Rio 2016: ´Brazilian football is not dead!´ Micale hails historic gold medal

Head coach Rogerio Micale proudly declared that Brazilian football is not dead after leading the nation to a historic Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016.

A pulsating gold medal match against Germany finished 1-1 after extra time at the Maracana and fittingly it was the poster boy of Brazilian football, Neymar, that hammered home the winning spot-kick in a 5-4 shoot-out victory. 

It was a moment of history for the proud footballing nation, who have won the World Cup on five occasions but had never triumphed at the Olympics before Saturday s dramatic final.

For Brazil, the win goes some way to eradicating the painful memories of their home World Cup two years ago when they were humiliated 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals.

And Micale believes that his team hav…

Kane admits ´I´d swap everything´ for Euro 2024 glory

Harry Kane admits he would swap everything I ve done in my career to win Euro 2024 with England, who face Spain in Sunday s final.

The Three Lions, who were runners-up to Italy in the delayed Euro 2020, are appearing in their second successive European Championship show-piece, and aiming to go the extra step by claiming their first major tournament silverware since lifting the 1966 World Cup.

Kane has already made history at this tournament, becoming the record goalscorer in the knockout stages of both the European Championship (six) and major tournaments overall among European players (nine).

England and Tottenham s all-time leading scorer, the Bayern Munich striker is still seeking the first team trophy of his impressive career, and he is desperate to end that …

VIDEO: Bundesliga 2017/18 Highlights – 90 Seconds That Will Blow your Mind

Bundesliga is back, baby.

For a moment the German top flight was trailing behind the more prominent likes of the Premier League and La Liga but it’s fair to say that Bundesliga is now up with the best in terms of football, quality, excitement, unrivalled fandom and the marketing point of view.

A huge boost for the league’s profile has been given by a fantastic work done by the competition’s media department, which has been producing exhilarating videos all year round.

Here is the latest in a line – and it will blow your mind!

Now he can´t miss! – Maradona honed Messi´s free-kick prowess at 2010 World Cup

Diego Maradona claims his guidance on the training ground helped transform a luckless Lionel Messi into one of modern football s deadliest free-kick takers.

The legendary Maradona coached Barcelona superstar Messi during Argentina s eventful 2010 World Cup campaign.

Messi won his second Ballon d Or that year but failed to get on the scoresheet in South Africa as the Albiceleste crashed out in the quarter-finals, losing 4-0 to Germany.

Despite Argentina s talisman not scoring at that tournament, Maradona feels that period was when the forward was at the peak of his powers.

But the new Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata boss believes a dose of his own wisdom was needed to elevate the attacker s dead-ball skills to the world-class level they have reached.

Panthers vs Cardinals Week 10 Picks and Predictions: Arizona D Will Wreak Havoc

Editor’s note: This preview was written prior to news that Kyler Murray is dealing with an ankle injury and is trending towards not playing this Sunday. 

The Arizona Cardinals turned heads with a big win last weekend despite missing stars Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins. 

The Cardinals expect to have those standouts back in Week 10 and the NFL betting odds are laying it on thick, giving plenty of points to the visiting Carolina Panthers, who will be without their starting quarterback this Sunday. Sam Darnold will miss time with a shoulder injury, leaving backup QB P.J. Walker to face Arizona’s aggressive defense.

Check out our NFL free picks and predictions for Panthers at Cardinals on November 14. 

Bengals vs Cowboys Week 2 Picks and Predictions: Bengals Pounce on Wounded Opposition

The Cincinnati Bengals look to rebound from a game they gave away as they head to AT&T Stadium to take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 of NFL action.

The Cowboys also failed to win in their season opener, but their biggest blow came in losing franchise quarterback Dak Prescott to a thumb injury. With backup Cooper Rush taking over at QB for the next several weeks, NFL betting lines hit the board with “America’s Team” as a 7-point home underdog for Sunday’s showdown.

Here are my best free Bengals vs. Cowboys NFL picks and predictions for September 18.

NFL Best Bets and Player Props for Week 2: Believe in the Toney Redemption Game

Sometimes, you just take a good ol’ punch to the gut.

After sifting through the NFL odds, you find a bet you absolutely love… and then you get crushed by a pathetic performance.

You get knocked down… but you get up again. You know why? Cause they’re never gonna keep you down.

(Sorry not sorry). Editor’s note: Ugh.

There was one market I’ve been waiting for to include in my NFL picks — and my prayers were answered, as I get my chance at redemption… in betting on a wide receiver getting redemption himself.

I’ve also found a few other gems in the Week 2 odds, but my heart is committed to a Chiefs wide receiver whose last name rhymes with “phony.”

Yes, my friends, we’re going there with my best NFL player props&nbs…

Jaguars vs Texans Odds, Picks, and Predictions Week 12: Don't Overlook Zay in Jags Offense

The “revenge” angle doesn’t hold as much weight when it comes to NFL odds as you think.

And while revenge may be on the minds of the Jacksonville Jaguars when they face the rival Houston Texans in the Week 12 odds, it’s likely “embarrassment” is the more motivating factor.

Jacksonville is aiming to erase the shame of a 37-17 loss to Houston back in Week 3 and really right an AFC South series that has seen the Jaguars struggle against the Texans.

Going back to 2018, Jacksonville has won only once in the past 11 meetings with Houston and is a dreadful 3-8 ATS in those games.

I run down the spread and Over/Under total for this AFC South showdown and give my best NFL picks for Jaguars vs. Texans on November 26.

Super Bowl Predictions: 5 Last-Minute Predictions for Chiefs vs 49ers

The clock is ticking down to the Super Bowl kickoff, and there is still time to squeeze in those last-second wagers before the Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers gets underway. Since the matchup has been set, there has been a deluge of Super Bowl predictions over the last couple of weeks.

Super Bowl odds have fluctuated a bit, but 49ers -2 has more or less been the consensus number throughout the last week, with some 1.5-point spreads trickling in on Sunday. 

Looking over our expert NFL picks, here are five worth looking at as you finalize your Chiefs vs. 49ers predictions for Super Bowl 58 on Sunday, February 11.

Cardinals vs Packers Picks, Predictions, and Best Bets: Love Affair at Lambeau

Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers bounced back with a win last week and now host Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals, but it might be Josh Jacobs and the Packers’ run game that helps them in Week 6. 

Continue reading for my Cardinals vs Packers predictions and free NFL picks for Sunday, October 13th.

Cardinals vs Packers prediction

My best betPackers -5 (-110 at BetMGM)

My analysis

When Josh Jacobs signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Green Bay Packers this offseason, it was performances like last week (94 scrimmage yards, one touchdown) that both sides were hoping to materialize.

Jacobs was maybe not as efficient as he would hope (3.8 yards per carry) against what had been a porous Rams’ run…