Alvaro Morata says he knows why he has been the target of the boo boys during Euro 2020 but is not prepared to talk about the reasons until after Spain s campaign is over.
The Juventus striker has scored twice during the tournament, including a fine effort that put Luis Enrique s side back in front during extra time of the exhilarating 5-3 win over Croatia in the last 16.
At the same time, Morata has missed a glut of opportunities. Indeed, his six missed big chances – as defined by Opta – is the most of any player, and the return lower than an expected goals rate of 3.95.
More may also have been expected given Morata has had 15 shots in total (joint highest with Cristiano Ronaldo), eight of which have been on target – the joint-best with Patrik Schick, who …
Paulo Fonseca cited a loss of mental balance that contributed to Milan starting their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday.
Milan made a flying start when Christian Pulisic netted after two minutes and 47 seconds, the earliest the Serie A side had scored in the competition since Alexandre Pato s goal against Barcelona in 2011 (24 seconds).
But two headers from Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, both from set-pieces, gave the visitors the lead before Dominik Szoboszlai sealed the victory after the break.
Liverpool dominated proceedings after their early setback, registering 23 shots on goal, 11 of which were on target compared to Milan s eight and two.
Arne Slot s side ended the contest with an expected goals (xG) total …
Rogelio Funes Mori scored a double as champions Mexico bounced back from their opening CONCACAF Gold Cup draw with a comfortable 3-0 win over Guatemala in Dallas on Wednesday.
El Tri dominated the shots (20-4) and possession (67 per cent) throughout with Funes Mori putting them ahead shortly prior to the half hour.
The Monterrey forward added a second in the 55th minute before Orbelin Pineda rounded out the scoring in the 79th minute.
Funes Mori s display, in only his third international, comes after star Mexico striker Hirving Lozano was ruled out of the Gold Cup with a head and neck injury from Saturday s disappointing 0-0 opening draw with Trinidad Tobago.
Mexico moves to four points from two games, while Guatemala have no points from two games and are…
After not being awarded in 2020, the Ballon d Or – football s most prestigious individual award – is back up for grabs this year.
Argentina superstar Lionel Messi is the overwhelming favourite with the bookmakers to win a record-extending seventh trophy.
Messi was, of course, among a shortlist of 30 players nominated on Friday, with that number to be whittled down to just three players next month.
Here, Stats Perform looks at five candidates for the prize… starting with the obvious.
La une de France Football de ce samedi avec la liste des nommés du Ballon d Or / France Football front page for this month, including the 2021 Ballon d Or nominations
— France Football (@francefootball)
Lionel Messi
Barcelona may be…
Robin Van Persie scored an injury-time winner as United defeated City 3-2 in the Manchester derby.
Yesterday produced a dramatic day of action in the Premier League.
In the early kick-off Manchester United defeated arch-rivals Manchester City 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium.
The visitors took the lead in the 16th minute, as Wayne Rooney’s tamely hit effort found a way past Joe Hart in the City goal.
United doubled their lead in the 29th minute. Rafael’s cross was side-footed home by Rooney inside the penalty area for the striker’s 150th Premier League goal.
The game was turned around in the second half by the introduction of Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez, who replaced Mario Balotelli.
Ashley Young had an effort disallowed for offside i…
A busy Sunday comes to a close in California where the Los Angeles Rams play host to the Chicago Bears in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season.
The NFL betting odds have the Rams installed as sizable 7.5-point favorites for Sunday Night Football, debuting new quarterback Matthew Stafford against a former NFC North foe. The Bears have a new QB as well but aren’t starting the one the fans want, passing on rookie Justin Fields and opting with veteran Andy Dalton for the opener.
Check out our free NFL picks and predictions for Bears at Rams on September 12.
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It looked like the Philadelphia Eagles’ path to the postseason was paved in gold for the home stretch of the season. But with a big speed bump in the form of a loss to the New York Giants last Sunday, the Eagles need a course correction quickly.
The schedule sends Philadelphia limping back to the Meadowlands for the second straight week, this time taking on the New York Jets, who are fresh from just their third win of the season after knocking off Houston last weekend.
Check out our free NFL picks and predictions for Eagles at Jets on December 5.
(Editor’s Note: These picks were made prior to Saturday night’s reports of Jalen Hurts sitting out with an ankle injury on Sunday.)
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An intriguing Monday night matchup awaits fans and bettors at Arrowhead Stadium as the Las Vegas Raiders visit the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Raiders enter this tilt at 1-3 while the Chiefs are 3-1, so Las Vegas needs a victory to keep its AFC West rivals in sight. A big performance from prize offseason acquisition Davante Adams would go a long way toward achieving that goal.
Here are our three favorite Davante Adams prop picks for Monday, October 10.
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The Tennessee Titans are coming off their worst offensive performance since the move from Houston and sit as NFL odds 2-point home dogs this Sunday vs. Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals who avoided an 0-3 start last week with a win over the Rams.
With poor quarterback play, an aging running back losing snaps, a constantly banged-up No.1 receiver, and an O-line that is giving up a ton of sacks, is fading the Titans’ offense again this week the profitable route for Sunday?
I break down the Week 4 NFL odds and give you my best NFL free picks for Bengals vs. Titans on Sunday, October 1.
Bengals vs Titans odds
Bengals vs Titans predictions
The Tennessee Titans offense managed a whopping 9…
The New England Patriots and their non-existent offense roll into the Steel City tonight to take on Mitch Trubisky and the Pittsburgh Steelers as 6-point road pups, and TNF odds are giving us a total that would make a service academy game blush.
With all the eyes on the New England offense, the Pats’ defense has been elite since the bye and worth backing vs. a Pittsburgh offense that came back to earth on Sunday and will be without Kenny Pickett — another reason the NFL odds pegged this total so low.
I break down the Week 14 odds and offer my free NFL picks for the Patriots vs. Steelers on Thursday, December 7.
For more TNF coverage, make sure to check out our favorite TNF props and our George Pickens odds and props spotlight.