that to the time you played a pickup game of basketball or soccer with friends. Ninety minutes vanished in a blink. You were dripping in sweat, lungs burning, legs screaming, yet you were smiling. You wanted to go another round.

That is the secret sauce.

If you are hunting for an answer to which sport is the best for weight loss, the real answer might surprise you. It isn’t strictly about the math (though we will get to the numbers). It is about the “play.” When you stop working out and start playing, consistency stops being a chore. It becomes an addiction.

Let’s demystify the heavy hitters, the calorie torchers, and the games that will transform your physique while you are too busy having fun to notice.

The Numbers Game: Calorie Burn

Sport / Activity	Est. Calories Burned per Hour	Benefit
Soccer	~700–900 kcal	High-intensity interval training (HIIT) naturally built in.
Martial Arts	~700–900 kcal	Full-body resistance and core strength.
Jump Rope	~650–850 kcal	Insane cardiovascular density; doable anywhere.
Running (Intervals)	~600–850 kcal	Pure cardiovascular efficiency.
Cycling (mtn/HIIT)	~600–800 kcal	Lower body power and low impact on knees.
Boxing	~700–800 kcal	Stress relief and upper body definition.
Basketball	~600–750 kcal	Explosiveness and agility.
Swimming	~600–700 kcal	Zero impact, total body toning.
Rowing	~550–700 kcal	Posture correction and back strength.
Tennis	~500–700 kcal	Coordination and lateral movement.
Brisk Walking	~344–453 calories	Active recovery and accessibility.
Weight Lifting	~272–544 calories	Metabolic rate boost (muscle building).

The High-Intensity Heavyweights

You might already been told about the importance of sports in school. But when we talk about shedding serious mass, as an adult, we need activities that demand everything from our bodies. We are looking for full-body engagement, explosive movements, and the kind of intensity that keeps your metabolism revving hours after you leave the field.

The Combat Zone: Boxing and Martial Arts

Want to know a secret? Boxers don’t run on treadmills to get lean; they fight.

Boxing and Martial Arts sit at the top of the food chain for a reason. You aren’t sitting still. You bounce, weave, strike, and block. Every punch throws your core into overdrive.

Boxing burns between ~700–800 calories/hour. It is visceral. You are punching a bag or sparring, releasing stress while carving out a lean physique. If you want the best sport for fat loss, this might be the king. The rotational movement of throwing a hook or a cross obliterates love handles, making it a stellar sport for belly fat reduction.

Similarly, Martial Arts (think Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) ramps the burn up to ~700–900 kcal/hour. Grappling involves resisting an opponent’s weight, which adds a strength training component that pure cardio lacks.

The Field Generals: Soccer and Basketball

Team sports have something solo workouts cannot: accountability and chaos.

In Soccer, you never stop moving. You jog, you sprint, you pivot. It is the ultimate interval training. A competitive hour of soccer can torch ~700–900 kcal/hour. Your legs become steel, and your cardiovascular endurance skyrockets.

Basketball is equally demanding. But it relies on explosive vertical power and short, sharp sprints. You burn roughly ~600–750 kcal/hour. The constant jumping and defensive shuffling act as a lower-body sculpting machine.

The Full-Body Sculptors

Maybe you prefer solo missions or steady-state battles against the elements. These options focus on resistance and endurance.

Swimming

Water is the great equaliser. It is 800 times denser than air, meaning every movement is resistance training. Swimming burns ~600–700 kcal/hour, but the magic lies in the lack of impact. You can train harder and more frequently without destroying your joints.

If you are looking for the best sport for weight loss and toning, the pool is your sanctuary. It builds long, lean muscle across the shoulders, back, and legs simultaneously.

Rowing and Tennis

Rowing is deceptively brutal. It looks peaceful, yet it engages 86% of your body’s muscles. Burning ~550–700 kcal/hour, it is a powerhouse for posterior chain development—strengthening your back, glutes, and hamstrings.

Then we have Tennis. It is tactical and fast. You sprint to the net, backpedal for a smash, and lunge for a volley. Those lateral movements burn ~500–700 kcal/hour and improve your agility drastically.

The “Cheat Codes” for Fat Loss

If you are short on time but need maximum output, look at Jump Rope and Cycling (Mountain/HIIT).

Jumping rope isn’t child’s play. It is a calorie furnace, burning ~650–850 kcal/hour. Ten minutes of intense skipping is roughly equivalent to 30 minutes of jogging.

Mountain biking or HIIT cycling (~600–800 kcal/hour) forces your legs to work against changing terrains. The adrenaline spike from navigating a trail keeps your heart rate high without the monotony of a stationary bike.

Why “Play” Beats “Work”

You might wonder why we emphasise sports over pure gym routines.

When in school, you didn’t run around the playground because you wanted to lower your BMI. You did it because it was fun. You chased your friends. You competed.

When you engage in sports for weight loss, you tap into that primal joy. You stop counting reps and start counting points. The dopamine hit from scoring a goal or landing a perfect serve replaces the dread of a workout.

Motivational sports quotes exist because sport mimics life.�

As Michael Jordan said, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” You build resilience on the court that carries over to your diet and your lifestyle.

But don’t forget the basics. All that sweating requires replenishment. Staying hydrated is non-negotiable. Water regulates your body temperature and lubricates joints, ensuring you can play hard tomorrow, too.

How to Actually Start (The Hardest Part)

We know the struggle. You want to play badminton, but your friends are busy. You want to try cricket, but booking a pitch is a nightmare of phone calls and “sorry, we are full” messages.

The friction kills the motivation.

That is where Khelomore helps you.

Our vision is simple: A movement to bring sport back into everyday life.

We aren’t here to lecture you on fitness; we are here to get you on the turf.

Tap and Play: Forget the group chat coordination headache. Open the app, pick your sport, and book a court nearby. It is seamless.

Doorstep Coaching: Maybe you are rusty. Maybe you want to learn pickleball from scratch. You can get top-notch coaching right inside your apartment complex.

Find Your Tribe: Through the “User Meet” feature, you can find other players. No partner? No problem.

It eliminates the “I don’t have anywhere to play” excuse.

Final Words

So, which sport is best for weight loss?

The one you will actually do.

You can burn 900 calories playing soccer, but if you hate running, you won’t last a month. You might burn slightly less playing Tennis, but if you love the game, you will play three times a week for years. That consistency beats intensity every time.

Don’t overthink it. Grab a racquet, lace up your boots, or buy a pair of boxing gloves.

Your journey to a healthier you doesn’t have to start with a groan. It can start with a whistle, a serve, or a kickoff.

Ready to get back in the game?

Visit Khelomore today. Browse the courts near you, book a slot, and remind yourself how good it feels to play.

FAQs

Can beginners lose weight playing sports?

Yes. Sports like swimming or cycling are low-impact and beginner-friendly. Start slowly to build stamina, prevent injury, and effectively burn calories while enjoying the activity.

How often should I play for results?

For the best results, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous sports weekly. Consistency matters more than intensity, e.g., try playing 3 to 4 times a week.

Do I need expensive equipment to start?

Not at all. Many effective weight-loss sports like running, brisk walking, or bodyweight exercises require minimal gear. You can always go for such sports to reduce spending.

Is diet important when playing sports?

Absolutely. You cannot out-train a bad diet. Fuel your body with whole foods and protein to support muscle recovery and maximise the fat-burning potential of your games.

Solo vs. team sports, which is better?

It depends on your personality. Team sports (soccer, basketball) offer accountability and fun competition, while solo sports (running, swimming) provide flexibility and focus. Choose what keeps you consistent.