Ballon d´Or 2018: Messi, Neymar and Mbappe added to shortlist

Lionel Messi, Neymar and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe are among the final players named on the 30-man Ballon d Or shortlist.

They are joined by Mbappe s France team-mates Hugo Lloris, Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane, as well as Croatia star Luka Modric, who won the World Cup Golden Ball.

Modric s international team-mates Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic are also on the shortlist, as are Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Completing the final 15 nominees for France Football s prize are Real Madrid s Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak and Barcelona forward Luis Suarez.

Mbappe scored 21 goals for Paris Saint-Germain last season before starring in France s triumphant Russia 2018 campaign, netting three times on their w…

RB Leipzig want to sign Tyler Morton from Liverpool

RB Leipzig are interested in signing Tyler Morton from Liverpool in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that Liverpool are willing to sell Morton for £20 million.

Morton has been on the books of Liverpool since 2009 when he came through the youth system and has played for the Merseyside club’s first team. The 21-year-old midfielder had has loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and Hull City in recent years.

Liverpool finished third in the Premier League table last season and will be determined to beat Arsenal and Manchester City to the league title next season under new head coach Arne Slot. As for RB Leipzig, the German club ended up fourth in the Bundesliga table last season and will be keen on at least challenging for the title in the next …

Guardiola predicts Foden will soon flourish for Man City

Pep Guardiola predicted it will not be long until Phil Foden is back to his best for Manchester City.

Foden was named PFA Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Year following an exceptional season in 2023-24.

However, after featuring for England at Euro 2024, Foden has begun four of his five games this season on the bench, with his only start coming against Watford in the EFL Cup.

Speaking ahead of City s Champions League clash away in Slovakia against Slovan Bratislava, Guardiola said he was not concerned, though.

Maybe I can have some doubts in many things, but Phil Foden is going to be back! As much as he feels good, he will be back, Guardiola told reporters.

I think in 30 minutes at St James Park [against Newcastle on Satur…

Arsenal have no regrets over snubbing Arteta for Emery in 2018

Arsenal head of football Raul Sanllehi says there are no regrets at Emirates Stadium that new head coach Mikel Arteta was not appointed ahead of Unai Emery in 2018.

Former captain Arteta was unveiled as the new Gunners boss on Friday, leaving Manchester City, where he had served on Pep Guardiola s backroom team for three-and-a-half seasons.

The 37-year-old returns to London to find Arsenal struggling in mid-table, having endured a tough start to the season under Emery, who was sacked at the end of last month.

Emery arrived from Paris Saint-Germain upon Arsene Wenger s departure after the 2017-18 season, at which point Arteta was also in the running for the role.

But despite the way Emery s tenure panned out, Sanllehi is still content Arsenal made the best…

On this day in 2012: John Terry found guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand

John Terry was banned for four matches and fined £220,000 after being found guilty of racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand, on this day in 2012.

The Chelsea captain denied the charge but a Football Association regulatory commission ruled he was guilty of misconduct during his side’s 1-0 Premier League defeat to QPR at Loftus Road on October 23 2011.

The 31-year-old England defender announced his retirement from international football a week before the FA’s decision and decided not to appeal against it.

An FA statement read: “An independent regulatory commission has today found a charge of misconduct against John Terry proven and has issued a suspension for a period of four matches and a fine of £220,000, pending appeal.

“The Football Associa…

Patriots vs Panthers Week 9 Picks and Predictions: Panthers Will Struggle to Produce Points

The New England Patriots, winners of three of their last four, head to Carolina Sunday to take on a Panthers team that has some big question marks ahead of the Week 9 matchup.

Carolina quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a concussion in Week 8 but got in a pair of limited practices this week and is questionable, while Christian McCaffrey, out since Week 3, has also been practicing this week. With all the uncertainties, the Patriots come in as 3.5-point road favorites with the second-lowest total on the board at 41. 

If you’re betting this game on Sunday, November 7, then make sure you read our free NFL betting picks and predictions for the Patriots vs. Panthers first.

Broncos vs Seahawks MNF Prop Bets: Geno Goes Over his Passing Total

It sure is convenient that Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos open up the season against his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, on Monday Night Football.

But with most bettors uninterested in backing this Seattle offense against a very good Denver defense, is this a good spot to back the Seahawks’ skilled players even with Geno Smith under center?

Find out in our Monday Night Football props for Week 1 action between the Broncos and Seahawks. 

Lions vs Chiefs Predictions and Expert Picks: Best Bets for Mahomes, Gibbs and More Ahead of Kick Off

The NFL’s eagerly anticipated return is just hours away, and we have you covered with a full slate of NFL picks from our All-Star team of betting analysts. They’ve dissected reams of data, watched countless hours of film, and pored over the latest NFL odds to bring you their best bets for tonight’s marquee matchup between the Detroit Lions and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Our own Josh Inglis and Rob Paul are both big believers in Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs, while Shawn Wronka is going all-in on reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes, whom he expects to run roughshod over Detroit.

Check out their Lions vs. Chiefs picks below and be sure to read our TNF props and TNF Patrick Mahomes picks for even more insights before kick-off.

Joe Burrow Odds and TNF Props: Passing Masterclass

NFL Week 11 odds return in the form of Thursday Night Football when the Cincinnati Bengals meeting the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium tonight. Only two wins separate the two teams as they sit top and bottom of the AFC North and both will be hopeful of reaching the playoffs. This is a monster TNF odds clash with two great quarterbacks for us to enjoy and bet on,

I’ve taken a long look at Joe Burrow’s odds to find the very best ways for you to get involved with some NFL picks surrounding the Bengals’ QB on Thursday Night Football.

If you’re looking for alternative angles on this intriguing match, be sure to check out our Bengals vs. Ravens predictions, our TNF props and our Lamar Jackson odds spotlight!

Super Bowl Predictions: Two Records that Chiefs vs. 49ers Could Break

Records are meant to be broken. Of course, there are exceptions to that rule like Wayne Gretzky’s 2,857 points, Cal Ripken’s 2,632 consecutive games played, or Emmitt Smith’s 18,355 rushing yards. 

Super Bowl records are no different. Big games call on star players to make big plays and etch themselves into Super Bowl history. 

Jerry Rice scored three touchdowns in a single Super Bowl…twice. Steve Young threw six touchdown passes in Super Bowl XXIX and Jalen Hurts ran for 70 yards as a quarterback in Super Bowl LVII. 

Can any of these seemingly ‘untouchable’ Super Bowl records be broken this year when the San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs? 

The Super Bowl odds suggest no, but our 49ers vs. Chiefs predictions…