Guardiola 2021: Manchester City making plans for Premier League dynasty

Manchester City sealed a significant coup on Thursday as Pep Guardiola put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension with the Premier League champions.

If the 47-year-old sees out his deal it will represent a five-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium – longer than the respective four and three season stays the restless innovator managed at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Throughout their march to domestic glory this season, City have been putting plans in place behind the scenes in an attempt to secure a lasting period of success.

Guardiola is merely the latest key figure to sign fresh terms, although the future of other stars does not have similar clarity.

Ederson

Arguably the most important signing of Guardiola s two-year reign to date, the …

Euro 2012 Group C preview: Italy v Republic of Ireland

Italy are facing an all too familiar situation as they prepare to meet Ireland in their final Group C match on Monday.

At the 2004 European championships held in Portugal, the Italians were eliminated from the group stages following Sweden and Denmark s 2-2 draw.

That was the score the Danes required in their final group game, and they booked their passage to the knockout phase at the expense of Italy.

And the same scenario again confronts the 2006 World champions.

If they beat the already-eliminated Ireland at the Stadion Miejski in Poznan and either Spain or Croatia prevail in their clash, Italy will progress, but a 2-2 draw between their fellow Group C sides would send Cesare Prandelli s men home.

However, if the Spain and Croatia encounter e…

Women´s Euros: Kelly makes England´s dream come true as hosts win Euro 2022

England match-winner Chloe Kelly described the 2-1 victory over Germany in Sunday s Euro 2022 final as what dreams are made of .

The Lionesses made history with a breakthrough triumph at Wembley, delivering a first major trophy win for England s women s team.

England were thrashed 6-2 by Germany in the Euro 2009 final, but it was far tighter this time around, with goals from substitutes Ella Toone and Kelly making all the difference.

Kelly, the 24-year-old Manchester City striker who suffered an ACL knee injury 14 months ago, poked in a 110th-minute winner after the tournament finale went to extra time.

Honestly, it s amazing. This is what dreams are made of. As a young girl watching women s football, now this, it s unbelievable, Kelly told BBC Sport.…

2022 World Cup Prediction: Qatar v Ecuador

Prediction: Match to end in 2-2 draw

Best Odds: 

Bookmaker: 

Qatar and Ecuador will face each other in the opening game of the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar this weekend. The Group A match between the home nation and the South American team will take place at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor and is scheduled to kick off at 4pm UK time on Saturday.

Qatar

Qatar are playing in their first ever World Cup. The Maroon have never come close to qualifying for the finals, and they are playing this year because they are the host nation. Qatar, though, did win the 2019 AFC Asian Cup where they beat heavyweights Japan in the final. In a group that also has Senegal and the Netherlands, it will be extremely tough for Qatar to finish in the top two. However, a win ag…

Liverpool will not be affected by 2014 Chelsea defeat – Klopp

Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool s dramatic defeat to Chelsea in April 2014 will have no bearing on Sunday s Premier League clash between the two sides.

Brendan Rodgers Reds faced Chelsea at Anfield needing just seven points from their remaining three games to win the title.

Chelsea, then managed by Jose Mourinho, took all three points, though, with Demba Ba taking advantage of Steven Gerrard s slip and Willian scoring late on to all but hand the title to Manchester City.

Liverpool are again locked in a battle with City for the title this season and go into this weekend s game two points ahead of their rivals at the summit, although Pep Guardiola s side do have a game in hand.

Klopp – who was crowned Premier League manager of the month for March on Fr…

Mexico 1-1 Canada: El Tri fail to beat rivals for first time since 2008

Mexico and Canada played out a 1-1 draw in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying as El Tri failed to beat their emerging North American rivals for the first time in 13 years.

Not since 2008 had Mexico been unable to defeat Canada, a run of five consecutive victories across all competitions.

Mexico were forced to share the spoils with fellow unbeaten side Canada at the Azteca on Thursday after Jonathan Osorio cancelled out Jorge Sanchez s 21st-minute opener before half-time.

The result left Mexico level on eight points alongside the United States atop the standings in the final round of qualifying on the road to Qatar 2022, two points ahead of third-placed Canada through four matchdays.

FT from Mexico City  1:1 MEX

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN)…

Vikings vs 49ers Week 12 Picks and Predictions: Norseman Not Dead Yet

It’s been a good few weeks for both the Vikings and 49ers. The 49ers have beaten the Rams and Jags, while the Vikings have beaten the Packers and Chargers, with both teams putting themselves in the playoff conversation.

 If you’re betting on this game then you’ll need our NFL picks and predictions for the Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers.

Patriots vs Packers Week 4 Props: Doubs Delivers in a Blowout

Last week saw Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady square off for what is likely to be the final time. After getting one over on Brady, Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers will now turn to Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots in Week 4.

While last week’s duel came down to the final moments, competitiveness may not be ahead in Green Bay as it’s a 9.5-point NFL betting favorite ahead of Sunday.

A potential blowout weighs in here, with our best NFL prop picks for the Patriots vs. Packers, with kickoff on October 2.

Week 13 NFL Teaser: Quarterbacks Matter Most

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s teaser time!

It brings me no pleasure to write that this article with these NFL picks has been my most inconsistent piece of content this NFL season. Entering the NFL Week 13 odds, my teaser record sits at 5-7 after the Cleveland Browns couldn’t keep the Broncos from pulling away last week.

Thankfully, though, we’ve got six more weeks in the regular season to go. A winning record is 100% achievable, but it will require some additional focus, some additional luck, and perhaps a little bit more risk as I tend to play it a little safe with these NFL odds from time to time. 

Week 13 presents a bit of a tricky slate for teaser bettors, but that’s not always a bad thing because it seems like one or two o…

2024 NFL Mock Draft Version 4: Maye, McCarthy, Daniels Jockey After Williams Goes No. 1

We’re just a few days out from the 2024 NFL Draft, and that means it’s peak smokescreen season. The means the NFL Draft Odds are going wild. Outside of Caleb Williams going to the Chicago Bears with the No. 1 pick, everything is up in the air.

It also means my final mock draft of the season is here to help make sense of the latest NFL odds. Version 4.0 cuts through the smoke and is chock full of trades and bets galore. 

Things have changed since my NFL Mock Draft Version 3.0, here’s how I have Thursday’s first round going down and the free betting picks I’m making for the 2024 NFL Draft right now.