Opportunism was the name of the game for Atletico Madrid in 2020-21 and, ultimately, it led them all the way to the title.
First, they pounced on the opportunity to sign Luis Suarez, then Diego Simeone s squad enjoyed a commanding start to the season that left their rivals playing catch-up.
Lionel Messi s situation at Barcelona contributed to the Blaugrana being slow out of the blocks, and although Atletico almost contrived to throw it all away in the latter stages of the season, they proved their resilience in seeing it out.
While opportunism led to success then, this season Atletico arguably find themselves on the cusp of a new, dominant era. Barca are in an even greater mess than 12 months ago and no longer have Messi to bail them out, while Madrid s only maj…
Villarreal defender Jaume Costa admits it will be tough to replicate the club s stunning 2013 in the new year.
Marcelino s side were promoted to La Liga ahead of this season and have made an excellent start to life in Spain s top flight.
Villarreal currently sit sixth in the table at the mid-season break thanks in the main to a defence that is third-best in the division behind the top two, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Costa has made 14 appearances for Villarreal this season but acknowledges 2014 might not be as good for the club despite being upbeat about the future.
Being at the level of this year is going to be tricky, Costa said.
But we know we have to perform like that if we re going to do well.
Every year in football is different and every game…
The last team to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles was Tom Brady’s 2004 Patriots team. And after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Promised Land in 2020 and cementing his place as the greatest of all time, Brady is essentially now chasing his own ghost.
The Bucs are favorites to win a second straight Lombardi, the NFC title, the NFC South, and pretty much every game on their 2021 schedule. Are bettors willing to eat that chalk or will they snack on all the points being handed to Tampa’s opponents?
Here’s our 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL betting preview.
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Sunday night, the Cleveland Browns visit their AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, as both clubs look to win back-to-back games for the first time since mid-October. Baltimore comes in as 3.5-point favorites with a total of 47 and will have Lamar Jackson under center, while the Browns should get tackle Jack Conklin and RB Kareem Hunt back.
Can the Browns lean on their power running game against the Ravens’ No. 5 rush defense? Can Lamar and the offense find some success after totaling just 26 points over their last two games? Find out in our Sunday night free props and predictions for Browns at Ravens.
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A rematch of the NFC Championship Game will play out at Levi’s Stadium on Monday night as the Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers.
Los Angeles has ruled the roost in the NFC West through three weeks at 2-1, though the 49ers trail by just a game at 1-2. If San Francisco forces a tie with L.A. in the divisional standings, it will likely be due to a big effort from wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Here are our three favorite Deebo Samuel prop picks for Monday, October 3.
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Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s teaser time!
Sadly, the teaser ship didn’t get righted last week, and my teaser record for the season now sits at an unfortunate 5-8. It’s been a tough stretch when it comes to the NFL odds, but with five weeks remaining and the potential for a teaser or two in the playoffs, there’s still time to turn this thing around.
Week 14 odds are an ugly one for the most part, highlighted by a lot of backup quarterbacks and some potentially messy weather. However, we do have some nice-looking teaser spots that can hopefully give our bankrolls a nice boost to contribute to some holiday fun!
I need some rum for my eggnog, and a teaser win in W…
The New York Giants are under the microscope this offseason after allowing the “Hard Knocks” cameras behind the curtain.
The G-Men added and subtracted on both sides of the ball heading into the 2024 season, but their fate could be the same as last year’s 6-11 SU finish (8-8-1 ATS). At least that’s what New York’s season win total says (6.5 Under -135).
With an improved defense and one of the least talented offenses, the Giants will continue to be an Under lean following a 6-11 Over/Under tally in 2023.
I break down “Big Blue” and give my best NFL picks and predictions in my 2024 New York Giants betting preview.