Euro 2012 quarter-final: Spain 2 France 0

Spain remain on track to defend their European title after a 2-0 win over France in their Euro 2012 quarter-final on Saturday.

Spain remain on track to defend their European title after a 2-0 win over France in their Euro 2012 quarter-final on Saturday.

A brace from Xabi Alonso was all that separated the two teams at Donbass Arena as Spain booked a meeting with Portugal in the last four.

France rarely posed a threat as Spain bossed the game in large parts, opening the scoring midway through the first half as Alonso headed in as he completed a century of international appearances.

Despite an improved performance in the second half France failed to find a breakthrough and received a sucker-punch when Alonso slotted home from the penalty spot in second-hal…

21-03-2010 Blackburn Rovers vs Chelsea

Blackburn Rovers have seen themselves move up the table to relative safety this side of Christmas whilst Chelsea are just two points off the pace in the Premierleague, and desperately need a result to bounce back from the disappointment of losing out to Jose Mourinho s Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Sam Allardyce has created a team that is very difficult to beat, and particularly so at home. Four home wins on the trot is testament to this and their home form has arguably stopped them being in the middle of a relegation dogfight right now. That being said, I don t think they are infallible at home and they face a very stern test from a Chelsea side smarting from the loss to their former manager. Allardyce will be relieved that he has managed to guide his team to safety, bu…

UEFA hits England with €100,000 fine and stadium ban for Euro 2020 final incidents

England have been hit with a two-game stadium ban – one of which is deferred for two years – as punishment for the crowd trouble inside and outside Wembley Stadium during their Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.

July s clash, which Italy won on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra-time, was overshadowed by serious disturbances as ticketless supporters fought with stewards in an attempt to enter the stadium.

UEFA opened an investigation into the matter in August and announced on Monday that England must play their next match in UEFA competition behind closed doors, which is expected to be their opening 2022-23 Nations League game.

The Three Lions have also been fined £84,500 (€100,000) for the fans disorder, which also included invading the pitch, thr…

On this day in 2014: ‘Super’ Mario punished for racist and anti-Semitic comments

On this day in 2014, Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli was suspended and fined after making racist and anti-Semitic comments on social media.

The then 24-year-old was was banned for one match, fined £25,000 and ordered to attend an education course following an independent regulatory commission hearing after accepting an aggravated breach of the Football Association Rule E3, relating to references of ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality or religion or belief.

Italy international Balotelli was charged after posting an image of computer game character Super Mario on Instagram which included the words “jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew”.

He quickly deleted the post and the following day issued an apology via his Twitter account.

Balo…

Cowboys vs Vikings SNF Prop Bets: Hooked on a Thielen

Halloween night brings us the week’s highest point total when the Dallas Cowboys visit the Minnesota Vikings. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott is highly questionable, which obviously affected the prop markets, but even with the uncertainty, we’ve put together three solid props that we feel confident in regardless of Prescott’s availability. 

We bring you our favorite free prop picks and predictions for  Sunday night’s Week 8 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings. 

Cincinnati Bengals Odds, Predictions, and Betting Preview 2022: Element of Surprise is Gone for Cincy

The Cincinnati Bengals’ AFC title and Super Bowl showing have to be one of the biggest stunners in NFL betting history, considering this team was pegged as an underdog in all but two games heading into last season. 

The 2022 Bengals are now in uncharted waters, with lofty expectations and an orange and black target on their backs. Oddsmakers are split on Cincy’s success in 2022, with a win total bouncing around double digits and the lookahead lines landing between nine and 11 wins, depending on where you bet.

Cincinnati is trying to capture lightning in a bottle with this current squad, quickly addressing glaring weaknesses like the offensive line and secondary this offseason. But is that enough to keep the momentum and — more importantl…

Bills vs Steelers Preseason Picks and Predictions: Defense Optional in Pittsburgh

Bettors might actually see something resembling an NFL football game Saturday night as both Mike Tomlin and Sean McDermott will be giving their No.1 offenses the first quarter Saturday night in Pittsburgh where the total sits at a Week 2-high 42 points with the Bills a slight favorite on the NFL odds board. 

With Pittsburgh’s offensive starters playing in a second straight game and seeing a longer leash than last week combined with Josh Allen and some competent quarterback depth on both teams, should bettors be looking at the Over that has already seen some money?

Here are my free NFL preseason picks and predictions for Bills vs. Steelers. 

Bills vs Steelers odds

Bills vs Steelers predictions

Th…

Jets vs Raiders SNF Prop Bets: Jacobs Finds Paydirt in Prime-Time

The Aaron Rodgers-less New York Jets have been on a roll as of late when it comes to NFL odds, winning three straight before dropping a game last week on Monday Night Football. They will play in primetime once again this week as they travel to take on a Las Vegas Raiders that team is coming off an emphatic win following the firing of Josh McDaniels.

Who can step up for the Jets and help them get above .500, and will anyone on the newly invigorated Raiders rise to the occasion in Week 10 odds to help Las Vegas get back to .500?

Continue reading as we dissect the SNF odds and our favorite props in our NFL picks for Jets vs. Raiders on November 12th.

Be sure to also check out our Jets vs. Raiders betting preview alongside our Davante Adams odds analys…

How Young Quarterbacks Perform in Their First Super Bowl and What Bettors Should Expect From Brock Purdy

When quarterback Brock Purdy lines up under center for the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 58 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, he’ll be joining a select list of sophomore signal callers to start at QB in the Big Game. Only seven second-year QBs have ever started the Super Bowl, with Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals being the most recent in 2021.

The Brock Purdy odds have some of his NFL player props at their lowest level in weeks, so should bettors be fading the 49ers in the Super Bowl odds with a young QB at the helm? Let’s take a look at the historical trends and evaluate their potential impact on the NFL odds for Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, February 11.

Be sure to look at our free NFL picks featuring Super Bowl prediction…

Bills vs Texans Prop Bets: Target Collins' Receptions Total in Marquee AFC Clash

Although it will be Stefon Diggs’ first game against his former team as the Houston Texans host the Buffalo Bills in Week 5 action, my Bills vs Texans prop picks have wide receiver Nico Collins continuing his hot start to the season.

Find out more in my free NFL picks for Sunday, October 6.