Martin relishing Southampton´s Premier League homecoming

Russell Martin is excited about leading Southampton out for their first home game of the season when they welcome Nottingham Forest to St. Mary s on Saturday.

Martin, who made 125 appearances in the Premier League as a player, managed his first top flight fixture last weekend in the Saints 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United.

Southampton s last Premier League encounter on home soil saw them share the spoils in an eight-goal thriller against Liverpool, and Martin is hoping for another memorable occasion when Forest visit the South Coast.

It s going to be really exciting for us. Last time we were there was West Brom in the semi-finals of the playoffs it was incredible, Martin said.

The atmosphere was one of best I’ve heard so if we can get anywhere near …

Werner extends RB Leipzig contract to 2023

Timo Werner has signed a new contract until 2023 with RB Leipzig, preventing him leaving on a free transfer next year.

Werner, 23, has been strongly linked with a move to Bayern Munich in recent months, as the Bundesliga champions look to refresh their squad with younger talent.

But the Germany international looks set to remain at Leipzig for the time being, with the contract extension putting the club in a much stronger negotiating position for any future transfer.

Managing director Oliver Mintzlaff said: We are glad that the negotiations with Timo Werner have now come to a positive conclusion and he has decided to extend the contract with us.

We have had many intensive discussions over a long period of time and have been very attentive to and valued by…

Gervinho plans big for 2013

The African Cup of Nations may prove a good distraction for Arsenal star Gervinho as he joins up with favourites Ivory Coast.

Gervinho may have got his preparation for the tournament off to the best possible start by scoring twice in a 4-2 victory over Egypt but his form in that game has been a far cry from the difficult season he has had so far with the Gunners.

Arsenal find themselves sixth on the Premier League table and outside Champions League qualification while Gervinho has only started in 14 matches, scoring five goals.

However, the 25-year-old is optimistic of a turnaround for both himself and the team.

I feel fine. There are a lot of positive aspects for me being in Arsenal, he said.

There are also a few negative points but I focus on…

England Under-21s look to new blood in wake of victorious Euro 2023 campaign

Just seven of England’s European Under-21 Championship winners are in Lee Carsley’s latest squad as a new cycle begins.

The likes of Anthony Gordon, Morgan Gibbs-White, Emile Smith-Rowe and Jacob Ramsey are no longer eligible as the Young Lions kick off their qualifying process for the 2025 tournament against Luxembourg on September 11.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis, James Trafford, Jarrad Branthwaite, Charlie Cresswell, Harvey Elliott, new Chelsea signing Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke are those who remain from this summer’s successful tournament in Romania and Georgia.

Ready to go again

Lee Carsley names his first squad since their success in the summer:

— England (@England)

Manchester City duo Rico Lewis and James McAtee are back in t…

Wales v Switzerland: Bale embracing expectations of Euro 2016 semi-finalists

Gareth Bale accepts there will inevitably be pressure on Wales to perform when they get their Euro 2020 campaign underway against Switzerland.

Wales were beaten 2-0 by eventual winners Portugal after a stirring campaign in 2016 in which they came top of their group and defeated Belgium 3-1 in the quarter-finals. Indeed, they were the first tournament debutants to reach the semi-finals since Sweden in 1992.

Bale is one of eight survivors from that squad to make Robert Page s selection, who begin a challenging Group A against Switzerland in Baku before facing Turkey and Italy.

Wales reached the quarter-finals in each of their previous two major tournaments, the other being the 1958 World Cup, but hopes are not quite as high for a side who averaged only 1.25 goals…

NFL Underdogs: Jason Logan’s Favorite Picks for Week 6

Though October 31 is still more than two weeks out, I find myself in the Halloween sweet spot. 

My younger kids are prime trick-or-treat age, which means fun costumes, jack-o-lanterns and the always tasty “candy tax” rolled out by parents everywhere. 

My older boy, however, is beyond the innocence of the holiday. He’s more into the macabre of Halloween, which means introducing him to classic horror movies all month, giving me both the sweet and sour sides of All Hallows Eve.

And that’s where I gain inspiration for my Week 6 NFL Underdogs picks, handing out some point spread pups that fall in line with the tried-and-true tropes of scary movies. Follow along… IF YOU DARE!

Indianapolis Colts Odds, Predictions, and Betting Preview 2022: As Luck Would Have It

The role of Indianapolis Colts quarterback has recently had a turnover rate on par with the big-screen portrayal of Batman. But, much like the film franchise finding its best Bruce Wayne in Robert Pattinson, the Colts have their best quarterback since Andrew Luck in Matt Ryan.

The veteran QB joins a talented team with a mighty big chip on its shoulder after watching its postseason plans go POOF! at the hands of the Jaguars in Week 18. The Colts’ NFL odds project a playoff year in Indy, but is this team built for much more in 2022?

Here’s our Indianapolis Colts 2022 betting preview.

Indianapolis Colts futures odds

2023 NFL Mock Draft Version 4: Proud to Take Stroud… But Not at No. 1

We’re now just hours out from the 2023 NFL Draft, and even though the countdown to the Carolina Panthers being on the clock is on, outside of Bryce Young being selected first overall, mysteries abound in this year’s draft.

It now seems the draft begins at the No. 2 pick with the Houston Texans. Will they select a quarterback? And will it be CJ Stroud, or Will Levis, who has seen plenty of steam leading up to Thursday. Or, will they pass on QB altogether and then things could get really interesting?

With so many unknowns, keeping up with all the moves in the NFL Draft odds has been a combination of exciting and exhausting. Here’s my final mock for the 2023 NFL Draft and t I still identify some betting value …

Chiefs vs Broncos Odds, Picks, and Predictions Week 8: Mahomes & Co. Dominate in Denver

Week 8 odds in the NFL feature an AFC West clash at Mile-High between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos. The defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs are atop the division with a 6-1 record while the Broncos are at the bottom with a 2-5 mark.

That said, Denver has done a good job of keeping things closer than expected in this rivalry over the last couple of years. NFL odds opened with Chiefs as 8.5-point favorites before that number quickly slimmed to -7.5.

Here are my best free NFL picks for Chiefs vs. Broncos on October 29, and make sure to also check out our favorite Patrick Mahomes props. 

Chiefs vs Broncos odds

Chiefs vs Broncos predictions

The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a 31-17 victo…

Jalen Hurts Odds and Wild Card Round Props: Philly QB Continues to Struggle

After the Philadelphia Eagles limped to the finish line and fell into a Wild Card spot, the Birds will have to fly to Tampa Bay to take on a swashbuckling Buccaneers team that’s shown more than anyone expected. NFL odds for Tampa were all over the place this season, but now it’s one of the few teams remaining on the Super Bowl odds board.

With the Eagles’ offense losing its mojo and the Buccaneers’ defense having Pro Bowl talent at every level, a banged-up Jalen Hurts is going to be in a tough spot on the road without his best playmaker. Despite that, Wild Card odds are still favoring Philly.

You can see how I’m betting on Jalen Hurts’ odds as I dive into tonight’s matchup to give you my free NFL picks below.

For more NFL playoff coverage, c…