#top flight

NEWCASTLE are reportedly chasing Manchester United's Scott McTominay with the star concerned by his lack of recent match action. The Scottish midfielder, 26, started six of the first seven Premier League matches under Erik ten Hag. But he was last named in the starting XI back in October in the top-flight and has lost his place to Casemiro. A…

Girona will host Sevilla at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi in La Liga on Saturday (January 14). With the Spanish top flight entering its 17th matchday, both teams sit a long way from the top and may be out of contention for the title. The hosts have won only four games so far, which puts them in 12th place on 18 points. Girona, though, have been…

Even in this busiest of seasons, the Bundesliga stuck to its guns regarding the winter break. Premier League clubs had very little time off post- World Cup 2022, while La Liga, Ligue 1, and Serie A also returned either just before or after the turn of the year. But Germany's top flight wanted to give its players a few weeks to recover from their…

Westerlo will entertain Genk at Het Kuipje in the Belgian Pro League on Tuesday (January 17). The two teams are separated by a huge margin of 22 points as they head for matchday 21. The hosts are seventh in the standings, while the visitors lead the pack with 52 points. Westerlo lost their last league meeting at home to OH Leuven 2-1 - their third…

After a month of that international nonsense, we're finally back to the proper stuff. That's right, the Premier League is returning! Boxing Day football is one of the great traditions of the English game and there are seven fixtures on this year's schedule including league leaders Arsenal hosting West Ham in the final game of the day. The action…

Saturday will be the first Premier League match that Chelsea has taken part in since January 23, as numerous different cup competitions have filled the fixture list over the past few weeks. The Blues have been successful, but not dominant, during this run, which has alarmed some supporters due to the perceived relative weakness of the team's…

Pound for pound, name five managers across Europe better than Brentford's Thomas Frank. Well done if you got to more than three. In terms of club size, Brentford should be bottom half of the Championship or top end of League One. But, on the pitch, they ended Saturday night eighth in the Premier League, above big-spending Liverpool and Chelsea, who…

1 - Who will win the World Cup? On home soil, and with a star-studded squad full of pace and power, there is no doubt that France are the team to beat. However, this looks like being one of the most open World Cups ever, with at least six teams capable of going all the way. Bring it on. 2 - Can Ireland break their glass ceiling? Heart says yes,…

It's time for the FIFA 23 TOTW 12 predictions. This 23-man squad will feature the best performers from the latest weekend fixtures. FIFA 23 TOTW 12 will be revealed and released on Wednesday, 18 January, 2023 at 10 AM PT /1 PM ET /6 PM GMT. 7 Saves & Clean Sheet / 0-0 draw against FC Twente / 8.5 WhoScored match rating The Argentine was tested…

The Sunday show match in the Premier League will feature Newcastle United (9-8-1) hosting Fulham (9-4-6) in St. James' Park. Read through our Premier League odds series, which includes our prediction and pick for the Newcastle United-Fulham game. Newcastle looks to complete the league double against Fulham for the first time since the 2007-2008…

The former Brighton manager is under increasing pressure at Stamford Bridge and the Blues are now marooned in mid-table and could even fall behind another capital rival with a big loss this afternoon. Beaten at Fulham on Thursday, it's another massive game for Chelsea. The hosts have now won just one of their last nine matches either side of the…

Chelsea are likely to be without 11 first-team players this weekend as new signing Joao Felix begins a three-match ban after his red card at Fulham. Midfielder Denis Zakaria suffered a thigh issue in that game and joins the likes of Ben Chilwell, Reece James, and Raheem Sterling on the sidelines. Crystal Palace left-back Tyrick Mitchell returns…

Newcastle United have so far not made a signing in January with Eddie Howe admitting he is wary of making a costly error. The Magpies boss insists he is keen not to'handcuff' for future windows with any deals that could shackle the club in light of FFP. By this time last year, Newcastle's precarious position in the Premier League had already led to…

Newcastle and Fulham to end as a draw - 10/3 Bet £10 and get £43 in return Newcastle United vs Fulham January 15, 2023 2:00 pm GMT Our recommended bet for Sunday's clash at St. James' Park comes in the form of a draw between Newcastle United and Fulham. A £10 wager for such an outcome will secure you a return of £43 with Bet365. Two sides…

Paris Saint-Germain host a struggling Strasbourg side on Wednesday evening in a meeting between two clubs at either end of the Ligue 1 table. The reigning champions cantered into the winter break on the back of seven consecutive wins across all competitions. PSG have collected 41 Ligue 1 points from the first 45 available this season. Strasbourg,…

As soon as the air raid sirens had stopped, Shakhtar Donetsk's players ran out onto the pitch for their final training session on Monday before Ukraine begins an extraordinary new season of its national soccer league. As Ukrainian soldiers battle Russian forces in the east and south, Shakhtar are due to play Metalist 1925, from Kharkiv, in the…

Paris St-Germain superstar Lionel Messi Best bets and predictions for Sunday's matches in Ligue 1 and Serie A. Lazio to beat Sassuolo BT Sport 3, 11.30am 1pt 6-5 Betfair, Paddy Power Folarin Balogun to score at any time in Reims v Nice BT Sport 7, 2pm 1pt 11-5 bet365 PSG to beat Rennes & both teams to score BT Sport 3, 7.45pm 1pt 2-1 bet 365,…

Manchester United are hoping to win four Premier League home matches without conceding for the first time since 2017 when they face a Bournemouth side who have lost six of their last seven top-flight games on Tuesday. A sixth successive victory in all competitions could send United third, while Bournemouth will start the evening only two points…

While most of the world is debating whether or not Arsenal should be considered favourites to lift the Premier League trophy, there are fans of Football League clubs that are salivating at the prospect of earning a massive transfer fee from one of their emerging talents. After all, while many clubs lower down the pyramid would ideally like to hold…

Frank Lampard is still the bookmakers' favourite to be the next Premier League manager sacked after watching his Everton side slip to a 2-1 defeat at home against Southampton. The match at Goodison Park pitted the Toffees against bottom-of-the-table Southampton, with both teams in desperate need of a win, and it was Everton who went in front when…

Once again Blues fans will be congregating at Goodison Park in the aftermath of a creditable performance (if not result) down the East Lancs Road in Manchester. This time, under pressure manager Frank Lampard will have had more than a week to absorb lessons taken from the FA Cup loss to Manchester United, and to rest his players ahead of what could…

APPLE TV are reportedly preparing a bid for the rights to screen Premier League action. The top-flight's current rights deal domestically is with Sky Sports and BT Sport. However, that three-year package expires in 2025. That means that the tender process for the next set of rights is due to begin later this year. Now the Daily Mail states that a…

Cremonese will welcome Monza to the Stadio Giovanni Zini in Serie A on Saturday (January 14). The hosts' campaign is getting gloomier by the day, as they're winless in 17 games. Cremonese are struggling as basement dwellers with a paltry seven points following their promotion to the top flight. La Cremo beat Monza 3-2 in their last meeting in…

Lampard's Toffees were beaten 2-1 at home to fellow strugglers Southampton, that coming after taking the lead in the first-half. The result left Everton 19th in the Premier League table - with three wins the fewest of any side in England's top-flight this season. Saturday's result made it nine competitive games in a row without victory, and just…

This article is part of our Betting Promotions series. Sports betting in Massachusetts is currently legal as of August 10th, 2022 when Governor Charlie Baker put the state's sports betting Bill 5164 into action. However, despite the fact that sports betting is legal in the Old Colony State, there are no sportsbooks legal to operate as of yet. When…

Liverpool will be looking to get back to winning ways on Saturday, after some rocky form of late, when they face Brighton at the Amex Stadium. The Reds' four-game winning streak in the Premier League was ended in their last top-flight outing as they fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Brentford. And another lacklustre performance from Jurgen…

Real Sociedad will entertain local rivals Athletic Bilbao at the Reale Arena in the Basque derby in La Liga on Saturday (January 14). The hosts are unbeaten in their last four league outings, winning the last three. Sociedad overcame Almeria 2-0 in their previous outing, thanks to second-half goals from David Silva and Alexander Sorloth. With the…

Everton and Southampton to end as a draw - 9/4 Bet £10 and get £32.50 in return Everton vs Southampton January 14, 2023 3:00 pm GMT Our recommended bet for Saturday's clash at Goodison Park comes in the form of a draw between Everton and Southampton. A £10 wager for such an outcome will secure you a return of £32.50 with Bet365. Two sides in the…

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Liverpool Brighton and Liverpool to end as a draw & both teams to score - 10/3 Bet £10 and get £43 in return Our recommended bet for Saturday's clash at the Amex Stadium comes in the form of a draw between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool, featuring goals from both sides. A £10 wager for such an outcome will secure you…

It's that time of the week again when we run through a selection of the most exciting matches taking place this weekend and offer our best bets and value picks. in the Premier League against Leeds United and Arsenal, Newcastle will seek to get back to winning ways when they host Fulham on Sunday as they look to take their unbeaten run in the league…

Brighton welcomes Liverpool to the AMEX Stadium this weekend in what promises to be an exciting game of football, driven by a home side in a rich vein of goal-scoring form. The same can't be said for visitors Liverpool, who are struggling to make a mark this season and find themselves sixth in the table, 17 points off league leaders Arsenal. A…

Wasps have been suspended indefinitely from the Gallagher Premiership and will become the second club this month, after Worcester Warriors, to be punished with relegation for going into administration, leaving English rugby in the grip of an unprecedented crisis. Wasps, the debt-ridden former European champions, pulled out of Saturday's game…

For the latest round of Premier League predictions, Chris Sutton is up against Supergrass frontman and Manchester United supporter Gaz Coombes. Sutton's prediction: 1-0 The last week has shown the importance of the cup competitions in changing the mood at a club - just ask Southampton boss Nathan Jones. Jones had lost his first four Premier League…

Mikel Arteta's Gunners, seeking their first league title since 2004, start the weekend five points clear of second-placed Manchester City. Fifth-played Spurs are vying to win four consecutive home league matches against Arsenal for the first time. "I think the players are in a good emotional state," said Arteta. "They are excited, they are enjoying…

The games continue to come thick and fast across Europe, and Matchday 18 of the 2022/23 season will begin in Serie A on Friday with the fixture between Napoli and Juventus. Saturday will have two matches on show, with the action ending with the contest featuring Lecce and AC Milan at Stadio Comunale Via del Mare. Lecce returned to Serie A after…

Aston Villa will be hosting Leeds United at Villa Park in a crucial mid-table Premier League clash on Friday. While Leeds United are looking for first win since the resumption of English top-flight football after FIFA World Cup 2022 break. Aston Villa will look to maintain rich vein of form under new manager Unai Emery. Leeds United were defeated…

Fulham's fine return to the Premier League continued on Thursday as they beat local rivals Chelsea but they may struggle to back it up in Sunday's trip to Newcastle (kick-off, 2pm). The sides meet at St James' Park with the Magpies fresh from booking their place in the last four of the League Cup for the first time since 1976 thanks to Tuesday's…

United have won eight games in a row and could equal their longest winning run in all competitions since Alex Ferguson retired as manager in 2013. Second-placed City, who are four points above United, lost to Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. "The improvement of [United's] team is clear," said City boss Pep Guardiola. United are closing…

North London bragging rights will be on the line on Sunday as Tottenham host Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Gunners were comprehensive victors in the reverse fixture back in October and now go in search of a first league double over their fierce local rivals since 2013/14. The Premier League leaders are the strongest they've been in…

After both sides were knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend, Brentford and Bournemouth turn their attention back to the Premier League and very different ambitions. Brentford are unbeaten in their last six league outings, a run that includes victories over Manchester City and Liverpool. They are flying high in ninth and sit just two points adrift…

Sunday's Serie A action rounds off at the Stadio Olimpico with a handsomely-looking clash between Roma and Fiorentina. A battle for the European spots is heating up and neither side can settle for anything less than three points. Roma pulled off a jaw-dropping comeback at San Siro last weekend. Despite trailing reigning champions Milan by two goals…

The Premier League is back in action with another round of matches this weekend as Fulham lock horns with Eddie Howe's Newcastle United side in an important clash at St. James' Park on Sunday. Fulham are currently in sixth place in the Premier League standings and have consistently punched above their weight this season. The away side stunned…

2.5pts Both teams to score at 19/20 (bet365) There has not been a goal scored in Newcastle's last three hours of Premier League football. Eddie Howe's side failed to score against Leeds and then were involved in another stalemate at the Emirates. It is worth noting the Magpies generated an xG of 3.93, so were desperately unlucky not to find the net…

Real Sociedad ace Alexander Sorloth has been in fine form Best bets and predictions for Saturday's matches in La Liga and Serie A. Real Sociedad to beat Athletic Bilbao LaLigaTV, 8pm 1pt 29-20 Betfair Both teams to score in Lecce v Milan BT Sport1, 5pm 1pt 19-20 general Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new and existing customers and all you…

Furious Aston Villa fans are demanding the club ditch their new sponsorship deal with a controversial gambling firm. The Premier League outfit are understood to have agreed a three-year partnership with BK8 for their logo to appear on shirts from next season. That is despite BK8 being axed by Norwich in 2021 over sexually provocative adverts - and…

Milan's capitulation against Roma last weekend has opened the door for Juventus - who were much-maligned earlier in the season - to become the main challengers to Napoli. And the opportunity for the Old Lady to cut the gap at the top to just four points presents itself on Friday evening as Massimiliano Allegri's men head to Stadio Diego Armando…

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's Scottish Premiership matches. 3pm Saturday Hibernian 2pts 7-10 general Motherwell 2pts 4-5 Hills Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new and existing customers and all you need is an account. Sign up here Sky Bet are offering new customers multiple free bets when they sign up.

On Wednesday, Sport Bild reported that Real Madrid have now joined Bayern Munich in the race to sign Tottenham Hotspur striker, Harry Kane. Kane, whose contract expires in 2024 at Tottenham has been heavily speculated with a transfer to Bayern in the summer. And in July, the England captain turns 30, which means his next career decision regarding…