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Fans joke they’ve found proof Christian McCaffrey is a robot as bizarre footage goes viral

Joshua Rogers — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 10:14:06 +0000

Christian McCaffrey has finally confirmed what we all suspected – he’s a robot.

During the San Francisco 49ers‘ 31-13 victory against the Seattle Seahawks on Thanksgiving, the All-Pro running back went viral when a helmet fix-up made him look like a machine.

McCaffrey and his teammates certainly earned their turkey but something else caught fans eyes

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McCaffrey’s helmet broke in the Week 12 NFL matchup and he was forced to wear a replacement for the following drive. During a break in play, cameras caught Niners team staff tightening the screws on either side of his helmet on the chinstrap.

The bizarre image made CMC look more robot than human, and it wasn’t long before the footage went viral.

Social media reacted to the moment, with some calling him Frankenstein given the screws on the popular science-fiction character’s head.

‘Robocop version 3.0,’ one fan joked.

‘CMC-3PO,’ another remarked in reference to the popular Star Wars droid C-3PO.

‘CMC is AI’, a third person commented.

‘Absolute machine’, said a fourth fan.

McCaffrey was asked about the moment postgame, and admitted he “felt like Frankenstein” when the chinstrap was being fixed.

The superstar running back looked on as Niners staff fixed his helmet in between plays

Twitter

The San Francisco 49ers star has been a monster this season, helping the Niners to a 8-3 record

Getty

Thankfully for the 49ers the humorous incident didn’t throw CMC off his game. He had a stellar performance where he put up 114 yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns, while adding another 25 yards on five receptions.

He whipped up quite the appetite during the victory and managed to enjoy a postgame Thanksgiving meal with his teammates on Lumen Field.

“That was awesome,” McCaffrey said. “It was actually really good turkey, too. I have no idea how they kept all of the dishes hot … but the turkey was really good, well cooked. It wasn’t dry at all and like I said, still hot, which was impressive for being 20 minutes after the game.”

However, he still had one minor critique.

“I was bummed I didn’t get the sweet potato with the marshmallows,” he told reporters afterwards.

All in all though it was the perfect Thanksgiving afternoon for CMC and his teammates.

With their tenth consecutive win in the NFC West division the Niners move to 8-3 for the season.

Next up for them is a huge Week 13 clash with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mikel Arteta reveals three Arsenal stars face late fitness test for Brentford clash

Lee Davey — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 10:06:46 +0000

Mikel Arteta hopes to call upon captain Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and Ben White for Arsenal’s trip to Brentford.

The trio were injury doubts ahead of the trip to the Gtech Community Stadium but are now in contention to feature on Saturday.

Arteta is hoping to have Odegaard, White and Gabriel Jesus back in contention for the trip to Brentford

Getty

Arsenal boss Arteta confirmed Odegaard had suffered a concussion on the eve of the 1-0 defeat at Newcastle causing him to miss the Gunners’ last three fixtures.

Striker Gabriel Jesus played 90 minutes for Brazil in a high-octane clash against Argentina on Tuesday evening after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Arteta told reporters on Friday: “He is available. He played 96 mins in a really competitive match. He had a long flight. I have to see the condition.”

Meanwhile Ben White is closing in on his return to action after missing the win over Burnley with a muscle injury.

“Hopefully if he’s able to train today he’ll be in contention, We’ll find out in the next 24 hours,” Arteta said.

The Spaniard confirmed that Aaron Ramsdale will make his first league start since September with David Raya ineligible to face his parent club.

But Arteta will be without Fabio Vieira who will serve the first of his three-match suspension after his red card against Burnley.

Arsenal head to Brentford on Saturday teatime aiming to keep pace with Manchester City and Liverpool who face each other earlier in the day.

Arteta confirmed Aaron Ramsdale will start in place of the ineligible David Raya

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The Gunners bounced back from their first league defeat of the season with a 3-1 win over Burnley last time out and Arteta will hope his side can kick off a packed schedule with three points at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham quietly building Premier League interest while brother Jude stars for Real Madrid

Phil Spencer — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Jobe Bellingham is more than just the brother of a global superstar.

The 18-year-old is a talent in his own right, but has started his career in the sizable shadow of his brother, Jude, who has had a meteoric rise to the top of the game.

Jobe Bellingham is showing that his older brother isn’t the only talent in their family

Getty

Since joining Real Madrid, Jude has become one of football’s elite after winning the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards and getting the Golden Boy award, indicating that the 20-year-old is set to dominate football from this point on.

But while Jude is banging in goals for fun in Madrid, Jobe is quietly building some top-level interest of his own.

Troy Deeney spent two years at St Andrews and was able to get a close look at Jobe, but revealed in January this year that he could find it tricky to step out of his brother’s shadow.

Speaking on talkSPORT Drive about Jobe’s potential, Deeney said: “His potential could be whatever he wants.

“The problem for me is that wherever he goes he’s always going to be compared to his brother, isn’t he?

“He’s 17 years old now. His brother, at 17, was playing and dragging Birmingham City through a Championship season so it’s always considered that he’s not doing as well, but my job and my role now is to explain to him that everyone has a different path.

“If he starts doing what he’s capable of when he’s 18, 19, 20, it doesn’t mean that he isn’t any good because he hasn’t gone to a World Cup and ripped it up like his brother has.

“I’m just trying to get him to have patience. It’s difficult with these young kids and Benty [Darren Bent] will tell you, when you’re young you want it now.

Jobe was in attendance at Jude’s Real Madrid unveiling on the same day that he joined Sunderland

Getty

“You can’t see six months down the line, you want to know why you’re not playing next week.

“We’ve got to keep him patient but he’s growing at a phenomenal rate. I think he’s put on about 10kg and is about six-foot-four now and he’s 17, so he’s only going to get bigger and stronger and he’s a talented player as well.”

Like his brother, Jobe Bellingham flew the nest over the summer by leaving Birmingham for a new challenge with Sunderland.

Kristjaan Speakman, now sporting director with the Black Cats, previously held the role of academy manager with Birmingham and therefore knew all about the talents of Jobe – long before the Bellingham name became globally renowned.

Speakman’s role at Sunderland is built on bringing in talented young players, developing them as talents and using that progress to grow the club both on and off the field – something that Bellingham’s arrival encapsulates.

That move to the Stadium Of Light was completed on the same day as Real Madrid announced the blockbuster deal for Bellingham, with Jobe even pictured front and centre at his older brother’s unveiling at the Bernabeu.

But since then, the midfielder has been keen to step out on his own, notably opting to have ‘Jobe’ on the back of his Sunderland shirt, not his surname Bellingham, as is traditional.

Due to Sunderland’s lack of striking options, Jobe started the season out of position as a false nine, a role that saw him score two goals in his first three games for the Black Cats.

Bellingham opted to use ‘Jobe’ on the back of his shirt and has kicked on ever since

Getty

Bellingham is a key man for Sunderland despite being just 18

talkSPORT

Since then, Bellingham has started all 16 of the club’s Championship fixtures, including the clash with boyhood club Birmingham before the international break which saw him refuse to celebrate after giving his new employers the lead.

Given the level of his displays at just 18 years of age, it’s no surprise that top-tier clubs such as Real Madrid are scouting the player, while Tottenham are also believed to be keeping tabs on him.

Talking about Bellingham’s start to life at Sunderland, boss Tony Mowbray said: “He is very mature for his age. He acts like a seasoned pro, and demands standards even in small sided games he wants to win.

“You can see he has a very focused driven thought pattern on where he is going and how he is going to get there. And that is to try to be excellent in everything you do.

“It’s a great mentality. It helps our team to have someone so young.

“He is not in the team because of his name, it is football ability and his competitive edge and athleticism and technique. He works hard every day.

“As coaches we want to protect him in three game weeks so sometimes when he comes off it is to give him a break. We should just enjoy the journey with him and see where he gets to as time rolls on.

“He doesn’t want to be compared with his brother, but we have coaches here who helped his brother as a 17-18 year old. They can gauge where he is, and he has some amazing tools.

Jobe is loving life at Sunderland, a club who are entirely built on developing young players

Rex

“If he listens, works hard and competes like he does he won’t go far wrong. He has confidence and belief and has a good football brain.”

Meanwhile former Arsenal striker and ex-Sunderland manager and chairman Niall Quinn has described the teenager as a ‘breath of fresh air’.

He told Ladbrokes Fanzone: “I’ve watched Jobe Bellingham a lot since he arrived at Sunderland, and if you take him as an individual, it’s as if the stage was just set for him.

“He looks so comfortable playing the game, at such a young age. I can remember being his age, and being afraid to look at the first-team players.

“I’d be cleaning boots and looking down so they wouldn’t look me in the eye! I think it’s phenomenal that somebody his age can come in and be that solid. Not big headed, not flash, just solid.”

Quinn added: “He’s a breath of fresh air. To be like that, at his age, it’s absolutely incredible.”

Man City vs Liverpool 1+ Goal 30/1 on Betfair

Tom Lunn — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 09:55:05 +0000

Man City host Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as 1st place play 2nd place in the table.

And Betfair are offering new customers a 30/1 pay out on there to be a goal on the Premier League tie!

Get 30/1 on a goal to be scored in Man City vs Liverpool!

Betfair: 30/1 goal to be scored in Man City vs Liverpool – CLAIM HERE*

The winner of this will end up at the top of the table provided Arsenal don’t outscore Liverpool, if they get victory.

But Liverpool don’t often win away from home, in the league against City.

Their last win away to City came in the FA Cup when they won 3-2 in April 2022.

Pep Guardiola’s side beat Liverpool in this fixture last season, in April 2023, 4-1 just a few months after beating them at home in the League Cup 3-2.

Mohamed Salah has been on the scoresheet for Liverpool in the last four fixtures against City, including the only goal in the 1-0 win at Anfield in October last year.

There’s often plenty of goals in this game though and rarely do either side keep a clean sheet.

Five of the last fixtures in all competitions have actually ended up with an over 3.5 goals bet winning, while three of those would have won with a punt on over 4.5 goals.

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Open a new account using promo code: ZFBDWY
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Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.g amcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

*New customer offer. Place a max £1 bet on the Over 0.5 Goals market in the Man City vs Liverpool game, Saturday, November 25. Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bets. Free bets are valid 7 days, only deposits with cards are eligible. Excludes multiples & in-play bets. T&C’s apply. Please gamble responsibly.

Manchester City v Liverpool odds boost: Get 40/1 odds for one shot on target with Sky Bet

Will Stanley — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 09:28:01 +0000

The Premier League returns on Saturday following the international break, with the top two teams, Manchester City and Liverpool, meeting at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.

Sky Bet are offering new customers massive enhanced odds of 40/1 for there to be a shot on target in the match, which you can add straight to your bet slip by following this link*.

Sky Bet have some massive enhanced odds as part of their Super Week.

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Manchester City head into Saturday’s crunch match as the favourites for a victory which would extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Pep Guardiola’s side played out a thrilling 4-4 draw at Chelsea in their last match before last week’s international break, but still manage to take a one point lead into this weekend’s home bout.

Last season’s treble winners had won their previous five matches in all competitions ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge, recovering well from a fleeting loss of form in which they lost three out of four matches at the start of last month.

Manchester City have won 100% of their 23 matches they’ve played at the Etihad Stadium in all competitions in 2023, and will be aiming to maintain that perfect run on Saturday lunchtime.

Liverpool will back themselves to end City’s formidable home winning streak, fuelled by knowledge that victory will take them ahead of their opponents and into top spot in the Premier League table.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have only won one of their last three games following their surprise draw away at Luton in the league and defeat at Toulouse in the Europa League in the space of five days a fortnight or so ago.

The Reds did get back to winning ways on their return to Anfield though, beating Brentford 3-0, taking them up to second in the table and just a point off the leaders in a tightly-congested title race where just three points separates the top five teams.

The Merseyside team have won just two of their six league matches away from home this season, and will need to up their game at Manchester City’s home fortress in order to get anything out of the game.

Manchester City have won their last two matches against Liverpool, but went winless five consecutive games against the Reds prior to their Carabao Cup win over Klopp’s side which took place just four days after the World Cup final last season.

Man City’s 4-1 win over Liverpool in the Premier League back in April took the overall managerial head-to-head between Guardiola and Klopp to 12-11 in favour of the German.

How to watch Manchester City v Liverpool

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Date and time: Saturday 25 November 2023, 12:30pm
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Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

*New customers only. Min/max stake £1. Free bets credited within 72 hours. First single & E/W bet only. 4 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.

Betfair Chase Day: Bet £10 get £45 free bets on Betfair!

Tom Lunn — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 09:11:00 +0000

Haydock racecourse hosts the Grade 1 Betfair Chase on Saturday afternoon in a fantastic meeting.

Betfair are offering new customers £45 in free bets on the racing at Haydock this weekend when you bet £10 on racing!

Bet £10 get £45 in free bets on the racing this weekend as the Betfair Chase stars at Haydock!

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12.05: Betfair Racing Podcasts Newton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)

It’s not just the Betfair Chase on Saturday either, racing fans are in for a treat to the Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle as the opener of the day at Haydock.

There’s some promising hurdlers in this with 13 runners still entered into this.

Trainer Fergal O’Brien has Kamsinas in this with a 128 overall rating, who has already placed in Grade 2 novice company.

The gelding won well on hurdling debut in October and just 15 days after came a close second to Lookaway at Cheltenham in the Sky Bet Novices’ Hurdle.

That’s great form too as Lookaway went on to place in handicap company behind Iberico Lord.

12.40: Betting.Betfair.com Handicap Chase

There’s also a high rated handicap chase considering it’s a Class 3.

With prominent chasers set to feature, including Cheddleton, Mackenberg and Pay The Piper.

Cheddleton is also an early contender in the Graduation Chase and there’s certainly more money at stake for a win in the latter race, but is 2m5f instead of 2m.

1.15: Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)

Langer Dan is the top-rated horse in the Class 2 Handicap Hurdle having previously won the Coral Cup at Cheltenham Festival.

He could be opposed though after really struggling on his seasonal debut.

There could be quite a few runners in this which will certainly open up the betting for some each-way plays.

Irish Hill could be on the up after a wind op in August and he reappeared at Kempton on the 13th of this month, and is on a dangerous mark now having potentially needed the run for both the season and to get used to breathing differently since the operation.

1.50: Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase (Class 2)

Grey Dawning is the strong odds-on favourite for the Graduation Chase,

However, the Challenge Cup winner, Gaillard Du Mesnil, trained by Willie Mullins looks superior despite carrying the top weight.

He has the stamina, shown by placing third in the Grand National and of course winning the 2m6f Challenge Cup at Cheltenham Festival.

It’s very interesting to see him go back down in trip for the opening of the season, with entries here and in the Grade 1 2m4f Punchestown Chase on Sunday.

2.20: Betfair ‘Serial Winners’ Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 1)

The Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle is a tough contest which offers a huge £71k in prize money for the winner.

The Emmet Mullins-trained Slate Lane could still be weighted well having won three in a row, but there’s many each-way chances too while there are still declarations to be made.

However, Crambo, trained by Fergal O’Brien is just about the favourite at 3/1.

He’s now four wins from six runs over hurdles having beaten Santos Blue by over two lengths.

Despite running with a weight of 11-9, he was still far ahead of the majority of the field and any similarly rated rivals, like Kitty’s Light, Lac De Constance and Hourvari.

That suggests he could be on the up this season as he made it a comfortable victory, having already won in Grade 3 company in March at Sandown.

3.00: Betfair Chase (Grade 1)

The big event though is of course the Grade 1 Betfair Chase.

Bravemansgame and Protektorat are the big favourites for the race and it’s the former who is slowly attracting more attention in the market.

Shishkin is an early entrant but he is likely to be heading to Ascot instead for the potentially more suitable 1965 Chase.

Bravemansgame won the King George VI Chase in December and hasn’t won since.

But he has ran with great credit in his last three contests.

The eight-year-old was second on seasonal debut earlier this month but looks as though he bumped into a promising chaser who was only running for his third time over fences.

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Open a new account using promo code ZSKW17.
Verify your number by SMS.
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Min odds EVS (2.0).
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Betfair: Bet £10 on racing, get £45 in free bets – CLAIM HERE*

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

*New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on Horse Racing on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £45 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days and can be used on Horse racing multiples only. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.

Premier League transfer news LIVE: Varane likely to leave Man United, Bournemouth to reject offers for Solanke, Brentford want to keep Toney

TalkSPORT — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 09:08:00 +0000

Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours from the Premier League in talkSPORT’s live blog.

England’s top-flight spent a record £2.36billion on new players in the summer but the search for new players is already underway.

The winter window doesn’t open officially until January 1 but the top clubs are already planning their next moves in order to get a head start.

Follow our live blog below for all the latest news from the Premier League…

Fans overhear Jurgen Klopp call Liverpool academy star ‘Virgil van Dijk 2.0 reloaded’ in training video

Natasha Everitt — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 09:07:17 +0000

One Liverpool academy star has earned seriously high praise from Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool head to Manchester City to resume their Premier League season on Saturday, with Klopp‘s side looking to leapfrog their opponents to go top of the league, live on talkSPORT,

Klopp was singing one star’s praises in particular

X:@TheAnfieldTalk

Before the fixture, Klopp spoke to Sky Sports reporter Vinny O’Connor and the pair’s catch up was posted onto X, formerly known as Twitter.

The duo were heard praising Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton’s performances for England’s Under-21s in their Euro 2025 qualifier over the international break, with them both scoring against Northern Ireland.

But it was defender Jarell Quansah, who also played in that game, that appeared to get the ultimate compliment from the Liverpool boss.

Reds supporters are convinced they heard Klopp say Quansah was the ‘reloaded 2.0’ version of iconic centre-back Virgil van Dijk in the video.

Quansah, 20, only made his first team debut this season.

The Warrington-born centre-back has been with the Reds since 2008 when he joined at the age of 5.

After rising through the youth ranks and making it onto the bench in the first team’s Premier League and Carabao Cup ties, Quansah was sent out on loan to Bristol Rovers in January this year.

The England international made 16 appearances for the League One side, with then-Rovers manager Joey Barton tipping him to go to the very top.

Quansah has successfully made the step up from League One to the Premier League

AFP

“He’s as good on the ball that you’ll need to be in terms of building out from the back,” he told Bristol Live in February. “He’s going to get bigger, he’s going to get stronger, he’s going to get faster. His anticipation of the game is going to be better because more senior games get you that.”

Barton added: “He has an enormous future in front of him.”

He’s since made nine appearances for Liverpool’s first team following the end of that loan, including two starts in the Europa League.

Considering Quansah has only just made his way into the Liverpool first team, to be compared to a Champions League and Premier League winner by one of the best managers in the world shows he must be doing something right!

‘No, you shut up’ – Furious Novak Djokovic clashes with rowdy British fans at Davis Cup

Sean O'Brien — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 08:37:40 +0000

Novak Djokovic clashed with noisy British supporters during Serbia’s Davis Cup win over Great Britain.

The 24-time grand slam champion led his nation to a 2-0 quarter-final triumph with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Cameron Norrie in Malaga.

Djokovic is a master at channelling negative energy from the crowd

Getty

Playing in front of a 5,000-strong British crowd, Djokovic grew increasingly irritated by a perceived lack of respect and blew kisses to the stands at the end of the first set.

Then, as fans starting banging drums during his post-match interview, a furious Djokovic said: “Learn how to respect players, learn how to behave yourself. No, you shut up, you be quiet.”

Reflecting on the outburst during his post-match press conference, the world no.1 explained: “In the Davis Cup, it’s normal that sometimes fans step over the line but, in the heat of the moment, you react too, and you show that you don’t allow this kind of behaviour.

“They can do whatever they want, but I’m going to respond to that. I was trying to talk and they were purposely starting to play the drums so that I don’t talk and they were trying to annoy me the entire match. So we had a little bit of a chat in the end.”

Djokovic is well-accustomed to vitriolic treatment from tennis crowds and Britain captain Leon Smith insists the Davis Cup is meant to be rowdy.

“That’s one of the things that’s good about Davis Cup and the team competition that actually you’re kind of meant to make noise,” Smith said.

“Whether there is a bit that goes over, comments, I could hear a couple – I don’t think it’s that bad. I would hate to see it quietening down, because there’s enough quiet tennis as it is.”

Drama.

The Team GB section was playing drums during Djokovic’s interview, after knocking Great Britain out of the Davis Cup:

Novak replied: "Learn how to respect players, learn how to respect people, you shut up, you be quiet." pic.twitter.com/SNNsCcxtSn
— Olly (@Olly_Tennis_) November 23, 2023

David Beckham and Wrexham documentaries voted among best but fans don’t seem interested in Lionel Messi edition

Robert Calcutt — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 08:34:40 +0000

Sports documentaries offer fans intriguing insight into some of the world’s biggest stars and teams, and it looks like they’re here to stay.

Action, suspense and drama on pitches, courts and tracks entertain millions around the world as they cheer on their favourite names.

Beckham has been named as the most popular sport documentary

Getty

And people just cannot get enough of it all as a new poll from Betfair has revealed the rising impact of sport documentaries.

It found that around one in five people [19 per cent] admit to watching such programmes on a Saturday night, which is prime time for entertainment shows.

More than half [60 per cent] of people who aren’t sport fans have also admitted to watching a sport documentary.

Furthermore, over a third [38 per cent] of those polled watch them for the exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and the talents’ struggles.

A list of the top 20 documentaries has also been revealed, with the new Netflix series titled ‘Beckham’ taking top spot.

It features extensive footage of the England and Manchester United legend David’s stunning career as well as his relationship with coaches and teammates – Glenn Hoddle is perhaps the one person who didn’t want to see it.

‘Welcome to Wrexham’ is third, as the rise of the Welsh club under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney grips fans from around the country as well as those in America and Canada.

However, there doesn’t seem to be an appetitie for football legend Lionel Messi’s story, though there was an hour long programme shown in the UK called ‘Messi’ before the 2022 World Cup.

Wrexham’s owners have transformed the club and brought in a legion of new fans

Disney+

Formula 1 is another sport that captured people’s imagination with a number of films and series being loved, including Senna and Drive to Survive.

It all comes as Betfair prepare to premiere a new production called ‘Serial Winners: Rachael Blackmore’ at Haydock Park Racecourse on 25 November.

One of horsing’s biggest game-changers will be under the spotlight in the mini-documentary, with Blackmore the first ever female jockey to win the Grand National.

In 2021, she rode 11/1 shot Minella Times to victory weeks after dominating at Cheltenham.

Hers is a tale that has inspired many females to look at becoming a jockey to the point where gender is becoming irrelevant in a sport that appeared to once have limited opportunities.

BEST SPORTING DOCUMENTARIES (BETFAIR POLL)

Beckham [Football]
Senna [Formula 1]
Welcome to Wrexham [Football]
Pele [Football]
Alex Higgins: The People’s Champion [Snooker]
Gazza [Football]
Drive to Survive [Formula 1]
Diego Maradona [Football]
Break Point [Tennis]
Stop at Nothing: Lance Armstrong [Cycling]
Sunderland ‘Til I Die [Football]
All or Nothing: Manchester City [Football]
The Test – Australian Cricket Documentary [Cricket]
The Last Dance [Basketball]
All or Nothing: Tottenham [Football]
The Impossible Job [Football]
Full Swing [Golf]
Cheer [Cheerleading]
All or Nothing: Juventus [Football]
Icarus [Cycling]

Manchester United still without Christian Eriksen but handed Rasmus Hojlund boost in injury update

Robert Calcutt — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 23:50:36 +0000

Erik ten Hag has revealed that Christian Eriksen will miss Manchester United’s trip to Everton but Rasmus Hojlund could be set to play.

Both players picked up injuries in the Premier League giants’ 1-0 win over Luton Town in their final game before the international break.

It remains to be seen when Eriksen will return for United

AFP

Eriksen was forced off on the approach to half-time, whereas Hojlund had to be substituted in the latter stages of the victory.

United return to action on Sunday when they travel to Everton, with boss Erik ten Hag providing an update on the injured duo.

“Christian will take a little bit longer,” Ten Hag told the Premier League in regards to Eriksen. “It will take some weeks until he will return.”

As for Hojlund, he said: “Not too bad. Everton will be a close finish but we’re working on that.

There is a chance Hojlund could play against Everton

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“We’re not sure if he can make that but, hopefully, in the next week, he will return to the squad.”

United have endured a fluctuating season thus far but have won four of their last five Premier League matches.

Form across all competitions is a cause for concern though, with Ten Hag’s side losing three of their last five.

Sunday’s clash against Everton will be far from easy, with the home crowd at Goodison Park set to be loud in their protests against their ten-point deduction.

A must-win match away at Galatasaray follows three days later, with United currently bottom of their Champions League group.

Eriksen will be unavailable for the trip to Turkey but it could be the tie in which Hojlund makes a full return to action.

All of the goals he has scored for United since signing in the summer have come in the Champions League, with the Dane netting five.

Mario Balotelli avoids death as he’s involved in terrifying car crash

Jackson Cole — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 23:06:51 +0000

Mario Balotelli has reportedly avoided serious injury after being involved in a terrifying car crash.

The Italian’s vehicle has been destroyed after the road accident, which is understood to have taken place in Brescia in his homeland at 8:30pm.

A figure, which appears to be Balotelli, made his way out of the car and towards an ambulance

Marca

The car was left in a sorry state after the crash

Marca

Medics quickly raced to the scene after being called and a video showing a man which appeared to be Balotelli getting out of the vehicle and slowly walking towards an ambulance.

It’s not known what the cause of the crash was or if the player has suffered any minor injuries.

Balotelli, who now plays for Turkish side Adana Demirspor, is back home while recovering from injury.

The former Manchester City and Liverpool striker returned to Adana Demirspor having previously spent the 2021/22 season there.

The 33-year-old first came to prominence at Inter Milan, spending three years at the San Siro before completing a high-profile move to City in 2010.

He helped City to their first Premier League title in his second season at the club, providing the assist for Sergio Aguero’s iconic title-winning strike.

Balotelli went then joined Inter’s local rivals AC Milan in January 2013 before returning to the Premier League 18 months later by going to Liverpool.

His two-year spell at Anfield was a disaster as he only managed four goals, one in the Premier League.

Balotelli is one of football’s great personalities and was highly rated as a youngster

Getty Images - Getty

But his career has been on a gradual decline since leaving the Etihad Stadium

Getty Images - Getty

The second season as a Liverpool player saw Balotelli join Milan on loan before he went to Nice, where he spent three years.

After Nice he stayed in France to sign for Marseille and has since represented Italian outfit Monza, Swiss side Sion and Brescia in a journeyman career.

He’s never been out of the headlines for his off-pitch antics having infamously set off fireworks in his rented home causing thousands of pounds worth of damage when he was a City player. Balotelli then became the face of a firework safety campaign days later.

The Italy international was also spotted grappling with then-City boss Roberto Mancini during a training ground bust-up.

Tony Bellew gets mouthful of pig testicle on I’m a Celebrity and is placed in camp with Nigel Farage after calling him a ‘maniac’

Jackson Cole — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 22:44:47 +0000

Tony Bellew had a not-so-tasty start to life on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, but things could get tasty between him and Nigel Farage.

Along with racing legend Frankie Dettori, Bellew was a late arrival in the jungle, but was thrown straight into the deep end on Thursday night’s episode with his own Bush Tucker Trial.

Bellew entered camp on Thursday night’s show but got off to a losing start

ITV

They were up against each other as they had to make their way through an obstacle course… while holding pig testicles in their mouths.

Former WBC cruiserweight champion Bellew boasted a professional boxing record of 30-3-1 but has a Bush Tucker trial record of 0-1 as the nimble Dettori came out the victor.

The result means Bellew is part of the ‘Away Camp’, who receive smaller and lower quality food supplies and camp amenities.

It also means he’ll share camp with former UKIP and Brexit Party leader Farage, and the pair have history.

In November 2022, Farage posted a video on Twitter with the caption: “According to the ONS figures, London, Manchester and Birmingham are now all minority white cities.”

Bellew responded: “Why does someone’s colour matter? Who cares if you’re white, black, yellow or pink? All that matters is are they good or no good people!

“Learn to see people for who they are and not what they look like! It’s cos of people like you that racism still exists! Absolute maniac you are!”

So far there’s been no sign of a rumble in the jungle between Bellew and Farage, but Bellew is finding it difficult to adjust to camp life.

Bellew has taken some brutal punches in his career and now he’s holding pig testicles in his mouth

ITV

Bellew and Farage don’t see eye to eye politically

X @TonyBellew

But now they’ve got to work together

ITV

Farage vs Bellew wouldn’t be as good a Rumble in the Jungle as Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman

ITV

Receiving a measly portion of beans, the 40-year-old decided it wasn’t for him and even spat out some of the food he initially tried.

Bellew has some fight on his hands.

Bellew hasn’t had the easiest of starts

ITV

Liverpool need Darwin Nunez, Jeremy Doku could run riot for Man City but Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz could expose them

Josh Fordham — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 22:30:00 +0000

The Premier League is BACK!

What better way to celebrate the end of another international break than a blockbuster clash between Man City and Liverpool – and you can listen to it all on talkSPORT.

Guardiola has won just seven of his 20 games against Liverpool

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The Premier League heavyweights will go toe-to-toe at the Etihad and if it’s anything like their showdowns in recent years then we are in for a cracker.

Last season, they played each other four times and shared 15 goals across those matches.

They won two games apiece, with City thrashing Jurgen Klopp’s side 4-1 at the Etihad in April in their most recent encounter.

Erling Haaland was not fit that day, but that did not matter as they dismantled their rivals.

Haaland’s fitness is in doubt once again after picking up a knock on the international break, but they already have the blueprint on how to win without him.

So we asked some of our talkSPORT presenters to give their take on how Saturday’s epic clash will go.

Jim White | Co-host of White and Jordan

“The international break is over and we’re back to domestic football. And it all kicks off with Manchester City vs Liverpool.

Liverpool are just one point behind Man City

AFP

“How do we think this will go? Well, both were scoring goals last time out.

“Manchester City were at Chelsea and scored four, but conceded four. And Liverpool, if memory serves me right, got three against Brentford.

“How is it going to go? I can never really see past Manchester City at home, so I’ll take Man City to win it, maybe 2-1.”

Alan Brazil | talkSPORT Breakfast host

“It’s going to be an absolute cracker and I cannot wait, especially after the international rubbish we’ve seen. This is what it’s all about, the Premier League, Manchester City v Liverpool.

“It’s a game Liverpool have to get something from. City will be looking at Arsenal and teams below them thinking, uh-oh, we can’t slip up here.

“I’m going to go 2-2 draw. I think Liverpool will be up for this, I think City are still the best team probably in the world, for me. But Liverpool on the day can really turn it on. And it’s Pep against Klopp, I’m going for a thriller, 2-2.”

Haaland is expected to be fit after picking up a knock on international duty

AFP

Gabby Agbonlahor | Former Aston Villa striker

“This is a big game, they don’t really get bigger than this now in the Premier League.

“These two teams have been at it for a few years now, sharing the league titles between them. I just think Manchester City have got too much.

“I look at Liverpool and I still see some weaknesses around their team. Darwin Nunez is good one week, he’s off it next week.

“At the back, they’re conceding some goals as well. Manchester City are looking complete, they’ve got over their wobble, and I’m going to go for a Manchester City win by two goals to nil.”

Nunez has four Premier League goals so far this season

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Danny Murphy | Former Liverpool midfielder

“Trying to predict this one is really difficult because there’s two factors. One is the injuries and knocks coming back from internationals.

“We don’t know yet, Haaland is a doubt, etcetera.

“The other thing is the attitude of the managers to play those players who might be turning up from South America on Thursday morning.

“I think for Liverpool it’s crucial that you have pace. To score against City and beat City, generally, I think pace is key. Not just pace but energy as well.

“If Liverpool go there and win, it certainly cements their position as a contender again.

Murphy thinks Stones will be key

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“I think it’s a fascinating game because of the quality that’s on show. It’s a little bit disappointing that it’s a 12:30pm kick-off. Only because of the tempo and quality that you want to see the game played at.

“Putting that aside, I think it’s an intriguing game because what City have been doing recently is releasing one of the centre-halves into midfield, whether it be Akanji or Stones, rather than a full-back.

“We saw at Chelsea, if you’ve got pace against them, and there’s a quick turnover, there’s space to run into.

“If Liverpool have Diaz, Salah and Nunez up top, there’s no-one better equipped than utilising space in behind teams than those three.

“The way City play, it’s a great thing to watch. On the flipside, what you’ve got is Liverpool releasing Trent [Alexander-Arnold] into a midfield area from right-back.

“If Doku plays, with his amazing pace and directness, that’s going to cause Liverpool a problem because Konate’s been injured and if Matip plays there and has to cover Trent, with his lack of athleticism against Doku…. So there’s all these little technical things going on.”

Golden boots David Beckham wore on 100th England game could go for five-figure sum at auction

Jackson Cole — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 21:56:00 +0000

David Beckham’s golden football boots he wore when earning his 100th England cap could be sold for up to £10,000.

The adidas 2008 Predators were used by the football icon in a friendly against France in March 2008.

They look set to go for a pretty penny

Getty

England lost 1-0 on a night which saw ‘Golden Balls’ receive a yellow card – Fabio Capello’s first defeat as Three Lions boss on what was his second game in charge.

Stars including Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand also featured in the Stade de France clash, with goalscorer Franck Ribery as well as William Gallas, Claude Makelele and Nicolas Anelka among those to represent Les Bleus.

The boots were produced especially for Beckham and feature embroidered St George’s Crosses, along with his profile on the left shoe.

The names of his then-three children; Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz, are also embroidered on the design.

The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star’s boots will be sold from December 5 at 1:30pm as part of a wider sporting goods auction by Northamptonshire-based auctioneers Graham Budd Auctions.

A starting bid of £4,600 has also been placed but David Convery, head of sporting memorabilia, estimates that the boots could go for as much as £8,000-10,000.

He told The Sun: “David Beckham is not only an iconic player, but you could also argue that he started the ‘style revolution’ with this type of golden boot.

Beckham could only mark the new boots with a yellow card and a defeat, however

Getty

There’s plenty of demand for Becks’ boots

Graham Budd Auctions

“These boots are already attracting attention on a global stage and we wouldn’t be surprised if they reached or even went beyond their estimated price.”

Potential bidders can find out more online here.

NFL fans troll Detroit Lions as Thanksgiving curse continues following defeat to Packers

Joshua Rogers — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 21:30:40 +0000

The Lions’ Thanksgiving curse strikes again.

Detroit’s abysmal Turkey Day fortunes continued for another year after a 22-29 defeat to the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on Thursday.

The infamous Family Guy Lions meme was also brought out on what’s become an annual tradition

Twitter

After losing to the Packers, the Lions’ Thanksgiving record moves to 37-45-2, with their last victory on the national holiday coming in 2016 when they beat the Minnesota Vikings, 16-13.

Unfortunately for the Lions, the rest of the NFL world seemed to be loving their latest Thanksgiving misery.

Fans were piling in on the franchise on social media and ridiculing them with various memes and jokes about how terrible their Thanksgiving record is.

‘The old lions showing up on Thanksgiving,’ one fan said after the game.

Many also shared an infamous Family Guy gag where Brian, the family dog, falls into a pit with two lions.

“Easy there”, Brian says as he backs away from the wild animals. “It’s Thanksgiving, shouldn’t you be in Detroit losing a football game right now?”

‘The Lions can’t buy a win on Thanksgiving,’ another person remarked.

‘It’s the Lions on Thanksgiving. It’s tradition for them to lose,’ a rival fan commented.

The Detroit Lions Thanksgiving memes and jokes were in full flow on social media as their curse continued

Twitter

The Lions now drop to 8-3 on the season after one of their sloppiest performances of the season.

The Packers scored a season-high 20 first-quarter points to jump out to an early 20-6 lead, leaving the Lions a fair bit to do in the remaining three quarters.

Green Bay were in control throughout most of the game though, and despite the Lions scoring a touchdown on their final drive, the result was never really in doubt.

Quarterbacks Jordan Love and Jared Goff couldn’t have had more opposite afternoons. The Packers signal caller completed 22 of 31 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns while Goff fumbled three times – including one which was recovered for a TD.

The Lions still hold a lead in the NFC North, but are now 1.5 games behind the Philadelphia Eagles for home-field advantage in the NFC.

Crucially, though, their Thanksgiving hoodoo continues with their seventh straight Thanksgiving loss.

I thought I got through to Ravel Morrison after he starred for West Ham but what he did the next day summed him up

Robert Calcutt — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 20:37:18 +0000

Kevin Nolan has revealed he is one of the many who tried to guide Ravel Morrison through senior football, but to no avail.

Morrison was a highly-rated product of the Manchester United academy and appeared destined for great success in the game.

Morrison was tipped for big things after his emergence in the United academy

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However, the now 30-year-old has played in what many have dubbed a ‘what could have been’ career as he failed to truly apply his talent.

Morrison has been somewhat of a journeyman across Europe and now in the USA for MLS side D.C. United.

The midfielder signed for West Ham from United in 2012 and Nolan was there to witness his talent, but even he couldn’t help the youngster fulfil his potential.

When asked about his quality on talkSPORT Drive, he said: “On the pitch he was unbelievable. Some of the things he used to do, and you look at Lucas Paqueta now and people like him, Jay-Jay [Okocha], he was a very special talent.”

Andy Goldstein recalled his stunning solo goal in a 3-0 win away at Tottenham in 2013 and Nolan added more praise for the then 20-year-old, but then hinted at how his lack of application off the pitch cost him.

A fine solo goal away at Spurs saw Morrison show his quality

AFP

But Nolan was unable to help guide him on the right path

Getty

“In pre-season that year, and this just sums him up, we played at Oxford United and it was me, him and Nobes [Mark Noble] in the middle, and he was unbelievable.

“It was only Oxford, don’t get me wrong, because we were Premier League and they were League One, that’s no thing to Oxford. But he was just, I mean, head and shoulders above everyone.

“We got on the bus after the game and we were like, ‘Rav, that was incredible mate, never seen anything like it for a long, long time. Mate, you’ve got to get your head down, this is going to be your year.’

“He was like, ‘Yeah yeah yeah, no problem, blahdy blah, yeah. I loved it, it’s been great.’ [We said], ‘This could be our midfield three now for this season, you doing what you do, Nobes and me being around you.’ He was just, ‘Yeah yeah yeah.’

“We thought we had him, me and Nobes, all the time he was texting his mate, ‘Yeah pick me up we’re going back to Manchester.’ He didn’t turn in the next day.”

Morrison now features in the MLS for D.C. United

Getty

Goldstein then asked if Morrison would regret failing to live up to his potential, and Nolan replied: “I think he does now. I think if you asked the man he’d put his hand on his heart and he is a truthful lad, I think he would.

“I loved working with him, I thought all he done was just sort of wind me up because of the talent he had, and I think that’s what in the end, where Sir Alex [Ferguson] sort of got rid of him.

“I think Rio [Ferdinand] spoke really highly of him, all those players at that time, [Wayne] Rooney, everyone. But he just couldn’t put all the things that he had on the field, he couldn’t sort it out off the field.

“I think he was just a maverick, that’s probably the best word to describe him, sort of went by his own rules and no one could tell him otherwise. You’d think at some point, ‘Yeah we’ve cracked it, we’ve got him.'”

Morrison made just 24 appearances for West Ham before leaving on a permanent deal to Lazio in 2015.

QPR, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Derby are some of the other English clubs he played for before moving stateside to D.C. United, for whom he has played 14 matches.

Matt LaFleur furious with Lions security guard who tackled him while running to locker room

Joshua Rogers — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 20:22:58 +0000

Matt LaFleur was bizarrely tackled by a security guard as he ran to the locker room at halftime of the Packers-Lions Thanksgiving game.

The Packers head coach was running off the sidelines with his team up 23-6 when the security guard appeared to tackle him.

Fox’s broadcast highlighted the incident before Jack Harlow’s halftime performance

Twitter

LaFleur looked pretty agitated with the individual as he spun around and appeared to say something before heading off to the locker room.

“Matt LaFleur out here with that ‘Do you know who I am?’ Energy,” one NFL fan on X, formerly Twitter, wrote.

“Security trying to get fired at halftime so he can make it home for the Turkey,” joked a second.

“Security thought he was a drunk fan,” a third quipped.

However, Fox Sports’ Mark Rinaldi managed to catch a few words from LaFleur when he came back out onto the field.

“That’s never happened to me, ever, in my coaching career. I was fully committed and I wasn’t going to be stopped.”

Perhaps the employee didn’t recognise him but that seems unlikely given the Packers HC is one of the winningest active coaches in the league and has been at the helm in Green Bay for four years.

It could well have been an accident. Nobody on the Fox broadcast could explain the altercation, with Greg Olsen and Kevin Burkhardt unable to provide furthers details on what went down.

The Packers head coach was already seething after the refs missed a blatant pass interference penalty

Twitter

LaFelur was already pretty heated at the refs missing a pass interference penalty at the end of the first half.

Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love threw a pass to receiver Christian Watson for what should have been a touchdown but he got tangled up with Lions defensive back Cameron Stutton.

The officials failed to call the interference and LaFleur, who couldn’t understand why, got visibly annoyed.

Still, it was a fine first half for LaFleur’s team who led by 17 points. The Packers gained 247 yards with Love going 15-for-20 for 189 yards and two touchdowns.

Matt LaFleur was stopped by a security guard on his way to the locker room pic.twitter.com/3AG8lG0GBH
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 23, 2023

Despite scoring on their opening drive, Detroit only gained 72 yards on five drives after that, with QB Jared Goff completing 8 of 16 passes for 100 yards and two sloppy fumbles.

There was a late rally from the home team in the second half, but the Packers were able to see out the game, 29-22.

The win keeps the Packers on pace with Vikings for the No. 7 seed in the NFC. They remain third in the NFC North and just game in the loss column behind the Vikings for the final playoff spot.

It was also a proud day for Biles/Owens household to celebrate with the Olympic gymnast in the crowd to see husband Jonathan score a touchdown.

Writing on social media, the proud Olympian wrote: “THAT’S MY HUSBAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY MANS MY MANS MY MANSSSSS LFGGGGGGOOOOOOO.”

Simone Biles was following the action and shared her excitement on Twitter when Owens landed a TD

Twitter

NFL fans blast ‘terrible’ Jack Harlow halftime performance in Lions-Packers Thanksgiving game

Joshua Rogers — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 19:32:25 +0000

Jack Harlow’s halftime performance in the Lions-Packers Thanksgiving game did not go down well on social media.

The ‘Tyler Hero’ rapper took to Ford Field at halftime to perform a medley of his hits, but it’s fair to say NFL fans were not feeling it.

The rapper and singer came out at halftime at Ford Field to perform a medley of songs

Twitter

“Feels like Jack Harlow had no chance with that set design.. he was walking on plastic at one point,” said ESPN’s Pat McAfee.

‘I like Jack Harlow but the production value of this halftime set is pathetic’, one person wrote.

‘Glad I’m not the only one who HATED that Jack Harlow half time show…It was TRASH,’ another said.

‘Jack Harlow is actually so bad how is he popular lol’, a third commented.

‘Jack Harlow with the worst halftime show I’ve ever seen’, a fourth remarked.

‘This Jack Harlow performance is terrible’, someone else said.

Many also didn’t seem to get the theme of the performance which featured a giant igloo and lots of cheerleaders.

The show didn’t seem to go down much better inside Ford Field either. The atmosphere was subdued at best and failed to pump up those in attendance.

The ‘Tyler Herro’ hitmaker came out of a giant igloo in the middle of Ford Field

Twitter

It was announced in October that Harlow would perform during halftime of the game between the Lions and Packers.

“I’m proud to say I’m doing the halftime show at the Thanksgiving game in Detroit here in a little under a month,” Harlow announced after the news broke.” “It’s wonderful.”

The 25-year-old is best known for tracks ‘Tyler Herro,’ ‘First Class’, ‘WHATS POPPIN’ and ‘Nail Tech’. He’s also worked with the likes of Drake, Eminem, Drake and Lil Wayne, and has been nominated for six Grammys.

Harlow also made his acting debut in 2023 in the film ‘White Men Can’t Jump’.

The Packers led 23-6 at the half after QB Jordan Love threw two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Lions quarterback Jared Goff lost two fumbles in a pretty awful 30 minute showing for the home team.

Love was 15-of-20 passing for 189 yards and two scores while Goff was 8-of-16 for 100 yards.

Manchester United ‘legends’ team bizarrely featured three players who never played for the club

Lee Davey — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 18:42:50 +0000

A Manchester United legends team that took on a World XI last Saturday fielded three players who never played for the club.

United’s representatives lined up in the dressing room for a pre and post match photo which was later shared on Instagram by former winger Antonio Valencia.

@antoniovalencia2525United’s legends team had a strange look to it ahead of their clash with a World XI side[/caption]

Ex-Red Devils midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba and Mikael Silvestre featured on the left side of the image with Leicester City’s title-winning captain Wes Morgan bizarrely placed behind them.

Morgan, who never played for United, was stood next to Dimitar Berbatov with another player who never wore the famous red shirt, Nathan Dyer, crouching in front.

Former players Wes Brown and Dwight Yorke were also seen on the picture next to former Inter Milan and Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar who was the third player who never featured for the club.

Former United defender Danny Simpson who won the Premier League title alongside Dyer and Morgan crouched at the front of the group with Valencia standing behind him.

Also spotted were Patrice Evra, Jesper Blomqvist and Juan Sebastian Veron on the right of the image.

The match did not go the way of United as they were beaten 8-3 in the Legends Football League clash.

Berbatov showed he still had the magic touch in front of goal and Evra added another of his own but it was not enough to see off a talented World XI.

The Red Devils’ opponents consisted of Florent Malouda, David Trezeguet, Samir Nasri, David James, Robert Huth, Bacary Sagna and man-of-the-match Clarence Seedorf.

Valencia posed with former Argentina and Man United midfielder Veron

@antoniovalencia2525

However, fans were left fuming after Kaka, Didier Drogba and Roberto Carlos failed to turn up at the match.

It’s set to be taken across the world and will restart in India in January after its debut in Dubai.

Simone Biles declares ‘that’s my husband!’ as Olympic gymnast celebrates Jonathan Owens’ touchdown vs Lions

Joshua Rogers — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 18:37:47 +0000

Simone Biles couldn’t contain her excitement at husband Jonathan Owens’ touchdown against the Lions on Thanksgiving.

Owens scooped up a Jared Goff fumble during the first quarter and returned it for a 27-yard touchdown as the Packers led the Lions, 20-6.

Biles has been hugely supportive of her husband’s career and regularly attends his games in Green Bay

Instagram - simonebiles

Biles reacted to the touchdown on social media, celebrating the score while exclaiming ‘that’s my husband!’.

“THATS MY HUSBAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY MANS MY MANS MY MANSSSSS LFGGGGGGOOOOOOO,” Biles wrote while retweeting a video of her partner’s TD.

Fans were loving her support and commented on how well Owens was playing up to that point.

‘Your husband is feasting right now,’ one person said.

‘YOUR GUY IS HIM’ added another.

‘Your husband making you proud big time !!! LOVE IT !!!’, a third remarked.

It was an impressive play from the Packers safety, who only joined the franchise in 2023.

It was the first touchdown of his career since joining the league in 2018. He had one interception and one fumble recovery in his career headed into Thursday’s game.

The legendary Olympic gymnast was following the action and shared her excitement on Twitter

Twitter

Owens and Biles tied the knot earlier this year and the Olympic gold medallist has become a regular feature at Lambeau Field.

Many expected her to be in attendance for the Thanksgiving game in Detroit but it appears she’s enjoying the action from afar.

The couples’ romance began in March 2020 after meeting on an app when the NFL safety was still a member of the Houston Texans.

They exchanged wedding vows during an intimate courthouse ceremony in Houston, Texas in April 2023, and tied the knot for a second time in a lavish ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico several weeks later.

Despite Owens moving to Wisconsin ahead of this season, the couple have managed to balance long-distance relationship.

Biles has fully immersed herself among the Cheesehead faithful and can often be spotted cheering Owens on from the sidelines of his home games.

Last week she was at Lambeau Field to watch Owens beat the Los Angeles Chargers 23-20.

Jared Goff ‘channels inner Peyton Manning’ with huge red forehead mark during Lions Thanksgiving game

Joshua Rogers — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 18:08:13 +0000

Jared Goff’s forehead looked a little worse for wear ahead of the Lions’ Thanksgiving game against the Packers.

During the national anthem, the Detroit quarterback could be seen with a big, red mark across his forehead and fans online thought it was reminiscent of Peyton Manning.

The bright red mark was clearly visible as Goff listened to the National Anthem

Twitter

During a powerful rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, cameras panned to Goff who listened on with his eyes closed.

However, fans couldn’t help but notice the huge mark which brought up memories of Manning.

‘The game didn’t start yet and Jared Goff already has the Peyton forehead,’ one person said.

‘Jared Goff with the Peyton Manning forehead,’ another person said.

Others joked that Goff was ‘channelling his inner Peyton Manning’ while others thought he looked like Marv from the film Home Alone.

Like Goff, the former Colts and Broncos QB was prone to getting a red mark on his forehead during NFL games.

It could usually be seen whenever the two-time Super Bowl winner took off his helmet.

In an interview with Barstool Sports, Manning once addressed the mark joking that it was because of the size of his forehead.

However, the actual reason was because his helmet was so tight that wearing it for any amount of time would leave a red mark.

Goff seemingly experiences a similar thing, although he probably doesn’t care too much – the helmets are required to be tight in order to keep players’ heads secure whenever contact is initiated.

Helmets are usually custom-fit for the best protection but evidently some can be on the tighter side.

It’s obviously working for Goff – his Lions are 8-2 for the first time since 1962 and top of the NFC North.

Liverpool fans all say the same thing as Jurgen Klopp has play fight with Sky Sports reporter

Robert Calcutt — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 18:00:43 +0000

Jurgen Klopp was in a spirited mood on Thursday when he had a play fight with a Sky Sports reporter, and Liverpool fans loved it.

The Reds are preparing for their massive Premier League clash away at Manchester City on Saturday, live on talkSPORT.

Klopp is not afraid his fiery side in games, but showed his playful side on the training ground

Getty

Such a fixture has brought out the explosive side of both clubs, in particular Klopp and his counterpart Pep Guardiola.

However, the former appeared more playful than stressed ahead of the crunch clash when he took training in the days prior.

Sky Sports reporter Vinny O’Connor paid a visit to their AXA Training Ground in Kirkby and was involved in a friendly tussle with the Liverpool boss.

“Thank you for the 12:30 [kick-off]” Klopp jokingly said as he had the journalist in a headlock and gave him a light punch in the chest.

Sky Sports reporter O’Connor was jokingly held in a headlock by Klopp

@VinnOConnor X

The Liverpool boss then gave him a cheeky punch

@VinnOConnor X

Liverpool fans were quick to react on social media and weren’t afraid to admit their jealousy of O’Connor for getting a hug from the boss.

Taking to X, one said: “You got a Klopp hug. Millions of us are v jealous.”

“You got a Klopp hug, you lucky git Vinny,” added a second with two laughing emojis.

An envious third said: “What I would give for that headlock and punch off Klopp.”

“Lucky b******,” a fourth very simply said along with heart emojis.

Speaking on what happened himself, O’Connor said: “He’s in a bit of a playful mood, I think it’s fair to say. Relaxed, but at the same time made a little bit of a reference as to how ‘happy’ he is with the 12:30 kick-off on Saturday as well.

“He came over, had a few words, sort of one little moment that was a potential red card I would argue. But he seemed in pretty good spirits.”

Klopp has been a fan favourite at Anfield amid the success he’s brought and his passion on the touchline, with the German giving his heart and soul for the club.

Saturday’s trip to City will be a huge test of their potential Premier League title credentials this season, with the hosts sitting top.

Liverpool are just one point behind them in second though, with a huge three points up for grabs at an Etihad Stadium that they last won at in the league in 2015.

Liverpool legend says Dominik Szoboszlai reminds him of Steven Gerrard – but he wouldn’t fit in at Man City or Arsenal

Jake Lambourne — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 17:46:08 +0000

Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai is a player in the mould of Steven Gerrard with the youngster capable of doing everything in midfield.

That is the view of club icon John Barnes, who believes the ‘incredible’ summer signing has been the Merseyside outfit’s ‘best player’ so far this season.

Szoboszlai has been one of Liverpool’s standout players so far this season

Getty Images - Getty

The 22-year-old has earned rave reviews since the Reds activated his £60million release clause at RB Leipzig in July.

Featuring in 17 out of Liverpool‘s 18 matches in all competitions so far this term, he has chipped in with two goals and as many assists.

And the Hungary international will be hoping for another dazzling display when Jurgen Klopp’s side face Premier League leaders Manchester City at the Etihad in Saturday’s 12.30pm kick-off, live and exclusively on talkSPORT.

Szoboszlai is part of a new-look Liverpool midfield, who parted ways with Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner at the end of the last campaign.

Along with the former Red Bull Salzburg maestro, Liverpool also brought in Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo.

But it is Szoboszlai that has impressed Barnes the most, as he insisted Klopp’s style of play is getting the best out of him, whereas if he was at either Arsenal or Manchester City, he would struggle.

Speaking of the player during his appearance on the Hawksbee and Baker show, Barnes said: “Szoboszlai has been incredible.

“I’d kind of heard about him before, but I’ve never see him and that’s how good the scouting is, because Liverpool sign players who will suit the way Liverpool play.

Reds legend Barnes has been blown away by his performances in the middle of the pitch

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He has stated that the Hungarian reminds him of club icon Gerrard

Getty Images - Getty

“I don’t think he’d suit Man City or Arsenal, and he probably wouldn’t go there!

“But when he came, having never heard of him, from the first time I saw him, he was just incredible, he could play anywhere.

“He reminds me of Steven Gerrard to a certain extent, because you don’t necessarily get box-to-box midfield players who can defend, who can attack, but that’s what he does.

“I’ve been so impressed with him and he’s level-headed, he’s 22, he’s been fantastic. He’s been our best player.”

talkSPORT host and ex-Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan believes that Liverpool are more exciting to watch than Pep Guardiola’s City side.

And Barnes, who was asked whether he’s enjoyed watching the team so far, believes this is due to Klopp’s signings, as he added: “Absolutely! We had our midfield issues last year.

“Of course we knew we had to address them, but the good thing about Jurgen and the trust we have in Jurgen, is that he resisted the urge to sign players just for the sake of it in January, because we needed midfield players.

“And the fans put up with trying to get the right people in, which is what we’ve now done.

Klopp’s side currently sit a point and a place behind leaders City

AFP

“We’re still looking at a No6, [Wataru] Endo has come in, and [Stefan] Bajcetic has been earmarked for that role, but he’s injured, but in terms of everyone else, it’s fine.

“I understand what he’s [Jordan] talking about, because if you look at City, they play a very purist style of football, possession-based, very considered.

“Whereas I would say Liverpool is a mix between City and the way football was 20 years ago – aggressive – where midfield players would get up box-to-box to try and fight.”

He added: “It’s a very exciting brand of football, but you have to say Manchester City is a fantastic team.”

Why do Detroit Lions have ‘WCF’ on their Thanksgiving jerseys?

Joshua Rogers — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 17:30:00 +0000

The Detroit Lions take on the Green Bay Packers in a Thanksgiving clash at Ford Field.

The Lions play on Turkey Day every year – a tradition that dates back to 1934.

The Lions have had a strong start to the season and are 8-2 for the first time since 1962

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During the game, you may notice a curious ‘WCF’ jersey patch on the left sleeve of the Lions’ uniform.

The initials are unique to the Lions and are a homage to an important figure in the franchise’s history.

What is the meaning of the Detroit Lions ‘WCF’ patch on their Thanksgiving jerseys?

There’s no cryptic meaning to the letters ‘WCF’ on the Lions jerseys.

The initials are simply in honour to former team owner William Clay Ford – WCF – the youngest grandson of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford, who owned the Lions from 1963 until his death in 2014.

William Clay Ford’s daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp, is now the principal owner of the franchise.

The ‘WCF’ initials have appeared on the Lions uniforms since the 2014 season, and became a permanent fixture in 2016.

The future of the ‘WCF’ sleeve patch remains uncertain though. The NFL allows teams to change their uniforms once every five years, which means the Lions – who last rolled out new uniforms in 2017 – could potentially have a new look next season.

However, team president Rod Wood said recently that no decisions have been made about the ‘WCF’ patch.

The Lions have not won on Thanksgiving since they beat the Vikings in 2016

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Lions don’t have the best Thanksgiving record

Thanksgiving has not been a particularly joyous occasion for Lions fans over the years.

Across their previous 83 Thanksgiving matchups the Lions have a 37-44-2 record.

The last time they won on the day was in 2016 against the Minnesota Vikings, who they beat, 16-13.

However, this year could be the year they break their recent Thanksgiving curse. They’re 8-2 so far this season and take on a Packers team who are 4-6.

Boxer instantly puts opponent to sleep and leaves him sprawled on the ropes with brutal left hook KO

Cameron Temple — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 17:17:08 +0000

Mark Schleib literally knocked his opponent unconscious with a brutal stoppage against Shamal Ram Anuj.

The pair went toe-to-toe in a boxing fight on Wednesday in Australia on the undercard of Nikita Tszyu vs Dylan Biggs.

It was lights out for Ram Anuj as he ate Schleib’s thunderous left hand

X: @MaineventTV

Schleib, 12-2 prior to this fight, was in desperate need of a win coming off the back of two knockout defeats and he bounced back in spectacular fashion.

In round five of the fight, the 30-year-old Schleib found the finish, as he caught his opponent with a thunderous left hook.

Ram Anuj was immediately put to sleep, as his legs buckled and he collapsed down to the canvas.

But, on his way down he was caught by the ropes and he slumped against them unconscious, as Schleib was awarded the victory.

Ram Anuj was immediately attended to by the doctor who eventually helped him out of the ring.

After the knockout, Schleib could be seen shouting at the camera: “I’m coming for everyone.”

And is post-fight interview the Australian revealed the sacrifice he had to make ahead of this clash, saying: “Nine months without my kid. Crying every day before training. I love you Oscar, I hope you’re proud of me son.

“As long as you love me son, I’m always going to be a world champion.

A BRUTAL KO from Mark Schleibs to start the night Is this a contender for knockout of the year?

Order #tszyubiggs LIVE NOW on Main Event: Link in Bio pic.twitter.com/b7NjQWxjq6
— MAIN EVENT (@MainEventTV) November 22, 2023

“My mum, in and out of the [psychiatric] ward, looking after her. Just a lot of relief.”

Meanwhile, former world champion Billy Dib who was on commentary remarked: “That is a vicious knock out blow.

“That’s got to be knock out of the year.

“He bided his time and went bang! He was asleep straight away.”

Sign a striker, bolster defence and sell deadwood – what Manchester United need to do in January transfer window

Jake Lambourne — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 17:00:00 +0000

The January transfer window is looming large.

And after a disappointing start to the season, and with a change of the ownership structure afoot, Manchester United could be tempted to do some wheeling and dealing.

Erik ten Hag’s United side have struggled this season as they sit sixth in the table

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But what should their priorities be?

Bolster the forward line

It is pretty evident that United need to improve their misfiring attack.

The £72million Rasmus Hojlund has served up five Champions League goals, but is still to get off the mark in the Premier League while Marcus Rashford has endured a dramatic downturn in form from last season.

In fact, not a single United striker has scored a league goal at Old Trafford this season – a damning statistic that underlines why Erik ten Hag’s team find it so hard to win games.

In the past United have utilised the loan market in January to varying degrees of success (for every Henrik Larsson there is a Wout Weghorst).

But if they are to stand any realistic chances of finishing in the top four they may have to open the chequebook.

The obvious name on the lips of a lot of United fans is Napoli goal-machine Victor Osimhen, but it is highly unlikely the Italian champions will sell their star frontman mid-season.

Likewise, Brentford have placed a minimum price tag of £80m on Ivan Toney to ensure they keep him at least until the summer, while Evan Ferguson, a player admired by the United hierarchy, has only just signed a new deal at Brighton.

Hojlund is yet to open his account in the Premier League this season since joining from Atalanta

AFP

United target Ferguson recently signed a new deal at Brighton

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United are among a cluster of Premier League clubs tracking Copenhagen wonderkid Roony Bardghji, but it is a risk asking a 17-year-old rookie to come in and ease the goalscoring burden.

Strengthen in defence

There is no hiding the fact United have been badly hit by injuries, particularly in defence and Ten Hag has rarely been able to name the same back four for successive matches.

In the case of Raphael Varane that should not be a surprise as the French World Cup winner has been dogged by fitness issues throughout his career, although the suspicion is that his recent omission from the team is more down to an issue with his manager.

Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo has been on the Ten Hag radar for some time, but it would upset Nice fans if incoming minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe was to raid his French club so soon.

The Red Devils could do worse than look at Bournemouth centre-back Lloyd Kelly, who is out of contract in the summer and wanted by a host of top clubs in Europe as well as the Premier League.

Kelly can also provide crucial cover at left-back, where the absence of Luke Shaw has hit United, and Rashford, particularly hard.

The Red Devils need to bring in a new centre-back no stranger to picking up knocks

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Legs in midfield

The make-up of Ten Hag’s midfield has been all wrong since the very first game of the season against Wolves.

Mason Mount is increasingly looking like a £60m luxury signing United did not need.

Meanwhile, Sofyan Amrabat, another summer addition, needs a runner alongside him to be seen to the best of his ability.

One name high on United’s wish-list is Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana and the Parisian is exactly the type of box-to-box midfielder they need without having to break the bank.

In terms of proven Premier League players, Douglas Luiz would also enhance United’s midfield armoury if Aston Villa could be persuaded to sell.

United are known to be admirers of France international Fofana

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Get rid of the deadwood

After such an underwhelming start to the season it might be quicker to draw up a list of players United should keep rather than look to move on.

Jadon Sancho has clearly kicked his last ball for the club, with his very public spat with manager Ten Hag providing an unhelpful side-show.

United will not get back anywhere near the £80m they paid to sign Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and he is also amongst the highest-paid stars at Old Trafford so a bit of flexibility will be needed on both sides.

Sancho has interest from Saudi Arabia and Juventus while Dortmund have also been closely monitoring his situation.

United would want at least an option to sign him permanently if not an obligation before sanctioning a loan deal.

They would also want the bulk of his wages covered.

Another player the Red Devils need to cut their losses on is striker Anthony Martial, whose contract expires at the end of the season and is also in the sights of Saudi Pro League sides.

Sancho appears to have kicked his last ball for United following his public spat with Ten Hag

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As talkSPORT revealed earlier this week, United will also consider any offers they receive for a seemingly declining Casemiro.

Getting those three big earners off the payroll would help provide funds to rebuild the squad.

Why does Lewis Hamilton have number 44 on his car? F1 superstar explains dad’s touching role in Mercedes digits

Jack Cunningham — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:56:06 +0000

Lewis Hamilton is one of the biggest and most recognisable sportspeople in the world.

As a result, his car is regularly the focus of broadcasters and photographers, and they will all notice the number 44 is prominent on his current Mercedes.

Anthony and Lewis share a close bond

AFP

As a seven-time world champion, Hamilton has had ample opportunity to take the number one on his car reserved for the reigning title holder.

However, each time the Brit has elected to continue using his famed digits and the reason is both heartwarming and poignant.

Why does Hamilton have number 44 on his F1 car?

The Mercedes driver uses the number 44 because these were his original digits when he was karting as a kid.

It’s a number that he’s used for pretty much every season he’s raced for Mercedes.

However, when he started at McLaren, he didn’t have the number 44 on his car.

Hamilton sported the number one on his 2009 McLaren, after winning his first world title, but said: “It didn’t look very good on the car; 44 looks better.”

Since leaving his first Formula One team, the 44 has followed the seven-time champion around.

And although it’s connected to his karting days, the number is more about his father than anything else.

You can’t miss Hamilton’s number

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Anthony Hamilton has been with his son throughout his career and is a huge reason why Lewis has reached this level.

So it’s lovely that the British driver pays tribute to his dad with the number 44.

And at the 2019 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, Hamilton explained the reasons behind these digits.

He said: “I always start with the number 44 because that’s the number that I had on my go-kart when I was eight years old.

“It was my dad’s car registration number, F44, so each year, it’s just a new chance to rise to the challenge.”

Why are NFL Thanksgiving teams wearing black and gold patches on their uniforms?

Joshua Rogers — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:53:55 +0000

It’s Thanksgiving which means a mouth-watering NFL triple header is on the cards.

As ever, the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are playing, with the Lions taking on the Packers in the early game followed by the Cowboys facing the Commanders.

Madden was a beloved coach, broadcaster and video game legend who is being honoured this Thanksgiving

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This year the third game of the day will see the 49ers travel to the Seahawks.

Why are NFL Thanksgiving teams wearing black gold patches on their uniforms?

A unique addition to the 2023 Thanksgiving games is a black and gold patch which will be worn on all the teams’ uniforms.

At first glance the patches may be difficult to work out, but on closer inspection they reveal an incredibly cool homage to a legendary figure.

The black and gold patches detail a silhouette of Super Bowl-winning-coach-turned-commentator John Madden with his broadcast headset on.

The patch is part of a Thanksgiving tribute to Madden, who famously loved the day, after he passed away in 2021 at the age of 85.

John Madden will also be honoured with a special coin toss

The NFL will also be honouring Madden with a special coin toss prior to each game.

One side of the coin will feature Madden’s face, and the other side will feature a six-legged turducken, in honor of Madden’s favorite Thanksgiving dish.

“Here’s my turducken,” he once said. “It’s turkey — you got the turkey on the outside. Then you stuff the turkey with the duck, then you stuff the duck with the chicken. ‘Tur’ for turkey. ‘Duck’ for duck. And ‘-en’ for chicken. Then you just mix it all up. I’ve been eating it all day.”

The iconic broadcaster is also being commemorated on a special coin which will be used pre-game

Twitter

Madden created many Thanksgiving traditions

There are few NFL figures who loved Thanskgiving more than John Madden.

“There’s no place that I would rather be today on Thanksgiving than right here, right now, at a football game,” Madden said in 1997 during the Bears-Lions Thanksgiving game.

“There are just certain things that go together: the turkey, the family, the tradition, football. … And we have it all today.”

The iconic figure was also responsible for creating many Thanksgiving traditions over his decades covering the sport.

Perhaps his most famous included the Turkey Leg Award, handed out to the MVP of the Thanksgiving game.

Madden started the tradition in 1989 when he handed it to Philadelphia’s Reggie White following a win over the Cowboys.

After beating the Lions last year, three Bills players, Tyler Bass, Stefon Diggs, and Josh Allen, shared the award.

Gabby Agbonlahor: Ghanaian MP should be first of many apologies to Manchester United defender Harry Maguire

Robert Calcutt — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:53:07 +0000

Gabby Agbonlahor believes that many pundits and fans should follow Ghanaian MP Isaac Adongo and apologise to Harry Maguire.

Adongo had previously debated vice president Mahamudu Bawumia, hinting he scored political own goals in what was also a dig to the United star.

MP Adongo apologised to Maguire whilst speaking in Ghanaian parliament

However, amid Maguire’s resurgence for the Premier League giants, Adongo publicly apologised to him whilst speaking in parliament, with the England international accepting in a reply on social media.

Agbonlahor has previously called for United fans to do the same after the defender faced huge swathes of criticism in recent years.

And now he has once again made such a plea, whilst also calling for fellow pundits to say sorry for their past judgements on Maguire.

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast after the viral clip of Adongo this week, he said: “I think jokes aside, and everyone finds that clip funny when he first did it, but when that clip came out, it was disrespectful to Maguire.

Maguire accepted the apology amid his decent season so far for United

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But Gabby believes there should be more saying sorry to the defender

“He would have seen it going around Twitter (now X), everyone was having a dig at him, ‘You’ve got to leave, you’ve got to go to West Ham, you’re awful, you’re this…’

“Everyone was on his case, like there’s so many people that need to apologise to Harry Maguire because his mental health must’ve been all over the place.

“He’s dug deep, he’s got a good family around him, friends, and he’s stuck in there and he’s started playing his best football now. He’s in great form for England and Manchester United, keeping four-time Champions League winner [Raphael] Varane out the team.

“He’s keeping [Victor] Lindelof out the team, [Lisandro] Martinez comes back I’m sure Maguire will still start. So for me, there’s a lot of pundits and fans out there that should be apologising to Harry Maguire.”

Maguire has made 11 appearances for United this season, with starts coming in nine of those across all competitions.

Erik ten Hag’s side have had to deal with injuries in defence but the 30-year-old has proven to be an assured fixture at the back.

He scored their crucial Champions League winner at home against FC Copenhagen and assisted Scott McTominay’s winner in their late victory over Brentford.

Maguire has been rewarded for his efforts with further call-ups to the England team, with the centre-back in contention to play at Euro 2024 next summer.

What is still to be decided in F1’s Abu Dhabi season finale? Sainz, Alonso and Norris battle for third, Mercedes vs Ferrari

Jack Johnson — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:49:22 +0000

The Formula One season comes to an end this weekend and there are still some key battles ongoing as the drivers travel to Abu Dhabi.

Max Verstappen has already wrapped up the Drivers’ Championship for the third straight year while Red Bull are runaway Constructors winners again.

Verstappen is already world champion

AFP

But elsewhere on the grid, things can still chop and change, with Mercedes and Ferrari going head-to-head and Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, and Lando Norris set for a battle.

Lots can happen at the Yas Marina Circuit, so talkSPORT.com has broken down what is still to be decided at the final Grand Prix…

Triple threat

Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton are confirmed to be finishing in second and third place in the Drivers’ Championship.

But fourth place is still well up for grabs…

Sainz and Alonso are currently level on 200 points in the position while Norris is only five points behind in fifth.

All three drivers will be battling for that fourth spot in the standings and it could even end in a tie between them all.

If that does happen, Sainz would claim fourth as he has won a Grand Prix this season.

Charles Leclerc is also in contention but he would need a lot to go his way, sitting 12 points behind ahead of the race weekend.

F1 Drivers' Championship

Max Verstappen / Red Bull Racing / 549 CHAMPION
Sergio Perez / Red Bull Racing / 273
Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes / 232
Carlos Sainz / Ferrari / 200
Fernando Alonso / Aston Martin / 200
Lando Norris / McLaren / 195
Charles Leclerc / Ferrari / 188
George Russell / Mercedes / 160
Oscar Piastri / McLaren / 89
Lance Stroll / Aston Martin / 73
Pierre Gasly / Alpine / 62
Esteban Ocon / Alpine / 58
Alexander Albon / Williams / 27
Yuki Tsunoda / Alphatauri / 13
Valtteri Bottas / Alfa Romeo / 10
Nico Hulkenberg / Haas / 9
Daniel Ricciardo / Alphatauri / 6
Zhou Guanyu / Alfa Romeo / 6
Kevin Magnussen / Haas / 3
Liam Lawson / Alphatauri / 2
Logan Sargeant / Williams / 1
Nyck De Vries / Alphatauri / 0 OUT

Sainz’ win in Singapore could prove to be crucial

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Mercedes vs Ferrari

Away from the Drivers’ Championship, there is plenty going down in the Constuctors’.

Red Bull have claimed the crown but the fight for second place continues with Mercedes coming up against Ferrari.

As it stands, Ferrari are four points behind in the standings but that is only a small deficit to turn around in the final Grand Prix of the season.

There is around a £10million difference in prize money between the positions, meaning both teams will be hoping their drivers can pull off a positive drive this weekend.

McLaren vs Aston Martin

Further down the standings, McLaren and Aston Martin are competing for fourth.

Norris and Oscar Piastri have performed well all year and that leaves McLaren on 284 points, sitting 11 points above Aston Martin.

That gives them the advantage going into this weekend and this battle ties in with Norris and Alonso going for P4 in the Drivers’ Championship.

So both drivers will be going all out for personal and team reasons, setting this one up to a very close contest in Abu Dhabi.

F1 Constructors' Championship

Red Bull Racing – 822 points
Mercedes – 392 points
Ferrari – 388 points
McLaren – 284 points
Aston Martin – 273 points
Alpine – 120 points
Williams – 28 points
Alpha Tauri – 21 points
Alfa Romeo – 16 points
Haas – 12 points

Norris will be fighting for himself and his team

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A four-horse race

Alpine are confirmed to be finishing sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.

But below that, there is set to be a four-horse race between Willams, Alpha Tauri, Alfa Romao, and Haas for seventh.

All of those teams can still mathematically claim sixth spot with 16 points separating Williams on 28 and Haas on 12.

However, both Haas and Alfa Romeo are not in good form, and achieving that turnaround in points does not seem likely.

Alpha Tauri have been climbing up the rankings during recent Grand Prix following a poor start to the season and they are expected to battle Williams.

Should they claim seventh, Williams will have finished in their best Constructors’ place in six years.

List of current men’s boxing world champions as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk reign as heavyweight kings, while Canelo Alvarez rules the super-middleweights

Michael Benson — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:48:00 +0000

Boxing is a complicated and convoluted sport with several world champions in each division.

Most observers recognise that we are now in a four-belt era, with the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO all given credibility as legitimate world titles.

The WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO are recognised as boxing’s four legitimate, major world titles

Simon Stacpoole/Matchroom

See the full list of the current men’s boxing world champions below…

Heavyweight (200lbs+)

WBA – Oleksandr Usyk

WBC – Tyson Fury

IBF – Oleksandr Usyk

WBO – Oleksandr Usyk

_{^{*Mahmoud Charr has the lesser WBA ‘regular’ belt}}

_{^{*Zhilei Zhang has the lesser WBO ‘interim’ belt}}

Usyk and Fury rule the heavyweight division

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Bridgerweight (224lbs)

WBC – Lukasz Rozanski

The WBC invented the bridgerweight division in 2020, though many deem it unnecessary with none of the other three sanctioning bodies following suit

Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Cruiserweight (200lbs)

WBA – Arsen Goulamirian

WBC – Noel Mikaelian

IBF – Jai Opetaia

WBO – Chris Billam-Smith

Billam-Smith is the WBO cruiserweight world champion

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Light-Heavyweight (175lbs)

WBA – Dmitry Bivol

WBC – Artur Beterbiev

IBF – Artur Beterbiev

WBO – Artur Beterbiev

Beterbiev and Bivol own the belts at light-heavyweight

Super-Middleweight (168lbs)

WBA – Canelo Alvarez

WBC – Canelo Alvarez

IBF – Canelo Alvarez

WBO – Canelo Alvarez

^{*David Morrell has the lesser WBA ‘regular’ belt}

^{*David Benavidez has the lesser WBC ‘interim’ belt}

Canelo is the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO super-middleweight world champion

Amanda Westcott/Showtime

Middleweight (160lbs)

WBA – Erislandy Lara

WBC – Jermall Charlo

IBF – Janibek Alimkhanuly

WBO – Janibek Alimkhanuly

^{*Carlos Adames has the lesser WBC ‘interim’ belt}

Jermall Charlo is the WBC middleweight world champion

Leo Wilson/PBC

Super-Welterweight (154lbs)

WBA – Jermell Charlo

WBC – Jermell Charlo

IBF – Jermell Charlo

WBO – Tim Tszyu

Jermell Charlo is the unified WBA, WBC and IBF super-welterweight world champion

Stephanie Trapp/Showtime

Welterweight (147lbs)

WBA – Terence Crawford

WBC – Terence Crawford

IBF – Jaron Ennis

WBO – Terence Crawford

^{*Eimantas Stanionis has the lesser WBA ‘regular’ belt}

^{*Mario Barrios has the lesser WBC ‘interim’ belt}

Crawford is the unified WBA, WBC and WBO welterweight world champion

Getty

Super-Lightweight (140lbs)

WBA – Rolly Romero

WBC – Regis Prograis

IBF – Subriel Matias

WBO – Teofimo Lopez

Lopez is the WBO super-lightweight world champion

Getty

Lightweight (135lbs)

WBA – Devin Haney

WBC – Vacant

IBF – Devin Haney

WBO – Devin Haney

^{*Gervonta Davis has the lesser WBA ‘regular’ belt}

Haney is the unified WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight world champion

Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Super-Featherweight (130lbs)

WBA – Hector Garcia

WBC – O’Shaquie Foster

IBF – Joe Cordina

WBO – Emanuel Navarrete

Garcia holds the WBA belt at super-featherweight

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Featherweight (126lbs)

WBA – Leigh Wood

WBC – Rey Vargas

IBF – Luis Alberto Lopez

WBO – Robeisy Ramirez

^{*Brandon Figueroa has the lesser WBC ‘interim’ belt}

Wood is the WBA featherweight world champion

Dan Thompson/Matchroom

Super-Bantamweight (122lbs)

WBA – Marlon Tapales

WBC – Naoya Inoue

IBF – Marlon Tapales

WBO – Naoya Inoue

Inoue is the unified WBC and WBO super-bantamweight world champion

Naoki Fukuda

Bantamweight (118lbs)

WBA – Takuma Inoue

WBC – Alexandro Santiago

IBF – Emmanuel Rodriguez

WBO – Jason Moloney

Santiago is the WBC bantamweight world champion

Ryan Hafey/PBC

Super-Flyweight (115lbs)

WBA – Kazuto Ioka

WBC – Juan Estrada

IBF – Fernando Martinez

WBO – Junto Nakatani

^{*Carlos Cuadras has the lesser WBC ‘interim’ belt}

Estrada is the WBC super-flyweight king

Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

Flyweight (112lbs)

WBA – Artem Dalakian

WBC – Julio Cesar Martinez

IBF – Sunny Edwards

WBO – Jesse Rodriguez

Edwards is the IBF flyweight world champion

Light-Flyweight (108lbs)

WBA – Kenshiro Teraji

WBC – Kenshiro Teraji

IBF – Adrian Curiel

WBO – Jonathan Gonzalez

Kenshiro owns the WBA and WBC belts at light-flyweight

Getty

Minimumweight (105lbs)

WBA – Knockout CP Freshmart (Thammanoon Niyomtrong)

WBC – Yudai Shigeoka

IBF – Ginjiro Shigeoka

WBO – Oscar Collazo

^{*Erick Rosa has the lesser WBA ‘regular’ belt}

Boxing schedule 2023: All major fights, dates and results including Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder

Michael Benson — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:38:31 +0000

The 2023 boxing calendar has delivered some fantastic fights – with plenty more on the way.

The heavyweight division will see some exciting action in the coming months. Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder will be on the same card in Saudi Arabia on December 23, before a huge undisputed showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on February 17.

All the heavyweight belts will be on the line when Usyk and Fury clash

Getty

Here is a list of the major fights scheduled for the remainder of 2023 and early 2024…

November 25, Dublin, Ireland – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Chantelle Cameron vs Katie Taylor 2 (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO Super-Lightweight World Titles)

November 25, Las Vegas, USA – Al Haymon’s PBC

Fite TV // Showtime PPV

David Benavidez vs Demetrius Andrade (WBC ‘Interim’ Super-Middleweight Belt)
Jermall Charlo vs Jose Benavidez Jr (163lbs Catchweight)

Benavidez vs Andrade is set for Saturday night

Esther Lin/SHOWTIME December 2, Belfast, UK – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Michael Conlan vs Jordan Gill (Featherweight)
Caoimhin Agyarko vs Troy Williamson (Super-Welterweight)

December 2, Texas, USA – Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy

DAZN // DAZN

Ryan Garcia vs Oscar Duarte (Super-Lightweight)
Ohara Davies vs Ismael Barroso (WBA ‘Interim’ Super-Lightweight

December 9, San Francisco, USA – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Regis Prograis vs Devin Haney (WBC Super-Lightweight World Title)

December 10, Bournemouth, UK – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports // Peacock

Chris Billam-Smith vs Mateusz Masternak (WBO Cruiserweight World Title)

Garcia is back in action in December

Getty December 15, Florida, USA – Jake Paul’s MVP

DAZN // DAZN

Jake Paul vs Andre August (Weight TBC)

December 16, Arizona, USA – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez vs Sunny Edwards (IBF and WBO Flyweight World Titles)

December 16, Minneapolis, USA – Al Haymon’s PBC

None Confirmed // Showtime

David Morrell vs Sena Agbeko (WBA ‘Regular’ Super-Middleweight Belt)

December 23, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season

None Confirmed // None Confirmed

Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin (Heavyweight)
Deontay Wilder vs Joseph Parker (Heavyweight)
Daniel Dubois vs Jarrell Miller (Heavyweight)
Jai Opetaia vs Ellis Zorro (IBF Cruiserweight World Title)
Dmitry Bivol vs Lyndon Arthur (WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title)

December 26, Tokyo, Japan – Hideyuki Ohashi’s Ohashi

Sky Sports // ESPN+

Naoya Inoue vs Marlon Tapales (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO Super-Bantamweight World Titles)

Aj and Wilder will fight on the same card in December

Queensberry January 6, Las Vegas, USA – Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy

DAZN // DAZN

Vergil Ortiz vs Fredrick Lawson (Super-Welterweight)

January 13, Quebec City, Canada – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

Sky Sports // ESPN

Artur Beterbiev vs Callum Smith (WBC, IBF and WBO Light-Heavyweight World Titles)

January 20, Liverpool, UK – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports // Peacock

Natasha Jonas vs Mikaela Mayer (IBF Welterweight World Title)

February 3, London, UK – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports // Peacock

Joshua Buatsi vs Dan Azeez (European and British Light-Heavyweight Title)

February 9/10/11, Venue TBC – Zeus Network

Zeus Network Online PPV // Zeus Network Online PPV

Floyd Mayweather vs John Gotti III (Exhibition)

February 17, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season

None Confirmed // None Confirmed

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO Heavyweight World Titles)

Fury vs Usyk is set to crown an undisputed heavyweight world champion

Top Rank

Results

January 7, Washington DC, USA – Al Haymon’s PBC

None Confirmed // Showtime PPV

Gervonta Davis TKO9 Hector Luis Garcia (WBA ‘Regular’ Lightweight Belt)
Jaron Ennis UD Karen Chukhadzhian (IBF ‘Interim’ Welterweight Belt)
Demetrius Andrade UD Demond Nicholson (Super-Middleweight)

January 14, Wembley Arena, London, UK – KSI’s Misfits Boxing

DAZN PPV // DAZN

KSI KO1 FaZe Temperrr (177½lbs Catchweight)

January 14, Verona, New York, USA – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

Sky Sports // ESPN

Efe Ajagba UD Stephan Shaw (Heavyweight)

January 21, AO Arena, Manchester, UK – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports PPV // DAZN

Liam Smith TKO4 Chris Eubank Jr (Middleweight)
Richard Riakporhe TKO4 Krzysztof Glowacki (Cruiserweight)
Joseph Parker UD Jack Massey (Heavyweight)

January 28, Wembley Arena, London, UK – Frank Warren’s Queensberry

BT Sport // ESPN+

Artur Beterbiev TKO8 Anthony Yarde (WBC, IBF and WBO Light-Heavyweight World Titles)

February 3, Arizona, USA – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

Sky Sports // ESPN

Emanuel Navarrete TKO9 Liam Wilson (WBO Super-Featherweight World Title)

February 4, MSG Theater, New York, USA – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Amanda Serrano UD Erika Cruz (WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO Featherweight World Titles)
Alycia Baumgardner UD Elhem Mekhaled (WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO Super-Featherweight World Titles)

February 11, Wembley Arena, London, UK – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports // None Confirmed

Adam Azim UD Santos Reyes (Super-Lightweight)

February 11, San Antonio, Texas, USA – Al Haymon’s PBC

None Confirmed // Showtime PPV

O’Shaquie Foster UD Rey Vargas (WBC Super-Featherweight World Title)

February 18, Nottingham, UK – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Mauricio Lara TKO7 Leigh Wood (WBA Featherweight World Title)

February 25, O2 Arena, London, UK – FrontRow Entertainment

Zeus Network Online PPV // Zeus Network Online PPV

Floyd Mayweather vs Aaron Chalmers (Exhibition – No Result)

February 26, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia – Frank Warren’s Queensberry and Jake Paul’s MVP

BT Sport PPV // ESPN+ PPV

Tommy Fury SD Jake Paul (185lbs Catchweight)
Badou Jack TKO12 Ilunga Makabu (WBC Cruiserweight World Title)

March 4, Ontario, USA – Al Haymon’s PBC

None Confirmed // Showtime

Brandon Figueroa UD Mark Magsayo (WBC ‘Interim’ Featherweight Belt)

March 11, Paris, France – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports // None Confirmed

Carlos Takam SD Tony Yoka (Heavyweight)
Dan Azeez TKO12 Thomas Faure (European Light-Heavyweight Title)

March 12, Sydney, Australia – George Rose’s No Limit

None Confirmed // None Confirmed

Tim Tszyu TKO9 Tony Harrison (WBO ‘Interim’ Super-Welterweight Belt)

March 25, Manchester Arena, Manchester, UK – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports // None Confirmed

Lawrence Okolie UD David Light (WBO Cruiserweight World Title)

March 25, Las Vegas, USA – Al Haymon’s PBC

None Confirmed // Showtime PPV

David Benavidez UD Caleb Plant (Super-Middleweight)

March 25, Fresno, California, USA – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

Sky Sports // ESPN

Jose Ramirez TKO11 Richard Commey (Super-Lightweight)

April 1, O2 Arena, London, UK – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Anthony Joshua UD Jermaine Franklin (Heavyweight)

April 8, Tokyo, Japan – Akihiko Honda’s Teiken

None Confirmed // None Confirmed

Kenshiro Teraji TKO9 Anthony Olascuaga (WBA and WBC Light-Flyweight World Titles)
Takuma Inoue UD Liborio Solis (WBA Bantamweight World Title)

April 8, Newark, USA – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

Sky Sports // ESPN

Shakur Stevenson TKO6 Shuichiro Yoshino (Lightweight)

April 8, San Antonio, USA – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Jesse Rodriguez UD Cristian Gonzalez (WBO Flyweight World Title)
Marlon Tapales SD Murodjon Akhmadaliev (WBA and IBF Super-Bantamweight World Titles)

April 15, London, UK – Frank Warren’s Queensberry

BT Sport // None Confirmed

Zhilei Zhang TKO6 Joe Joyce (WBO ‘Interim’ Heavyweight Belt)

April 22, Cardiff, UK – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Joe Cordina SD Shavkat Rakhimov (IBF Super-Featherweight World Title)

April 22, Las Vegas, USA – Al Haymon’s PBC and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy

DAZN // Showtime PPV

Gervonta Davis KO7 Ryan Garcia (136lbs Catchweight)
David Morrell Jr KO1 Yamaguchi Falcao (WBA ‘Regular’ Super-Middleweight Belt)
Bektemir Melikuziev UD Gabriel Rosado 2 (Super-Middleweight)

May 6, Birmingham, UK – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports // None Confirmed

Joshua Buatsi UD Pawel Stepien (Light-Heavyweight)

May 6, Jalisco, Mexico – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN PPV

Canelo Alvarez UD John Ryder (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO Super-Middleweight World Titles)

May 13, Wembley Arena, London, UK – KSI’s Misfits Boxing

DAZN PPV // DAZN

KSI KO2 Joe Fournier (176lbs Catchweight)
Deji UD Swarmz (172lbs Catchweight)
Anthony Taylor UD Salt Papi (185lbs Catchweight)

May 13, Las Vegas, USA – Al Haymon’s PBC

None Confirmed // Showtime

Rolly Romero TKO9 Ismael Barroso (WBA Super-Lightweight World Title)

May 20, Dublin, Ireland – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Chantelle Cameron MD Katie Taylor (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO Super-Lightweight World Titles)

May 20, Las Vegas, USA – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

Sky Sports // ESPN+ PPV

Devin Haney UD Vasyl Lomachenko (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO Lightweight World Titles)
Oscar Valdez UD Adam Lopez 2 (Super-Featherweight)

May 24, Melbourne, Australia – George Rose’s No Limit

None Confirmed // None Confirmed

Joseph Parker TKO1 Faiga Opelu (Commonwealth Heavyweight Title)

May 27, Manchester Arena, UK – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Leigh Wood UD Mauricio Lara 2 (WBA Featherweight World Title)
Jack Catterall UD Darragh Foley (Super-Lightweight)

May 27, Bournemouth, UK – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports // None Confirmed

Chris Billam-Smith MD Lawrence Okolie (WBO Cruiserweight World Title)

May 27, Belfast, UK – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

BT Sport // ESPN+

Luis Alberto Lopez TKO5 Michael Conlan (IBF Featherweight World Title)

June 3, Detroit, USA – Dmitry Salita’s Salita Promotions

DAZN // DAZN

Claressa Shields UD Marciela Cornejo (WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO Middleweight World Titles)

June 10, London, UK – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Sunny Edwards UD Andres Campos (IBF Flyweight World Title)

June 10, New York, USA – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

Sky Sports // ESPN

Teofimo Lopez UD Josh Taylor (WBO Super-Lightweight World Title)

June 10, California, USA – Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy

DAZN // DAZN

Jaime Munguia UD Sergiy Derevyanchenko (Middleweight)

June 11, Florida, USA – Zeus Network

Zeus Network Online PPV // Zeus Network Online PPV

Floyd Mayweather vs John Gotti III (Exhibition – No Result)

June 16, London, UK – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports // None Confirmed

Frazer Clarke UD Mariusz Wach (Heavyweight)
Viddal Riley TKO4 Anees Taj 2 (Cruiserweight)

June 17, New Orleans, USA – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Regis Prograis UD Danielito Zorrilla (WBC Super-Lightweight World Title)

June 17, Gold Coast, Australia – George Rose’s No Limit

None Confirmed // Showtime

Tim Tszyu TKO1 Carlos Ocampo (WBO ‘Interim’ Super-Welterweight Belt)

June 24, Tokyo, Japan – Takuya Kiya’s Shisei

None Confirmed // None Confirmed

Kazuto Ioka UD Joshua Franco 2 (WBA Super-Flyweight World Title)

June 24, New York, USA – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Edgar Berlanga UD Jason Quigley (Super-Middleweight)

June 24, Minneapolis, USA – Al Haymon’s PBC

None Confirmed // Showtime

Carlos Adames TKO9 Julian Williams (WBC ‘Interim’ Middleweight Belt)

July 1, Manchester, UK – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports // None Confirmed

Savannah Marshall MD Franchon Crews-Dezurn (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO Super-Middleweight World Titles)
Natasha Jonas TKO8 Kandi Wyatt (IBF Welterweight World Title)

July 1, Sheffield, UK – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Dalton Smith KO7 Sam Maxwell (British and Commonwealth Super-Lightweight Titles)

July 1, Ohio, USA – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

Sky Sports // ESPN

Jared Anderson UD Charles Martin (Heavyweight)

July 8, New Jersey, USA – Al Haymon’s PBC

None Confirmed // Showtime

Jaron Ennis TKO10 Roiman Villa (IBF ‘Interim’ Welterweight Belt)

July 15, Detroit, USA – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Alycia Baumgardner UD Christina Linardatou 2 (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO Super-Featherweight World Titles)
Andy Cruz UD Juan Carlos Burgos (Lightweight)

July 15, Las Vegas, USA – Al Haymon’s PBC

None Confirmed // Showtime

Frank Martin UD Artem Harutyunyan (Lightweight)

July 22, Oklahoma – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

Sky Sports // ESPN

George Kambosos Jr MD Maxi Hughes (Lightweight)

July 25, Tokyo, Japan – Hideyuki Ohashi’s Ohashi

Sky Sports // ESPN+

Naoya Inoue TKO8 Stephen Fulton (WBC and WBO Super-Bantamweight World Titles)

July 29, Telford, UK – Frank Warren’s Queensberry

TNT Sports // None Confirmed

Liam Davies TKO1 Jason Cunningham (European and British Super-Bantamweight Titles)

July 29, Las Vegas, USA – Al Haymon’s PBC

TNT Sports PPV // Showtime PPV

Terence Crawford TKO9 Errol Spence (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO Welterweight World Titles)
Isaac Cruz SD Giovanni Cabrera (Lightweight)
Alexandro Santiago UD Nonito Donaire (WBC Bantamweight World Title)

August 5, Dallas, USA – Jake Paul’s MVP

DAZN PPV // DAZN PPV

Jake Paul UD Nate Diaz (185lbs Catchweight)
Amanda Serrano UD Heather Hardy 2 (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO Featherweight World Titles)

August 12, O2 Arena, London, UK – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN PPV // DAZN

Anthony Joshua KO7 Robert Helenius (Heavyweight)
Filip Hrgovic TKO12 Demsey McKean (Heavyweight)
Derek Chisora UD Gerald Washington (Heavyweight)

August 12, Arizona, USA – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

Sky Sports // ESPN

Emanuel Navarrete UD Oscar Valdez (WBO Super-Featherweight World Title)

August 18, York Hall, London, UK – Frank Warren’s Queensberry

TNT Sports // None Confirmed

Dennis McCann TD (Draw) Ionut Baluta (Super-Bantamweight)

August 19, Birmingham, UK – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Galal Yafai TKO1 Tommy Frank (Flyweight)

August 26, Wroclaw, Poland – Alex Krassyuk’s K2

TNT Sports PPV // None Confirmed

Oleksandr Usyk TKO9 Daniel Dubois (WBA, IBF and WBO Heavyweight World Titles)

August 26, Tulsa, USA – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

Sky Sports // ESPN

Jared Anderson TKO5 Andriy Rudenko (Heavyweight)
Bakhodir Jalolov TKO1 Onoriode Ehwarieme (Heavyweight)

September 2, Manchester Arena, UK – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports PPV // None Confirmed

Chris Eubank Jr TKO10 Liam Smith (Middleweight)

September 15, Texas, USA – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

Sky Sports // ESPN

Luis Alberto Lopez UD Joet Gonzalez (IBF Featherweight World Title)

September 16, California, USA – Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy

DAZN // DAZN

William Zepeda TKO6 Mercito Gesta (Lightweight)

September 18, Tokyo, Japan – Akihiko Honda’s Teiken

None Confirmed // None Confirmed

Kenshiro Teraji TKO9 Hekkie Budler (WBA and WBC Light-Flyweight World Titles)
Junto Nakatani UD Argi Cortes (WBO Super-Flyweight World Title)

September 23, Wembley Arena, London, UK – Frank Warren’s Queensberry

TNT Sports // None Confirmed

Zhilei Zhang KO3 Joe Joyce 2 (WBO ‘Interim’ Heavyweight Belt)
Anthony Yarde KO2 Jorge Silva (Light-Heavyweight)

September 23, Orlando, USA – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Richardson Hitchins UD Jose Zepeda (Super-Lightweight)
Conor Benn UD Rodolfo Orozco (Super-Welterweight)

September 30, Las Vegas, USA – Al Haymon’s PBC

None Confirmed // Showtime PPV

Canelo Alvarez UD Jermell Charlo (Super-Middleweight)

September 30, Antalya, Turkey – Evgeny Vainshtein’s Ural

None Confirmed // None Confirmed

Otto Wallin SD Murat Gassiev (Heavyweight)

September 30, Wembley Arena, London, UK – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Jai Opetaia TKO4 Jordan Thompson (Cruiserweight)
Ellie Scotney UD Laura Griffa (Super-Bantamweight)

October 6, York Hall, London, UK – Frank Warren’s Queensberry

TNT Sports // None Confirmed

Ellis Zorro UD Luca D’Ortenzi (Light-Heavyweight)

October 7, Sheffield, UK – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Leigh Wood TKO7 Josh Warrington (WBA Featherweight World Title)
Terri Harper MD (Draw) Cecilia Braekhus (WBA and WBO Super-Welterweight World Titles)

October 7, Las Vegas, USA – Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy

DAZN // DAZN

Gilberto Ramirez UD Joe Smith Jr (Cruiserweight)

October 14, Manchester Arena, UK – KSI’s Misfits

DAZN PPV // DAZN PPV

Tommy Fury UD KSI (183lbs Catchweight)
Logan Paul DQ Dillon Danis (195lbs Catchweight)

October 14, Texas, USA – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

None Confirmed // ESPN

Janibek Alimkhanuly TKO6 Vincenzo Gualtieri (IBF and WBO Middleweight World Titles)

October 15, Australia – George Rose’s No Limit

None Confirmed // Showtime

Tim Tszyu UD Brian Mendoza (WBO Super-Welterweight World Title)

October 21, York Hall, London, UK – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports // None Confirmed

Isaac Chamberlain UDMikael Lawal (British Cruiserweight Title)

October 21, Liverpool, UK – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Jack Catterall UD Jorge Linares (Super-Lightweight)

October 27, Florida, USA – Jake Paul’s MVP

DAZN // DAZN

Amanda Serrano UD Danila Ramos (WBA, IBF and WBO Featherweight World Titles)

October 28, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season

TNT Sports PPV // None Confirmed

Tyson Fury SD Francis Ngannou (Heavyweight)
Fabio Wardley TKO7 David Adeleye (Heavyweight)
Joseph Parker KO3 Simon Kean (Heavyweight)
Martin Bakole TKO4 Carlos Takam (Heavyweight)

October 28, Mexico – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

O’Shaquie Foster TKO12 Eduardo Hernandez (WBC Super-Featherweight World Title)

November 4, Monte Carlo, Monaco – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Joe Cordina UD Edward Vazquez (IBF Super-Featherweight World Title)

November 16, Las Vegas, USA – Bob Arum’s Top Rank

TNT Sports // ESPN

Shakur Stevenson UD Edwin De Los Santos (WBC Lightweight World Title)
Emanuel Navarrete MAJORITY DRAW Robson Conceicao (WBO Super-Featherweight World Title)

November 18, Manchester, UK – Frank Warren’s Queensberry

TNT Sports // None Confirmed

Nick Ball UD Isaac Dogboe (Featherweight)
Nathan Heaney MD Denzel Bentley (British Middleweight Title)

November 18, Wolverhampton UK – Ben Shalom’s BOXXER

Sky Sports // None Confirmed

Adam Azim TKO10 Franck Petitjean (European Super-Lightweight Title)

November 18, California, USA – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom

DAZN // DAZN

Diego Pacheco KO9 Marcelo Esteban Coceres (Super-Middleweight)

Abandoned training ground with links to Diego Maradona bought by Ballon d’Or winner with new look planned

Phil Spencer — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:36:25 +0000

An abandoned plot of land made famous by Diego Maradona will be reopened after being purchased by Fabio Cannavaro.

The 2006 Ballon d’Or winner revealed over the summer that he had bought the land of the Centro Paradiso, the former training base of Italian giants Napoli.

Cannavaro completed the purchase over the summer and has grand plans

Getty

It was there that the Naples-based side spent almost 40 years as they developed some of football’s biggest talents such as Cannavaro and attracted star names like Maradona who trained there every day for seven years during his time at the club in the 1980s.

Such was Maradona’s reputation at the Soccavo-based training ground, a mural was created on the outer walls depicting Maradona and his daughter Dalma, due to his legendary reputation as someone who would entertain locals with flicks and tricks on the playing field.

The grounds boasted a football pitch, changing rooms and a stadium where eagle-eyed fans could get a glimpse of stars such as Maradona, Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola and Cannavaro in action.

However after opening in 1975, the training base had been left derelict after Napoli were declared bankrupt in 2004.

Cannavaro, renowned as one of football’s greatest-ever defenders, started his career with Naples where he trained on the ground as an academy player before breaking into the first team.

He made 68 appearances for Napoli before moving to Parma in 1995.

But the World Cup winner has always remembered his roots and after purchasing the land, Cannavaro has set about opening a football school to offer something back to the local community where he realised his dreams of being a professional footballer.

Discussing the purchase, Cannavaro said: “I found everything destroyed, in fact I didn’t find anything that was there.

Maradona is a legendary figure for the way he used to entertain the local

Getty

The ground was Napoli’s training ground for nearly 40 years

Getty

A number of legendary players had made their way out of the tunnel

Getty

The once stunning facility has been abandoned for almost 20 years

Getty

It was once home to some of Napoli’s biggest stars

Getty

“The project is to redo the pitch, but also the stadium.

“I want to create a football school for the kids in the neighborhood and for those who want to come.

“It’s not easy to distract young people from cell phones, TVs, consoles and for this reason I want to create something beautiful.

“The timing? I don’t know yet, it’s early.”

In Napoli, Cannavaro started the sort of career that many could only dream of.

Cannavaro plans to open a football school for the community

Getty

As well as playing for Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid among others, the defender won 136 caps for Italy, three league titles and a World Cup for his country in 2006.

When Maradona arrived in Naples in 1984, no team from the south of Italy had won the league before but all that changed with the so-called Saviour.

With Maradona in the side, Napoli won the title in 1987 and 1990 and the stadium was renamed in his honour from the Stadio San Paolo to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona following his shock death at the age of 60 in 2020.

New footage shows ex-Manchester United man Angel Di Maria appearing to spit at Brazil fans ahead of chaotic World Cup qualifier

Jake Lambourne — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:19:22 +0000

Angel Di Maria appeared to spit at Brazil fans as he headed down the tunnel in new footage that has gone viral on social media.

Di Maria and his Argentina teammates were on their way back to their changing room amid the ‘bloody’ chaotic crowd trouble ahead of the World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night.

Di Maria looked to have spat at a Brazil fan in the stands after being showered by beer

Instagram @flazoeiro_oficial

The kick-off was delayed by 30 minutes as both sets of fans fought in the stands, with police then intervening with batons.

It led to Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to try and defend the Argentina fans as he attempted to jump into the visiting section.

World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi tried to calm down the situation, before he led his teammates down the tunnel as tempers continued to flare.

And in a video that has been circulating online, Benfica winger Di Maria could be seen in a verbal altercation with a fan.

As he then looked to head inside, he turned up to face the individual one last time, who responded by showering beer over him.

The ex-Manchester United forward’s immediate reaction was to jump up before he seemingly spat at the individual, who wasn’t in shot.

He then quickly left the scene as home fans at the Maracana whistled and waved goodbye to the Argentina squad.

But it was Argentina that would have the last laugh as they inflicted a first ever home World Cup qualifying defeat on the five-time champions.

Di Maria’s angry reaction came as a result of being struck by a drink

Instagram @flazoeiro_oficial

The Real Madrid icon came off the bench as Argentina prevailed as 1-0 winners

Getty

Nicolas Otamendi scored the only goal of the game to help Argentina remain top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table.

As for Brazil, they sit sixth out of ten nations having lost three out of their opening six matches.

Following the fiery fixture, Messi hit out at the Brazilian police, saying: “It was bad because we saw how they were beating people.

“The police, as happened in the [Copa] Libertadores final, were once again repressing the people with night sticks.

“We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, it could have ended in tragedy.

“You think about the families, the people who are there, who don’t know what’s going on and we were more concerned about that than playing a match that, at that point, was of secondary importance.”

Arsenal injury list: Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus close to returns but Ben White joins Jurrien Timber on absentee list

Jack Cunningham — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:19:03 +0000

Arsenal are still looking to mount another Premier League title challenge this year after falling short last season, but injuries aren’t helping.

The Gunners have been without new signing Jurrien Timber for the whole season, while Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus have both also had spells out of the side.

Timber damaged his ACL on the first game of the season and is set to be out until well into 2024

Getty

Little niggles to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli haven’t helped, leaving Arsenal stretched in certain areas.

However, there does appear to be some positive news regarding a couple of players.

Arsenal’s injury list and how long they are out for

Jurrien Timber [ACL injury] – unknown

Timber impressed during the Community Shield win against Manchester City before leaving the field just minutes into his Premier League debut.

The Dutchman is currently recovering, but the latest reports from the Netherlands suggest he won’t be playing again until the start of next season.

Gabriel Jesus [hamstring strain] – few days

Jesus asked to come off during Arsenal’s Champions League game away against Sevilla with a hamstring problem.

He was then surprisingly called up by Brazil for the latest round of international matches but played 90 minutes in their 1-0 defeat to Argentina.

Jesus’ return should boost Arteta’s side

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Thomas Partey [unspecified muscle problem] – 6-7 weeks

Partey has struggled with injuries throughout the majority of 2023 and this latest issue looks set to keep him out until 2024.

When fit, the Ghanaian is a key part of Arteta’s team, but these medium-term issues leave the Gunners short in midfield.

Emile Smith Rowe [knee problem] 3-4 weeks

The England international isn’t a regular first-team player anymore but still has the quality to make an impact when called upon.

Unfortunately, he’s out with a knee injury and isn’t expected back until near the end of next month.

Smith Rowe is enduring a frustrating season

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Martin Odegaard [concussion] – few days

Odegaard missed a few games before the international break due to a couple of problems, but he’s overcome those and should be back in the first-team squad imminently.

The Arsenal captain didn’t play against Newcastle because of a hip issue and then suffered a concussion in training, meaning he missed out against Sevilla and Burnley.

Odegaard didn’t play for Norway in matches against Scotland or Faroe Islands during the break but is back in first-team training.

Odegaard has missed Arsenal’s last three games

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Ben White [unspecified muscle issue] – unknown

White is one of Arsenal’s most important players and is involved in nearly every game.

However, he currently has an unknown muscle problem that saw him miss the Burnley match, and Mikel Arteta will hope it’s nothing serious.

White is struggling with a muscle problem

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Gabby Agbonlahor reveals his combined Tottenham and Aston Villa XI

Molly Sumpter — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:08:18 +0000

Gabby Agbonlahor previewed his former side’s clash with Spurs this weekend by naming his combined XI from both squads.

It’s safe to say Spurs fans won’t be too happy with his selection that features just TWO of their players.

NFL fans in awe at ‘savage’ DK Metcalf for learning sign language to escape fines for trash talking

Joshua Rogers — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:03:22 +0000

DK Metcalf has an ingenious way of trash talking.

The Seattle Seahawks wide receiver is known for being a bit of a hot head, and has gone to great lengths to be able to taunt his opponents without getting penalised by referees.

Metcalf used sign language to let Ahkello Witherspoon know he was his ‘son’

Twitter

Metcalf recently appeared on the Rich Eisen Show where he revealed he has enrolled in American Sign Language (ASL) classes on his off days in order to trash talk more creatively during games.

The Pro Bowl wideout explained that sign language has enabled him to talk smack without officials realising what he’s up to.

During his interview, Metcalf said, “I kept getting flags for my mouthing, so, got sign my s*** talkin now.”

And in Week 11 against the Rams, Metcalf was able to apply his newfound skills to taunt LA cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon.

After scoring in the first quarter, Metcalf used American Sign Language to sign “44 is my son” to Witherspoon, in reference to the Rams CB’s jersey number.

Fans found out about DK’s trash talking and were in awe of his creativity.

‘Now they about to hire refs who know sign language to start flagging this,’ one remarked.

The Seahawks WR scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Rams which prompted his creative trash talking

Twitter

‘SAVAGE’, another replied.

‘It’s all fun and games until the league starts signing his fines! Just saying…’ a third commented.

‘Next level hater,’ a fourth joked.

Witherspoon would ultimately have the last laugh though as the Rams won the game, 17-16.

Metcalf finished the game with five catches for 94 yards and one touchdown.

For the season, he leads the Seahawks with 646 receiving yards on 40 receptions and three touchdowns. Seattle ranks 13^th in the NFL for passing yards (2,308) and 11^th in yards per attempt (6.7) and are 6-4 for the season.

They’re currently second in the NFC West and face the San Francisco 49ers next in a Thanksgiving clash at Lumen Field.

Keep your eyes peeled for any trash talking – or trash signing – from Metcalf in that game.

Gabby Agbonlahor warns Ireland not to appoint Roy Keane as manager after previously working with him at Aston Villa

Molly Sumpter — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:51:31 +0000

The former Aston Villa man has sent a warning to Ireland after their sacking of Stephen Kenny.

Agbonlahor blamed this on his style of management having worked with him previously.

Ricky Hatton believes Liverpool are his club’s closest competition for this season’s Premier League title

Molly Sumpter — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:45:01 +0000

The Manchester City fan has revealed who he thinks to be the Blues’ biggest challengers this season.

Manchester City face Liverpool on Saturday, you can catch is LIVE on talkSPORT.

Why does Jude Bellingham not wear the No.22 jersey anymore? England star takes Zinedine Zidane’s iconic number at Real Madrid

Jack Johnson — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:42:42 +0000

Jude Bellingham is taking the world by storm at Real Madrid but he is doing so without his signature number on the back of his shirt.

The now England star first rose to prominence at Birmingham City, coming through the academy and playing for the club aged 16.

The No.22 shirt became Bellingham’s signature

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Bellingham wore the No.22 shirt during that time and the Blues’ head of development has revealed how that number was decided.

Explaining how 22 came from adding the typical shirt numbers of all the midfield roles combined, Mike Dodds told talkSPORT 2: “Like most boys that age, they want to be a No.10.

“And I remember, we sat down with him and we said, we think you’re doing yourself a disservice, we think you can do all of it.

“So we came up with, ‘we think you can be a 22’. His eyes lit up and we knew we had hooked him from then on in!”

When the 20-year-old left Birmingham to join Borussia Dortmund, the number was retired in recognition of his time at the club.

He then took the 22 shirt at Dortmund, however, he decided to not wear the number after heading to Spain this summer.

Why does Bellingham not wear No.22 anymore?

Bellingham changed from wearing No. 22 after joining Real Madrid.

Antonio Rudiger already wears the number for the club meaning the shirt wasn’t available.

So, he decided to take the iconic No.5 shirt at Los Blancos instead, leaving his usual digits behind.

Speaking in a press conference after arriving in Spain, Bellingham explained his decision to change.

He said: “I’ve said in many interviews how much I admire Zinedine Zidane, the legacy he’s had at the club with this number.

Zidane made the No.5 shirt iconic in Madrid

getty

And Bellingham has taken on the mantle

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“I’m just trying to be Jude, but it’s definitely a bit of a homage to how great he was.

The midfielder hasn’t forgotten about the meaning of his No.22 though, and he mentioned that it is still his number despite not actually wearing it.

“The number 22 has a big meaning for me,” he explained.

“And in my heart, I’m still number 22, just with the number 5 on my back.”

Olly Murs reveals how Wigan players all voted for him when he was on the X Factor

Molly Sumpter — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:38:52 +0000

Singer Olly Murs joined talkSPORT Drive and shared a story from when he went to an Old Firm derby.

He revealed that Wigan players and their manager Roberto Martinez all voted for him when he appeared on The X Factor.

NFL legend Barry Sanders backs Detroit Lions to ‘do something special’ and end Super Bowl curse

Brian T. Smith — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:38:10 +0000

Barry Sanders believes in the Detroit Lions.

That says it all when it comes to the repaired relationship between one of the greatest running backs in NFL history and a franchise that was so inept there was no way that Sanders was even reaching a Super Bowl when he spent 10 thrilling but frustrating seasons starring for Detroit.

Barry Sanders when he was the best running back in the NFL and destroying defenses

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“We’re sitting right now exactly where we wanted to be this time of the year,” Sanders exclusively told talkSPORT. “You’ve got the Thanksgiving game — that’s always a big game.

“Lions fans are excited. We’ve been waiting for this sort of a team for many, many years now. We’ve seen it building the last few seasons but this is exactly what we hoped for.”

Times have definitely changed for the 55-year-old Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who ranks fourth in league history with 15,269 career rushing yards, and a Dan Campbell-coached Lions team that has a serious shot at representing the NFC in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

Campbell’s tough Detroit crew is 8-2 and coming off a gutsy come-from-behind victory over the Chicago Bears.

When the Lions play their annual Thanksgiving game this evening against the Green Bay Packers, Sanders will already be believing in a remade team and franchise whose next Super Bowl appearance will be its first.

“They absolutely have a chance to go and do something special,” Sanders said. “You see the way they pulled that game out (Sunday against Chicago). To be able to overcome those turnovers and come back and get a win, I just think the team of the past in recent years, I don’t know if they win that game.”

Sanders is a 10-time Pro Bowler who won the 1997 NFL MVP and was twice named Offensive Player of the Year.

His highlight reels are the stuff of internet legend.

Barry Sanders runs look like a video game

@Lions pic.twitter.com/E1WYmhNgsw
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) November 21, 2023

Sanders rushed for a stunning 1,470 yards as a rookie, broke the 2,000-yard mark in 1997, then stunned NFL fans worldwide by suddenly retiring in 1999.

A new documentary on Amazon Prime looks back at Sanders’ storied career and a decision that still confuses football devotees.

Almost 25 years after stepping away from the sport, Sanders is watching his Lions with pride.

“To be where they are now, sitting at the top of the division with a nice little little cushion between them and the second place team, you can almost guarantee that they’re gonna have a playoff game, just matter whether it’s a home or away or whatnot,” said Sanders, who was the No. 3 overall pick of the 1989 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State.

“I think they’ve really just met with all the Lions fans’ expectations about what this team could be. Coach Campbell does deserves a ton of credit.”

I heard #WarrenMoon wanted to play with me as well.

Would have loved a shot to play with @JoeMontana https://t.co/roa1R2w3Kq
— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) November 20, 2023

The fiery Campbell has made a huge impression on Sanders.

Detroit has changed its football culture and enters a Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers holding the second-best win percentage in the NFL, only trailing the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Lions’ organization has undergone significant change in the decades that have passed since Sanders’ retirement.

With Jared Goff at quarterback, Amon-Ra St. Brown at wide receiver and Aidan Hutchinson at defensive end, Detroit in 2023 is a loaded team still realizing how good it can be.

GettySanders is finally opening up about his early retirement and legendary career[/caption]

It’s easy to imagine how much better one of the NFL’s greatest running backs would have been if he had played for this 8-2 Lions team.

“I think it comes from coach Campbell,” Sanders said. “I think that he’s very serious about the business of football and about his team, come hell or high water, coming out and and giving their best effort.

“Now you got you got a a great roster with great chemistry, a lot of talent all over the field. Guys contributing just great complementary football and so that absolutely comes from coach Campbell and he deserves all the credit.”

Listen to coverage of all three Thanksgiving games exclusively live on talkSPORT2 off from 5pm.

NFL Thanksgiving Day schedule on talkSPORT

12:30pm (5pm GMT) Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions
4:30pm (4:30pm GMT) Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys
8:20pm (1:30am Friday GMT)San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

Bye Bye Barry is available to stream now with Prime.

Harry Kane set to break another Bundesliga record by Christmas following stunning start to Bayern Munich career

Jake Lambourne — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:32:28 +0000

Harry Kane is on course to break another Bundesliga record with his fairy tale start to life in Germany showing no signs of slowing down.

The 30-year-old has been nothing short of sensational since swapping Tottenham for Bayern Munich in a deal worth more than £100million in August.

Kane has starred for Bayern Munich since linking up with the German giants

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In 16 games in all competitions this season, Kane has chipped in with 21 goals and seven assists, with 16 of his strikes coming in the Bundesliga.

Kane, who has already fired in three hat-tricks this term, is the leading scorer out of Europe’s top five leagues.

His last treble came in the 4-0 win away at rivals Borussia Dortmund, as the Englishman become the first player to register a hat-trick in their first Der Klassiker outing.

And earlier this month, the Three Lions skipper set a new German top-flight record by finding the back of the net 17 times in his opening 11 outings.

Therefore it should come as no surprise that Bayern fans have fallen in love with Spurs and England’s all-time record goalscorer.

While he’s made light work of smashing records on the pitch, he now looks set to break a new one away from it.

According to Kicker, Kane could set a new Bayern record for most shirts sold with his name and number on in a single season – and it may happen before Christmas.

The German news outlet states that the Bavarian outfit are expecting to flog more than 100,000 ‘Kane 9’ jerseys prior to the annual festive day.

No other player in Europe’s top five leagues have scored more than Kane this season

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Kane was a hit with Bayern supporters before he had even kicked a ball, with the club offloading 10,000 shirts on the day of his arrival.

That figure had doubled by the end of the weekend, with the three-time Premier League boot winner more than repaying the fans’ faith in him.

The ex-Leyron Orient loanee is already on course to score the most goals in a debut Bundesliga campaign to break Uwe Seeler’s record of 30 for Hamburg in the 1963/64 season.

Speaking to Channel 4 recently over why he decided to link up with Thomas Tuchel‘s side, Kane said: “It was always something I wanted to do [move abroad].

“I was at spurs for 19-years but always in back of mind wanted to experience a new league, a new culture and team.

“Things in football come together at the right time and Bayern were there and I was excited by the challenge I face going there.

“I’ve really enjoyed it, playing in a new stadium, new fanbase, and I’m happy with how I’ve started.”

Danny Murphy claims Liverpool’s ‘hatred’ for Man United will always trump that for Man City

Molly Sumpter — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:31:22 +0000

The former Liverpool midfielder joined White and Jordan to preview Manchester City vs Liverpool.

Murphy believes that, from the Reds’ perspective, there is more hate for Manchester United.

Dana White sticks to his word and bins off Peloton bikes after UFC sponsorship rant

Phil Spencer — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:18:09 +0000

Dana White has kept his word by getting rid of any Peloton bikes from his UFC gyms.

The UFC boss took issue with the exercise technology brand during his appearance on comedian Theo Von’s ‘This Past Weekend’ podcast.

Dana White shared a video to confirm that he’d got rid of the Peloton bikes

X: @MyMMANews

White then blasted the fitness bike company after comedian Von revealed the company reportedly pulled ads on his podcast with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“Peloton, what do they sell, f***ing stationary bikes?” White said in the expletive-laden tirade.

“Peloton sells stationary bikes, and they’ve got a problem with Robert f***ing Kennedy.”

“F*** you Peloton! Who the f*** are they? Are you f***ing kidding me?” he continued.

“”F***ing Peloton, calling, b****ing about Robert Kennedy.”

White then said that he wanted his UFC gyms to remove all its Peloton bikes.

“We’re getting rid of the Pelotons,” he said. “Pelotons are out of the gym.”

A Peloton spokesperson disputed the claim and told Fox News Digital that the company asked for its ads to be pulled from the 2021 episode featuring Kennedy due to the company’s ‘brand safety guidelines’.

White went on an expletive-laden tirade at Peloton during a recent podcast experience

He also spoke about how his friendship with Donald Trump had cost him sponsorship deals in the past

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But based on his Instagram stories, it didn’t stop White from keeping his word.

In the new video, White said: “So people are hitting me up asking if I really got rid of the Pelotons.

“What did I tell you? Only Assault Bikes for me here – the Pelotons are gone!”

White’s appearance on Von’s podcast also saw him discuss his own experience with sponsors, with one taking issue with his friendship with Donald Trump.

He explained: “I posted a video for Trump on my personal social media.

“One of our big sponsors called and said, ‘Take that down.’ You know what I said? Go f*** yourself.

“You vote for whoever you want to vote for and I’ll vote for whoever I want to vote for. That’s how this works. I don’t even care who you’re voting for. It’s none of my f***ing business. F*** you. Don’t ever f***ing call me and tell me who to vote for.”

I live with my parents despite rookie NFL contract and my mum makes my bed – now I’m starting for the Giants

Callum Davis — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:11:04 +0000

Tommy DeVito’s unexpected rise to NFL fame has fast become one of the feel-good stories of the season.

The undrafted New York Giants rookie has been thrust into the NFL spotlight after injuries to starting quarterback Daniel Jones and back-up Tyrod Taylor.

GettyDeVito is New York’s current starting quarterback following injuries to Jones and Taylor[/caption]

DeVito started the season on the practice squad but was signed to the active roster when Taylor went on injured reserve.

Born and raised in Livingston, New Jersey, the 25-year-old found himself in the unprecedented position of being handed the keys to his hometown team’s offense with seven weeks remaining in the regular season.

Taylor could be in line for a return in the coming weeks, but DeVito has made a strong case for retaining his starting spot, winning over coaches and fans alike with his relatable lifestyle off the field.

In an era when players like Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson have netted multi-million-dollar contracts, DeVito bucks the trend for NFL quarterbacks.

While Giants running back Saquon Barkley earns an estimated $10m-a-year, DeVito’s rookie contract means he pockets around $45,000 a week.

Enough to get by, but not enough to justify moving out of your parents’ house, according to DeVito.

“It’s a no-brainer for me,” said DeVito, who recently discussed his unorthodox domestic set up in an interview with ESPN.

“Everything that I need is there at the house. The decision was made since this level of football is stressful for a rookie, especially from the quarterback position.

GettyDeVito (left) says living with his family allows him to concentrate on football[/caption]

“There is a lot going on, a lot of meetings. So everything outside of football is handled by my family.

“I don’t have to worry about laundry, what I’m eating for dinner, chicken cutlets and all that is waiting for me when I get there.

“My mum still makes my bed. Everything is handled for me. Honestly, I don’t even know if I could find a place closer to here than where I live. It takes me 12 minutes to get here.”

DeVito’s emergence has been so sudden, many of his teammates were unaware their new starting quarterback lived under the same roof as his parents.

“Living at home?” replied Barkley when he was told. “For real?”

“That is the greatest,” said veteran offensive lineman Justin Pugh. “You know what, smart! Saving his money. Genius!”

He added: “That’s the one thing I’d say from a financial standpoint. Your mum helping with your wash, making sure you’re up on time, no distractions, unbelievable.”

DeVito is unlikely to fly the nest any time soon after enjoying a breakout game in front of his home fans last weekend.

Having made his first NFL start in a heavy Week 10 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, the Jersey native threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns in victory over the Washington Commanders as the Giants improved to 3-8 on the season.

Touchdown Tommy D to Saquon!

: #NYGvsWAS on FOX
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/jckqnJwdb2 pic.twitter.com/L38e9zWL7O
— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2023

As he settles into his new role, DeVito has even started inviting his Giants teammates round to his family’s New Jersey abode.

“I’ve been over there. I love going to his spot,” said rookie wide receiver Justin Hyatt.

“He has a little hot tub in the back. The crazy thing about it is he lives, maybe, 15 minutes away. So he’s close.”

DeVito is proud of his roots and not afraid to show it.

“He definitely is very Jersey!” said Jones, who has been sidelined with a season-ending injury.

“I remember our throwing trip was in Charlotte this summer before the season started and he was playing in his black tank top and gold chain… he’s Jersey to the core.”

Earlier this week Jones underwent successful surgery to repair the ACL in his right knee.

With his rehabilitation scheduled to take 10 months, Jones could face a fight to regain his starting position if DeVito continues in this form.

WWE Survivor Series best debuts as Rock and Undertaker first appearances ranked – ‘You’re either gonna f****** sink or swim’

Joe Brophy — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:10:50 +0000

Survivor Series is one of WWE’s biggest pay-per-views of the year – and it also happens to be somewhat of a birthplace of legends.

WWE are set to go all out for their fifth and final major premium live event of 2023 – with Survivor Series the company’s second oldest annual event behind flagship show WrestleMania.

Rocky Maivia, aka The Rock, made his debut at Survivor Series 1996

WWE

Survivor Series is best known for being centered around the concept of brand supremacy between RAW, SmackDown, and later NXT, but was once renowned for being the birthplace of legends.

Here, talkSPORT.com looks back at some of WWE’s biggest stars who have also debuted on one of the biggest stages of them all.

Note this is strictly for wrestlers themselves so the Elimination Chamber, which debuted at Survivor Series in 2002 before becoming its own event, will not be included.

5. Sting (2014)

Due to loyalty to WCW and worries about how his character would be handled, Sting evaded WWE for years.

Potential matchups with the best in the business appeared to be a dream consigned to the scrapheap until his shock appearance at Survivor Series.

Team John Cena were competing against Team Authority in a five-on-five elimination match in the main event.

Triple H looked to have handed Team Authority the win when he dragged an unbeknown Seth Rollins onto Dolph Ziggler for the cover before Sting’s iconic music hit.

The six-time WCW champion had a stare-down with Triple H in the ring, before hitting him with a Scorpion Death Drop.

Sting then put Ziggler on top of Rollins as the referee counted to three which gave Team Cena the win.

For pure impact and excitement, it was right up there with the best WWE debuts in history.

However, unfortunately, it’s hard to ignore what happened next which, in hindsight, has reframed the feeling behind his Survivor Series appearance as wasted potential.

Sting’s attack on Triple H set up a WrestleMania 31 match in 2015, which the former lost – perhaps proving correct his doubts over WWE’s booking when he was at his peak.

He then suffered a serious neck injury that ultimately forced him into premature retirement.

Sting only had a small number of matches in WWE

WWE

4. Kurt Angle (1999)

Despite signing a five-year deal with the company in 1998, it took Angle over a year to make his televised debut in WWE.

The Olympic Gold medallist made light work of Shawn Stasiak by defeating him in less than six minutes in the second match of the Survivor Series card.

The quick squash match was the perfect introduction for fans to the wrestling machine, with Angle impressing as much for his mic skills as his grappling.

Discussing his debut in 2019, Angle told WWE’s The Bump: “The match was okay. For my first match, I got through it, and I think that’s all I could ask for.

“But the more you go, the more you improve. A couple of years later, I was actually a much better wrestler.

“It was a good debut, everyone is picking on me because it was Shawn Stasiak, but Shawn was actually a really good wrestler back then.”

Angle got over with his American hero gimmick, based on his gold medal win at the 1996 Olympics, and Survivor Series became the launch pad for one of the greatest rookie years in WWE history.

After being inducted into the Hall of Fame by John Cena in 2016, Angle retired after losing to Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35.

Kurt Angle is one of WWE’s greatest ever in-ring performers

WWE

3. The Rock (1996)

Dwayne Johnson’s title as WWE’s most famous Hollywood export means he occasionally tops these types of lists.

However, the eyebrow-raising electrifying version of the Rock that would later catapult him into global stardom was not born until he joined the Nation of Domination a year after his Survivor Series debut.

Known then as Rocky Maivia – a combination of his father’s and grandfather’s ring names – The Great One debuted alongside Jake Roberts, Marc Mero, and The Stalker against Crush, Goldust, Jerry Lawler, and Hunter Hearst Helmsley [later Triple H] in a traditional Survivor Series elimination match.

The Rock was the sole survivor by eliminating Crush and Goldust to win the match for his team.

The Rock was a very different proposition in 1996,

WWE

Last week, the Fast and Furious actor revealed a conversation he had with Vince McMahon barely minutes before having never even wrestled a match at a house show.

Rock told The Joe Rogan Experience: “He [McMahon] goes, ‘You’re gonna win the whole thing. I’m gonna throw you right into the fire.’ I’ll never forget this.

“He’s like, ‘You’re either gonna f****** sink or you’re gonna swim—it’s New York City. It’s up to you.'”

The Rocky Mavia version of Johnson sunk meaning the historic significance of the match is what earns its ranking here.

Perhaps if he hadn’t been pushed into such a prominent position before he was ready he wouldn’t have been so quickly rejected by fans – which necessitated the need to turn heel and become the Rock.

Thankfully for everyone, he later learned to swim and went on to become a 10-time world champion and headline five WrestleMania’s.

2. The Shield (2014)

The Shield not only have a claim to be one of WWE’s most successful stables of all time but two of their three members are among the biggest stars of their generation.

In 2014, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose [now AEW’s Jon Moxley] made their WWE debuts in emphatic style.

The trio, unknown to sections of the WWE Universe at the time, helped CM Punk retain his WWE Championship against John Cena and Ryback by triple powerbombing the latter through an announce table.

It allowed Punk to pin Cena, who was already down due to Ryback’s Shellshock finisher and record a 365th day as WWE Champion.

The Shield went unbeaten for months as Rollins and Reigns won tag team gold, while Ambrose held the United States Championship.

The Shield was WWE’s greatest success of the past decade – three rookie talents becoming three world champions

WWE

Their obvious individual star power led to their break-up, with all three winning world titles and becoming the faces of modern wrestling.

The Shield reunited sporadically before their final reunion in April 2019, which was Ambrose’s last match in WWE before leaving and subsequently joining rival promotion AEW.

Rollins meanwhile patrols RAW as the world heavyweight champion while Reigns has cemented his legacy as the top attraction in the entire industry.

The Tribal Chief is the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, the longest-reigning titleholder since Hulk Hogan in the 1980s, and has headlined WrestleMania seven times.

Their impact separately and apart is set in stone for a generation and it can all be traced back to that first outing at Survivor Series.

1. The Undertaker (1990)

The single greatest character in pro wrestling history was born at Survivor Series in 1990 and retired at the same event three decades later.

The Undertaker made his official WWE debut as the mystery partner of Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar Team.

They were taking on The Dream Team of Bret Hart, Dusty Rhodes, Koko B. Ware, and Jim Neidhart.

‘Taker made an immediate impact by eliminating Ware and Rhodes, before being counted out by the referee.

The Million Dollar Team were victorious, though, as The Deadman went on to establish himself as one of the biggest stars in WWE.

It could have been so different as the man now known as Mark Calaway revealed his anxiety going into his initial WWE appearance.

He told the BBC: “They were doing a big promotion and had a big egg on the set. I thought that egg was going to be me because they had so many gimmicks. I really didn’t want to be the Eggman.”

Seven world title reigns and a famous 21-0 streak at WrestleMania later the Undertaker brought his 30-year career full circle by officially retiring during his ‘Final Farewell’ at Survivor Series in 2020.

The Undertaker had the unique viewpoint of saying goodbye to the WWE Universe at Survivor Series

WWE

NFL betting – Get boosted 9/4 on three-match acca with talkSPORT BET

Bruce Archer — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:08:12 +0000

Week Twelve and of the NFL season has arrived and we have some big Thanksgiving games tips for you.

talkSPORT BET have boosted the price for new and existing customers to 9/4 to our three-match acca.

49ers & Lions to win ML, Cowboys to win -8.5 points – add to your bet slip here.

New Customer Offer – Triple Your Rewards with talkSPORT BET*

NFL tips

Detroit Lions (8-2) to beat Green Bay Packers (4-6)

Thanksgiving is one of the most important days on the Lions calendar, where the NFL world focuses on Detroit for the traditional early fixture. This year may be the best time to have them as a headliner as the Lions are flying towards a play-off spot and divisional title.

Detroit showed a different side of them on Sunday, down to Chicago, they rallied to two quick touchdown drives to secure an all important victory. The home crowd was deafening as a David Montgomery touchdown completed the unlikely comeback.

The positivity around Detroit is likely to continue as they take on their rival Packers on Turkey Day. The opportunity to grab the number 1 seed and a play-off bye is still possible, and would predict the Lions to grab another victory against a middling Packers opposition.

Dallas Cowboys (7-2) to beat Washington Commanders (3-7) with 8.5 point handicap

Dallas face the divisional rival Commanders looking a balanced side with a direct path to the playoffs. The Commanders are coming off arguably their worst defeat of the year, a loss at home to a dire Giants side being quarterbacked by a third string player.

The Cowboys were destroyed on Turkey Day by the Commanders 41-16 in 2020 and I think revenge will be on the mind of Americas Team. They will want to make a statement that they are a Superbowl Contender and blow out a rival destined to a mediocre season. A tremendous way to do that will be a primetime destruction of the Commanders.

San Francisco 49ers (6-3) to beat Seattle Seahawks (6-3)

The 49ers have responded from a mid-season slump in the best possible way. A beatdown of the Jaguars was followed by toppling of the Bucs, and now they face the Seahawks, who seem likely to crash into mediocrity after their own poor run of form.

There is a completeness that stands out when looking at the 49ers. Both offence and defence are excelling and they are extremely well coached. Brock Purdy is coming off his best game of the season and his offensive weapons have all returned. The 49ers will have a focus on the number 1 seed in the NFC and will look to strengthen their case with another victory on Thursday.

New Customer Offer – Triple Your Rewards*

49ers & Lions to win ML, Cowboys to win -8.5 points – add to your bet slip here.

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‘Kick in the face’ – Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ multi-million dollar bonus infuriates fellow PGA Tour pro

Sean O'Brien — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:05:57 +0000

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods once again took home the biggest prizes as the PGA Tour Player Impact Program results were revealed.

The PIP is a relatively new PGA Tour initiative designed to rewards its top players for attracting positive interest to the game of golf.

McIlroy and Woods are golf’s two most famous players by some distance

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It uses objective metrics such as the number of Google searches and social media likes to dish out a $100million (£79.8m) prize pot among 20 players on a sliding scale.

Some think of the competition as nothing more than a ‘popularity contest’ invented to funnel money into the pockets of the PGA Tour’s most famous players.

Woods finished top of the PIP in 2021 and 2022 but he was beaten by McIlroy to the $15m (£12m) prize this year.

Nevertheless, Woods takes home $12m (£9.6m) to take his total winnings from the competition to $35m (£27.9m).

That is despite playing in just five PGA Tour events outside the majors since 2020 due to ongoing injury problems.

The threat of LIV Golf and nine-figure signing fees meant the PGA Tour – a non-profit, member-run organisation – needed to find a way to give its top players a bigger slice of the pie.

Hence the PIP, but this continues to go down badly with some of the PGA Tour’s more ‘rank-and-file’ professionals.

Ex-Tour winner Nate Lashley posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “How many golf fans actually know what the PIP on the PGA Tour is?

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“Would love to hear from golf/PGA fans if they think this $100m was spent well? There’s 150-200 members of the PGA Tour and they just spent $100m on 20 players. Seems a little ridiculous.

“Time for new leadership on the PGA Tour. This is an absolute kick in the face to the rest of the PGA Tour players.”

Forgotten Premier League striker completes unexpected move to non-league Macclesfield

Lee Davey — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:05:41 +0000

Macclesfield have completed the signing of former Everton and Hull striker Oumar Niasse on a short-term deal.

The 33-year-old has been without a club since leaving Morecambe at the end of last season following their relegation to League Two.

Oumar Niasse briefly featured under legendary Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti

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The striker who has represented Senegal nine times will spend the foreseeable future playing in the Northern Premier League.

A statement from the club read: “Macclesfield FC are delighted to have agreed terms to the signing of former Everton and Hull City striker Oumar Niasse on a short term deal subject to league approval.

“Boasting a wealth of experience, Niasse will be able to share his expertise from making over 50 appearances at the highest level.

“The former Senegalese International provides a real threat with his pace and power and adds real quality to Alex Bruce’s squad.

“Everyone at Macclesfield FC would like to wish Oumar every success during his time at The Leasing.com Stadium.”

Niasse is best known for a four-year spell at Goodison Park where he scored eight times in 35 appearances before successive loan spells at Hull and Cardiff.

His time at Everton was marred after falling out of favour with the then boss Ronald Koeman.

After featuring in a bit-part role during his first season at the club, Niasse was not given a squad number ahead of the 2016–17 campaign after being informed by Koeman that he would need to find a new club.

The Dutchman told reporters: “If Niasse likes to play football he needs to leave Everton.”

Niasse joined Hull on loan from Everton in 2017, scoring four times for the Tigers

Getty Images - Getty

Niasse failed to strike a move before the transfer deadline and was subsequently reintegrated into Koeman’s first team set-up and handed a new squad number.

But the striker’s renaissance didn’t last long as he was demoted to the under-23 squad two-months later.

Tom Brady leaves Denzel Washington speechless with question about beloved Cowboys

Joshua Rogers — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:04:10 +0000

The Dallas Cowboys are a tricky team to figure out.

When everything’s clicking they look like genuine Super Bowl contenders, but every now and then they’ll put in a horrible performance and expectations come crashing back down to Earth.

The Cowboys have started the season 7-3 but have come unstuck against Super Bowl contenders

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Hollywood legend Denzel Washington is a fan of America’s Team but doesn’t appear sold on their championship credentials.

Washington recently appeared on Tom Brady‘s Let’s Go! podcast where the NFL icon asked Denzel what he thinks of the Cowboys’ chances this season.

The question left the Training Day actor completely stumped as he paused for a good few seconds to think about his answer.

After a while Washington responded: “I don’t know. I don’t know. I can’t… Can you figure them out?”

Brady then responded: “They always feel like they’re right on the brink, and, then, it just doesn’t quite get them to the top, top.”

Denzel replied saying that he’s a big fan of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

“I love the quarterback, I love him. He’s a leader of men. He’s a man of God. He best win championships,” Washington said.

Co-host Jim Gray then chimed in asking the actor who he thinks will win a title sooner: the Cowboys or Washington’s favourite NBA team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

Brady and Washington also had fun reenacting a scene from the actor’s iconic sports film, Remember The Titans

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“The Lakers”, Washington said.

The Cowboys have started the season respectably with a 7-3 record. However, those seven wins have come against teams who are all below .500, and include the Giants (twice), Jets, Patriots, Chargers, Rams, and Panthers.

Dallas’ losses have come against the 2-9 Cardinals and Super Bowl contenders the San Francisco and Philadelphia.

Their recent loss to the Eagles means the Cowboys are playing catch up in the NFC East with a home game against Philly on the horizon.

They also have matchups with the Bills, Lions, and Dolphins coming up, which will determine their playoff fate.

During their conversation, Brady and Washington also reenacted a scene from the two-time Oscar winner’s film, Remember The Titans.

The 2000 sports drama features Washington as a newly-appointed football coach of a high school team in their first season as a racially integrated unit.

Table reads with the LEGEND Denzel Washington!?! Episode out now https://t.co/up0t0z210l pic.twitter.com/KPxt6jHgej
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) November 21, 2023

The pair recreated one of the most famous scenes from the film where Washington’s character, Boone, locked horns with player Petey Jones, portrayed by actor Donald Faison.

“Put your hand down,” Washington said to Brady, who was filling in as Faison’s character. “First you smile, then you think. You think football is fun.”

“Uh, yes,” Brady says, before adding. “No sir, it was fun.”

“Not anymore,” Washington says. “Make up your mind, since you’re thinking. Is it fun?”

Brady then channels Jones insisting that football isn’t fun before Washington replies: “Absolutely not, zero fun.”

Friday horse racing tips from Tom Lunn at Ascot, Fairyhouse and Catterick

Tom Lunn — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

talkSPORT have you covered for the horse racing with tips and free bets for the day’s fixtures at Ascot, Fairyhouse and Catterick.

Tom Lunn has gone through the race cards, form, going and much more to help guide your horse racing betting choices.

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Ascot betting tips

12.50: The Carpenter & Monviel exacta (NAP – 2pts)

The Carpenter makes his highly anticipated chase start on Friday afternoon and is already fancied ahead of Monviel, Samarrive and Supreme Gift who have small experiences over fences already.

Samarrive really struggled making his chase debut last year – falling before placing third of three at Kempton, by a huge distance and also didn’t impress enough over hurdles in February and April to suggest he can go better here off top-weight.

Monviel should improve and he’s got a nice low weight to run off having placed well behind JPR One, who despite unseated his rider at Cheltenham’s Grade 2 Novice Chase, was upped 11lb by the handicapper.

He steps up from 2m to 2m3f for the first time and that may prompt more improvement.

3.10: Tea Clipper 5/2 (1pt)

Has only won once over fences before but has been in the top contests before that, which can excuse his wide margin finishes.

He’s dropped down 11lb since his sixth place in the Ultima, which wasn’t an awful run by any means in such a tough contest.

The same can be said over 3m4f in the bet365 Gold Cup a month later, where he was eighth but only 19 lengths off of Kitty’s Light.

Though off top-weight he did struggle in handicap company in May.

But that second to the top Stolen Silver was encouraging last month and he should be tough to beat here if running to previous form.

Catterick betting tips

12.40: Union Flag 15/8 (1pt)

Union Flag was a very close third at Cork on his hurdle debut in October and then switched hands from Noel Meade to Donald McCain.

He was quickly sent for his first run for his new trainer and won with plenty in hand in a Class 2 hurdle under Brian Hughes, by six lengths.

He should progress on from that run too, as he still made the odd mistake over hurdles and didn’t look overly focused on the run-in but that suggests he has plenty more on offer and the tongue tie will help with that too.

1.50: Geromino 4/1 (1pt)

Second to Homme Public at Wetherby in October which has worked out incredibly well as the winner went on to secure victory in the Grade 2 Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial at Cheltenham last weekend.

Geromino will need to win this off top-weight but he came close in September behind Cedar Hill doing just that and it still seems that he is yet to put his best performance in having dropped down from a rating of 138 to 131.

Fairyhouse betting tips

12.55: Mister Policeman 4/7 (2pts)

Mister Policeman made his Irish debut and first start for Willie Mullins at Cork in April, as the even money favourite and won nicely by just over two lengths ahead of Cash Back.

Cash Back ran off a mark of 142 and winning that comfortably ahead of that kind of a hurdler bodes quite well for his first start over fences.

It’s another Rich Ricci-owned horse trained by Mullins and ridden by the in-form Paul Townend.

P+L from 09/10/23: +42.6pts

Profit+Loss from 10/07/23-08/10/23: +73.37pts

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All odds correct at time of writing

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Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
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For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

*18+ New customers. Opt in & bet via mobile up to £30 on any horse racing market at odds 2.00+ within 7 days. No cashout. Get stake back in free bets (select markets) if first bet loses. Bonuses expire in 7 days. Click for T&Cs. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly

‘That is such a cop-out’ – Frank Warren denies ‘ambushing’ Adam Catterall as he clashes with Simon Jordan

Michael Benson — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:48:19 +0000

Frank Warren and Simon Jordan have gone head-to-head discussing the promoter’s recent viral clash with Adam Catterall.

Jordan’s fellow talkSPORT host was berated by the Queensberry boxing boss at an event on Saturday night as they discussed Catterall’s criticisms of the heavyweight division and particularly Tyson Fury‘s career direction in recent times.

Warren let his feelings be known

iFL TV

Catterall had branded Fury’s bouts preceding his upcoming clash with Oleksandr Usyk as ‘warm lager’ and Warren was furious with his comments, telling him to ‘stop talking b****cks’ about the delay in making the undisputed fight.

Fury is currently boycotting talkSPORT interviews and refusing to allow the station to cover his fights due to his interpretation of remarks from the likes of Jordan and Catterall.

On Thursday, Warren joined Jordan’s show with Jim White and the trio discussed the incident from the weekend.

It was White who began: “You went head-to-head with Adam Catterall who we love unconditionally…

“You didn’t hang back, you were keen to ambush Adam and give him both barrels.”

Warren replied: “That’s not true, I didn’t ambush him. I said to him earlier in the evening, ‘I wanna have a chat with you before you go.’

“What happened was it was the end of the evening and I was doing an interview on iFL about the show and he was going, so I said, ‘Hang on a minute, I wanna speak to you.’

“He went to walk off and someone said, ‘Come over and do the interview,’ I didn’t ambush him at all.

Jordan didn’t like the nature of Warren’s confrontation with his colleague

talkSPORT

“It’s all very well – if you’re a pundit and you wanna criticise, you’re not immune to accepting criticism back if you’re in the wrong.

“Have we gotta just accept what you’re saying because you unconditionally love him? It’s not right.”

At this point Jordan added: “No, but there’s a balance, Frank. You’re right – if people voice an opinion then you’re entitled to have an opinion back.

“But the difference, with you being the exception, is if somebody bites back, which is fair, and then a pundit comes back again, what will happen is the pundit will be blackballed.

“He’ll be unable to speak to those people again, he’ll be shut down and that’s what’s been the case.”

At this point it became clear that Jordan was speaking in reference to Fury’s boycott of talkSPORT.

Warren responded: “I’m not shutting anyone down, how other people deal with it, that’s up to them.”

Jordan said: “But you’re fighting a cause on behalf of someone else Frank, you’re advancing the position that the observations that have been made about Tyson Fury are unfair.

Warren has denied that the exchange was an ‘ambush’

Frank Warren

“And you also know Frank, you’re in a position where you can say precisely what you want because the only person you’re accountable to is yourself.

“And Adam is thinking, ‘If I go at Queensberry and Tyson Fury now, it’s gonna make the situation worse.'”

Warren insisted: “That’s nonsense, that is such a cop-out by you, how can you even come out with that?

“So we’ve gotta just accept what you say and what your pundits say as gospel? When have I ever blackballed anybody?”

The conversation continued for several minutes more, and Warren concluded: “I ain’t fallen out with nobody, I’m just telling you how it is.”

Haydock’s Betfair Chase betting: Top 2023 Betfair Chase odds and tips

Betting Reporter — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:46:44 +0000

There is no doubt that the jumps season is now well and truly in full swing, with the first Grade 1 race of the season and one of the biggest races of the year set to take place at Haydock Park on Saturday, the Grade 1 Betfair Chase.

Run over three miles and one and a half furlongs, the Betfair Chase is the opening race of the jumps ‘triple crown’, which is followed by the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park and brought to a close with the biggest prize of all, the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Some of the biggest names in jumps racing have won the Betfair Chase since it was established in 2005, including Cheltenham Gold Cup heroes Kauto Star, Imperial Commander and A Plus Tard.

The Dan Skelton-trained Protektorat will be bidding to win back-to-back renewals of the Betfair Chase on Saturday afternoon, but he will have to defeat a top-class field if he is to do it. We’ve taken a look at all of the Betfair Chase odds and Betfair Chase betting offers to give you a head start to this weekend’s big race with this handy guide.

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Betfair Chase winner odds

The Betfair Chase is one of the most prestigious chases of the entire season, meaning that a top-quality field is assured for the Grade One contest.

Four runners remained in the contest at Monday’s declarations stage and we have listed the latest Betfair Chase odds below. Please note that some of the jockey bookings have yet to be confirmed at the time of writing and like the odds listed are subject to change.

PROTEKTORART (Harry Skelton) at 2/1 with bet365
BRAVEMANSGAME (Daryl Jacob) at 5/6 with Unibet
ROYALE PAGAILLE (Charlie Deutsch) at 9/1 with 888sport
CORACH RAMBLER (Derek Fox) at 11/1 with William Hill

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Our top Betfair Chase betting tip

The Betfair Chase is the first big test of the season for chasers with aspirations of winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with this race around half a furlong shy of the distance of the Cheltenham Festival showpiece next March.

All four runners in the field would have seriously strong claims on their best form and this is likely to be a very tight race. However, we think that last year’s winner will take all the beating.

Back PROTEKTORAT to win at 2/1 with bet365

With Shishkin headed to Ascot on Saturday for the 1965 Chase, this could boil down to a straight scrap between two of the triple crown winners from last season, last year’s Betfair Chase winner Protektorat and the King George hero Bravemansgame.

The latter will almost certainly strip fitter for his effort to finish second in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby earlier this month and will be a huge threat here, but he may have to settle for the runners-up berth once again – with regular partner Harry Cobden opting to head to Ascot.

Protektorat was nothing short of dazzling when winning this first-time out in similar conditions 12 months ago and while he was behind Bravemansgame in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last March, he has shown he’s more than capable of handling attritional conditions.

This is a big plus with heavy ground expected on Saturday and there’s no doubt that Dan Skelton will have his charge ready for this. If he can replicate the form of his win here last year, he is very much the one to beat.

Back Protektorat to win the race at 2/1 with bet365

Who are the most prominent contenders for the 2023 Betfair Chase race?

This year’s renewal of the Grade 1 Betfair Chase looks set to be a cracker, with last year’s winner Protektorat set to lock horns with the King George VI Chase hero and Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Bravemansgame. With each of the fire runners having some sort of chance of victory according to the Betfair Chase betting odds, we’ve looked at each of their chances below.

Protektorat, 2/1 with bet365 (Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Harry Skelton)

A brilliant winner of this race 12 months ago, who is bidding to become the first back-to-back winner of the Betfair Chase since Bristol De Mai in 2017 and 2018.

He was in supreme form here last year, though he didn’t quite reach those levels in two subsequent starts, finishing fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup – three places behind the re-opposing Bravemansgame.

This track seems to bring out the best in him however and having proven that he can both handle the forecast heavy ground and run well fresh, he rates as the one to beat for Dan Skelton.

Bet on Protektorat to win the race at 2/1 with bet365

Bravemansgame, 5/6 with Unibet (Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Daryl Jacob)

A top-class chaser on his day, winning last season’s King George VI Chase in stunning style at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, defeating the re-opposing Royale Pagaille by 14 lengths.

He backed that up with a fine effort to finish second behind Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and while he could only fill the same position on return in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby earlier this month, he will strip fitter for that excursion.

Regular partner Harry Cobden heads to Ascot, though Daryl Jacob rates as a fine deputy and Bravemansgame is a huge threat with race fitness on his side.

Pick Bravemansgame at 5/6 with Unibet

Royale Pagaille, 9 /1 with 888sport (Trainer: Venetia Williams, Jockey: Charlie Deutsch)

A top-class chaser on his day and a regular in the big races in the staying chase circuit. He was winless in three starts last term but performed with great credit, finishing second in the King George VI Chase at Kempton and a noble sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

He seems to come alive at this track and has produced his best form here, winning back-to-back renewals of the Grade 2 Peter Marsh Chase with supreme weight-carrying performances. Heavy ground is his forte and he isn’t one to chalk off should the rain continue to fall – though his record first time out is a mixed one.

Choose Royale Pagaille at 9 /1 with 888sport

Corach Rambler, 1 1 /1 with William Hill (Trainer: Lucinda Russell, Jockey: Derek Fox)

A brilliant winner of last year’s Grand National at Aintree, who is getting a well-deserved crack at a Grade 1 contest.

It remains to be seen whether he will be able to break out of handicap company and into this kind of level, but his victories at both Aintree and the Cheltenham Festival last term were bordering on top-class and he’s certainly deserving of his place.

He should arrive here fit after a pipe-opener at Kelso in October and having won on heavy ground in the past, he’s a fascinating contender for Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore.

Pick Corach Rambler at 1 1 /1 with William Hill

How to place a 2023 Betfair Chase bet

If you are new to betting on sports, placing a bet on the horse racing can seem daunting. However, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to betting on the Betfair Chase.

Pick among the best horse racing betting sites to wager on the Betfair Chase with. If you already have an account set up that’s great but if you don’t, we recommend any of Betfair, 888sport and William Hill.
Head to your selected bookmaker’s website and click ‘sign up’. Enter your details and don’t forget to add any promotional codes required to earn any free bets tokens or bonuses. Make sure you fully check the terms and conditions for the free bet offers beforehand.
Once you have signed up for a betting account, you need to select a horse in the Betfair Chase. You can either look at the form on the Racing Post or you can do it on the bookmaker’s site. To do the latter, head to the sports section and click on ‘horse racing’.
From there, navigate to the races on Saturday 25^th November and look for the meeting at Haydock Park.
Select the Betfair Chase, which is the 3.00pm race on Saturday 25^th November.
Find the horse you want to back and click on the price next to your selection. Your horse and their price will appear in the bet slip.
Enter your stake. If you wanted to place a £10 win bet, you would place a 10 into the box. If you would like to place an each-way bet, make sure you select that.
Your potential returns should appear in the bet slip and once you are happy with everything, select ‘place bet’.
Good luck!

Which sites have the best offers for Betfair Chase betting?

With so many bookmakers out there to choose from, punters can take advantage of some fantastic free bets and betting offers on the horse racing.

The Betfair Chase is a huge betting race, meaning that bookmakers are willing to pull out all the stops to stand out by producing some excellent offers. We’ve listed some of the best Betfair Chase betting offers that we could find below.

1. Betfair

Betfair are the sponsors of the Betfair Chase and you can earn £30 in free bets when you sign up and place a £10 bet on horse racing. Simply sign up for a new account and place a bet of £10 on horse racing at odds of 1-2 or more. Once the bet has been settled, £30 in sportsbook free bets will be credited to your account.

Betfair also has a welcome offer for football fans signing up to their platform for the first time.

Betfair Offer

Bet £10 at the Betfair Chase and get £45 in free bets

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New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on Horse Racing on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £45 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days and can be used on Horse racing multiples only. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.

2. Paddy Power

New Paddy Power customers can earn up to £50 in free bets as money back if any of their first five bets lose. Simply sign up for a Paddy Power account and place five bets of up to £10 on horse racing at odds of evens or greater. If any of your selections lose, Paddy Power will refund those as free bets – to a maximum amount of £50 if all five of your first bets lose (£10 per bet).

Paddy Power Offer

Get up to £50 in free bets

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Place 5x£10 Sportsbook bets on any Horse racing market at minimum odds of 2.0 (Evs), and get money back as a Free Bet if it loses. Max refund per qualifying bet is £10 (up to £50 in total). Only deposits made via Cards will be eligible for the promotion (Apple Pay excluded). T&Cs apply

3. Coral

Coral are offering a £20 free bet to new customers who sign up and stake £5 on horse racing. Simply sign up for a Coral account and place a £5 bet on horse racing at odds of 1-2 or greater and once that bet has been settled, a £20 free bet will be credited to your account.

Which jockey and trainer have been the most successful in the Betfair Chase?

The Betfair Chase is one of the more recent marquee events on the jumps racing calendar, being registered as the Lancashire Chase back in 2005. It has quickly become one of the best chases around however, with some excellent winners since then.

The 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls has a fabulous record in the Betfair Chase, winning the race on six occasions. Nicholls’ record six Betfair Chase wins have come courtesy of four victories with the great Kauto Star (who won it in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011) and two wins with Silvianaco Conti (in 2012 and 2014).

The most successful Betfair Chase jockey is Ruby Walsh, who now works as a pundit for Racing TV, RTE and ITV Racing. Walsh won the Betfair Chase on four occasions during his career, with those victories coming through Kauto Star (in 2006, 2009 and 2011) and Silvianaco Conti (in 2012).

What type of race is the Betfair Chase?

The Betfair Chase is one of the most prestigious races in the jumps racing calendar. It is the first Grade 1 contest of the jumps season and is run over a distance of three miles and one and a half furlongs. The race distance is around half a furlong shy of the Cheltenham Gold Cup distance, making it a key trial for the blue riband race at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The race is a staying chase and acts as the first part of jumps racing’s staying chase ‘triple crown’, which is followed by the King George VI Chase at Kempton and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Which racecourse is the Betfair Chase held on?

The Betfair Chase is traditionally run at the end of November and is held at Haydock Park in Merseyside. Although registered as the Lancashire Chase, the race has been sponsored by Betfair since its inception and has been won by some superstars since its creation in 2005.

The Betfair Chase is the first Grade 1 race of the British jumps season and previous winners of the race include greats such as Kauto Star, Silviniaco Conti and Cue Card.

How to watch the Betfair Chase race in 2023

The Betfair Chase will take place at Haydock Park Racecourse in Merseyside. The full address is Haydock Park Racecourse, Newton-le-Willows. WA12 0HQ
The Grade One contest is one of the most exciting races of the season and is set to take place on Saturday 25^th November 2023, with the race due off at 3pm.
You can watch the Betfair Chase live on ITV Racing and Racing TV, while the race is also available to stream on a range of betting sites. Some of those websites will require you to place a cash bet to watch it, while others will only require you to have a balance available. Please check with your gambling website beforehand.

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

Super Bowl odds: Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys get NFL Thanksgiving under way

Brian T. Smith — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:45:24 +0000

The Super Bowl is less than 100 days away.

That means it’s never too early to begin counting down to the NFL’s big game, which will be held in Las Vegas on February 11, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium.

The Super Bowl is getting closer and closer but one team is still on top

The Las Vegas Raiders are unlikely to play in Super Bowl LVIII in their home stadium.

The New York Jets probably won’t make it, even if Aaron Rodgers returns.

Here is talkSPORT’s updated list of the NFL’s Top 10 Super Bowl championship contenders entering Week 11.

10. Seattle Seahawks (6-4 | Last Super Bowl win: 2013)

Pete Carroll has his resilient Seahawks in the top 10 Super Bowl contenders list.

Seattle has a middle-of-the-pack offense and the defense is lower tier.

But even when Seattle takes a step backward in the win column, the Seahawks still have enough to remain in the big game conversation.

Carroll’s crew is second in the NFC West and staring at a playoff spot.

It hasn’t been easy for Seattle but as long as Geno Smith stays healthy the Hawks have a shot.

Super Bowl odds: +3700 with FanDuel

Pete Carroll often gets the best out of his resilient Seattle Seahawks team

9. Buffalo Bills (6-5 | Last Super Bowl win: Never)

The Bills have spent the 2023 season as one of the NFL’s most unpredictable teams.

Buffalo finally got back on track on Sunday, blowing out the New York Jets and resetting a shaky offense.

Inconsistency could be the Bills’ downfall but they still have time to catch fire

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Buffalo still has the potential to be a serious Super Bowl contender.

But it’s already past the midway point of the regular season and inconsistency has been the Bills’ weak link all year.

For Buffalo to receive better Super Bowl odds, Josh Allen must start playing like every game is a playoff game.

Super Bowl odds: +2500

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3 | Last Super Bowl win: Never)

Jacksonville appeared to turn around its season with a two-week visit to London in October.

But a humbling 34-3 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers was another reminder that the Jaguars still have a ton to prove.

There’s a long way to go for the Jaguars to reach their potential in 2023

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The Jaguars are coming off a smooth win against Tennessee and now face a pivotal divisional match up against C.J. Stroud and the 6-4 Houston Texans.

Jacksonville began this season as an AFC threat, started 1-2, then slowly climbed back near the top of the conference.

The Jaguars need to beat the Texans or they risk handing the AFC South to Stroud.

Super Bowl odds: +1900

7. Detroit Lions (8-2 | Last Super Bowl win: Never)

Detroit plays old school but modern football and is fun to watch.

So much fun that Eminem almost had a heart attack after the Lions’ latest thrilling win.

The Lions have taken on the personality of fiery head coach Dan Campbell, producing one of the best offenses and defenses in the NFL.

A season-opening win against Kansas City let the league know that this was a different Detroit team.

The Lions have been in the Super Bowl conversation all season since beating the Chiefs

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Even after a disappointing road blowout to Baltimore, the Lions are still in control of the NFC North and a near-lock to make the playoffs.

With Campbell receiving Coach of the Year consideration, Detroit is moving closer to cracking the top five of Super Bowl contenders.

Super Bowl odds: +1300

6. Dallas Cowboys (7-3 | Last Super Bowl win: 1996)

The Cowboys answered a frustrating defeat to Philadelphia with back-to-back blowout victories.

With Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Michah Parsons leading a deep roster, Dallas clearly has the talent to compete with the NFL’s best.

The question remains whether the Cowboys can take the final steps when it matters.

But there’s no doubt that Dallas has serious offensive firepower and the team that just put up 49 points against the Giants could be equally dangerous in the postseason.

Dallas definitely has the talent to compete with the best in the NFL

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Super Bowl odds: +1100

5. Baltimore Ravens (8-3 | Last Super Bowl win: 2013)

Lamar Jackson is obviously good enough to win a Super Bowl.

Baltimore is beginning to put the rest of the league on notice in 2023, starting with a point differential that is tied for the best in the NFL.

It has been ten years since the Ravens were Super Bowl champions

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When the Ravens win, they win big.

And they win often, with five victories in their last seven games, including three blowouts that have led to a command of the AFC North.

As Jackson enters the MVP debate, Baltimore faces a key divisional contest against Baltimore.

The Ravens must control the North before they can think about the big game.

Super Bowl odds: +950

4. Miami Dolphins (7-3 | Last Super Bowl win: 1974)

Miami is finding consistency at the perfect time.

A huge comeback victory against the Chiefs in Germany slipped out of Tua Tagovailoa‘s hands in the final minutes.

But the Dolphins downed the Raiders and remained in the hunt for the top spot in the AFC.

Watch Tagovailoa connect with a wide open Tyreek Hill, who sprints all over the field, and it’s easy to understand why the Dolphins remain so intriguing as Super Bowl contenders.

Miami should win the AFC East, especially with Buffalo struggling.

But the Dolphins must be more consistent weekly if they’re going to do real damage in the playoffs.

The right weekly rhythm will certainly help the Dolphins reach the Super Bowl

Alamy

Super Bowl odds: +900

3. San Francisco 49ers (7-3 | Last Super Bowl win: 1995)

The bye week was helpful for the 49ers, who again look like serious Super Bowl contenders.

San Francisco fans will be looking to Brock Purdy to keep the 49ers moving forward

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San Francisco, once the NFL’s hottest team, regained its footing with a blowout of Jacksonville.

A smooth win over Tampa Bay followed, jumping the 49ers over the Eagles.

Kyle Shanahan’s offensive creativity is again connecting with Brock Purdy.

Mr. Irrelevant will be the difference maker for the 49ers this season.

If he can be the QB that San Francisco needs, the 49ers will represent the NFC in the big game and could win it all.

Super Bowl odds: +470

~1. Philadelphia Eagles (9-1 | Last Super Bowl win: 2018)

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles joined Kansas City as the NFL’s No.1 contenders for the Lombardi Trophy with a landmark win on Monday night.

Hurts has nine passing touchdowns so far this season, and another six on the ground

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Philly just keeps winning and Hurts keeps hanging tough.

Hurts ran for a pair of touchdowns as the Eagles rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat the Chiefs 21-17 to put the rest of the league on notice.

It’s going so good for the Eagles that they’ve made a term called “Tush Push” football famous and offensive center Jason Kelce has been named one of the sexiest men on the planet.

Don’t be surprised if the Eagles and the Chiefs are the last two teams standing come February.

Super Bowl odds: +450

~1. Kansas City Chiefs (7-3 | Last Super Bowl win: 2023)

This is Patrick Mahomes‘ league and the Chiefs have been the team to beat so far.

It’s the Chiefs’ league and they are the favorites to win the Super Bowl again

But that all changed in Week 11 as the Eagles avenged their Super Bowl defeat to maintain their league-best record and offer a timely reminder of their credentials.

For the third straight week the Chiefs failed to score a single point in the second half and Kansas’ struggling offense continues to be a concern.

If head coach Andy Reid can find more points for Travis Kelce and Mahomes, the Chiefs should be in the big game again.

Let the countdown begin.

Super Bowl odds: +450

Manchester United injury list: Andre Onana, Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund join Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro on sidelines

Jack Cunningham — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:23:00 +0000

It’s been a bizarre season so far for Manchester United, and the injuries are mounting up.

Several players like Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez have barely played a game for the Red Devils this year due to injury, and there are no signs of the problems easing.

Andre Onana is the latest player to join Man United’s injury list

2023 AMA Sports Photo Agency

Erik ten Hag‘s options in defence have been particularly limited, meaning Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire have had to step in.

But there are players missing all across the squad, which, when you are competing on three fronts, isn’t ideal.

Manchester United’s injury list and how long they are out for

Casemiro [thigh injury] – 5 weeks

Casemiro started the 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle but was substituted at half time with a thigh problem.

Ten Hag then revealed he would be out until Christmas, meaning he will miss the remainder of Man United’s Champions League campaign.

Casemiro’s season is falling apart

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Amad Diallo [knee inury] – 7-8 weeks

Diallo sustained a nasty knee problem during pre-season that was expected to keep him out of action until the New Year.

He’s yet to return to training but could play an important role for the Red Devils next year, with Jadon Sancho expected to leave and Antony struggling for form.

Christian Eriksen [knee injury] – 4 weeks

Eriksen is set for a month on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury during the 1-0 win over Luton.

The Dane has been playing in midfield, and with Casemiro also out, there are going to be some tired legs in the centre of the park.

Jonny Evans [hamstring problem] – unknown

Evans rejoined United this summer, eight years after leaving to join West Brom, and he’s already played eight games this season.

However, he was withdrawn against Copenhagen with a hamstring strain after just 16 minutes, and it’s unclear when he will return.

Evans’ injury leaves Man United with very few defensive options

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Rasmus Hojlund [muscle strain] – 3 weeks

Hojlund started the 1-0 win over Luton but was withdrawn ten minutes before the end of the game with a muscle strain.

Man United hope he’s back before the end of November, meaning he shouldn’t miss too many games.

Andre Onana [unspecified problem] – unknown

Onana is the latest player to join Man United’s growing injury list with an unknown problem after leaving the pitch during international duty with Cameroon.

The goalkeeper was substituted in the 81st minute of Cameroon’s game against Mauritius and will now be assessed by the team at Carrington.

Tyrell Malacia [ongoing knee problem] – unknown

Where is he?

Malacia has yet to play a single competitive game this season and has been absent with an ongoing knee problem.

Ten Hag revealed in August that he was only a few weeks away, but the Dutchman is yet to return.

Malacia is yet to play this season

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Lisandro Martinez [foot injury] – 4-8 weeks

Martinez is expected to be out until at least Christmas due to a foot injury suffered at the end of September.

The Argentine has only made six appearances this season, and the Red Devils are missing his passing and aggression at the back.

Luke Shaw [unspecified muscle problem] – few days

Shaw is another who has been absent for some time, but he’s back in full training.

The left-back was one of United’s best players last season, and they are really missing him so his return could be very important.

Shaw hasn’t played since August

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Aaron Wan-Bissaka [ill] – 2 weeks

Wan-Bissaka has only just returned from a hamstring injury, but he’s now picked up a virus.

However, he should be back for either the Premier League return or the Red Devils’ Champions League clash against Galatasaray.

Manchester City vs Liverpool prediction, odds and betting tips

Betting Reporter — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:20:41 +0000

Manchester City and Liverpool go head-to-head in a titanic Premier League tussle this weekend.

Manchester City vs Liverpool betting offer

Manchester City vs Liverpool odds

Find the latest match odds for Manchester City vs Liverpool. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.

Quick Manchester City vs Liverpool betting tips

Manchester City to win – 8/11 with 10bet
Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals – 8/11 with bet365
Erling Haaland to score any time – 7/10 with Parimatch

Manchester City vs Liverpool predictions

Manchester City and Liverpool have been the two best teams in the Premier League over the last few seasons. And right now, they are the top two in the division once again.

City are one point clear at the summit of the standings ahead of gameweek 13. Liverpool sit second, level on points with Arsenal on third but with a superior goal difference.

Jurgen Klopp must feel slightly hard done by that he has had to compete with Pep Guardiola’s side since 2016.

Liverpool have regularly racked up 90+ points in the Premier League, while they have reached three Champions League finals under Klopp, yet they have still only won one title in this period.

Last season did not go well at Anfield, leading some to ponder whether Klopp had taken the club as far as he could.

Liverpool were already out of the title race in November of last year and they were not even able to finish in the top four.

But a sense of optimism has returned to Anfield over the last few months. It started with some successful work in the summer transfer window, as Liverpool regenerated their midfield with the additions of Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.

And the mood has remained bright given their start to the season. Liverpool have won eight and drawn three of their 12 league games to date. They are still in the EFL Cup and are on the verge of advancing to the knockout stage of the Europa League.

Make no mistake, though: Saturday’s showdown at the Etihad Stadium is their biggest test yet. A positive result against Manchester City would confirm Liverpool’s status as serious title contenders once more.

Man City vs Liverpool betting tips. 18+ BeGambleAware.org – Please play responsibly.

Manchester City vs Liverpool betting tips

Manchester City’s superb home form should help them get past Liverpool in the first game of the Premier League weekend.

Manchester City to win – 8/11 (10bet)

Manchester City have not had everything their own way so far this season. By their own high standards, they have not been at their very best.

It is a testament to City, then, that they are still top of the Premier League table. Defeats by Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers have been offset by nine victories, more than any other team in the division.

Guardiola’s men have also scored the most goals, while they had conceded the fewest before a 4-4 draw with Chelsea in their last game prior to the international break.

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That thrilling encounter at Stamford Bridge showed that City can be got at. Yet it also demonstrated that they remain the team to beat in England’s top flight. Even though they were second-best at times, they were just a few minutes away from emerging with all three points.

In all competitions, City have failed to win four matches in 2023/24 – and all have been away from home. Thrown in the UEFA Super Cup and the Community Shield and City have drawn or lost six times on unfamiliar turf.

On the flip side, Guardiola’s side have won 24 home matches on the bounce in all competitions. We fancy their chances of making it 25 this weekend.

Back Manchester City to beat Liverpool at 8/11 with 10bet

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals – 8/11 (bet365)

Manchester City are particularly strong in attacking areas when they play in front of their own fans.

During the aforementioned 24-game winning streak at the Etihad, City have scored 79 goals. That works out at an astonishing 3.3 per match.

They are not merely flat-track bullies either. In that time City have put four past Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Goals should be on the cards in this one, then. They usually are in this fixture. Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals would have paid out in seven of the last eight head-to-head clashes between this pair.

Liverpool will certainly be confident of breaching City’s backline. They possess the deepest pool of attacking quality in the Premier League right now, with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez competing for just three places in the XI.

Go for both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 8/11 with bet365

Erling Haaland to score any time – 7/10 (Parimatch)

There was talk a couple of months back that Erling Haaland did not look like his normal self. Such statements look silly now.

The Norway international enjoyed a record-breaking season last time out and he is likely to collect yet more individual accolades in 2023/24.

He sits at the top of the Premier League scoring charts with 13 goals in 12 appearances. Haaland has notched a brace in four of his last five games in all competitions.

The Norway international did not score against Liverpool in the top flight last term, although he missed City’s 4-1 victory in April.

He will be desperate to make his mark against such a famous name and he should get chances to find the net given City’s unrivalled ability to create chances.

Back Erling Haaland to score any time at 7/10 with Parimatch

How to watch Manchester City vs Liverpool

Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
Date and time: Saturday 25 November 2023, 12.30pm
How to watch: TNT Sports 1

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on Twitter @GregLeaFootball

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
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Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

Best casino software providers at UK casinos

Betting Reporter — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:14:10 +0000

The iGaming industry is one fuelled by innovation, and the pool of talented software providers and developers continues to grow every year.

The following casino software providers are the ones we have identified as the best on the market right now.

Play’n GO
Evolution
Pragmatic Play
Relax Gaming
Playtech
Games Global/Microgaming
NetEnt
BetSoft
Yggdrasil
Quickspin

Most popular casino software providers

Let’s take a more detailed look at the ten most popular casino software providers working in the UK right now.

1. Play’n GO

Company Established: 2005
Portfolio: Slots
Overall gaming experience: Play’n Go is one of the industry’s most popular developers and is a staple of any good online slot lobby. The studio is famous for titles like Book of Dead and Reactoonz, with the ‘Book of’ mechanic becoming one of the most successful in online slot history. Its slots are all stylishly designed, often exploring a range of different themes and genres and providing excellent mobile gameplay options.
Themes: Varied
Top Games: Book of Dead, Reactoonz, Fire Joker, Hugo, Honey Rush, Moon Princess.

Play’n GO is our pick for top software provider for a number of reasons. The staying power and influence of its games is huge, with the ‘Book of’ gaming mechanics becoming one of the most popular in the industry today. The developer also continues to deliver top-quality slots each and every month, constantly finding new ways to engage with its players.

2. Evolution

Company Established: 2006
Portfolio: Live Casino
Overall gaming experience: Evolution is seen as the industry standard-bearer for live casino games. Not only does the studio develop traditional casino games like baccarat, roulette, and blackjack, but it also develops TV-show-style games like Dream Catcher, Monopoly Live, and Funky Time.
Themes: Varies
Top Games: Lightning Roulette, Dream Catcher, Crazy Time, Monopoly Live, Infinite Blackjack

No developer comes close to Evolution when it comes to live-casino software. The provider’s name is instantly associated with quality and has become the benchmark by which all other live casino developers measure themselves.

3. Pragmatic Play

Company Established: 2015
Portfolio: Slots, Live Casino
Overall gaming experience: Pragmatic Play is an extremely active developer. While it specialises in online slots, releasing around eight new titles a month, it also has a live casino range, with classic casino titles sitting alongside innovative game-show and slot-inspired live casino products. Its most popular slots include titles like The Dog House, Wolf Gold, Chilli Heat, and the Big Bass Bonanza series.
Themes: Varies
Top Games: Big Bass Bonanza, Chilli Heat, Wolf Gold, The Dog House, Boom City Live, PowerUP Roulette.

Few software providers are as diverse and as active as Pragmatic Play. The developer has established itself as a leading name in both the online slot and live casino worlds and is more than worthy of a place so high up on our list.

4. Relax Gaming

Company Established: 2010
Portfolio: Slots
Overall gaming experience: When it comes to innovative slots and games, few have changed the landscape in recent times like Relax Gaming. The Money Train series was a huge hit for the developer, taking the classic respin mechanic and turning it into one of the most action-packed features on the internet. The introduction of the Dream Drop Jackpot, one of the biggest progressive jackpots on the internet, was also a huge step for the company and cemented its place as a major player.
Themes: Varies
Top Games: Money Train 4, Money Cart 3, Temple Tumble 2: Dream Drop, Snake Arena, Sloth Tumble

Relax Gaming is one of the most daring developers currently working, with the Money Train series being a massive hit with players. The Dream Drop jackpot has proven to be a game-changer for progressive jackpots, with players securing record-breaking wins regularly. Its slot releases feel like an event in itself, and the future looks incredibly bright for Relax.

5. Playtech

Company Established: 1999
Portfolio: Slots, Live Casino
Overall gaming experience: Playtech is one of the oldest and most established developers and software providers in the iGaming industry. While its modern-day slot output might not be as active as other developers, its technology and platforms are still used to power many top online casinos. It also boasts an extensive live casino portfolio, with popular titles including Speed Roulette, Prestige Roulette, and Mini Baccarat.
Themes: Varies
Top Games: Speed Roulette, Prestige Roulette, Big Bad Wolf, Mini Baccarat, Casino Hold’Em

Playtech is a top-quality software provider and is one of the most dependable names in the business. The live casino software is up there with the very best, and its platform has helped to take many top online casinos to the next level.

6. Games Global/Microgaming

Company Established: 2022
Portfolio: Slots
Overall gaming experience: Games Global made an immediate impact in the iGaming industry when it acquired Microgaming and all of its associated titles. Microgaming was an industry icon responsible for popular titles like Immortal Romance and Mega Moolah. While new titles are now released under the Games Global name, the quality still remains the same.
Themes: Varies
Top Games: Mega Moolah, Immortal Romance, 9 Masks of Fire, Thunderstruck II, Book of Atem WOWPot

Games Global has established itself as an industry powerhouse, with the Microgaming catalogue being widely adored by slot players. Classic titles like Immortal Romance and Thunderstruck II will always have a place, while games like 9 Masks of Fire, with its innovative Scatter-pay collection feature, have inspired many similar titles.

7. NetEnt

Company Established: 1996
Portfolio: Slots
Overall gaming experience: NetEnt is one of the industry’s most iconic developers. It is responsible for popular titles like Gonzo’s Quest and Starburst, both of which are essential for newcomers to the online slot world and favourites among more experienced players. The studio still continues to develop new and exciting titles, releasing new slots every month, most of which have been warmly received by players.
Themes: Varies
Top Games: Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst, Dead or Alive II, Divine Fortune, Finn & The Swirly Spin, Buster’s Bones.

There are few developers responsible for as many iconic slots as NetEnt. Games like Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest were game-changers when they were released, and they are still among the most popular slots on the market now. The company’s acquisition by Evolution in 2020 also saw the unique crossover between some of these slots and live casino action, sparking an industry-wide trend for live-slot games.

8. Betsoft

Company Established: 2006
Portfolio: Slots, Table Games, Video Poker
Overall gaming experience: Betsoft is one of the industry’s most colourful and creative software providers. It has a slot catalogue full of interesting themes and mechanics, with the Hold & Win feature, used in titles like Rise of Triton, Wish Granted, and Super Golden Dragon Inferno, being a massive success for the company. It also offers a selection of table and poker games, all of which boast stunning 3D graphics and stylish gameplay.
Themes: Varies
Top Games: Wish Granted, Super Golden Dragon Inferno, Craps, Red Dog, Pirate 21, Deuces Wild Poker

Betsoft is a company that prides itself on its creativity, and features like Hold & Win have become extremely popular with players. The provider’s selection of table games and video poker also helps to ensure its place among the industry’s best software providers.

9. Yggdrasil

Company Established: 2013
Portfolio: Slots
Overall gaming experience: Yggdrasil is one of the industry’s most daring software providers. Not only does it shine a light on other talented developers like Peter & Sons, Reel Play, and 4ThePlayer through the Yggdrasil Masters program, but it also develops its own unique titles and mechanics. Features like Gigablox, DoubleMax, and Infinity Reels are just some examples of the creativity we have seen from the company.
Themes: Varies
Top Games: Easter Island 2, Vikings Go Berzerk, Valley of the Gods, Book of Books, Football Glory

Yggdrasil may not be as hold as other providers on this list, but it hasn’t taken long to establish itself as a player at the top table. The studio is always looking for new and innovative ways to captivate audiences, as is shown by the Masters Program, which has been responsible for the launch of many top games.

10. Quickspin

Company Established: 2011
Portfolio: Slots
Overall gaming experience: If it’s a collection of zany slots with memorable themes and characters you are looking for, then Quickspin is the developer for you. This software provider is full of creative ideas, with titles like Spinions Game Day, Feasting Fox, Cash Truck 2, and the Sticky Bandits series being just a few small examples of this.
Themes: Varies
Top Games: Big Bad Wolf Megaways, Cash Truck, Feasting Fox, Mine & Melt, Book of Inferno

Quickspin is one of the quirkiest software providers on the market, with a portfolio that screams creativity. The studio has a regular release schedule, and you can provide its products at many top online casinos.

Best casino software providers at UK casinos

Types of games every casino software provider makes

There are many different types of games you will encounter at online casinos, and that list is still growing. The following are the most common types of casino software provider games you can find at UK casinos.

Casino games

Casino game is a catch-all phrase for any type of game that is traditionally played on a casino floor. This includes everything from table and card games to craps and other dice-based offerings.

Poker games

Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world, and many developers want a slice of that pie. While some will develop poker software that pits players against one another, there are also a lot of video poker titles on the market that allow players to compete against computers and the house to win prizes.

Lottery games

The lottery is an extremely popular way of betting, and many of the developers we have listed will also offer lottery games to players. These are mostly instant-win-style games, but some casinos may also run lottery-style bonuses and promotions.

Instant-win games

Instant-win games do as they say on the tin; they provide players with the chance to score an instant win. Games like casinos, scratchcards, and bingo are often found in these categories.

Scratch cards

Scratch cards are a type of instant-win game where players scratch at a virtual card to find out whether or not they have won a prize. These are virtual versions of the scratchcards you can find in your local shop and will often have simple but fun themes, with a couple of features thrown in to spice up the action.

Slots

Slots are the most popular types of games you will find at an online casino. These can come in all shapes and sizes, with the classic 5×3 video slot set-up being the most popular. Slots are constantly developing, with mechanics like Megaways, Dream Drops, Link & Win, and more becoming increasingly popular.

Live dealer games

Live dealer games give players the chance to enjoy a more immersive online casino experience from the comfort of their own homes. These use live streams to broadcast casino games directly to the user’s desktop or mobile device. The most common types of live casino games are table and card games like blackjack and roulette, with TV-show-style games like Dream Catcher and Monopoly Live being extremely popular, too.

Table games

Table games are any casino games that take place at a table. Blackjack and roulette are by far the most common of these, with games like baccarat and craps also being extremely popular at top online casinos.

Fishing games

Fishing is one of the most popular sub-genres of slots, with the collection gameplay mechanic being ubiquitous in online slots. Titles like Fishin Frenzy and Big Bass Bonanza are the reasons for this, with the latter inspiring a whole series of spin-offs and sequels.

Jackpot games

Jackpot games are games that have a jackpot win available. There are two types of jackpots: fixed and progressive. Fixed jackpots have a prize that does not change, while progressive jackpots are ones that grow the more people play them and the longer they don’t pay out.

Types of casino software

Download Software: Downloadable casino software is quickly becoming a thing of the past, but you will still find it at some casinos. This is software that needs to be downloaded to allow you to play your favourite online slots and live casino games.
Instant Play Software: Almost all modern casino games are instant play. This means players do not need to download any additional software or applications to play them. All of the slots that have been mentioned in this guide are instant-play titles.
Mobile Software: Mobile gambling has become incredibly popular, with more gamblers spinning the reels on their mobiles than ever before. Developers will use HTML5 technology to ensure all of their slots are mobile-friendly, ensuring players can access their favourite slots on their mobile casinos wherever they are.
Live Casino Software: Live casino provides players with a more immersive gameplay experience. Providers like Evolution specialise in this, offering games like Live Roulette, Live Baccarat, and much more. In recent years, we have also seen the emergence of live TV-show and money-wheel-type games, as well as live versions of slots like Gonzo’s Quest.

How does online casino software work?

Online casino games typically rely on a random number generator to ensure fairness. These are algorithms that ensure each spin of a reel or turn of a card is completely random and that neither the operator nor the player can have any impact on the outcome.

In the UK, all casino software must be approved by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. Many casinos take the extra step of getting their games and software approved by third parties such as eCogra.

Why pay attention to online casino software?

Casino software has a huge impact on your online playing experience. Not only does it impact the kind of games you will play, but it will also impact the loading speeds and availability of content. Different software and technology may not also be optimised or supported on different devices, which can be a pain if you want different gaming options.

Does casino software have any impact on payout times?

No. The casino impacts payout times and how long they take to process payments. The top online casinos will offer fast withdrawal options for players, with payments being processed almost instantly. The games and software themselves have zero impact on this.

Is there a best slots developer?

The answer to this is going to come down to personal preference. Some players prefer more established old-school developers like NetEnt or Play’n GO, while others like more dynamic and edgy modern providers like Nolimit City or Hacksaw Gaming.

Do casino software providers deliver games in free demo modes as well?

Yes. All developers will also develop free-to-play versions of all of their best games. These can be an excellent way to try out games before you play for real money. As per UKGC regulations, players in the UK will need to verify their age and identity before they can access any online casino demos for free.

About the author

Liam Hoofe

Liam is an experienced iGaming and sports betting journalist based in Cardiff. He has worked in the sports betting industry since 2017 and has provided content for some of the biggest casino and betting brands in the UK. He has also covered football and other sports for both regional and national newspapers.

Find Liam on Twitter: @LiamHoofe

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

Carl Froch says George Groves gave him ‘biggest beating of my life’ and recalls hatred for former rival who made his blood boil

Cameron Temple — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:01:18 +0000

Carl Froch took on some formidable fighters in his career, but George Groves gave him the ‘biggest beating’ of them all.

The fight that everyone remembers between these two was when they clashed at Wembley Stadium in 2014 and Froch knocked out Groves in spectacular fashion before retiring from boxing.

Froch and Groves fought in front of a post-war record attendance in their rematch

GETTY

But, this came after the pair fought for the first time in 2013, while Froch was WBA and IBF super middleweight title holder and a young Groves was gearing up for his first world title shot.

A huge amount of animosity grew between the two men in the build-up, which led to the fight being highly anticipated by boxing fans.

And on fight night, Groves dropped Froch in round one and seemed to be enjoying the better of the action.

But, in round nine, Froch hurt his opponent and the fight was waved off by the referee, and even all these years later, Groves insists the fight was stopped too early, describing it as ‘bizarre’.

With both men appearing on talkSPORT with Simon Jordan and Jim White, Froch joked: “One thing I’ve learned to not do anymore is try and convince George that fight was stopped correctly by [referee] Howard Foster – you’re wasting your time, you’re flogging a dead horse.”

Froch continued, talking about his first fight with Groves: “He was that far ahead on all the scorecards, he’d dropped me in the first round, he beat me up the worst I’ve ever been beaten…

“I’ve got it up there with probably the worst beating I’ve ever had, and when you look at how many fights I had, world title fights back to back, for me to concede that George Groves gave me the biggest beating of my life, that’s a big statement.”

As for why he had such a hatred for Groves during their rivalry, Froch explained: “He was a horrible, obnoxious little ‘beep’, I’m not going to swear because I know we’re live on talkSPORT, but he was horrible.

“He gave me no respect, he was playing down my performances, he said I was slow and that my feet were slow, he said I had no defence, he said everything he could to get under my skin.

“And when we came together and we did a ‘Gloves are Off’ ringside show he said I was gonna start crying… But, he was doing a great job because my blood was boiling.”

Froch and Groves went from being bitter rivals when they fought to great friends today

AFP - Getty

Froch then admitted while a number of fighters attempt to trash-talk their opponents: “Nobody does it like George Groves did it, he was the best.”

Groves then chimed in, saying: “It’s part of the business at times, you want to get under your opponents skin and if it gives you a bit of an advantage come fight night then you do that.

“But, ultimately I felt like what Carl wanted was a bit of respect from me, or what he deemed as respect, and I had it for him, I just wasn’t prepared to show him or give him that satisfaction.”

Nowadays, however, the two men are great friends and Froch confirmed that, saying: “What’s good about it is, George Groves became world champion in his own right… and we’ve both become friends, I never thought was possible.

“I’ve got so much respect and admiration, I mean look at his stupid smile over there.

“That smile I used to want to punch it down the back of his throat, now I want to grab hold of his cheeks and give them a squeeze.”

Will Conor McGregor be at Katie Taylor’s rematch with Chantelle Cameron? UFC superstar’s company erect 14-foot statue of boxer ahead of bout

Jack Johnson — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 13:53:21 +0000

Conor McGregor and Katie Taylor’s relationship is well known, with the UFC superstar regularly providing support to the boxing star.

‘Notorious’ has praised Taylor many times for her achievements in the ring and the Irish pair have a huge respect for one another.

The temporary statue caught the eye in Ireland this week

Forged Irish Stout

But ahead of the 37-year-old’s second fight against the undisputed super-lightweight champion Cameron, McGregor’s support has gone up a notch.

His company, Forged Irish Stout, is sponsoring the bout and they have erected a 14-foot statue of Taylor named ‘Katie The Redeemer’ on Bray Head in Ireland.

The statue is another show of respect from McGregor and he may be ringside this weekend…

Will McGregor be at Taylor’s rematch?

McGregor is expected to be in attendance at Taylor vs Cameron 2.

The UFC star was ringside for the first fight between the two that saw Taylor be handed her first career defeat.

Forged Irish Stout also sponsored that bout, so with there being a similar deal sorted for the rematch, McGregor is likely to be in the building.

Taylor will be boosted by having ‘Notorious’ at the fight, with the boxing legend appreciating the support she receives.

Speaking earlier this year before the first fight against Cameron, she said: “It’s amazing. Conor McGregor‘s obviously a big name here.

McGregor was there to console Taylor following defeat in the first fight

“He definitely is crazier. We have different personalities, but he’s obviously a very proud Irishman as well.

“So, it’s great to get the support from him for this event as a whole.”

And Taylor has that support again, with the 14-foot statue showing McGregor’s commitment to celebrating her success in the ring.

Forged Irish Stout spokesperson Doug Leddin has spoken about why they decided to create the statue ahead of the rematch.

Leddin said: “Bray will inevitably get a more permanent Katie Taylor statue but we felt the need to celebrate her with our ‘Katie the Redeemer’ tribute ahead of one of the biggest fights of her career.

“Like every Irish person we’re so proud of what Taylor has achieved and she’ll have the whole country in her corner when she steps into the ring this Saturday.”

Lewis Hamilton gives bemused reaction to Christian Horner bombshell over switch to join Red Bull and Max Verstappen

Lee Davey — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 13:49:32 +0000

Lewis Hamilton was bemused following claims his representatives contacted Christian Horner over a possible switch to Red Bull.

Horner revealed Hamilton declared an interest in joining Red Bull which would have seen him strike up an unlikely alliance with reigning world champion Max Verstappen.

Hamilton denied all rumours that his representatives reached out to Horner over a move earlier this year

Rex

But the seven-time Formula 1 world champion poured cold water over the bombshell revelation when quizzed on Thursday.

According to the Red Bull boss, Hamilton reached out to him earlier this year before the 38-year-old signed a new deal with Mercedes in August.

“We have had several conversations over the years about Lewis joining,” Horner told the Daily Mail.

“They have reached out a few times. Most recently, earlier in the year, there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest.

“’But I can’t see Max and Lewis working out together. The dynamic wouldn’t be right. We are 100 percent happy with what we have.”

A relaxed Hamilton responded to the claims and while admitting he did have contact with Horner, he labelled the Red Bull chief a ‘stirrer.’

“I don’t really know where that story has come from,” Hamilton told Sky Sports. “I know it’s come from Christian but I don’t really understand what he’s been talking about because no one as far as I’m aware from my team has spoken to him.

“I haven’t spoken to Christian, however he did reach out to me earlier on in the year about meeting up but that’s it.

“I just congratulated him on an amazing year and said ‘I hope I will be able to fight against you guys in the near future’. That was it so I’m not really sure, I think he’s just stirring things.”

When asked if he would be interested in a future partnership with Verstappen at Red Bull, Hamilton remained complimentary of their work but admitted a switch would not represent ‘the dream.’

Hamilton referred to Horner’s claims as ‘stirring’ when questioned on the recent revelation

AFP

"I don't really understand what Christian is on about!"

Lewis Hamilton responds to rumours linking him with Red Bull pic.twitter.com/kU8QRoxWik
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 23, 2023

“Red Bull has done an amazing job and it is an incredible team and any driver would love to drive for just a great group of people,” he added. “I think moving from a car that’s not so great to a winning car, from my perspective, that’s not a dream.

“The dream is to start from where we are and build up to winning and that’s why I’ve stayed with Mercedes.”

What is the Euro 2024 play-off draw and when will the fixtures be played? Wales face tough challenge to join England in Germany

Jack Cunningham — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 13:47:30 +0000

The main part of Euro 2024 qualifying is over, but some teams are still fighting for a place.

Twelve countries still stand a chance of making it to UEFA‘s premier international event, and they are now in a play-off situation.

Wales must overcome two opponents to make it to the Euros

AFP

It’s a really tough scenario and only three sides will be successful, leaving nine heartbroken nations.

What is the Euro 2024 play-off draw?

Unlike all previous Euro qualifiers, the 12 teams were selected based on their Nations League performances.

The group winners from all divisions in Leagues A, B, and C were automatically guaranteed a place in this play-off draw.

However, if they had already qualified, it passed down to the next best-ranked side.

League D were not meant to have any nation in the play-offs, but because fewer than four teams entered from one league, Estonia, the top-ranked side in D, got a place.

This new system has seen Norway, Sweden, and Montenegro miss out despite finishing third in their Euro 2024 qualifying groups.

Estonia ended up at the bottom of theirs and got a place, while Georgia were fourth.

Therefore, this new system adds importance to the Nations League and turns Euro qualifying into a straight shootout for a top-two spot.

Erling Haaland and Norway have missed out on the Euros entirely

AFP

These European countries all hope to make it to the Euros

Getty

Euro 2024 play-off teams

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Estonia
Finland
Georgia
Greece
Iceland
Israel
Kazakhstan
Luxembourg
Poland
Ukraine
Wales

Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has a very good chance of making it to the Euros with Georgia

AFP

Euro 2024 play-off fixtures and dates

The draw for the play-off semi-finals has been already made, which means that each team knows their potential route to Germany.

All of the semi-final games will take place on March 21, 2024.

There will then be three play-off finals and they will be on March 26, 2024, with the winner from each advancing to Euro 2024.

Path A: Poland vs Estonia
Path A: Wales vs Finland
Path A final: Wales/Finland vs Poland/Estonia

Path B: Israel vs Iceland
Path B: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Ukraine
Path B final: Bosnia-Herzegovina/Ukraine vs Israel/Iceland

Path C: Georgia vs Luxembourg
Path C: Greece vs Kazakhstan
Path C final: Georgia/Luxembourg vs Greece/Kazakhstan

Robert Lewandowski and co could face a trip to Wales to decide their Euro 2024 fate

Getty

Euro 2024 play-offs: Wales’ path

Wales have been handed a potentially tough test, but it could have been worse.

For one, they are at home for their semi-final game against Finland, and should they win that, they will be at home for the final, which would see them play either Poland or Estonia.

Now, you would assume it will be Poland, given Estonia’s dreadful displays during qualifying, but you never know.

If they are to face Poland, they will be going up against Robert Lewandowski and co, who they faced during their Nations League campaign and lost both games.

The two fixtures were tightly contested, and on another day, Wales would have won both, so they shouldn’t have anything to fear.

And Wales boss, Rob Page, was pleased with the draw.

When asked if this was the best they could have hoped for at a press conference, he said: “Yeah, I think so.

“We’ve got the home leg for the semi-final. We didn’t particularly want to play Ukraine again.

“I am taking nothing away from Finland, it’s going to be a very tough challenge, but we’ve proven we are capable of getting fantastic results, so we are hoping for two big efforts.”

I suffered famous KO in failed UFC run – now I’m fighting for a world title and $1 million

Jordan Ellis — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 13:45:00 +0000

Impa Kasangany hopes to finally live down his most famous loss by becoming a world champion and winning $1 million at PFL 10.

Most fans will recognise the 29-year-old as the unlucky fighter who got knocked out cold by Joaquin Buckley’s jumping spinning back kick in October 2020.

Buckley scored one of the greatest knockouts in UFC history in 2020

Getty Images - Getty

The shot impressed UFC CEO Dana White, former US president Donald Trump, rapper Kanye West and literally every MMA fan – it also changed Buckley’s life forever.

However, the man on the receiving end of one of MMA’s most vicious KOs ended up on a downward spiral and he was cut by the UFC – but that didn’t deter him.

“When I got knocked out by Buckley, I don’t remember what happened,” Kasanganay told MMA Junkie at a PFL media day last month.

“I was just like, ‘What happened? What happened?’ But once I got in the ambulance, my dad was like, ‘Go look at your phone.’

“I watched it, and I was like, ‘Ok, good shot.’ But I came into MMA to become a champion. If that’s the route for me to become a champion, then that’s it.

“I didn’t know then why that happened. I didn’t pray for that to happen, trust me, I didn’t. I was like, ‘OK, cool. How do I rise from this?’

“My dad always told me, ‘In order to know your glory, they first need to understand your story.’

“When people ask me about it, I say, ‘Play that highlight as much as you want. It’s great, credit to him. But the day that I’m champion, play that highlight too.’”

It’s a loss that still haunts Kasanganay

Getty Images - Getty

Despite that, he’s on the brink of achieving greatness

@impak5 - instagram

Kasanganay is just one win away from realising his world-champion dream.

The American fighter, who is the son of Congolese immigrants, has revived his career by winning five consecutive fights under the PFL banner.

On Friday, at the PFL World Championships in Washington, he’ll face 12-1 fighter Josh Silveira in the 2023 light heavyweight final the winner will walk away with a new belt and a massive cheque.

Kasanganay, who will no doubt tell you the belt is more important the prize money, now views his failed UFC run as a blessing in disguise.

A win over Silveira will make him a millionaire

@jmdasilv - instagram

He added: “Thank God UFC cut me.”

“It was challenging to get fights there, all my friends were doing well there, great. All the people in the people who I knew in the organization, I love people there too, so nothing against them.

“I’m just happy for me because who knows when I would’ve gotten that $1 million fight or more or less or close to it.

“It’s also [good] too because you get to share that with your coaches and your team and the people who helped you get there and who knows what kind of percentage I get to share with them.

“It’s the overall bigger picture. Man, I’m very, very happy. I enjoyed my time there, and it helped me get better. I’m very, very happy I’m not there anymore.

“Nothing against them, but I’m just glad I’m at PFL.”

All that’s left is to complete that Cinderella story.

I wrestled Stone Cold Steve Austin in WrestleMania masterpiece but hardest was Iron man match against WWE star in his prime

Lee Davey — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 13:45:00 +0000

Few wrestlers get to sample the grandeur of Wrestlemania in their careers and even fewer get the opportunity to put on five-star matches.

The ‘Showcase of the Immortals’ is widely regarded as wrestling’s ceiling as fans from across the world unite across four nights for unparalleled action and a celebration of stars who paved the way for today’s talent.

Bret Hart cemented his legacy as one of WWE’s greatest performers with to huge Wrestlemania performances

As the event enters its 40th Anniversary in April, matches from bygone eras are rarely forgotten and for one Hall of Famer, back-to-back show-stealing matches at the star-studded extravaganza propelled him further into superstardom.

Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart’s battle with Stone Cold Steve Austin at Wrestlemania 13 is regarded by many as the best match ever to take place at the showpiece.

Austin was fresh off the back of his King of the Ring victory in 1996 and quickly picking up momentum due to his outlandish behaviour, use of derogatory language and rebellious nature, which was taboo in WWE at the time.

Hart picked up the victory after putting a bloodied Austin in the famous sharp shooter, only for the Texan to ‘pass out’ leading to the referee calling for the bell.

For the legendary Canadian, his tussle with the ‘Rattlesnake’ ranks as one of his greatest accomplishments, compared to his other WrestleMania duels.

“The match with Steve, that’s the greatest song I ever sang,” Hart said. “When I watch it back, I wouldn’t change a thing. I still love seeing that spot where I’m punching the daylights out of Steve in the corner and he kicks me in the groin.

“It was a beautiful, violent piece of art. Working with Steve was easy, it was fun, and it was memorable. We put a lot of heart into that match. It captures every element you see in a back-and-forth UFC fight.

“I loved the psychology of my match with Steve. I think of the expression, ‘No animals were harmed in the making of the movie.’ There were some hard falls and good shots with Steve, a fight between two warriors.”

For Hart, the responsibility of being face of the company in the mid-90s handed him the gruelling task of a 60-minute Iron Man match against a buoyant Shawn Michaels 12-months earlier.

The ‘Heartbreak Kid’ was vying for Hart’s spot as the face of the company as well as his WWE title.

The pair went head-to-head in the main event of Wrestlemania XXII, a match Hart calls the hardest of his career.

Bret Hart and Steve Austin produced a masterpiece at Wrestlemania 13

Hart and Shawn Michaels pulled off one of the greatest Iron Man matches in history

Hart also revealed his regret at being unable to create further in-ring memories with Austin and Michaels, due to his controversial exit from the company in late 1997.

“As far as the Ironman match, that was the hardest match I’ve ever had,” he added. “And Shawn, as I knew, was going to bring everything, and he brought everything, and I was prepared for everything, and it was two of the best wrestlers in the prime of their lives giving the match of their life.

“So I can never take anything — it’s a flawless, absolutely perfect match. Same as WrestleMania 13, for sure, my two greatest matches. Both guys, Shawn and Steve, I wish if I could have gone back and never gone to WCW. I wish I’d stayed there and worked with those guys just a bit more and Undertaker, and it’s a shame that history played out the way it did.”

Iron Man matches have always been an acquired taste particularly in the modern day preference of fast-paced action and engaging storylines, leaving 60-minute tussles a less frequent booking option, often reserved for wrestling purists.

But Hart’s battle with the ‘Heartbreak Kid’ for the world title in 1996 still tops the list of the all-time greatest Iron Man matches, despite the Calgary native tasting ‘sweet chin music’ before dropping his title to Michaels.

And now, as fans look towards the upcoming Survivor Series, there will be more nods to days of a bygone era as Randy Orton returns – out of nowhere – at the age of 43 to thrill fans.

Best Black Friday casino bonuses and promotions for 2023

Betting Reporter — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 13:40:00 +0000

Black Friday is a day when shoppers are out to bag a bargain. However, it has also been fully embraced by online casinos, where members can take advantage of a variety of bonuses.

On this page, we will deliver the best Black Friday casino sites, including the promotions to look out for. So, if you are looking for a boost at the end of the month, be sure to keep reading.

When to look for Black Friday 2023 offers

Black Friday traditionally takes place on the fourth Friday in November, which is the day after Thanksgiving for those who celebrate this holiday.

This year, promotions will be introduced on Friday, 24th November. Many will run for the entire weekend, until “Cyber Monday” takes over. Check out the specific bonus terms and conditions on Black Friday casinos to make sure that you do not miss out.

Best casinos for Black Friday bonuses in the UK

Black Friday casino bonuses vs standard promotions

Black Friday casino bonuses often differ from standard promotions. The bonus amount or number of free spins will often be greater than normal. However, the Black Friday deal will likely be around for a smaller amount of time, whether it be 24 hours or over a weekend.

While T&Cs still surround Black Friday casino bonuses, the wagering requirements may be lower. This makes profiting from the promo more realistic.

Black Friday bonuses at online casinos in the UK

As we have already mentioned, players can look forward to claiming a variety of casino bonuses on Black Friday. Below, we take a look at some of the most common bonus types available at our top-rated Black Friday casinos:

Black Friday signup offers – Welcome bonuses

Most Black Friday casino bonuses target new players. The most common form of welcome bonus is a deposit bonus. For example, 100% up to £100. Some welcome bonuses include free spins too. T&Cs here are likely to include wagering requirements, expiration, eligible games and payment restrictions.

Black Friday cashback bonuses

Cashback bonuses are increasingly common. As such, you may well be able to earn a proportion of your losses back on Black Friday. For example, 10% cashback on your net losses over 24 hours. In some cases, your refund will be processed using bonus funds.

Black Friday reload bonuses

For existing players, reload bonuses are likely to appeal. With this type of promotion, you will earn a bonus after adding funds to your account. For example, a 50% reload bonus on Black Friday.

Black Friday no deposit bonuses

While being difficult to find, a no deposit bonus is well worth taking advantage of on Black Friday. As the name suggests, no financial investment is needed. Instead, you will earn a reward simply for signing up for the first time.

Black Friday jackpots

You can even find larger jackpots on Black Friday. You can therefore potentially win big from just a single spin or bet.

Black Friday VIP deals

Many online casinos now feature VIP/loyalty programs. This is a method used by operators to reward players who regularly deposit money and place bets. Additional rewards could well be introduced on Black Friday. Free spins, faster withdrawals, personal account managers and more could be up for grabs.

Why play casino games on Black Friday?

Playing casino games online on Black Friday can be particularly rewarding. Of course, you are in with a chance of winning the jackpot as normal. However, you can also potentially unlock a series of rewards. An increasing number of casinos are offering deposit bonuses, free spins, reload bonuses and other promos on this day.

How to get Black Friday casino offers

Most Black Friday casino offers are reserved for new members. As such, you will need to register an account in order to qualify. The following step-by-step guide explains how to get your hands on a casino bonus this Black Friday:

Enter the website of your chosen Black Friday casino.
Select the “Join” or “Register” button.
Complete the registration form by entering the required personal details.
Enter a promo code if necessary.
Login to your new account.
Access the cashier page and select your preferred payment method.
Meet the minimum deposit amount when adding funds to your account.
Once funds have cleared, your bonus will be awarded.
Meet the wagering requirements of the bonus by placing bets on eligible games.

Do you have to use the Black Friday bonus on Black Friday?

This really depends on the type of bonus. Claiming a bonus on Black Friday does not necessarily mean that you have to use your funds or free spins on the same day. You will need to check the terms and conditions to make sure.

Free spins are often available for a shorter period of time, whether it be 24 hours or 3 days. Bonus funds will be eligible for longer, giving you more time to meet the wagering requirements.

What casino has the best Black Friday offer?

With Black Friday deals having not yet been introduced by online casinos in the UK, it is impossible to give our favourite. However, the casinos that feature on this page are well-known for their promotions and are likely to get in on the fun for Black Friday 2023.

About the author

James Fuller

James is an experienced copywriter with over a decade’s worth of experience in the iGaming industry. He is an avid sports fan, following football, tennis, Formula 1 and golf in particular.

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

Social casinos promos and bonuses for Black Friday 2023

Betting Reporter — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 13:35:00 +0000

Fall is a great time of year for many reasons and there is no doubting that Black Friday is something people across the world get excited about.

While this is very true in the USA, it is an event which people in other places like Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Ireland also look forward to.

This is easy to understand when you consider the amazing deals retailers make available on a variety of products over this period which save shoppers lot of money.

From general electronics to smartphones, washing machines and more, this time of year is ideal for anyone looking to grab the best deals around. Due to take place on Friday 24^th November 2023, this year’s edition is not far away.

Get th e High 5 Casino 250 GC + 600 Diamonds bonus!

The online gaming sector is also one that makes the most of Black Friday and this is certainly true when it comes to sweepstakes casinos. This sees a range of extra special freebies and promotions for gamers to make the most of at these sites

The best Black Friday 2023 social casino promos and bonuses

Fortune Coins – 100,000 GC + 200 FC + 20,000 GC + 400 FC on signup
High 5 Casino – Get 5 free Sweeps coins + 250 GC + 600 Diamonds
Stake.us – 25 Stake Cash + 250,000 Gold Coins
Luckyland Slots – 7777 gold coins + 10 Sweeps coins free
Global Poker – Use code PLAYPOKER and get 150,000 GC + 30 free SC
Chumba Casino – 2,000,000 free GC + 2 free SC
Funrize – 75,000 FREE Gold Coins with code TSPORT-US-FUNRIZE
Wow Vegas – 5,000 Wow Coins + 1 SC on first sign-in
Pulsz – Get up to 367,000 Gold Coins + 32.3 free Sweepstakes coins
McLuck – 150% extra coins on sign-up

Fortune Coins bonus

100,000 GC + 200 FC + EKSTRA 20,000 GC + 400 FC on signup

21+ Available in all US states except WA, NV, and ID. Terms apply. Please play responsibly.

SIGN UP

What Black Friday promos and bonuses are there for social casinos?

Social casinos have many options when it comes to Black Friday promos for players to enjoy and all usually come with specific wagering requirements attached. It is therefore sensible to pay attention to the most common promotions available over this period and keep an eye on what they offer.

But what are the most widely seen casino offers at sweepstakes platforms during this period?

Sign-up bonuses

Also known as Welcome Bonuses, these offers are aimed directly at brand new players. The exact sign-up promotions available at specific platforms differ but usually includes free coins and/or free spins. Even if you currently game at one social site, registering at others with awesome Black Friday welcome offers is a smart move. This helps you to get the most out of the extra special promos most sweepstakes sites run over the period and avoid missing out on the fun.

Jackpots

The experience of playing games at social casinos is all about having fun. There is no better way to do this than scooping big jackpot winnings and many social casinos make this a real possibility around the Black Friday period. This can see specific games available which offer large jackpot prize giveaways or special tournaments running which do the same.

Reload bonuses

Reloads are a common sight across the casino sector and see platforms giving out cool freebies to current members. This can involve things like percentage rebates on the purchase of coins, free spins on a slot game or giving back a certain amount of coins used from the week before.

Free coins

Although free coins can often be seen as part of a welcome package for new players, they are also a common casino bonus giveaway for existing players. This is usually done to reward people for their loyalty and sticking with a sweepstakes site over the year. As you would expect, this Black Friday casino offer sees a set number of free coins given to registered players to game with.

WOW Vegas free coins

5,000 Wow Coins + 1 SC on first sign-in

21+ Available in all US states except WA, NV, and ID. Terms apply. Please play responsibly.

JOIN WOW VEGAS NOW!

How do you claim and redeem Black Friday social casino promos?

There is no doubt that finding the best selection of Black Friday sweepstakes casino bonuses is worthwhile for all online gamers. To have a chance of really make the most of them though, you need some useful tips on how to claim and redeem them. This is simple to do by following the below steps:

Find the social casino you want to game at which has the best Black Friday promos
Click ‘Join’ to create an account on their homepage and complete the relevant details to register
Make sure any Black Friday deals which should have been applied to your account automatically (such as free spins or free coins) are there
Check out the ‘Promotion’ page for other Black Friday bonuses and click to opt in
Find the casino games you want to try (from slots to live games or table games) and have fun!

How long will social casinos run Black Friday promos for?

Although it is due to start on Friday 24^th November 2023, many social gaming sites will actually roll out Black Friday deals way before and after that date. This can see savvy players able to find amazing promo offers even when Black Friday is not officially running!

The key thing is keeping an eye out for these kinds of offers a week or so before it should start and then a little while after. This helps you to find more promos to take advantage of and get the maximum you can from social casinos at this time of year.

Are Black Friday bonuses better than normal bonuses for sweepstakes casinos?

Black Friday is one of those times of year when operators hand out some fabulous casino promotions that offer amazing value. These can often be better than the standard extras which they giveaway to new or current players. If you are looking to get involved with online gaming in the run-up to Christmas, this makes the promotional offers available at this time of year stand out.

Black Friday is also a superb time for players to bag a great deal at sites they are already registered with and look for top promos at new gaming sites. As the offers you can find over Black Friday really do take some beating, this makes it the best time of year to grab some awesome bonuses.

Are there Black Friday sweepstake casinos promo codes?

Bonus codes are another aspect of the social casino industry that players love around the country. A bonus code provides the opportunity to access exclusive bonus offers which aren’t available elsewhere.

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Responsible sweepstakes and social playing

Remember to play responsibly at social and sweepstakes casinos
A responsible player is someone who:

Establishes time limits before playing
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t play if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat

NFL Week 12 – NFL odds, betting picks, and best betting offers

Betting Reporter — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 13:21:16 +0000

The home stretch of the NFL season has arrived with plenty of storylines surrounding the league.

One of the most highly anticipated matchups of the season took place as the Philadelphia Eagles got their revenge in a Super Bowl rematch by taking down the Chiefs 21-17 on Monday Night Football.

The Eagles held the Chiefs scoreless in the second half and came from down 10 points to move to 9-1 on the season which remains the best record in the NFL.

Joshua Dobbs continues to show impressive flashes but was unable to lead the Vikings past the Broncos on Sunday Night Football. Russell Wilson and company squeezed past Dobbs and the Vikings in a 21-20 victory to move to 5-5 on the year and firmly in the playoff hunt.

Zach Wilson also has officially been benched as the Jets were blown out 32-6 by the Buffalo Bills. The pipedreams of Aaron Rodgers returning to help this team in the postseason are dimming and former Connecticut QB Tim Boyle will now attempt to right the ship.

Joe Burrow saw the end of his season come early after suffering a torn ligament in his throwing wrist on Thursday Night Football. Baltimore cruised to a 34-20 victory over Cincinnati, but the loss of Burrow is far more concerning moving forward.

With 16 teams across the NFL sitting with a .500 record or within one game of it, these final few weeks will dictate the overall playoff picture. There are no bye weeks in Week 12 and three Thanksgiving Day matchups to kick things off so a loaded slate of NFL games will help decide this. Here is a look at some of the best value on the betting slate for Week 12.

Best NFL promos for Week 12

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Quick NFL picks for Week 12

Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets: Dolphins -10 (-108) at DraftKings
Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns: Broncos -1.5 (-109) at BetRivers
Baltimore Ravens vs Los Angeles Chargers- Under 48.5 points (-110) at BetMGM

NFL Week 10 – NFL odds & betting tips

Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets: Dolphins -10 (-108) at DraftKings

The Miami Dolphins have been unable to beat a good team this season bringing on doubts about their playoff outlook. Luckily, the New York Jets are not a good team, and this is a terrific bounce-back spot for the Fins.

This will be the NFL’s first-ever Black Friday game and will be kicking off at 3:00 PM EST. Miami is coming off a 20-13 victory over the Raiders which pushed them to 7-3 on the year. While it was not the blowout victory that the Dolphins have been known to produce, the Raiders deserve credit for playing with a newfound spark since the coaching change.

It should be noted that both De’Von Achane and Salvon Ahmed both suffered injuries last week but neither have been ruled out for Friday and Raheem Mostert is more than capable of handling additional carries. This also does not impact the offensive firepower brought on by Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and the rest of the passing game.

There is far less optimism on the Jets side of things. The Zach Wilson experience finally hit rock bottom as he threw for just 81 yards on 7-15 passing with a touchdown and an interception last week. While it is clear he is not the answer, there should not be much more optimism for Tim Boyle.

The former UConn and Eastern Kentucky quarterback went undrafted in 2018 and has played in 18 games throughout his time with the Packers, Lions, Bears, and now the Jets. He has thrown for three touchdowns and nine interceptions across his 120 pass attempts at the NFL level.

After stepping in for Wilson against the Bills, Boyle completed seven of his 14 passes for just 33 total yards. It also should be noted that during his time in college, he threw far more interceptions than touchdowns. During his three years at UConn, he had just one passing touchdown and 13 interceptions. In his final season which he spent after transferring to Eastern Kentucky, Boyle had 11 passing touchdowns to his 13 interceptions.

Expect the Dolphins to come in with a chip on their shoulder looking to prove they should be regarded as a legitimate AFC contender. There is no reason for them not to be considering how wide-open the AFC is, and this is a great opportunity for them to pour on points. Miami continues to lead the NFL in scoring at 30.5 points per game and is in the top five in yards, first downs, net yards per attempt, and score percentage.

There is no reason to have optimism about the Jets putting up anywhere near this type of production considering they have produced just 15.0 points per game this season which is 30^th in the league. Tim Boyle did not look sharp in his opportunity last week, but it is tough to put full blame on him.

He will be judged much more in the upcoming week, but it is difficult to feel confident he has the ability the team needs. The bottom line is the stage is set for the Dolphins to pour on some points and cruise to a blowout victory. Expect them to secure a win by at least a two-touchdown margin and don’t be surprised if this game gets fully out of control and enters blowout territory. You can wager on this at -108 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Bet on Dolphins -10 at odds -108 with DraftKings

Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns: Broncos -1.5 (-109) at BetRivers

Both these teams have reasons to be optimistic heading into this matchup. Both are coming off narrow victories by a combined margin of four points with each beginning to find their identity as a defensive-minded team.

Cleveland managed to squeeze by the Steelers in a 13-10 victory in which Dorian Thompson-Robinson showed some signs of life under center. The 5th-round pick is not a guy who can win a game on his own, but he made mostly smart decisions and did enough to give the team a chance. With a defense that is holding opponents to just 18.0 points per game, which is the 6^th-best rate, and the fewest yards per game- this is all DTR has to do.

The Browns’ defense also ranks first in passing yards allowed, second in net yards per pass attempt, and leads the NFL with the fewest 1^st downs allowed.

For Denver, they have turned their season around after a disastrous 1-5 start to the year. They have now won their past four games over the Packers, Chiefs, Bills, and Vikings to climb to 5-5 on the season. While their defensive numbers are still inflated due to the 70 points and 726 yards allowed to the Dolphins in Week 3, this loss caused the team to take a hard look in the mirror to make some changes and the results have followed. Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph has played more zone defense, managed to generate more pressure, and has left more coverage personnel on the field.

The team has had much more success holding the Chiefs to just 9 points and not allowing more than 22 points in a game during the winning streak. Over the past three games the Broncos also forced 12 interceptions. Russell Wilson has begun to look more like the player they thought they were trading for and is leading the NFL in game-winning drives with four on the season. While he still is not quite the Pro Bowl talent he once was, he has thrown just four interceptions on the year which is a massive improvement from the 11 he had last year.

While the Browns deserve credit for their 7-3 record and dominant defense, the Broncos have more top-end talent and are playing their best football. Confidence is growing within the building and there are still levels this football team can grow in which they have not achieved yet.

Expect this momentum to continue into this matchup and for them to secure another victory over the Browns. The turnover-hungry Denver defense will cause some issues for the inexperienced play of Dorian Thompson-Robinson which could be the difference in the matchup.

DTR still has questions about his ability to make big-time throws and has four interceptions without throwing a touchdown so far this year. Ride with Broncos country as they continue to right the ship and Denver further cements their playoff outlook. You can wager on this on BetRivers Sportsbook at -109 odds.

Bet on Broncos -1.5 at -109 with BetRivers

Baltimore Ravens vs Los Angeles Chargers- Under 48.5 points (-110) at BetMGM

With the AFC playoff race wide open, this is a pair of teams that should each be looking to make a statement.

Baltimore is riding high with an 8-3 record and coming off a Thursday Night Victory over the Cincinnati Bengals which flew under the radar due to the Joe Burrow injury.

The Ravens received some tough injury news of their own as TE Mark Andrews suffered an ankle injury that is likely to end his season. This is a huge hit to Baltimore’s offense as Andrews leads the Ravens in touchdowns, first downs, and is second in both receptions and yards.

Lamar Jackson also had to go into the injury tent for a while and seemed bothered by an ankle injury. While he is not expected to miss any time, this is something to monitor moving forward.

On the season, Baltimore is averaging 27.6 points per game which is the 4^th best rate in the league. However, they are still a defensive-minded team holding opponents to just 16.1 points per game which is the second-best rate in the league. They also are third in yards allowed, first in net yards per pass attempt allowed, and fourth in first downs allowed.

The Chargers have been one of the biggest disappointments of this NFL season. They enter Week 12 with a 4-6 record and on a two-game losing streak to the Packers and Lions. While Justin Herbert has still impressed, throwing for 2609 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions, he has now fallen below .500 for his career record.

Herbert has been let down by the defensive side of the ball as the Chargers rank 23^rd in points allowed, 31^st in yards allowed, and dead last in first downs allowed. They have needed to outscore opponents to get in the win column and have not been able to do so. This is especially concerning considering the Ravens’ defense may be the best that Herbert has faced this season.

Expect both teams to struggle to score the ball and for this matchup not to live up to the hype most are expecting. While Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert will make the headlines, the defenses will play the larger role in deciding who will get the victory.

The Ravens offense is going to take some time to adjust to the loss of Mark Andrews and if Lamar Jackson looks as labored as he did last week, their offense will be much less dynamic. It also should be expected that the Ravens’ defense causes some issues for Herbert and the rest of the Chargers’ offense as well.

Count on there being some sloppy football in which neither team fully hits its stride. While it is a must-win matchup for Los Angeles, stay away from a side and look toward the under in this game. Don’t expect either side to eclipse 25 points and for the final score to end around 23-17. You can wager on this at BetMGM Sportsbook at -110 odds.

Wager on Under 48.5 pointes at -110 with BetMGM

Best online sportsbooks for the NFL

If you are searching for the best NFL betting sites, look no further. Here are the best sportsbooks we can easily recommend to NFL fans in the US.

bet365 (Available in: CO, OH, IA, VA)
DraftKings (Available in: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV)
BetMGM (Available in: AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR, TN, VA, WA, WV, and WY)
BetRivers (Available in: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, and WY)
Desert Diamond (Available in: AZ)
Betway (Available in: IA)

About the author

Sean Barnard

Sean Barnard has worked in sports media for the past five years. He has spent time as the 76ers Lead Writer for Philly Sports Network, Associate Editor at CluchPoints, Eagles Beat Reporter for YardBarker, and more. He also owns and operates his own Podcast Network called Pick Swap Media and is a radio host on Fox 102.5 The Gambler presented by iHeartMedia. Sean has written over 1500 articles and recorded over 500 podcasts and is just getting started. Based out of the Philadelphia region in the United States, Sean is a lifelong passionate sports fan who can be reached on Twitter at @Sean_Barnard1 where he rattles off basketball breakdowns and other news.

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 21+. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler

Responsible gambling

Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat

College football betting picks: NCAAF week 13 rundown and odds

Betting Reporter — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 13:15:19 +0000

With the college football schedule coming toward a close each team has its sights set on extending their season and qualifying for the best possible bowl game.

One of the biggest factors to consider here is the FBS qualifications that every team must win at least six games and have a record above .500 to be bowl-eligible. While the race to make the College Football Playoffs dominates most of the headlines, there are plenty of teams with their backs against the wall in pursuit of the other 41 bowl games.

As the current situation sits there are 130 teams eligible to play in the postseason with 68 of them having at least six wins already. 39 programs cannot reach six wins and 23 teams can reach this total and have the potential to qualify for a bowl. It also should be noted there has been a significant change in the College Football Playoff outlook.

After Washington secured an impressive 22-20 upset victory on the road against Oregon State, the Huskies have jumped to 4^th in the rankings. Florida State dropped to 5^th following their 58-13 victory over North Alabama, but their title hopes have decreased significantly due to the gruesome leg injury to QB Jordan Travis which put an unfortunate end to his college career.

There also is a can’t-miss matchup between 2^nd-ranked Ohio State and 3^rd-ranked Michigan which has the potential to be one of the most-watched games of all time considering all the off-field storylines and overall rivalry between the programs. With several important games for a variety of teams here is a look at the best value on the college football betting board for the Week 13 slate.

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Quick tips for NCAAF week 13:

Texas vs. Texas Tech: Texas -12.5 outcome at -136 odds with BetRivers
Boise State vs. Air Force: Boise State -7 outcome at -110 odds on BetMGM
Ohio State vs. Michigan: Under 46 outcome at -112 odds with DraftKings

Win odds overview for this week’s matchups

#9 Missouri (-7.5) vs Arkansas (+270 ML) | DraftKings
#7 Texas (-12.5) vs Texas Tech (+390 ML) | BetRivers
#6 Oregon (-13.5) vs #16 Oregon State (+400 ML) | BetMGM
#3 Michigan (-3.5) vs #2 Ohio State (+142 ML) | DraftKings
#10 Louisville (-7) vs Kentucky (+220 ML) | BetRivers
#8 Alabama (-14.5) vs Auburn (+500 ML) | BetMGM
#15 Arizona (-10.5) vs Arizona State (+310 ML) | DraftKings
#4 Washington (-16.5) vs Washington State (+540 ML) | BetRivers
#5 Florida State (-6.5) vs Florida (+200 ML) | BetMGM
#1 Georgia (-24) vs Georgia Tech (+1100 ML) | DraftKings

NCAAF weekly predictions

With several cross-state rivalries taking place, it is set to be a spirited week of college football. 23 games have the potential to close the door on teams’ bowl goals bringing immense pressure for plenty of programs. Most notably, Nebraska (5-6) will take on Iowa, Syracuse (5-6) will face Wake Forest, Florida (5-6) will play Florida State, and South Carolina (5-6) will kick off against Clemson. The season-ending injury to Jordan Travis changed the college football playoff landscape in a major way.

Florida State looked to have the inside track to the postseason with their 11-0 record and impressive overall resume. Travis remained a dark horse in the Heisman Trophy race with his 27 total touchdowns, 2756 passing yards, and just two interceptions on the season. He has been the engine of the Florida State offense for the past few years, and this is an unfortunate end to his impressive collegiate career. This also is the caliber of injury that will have an impact on the rest of the college football landscape as Tate Rodemaker will step in and attempt to keep the Seminoles’ goals alive.

Following the injury to Jordan Travis, Florida State has dropped to +2800 odds to win the National Championship after sitting at +950 odds last week. Georgia has overtaken Michigan as the favorite at +240 odds with the Wolverines right behind them at +260. Ohio State has the third-best odds at +550 although the results of this week’s matchup against Michigan are sure to shift the odds one way or another. Oregon at +600 and Alabama at +700 also remain in the mix.

The Heisman Trophy race has also seen a switch-up as Jayden Daniels has climbed to the favorite for the first time all season. The LSU quarterback sits at -115 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook with Oregon QB Bo Nix right behind him at +130 odds. Michael Pennix Jr holds the third-best odds at +600 with Marvin Harrison Jr significantly behind at +4000 odds and no one else in the vicinity. Even still, things can change so quickly in college football and the results of this week can turn expectations completely around. Here is a look at what to expect from more of the intriguing Week 13 matchups from the betting perspective

Week 13 picks for the NCCAF

Week 13 college football betting picks

With plenty on the line this week, here is a look at the best value on the betting slate and a breakdown of each matchup.

Texas vs. Texas Tech: Texas -12.5 outcome (-136) with BetRivers

Date and time: Friday, November 24th, 7:30 PM EST
Location: Austin, Texas (University of Texas)
TV/Stream: CBS

Texas will face off with their cross-state rival in their final Big 12 regular season contest before they leap to the SEC next season. The Longhorns enter with a 10-1 record on the season with their only loss coming at the hands of Oklahoma. However, they still need to win this game to guarantee their spot in the conference championship and keep their playoff hopes alive.

They have not been as consistent the past few weeks although some of this has been due to injuries as quarterback Quinn Ewers has missed time with an AC joint sprain and running back Jonathan Brooks is out for the year. Ewers is back in action now and on the season has completed 70.3% of his passes for 2513 yards and 16 touchdowns with just four interceptions. As a team, Texas ranks 29^th in the country in scoring at 33.1 points per game and are holding opponents to just 18.2 points per game which is the 16^th-best rate.

Don’t expect Texas Tech to roll over as they are playing their best football at the right time. After starting the year at 1-3, they have climbed to 6-5 and won their last three games. These six wins mean they are eligible for a bowl matchup even if the process to get there has not been pretty. Texas Tech is led by quarterback Behren Morton who has looked good in stretches this year but has yet to face a defense the caliber of Texas.

Morton’s last matchup against a ranked team was two weeks ago against Kansas when he passed for just 176 yards and an interception. He was held without a touchdown pass in that game. He has struggled when blitzed this year, completing less than 43% of his passes under pressure, which is concerning considering Texas will likely be the most intimidating defensive line he has faced. On the season, Texas Tech ranks 60^th in the country in scoring at 28.6 points per game and are allowing 24.3 points per game which ranks 58^th.

While the rivalry will be felt in this matchup, expect Texas to have the upper hand when push comes to shove. They still have plenty to play for on the season and will also have some revenge on their mind as the Red Raiders secured a 37-34 victory last year. It should be noted that the Longhorns produced a convincing victory with a margin of over 25 points in the two prior meetings.

Expect the defense to make the biggest difference with Texas’ defensive front to wreak havoc on the Texas Tech offensive line and prevent Behren Morton from finding his stride. The Longhorns will attempt to produce another convincing victory to further strengthen their resume. Expect them to get the win by at least two touchdowns and for them to cruise past this 12.5-point spread. Don’t be surprised if this number moves up slightly ahead of kickoff and it is something worth taking up to 14 points. You can currently wager on this at BetRivers to get the -12.5 spread at -136 odds.

Bet on Texas with a -12.5 outcome at -136 with BetRivers

Boise State vs. Air Force: Boise State -7 outcome (-110) at BetMGM

Date and time: Friday, November 24th, 4:00 PM EST
Location: Boise, Idaho
TV/Stream: FS1

Clemson has been one of the biggest disappointments in college football this season, sitting at 6-4 and completely out of the Top 25 rankings. However, they enter this game as 7.5-point favorites making it the first time in the 2023 season that the North Carolina Tar Heels are underdogs.

While this is unfamiliar territory for the team, they were 4-1 against the spread as underdogs in 2022 and have the pieces in place for a strong performance here. They are led by QB Drake Maye who has not received the proper buzz amid all the strong quarterback play this year.

The future NFL first-round pick has completed 65.8% of his pass attempts for 3145 yards and 21 touchdowns while throwing just six interceptions. Maye has also been the driving force behind why the UNC offense ranks 8th in scoring, 3rd in yards per game, and has a 92.2% red zone success rate.

On the other side, Clemson has played their best football of late which leaves some room for optimism for them. The Tigers most recently defeated Georgia Tech 42-21 and took down Notre Dame 31-23 the week prior.

Cade Klubnik is coming off an impressive performance in which he threw for 205 yards and four touchdowns during the victory. Clemson also has an impressive backfield duo of Will Shipley and Phil Mafah who have collectively run for 1313 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns this season.

As a team, Clemson ranks 46th in the country in scoring at 30.3 points per game and is allowing 21.2 points per game which is the 41st-best rate. They have struggled to keep the ball this season with their 18 total turnovers ranking 107th in the country. Clemson also has been known for their red zone defense in years past but sits at 67th in the rankings for this area of the field this season.

While Clemson is playing their best football of late, North Carolina is still the better team and the 7-point spread feels far too large. The Tar Heels have the 3rd best turnover margin among FBS teams and have only turned the ball over 8 times in 10 games.

It would take North Carolina opening the door for Clemson to capitalize if they have not proven to make these types of mistakes this season. Expect Drake Maye to lead the way and for UNC to have a real chance at the outright victory. The 7-point spread is far too large of a margin so jump on North Carolina to cover this figure and don’t be surprised if there is an outright upset. You can take this 7-point spread at -110 odds on BetRivers.

Bet on Boise State at -110 with BetMGM

#2 Ohio State vs. #3 Michigan: Under 46 outcome (-112) at DraftKings

Date and time: Saturday, November 25th, 12:00 PM EST
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
TV/Stream: Fox

The most highly anticipated matchup of the week will be taking place in Ann Arbor. This pair of 11-0 teams will be squaring off with the rivalry feeling at the height of its hatred. This is the first time in five years that Michigan is the favorite as Ohio State enters as a 3.5-point underdog.

It should be noted that Michigan has won the last two matchups between these opponents. This is sure to be a matchup viewed under a microscope with each side having National Title hopes. Jim Harbaugh remains away from the sideline due to the in-person scouting operation that led to a three-game Big Ten suspension.

While you can argue over whether the suspension will add fuel to the fire and make the team band together or not, Harbaugh’s suspension has been felt on the offensive side of the ball. The Wolverines have already tended to play more conservatively in bigger games and this has been the case without Harbaugh on the sideline. Against Penn State, J.J. McCarthy attempted just eight pass attempts for 60 yards and without a touchdown.

While the game opened up slightly last week against Maryland, McCarthy completed just 12 of his 23 pass attempts for 141 yards and an interception. In addition to Michigan’s offensive line being weaker than in past years, Ohio State is also holding opponents to the fewest passing yards per game of any FBS team. With plenty of weapons on the offensive side of the ball for Ohio State, expect Michigan to look to control the clock and not get overzealous in their play call. While McCarthy punished the Ohio State defense last year and has looked even more improved as a passer, expect Michigan to keep the game plan simplified in this matchup.

There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Ohio State in this matchup. For starters, Michigan has not looked impressive against either Penn State or Maryland the past two weeks while Ohio State has outscored opponents 75-6 the past two weeks. The Buckeyes have improved consistently throughout the season and will have the best player on the field in Marvin Harrison Jr. Michigan’s defense has impressed this season, ranking 2^nd in EPA per play and 10^th in Early Down EPA, but Harrison Jr will provide a unique challenge. Both of these teams have been incredibly efficient against bad teams this year but have shown some points of weakness against tougher opponents.

The winner of this game can pencil their name into the college football playoffs so there are some major stakes on the line. Expect both teams to struggle to move the ball and for this to remain a tight game throughout. Stay away from a side and take the under as each of these defenses will make their impact felt.

This game feels destined to finish in the vicinity of 20-17 as both teams make a conscious effort not to lose the game. Whichever team is able to break through for a few big plays will make the difference but take advantage of the conservative approach and hammer the under. You can wager on the under of 46 at DraftKings Sportsbook at -112 odds.

Bet on under 46 outcome at -112 with DraftKings

College football betting weekly highlights

Utah’s QB Cam Rising is out for the season as he recovers from a torn ACL
- Rising announces he will return for a 7^th year in college football next year
Iowa QB Cade McNamara is out for the season with a torn ACL
Baylor QB Blake Shapen is doubtful vs West Virginia with a head injury
Texas RB Jonathan Brooks is out for the season with a torn ACL
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders is questionable vs Utah with a shoulder injury
Florida State QB Jordan Travis is out for the year with a broken leg
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart is questionable with an undisclosed injury
Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended from being on the field by the Big 10 for the final three games.
- He served his first two games against Penn State and Maryland
- Harbaugh will miss this week against Ohio State
Home teams are 513-281 this year straight up (64.6%)
Away teams are 281-513 this year straight up (35.4%)
Home teams are 377-397-20 against the spread this season (48.7%)
Away teams are 397-377-20 against the spread this season (51.3%)
Favorites are 380-394-20 against the spread this season (49.1%)
Underdogs are 394-380-20 against the spread this season (50.9%)
Home favorites are 258-275-14 against the spread this season (48.4%)
Away favorites are 122-119-6 against the spread this season (50.6%)
Home underdogs are 119-122-6 against the spread this season (49.4%)
Overs are 392-388 on the season (50.3%)

Best college football betting sites

bet365 (Available in: CO, OH, IA, VA)
BetMGM (Available in: AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR, TN, VA, WA, WV, and WY)
DraftKings (Available in: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, and WV)
BetRivers (Available in: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, and WY)
Desert Diamond (Available in: AZ)
Betway (Available in: IA)

Big football fan? Check out the best NFL betting sites for the season!

About the author

Sean Barnard

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 21+. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler

Responsible gambling

Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat

Ireland warned NOT to appoint Roy Keane as manager by Gabby Agbonlahor who hated working under him

Uma Gurav — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 13:09:04 +0000

Gabby Agbonlahor has warned the Republic of Ireland not to appoint Roy Keane as their next manager.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that Stephen Kenny would be departing after the Football Association of Ireland chose not to renew his contract.

Keane has previously served as assistant manager for Ireland

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The Republic of Ireland failed to qualify for Euro 2024, but the final straw came as they capped off a frustrating year with a draw against New Zealand on Tuesday.

They are now in search of a new manager with Neil Lennon, Lee Carsley and Chris Hughton among the names to have been suggested.

But one candidate who could be in the running has sparked disapproval from talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor.

After Manchester United legend Keane name was suggested as a potential option on talkSPORT Breakfast, Agbonlahor, who previously branded him as a ‘bitter person’, was quick to make his feelings known.

He said: “I don’t see him becoming Ireland manager.”

Agbonlahor spent time with Keane when the 52-year-old worked as the Villans’ assistant manager at the start of the 2014/15 season.

And he was certain that Keane’s methods of coaching were not the right fit for the Republic of Ireland.

He remarked: “When I was with him at Aston Villa, his style of management now, it wouldn’t work with the players of this day and age.

Agbonlahor warned against Keane’s ‘aggressive’ coaching style

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Ireland are on the lookout for a new boss following Kenny’s exit

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“They wouldn’t be able to handle it. He’s too harsh on players so I don’t think that would happen.”

Agbonlahor added: “Players are different now to 15 or 20 years ago when they could handle the aggressive approach from a coach and a manager.

“Roy Keane would be that manager.”

After retiring as a player in 2006, Keane took on management roles at Sunderland and Ipswich Town.

He also held the post of assistant manager for the Republic of Ireland previously, as well as serving short spells at Villa and Nottingham Forest in the same role.

Keane experienced particular success with Sunderland, taking them from 23rd in the Championship all the way to Premier League promotion in 2007.

But Keane’s management style was not always appreciated and the Daily Telegraph reported that after he resigned from his post at Sunderland in 2008, the players had celebrated his exit – and Agbonlahor’s warning echoes such reports.

The Republic of Ireland are next in action in March where they will compete in friendly matches, but it remains to be seen when Kenny’s replacement will be announced.

Wrexham vs Accrington Stanley ticket row erupts on talkSPORT as Shaun Harvey and Andy Holt phone in

Phil Spencer — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 13:02:49 +0000

The dispute between Wrexham and Accrington Stanley erupted once again, this time live on talkSPORT!

Hollywood-owned Wrexham travelled to the Wham Stadium at the weekend for their League Two clash – a game they lost 2-0, however it was events on social media that caused a storm and stole the headlines.

Andy Holt, the Accrington Stanley owner, is not too pleased with Wrexham

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With Accrington increasing their ticket prices for all 5,261 fans in attendance – 2,587 of whom made the 75 mile trip up from Wrexham – from £20 to £25 for the match, the Welsh side took to X to announce that they would be reducing their prices by £5 for the return fixture at the Racecourse Ground.

That post was shared at 11am on Saturday morning, hours before the 3pm kick-off, and was liked by Ryan Reynolds, leading it to be viewed almost four million times.

That led Accrington owner, Andy Holt, to share a series of posts on X, taking aim at Wrexham and the Deadpool actor by saying: “Accrington 2 Hollywood 0. I think Ryan Reynolds should cut prices by a tenner. Safe journey home folks, get that on Netflix, Ryan lad.”

With tempers flared between both clubs, Holt was invited to chat with Jim White and Simon Jordan to have his say on the weekend’s fallout, but what followed was a big disagreement between three footballing powerhouses…

Speaking on White and Jordan, Holt said: “Our ticket prices are £20 per game, but when we have a big police bill or expect a big police bill then we increase the price.

“That police bill comes about by the away club’s behaviour – not our behaviour, because we don’t get any police bills.

“So if the cost of selling a ticket is a fiver a ticket because of the increased cost, then it has to be paid by somebody, and I’m not paying it.”

He went on: “I’ve got nothing against Wrexham, the Hollywood owners and the rest of it, but if they think they’re going to get their kicks by tweeting about my club, one of the smaller clubs in the league, just because they’re in a good space, then it’s not going to work.”

Wrexham announced that they’d be reduced tickets for the return clash just four hours before the game

X: WrexhamAFC

Ryan Reynolds liked Wrexham’s tweet which meant it was viewed almost four million times

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Simon Jordan replied: “Andy, I get the irritation about the manner in which they conducted themselves and I get it more in the fact they’ve done it before the game because it can inflame tensions, but what I don’t get is the commercial logic behind creating a situation around an additional cost that comes with a huge benefit.

“If your average attendance is 2,500 per game and an away support is bringing 2,500 down to inflate the revenues you get for the game, you charge £20 and you’re getting 2,000 more tickets than the average club does then you’re already bringing £40,000 of additional revenue in.

“If policing costs are £10,000, you’re still £30,000 better off as a result of them bringing more support than anybody else in the division.”

However Holt came back fighting, saying: “That’s like saying ‘if you bring a lot of fans we’ll reduce the ticket prices’.

Holt was not smiling after seeing Wrexham’s post on the morning of the game

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Accrington Stanley’s chairman shared a rather salty message on social media – although ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ is actually on Disney+…

“If we charge £20 per ticket but the cost of selling the ticket is an extra fiver, we’d then get £15 per ticket.

“Next time you go and see Madonna, put in all of the costs and see if they’ll let you have the ticket for a lower price.

“I don’t know when it was put to them but at the start of the season it was always going to be a high-category game, we go through it with the leagues and that’s how it is.

“They had tickets for weeks in the offices, so they’ve known it [the prices].”

Responding to Jordan saying he understands the logic, Holt replied: “What are you arguing for, then?

“This is how I run a business, so it’s not a fight. I can charge what I want for a ticket – to anybody and everybody. It’s my club.”

The Wham Stadium was half-full of Wrexham fans

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Simon Jordan disagreed with the way that Andy Holt conducted himself

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Asked how Shaun Harvey responded to the row, Holt said: “He just smirked when I called him about it.

“At the end of the day, they didn’t need to post about it and they didn’t need to retweet it to 21million of Ryan Reynolds’ followers.

“It just makes us out to be a thieving club or a club that takes money off fans.”

While Holt and Jordan respectfully agreed to disagree over the handling of the situation, Wrexham’s chief executive Shaun Harvey then joined talkSPORT to have his say on the club’s decision to announce that tickets would be £5 cheaper when the sides face off at the Racecourse Ground later this season.

Harvey said: “I don’t know if you can categorise it as cheeky. We made the decision that that was the action we were going to take in very much the same way as Andy’s entitled to charge the prices that he wants to charge.

“Just for the record, he increased the prices for Accrington fans as well, not just for Wrexham so there’s never been any suggestion that rules have been broken.

Shaun Harvey stood by the mass of Wrexham supporters who traveled to the game

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Wrexham contributed almost half of the overall attendance at the Wham Stadium

X: WrexhamAFC

“We took the decision to reduce the prices by £5 simply to compensate those fans who are having to pay £5 more to watch the game at the Wham Stadium.

“When did we make the decision? Probably Thursday or Friday that week.

“I’m sure we were informed what the ticket prices would be at the start of the season but whether it was explained that it was more than any other game at the Wham Stadium this season I doubt, although I have to reserve my position because I didn’t get the original email.”

However Jordan was quick to respond, saying: “You aren’t taking a commercial decision, Shaun. You’re taking a facetious decision.

“You’re taking revenue away from yourselves to make a point at the expense of Accrington and you know you are.”

Harvey responded: “We made the decision that we felt was appropriate and one that we were financially prepared to stand by,” to which Jordan said: “But you’re doing it at the expense of another football club.

Harvey was accused of virtue-signalling to the Wrexham fans

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Meanwhile Jim White was in his element as he sat back and watched the debate play out

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“You’re being facetious and you’re virtue-signalling to your own fans and the rest of football at the expense of Andy Holt who told you at the beginning of the season.

“You knew it and then you drop it on the eve of the game that you’re going to do something different so that Wrexham look great, Accrington look poor, and you create tension before a game which you know is not very good.”

“Andy’s made conscious decisions as well and Accrington have made decisions to increase the price and we’ve responded in a way that we felt was appropriate,” said Harvey.

“I think we’re as entitled to make our decisions and announce those decisions as Accrington are.

“Social media has been full of the debate in relation to the increase of prices at Accrington long before fans turned up at the stadium on Saturday.

“Our fans have been making the point for a considerable period of time, as have Accrington fans who were also making the point, so this wasn’t just created on the morning of the game, this must have started when the conscious decision was made to increase ticket prices.

While disagreeing with Holt, Simon Jordan also held Shaun Harvey to account

talkSPORT

“We agree with Simon that they shouldn’t have put the ticket prices up.”

Asked if he’ll be keeping the £5 deduction for the clash at the Racecourse Ground, Harvey said: “Absolutely!

“Andy will never be short of letting people know what his opinions are, so I don’t think we need to second guess what his thoughts on the matter were!”

The return game between Wrexham and Accrington Stanley is due to take place on Saturday, March 2 at the Racecourse Ground.

Get your popcorn ready.

England icon Ben Stokes snubs £1.6million Indian Premier League payday to focus on ‘workload and fitness’

Jake Lambourne — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:50:31 +0000

Ben Stokes has made himself unavailable for the upcoming Indian Premier League season due to fitness issues – which will cost him £1.6million-a-year.

Stokes became the Chennai Super Kings’ most-expensive player when he was purchased in last year’s auction for the same figure.

Stokes will play no part in the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League

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Injuries restricted the 32-year-old to just two matches in the 2023 campaign, which saw the Kings pick up their fifth IPL title.

Stokes, who recently came out out ODI retirement to take part in the Cricket World Cup – scored just 15 runs with the bat and bowled only one over, where he was hit for 18 runs.

And he will now forego his £1.6m-a-year salary, with MS Dhoni’s side confirming the all-rounder will ‘manage his workload and fitness’.

He is set to appear for England in their five-match Test series against India which starts in January, where he is due to undergo knee surgery.

A statement released from CSK read: “England Test captain, all-rounder Ben Stokes has made himself unavailable for IPL 2024 to manage his workload and fitness.

“Stokes, 32, became a part of the Super Kings ahead of the successful IPL 2023.

“He recently participated in the ODI World Cup 2023, which he came out of retirement for.

“The Chennai Super Kings management is supportive of Ben in his decision to manage his workload with England playing a five-Test series in India before the IPL and then the T20 World Cup in June 2024.”

England star Stokes was limited to just two matches in the 2023 campaign

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Stokes was recently in action for England at the Cricket World Cup in India

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It remains unclear if the reigning champions will release Stokes from his contract.

Indian cricket franchises have until Sunday to announce their release and retain list for the 2024 campaign.

Commenting on his fitness at the start of the month, Stokes said: “I will hopefully be fine for the Test series [against India].

“I am having surgery after the World Cup. There was a lot of time put into deciding when to get it done.

“The India Test series, which we start at the end of January, I should be fine to go by then.”

As well as the 2024 IPL season, Stokes will also be absent for England’s white-ball tour of the Caribbean in December.

The 15 most valuable young players in football from Erling Haaland to Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka

Phil Spencer — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:44:00 +0000

In a world where Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated for so long, football is looking for their next big star.

But out of all of the talent around, which players make it into the top 15 on the planet?

Plenty of talented young stars are hoping to fill the void left by football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Of course there are numerous ways to quantify talent, with different players breaking into senior football at different times, but the best of the best have wasted little time in making an impact.

That means that for players like Rasmus Hojlund at Manchester United, there is still work to do if he’s to rub shoulders with the best.

The same can be said for Lamine Yamal at Barcelona or Real Madrid-bound Endrick with the two teenagers facing the prospect of a formative couple of years ahead as they look to really make an impact on the global stage.

For those on our list, adapting to life at the top of the tree has been a breeze.

Each of our 15 players are shining week in, week out in one of Europe’s top five leagues – England’s Premier League, Italy’s Serie A, Spain’s La Liga or the German Bundesliga.

While France’s Ligue 1 isn’t represented, they need not feel bad with global superstar Kylian Mbappe just missing out as a result of being 24 years of age, making him too old for our list of stars aged under 23.

Here talkSPORT.com looks at the best 15 players, ranked in order of their estimated transfer value.

15. Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal | £70million)

Martinelli has come on leaps and bounds under the leadership of Mikel Arteta

The Brazil star’s quality performances have been a key part of Arsenal‘s meteoric rise in recent years.

After signing as a relative unknown from Ituano for £6million, few would have predicted how the forward would kick on to become one of the Premier League’s top forwards.

Pace and trickery was always his thing, but now the 22-year-old has added crucial end-product to his game after scoring 15 and contributing five assists for the Gunners last term as they narrowly missed out on the title.

While a troublesome hamstring injury has disrupted the early part of Martinelli’s 2023/24 campaign, Mikel Arteta knows that he’ll be crucial to challenging for the Premier League in the years to come.

14. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli | £74.5million)

The Napoli star has the footballing hopes of Georgia firmly on his shoulders

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Kvaratskhelia is a player with the footballing hopes of Georgia firmly on his shoulders.

After making his name in his homeland, the winger’s big break came with Rubin Kazan in 2019, only for his three-year stay in Russia to come to an end due to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine leading him to join Dinamo Batumi in Georgia.

After just a few months, the talented star joined Napoli and enjoyed a wonderful first season with the club as he scored 12 and provided 13 on the way to the Serie A title.

His form in 2023/24, along with his Ballon d’Or nomination, shows that the 22-year-old is only just getting started.

13. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen | £74.5million)

German football has a new challenger in town with Xabi Alonso‘s Bayer Leverkusen looking to push Bayern Munich to become top dogs.

Among their many talents is Wirtz, a player who boasts vast experience in spite of his tender years.

The 20-year-old was electric in 2021/22, before a cruciate ligament injury ended his season early and meant that he missed the first half of 2022/23 as well.

However Wirtz has overcome that huge injury blow in emphatic fashion and is now the beating heart of a Bayer Leverkusen side who are challenging for Bundesliga and Europa League glory.

12. Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid | £78.8million)

Tchouameni is part of a new-look Real Madrid midfield trio

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Tchouameni has the potential to be the beating heart of Real Madrid‘s side for years to come.

The French midfielder arrived at the club in 2022 after a successful two years with Monaco and immediately made his mark with 50 appearances for Los Blancos in his debut season.

While the 23-year-old started 2023/24 in typically dominant style, a stress fracture in his foot during El Classico meant his momentum was halted somewhat.

However with Real Madrid building a team that could dominate football for years to come, Tchouameni will be desperate to get back in on the action.

11. Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid | £78.8million)

Camavinga is already one of the best deep-lying midfielders in the world

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Since joining the club from Rennes in 2021, Camavinga has proven himself as one of the best young midfielders in the world.

The France international is one of the best deep-lying midfielder players in world football, an impressive achievement given that he’s only 20 years of age.

With a La Liga title, a Champions League winners’ medal and a Copa Del Rey already under his belt, Camavinga has picked up that winning feeling early in his career.

Given that expectations are relentlessly high at the Santiago Bernabeu, the midfielder could have a big role to play in the years to come.

10. Gavi (Barcelona | £78.8million)

The youngest player on our list, which just goes to show the supreme levels of talent that we’re talking about.

The Barcelona starlet graduated from the famous La Masia academy setup and wasted little time in making a big impact.

Despite being just 19, Gavi has already racked up way over 100 appearances for Barcelona, as well as claiming a La Liga and Copa Del Rey trophy.

However after picking up a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury, the Spaniard will be desperate to get himself back to full fitness at the earliest possible opportunity.

9. Moises Caicedo (Chelsea | £78.8million)

Caicedo is starting to show his quality at Chelsea following his £115m move

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The central midfielder was the subject of a hugely intense transfer battle in the summer of 2023 and it’s not hard to see why.

Having made 53 appearances for an impressive Brighton side, Caicedo was involved in a transfer tug of war between Chelsea and Liverpool, with the Blues eventually signing him for £115million.

Since then, the 22-year-old has already proven himself as a key player in west London, forming an exciting partnership with Enzo Fernandez in midfield.

Caicedo has a huge price tag to live up to, but given his performances for both Brighton and Chelsea so far, it’s clear that he has the ability to become one of the world’s best.

8. Rodrygo (Real Madrid | £96.3million)

Rodrygo might be one of Real Madrid’s most important players

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The Brazil international made the move from Brazil to Madrid after joining from Santos in 2019 for a fee worth £39.4million.

Since then, the winger has become a key performer for Los Blancos, showing that he’s much more than just a fresh-faced talent.

Rodrygo looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo as a young fan of Real Madrid, a perfect role model for someone who is looking to reach the top of the game.

But while Ronaldo’s career would be a tough ask for anyone to emulate, Rodrygo is already showing himself capable.

7. Pedri (Barcelona | £96.3million)

Pedri has the makings of a true Barcelona legend.

The Spaniard is one of La Liga’s most exciting players to watch after proving himself as a natural successor to Andres Iniesta in the Barca midfield.

While he actually started his career with Las Palmas, the 20-year-old looks every inch the La Masia graduate and got his first taste of silverware by winning the Copa Del Rey at the age of just 18.

Barcelona are going through a tricky time, but with young talent aplenty, they’ll never be too far away from the top of the game.

6. Phil Foden (Manchester City | £96.3million)

Foden is still only 23 despite being a first team star for years at Man City

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When Pep Guardiola tips you for stardom, you know that the football world is going to be watching your development very closely.

While some might suggest that Foden is yet to reach his peak, his role in Manchester City‘s recent success is clear to see.

The Man City academy graduate has already racked up almost 250 appearances for the club, while also picking up just about every trophy available at club level, including five Premier League titles.

Given that Foden first emerged in 2017/18, it’s easy to forget that he’s just 23 years of age, meaning that on his current trajectory, the midfielder’s record could be out of this world by the time he reaches his 30s.

5. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich | £96.3million)

Bayern star Musiala has no shortage of admirers

2023 Sebastian Frej/MB Media

The German international is well known in England, having spent a large chunk of his football upbringing with Southampton and Chelsea.

However since joining Bayern Munich at the age of 16, Musiala has not wasted any time.

The central midfielder, who can also play on the left flank, made his mark on the first team between 2020 and 2022, before enjoying a sublime year in 2022/23 with 15 goals and 15 assists to his name.

Now playing alongside Harry Kane at Bayern, the 20-year-old has the chance to challenge for major honours on the European stage, not just in Germany.

4. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal | £105.1million)

Saka is the jewel in Arsenal’s crown

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Just when Arsenal fans think that Saka can’t get any better, he finds another gear to slip into.

The winger is arguably the Gunners’ most important attacking player, something that’s shown by Mikel Arteta’s desire to play him in every game possible.

Saka will surpass 200 appearances for Arsenal before the end of 2023 and given his status as a regular for England, he rightly deserves his place among the world’s best young players.

The one thing eluding him so far is major trophies, something that he’ll be keen to add in the coming years.

3. Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid | £131.4million)

Vinicius Jr has the potential to be the world’s best winger

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The Brazilian star is arguably Real Madrid’s stand out player, but more than that, he has been for several years.

While only 23, Vini Jr has been part of the furniture in Real Madrid’s first team since the 2018/19 campaign when he made an immediate impact after joining from Flamengo.

Two La Liga titles, a Copa Del Rey and a Champions League later and the winger has the sort of trophy haul that any young player can only dream of.

With Los Blancos in the process of building for a bright future, there’s little doubt that he’ll be one of the club’s main men in attacking areas for years to come.

2. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid | £131.4million)

The football world is already running out of superlatives for Jude Bellingham

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If you haven’t fallen in love with Jude Bellingham yet, where have you been?

The midfielder’s story is a real tale of ‘hometown here done good’ after leaving boyhood club Birmingham City for Borussia Dortmund and making a success of himself.

In truth, that barely does him justice after joining Real Madrid in the summer and becoming one of elite football’s most in-form players.

Florentino Perez has already suggested that Bellingham is well on his way to becoming a Real Madrid legend – a massive compliment for a 20-year-old who has only been there for a matter of months.

But after winning the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy award, there’s a real feeling that it’s only a matter of time until Bellingham can add his list to a glittering list of Ballon d’Or winners.

1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City | £157.7m)

Haaland is on course to break just about every goalscoring record around

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Another player who looks set to scoop the Ballon d’Or – and lots of them.

It feels like Haaland has been around for years and years after hopping from Molde to Red Bull Salzburg to Borussia Dortmund and most recently, to Manchester City.

Each step that Haaland takes in his career falls perfectly into his lengthy stride, with his first season under Pep Guardiola seeing him score 51 goals in all competitions as City won the treble.

With Messi and Ronaldo now out of the way, it seems that Haaland will be a leading contender for all of football’s top prizes – a deserved status given his role as one of football’s greatest ever goalscorers.

All data has been sourced from transfermarkt.

Formula 1 star faces race against time to return for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after calling in sick

Joe Brophy — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:38:12 +0000

Esteban Ocon was absent from the track on Thursday due to illness ahead of the Formula 1 season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Alpine driver was excused from attending the Yas Marina Circuit with the rest of the grid ahead of F1’s media day.

Gasly will have the advantage over his teammate following Ocon’s illness

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The one-time race winner has been reported as feeling unwell and has been ordered by doctors to rest ahead of race weekend.

Ocon will already be missing FP1 in Abu Dhabi on Friday, with Australian Jack Doohan hopping in his A523 instead.

The Frenchman now faces a race to recover for practice two, with Alpine confirming his absence from media day.

“Esteban has been feeling unwell this week and has been advised to rest by his doctors,” wrote the French team on X.

“Although his condition has improved as of this morning, he will not be at the track today.”

The team expressed their well wishes, concluding the tweet with, “Get well soon, Estie!”

Ocon was one of the standout drivers at last weekend’s Grand Prix in Las Vegas where he took the chequered flag in fourth place.

Should he recover in time to feature in the United Arab Emirates he will face a tough task to overhaul his team-mate Pierre Gasly.

Esteban has been feeling unwell this week and has been advised to rest by his doctors. Although his condition has improved as of this morning, he will not be at the track today.

Get well soon, Estie! pic.twitter.com/kSpxlkD2vi
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) November 23, 2023

Doohan was considered by Alpine for 2023 before Gasly was signed

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Ocon is just four points behind his French compatriot in the standings during their battle to be the best-placed Alpine driver.

The 27-year-old had been optimistic of ending a mixed season on a high note in Alpine’s preview for the 2023 finale.

“It’s definitely been a long and intense season for everyone and I know we are looking forward to the time off to rest and recover ahead of next year,” he said.

“Our full focus is now on performing well this weekend, carrying the momentum through from Las Vegas, and ending the season on a high. The Yas Marina Circuit is a track we enjoy and know well.

“Of course, I’ll be sitting out of FP1 this weekend as Jack will be in the car and I am sure he will do a great job.

“We are all motivated to have another positive weekend, wanting to end on a high note and give some extra boost to everyone during the winter season.

“We’ll keep our heads down this weekend and focus on ourselves as we aim for a smooth weekend and to end the season with more points in the bag.”

Chris Paul claims ‘personal’ issue with NBA ref involves his son after ejection for foul-mouthed insult

Callum Davis — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:35:08 +0000

Chris Paul has revealed a long-running feud with NBA official Scott Foster stems back to a ‘personal’ issue involving the point-guard’s son.

Paul was ejected after two quick technical fouls during the Golden State Warriors‘ defeat to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.

Chris Paul remonstrates with NBA ref Scott Foster after being penalised for a foul on Kevin Durant

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The incident began when Paul was penalised for a foul on his former Suns teammate, Kevin Durant.

CP3 was given a technical foul by Foster for protesting the call, leading to an animated exchange with the veteran official.

As the argument ensued, a second technical was quickly issued resulting in an automatic ejection, sparking unsavoury scenes.

Warriors star Stephen Curry was forced to intervene as Paul continued to berate Foster.

TV cameras captured Paul calling Foster a ‘b****’ as he was ushered towards the locker room.

The former Oklahoma City Thunder star famously called out Foster in 2019 and said he contacted the NBA about Foster’s behaviour.

And on Wednesday night Paul revealed the animosity between the pair involves his son Chris, Jr, but failed to offer any further details.

“It’s personal,” Paul told reporters after the game. “We had a situation some years ago.”

Chris Paul is restrained by Warriors teammate Stephen Curry after being ejected by Scott Foster

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Chris Paul (right) is ushered towards the locker room after his ejection

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He added: “The league knows, everybody knows, and there’s been a meeting and all that. It’s a situation with my son.”

Paul teams are 0-14 in play-off games officiated by Foster. All-time, Paul is 2-17 in playoff games officiated by Foster.

Wednesday night’s ejection was Paul’s seventh in his career, but his first at the hands of Foster.

Paul went on to reveal he held clear-the-air talks with Foster during his time at the Los Angeles Clippers.

He said: “I had a meeting with him, my dad, Doc Rivers, Bob Delaney and all that at the Clippers.

“It was a whole thing, man. It’s been a thing for a while. I ain’t saying nothing to get fined. It is what it is at this point.”

Meanwhile Foster explained the foul call and resulting ejection was for “unsportsmanlike conduct” during an official post-game review by NBA officials.

The veteran official was then asked how Paul escalated the situation to be given a second technical foul, leading to his ejection from the game.

Foster responded: “He continued to complain and received a second unsportsmanlike technical foul.”

"It's personal."

— Chris Paul on his issue with Scott Foster pic.twitter.com/iHDecyIW0f
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 23, 2023

Man City star Erling Haaland spends over £13,000 on train tickets for fans of boyhood club

Lee Davey — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:31:01 +0000

Erling Haaland has splashed out £13,000 on train tickets for fans of his former club Bryne, ahead of their huge fixture on Saturday.

The 23-year-old sensation represented the Norwegian side at youth level and made his first senior appearance in 2015 before moving to Molde two years later.

Haaland began his career at Bryne before moving to Norwegian giants Molde [pictured above] in 2017

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But it appears Haaland still holds much affection for his boyhood club who face a trip to Kristiansand for their play-off game against Start.

Bryne snatched the final play-off place in the OBOS League and now Haaland has showed his generosity to the group of supporters.

With train tickets to Kristiansand costing £52 and 200 supporters set to make the journey, the Manchester City striker has parted with £13,100 to help fans get to the game.

Haaland even went one better by telling fans who opt not to travel by train that he will pay for them to travel by bus.

Byrne’s press spokesman Ole Morten Hobberstad heaped praise on Haaland and told the treble winner that everybody at the club appreciates his kind gesture.

“It’s nice that Erling wants to sponsor a trip for the Bryne supporters, it’s something the whole of Bryne really appreciates,” he said.

“It also contributes to the fact that several people who perhaps did not prioritise it in the first place due to price growth and interest rate increases are now travelling to support Bryne in the promotion qualification.”

Haaland will have the opportunity to tune in to the big game on Saturday night, but not before he takes to the pitch when Manchester City face Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium – exclusively live on talkSPORT.

Haaland will be hoping to add to his two goals in five games against the Reds

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A win for City can put daylight between themselves and second-placed Liverpool who come into the fixture undefeated in the last five games.

But Pep Guardiola’s men have been warned about the pace of Jurgen Klopp’s visitors ahead of the gargantuan showdown between the title rivals.

Inside Tony Ferguson’s brutal training for Paddy Pimblett fight that includes Navy Seal David Goggins’ gruelling ‘Hell Week’

Joshua Rogers — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:30:00 +0000

Tony Ferguson is leaving nothing to chance ahead of his fight with Paddy ‘the Baddy’ Pimblett.

‘El Cucy’ faces the Liverpudlian on December 17 at UFC 296 on the back of a six-fight losing streak dating back to 2019. Desperate to get back amongst the wins, Ferguson has enlisted the help of one of the toughest men on the planet.

The UFC lightweight sought out the training of one of the world’s hardest men

Instagram - davidgoggins

Ferguson put himself through Goggins’ “Hell Week” in order to arrest his six-fight skid

Instagram - davidgoggins

David Goggins is a former Navy SEAL, ultramarathon runner and bestselling author whose self-help memoirs ‘Can’t Hurt Me’ and ‘Never Finished’ have sold millions of copies.

The 48-year-old American has amassed a huge following on social media, especially on Instagram where he often encourages his 9m followers to ‘get after it’ while working out and running hundreds of miles.

Ferguson, the former UFC interim lightweight champion, has recently teamed up with Goggins in a bid to revive his career. The 39-year-old’s last win inside the octagon came against Donald Cerrone in 2019, and in the years since he has lost to Justin Gaethje, Bobby Green and Nate Diaz.

HELL WEEK

In order to prepare him for his bout against Pimblett, Goggins has pushed Ferguson to his mental and physical limits in a brutal training regime known as “Hell Week”.

Hell Week – which Goggins has done three of – is performed by US Navy SEALS as part of their training and requires them to perform physical challenges for over 20 hours a day.

Day 1 of Ferguson’s Hell Week started on November 7th and involved the 155lber completing more than three hours of gruelling high-intensity cardio, over 600 push-ups, and tons of chest exercises, bike, and rowing work.

Goggins shared a video montage of Ferguson’s first day in Hell Week which included the fighter throwing up into a toilet bowl out of sheer exhaustion.

The ex-military man’s next video with Ferguson featured the pair doing one mile of walking lunges. Goggins shared that they’d been doing the exercise for over 53 minutes.

The pair completed hours of training including one mile lunges, jumping jacks and press ups

Instagram - davidgoggins

Ferguson through up a number of times during the brutal training regime

Instagram - davidgoggins

“Some people have no idea of the time required to be a champion! They have the math all wrong”, Goggins wrote. “If you are fighting for 15 minutes, you have to put in thousands of hours in training, practising, studying the craft and your opponent, etc.

“Training the mind requires countless hours. You need to find those things that put your mind in the hurt locker.

“You have to be willing to push yourself to the limit and once you reach that limit, that is when your training begins.”

Day 3 of Hell Week saw the duo hit the treadmill.

TIME TO THROW UP

“This is where you win!” Goggins, who was on the machine next to Ferguson, exclaimed.

“This ain’t no f***ing game!” the social media personality yelled at the camera before it panned to Ferguson who was gasping for air and dripping with sweat while running.

Ferguson can be heard huffing and puffing and crying out in pain before jumping off the treadmill to throw up in a bag next to him.

“Many of you will not understand what I am putting Tony through right now but when a man like Tony is looking for more, it forces him to go deep into the dungeon because my job is to make him find every bit of himself and then some,” Goggins captioned the post.

“And he is doing just that!!! He has an unbelievable resolve, ability and willingness to suffer. This speaks to his character. This is not for the weak.”

Ferguson’s conditioning should be elite heading into his fight with Paddy ‘the Baddy’ Pimblett

Instagram - davidgoggins

The former Navy SEAL was right alongside Tony all week doing the exact same workout

Instagram - davidgoggins

The next update included Goggins letting everyone know they’d already started the day off with jumping jack push-ups, which is ten, four count jumping jacks followed by ten push-ups for 45 minutes non-stop.

They then got into walking lunges as Goggins recounted the previous day’s work.

“Stair climber, treadmill, high incline, assault bike, and repeat that over again,” he said. “Then at night time, we did a full leg workout.”

BARELY ABLE TO WALK

“Neither one of us could barely walk after the workouts we put ourselves through yesterday and yet we upped it another notch today,” he wrote accompanying the post.

“I knew that even though our legs were so f***ed up today that we could do the same workout again, and even more, despite feeling worse…and we did!”

Day four of Hell Week saw Tony going through the ringer on the assault bike, which is often used for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts.

Ferguson looked visibly shattered on the bike next to Goggins as he squeezed out every last drop of effort.

The UFC star moaned and groaned as Goggins fired him up from the bike across from him.

The former interim champion was dripping with sweat after he got after it on the treadmill

Instagram - davidgoggins

He carried on working out despite having to stop to vomit

Instagram - davidgoggins

“Ahh s***!”, Ferguson exclaimed repeatedly as Goggins laughed, appearing to take great pleasure from his trainee’s pain.

“When you train a person like Tony, you have to find their limit and once you find it, that is when you have to push them way beyond it.” Goggins commented. “The challenge with Tony is that his limit is way the f*** out there because of his ability to handle so much pain.

GET AFTER IT

“What you are seeing in this video is a man that has been through four days of a no-s*** hell week. This isn’t like a football two-a-days or some wrestling camp bull****.

“There is a lesson to be learned here. He’s comfortable with you all seeing what he is going through because this is the exact kind of dedication it takes to reach greatness. Hard work is never pretty!”

Hell Week eventually came to an end with Goggins congratulating Ferguson for being the first person to ever successfully complete one of his infamous Hell Week’s without quitting.

“Tony finished Hell Week today,” Goggins wrote in an Instagram video of the week’s tasks. “I have had many people try yet he is the first one to get through it.

” I have had a lot of great athletes over the years want to train with me but for one reason or another, ‘something’
always miraculously comes up so they can’t complete it.

“I broke El Cucuy on Day One, or at least I thought I did. I had him deep in the hurt locker and figured the questions were soon to be coming. I told Kish [Goggins wife] late that night ‘this motherf***** is done!’

“But, I was wrong. He woke up on Day Two even more fired up to go. There was never a question asked. His response was always the same, ‘OK, Coach.’

“I was there for the rebirth of El Cucuy.

“It happened somewhere on the Jacob’s Ladder at around 11:11pm. I knew then that the torture I was putting him through was no longer torture.

“A lot of people ask me if I think he will win his next fight- I don’t have the first damn clue about that. That’s up to Tony. What I do know is that the man who walks into the octagon on December 16th will be a deeply changed man.

“Sometimes when the fight is near, the warrior must go back home because home is where the hell began.

“My friends, Tony is home! Hello darkness my old friend.”

Man City vs Liverpool tips, free bets and odds on Bet365

Tom Lunn — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:16:00 +0000

Manchester City host Liverpool in the biggest game of the weekend in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon’s early kick-off.

Manchester City vs Liverpool odds

Man City are just 13/20 to win against Liverpool as the bookies are taking no chances with the Citizens extending their lead at the top of the table.

The Reds come into this away from home at 16/5 to win and 3/1 to get what would be a huge point for a draw.

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Manchester City vs Liverpool preview

The biggest talking point of this game has become the injury to Erling Haaland and whether or not he’ll be back in time to face Liverpool after picking up an ankle issue on international duty.

The injury is not thought to be severe and should be back soon but it may not be in time for this huge Premier League tie.

But they still have plenty of firepower available and are likely to adopt a different formation that revolves around Julian Alvarez in the centre forward role.

Allowing Jeremy Doku and any number of other players able to play on the wing ahead of players who can play in a three of midfield like Rodri, Phil Foden and like against Chelsea, Manuel Akanji who adopted a deeplying centre defensive midfield position while dropping back to centre-back when defending.

Liverpool won 3-0 over Brentford in their last Premier League fixture, after a couple of poor results; a 1-1 draw with Luton Town and a 3-2 Europa League loss to Toulouse.

But Jurgen Klopp opted to do a big rotation in the squad for that European clash, keeping the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota on the bench.

They will all be set to star in the starting XI against Man City though as they have a huge chance of gaining three points from the league leaders and reigning champs.

Manchester City vs Liverpool betting tips

Over 2 goals, BTTS, Szoboszlai to assist, Alvarez to score – 14/1

There’s been over 2.5 goals in each of Man City’s previous six games in all competitions, including a 4-4 draw with Chelsea and a 6-1 victory over Bournemouth.

City’s 6-1 win came with Haaland up top but who somehow didn’t add a goal of his own despite his goals per game average.

But it shows they still won’t be starved of goals without their top scorer.

Szoboszlai shouldn’t be underestimated against City and will likely thrive in this kind of a match and coupled with his pace and ability in the centre of the pitch he should provide an assist in what should be another game with a few goals about.

Alvarez would be many team’s first choice striker and despite having Haaland, Pep Guardiola has made sure to keep the Argentinian in the starting lineup alongside the Norwegian due to his goal scoring ability.

The World Cup winner scored four in the 2022 tournament and has already scored four and assisted four in the league alone for City this season in just 12 appearances.

Along with three goals in three Champions League appearances, he looks a constant threat in front of goal and should be fed a few chances against the Reds who have struggled to stop opposition scoring as many as they have previously.

How to watch Manchester City vs Liverpool

Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester.
Date and Time: Saturday, November 25th, 12.30pm.
How to watch: TNT Sports 1.

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Canelo Alvarez net worth: Undisputed boxing champion chasing Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo with mega earnings

Jack Johnson — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:13:04 +0000

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is considered by many as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers of all time.

And the undisputed super-middleweight champion deservedly gets paid the money that suits that label.

Canelo boasts an incredible 60-2-2 record

Melina Pizano/Matchroom

The Mexican is one of the highest-earning athletes in world sport, so talkSPORT.com takes a look at how much he is worth…

Canelo Alvarez net worth

Canelo’s current net worth is estimated to be over £150million.

He was named the fifth highest-paid athlete in the world in 2023, sitting behind LeBron James, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 33-year-old made around £100m over the last year, earning incredible amounts of money each time he enters the ring due to his stature in the sport.

In 2018, Canelo signed one of the biggest contracts in sports history as he agreed to a five-year deal with Golden Boy and DAZN that would see him make a total of £365m.

However, after only making a reported £50m from his first two fights, he decided to exit the contract and file a lawsuit against his promoter and broadcaster.

He has had many huge paydays, reportedly making almost £70m from his first two fights against rival Gennady Golovkin.

He was also claimed to have made at least £40m for his most recent bout against Jermell Charlo in September.

Canelo made a huge amount for his fights against Golovkin

He also got a big paycheck for beating Charlo

Getty

But Canelo’s earnings don’t all come from boxing.

He has a lucrative partnership with drinks company Hennessy while also owning his own taco restaurant at home in Mexico.

The champion also works with sports equipment brand Everlast as an ambassador and he has his own promotional company for boxing matches and many other events.

It doesn’t stop there, as Canelo has a personal clothing line and is part of the team behind sports drink maker Yaoca and a fitness app called I Can.

According to Forbes, he makes around £20m a year from real estate investments too.

What is Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Siuuu’ celebration? Portugal superstar sets trend with iconic move copied around the globe

Phil Spencer — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:03:00 +0000

Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in the history of world football.

CR7, as he’s affectionately and corporately known, is one of the most marketable sportspeople on the planet, and his celebration has become synonymous with him.

Cristiano Ronaldo managed to pull out his celebration a few times while back at Manchester United

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It’s an iconic move that has been copied by other footballers and even other sports personalities.

What is Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration?

After finding the back of the net, the forward typically wheels away towards the corner flag before doing a 180-degree pirouette and landing with a firm stance on the turf.

As he hits the ground, Ronaldo outstretches his arms and bellows ‘Siuuu’, which is Spanish for ‘yes’, with fans often joining in to create a booming noise around the stadium.

His teammates now often join in with the ‘siu’

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What are the origins of Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration?

The ‘Siu’ celebration was created while Ronaldo was at Real Madrid.

Explaining the celebration in 2019, he said: “I started to say ‘si’, it’s like ‘yes’ when I was in Real Madrid.

“When we would win, everyone would say ‘siiiii’, so I started to say it. I don’t know why; it was natural.

“I was in the USA, and we played against Chelsea [in 2013], and I don’t know where this is coming from – the celebration.

“I just scored the goal, and it just came out. It was just natural, to be honest. Since then, I started to do it more often and I feel like the supporters and the fans see it, and they’re like, ‘Cristiano, siiiiiiuuuu’.

“I’m like ‘wow! People are reminded of me because of it!’ So it’s good, and I’ll continue doing it like that.”

Ronaldo now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr and the fans there have seen the ‘siu’ plenty of times and will no doubt see it a lot more until he decides to hang up his boots or move somewhere else.

The ‘Siu’ against Chelsea that started it all

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talkSPORT host left in stitches by commentary for stunning KO of the year contender

Cameron Temple — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:57:42 +0000

Brandon Grach pulled off a potential knockout of the year against Liam Talivaa on Wednesday.

The boxing fight took place in Australia on the undercard of Nikita Tszyu vs Dylan Biggs, but it did not last long.

X: @MaineventTV

Grach was the less experienced boxer going into the bout, with a 1-0 professional record, while Talivaa had five fights to his name, winning all of them.

In the second round of the fight, as the men met in the middle of the ring to trade shots, Grach landed a crushing left hook.

This immediately knocked out Talivaa, as he crashed down to the canvas and lay there with no chance of returning to his feet.

As soon as the punch landed the crowd went wild and the commentators could barely be heard on the broadcast.

But, when they could be heard again, one commentator described it as: “Knockout of the year in Australian boxing.”

While his co-commentator added: “Oh s***.”

Before continuing: “I can’t say that, I’m sorry, sue me, fine me,” and he then repeated: “Oh s***.”

talkSPORT host Ade Oladipo found this particularly funny, commenting on X: “The commentator here had me on stitches. ‘Sue me, fine me’.”

In the main event of the night, Nikita, who is the the older brother of world title contender Tim Tszyu and the son of former world champion Kostya Tszyu, also pulled off a KO win.

Nikita was knocked down in the first round, but he managed to climb off the canvas and he stopped Biggs in the fifth.

The commentator here had me on stitches. “Sue me, fine me” https://t.co/cx8pufh72f
— Ade Oladipo (@ade_oladipo1) November 22, 2023

Ricky Hatton: Forget about Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, Liverpool is Man City’s scariest game

Lee Davey — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:53:17 +0000

Boxing legend Ricky Hatton has insisted Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool provide Manchester City with their scariest game of the season.

Jurgen Klopp’s side head to the Etihad for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off – exclusively live on talkSPORT – aiming to leapfrog the reigning Premier League champions into top spot.

Liverpool and City’s rivalry has gained momentum as the pair tussle for domestic honours

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Liverpool come into the game on a five-match unbeaten run and just one point adrift of Pep Guardiola’s leaders.

The Treble winners ran out 4-1 winners at the Etihad in April, but City fan Hatton expects things to be tighter this time round against the Reds, whom he claims to be City’s toughest challengers.

“Obviously when the derby game comes up against Manchester United, derbies are always going to be tough,” the former two-weight world boxing champion told talkSPORT.

“I think [Liverpool] is our toughest game and none more so than this year because Liverpool have hit good form again.

“City’s last game [vs Chelsea] which is probably the best game I’ve seen this season, we were dreadful.

“I’ve never seen us play as bad as that and coming into Liverpool for our next game we need to pull our socks up and get back on track again and Liverpool always seem to do well against City.”

Manchester City are aiming to make history by becoming the first club to win four-consecutive Premier League titles.

City are overriding favourites to lift the title again in May, but Hatton isn’t counting his chickens just yet and expects a resurgent Liverpool to push them all the way.

Hatton calls on City to be at their best against a resurgent Liverpool

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Man City swept Liverpool aside with a 4-1 win at the Etihad in April

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Here is how City and Liverpool compare in the Premier League this season

“It’s always a big game when we play Liverpool. They’re going to push us close this year,” he added.

“If they keep maintaining what they’re doing, then it’s all about confidence. They could be our biggest threat. City are the standout team.

“I think we’d all agree with that. But there’s several teams like your Arsenals, your Chelseas and your Liverpools and your Tottenhams.

“But at some stage over the season, I’d like to think they’d all beat each other and we might pull away.

“But you play your rivals, the teams that will be pushing you and you need to put them to the sword a little bit to send them a message and that’s what City need to do on Saturday.”

Inside unlikely friendship between neighbouring Liverpool and Man City superstars Dominik Szoboszlai and Erling Haaland

Uma Gurav — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:49:08 +0000

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has opened up about his friendship with none other than Erling Haaland.

Manchester City will welcome Liverpool to the Etihad for a crucial top-of-the-table match in the first Premier League fixture following the international break – live on talkSPORT.

The 23-year-old friends will turn into rivals on Saturday 25 November

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City currently sit top of the Premier League having picked up 28 points from their first 12 games – and Liverpool trail them by just one point.

But the match will see some old friends go head-to-head as Liverpool summer signing Szoboszlai reveals a strong bond with last year’s Golden Boot winner Haaland.

The two played together at Red Bull Salzburg from 2019 to 2020 where they won the Austrian Bundesliga and the Austrian Cup.

Szoboszlai told the BBC: “We got really close because we were both young.”

And he was full off praise for the Norwegian both on and off the pitch, calling him a ‘great player, great guy’.

Szoboszlai, who has just captained Hungary to qualification for Euro 2024, joined Liverpool on a five-year deal in July 2023 for a reported fee of £60million.

The 23-year-old then made the move to the North West of England – and ended up with a rather familiar neighbour.

He said: “(Haaland) has a house and then two houses between us, and then it’s my house!”

Szoboszlai has settled in well to life under Jurgen Klopp

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But now he must go head-to-head with his long-time friend

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Haaland was prolific during his time at RB Salzburg, scoring 29 goals in a year.

And Szoboszlai also flourished at the club – he spent three seasons at the club where he made 56 appearances and scored 16 goals.

He then made the move to RB Leipzig in 2020 where he spent one season out through injury, before settling in well and going on to make 62 appearances for the German side.

And with just hours left on his release clause, Liverpool finally swooped in for Szoboszlai in July.

He has made a strong start to life at the club having scored once in his 12 appearances so far.

And the midfielder has proved his worth, playing more minutes than any other outfield player at Liverpool this season.

Jurgen Klopp has also expressed his delight with the midfielder, who created the most chances of any Liverpool player in his first nine Premier League appearances since Harry Kewell in 2003.

But the Hungarian revealed the news of his transfer to Liverpool came as something of a surprise to his friend, Haaland.

He said: “When I came to sign, it was not official yet.

“I sent him a picture with a Liverpool shirt and he was like, ‘Oh, what’s happening?’

“And I said, ‘Yeah, we’re going to see each other.’

“And he said, ‘Congratulations – the Premier League is crazy!'”

Manchester City vs Liverpool is live on talkSPORT on Saturday 25 November from 12:30pm.

‘Not a bad thing’ – Ricky Hatton explains why Tyson Fury’s fight with Francis Ngannou could end up being good preparation for facing Oleksandr Usyk

Michael Benson — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:43:58 +0000

Ricky Hatton has told talkSPORT that he believes Tyson Fury may well benefit from his lacklustre performance against Francis Ngannou when he fights Oleksandr Usyk.

The Gypsy King was floored as he crept to a narrow split decision win over Ngannou last month, and will now head into the undisputed heavyweight world title showdown on February 17.

Hatton helped Fury make his comeback to boxing, and was even in his corner for the first Deontay Wilder fight

Tyson Fury - Instagram

Of course, many questions have been raised about Fury following his back-and-forth bout with the MMA star and some fans are expressing doubts about his chances of beating Usyk.

However, Hatton told talkSPORT Breakfast on Thursday: “I think Tyson will certainly be a lot better than he was last time.

“And he’ll certainly have to be, he doesn’t need me to tell him that, but I think he will be.

“The last fight, I think he simply just took the fella – even though he was a monster of a man – I think he took him little bit lightly.

“I think he could’ve come in in a little bit better shape than what he did do.

“I went to Saudi Arabia for the fight and it was such an occasion – I think Tyson forgot what he was there for!

“He forgot what he was there to do! It was such an occasion and he was fighting this UFC fighter who’s not had a boxing match before in his life and I think he just took it all a little bit lightly.”

Hatton then explained why he thinks this could ultimately have a positive impact on Fury and effectively act as a wake-up call for him before the undisputed fight.

Fury had to get up off the canvas to beat boxing debutant Ngannou

Getty

“It’s probably not such a bad thing,” he continued, “It’s probably what you want before you go fighting Oleksandr Usyk because he’ll know, ‘I’ve gotta pull my socks up, I can’t be performing like that again.’

“So it probably wasn’t such a bad thing, but yeah we thought we’d lost it when Tyson was struggling.

“A lot of people thought he might have lost the fight or thought, ‘There’s that Usyk fight gone.’

“But he got the decision, which I thought he just did, he won it by the narrowest of margins, just because he was a little bit busier.

“But he’ll be up for this Usyk fight, and he’ll need to be, because only Tyson Fury‘s best will beat this fella.”

Fulham vs Wolves tips, free bets and preview on Betfair

Tom Lunn — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:30:00 +0000

Fulham host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Monday night football.

Fulham vs Wolves odds

Fulham are 13/10 to beat Wolves while the away side are just 2/1, with both teams separated by just three points.

A draw however, is out at 9/4 as this clash is as open as it can be with Fulham needing results to keep themselves out of the bottom five teams.

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Fulham vs Wolves preview

Fulham have seemingly struggled this season and have only picked up a single point in their last four league matches.

In that time they’ve lost three times to Aston Villa, Man United and Tottenham, but did manage a 1-1 draw with Brighton who went on a run of drawing plenty of matches recently.

Fulham’s only win since the start of October came against Sheffield United, who have only won once all season.

Wolves however, have won twice in their last four games, but also drawn and lost one apiece.

Fulham vs Wolves betting tips

Both teams to score and Wolves to win – 4.61/1

While Fulham have been struggling to score Wolves are constantly seeing both teams to score.

In every game since their clash with Crystal Palace which ended 3-2, they’ve had BTTS in all ten of their last meetings in all competitions, including the EFL Cup third round against Ipswich.

Wolves suffered a 2-1 loss to Sheffield United which was always going to be an unexpected result, but the Blades left it late to secure their first three points.

But then they went up against Tottenham who had done really well to prevent teams winning against them, and beat them 2-1 themselves, albeit with a few injuries and suspensions.

Wolves have also put up top performances to beat Man City, draw against teams like Aston Villa and Newcastle who are all vying for prominent positions at the top of the table.

So they look like they can take this game comfortably if they are in that form, but are often quite unpredictable.

How to watch Fulham vs Wolves

Location: Craven Cottage, Valladolid.
Date and Time: Sunday, November 19th 2023, 7.45pm.
How to watch: Viaplay Sports2.

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Only two Tottenham players named in Gabby Agbonlahor’s combined XI with Aston Villa

Jake Lambourne — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:27:21 +0000

Just two Tottenham players get into a combined starting XI with Aston Villa ahead of Sunday’s clash in the capital.

That is the view of former Villans striker Gabby Abbonlahor, who believes Unai Emery‘s side boast a better side on paper from the players available.

Fifth-placed Villa go into Sunday’s clash away at Tottenham full of confidence

Getty

Villa go into this weekend’s match in fifth spot – just one point behind Spurs and three points off Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Only the Citizens have scored more [32 goals] than Villa [29 goals] so far this season, with the club – along with Spurs – winning eight out of their opening eight matches.

Spurs have a mini-crisis ahead of the fixture, with James Maddison, Micky van de Ven and Richarlison all injured, meanwhile Cristian Romero and Yves Bissouma are ruled out through suspension.

And it is because of this that Agbonlahor has named a Villa-heavy line-up combined from the two teams.

Reeling his team off to co-host Alan Brazil on the talkSPORT Sports Breakfast show, he said: “[Emiliano] Martinez in goal, Matty Cash right-back, [Ezri] Konsa and [Pau] Torres are my centre-halves, [Destiny] Udogie for Spurs as my left-back.

“[Douglas] Luiz, [John] McGinn and [Boubacar] Kamara as my three midfielders.

“Son [Heung-min] on the left, [Moussa] Diaby on the right and [Ollie] Watkins up front.

“So only two Spurs players make my Villa-Spurs XI out of players that are available this Sunday.

This is how the two teams compare ahead of this weekend’s battle in north London

Maddison will be a huge blow for Spurs, with the midfielder out until the New Year

Getty

“Maddison isn’t in there, Van de Ven, Romero, Bissouma – they’re not available. I think everyone would agree with that XI there.”

Such is Agbonlahor’s confidence in Villa, he believes that the Midlands outfit will finish higher than Spurs this season, even when the north Londoners have a full-strength squad.

He stated: “I think they’ll [Villa] finish in the top six. Have you seen the state of the Premier League? I think they’ll finish higher than Spurs.”

And unsurprisingly, Agbonlahor is confident his former employers will get the job done in the capital.

Replying to Brazil’s view that Spurs will earn at least a draw, the ex-Watford loanee remarked: “You don’t think so [Villa to win]?

“So with Spurs’ injuries and their suspensions and the way Villa are playing… you know Villa are only one point behind Spurs? Scored more goals than them.

“I think this is the sort of game that Villa will turn up, and it’s been a great season so far.”

Agbonlahor has named just two Tottenham players in his combined Spurs vs Villa XI

Harry Kane net worth: England and Bayern Munich superstar’s career earnings including whopping wages and lucrative Skechers deal

Jack Johnson — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:25:36 +0000

Harry Kane is one of the best footballers in the world and he has definitely earned the money that comes with that reputation.

The former Tottenham superstar has continued his incredible goalscoring at Bayern Munich after deciding to leave the Premier League in the summer.

Kane is arguably the best striker on the planet

Getty

Kane’s scoring stats have seen him pick up some lucrative sponsorship deals over the years as well as some incredible weekly paychecks.

And talkSPORT.com has taken a look at how much the striker is worth…

Harry Kane net worth

Kane has an estimated net worth of £51million, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.

England’s all-time top goalscorer was also named as one of the 35 richest people under the age of 35 in the summer.

His net worth is reported to have risen from £42m over the last year, with his wages and sponsorship deals propelling his earnings.

The latest Rich List came before Kane moved from Tottenham to Bayern, meaning his wage of around £200,000-a-week at Spurs was taken into account.

But following his move to Germany, the 30-year-old’s weekly pay has reportedly increased to around £380k-a-week, and therefore his net worth will have grown.

Off the pitch, Kane has also been increasing his income and there’s no surprise that he is one of the richest English players.

Kane’s wage was boosted by moving to Germany

Getty

He also became the face of the Skechers’ launch

Skechers

Kane signed a lifetime endorsement deal with footwear brand Skechers earlier this year.

He was the face of the launch of their first-ever football boots after he chose to end his contract with Nike to create a new partnership.

The paycheck for the deal will consist of many millions, of course, and Kane is delighted to be working with the company.

He said: “I feel like I’ve got seven, eight, nine years left of my career.

“I’m really excited to be working with a team with the same vision — we both know where we want to go in this space and it’s an exciting challenge.”

Kane also has endorsements with Cadbury, Beats, EA Sports, Hugo Boss and Amazon.

He is reported to also have lived in a mansion worth over £15m while also owning a Land Rover CV, a Range Rover Sport, and a Jaguar F-PACE.

What are Everton fan’s protest plans? Toffees supporters plan to show anger towards Premier League after point deduction

Jack Cunningham — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:19:13 +0000

Everton fans, understandably, are very angry with the Premier League after they were deducted ten points for one Financial Fair Play breach.

As a result, the Toffees have united and have plenty of protest plans prepared against the top-flight ahead of the club’s return to action.

Sean Dyche has been left in a relegation battle when his side were clear of danger

Getty

Everton have launched an appeal against the deduction, which has plunged them from midtable safety into the relegation zone.

It’s a tricky situation, and the club’s fans are going to make their feelings towards the Premier League very clear.

What are Everton fan’s protest plans?

Toffee supporters’ protest consists of multiple elements.

The first is a planned meeting outside of the Premier League’s London headquarters on Friday, November 24.

It’s unclear how many Evertonians will be there, but it’s just the start.

On Saturday, November 25, during Manchester City‘s game against Liverpool, live on talkSPORT, a group of Everton fans are planning to fly a plane over the Etihad with a message for the Premier League.

It’s unknown what it will say, but it will be a clear statement for the world.

GettyEverton fans are going to still get behind their team[/caption]

Everton fans have had 38 Thousand "Premier league corrupt" signs printed.

They will hand them out before the Everton vs United game on Sunday and are asking all fans to gold them up including United fans. pic.twitter.com/uDNGd8Wt94
— Paul 𝕏 Manc Bald and Bred (@MufcWonItAll2) November 22, 2023

Everton fan group the 1878s said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter: “We have had a lot of requests asking for a plane to be flown over Goodison on Sunday, with a message to the PL.

“Due to our kick off time, it will be dark. So instead a plane will fly over The Etihad on Saturday for City v Liverpool which will be watched by millions around the world. Once the banner is made from the company we can release a picture of this.”

Everton then welcome Manchester United to Goodison Park on Sunday, November 26, and it’s going to be an electric atmosphere.

The Toffees plan to roar their side on while also slamming the Premier League at every opportunity.

Thirty-eight thousand cards have been printed off, with the Premier League’s logo and the words ‘corrupt’ underneath them, and fans are expected to raise them in unison.

In total, £40,000 has been collected to fund these demonstrations, and supporters are likely to boo the top-flight’s anthem.

Sky Sports have also been told Everton fans plan to chant ‘Premier League corrupt as f***’ in the tenth minute, report the Times.

As a result, the broadcaster are reportedly going to lower the crowd noise or find some way to distort it.

So Everton fans have plenty of things planned, and that’s probably just the start.

It’s hard to imagine they will stop after one round of protests and are likely to pile even more pressure on the Premier League in the coming weeks.

JJ. Watt insists he would ‘physically force’ Jon Rahm to sign $600m LIV Golf contract

Callum Davis — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:14:36 +0000

You can always count on a friend for sound advice.

Jon Rahm is facing one of the biggest decisions of his life as he ponders his golf future.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 09: Jon Rahm of Spain poses with the Masters trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Recent reports suggest the Masters champion has been offered a staggering $600 million deal to join LIV Golf and defect from the PGA Tour.

With Rahm at a crossroads in his career, the Spaniard has received a few words of wisdom from his friend and neighbour, JJ. Watt.

Watt, who recently invested in Burnley after retiring from the NFL, is family friends with Rahm and his wife.

The duo are part of an A-list group of Arizona-based friends including Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz and Olympic legend Michael Phelps.

While Rahm and his camp are yet to address the rumours linking him with a move to the Saudi-backed league, Watt has offered his verdict on his pal’s dilemma.

“If this number was correct, I would have driven to Jon’s house myself and used extreme physical force to ensure he signed the deal,” Watt wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Speculation linking Rahm with a move to LIV Golf has intensified in recent weeks after his withdrawal from the inaugural TGL season, which has since been delayed until 2025.

“I am sad to confirm that I will not be participating in the first TGL season,” Rahm announced in a statement on X.

“While I still think it’s a great opportunity, right now it would require a level of commitment that I can’t offer. Best of luck to everyone (involved) and may the best team win!”

JJ. Watt (left) is good friends with Jon Rahm (centre)

Rory McIlory, who created the TGL enterprise in partnership with Tiger Woods, told reporters he was confident Rahm would remain a PGA Tour member.

“I spoke to Jon a couple days ago and would be very, very surprised if that were to happen,” McIlroy said when quizzed on Rahm’s withdrawal. “I’m pretty confident Jon is a PGA Tour player.”

Rahm is an 11-time PGA TOUR winner, including major titles at the 2021 U.S. Open and this year’s Masters.

The Spaniard holds 10 DP World Tour titles and has spent 52 weeks at world No. 1.

He was also part of the European Team’s decisive victory at this year’s Ryder Cup in Italy, compiling a 2-0-2 record.

Nottingham Forest vs Brighton betting tips, free bets and odds on BetMGM

Tom Lunn — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:08:00 +0000

Nottingham Forest host Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Nottingham Forest vs Brighton odds

Nottingham Forest are 11/5 to beat Brighton while the Seagulls are a great 5/4 price considering their form. A draw on BetMGM is out at 27/10 which has been the result twice in the last eight meetings.

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Nottingham Forest vs Brighton free bets

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Nottingham Forest vs Brighton preview

Despite Brighton’s rise up in the Premier League of late, they don’t have a very good record against Forest.

Their two fixtures last season saw them see out a 0-0 draw in October 2022 and a 3-1 Forest victory in April of this year.

The last game they played in the Championship, in March 2017, also ended in favour of Forest who played at home, ending in a 3-0 win.

But Brighton can turn that around this time out as they have gone on a surprise winless streak, but four of the five meetings has ended in a scoring draw.

Even against Liverpool, Fulham, Everton and Sheffield United, all of which sandwiching two 2-0 victories against Ajax in the Europa League.

They’ll be coming here in eighth position and though they could be higher with surprise draws against Sheffield United and Fulham for instance, they have a golden opportunity to get their first win against Forest since 2016.

Nottingham Forest vs Brighton betting tips

BTTS, Brighton to win, over 3.5 goals – 5/1

Brighton’s recent poorer record against Forest only really looks worse than it actually is as it spans five years with just three games.

Nottingham Forest have drawn twice, won one and lost another two in their last five Premier League fixtures.

Brighton will likely be back to their usual selves this time around, with plenty of goals expected in every game they now play.

They’ve scored 25 so far this season but conceded 21, which tracks from last season’s form, but they need to start defending more prominently again.

Last season they scored 72 and conceded 53 in their 38 Premier League games and it seems they could be replicating that again this season with a plethora of goal draws and big scorelines when they do win.

There score has been 3-1 to either side in four games already this season in the Premier League alone, along with two 4-1 victories, which suggests there should be a few against Forest who have conceded 18 so far.

How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Brighton

Location: City Ground.
Date and time: Saturday, November 20th, 3.00pm.
How to watch: N/A.

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I’m a 6ft 8in heavyweight who earned $1million title shot and impressed Jon Jones with brutal KO – now I want to fight Francis Ngannou

Jordan Ellis — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Renan Ferreira could be the man who welcomes Francis Ngannou to PFL in 2024 – but first, he’s got the chance to win $1million and a world title.

The 6ft 8inch Brazilian is set to face Denis Goltsov at the PFL World Championships in Washington on Friday night after scoring two consecutive knockout wins.

Ferreira is coming off a highlight-reel KO

Cooper Neill / PFL

Ferreira, who previously worked as a private security guard and in construction before pursuing MMA full-time, even impressed UFC legend Jon Jones with his last win.

‘Bones’ was in the opposing corner when the 33-year-old squared off against Maurice Greene at PFL 8: 2023 Playoffs back in August.

Ferreira closed the show in emphatic fashion inside round one.

The man aptly nicknamed ‘Problema’ dropped Greene with a massive right hand as he rushed in trying to land his own shots and book a place in the lucrative PFL final.

Ferreira immediately followed up with a monstrous hammerfist, similar to the one Dan Henderson famously landed on Michael Bisping at UFC 100 in 2009, to put his opponent out cold.

Another followed before the referee stepped in to call things off and trigger wild celebrations from those inside The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The 11-3 heavyweight let out a roar before making his way over to Jones who immediately showed respect by giving him a fist bump through the cage.

UFC CEO Dana White recently ruled out co-promoting with PFL, so a fight between Ferreira and Jones is unlikely to happen – but that doesn’t mean the giant KO aritst is short of big-name opponents.

Jones was in the corner but couldn’t help his pal

@TheCrochetBoss - Instagram

‘Problema’ made his way over to Jones after KO’ing Greene

ESPN MMA - YouTube

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou inked a deal to fight for PFL in May before giving Tyson Fury all he could handle during his 10-round boxing debut last month.

After a landmark merger between the UFC’s biggest rivals – PFL and Bellator – was announced earlier this week, it was revealed Ngannou will debut for his new promotion next year.

Ideally, he’ll face Deontay Wilder in a mixed-rules fight, but if the ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is unavailable for any reason, the reigning PFL heavyweight champion seems like the most likely alternative opponent.

Ferreira is sure to call out Ngannou if he’s victorious this weekend.

Ngannou has a target on his back after his recent boxing debut

Getty

Goltsov is also hoping to secure a shot at ‘The Predator’

@denis_goltsov - instagram

“I feel like this is almost a make-it-or-break-it moment,” Ferreira told MMA Junkie through an interpreter at a PFL media day last month.

“It’s tough to even say this because there’s so much on the line between the belt and the million dollars, but there really is more on the line when you talk about future opportunities and the opportunity to fight a guy like Francis after this.”

“It’s definitely a fan favourite (fight). It’s two tough guys that swing big, that have a lot of knockout power, two exciting heavyweights.

“I feel like this is the kind of stuff that fans of the sport want to tune in and watch.”

Ferreira’s clearly got big plans, but overcoming Goltsov won’t be easy.

The Russian has finished four of the five opponents he’s beaten during his ongoing win streak and will be targeting a fight with Ngannou himself.

With a $1million prize on the line, the PFL’s final show of the year is always eagerly anticipated, but the stakes have been raised after Ngannou’s addition to their rapidly-improving roster.

Alan Shearer gives brutally-honest response to Roy Keane boxing match suggestion

Phil Spencer — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:40:11 +0000

Alan Shearer had a strong response to Gary Lineker’s attempts to set up a boxing match with Roy Keane, saying ‘I’m too old for that s***’.

Shearer joined the Match Of The Day host and Micah Richards on The Rest Is Football podcast when he was asked about the funniest thing that someone said to him on the pitch.

Shearer says that Keane threatened to knock him out

Getty

The Newcastle United legend replied: “Roy Keane once said that he was going to knock me out.”

Lineker replied: “You do surprise me, and did he,” to which Shearer laughed: “Come on!”

However Lineker had his colleagues back, saying: “I think I’d back you against him, Al. Even now.

“I think that people would pay to see that. You get all of these celebrity fights now – get the two of you in UFC gloves or boxing gloves…”

However, Shearer was having none of it as he replied: “I wouldn’t. I’m too old for that s***, Gaz!”

Posing the same question to Micah Richards, the ex-Man City replied: “No one was messing with big Mics on the pitch! They were terrified of me.

“The only encounters I had were with Ashley Williams and Clint Dempsey.

“Back in the day, he was at Fulham and I was at Man City. He was playing sort of left wing and I was at right back and I was quite small then, but I had a great leap and I kept winning the ball over him.

Shearer said he was ‘too old for this s***’ when asked about a celebrity boxing match with Keane

YT: The Rest Is Football

Micah Richards then told a funny story about a run-in with Clint Dempsey

YT: The Rest Is Football

“He was just getting frustrated and one of the times I won the ball and he shrugged me like ‘what are you doing’.

“So me being from Chapeltown, I wasn’t having that – there was no chance I was having that!

“I said f*** off and it went back and forth and then he turned to me and said: “You don’t know where I’m from, dawg!

“I just thought, ‘what are you even on about’. It keeps bubbling on because you think ‘next time I see him he’s getting it’ but around that time people did a bit of research and found that he’s a pretend rapper.

“So the next time I see him, I said ‘f*** me, you can’t even rap’ and I just laid into him, saying: ‘who do you think you are, Eminem?’

“I was singing Slim Shady throughout the whole game!”

William Saliba hilariously mistakes former Arsenal defender for Sean Dyche

Lee Davey — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:37:43 +0000

William Saliba hilariously mistook a former Arsenal star for Everton boss Sean Dyche during a challenge to identify ex-Gunners stars.

The French defender has been in superb form for Mikel Arteta’s side and netted his first goal of the season in the 3-1 victory over Burnley a fortnight ago.

Saliba was on target for the Gunners in their recent 3-1 win over Burnley

Getty

But it appears that his knowledge of Arsenal‘s past stars does not match up to his on-field talents, after he was handed pictures of former players that donned the famous red shirt.

His quest was to identify as many as possible and, whilst he struggled to identify some of Arsenal’s former heroes, Saliba’s reference to the Everton boss even had himself in stitches.

Saliba guessed correctly for Alex Song, Gervinho, Yaya Sanogo and Andrey Arshavin, but stumbled when tasked with identifying Denilson, Manuel Almunia and Eduardo.

However, the centre-back saved the best for last when a photo of former defender Philippe Senderos appeared.

Saliba squinted as he looked at the screen before uttering: “Is that the coach of Everton?”

After promptly being told his answer was incorrect, the 22-year-old burst into laughter knowing he had made a hilarious but rare error.

Saliba has become a fan-favourite at the Emirates since his integration into the starting eleven at the beginning of the 2022/23 season.

The France star was a key figure as the Gunners’ ran Manchester City to the wire in last season’s title race.

@nbcsportssoccerSaliba was wide of the mark when trying to identify former Gunner Philippe Senderos[/caption]

@nbcsportssoccerBut quickly found the funny side after being told the Swiss defender was not Sean Dyche![/caption]

How well can William Saliba identify Arsenal players throughout the years? pic.twitter.com/9UF3DIWa1z
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 22, 2023

A back injury picked up in a Europa League tie against Sporting Lisbon in March ruled him out of key games in the title race which many fans believe was a defining moment in the Gunners’ season.

But it has been business as usual this season for Saliba who has played every minute of Arsenal’s Premier League’s matches and featured in all four of the club’s Champions League ties.

Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai reveals everyone has been saying his name wrong

Connor Andrews — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:28:00 +0000

Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai is on track to become a household name, so we should probably all be able to pronounce it right.

The Hungary captain has made an impressive start since he joined the Reds in a £60million move from RB Leipzig this summer.

Szoboszlai has made an impression since his arrival at Anfield

Getty

Szoboszlai enjoyed a fruitful international break, drinking a shot after his masterclass secured Hungary’s qualification for Euro 2024.

The 23-year-old scored two goals and providing an assist in games against Bulgaria and Montenegro to get his country over the line.

He didn’t take long to thrill Liverpool supporters upon his arrival by expressing his love for local hero Gerrard, and taking his no.8 shirt.

Szoboszlai has since played more minutes than any other outfield player at his club this season.

Asked if Szoboszlai had settled quicker than expected in September, Klopp said: “It’s so long ago that he’s here that I’ve forgotten what I thought but since the first minute of training it was pretty impressive.

“That’s how it is. He’s a top bloke, a top guy and it’s easy to step into the team and the dressing room and stuff like this.

“He’s a very naturally confident boy and that helps but it’s super hard work as well and that’s what you see today.”

But now that his name has been regularly spoken around England, the man himself made sure that fans have been saying it right.

Szoboszlai has quickly established himself as a firm fan-favourite

Getty

With the midfielder in his Liverpool kit, the Premier League’s social media team asked how to pronounce his name properly, to which he replied ‘Dominik So-bos-lai’.

There had been some misconceptions over whether the ‘sz’ sounds were pronounced as a ‘sh’ in English, but Szoboszlai has now simply revealed his name is pretty much as it’s written.

Now all that is left is to learn how to spell it without checking…

How many names have you been saying wrong? pic.twitter.com/z6sb9uqEVf
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 22, 2023

Conor Benn’s comeback fight opponent Rodolfo Orozco tests positive for banned substance in drugs test

Michael Benson — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:07:00 +0000

Rodolfo Orozco has reportedly been temporarily suspended after testing positive for a banned substance in a drugs test taken around his fight with Conor Benn.

In September, the British welterweight contender made a controversial return to the ring in the USA following his own positive drugs tests last year, though it has now been revealed that his Mexican opponent has in fact recorded a positive result of his own.

Benn beat Orozco on points

Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

Benn twice tested positive for the banned PED clomifene in two separate VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) drugs tests last year.

A ruling made by the NADP (National Anti-Doping Panel) in the 26-year-old’s UKAD (UK Anti-Doping) case saw his suspension lifted in July, clearing the way for him to fight again.

It has been reported that the decision to lift Benn’s suspension was ‘focused heavily’ on jurisdictional technicalities – specifically UKAD’s inability to rule on VADA tests – and did not include any actual examination of science explaining why clomifene was found in Benn’s system.

UKAD and the BBBofC (British Boxing Board of Control) are appealing the NADP ruling – this appeal has no clear resolution yet.

However, as he is no longer suspended, Benn obtained a Texas boxing licence and used it to return against Orozco in Florida in September.

The fight was no easy task for the Brit, as the Mexican was significantly bigger than him and battled through the ten rounds.

Benn didn’t have things all his own way, but did ultimately win by unanimous decision.

Two months later, it has now been reported by BoxingScene that Orozco tested positive for a banned substance around the fight.

It’s not been revealed what Orozco tested positive for

Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

It’s claimed he has been temporarily suspended by the Florida Boxing License Commission as a result, and the matter is still under investigation.

The exact date of the positive VADA test and substance are unknown.

However, it’s reported that the result did not come back until after the fight took place.

Time will tell how this latest questionable situation for boxing plays out.

Footage of Gregg Popovich slamming Spurs fan for booing Kawhi Leonard goes viral and Tom Brady loves it

Callum Davis — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:04:33 +0000

Tom Brady is fully behind Gregg Popovich’s quite unprecedented decision on Wednesday night.

The legendary coach is one of the most successful head coaches in basketball having won five NBA Championships with the San Antonio Spurs.

Kawhi Leonard catches up with his former head coach Gregg Popvich after the Los Angeles Clippers’ 109-102 win over the San Antonio Spurs

Now into his 28th season as Spurs head coach, the fearsome 74-year-old showed he may have mellowed in his old age in a rare moment of courtside sentimentality.

Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers saw ‘Coach Pop’ reunite with Kawhi Leonard, who spent seven years under him in San Antonio, winning the NBA Championship and MVP award in 2014.

The superstar forward left Spurs under a cloud, forcing a trade after months of tension over his rehabilitation from injury.

Five years on and bitter Spurs fans let their feelings be known as Leonard stepped to the free-throw line.

The Frost Bank Center crowd unleashed a chorus of boos as the Clippers forwards prepared to take the first of two shots with just over three minutes left to play in the first half.

In response, Popovich grabbed the PA announcer’s microphone to demand the home fans stop booing their former star.

“Excuse me for a second,” Popovich said to the crowd. “Can we stop all the booing and let these guys play? Have a little class. That’s not who we are. Knock off the booing.”

Footage of the intervention quickly went viral on social media as thousands of NBA fans rushed to celebrate Popovich’s sportsmanship, including one NFL icon.

Coach Pop grabs the mic mid-game to tell the crowd 'stop booing' at Kawhi pic.twitter.com/ckvZduDdut
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 23, 2023

Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady replied to the viral clip: “Love this.”

Popovich’s plea ultimately fell on deaf ears and instead riled Spurs fans into more vociferous abuse.

The boos continued throughout the game every time Leonard touched the ball.

Popovich denied he was protecting Leonard out of any paternal instinct, insisting he feared the abuse would offer Leonard extra motivation to perform.

“I think anybody that knows anything about sports, you don’t poke the bear,” Popovich said.

After the game Leonard claimed he was unaware Popovich’s dramatic intervention had taken place. “I was just in the moment trying to knock down my free throws,” he said.

“If I don’t have a Spurs jersey on, they’re probably going to boo me the rest of my career,” Leonard said.

“But I mean it is what it is. Like I said, they’re one of the best fans in the league and they’re very competitive. Once I step out on this basketball court out here, they show that they’re going for the other side.

“When I’m on the streets or going into restaurants, they show love. So it is what it is.”

Phil Mickelson calls journalist ‘pathetic’ and ‘worst liar’ over Jon Rahm to LIV Golf rumours

Sean O'Brien — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 09:41:43 +0000

Phil Mickelson has lashed out at journalist Alan Shipnuck over rumours surrounding Jon Rahm and LIV Golf.

Multiple reports claim world No.3 Rahm is in advanced talks over a £480million move to the Saudi-backed breakaway league.

Mickelson has been forced to deny spreading rumours about Rahm to LIV

Getty

The Spaniard is close friends with LIV Golf figurehead Mickelson and the two golfers share the same agent.

Addressing the rumours, Fire Pit Collective writer Shipnuck said: “In recent days Phil has been telling folks that Rahm signing with LIV is a done deal. (They share the same agent.)

“But we all know Mickelson is a relentless salesman/bull**** artist, so take that for what it’s worth.”

It was Shipnuck who first reported Mickelson’s infamous quote referring to the Saudis as ‘scary mother*******’ when LIV was being built in early 2022.

The journalist, who released an unauthorised biography about Mickleson, has since been given the cold shoulder by the six-time major winner.

Responding to Shipnuck’s comments on Wednesday, Mickelson wrote: “This isn’t true and I don’t know anything. I don’t want to know anything and I haven’t said anything. Alan is the worst liar and a pathetic human.”

Shipnuck then doubled down, replying: “I guess Phil tweeted at me? I wouldn’t know since he’s blocked me in a classic tough-guy move. But we all know that what he says publicly and privately are *very* different.”

Meanwhile, The Times claims a source close to peace talks between the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the PGA Tour says Rahm to LIV Golf is ‘possible’ but officials remain tight-lipped.

Rahm (middle) and Mickelson (right) often compete in practice rounds together at majors

AFP

The 29-year-old, who is also close friends with LIV rebel Sergio Garcia, has been linked to the breakaway league multiple times in the past year.

Speaking in August, Rahm told the Golf Sin Etiquetas Podcast: “I laugh when people rumour me with the LIV Golf league. I’ve never liked the format.

“I always have a good time with Phil [Mickelson] and Sergio [Garcia] in the practice rounds of majors.

“Phil respects my decision and I respect his decision. He has told me that I have no reason to go to LIV. And he has told me that several times.”

Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez comparisons premature but Liverpool star now set to rival Man City ace after Lionel Messi praise

Jack Johnson — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 09:37:00 +0000

Lionel Messi has thrown praise onto Darwin Nunez amid the striker’s superb start to the campaign for both club and country.

And the Liverpool frontman may now be ready to finally challenge Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, one year after he fell short of comparisons between the two.

Nunez is bouncing back from a poor season last year

Getty

Haaland and Nunez meet this weekend, live on talkSPORT, as the rivals clash for the fourth time since they both arrived in England in the summer of 2022.

The forwards were the Premier League’s big-money deals of that transfer window and they were instantly compared against each other.

However, while Haaland quickly became one of the world’s deadliest goalscorers at Manchester City, Nunez struggled to settle at Liverpool.

The Uruguayan started his first season well but then a red card on his home debut derailed his success, only scoring nine goals during the campaign.

Compared to his Norweigan counterpart, he was a whopping 27 goals behind, as the Man City superstar broke the top-flight scoring record.

That proved that comparisons between the two may have been premature, even to the point that Jurgen Klopp was hoping Nunez wasn’t looking at what Haaland was achieving.

The Reds boss said last year: “Let me say it like this, I think Darwin Nunez would have scored a couple more goals if he had played in the centre of Man City this season.

“I hope it is not in a process where he compares himself with Erling Haaland. Don’t compare, I hope he is not doing that and doesn’t think about that. I don’t see that.”

Nunez has some impressive stats after only six starts

And it seems Nunez hasn’t got caught up on his disappointing first campaign in England.

He has come out of the blocks firing on all cylinders, scoring four goals and providing four assists in 11 games for Liverpool in the Premier League this season.

Haaland does still have more goals and is in fact now one away from becoming the fastest to score 50 in the top-flight, netting 49 goals in only 47 games in total.

But this campaign, he has started double the matches compared to Nunez, meaning the Reds striker having more passes and ball recoveries is extremely impressive.

His impact in all areas of the pitch has seen him become a key player for the Reds, with his incredible speed causing all sorts of issues.

That has led to Nunez getting praise from one of football’s greatest in Messi, who said before Argentina faced Uruguay: “Uruguay are good at rebounding and playing in space on the counter-attack.

“They have excellent players for that like Darwin [Núñez]…”

Nunez’s national teammate and Liverpool legend Luis Suarez has also spoken very highly of him, labelling him ‘one of the best No.9s in the world.’

Nunez in all competitions

Liverpool

Premier League – 4 goals and 4 assists in 11 matches
Carabao Cup – 1 goal in 2 matches
Europa League – 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 matches

Uruguay

Qualifiers: 5 goals and 1 assist in 6 matches

Total

12 goals and 7 assists in 23 matches

Nunez is on his way to becoming Klopp’s key man

AFP

His resilience has been nothing short of superb and the way he has bounced back from falling behind Haaland is impressive.

Klopp has also been speaking about Nunez’s contribution to his side so far this season.

“Outstanding! Outstanding!” he said after Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Brentford.

“Everyone can see; look at him how he kept the ball for us, who would of thought that last year?

“That he could do that for us. [The] standout was Darwin because Brentford wanted long balls so he started the pressing.

“[His] work-rate was insane.”

Nunez’s confidence is sky-high and he now seems ready to step up against Haaland.

And there will not be a better time to prove that he is the real deal than on Saturday afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.

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Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron II odds and free bets on talkSPORT BET

Tom Lunn — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 09:15:00 +0000

It’s the rematch for Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron in Dublin this weekend with the lightweight belts on the line.

And talkSPORT BET has a huge offer for the fight where you can bet £5 and triple your winnings up to £300!

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Taylor vs Cameron II: Preview

Taylor made her Dublin homecoming in May of this year when first facing Cameron.

Something that had been in the works for around seven years in total as she fought in London, New York, Leeds, Liverpool and many more since she departed on her professional debut back in November 2016.

But it wasn’t to be that her homecoming would extend her unbeaten record as she suffered her first defeat in professional boxing, with her record now reading 22-1-0.

Cameron as a result of her win became the undisputed light-welterweight champion with these belts; WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring female light-welterweight which go on the line again this weekend.

The ‘Bray Bomber’ is still aiming to become a two-weight undisputed champion but Cameron has her own undefeated record to protect now.

She’s won 18 times and will be an incredibly tough challenger to overcome again, and as such she’s odds-on to beat Taylor again.

Taylor vs Cameron II: Odds

Chantelle Cameron – 21/40
Draw – 12/1
Katie Taylor – 6/4

Taylor vs Cameron II: Undercard

Subject to change

MAIN EVENT: Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron 2 – for IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO super-lightweight title
Paddy Donovan vs Danny Ball
Gary Cully vs Reece Mould
Skye Nicolson vs Lucy Wildheart – for WBC interim featherweight title
John Cooney vs Liam Gaynor
Zelfa Barrett vs Costin Ion
Thomas Carty vs Dan Garber
Emmet Brennan vs Jamie Morrissey
Giorgio Visioli vs Lee Anthony Sibley

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November Racing weekend at Ascot: Racing tips and preview

Tom Lunn — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 09:08:00 +0000

Ascot puts on a great meeting on Saturday which features the 1965 Chase which has Shishkin and Pic D’Orhy the main contenders in.

Shishkin could be heading to Haydock for the Betfair Chase, but he’s odds-on for this and should find this better suited over 2m5f.

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There’s a couple of other big races on Saturday too including the Grade 2 Hurdle just after the feature race.

This one is much more open though, with nine runners, with prices starting at 2/1 with Goshen.

All eyes are on Shishkin for this weekend at Ascot and it’ll be a big race should he go here and take on Pic D’Orhy once again.

Ascot betting tips

12.20, Ascot Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3): Chianti Classico
1.30, 1965 Chase (Grade 2): Shishkin 4/6
2.05, Coral Hurdle (Grade 2): Theatre Glory 3/1

12.20: Chianti Classico

Having tipped Chianti Classico before the declarations based on his consistent and superior jumping compared to the others but now there’s just three runners.

Chianti Classico now sets the clear standard, having been entered into the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham Festival but was pulled up at 66/1.

He went off for a wind op in the summer and returned to form over fences for the first time which says a lot and it was that good the handicapper has put him up 8lb.

His hurdle form and win on seasonal debut looks like he will be a big bet here this weekend, especially on his second run since having a wind surgery.

1.30: Shishkin

Shishkin stamped his authority over Pic D’Orhy at Ascot when stepping up to 2m5f for the first time in February

AFP

He came back from a wind surgery in February when winning over this course and distance, after failing to fire in two consecutive races in 2022.

Just a month after his disappointing third place finish at Sandown in December 2022 he had a wind op and that made a significant chance immediately when he returned just over a month later.

Beating Pic D’Orhy by 16 lengths and then he confirmed his ability to go over further – when winning the 3m1f Grade 1 Aintree Bowl Chase in April, beating Ahoy Senor well despite seemingly beaten before the second obstacle.

Shishkin has had two races at Ascot, winning both with the other coming against Energumene in what was probably one of the best races, in the Clarence House Chase in January 2022.

2.05: Theatre Glory

Sceau Royal is a 5/1 shot and though looks like a great play but has yet to really stamp his authority over this kind of a distance.

His last win came at Kempton back in October 2022 and his form reads 43264 since then, dropping down 6lb since that win, where he was the 4/9 favourite.

But he did come a close second to Brewin’upastorm at Fontwell in February over 2m3f, despite carrying 6lb more.

He then didn’t go too well at Kempton in October on seasonal debut which also doesn’t bode well for this weekend.

Goshen will be carrying the most here but is still the favourite at around 2/1.

His last race was on the flat at Newmarket which can have a line drawn through it for the sake of this hurdle contest.

He was a neck second to Knappers Hill at Sandown in April where Theatre Glory was a close third.

They step back in trip just slightly for this one and it may result in Theatre Glory benefiting the most.

He was tested at Newbury on his seasonal debut last year and despite being prominent for the most part was unseated.

In the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival in March, she came a decent sixth place behind the winner, Honeysuckle.

But her best performance was beating Molly Ollys Wishes at Warwick by 11 lengths, while only given 4lb in weight from the second place.

She was showing great form throughout last season and should improve even further on her first run this campaign after a summer off.

She has the pace to win well over 2m and the couple stamina and speed to win over two and a half miles so there could be a huge run here, once again given plenty of weight from Goshen.

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Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
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For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.