Juventus forward Paulo Dybala and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski are among the big names to have missed out on the 2018 Ballon d Or after the announcement of the 30-strong list of nominees.
Both players were in contention for the 2017 award after title-winning seasons with their respective clubs, but, despite retaining those crowns and enjoying fine campaigns, they were overlooked by the journalists and national team coaches and captains who took part in France Football s 2018 vote.
While the likes of Karim Benzema, who scored just five league goals in 32 appearances for Real Madrid last season, are in the running for this year s award, some of Europe s finest talents know that they will not be named the world s best player in December.
Here are 10 of t…
Cedric Soares hopes his big-match experience from the Euro 2016 final will serve him well when Southampton face Manchester United with the EFL Cup trophy on the line.
The two teams meet at Wembley on Sunday as English football s first major honour of the season is decided.
Defender Cedric played as Portugal caused a major shock against France in the final of last year s international tournament and now hopes to experience similar emotions against United.
Playing in the Euro 2016 final was very important for me and my career, he told Southampton s website.
It is a game that I will always remember. These kind of games make you stronger as a player, make you more prepared for matches where the pressure is so high.
It is amazing. To be playing t…
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes if Manchester City are found guilty of breaching the Premier League s financial rules, that it should be reflected in their punishment.
The independent hearing, which started last month, is anticipated to last approximately two months, although the verdict is not expected to be made public until early next year.
If found guilty, the sternest punishment is relegation, while points deductions and fines are also potential penalties.
City have been charged with breaking financial fair play (FFP) rules, with the breaches allegedly going back over a decade.
The Citizens were charged with 54 counts of failing to provide accurate financial information from 2009-10 until 2017-18, while also failing to provide accurat…
Galaxy clinch playoffs berth for first time since 2019, Philadelphia thrashed by Charlotte after Rio
LA Galaxy clinched their first playoff berth since 2019 after Javier Hernandez earned them a late penalty to secure a 1-1 draw away to Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Douglas Costa converted the 68th-minute penalty won by Hernandez, after Riqui Puig had his 17th-minute spotkick saved by RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath.
RSL had gone ahead in the 25th minute from Sergio Cordova s header, but were left to lament Justen Glad failing to convert two late golden opportunities from headers, denting their playoff hopes and extending their winless run to five games.
Ex-Manchester United forward Hernandez earned Galaxy s reprieve after review when bundled over by Marcelo Silva inside the box, with Costa sending MacMath the wrong way.
The draw was enough for the Galaxy, who a…
Most people are probably confident in who’ll win Sunday’s clash between the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets but don’t let that stop you from reading on, as there are plenty of big betting opportunities in this game.
The Titans are 2-1 through three contests while the Jets are in a crisis already, with an 0-3 record and a rookie quarterback who has created as many problems as he’s solved for the Jets so far.
Before wagering on anything this Sunday be sure to check out our free NFL picks and predictions for Titans vs. Jets on October 3.
…
If you’re holding a longstanding Super Bowl futures ticket on the Cincinnati Bengals, good on you, and can I “Burrow” the time machine?
Cincinnati was a massive underdog to not only win the AFC Championship (+10,000) but even make the playoffs, with the Yes/No postseason prop pegging the Bengals to be playoff-bound at +400 before the season started.
Yet, here we are. Cincinnati is still an underdog, taking on the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI on February 13, but a live dog at +170 odds. That’s about a 37% chance of winning the Lombardi Trophy, which looks a lot nicer than the 0.50% shot oddsmakers gave the Bengals back in the summer.
We run down the Bengals’ Super Bowl odds during their long and winding road to SoFi St…
After a long season, we’re finally at the Conference Championship games, and the first one up on Sunday will decide the NFC. The 49ers travel to the Linc to face an Eagles team that has looked like potential champions all season long.
With both teams featuring dynamic play-calling and talented rosters, there are plenty of elite players who could find the end zone. Don’t miss our best anytime touchdown prop picks for the San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles.
For more, check out our 49ers vs. Eagles picks and predictions, as well as our 49ers vs. Eagles prop picks.
…
The AFC West goes to war when the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 odds.
Los Angeles comes to Arrowhead Stadium on a short week after a dud of a loss to Dallas this past Monday night, while Kansas City has enjoyed an extended break after dropping Denver two Thursdays ago.
The NFL odds have the Chiefs installed as 5.5-point home chalk, giving K.C. its respect but also guarding against this heated rivalry that has seen L.A. cover the spread in four of the last five head-to-head clashes.
We’ll size up this AFC West grudge match as I give my best NFL picks for Chargers vs. Chiefs on October 22. Be sure to check out our favorite Patrick Mahomes props heading into this matchup as well.
Chargers vs Chiefs odds
…
It’s Wild Card weekend in the Super Bowl odds and the hits keep coming, with books wasting no time releasing NFL odds for defensive player props. I dig into the sack and tackle props and bring you my favorite betting plays when it comes to the latest Wild Card odds.
Along with being bullish on rookie pass rusher Will Anderson Jr., I’m fading Alex Highsmith in what should be a run-heavy game in Buffalo, and backing Antoine Winfield to rack up hits on Monday night. Here are my best free sack and tackle NFL picks for Wild Card weekend.
…
Two teams who believe they have their quarterback of the future square off on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium when the Chicago Bears take on the Indianapolis Colts.
Through two week, neither has shown anything worth writing home about, but my Bears vs. Colts predictions lean in favor of Caleb Williams playmaking ability.
Find out why in my NFL picks for Sunday, September 22.
Bears vs Colts prediction
My best betBears moneyline (+105 at BetMGM)
My analysis
The Chicago Bears head to Lucas Oil Stadium with a 1-1 record, and we can definitely say two things about them through two weeks: the defense is good, and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams hasn’t been.
The Bears’ stop unit has impressed with ran…