Haaland, Palmer, Watkins? Assessing the Premier League´s Golden Boot candidates

There is a thrilling three-horse race for the Premier League title as we approach the run-in, but there is also another tussle on the cards.

The Golden Boot is up for grabs, with Erling Haaland having not quite hit the same heights as he did last season, when he broke the Premier League record for goals, with 36.

Manchester City star Haaland is, as it stands, level with his former club-mate Cole Palmer at the top of the competition’s scoring charts, with 20 goals apiece.

Palmer, who will go up against his old club in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend, moved way up in the charts after he netted four times in Chelsea’s 6-0 rout of Everton on Monday.

20 No player has scored more Premier League goals than Cole Palmer this season (20, level with Erling H…

LaLiga 2018-19: Bale or Griezmann – Who will step into Ronaldo´s breach as Messi´s main rival?

When Real Madrid sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus in a block-busting transfer-window move, the greatest domestic rivalry in history with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi was ended.

The two familiar foes will undoubtedly continue to battle it out for football s most prestigious individual and European honours with their respective sides, but in LaLiga at least a new face will have to step into Ronaldo s boots to challenge the awesome Messi for the best in the division.

For Los Blancos, Gareth Bale is the man many are tipping to fill at least some of the sizeable void left by Ronaldo s dramatic departure, while on the other side of the capital Antoine Griezmann s decision to remain with Atletico Madrid is a huge boost to Diego Simeone.

So, how have Bale and Griez…

28-02-2010 Sunderland vs Fulham

Sundays game between Sunderland and Fulham sees the home team desperate to find their first win in thirteen games, whilst Fulham will look to return to the form that saw them sneak into the top half of the table a month or so back.

Sunderland s season has been an absolute nightmare when you look at the optimism that was emanating from the Stadium of Light. Steve Bruce has been on a charm offfensive in an attempt to stem the tide of negativity surrounding the club. WIth most players back from injury or suspension, the team should be good enough to pull clear of the relegation battle but the problem now seems to be a massive lack of confidence. The Black Cats are still without Reid, Henderson and Meyler but most key players are now back and working their way back to full fitness.…

Toronto FC v Austin FC: Herdman urges for discipline to mount playoff run

FC head coach John Herdman insists his team need to maintain their discipline if they want a playoff run in MLS, starting against Austin FC on Saturday.

Toronto currently sit eighth in the Eastern Conference but are four points behind Orlando City.

They have struggled to get going since being knocked out of the Leagues Cup in the group stage, winning just one of three games since returning to MLS action.

After a disappointing 3-1 defeat to D.C. United last time out, Herdman says they need to learn how to keep their high level of performance going to the very end of games.

In a playoff run, you have to be disciplined in the last 30 minutes of games, whether it s decision-making to change and adapt with players coming in and changing positions, or the team…

FA is right to finish 2019-20 even if we lose next season, says Rooney

Wayne Rooney said he believes the coronavirus pandemic might mean the loss of the 2020-21 season in English football but insisted the Football Association is right to prioritise completing the current season whenever that becomes possible.

The former England captain commended the FA s decision to extend the length of the current season indefinitely, describing it as the fair thing for promotion, relegation and title races to be settled.

Rooney, who plays for Derby County in the Championship, indicated he is opposed to matches being played behind closed doors given the strain emergency services are already under across the UK.

It wouldn t surprise me if finishing the season takes until the end of 2020, Rooney said in The Times.

Football, like every oth…

On this day in 2013: Luis Suarez bites Branislav Ivanovic during Anfield clash

On this day in 2013, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez attracted criticism after biting Branislav Ivanovic on the arm in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

The Uruguay international was at the centre of several of the game’s key moments in an eventful afternoon at Anfield.

Suarez conceded a penalty in the second-half for handling the ball in the box and Eden Hazard converted from the penalty spot.

Stoppage-time was jam-packed with drama as the Liverpool forward sank his teeth into Ivanovic’s arm, but no action was taken by referee Kevin Friend, who missed the incident, and Suarez went on to rescue a point for the Reds with an equaliser in the final minute of added time.

The forward apologised to Ivanovic on Twitter and through a statement issued on the Liverpool we…

Circa Million Week 9 Picks: Cleveland Gets a Hand Up

Covers is throwing an entry into the Circa Million Pro Football contest for the 2021 season and Adam Chernoff has been tabbed to make the weekly picks so let’s dig right in.

Here are his five ATS picks for Week 9 of the Circa Million betting contest.

Week 8 record: 3-2Season to date: 19-11

Packers vs Vikings Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Catching Up with Adam Thielen

Week 1 in the NFL features an NFC North rivalry on Sunday with the Minnesota Vikings hosting the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.

After back-to-back seasons of missing the playoffs, the Vikes will try to start off on the right foot against a Green Bay side that has cruised to division titles each of the last three years.

Oddsmakers are expecting a close contest with the Packers opening as short 2-point road favorites when the line hit the board in May, before slimming to -1.5. Here are our best free Packers vs. Vikings NFL picks and predictions for September 10.

Texans vs Saints Preseason Picks and Predictions: Defenses Dominate in Preseason Finale

The Houston Texans are hitting the road and heading east to New Orleans to take on the Saints in the last preseason football game of 2023 tonight. NFL odds have the Saints as tepid 2.5-point favorites, with the total on the board at 38.

It should be relatively exciting too, with both teams expected to deploy their rookie quarterbacks. For the Texans, that’s No. 2 overall pick CJ Stroud — who is expected to start in the season opener — while the Saints are likely to go with fourth-round pick Jake Haener for the vast majority of the game.

Find out where my best bets lie in our NFL picks and predictions for Texans vs. Saints on Sunday, August 27.

Texans vs Saints odds

Texans vs Saints predictions

Davante Adams Odds and SNF Props: Adams Puts Up Another Stinker

The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off an impressive showing following the firing of their head coach and GM, defeating the New York Giants 30-6 with interim head coach Antonio Pierce. Now they get a prime-time matchup on Sunday Night Football back at home in Las Vegas, NV against the defensive-heavy New York Jets. 

The Raiders are slight underdogs in the Week 10 NFL odds and will be looking to get their star receiver Davante Adams more involved against this stellar defense. I’m taking a closer look at the Davante Adams odds to give my free NFL picks for the Jets vs. Raiders on November 12.

Be sure to keep up to date on the SNF odds and check out our Jets vs. Raiders betting preview and SNF prop picks!