Month: October 2024

Premier League clubs are in discussions over joining an advertising boycott of companies that fail to promote inclusion and diversity, part of a new front in the battle against online abuse.

The pressure group Stop Funding Hate is talking with top-flight and EFL clubs over the possibility of signing up to the Conscious Advertising Network (CAN), which seeks to stop advertisers funding companies that “fuel hatred”. It follows the arrest this week of a 12-year-old boy after racist messages were sent to Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha on Instagram.

The push for a more ethical approach to advertising comes after the success of the Stop Hate for Profit campaign in the United States. Over the past month more than 100…

England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed he would be happy to qualify for the 2014 World Cup via the playoffs.

Draws against Ukraine and Poland have seen his new-look side fall two points behind Group H leaders Montenegro, but the former Liverpool manager said he would be satisfied to reach Brazil by any means necessary should the Three Lions not secure top spot in the group.

England welcome the Samba boys to Wembley in February to celebrate the FA s 150th anniversary, before travelling to San Marino and the group leaders.

And Hodgson admitted that finishing in the top two is now the priority.

If we don t succeed in being number one, I d be more than happy to go into the playoffs, he told the BBC.

The important thing is we get one of those two …

Two nations are now just 90 minutes away from securing a place in the Euro 2024 final following Friday s action.

Spain were the first to secure their place in the last four of the tournament, as Germany became the first hosts of a European Championship to be eliminated at the quarter-final stage.

Later on, France needed penalties to edge past Portugal, and they will meet Luis de la Fuente s side in Munich.

After another enthralling day of knockout football, we take a deep dive into the best statistics from the day.

Spain 2-1 Germany (AET): Merino s late, late show keeps Spain perfect

Mikel Merino proved to be the hero for Spain as his first international goal got them over the line.

The Real Sociedad midfielder broke German hearts, netti…

Deco believes Portugal can build on their Euro 2016 triumph and achieve further success.

Despite previously boasting a number of fine talents, Portugal had consistently failed to deliver at major tournaments until the finals in France.

Now, having broken that duck, Deco has backed Fernando Santos men to push on and challenge again.

Portugal have had several talented generations and failed to win, he told Omnisport. This time, they succeeded so I think this generation, along with Cristiano Ronaldo, still have a lot to do in the future.

And it s still a new generation, with fantastic talent, so I really believe that Portugal can do something even more impressive.

I believe this is a very strong team with great players. It has players in a genera…

An eight-year journey concluded in the Maracana as Germany s transformation from efficient machine to attacking force was complete.

Famed for a defensive style, ruthless brilliance at penalties and a little good fortune in their early years, the European nation had always been the ugly sisters with Brazil leading the way as Cinderella.

Yet the foundations laid by Jurgen Klinsmann in 2006 have been expertly built upon by Joachim Low, who has finally cleansed Germany of their clichéd reputation.

In truth, that quest probably ended in the semi-final, when they annihilated the renowned guardians of attacking football at their own game, in their own backyard.

But history does not remember runners-up and, as impressive as that 7-1 drubbing of Brazil in Belo Ho…

Spain dominate Opta s Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament after Sunday s 2-1 final victory over England, a result that clinched a record-breaking fourth European crown.

Five Roja players find themselves in Opta s stats-based XI, but they also contribute the most surprising omission, with Player of the Tournament Rodri missing out.

England only have one representative despite reaching their first tournament final on foreign soil, with Harry Kane s share of the Golden Boot and Jude Bellingham s stunning overhead kick versus Slovakia not enough to warrant a place.

Here, we run through those that did make the cut, highlighting a couple of standout stats for each player.

11 This is Opta Team of the Tournament for the , with the presence of five players from Spai…

Mauricio Pellegrino was axed as Southampton boss following a bad run of form on this day in 2018.

The Argentinian was only appointed as manager the previous summer but the Saints hierarchy opted for another change with eight games remaining as they attempted to cling onto their Premier League status.

Southampton had won just one of their previous 17 league matches – against bottom club West Brom – and a 3-0 defeat at Newcastle, which left Saints languishing just one place and one point above the relegation zone, proved to be the final straw.

Former Liverpool defender Pellegrino had been under increasing pressure as the season progressed, with fans frustrated by his perceived defensive tactics and pundits accusing the players of not playing for him.

Pe…

While Tom Brady left Gillette Stadium without the statement victory he was looking for against the New England Patriots, despite coming away with the win, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did bounce back from a Week 3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Now they are back on home soil as large betting favorites against the Miami Dolphins in Week 5, but they enter the matchup only 1-3 ATS on the season. Can the Bucs cover the spread or will injuries to their secondary come back to haunt them? 

Find out with our free NFL picks and predictions for Dolphins vs. Buccaneers on October 10.

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The Houston Texans bring up the rear in the NFL again in 2022 but are at least out from under the heavy shadow of Deshaun Watson’s drama… sort of.

The Texans’ NFL odds peg them as the worst team in the league, dwelling on the bottom of the futures markets and lurching into 2022 with a season win total of 4.5 (Under -110). Houston is under promoted head coach Lovie Smith and promoted offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, who have fewer quality ingredients than a college kid’s refrigerator.

Considering the differences in the team’s lookahead lines from book to book, no one – not even the all-seeing oddsmakers – know what the hell is happening in Houston. Could that leave some contrarian value on the table? We take a look …

No player will have a bigger impact on the Super Bowl LVII odds than Patrick Mahomes. Full stop.

By now, everyone and their grandmothers knows what Mahomes is capable of on the field, and he’s arguably the most electrifying quarterback in football. The Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback is looking to add to his already sparkling resume with a second Super Bowl title.

But a quarterback with Mahomes’ prominence in the biggest game of the year means there are likely more Super Bowl LVII player props tied to him than anyone else on the board.

So, finding my best Patrick Mahomes prop is going to require a little more digging. Luckily that’s what I’m here for. Check ou…