D2 - Football - Portugal - Liga Orangina

Braga will play in the Champions League and I believe the fans are pleased. So far it was a privilege for Big-3 teams - Porto, Benfica and Sporting. Braga are big favorites in this match, but I think Moreirense could upset them.

There is one and only one reason for my pick. While the hosts are complete, Braga will be without several important players. Ricardo Horta is away with Portugal national team, Abel Ruiz has earned a call-up to the Spain, while Rodrigo Zalazar is with Uruguay and Serdar Saatci is on international duty with Turkey's U-21 team. On top of that midfielder Al Musrati is doubtful due to injury.

Moreirense could take advantage from Braga absentees.

09/09/2023 16:24, read 1019 times

D2 - Football - Spain - Segunda Division

Leganes are favorites in this match, but I think Huesca could upset them. The reason is connect with the fact that hosts are handicapped. Coach Borja Jimenez is without Cisse, who is playing a qualifying match for the African Cup with Guinea. In addition, Dani Jimenez and Undabarrena continue to recover from their discomfort, which already caused them to miss the last match. It is true Huesca are looking for their first victory of the season in Butarque, but they are not bad. So far Huesca have three draws and only one defeat. They could obtain the first victory.

09/09/2023 17:02, read 1025 times

MLS - Football - United States - MLS

First about the table of the Western Conference: LA Galaxy are 13th with 29 points, while St Louis City are first with 47. This is a reason for my pick, but there is one more.

St Louis are in solid form - six victories in the last nine league matches. The players confidence is high and I believe they will go for another victory in LA. Even more as their opponents have lot of important absentees. Raheem Edwards will miss the match due to suspension, while Eriq Zavaleta and Kelvin Leerdam are on international duty with Salvador and Suriname respectively at the CONCACAF Nations League. Five more players are struggling with injury - Gaston Brugman, Martin Caceres, Chicarito, Jalen Neal and Douglas Costa who dislocated his shoulder.

The guests are almost complete, only Tim Parker is rated as doubtful. I think St Louis City could upset LA Galaxy.

10/09/2023 12:47, read 982 times

PR - Football - England - Premier League

Wolverhampton had a turbulent Summer, with many important players leaving the club. Manager Julen Lopetegui also departed, so the former Bournemouth coach Gary O'Neil took the team. The results are poor, they lost to Man United, Brighton and Crystal Palace, but won 1:0 against Everton. O'Neil has almost all players available, only Joe Hodge is doubtful.

Liverpool have three wins and one draw after the first four rounds. The victory against Newcastle at St James Park should be mentioned. Darwin Nunez scored two goals in the finish of the match and secured the victory. But key defender Virgil van Dijk was sent off in the first half. Liverpool captain has already missed the clash with Aston Villa, but received an additional ban for his protests even after the VAR check. His absence is a huge handicap and Klopp has big issues in defense as the second central defender Ibrahima Konate and full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold are doubtful due to injuries. This is the reason why I think the Wolves could upset Liverpool. The international break is also a problem for Klopp, many of the players will be tired after long travels. I think Wolves will not lose.

15/09/2023 21:42, read 736 times

PR - Football - England - Premier League

Man City are big favorites in every match, including this one. The Citizens are first with maximal effect after four rounds. Nevertheless, I think West Ham could upset them. The Hammers have started the new season very good, with three victories (Chelsea, Brighton and Luton Town) and one draw (Bournemouth). Not since the 1999-2000 season under Harry Redknapp have West Ham made a better start to a Premier League season. Manager David Moyes is doing an excellent job and the fans are pleased.

The absence of Kevin de Bruyne is another reason for my pick. He is out injured, but there is more - John Stones, Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic have all been ruled out of the match. Guardiola has a long roster, but the absence of the mentioned four players is a handicap.

West Ham are able to make Manchester City big problems in the final third, particularly from set-pieces. They have player able to make difference is such situations - James Ward-Prowse.

16/09/2023 11:32, read 680 times

PR - Football - England - Premier League

Newcastle were excellent last season and they secured a Champions League spot. However, this season did not start according to the expectations. A narrow defeat to Manchester City could somehow be swallowed, but the failures against Liverpool and Brighton frustrated the fans. With only three points, the Magpies sit on the 14th place.

To be worse, Sandro Tonali (muscular problem) joins Joe Willock (calf), Emil Krafth (ACL) and Javier Manquillo (groin) in the treatment room, while Sven Botman did not play in the last period due to an ankle issue. Brentford remain without the suspended Ivan Toney, while Mikkel Damsgaard is out due to an adductor problem. Hoever, manager Thomas Frank is optimistic that the 23-year-old will be ready in time for this match.

As I wrote, Newcastle are big favorites. But if some team could create problems, that's Brentford. Howe is under big pressure, especially with the Champions League on the horizon. I think the upcoming clash at San Siro is in the players' minds. And this could be a big chance for Brentford.

16/09/2023 11:58, read 726 times

CL - Football - Europe - CL - Champions League

Manchester City are huge favorites in this match and I believe they will win. After all, they are the reigning champions in the European top competition. Guardiola has quality players and it is not coincident they have a maximal effect in the Premier League.

However, Red Star Belgrade are not bad and they will not give up easily. The Serbian champions had some memorable results in the past. They also have one trophy in the Champions League in 1991. The recent results are not that good, but don't forget they beat Liverpool 2:0 few years ago. I expect to cover the handicap, meaning they won't lose with 3 goals.

19/09/2023 16:24, read 510 times

PR - Football - England - Premier League

Liverpool have started the new season very good. After the draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Klopp's men beat Bournemouth, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton and LASK. Big problem is the injury of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Even bigger problem is the defense. The Reds have registered just one clean sheet, while conceded on every other. So far that's not important as they are winning the games, but it can't go forever. West Ham also play good and won most of their games. The Hammers managed to beat Chelsea, Brighton and Luton, but lost to leaders Man City. On Thursday they beat Serbian side TSC Backa Topola in UEFA Europe League. The atmosphere in the squad is excellent, while the players confidence is very high. I think they could remain unbeaten.

24/09/2023 10:17, read 236 times