FIFA sidesteps decision on Russia hosting 2022 World Cup qualifiers

FIFA refused to make a snap decision on whether Russia will be allowed to host World Cup play-off matches in March but said it is monitoring the situation . 

Widespread condemnation followed Russia s full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine on Thursday.

Stats Perform understands that UEFA will confirm on Friday that St Petersburg will no longer host this season s Champions League final. 

In a joint statement, Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic, who are in the same qualification pathway as Russia for this year s World Cup, said they would not consider playing matches in the country. 

Russia are scheduled to take on Poland in Moscow on March 24. If they win, they will face Sweden or the Czech Republic at home five days later.

FIFA called …

Gomez expects to be in ´ideal shape´ at Brazil 2014

Fiorentina and Germany striker Mario Gomez believes he will be back in ideal shape before the FIFA World Cup.

The luckless 28-year-old suffered another knee injury in March, a blow less severe than the one that saw him sidelined for five months with serious ligament damage in his right knee.

Gomez is out with a slight tear to the ligaments in his left knee, but appears likely to be fit to represent Germany at Brazil 2014.

The former Bayern Munich striker said he should be back close to full fitness for the start of the World Cup on June 12.

I think that I can get back in ideal shape before June or July, Gomez told Sky Sport in Germany.

There is still a long time to go.

Germany coach Joachim Low will be keen to have Gomez in his squad f…

´Do it for me, Sir Bobby and England´ – Eriksson backs Southgate to bring Euro 2024 glory

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has asked Gareth Southgate to do it for me, Sir Bobby [Robson] and England in the Euro 2024 final.

For the second consecutive European Championships, England booked a place in the final after beating the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

In Euro 2020, the Three Lions lost 3-2 on penalties to Italy after playing out a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. This year, they will face Spain in the showcase match in Berlin on Sunday.

England have never won the Euros, with their last major tournament win coming in the 1966 World Cup.

Eriksson took charge of the national team between 2001 and 2006 and was in charge of their so-called golden generation , though they failed to make it past the quarter-finals of either …

Jorginho could leave Arsenal in 2023 summer?

Journalist Graeme Bailey has said on that Jorginho could leave Arsenal at the end of the season. The Italy international midfielder moved to Arsenal from London and Premier League rivals Chelsea on the final day of the January transfer window.

While Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League table at the moment and could win the title, Chelsea are struggling to even get into the top four and could end up missing out on a place in the UEFA Champions League next season.

Bailey said: He’s an upgrade. Bringing him in now, one player doesn’t make a team, but this one player could have such an impact on this Arsenal team.

He has experience, he’s impressive. I’m not surprised that Arteta is delighted with this. This could be the signing that wins them the …

Hazard: I´m a better player than in 2015

Chelsea star Eden Hazard believes he is a better player now than when he inspired his side to the Premier League title in 2014-15.

The Belgium international has recaptured some of his most spectacular form this season after struggling badly to make an impact in Chelsea s miserable title defence last term.

Hazard scored a stunning solo goal in Saturday s 3-1 win over Arsenal a result that saw Antonio Conte s side hold a nine-point gap at the top of the table with 14 matches left to play.

The 26-year-old was named the league s best player by the Professional Footballers Association and Football Writers Association when the Blues won the title two years ago, but he feels he is eclipsing those standards.

Asked if he is now a more rounded player, he said: Yes,…

Ronaldo returns to Man Utd: How has Cristiano changed since 2009?

Cristiano Ronaldo s return to Manchester United is complete.

A deal reportedly worth an initial £12.9million (€15m) was agreed with Juventus on Friday and, after undergoing his medical in Portugal over the weekend, Ronaldo has now finalised personal terms and completed the move.

Ronaldo returns to United as a vastly different player to the one that left Old Trafford for Real Madrid a little over 12 years ago, however.

Then a flying winger, he has adapted his game as he has grown older and is now a clinical penalty box poacher – diminishing goal returns he may have, but 36 in all competitions last season would still have had him as the leading goalscorer in English football.

Using Opta data, Stats Perform looks at how Ronaldo has altered his game …

Giants vs Buccaneers MNF Prop Bets: Kadarius Toney Setting the Tone in Tampa

Monday Night Football is a haven for NFL betting with a chance to get right after a sucky Sunday or an opportunity to build on the big wins of the weekend. 

Whatever your lot in life, bookies are posting a massive menu of NFL prop betting options for the New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers tonight.

We push the conventional odds to the side and select our three favorite NFL prop picks for Monday Night Football in Week 11. 

Texans vs Bears Week 3 Picks and Predictions: Montgomery Shows Out for Stagnant Chicago Attack

The Houston Texans seek their first straight-up win of the season as they head to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears.

The Texans are 2-0 against the spread following a tie with the Indianapolis Colts and a one-score road loss to the Denver Broncos. The Bears split their first two tilts of 2022 both straight-up and against the spread, beating the San Francisco 49ers at home before suffering yet another loss at Lambeau Field to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

What will transpire in this potentially low-scoring contest? Find out in our free NFL picks and predictions for Texans vs Bears on Sunday, September 25. 

Patrick Mahomes Odds and Props for Week 3: Mahomes Does It All

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs grinded out a 17-9 win over the Jaguars last week and will now shift their attention toward the dysfunctional Chicago Bears. Despite the return of Travis Kelce, Mahomes’ performance in that win was just average by his standards and many are still waiting for a textbook Mahomes performance from the two-time MVP and Super Bowl MVP.

Can Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs take advantage of a plus-matchup or will the offense continue to spit out low-scoring results? The NFL odds expect the former. 

Continue reading for free NFL player prop picks and predictions for the Bears vs. Chiefs matchup on Sunday, September 24th.

Bills vs Eagles Odds, Picks, and Predictions Week 12: Philly's Offense Explodes Against Buffalo

The Philadelphia Eagles won’t have much time to enjoy their Week 11 win over the Chiefs as they’ll host the Buffalo Bills in Week 12 as 3-point NFL odds favorites.

With the Bills rolling into Lincoln Financial Field with significant injuries to their secondary, are the Eagles the right side to back on Sunday?

I break down the Week 12 odds and offer my free NFL picks for Bills vs. Eagles on November 26. 

Bills vs Eagles odds

Bills vs Eagles predictions

The Philadelphia Eagles were listed at -3.5 on the look-ahead line for this Week 12 clash. Following their fortunate win vs. the Chiefs — coupled with the Buffalo Bills’ blowout of the Jets — this line reopened at -3 and h…