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…

The Best MNF Week 3 Betting Promotions, Odds Boosts, and Sign Up Offers

Finding the best value on NFL odds has become just a little bit easier, as most sportsbooks routinely offer odds boosts and betting promotions on select betting markets.

These specially curated promos range from sportsbook to sportsbook, offering users enhanced prices on props, totals, futures, plus popular parlays — or enticing new users to create an account at a new sportsbook.

Boosts are often time-sensitive, with release times (and expiration dates) being quite spontaneous; it can be tedious to go to every different sportsbook and search for the best bonuses of the week, so we have you covered — we’ve compiled a list of the best Week 3 odds boosts for making your NFL picks!

The following promotions are available in eligible U.S. loc…

Wily Sevilla show Manchester United that momentum is not a tactic

This, as José Mourinho might drily observe, is football heritage.

To lose one semi-final might be considered unfortunate. To lose two a coincidence. But in United’s third unsuccessful attempt to grease their season with silverware could be identified a clear pattern running through the club. It is not a problem that can be solved by signing Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish. Rather, it is something more systemic and deep-rooted, a malaise that took years to set in and may well take years to cure.

It is the lack of anything remotely resembling a process, a plan, a blueprint: something that sustains you through the tough parts, that gets you over setbacks. Here, against the wily Sevilla, it manifested itself most clea…

Premier League to issue football-wide bans for pitch invaders next season

The Premier League is to take further action to prevent crowd trouble next season, while enshrining the right to fairly priced tickets for away supporters.

Stewards will be asked to accompany fans on away trips and supporters who invade the pitch will be subject not just to lifetime club bans but football-wide ones as part of plans announced by the top flight. A cap on away ticket prices, meanwhile, is to be written into the Premier League rulebook, with the cost to remain at £30 until 2025.

‘Extremely violent’ Paris final CCTV footage destroyed, French FA saysRead more

The announcements, which were made after the league’s annual general meeting, could be seen as an attempt at striking a balanced message to ma…

Asian Cup roundup: South Korea, Jordan and Iraq flex their muscles

South Korea beat Bahrain 3-1 in their Asian Cup Group E opener on Monday with Paris St-Germain’s Lee Kang-in rescuing his side with a second-half brace at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

With the score tied at 1-1 after goals from Hwang In-beom and Bahrain’s Abdullah al-Hashsash, Lee turned on the style with two lethal strikes that had the South Korean fans at the small 15,000-capacity arena screaming in delight.

Asian Cup: Iran show solidarity with Palestine before comfortable winRead more

A stop-start encounter witnessed plenty of fouls in the first half and although there was no malice in the challenges, South Korea had three players on yellow cards in the first half hour – including centre back Kim Min-jae.