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MLS Parlay Picks for Saturday, July 15, 2023

Thursday, July 13, 2023

My three-team parlay last week blew up in my face pretty quickly. The Columbus Crew were fortunate to settle for a draw against New York City FC after Juan Camilo Hernandez Suarez picked up a red card for the home side in the 68th minute. Sean Zawadzki had to score in the fourth minute of extra time for the Crew to pick up a point, but at least they fared better than Minnesota United.

I pegged the Loons to pick up a win at home against Austin FC, but instead they put together one of their worst performances of the season in a 4-1 loss. Minnesota United had some early chances, but Austin ended up scoring three goals in the span of 16 minutes to put the game away. Sebastian Driussi notched a brace in six minutes as Austin FC picked up a much-needed road win.

Funnily enough, my best bet had the biggest payoff and was the one underdog I put in the parlay. The Los Angeles Galaxy continue to turn things around while the Philadelphia Union keep struggling, as the Galaxy defeated the Union 3-1 in LA. The hosts had more possession and carried the day thanks to more and better scoring opportunities even if the game was higher scoring than expected. The xG numbers had the Galaxy ahead by a margin of 1.4 to 0.7.

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MLS Parlay Picks for Saturday, July 15, 2023

FC Cincinnati -0.5 -102

Nashville SC +0.5 -122

Over/Under 2.5

Atlanta United -0.5 +105

Orlando City SC +0.5 -127

Over/Under 2.5 and 3

$100 Parlay to Win $225.25

After going with three home teams last week, I?m rolling with two away teams this weekend. In the first leg of my two-team parlay, I?m betting against the best team in the league in FC Cincinnati. The Orange and Blue have been the most surprising team of the year and are running away with the Supporters? Shield. FC Cincinnati have only dropped two games and have eight more points than any other team in the MLS, but their goal differential numbers stick out like a sore thumb. They have 12 more wins than losses, yet they are just +12 in GD.

Nashville SC boasts the best back line in the league. The Coyotes have only allowed 19 goals through 23 matches, and they have the reigning league MVP in Hany Mukhtar. Most MVP winners have a letdown the following season, but there?s a good chance that Mukhtar is the first back-to-back Landon Donovan MVP winner in league history. A whopping 70% of Nashville?s goals have been directly contributed by Mukhtar who has a sterling 13 goals and eight assists through 22 games.

The combination of the best defense in the league, Hany Mukhtar, and an FC Cincinnati team that isn?t as good as its record indicates has me looking to go with the visitors for my first bet. I am riding with Orlando City SC as my second choice even though Atlanta United has dominated this series between southeast rivals. Atlanta United has earned a result in 16 of its 19 matches against Orlando City, but the Five Stripes aren?t at full strength right now.

Star newcomer Giorgos Giakoumakis suffered an undisclosed injury against the Philadelphia Union two weeks ago. The Five Stripes have struggled on offense since that point as Giakoumakis was the main man in this offense with 10 goals in 16 matches. Thiago Almada has done his best with eight goals and 10 assists, but there is no one else that is a true finisher on ATLUTD. Meanwhile, Duncan McGuire is a young star in the making for Orlando, and he can help the Lions keep it close.

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MLS Parlay Picks for Saturday, July 8, 2023

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Usually, I stick to two sides for my MLS Parlay of the Week, but I?m feeling so good about this week?s slate that I am going big with a three-team parlay that pays off at nearly 8-1. I am once again riding with nothing but home teams as I simply don?t trust road teams in the MLS given the travel most teams have to endure. My favorite plays are Minnesota United and the Los Angeles Galaxy, but I like the price on Columbus enough that I have thrown them in this parlay too.

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MLS Parlay Picks for Saturday, July 8, 2023

Columbus Crew -127

New York City FC +320

Draw +295

Over/Under 2.5 and 3

Minnesota United -115

Austin FC +285

Draw +290

Over/Under 2.5 and 3

Los Angeles Galaxy +169

Philadelphia Union +149

Draw +260

Over/Under 2.5 and 3

$100 Parlay to Win $798.91

The Columbus Crew have been one of the league?s best home teams so far this season. Columbus is 8-1-2 in 11 home games, and the Crew are hoping to use their dominance in Ohio?s capital to run down in-state rival FC Cincinnati for the top spot in the conference. The Crew are the highest-scoring team in the league, averaging two goals per game, and they should be able to break down New York City FC in the back with Lucas Zelarayan and Cucho leading the way. Zelarayan looks to be an MLS Best XI selection with eight goals and seven assists in 18 games, while Cucho is a solid set-up man as well with five goals and 10 assists. That has helped Christian Ramirez notch eight goals too.

Meanwhile, NYCFC might miss the postseason for the first time in franchise history. This attack has been toothless with just 23 goals in 22 games, and the club has just one road win to its credit all season. Richard Ledezma is trying to be the set-up man that the team needs in the middle of the pitch, but he is just 22 years old and needs more seasoning.

Teemu Pukki signed with Minnesota United FC as a Designated Player a little over a week ago, and the former Norwich City forward looks set to make his debut this weekend. Pukki has poured in the goals for Brondby and Norwich over the last decade, notching 142 goals in 328 appearances, and he will now look to become a goal scoring machine in the MLS. That should definitely kickstart a Minnesota attack that has netted just 21 goals in 24 games and has been dependent on a very good defense.

Austin FC is currently in position to make the postseason. They acquired Brandan Craig on a loan from Philadelphia to help out their defense, and he could make his debut for his new club this week.

Finally, we come to the real kicker. Adding the Los Angeles Galaxy to this parlay significantly bumps up the potential return, and I believe that the Galaxy are starting to turn a corner. They have recorded a result in six straight games against MLS foes, beating two teams and drawing four times.

As well as the Galaxy have played, this is also a bet against the Philadelphia Union. Philly has not been the same since goalkeeper Andre Blake left the team to represent Jamaica at the 2023 Gold Cup. Blake is a three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award winner, and he won the award while being named to the MLS Best XI last year. His absence has left a big hole in the back, and veteran goalkeeper Joe Bendik has shown why he has been a backup since leaving Orlando City SC back in 2018.

Check out the latest odds at BookMaker

Argentina vs. France World Cup Final Betting

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Two of the most successful teams in World Cup history will meet on Sunday in the World Cup Final on FOX, as Argentina takes on France. Both teams will be looking to win their third World Cup title, as only Brazil, Germany and Italy have more World Cup titles. Lionel Messi will be looking to win his first World Cup, while France will be looking to do something that has not been done in 60 years and that is defend a World Cup title. Brazil was the last team to win consecutive World Cups, as they took the title in 1958 and in 1962. Argentina and France met four years ago in the Round of 16 and it was a high scoring match that France ended up winning by a score of 4-3.

Let?s look at World Cup Final picks.

World Cup Final

Argentina vs. France

Date: Sunday, December 18, 2022

Time: 10:00 AM Eastern

Venue: Lusail Stadium, Al Daayen, Qatar

TV: FOX

FIFA World Cup Final Betting Odds

Argentina +164

France +180

Draw +210

Total 2 (over -122)

TEAM TO LIFT THE TROPHY

Argentina -120

France -110

Argentina vs. France

The loss to Saudi Arabia for Argentina looks now to be the best thing to have happened to the team. They got a kick in the pants and have played like they are capable of playing. They rolled over Mexico and Poland to get out of the group stage and then got past Australia in the Round of 16 before surviving a blown lead to win in penalties against Netherlands. The semifinal win against Croatia was over early. Argentina has been getting strong play from Messi and Julian Alvarez and each will need to be a factor on Sunday if Argentina is going to win. There is no question that Argentina will face their toughest test yet against the defending champs.

France rolled through their group with the only loss coming in a meaningless game against Tunisia. The Round of 16 match was an easy win for France over Poland but the quarterfinal match against England was tough. The semifinal match against Morocco was really nothing more than a formality, as France had too many weapons for Morocco.

France can score plenty of goals, as they are led by Mbappe but they also have Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann.

Argentina vs. France World Cup Final Picks

Can Messi finally come through in the clutch for Argentina? He is definitely playing at a high level right now, but France has been here before and they have plenty of star power of their own. Oddsmakers seem to be giving Argentina more credit than perhaps they deserve simply because they expect the public to bet on Messi finally winning a World Cup. Perhaps Argentina will win, but France has looked like the better team and getting them at a pick to win the World Cup has some value. That begin said, the better play by far is the total.

I am shocked that the total on this game is just two. Both teams have shown throughout the World Cup that they can score goals and each has more than one scoring option, as Argentina has Messi and Alvarez, while France has Mbappe and Giroud. I don?t know that either of these keepers can be trusted. Argentina?s Emiliano Martinez has played well but historically he has not always been consistent and it is not like he has faced a ton of shots in this year?s World Cup. On the other side, Hugo Lloris has the better pedigree but he has shown some weaknesses this year. I know that oftentimes in a final you will see teams take a more cautious approach, but neither Argentina nor France is a team that will sit back and wait for chances. I expect each team to press the pace and put pressure on the opposing keeper. I?ll go over the total in Sunday?s World Cup Final.

Check out the latest odds at BookMaker

FIFA World Cup Semifinals Betting Lines

Moay, December 12, 2022

The World Cup semifinals are set with Argentina taking on Croatia, while France plays Morocco. This year?s World Cup has been very unpredictable, as powerful teams like Brazil and Spain are gone, while a team like Morocco is still alive. The first of the semifinal matchups takes place on Tuesday, December 13 with Argentina favored against Croatia. The second semifinal is scheduled for Wednesday, December 14 with France heavily favored against Morocco. Both games begin at 2 pm Eastern and can be seen on FOX. Argentina has been a perennial underachiever in the World Cup but oddsmakers have them favored against Croatia. France is the defending World Cup champion and it is no surprise they are a big favorite to win their match against Morocco on Wednesday.

Let?s look at World Cup semifinal picks.

World Cup Semifinals

Argentina vs. Croatia

Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Time: 2:00 PM Eastern

Venue: Lusail Stadium, Al Daayen, Qatar

TV: FOX

FIFA World Cup Betting Odds

Argentina -131

Croatia +400

Draw +240

Total 2 (over -118)

Team to Advance

Argentina -286

Croatia +240

Argentina vs. Croatia

Did you know that the last five knockout round wins for Croatia have come in extra time or by penalty kicks? The two key players in this match are Lionel Messi and Luka Modric but don?t forget about the keepers, Argentina?s Emiliano Martinez and Croatia?s Dominik Livakovic. Messi has scored four goals so far in Qatar and will be a marked man by Croatia on Tuesday. Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic said his team has nothing to fear. ?We know how much he runs, how much he likes to play with the ball at his feet and the key to our defensive phase will be discipline,? Dalic said to the media, ?If we repeat the same thing as against Brazil, which is that we are close (to him), that we stand by the player, we have nothing to fear.?

If this game goes to penalties, and that is definitely possible considering no team goes to extra time more than Croatia, the keepers will be very important. Martinez rose to the occasion in the win against the Netherlands and he may need to be great again if Argentina is to advance.

Argentina vs. Croatia World Cup Picks

The value is all on Croatia in this match. There is no way they should be listed as more than a 2-1 underdog to advance. I?ll take a flyer on Croatia at +240 to advance to the final.

World Cup Semifinals

France vs. Morocco

Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Time: 2:00 PM Eastern

Venue: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar

TV: FOX

FIFA World Cup Betting Odds

France -189

Morocco +575

Draw +290

Total 2 (over -139)

Team to Advance

France -441

Morocco +355

France vs. Morocco

We know that Morocco has an excellent defense and a goaltender that is playing out of his mind. Morocco gets their toughest test yet against a France team that has a number of players who can break down a defense including Kylian Mbappe. Morocco can?t just focus on Mbappe because France has other scoring options including Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud.

Morocco is a great story, but to stay with France they are going to need someone to score. Youssef En-Nesyri would seem to be the man who has to get a goal in this game if Morocco is to have any chance. Many people are talking about the great defense from Morocco and there is no question they have been superb, but no team has more scoring options than France. Morocco needs to put away their chances; something they didn?t do against Spain and Portugal. It also hurts Morocco?s cause that Romain Saiss is dealing with a hamstring injury.

France vs. Morocco World Cup Picks

The win for Morocco against Spain was shocking and there is no question that Morocco plays excellent defense, but Morocco is facing an even bigger test against France. This France team is experienced, has numerous scoring options and they have a superstar in Mbappe. It all adds up to a France win, so I?ll lay the price and take France to win in regulation.

Check out the latest odds at BookMaker

Champions League Final Liverpool vs. Real Madrid Odds

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Two of the truly elite teams in European football will meet for the biggest prize in club soccer this weekend. Real Madrid is out to double up the rest of Europe as the Spanish giants will be playing for their 14th Champions League title. No other club has won more than seven Champions League crowns (AC Milan), so to say Real Madrid is in rarified air is an understatement. However, they are not favored to beat Liverpool, and the Reds can tie Inter with seven Champions League titles if they can knock off Real Madrid in Paris.

Champions League Final ? Liverpool FC vs. Real Madrid

When: Saturday, May 28, 2022, 3 p.m. ET

Where: Stade de France, Saint-Denis France

TV: CBS and Paramount Plus

UEFA Champions Legue Final Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Liverpool FC +110

Real Madrid +229

Draw +276

Total 2.5 and 3

This could have been an all-time great season for Liverpool, but they will have to either settle for a double or a treble after failing to catch Manchester City for the Premier League title on Decision Day. The Citizens nearly relinquished the title after falling behind 2-0 at home to Aston Villa, but they rallied to secure the requisite three points. Liverpool won the FA Cup and EFL Cup, and a Champions League title would be more than just a small consolation.

Liverpool is likely relishing the opportunity to take on a Real Madrid side that beat them 3-1 in Kyiv four years ago in the Champions League Final. Mo Salah had to come off in the 29th minute after separating his shoulder in an altercation with Sergio Ramos, but Liverpool still largely controlled the run of play for long stretches despite being an underdog.

Unfortunately, goalkeeper Loris Karius made two critical errors that led to Real Madrid goals, resulting in a Liverpool loss.

Real Madrid is not as dominant of a squad as we have seen in recent years. They did win another La Liga title, but the Spanish league is not as strong as it once was with Barcelona having to rebuild due to its financial situation. The Whites were anywhere from somewhat fortunate to extremely fortunate to advance in all three stages of the knockout rounds too, as they needed miracles to get past both Paris-Saint Germain and Manchester City.

Champions League Final Free Pick

There will be a lot of action on Real Madrid ahead of this match. Some bettors see Real Madrid as a team of destiny after their incredible comebacks at the Bernabeu, while others will just see the price tag and jump at the chance to bet the top team in Champions League history as an underdog.

Don?t fall into either trap though. There is a reason why Liverpool is close to an odds-on favorite on the three-way line. The Reds have been exceptional on the attack this year, and they have two elite strikers in Sadio Mane and Mo Salah that play off each other extremely well. The midfield has been solid with captain Jordan Henderson in the center of the pitch, and Virgil van Dijk has proven himself time and again on this stage.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid is a flawed team. Karim Benzema is a talisman that keeps delivering in crucial moments, but there isn?t much help otherwise up top. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are past their prime, and the back line has been porous all throughout the Champions League. Liverpool should net multiple goals and pick up a win.

Champions League Final Best Bet: Liverpool FC

UEFA Champions League Final Betting Odds

Thursday, May 27, 2021

For the second time in three years, we will have an all-England Champions League Final. However, neither team took part in the 2019 Champions League Final in Madrid. That speaks to the depth of quality teams in the English Premier League as Chelsea and Manchester City will square off this Saturday. This will be Chelsea?s third trip to the Champions League Final, and they have had both of their previous appearances go to penalties. Meanwhile, Manchester City will be making its first finals trip. The Champions League Final will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 3 p.m. ET at Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Portugal.

UEFA Champions League Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Manchester City FC -119

Chelsea FC +358

Draw +259

Over/Under 2 and 2.5

The Citizens are favored to win their first Champions League after claiming another Premier League title this season. Manchester City?s owners have made no secret that they have been gunning for a Champions League win from the outset. They have come close and were one of the favorites at the start of the competition the last few seasons, and they are hoping to finally claim their Holy Grail.

City had little trouble with German clubs Borussia Monchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund in the first two knockout rounds. They triumphed over Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals too, ensuring that the other major club desperate for their first Champions League title will have to wait another year.

This starting eleven is dripping with talent. Kevin De Bruyne has proved his talent time and time again as a hybrid midfielder/forward, and he is arguably the most gifted player Pep Guardiola has on the roster. De Bruyne tallied 10 goals and led City with 18 assists this season.

That?s far from it though. Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan had 17 goals to lead the team, and youngster Phil Foden had 16 goals and 10 assists. Raheem Sterling continued to deliver up top with 14 goals and 10 assists, and Ferran Torres and Gabriel Jesus are incredible goal scoring threats too. Riyad Mahrez was the hero in the second leg against PSG with a brace to seal the victory, as he continues to have moments of absolute brilliance.

It will be a bittersweet day for Sergio Aguero though. Aguero has been the star of City for the last decade, but this will be his last time in the blue and white. After ten years and 184 goals with the club, he will move to Barcelona in the offseason after falling out of favor.

Chelsea used an exceptional defensive effort to get to the Champions League Final. The Blues blanked Atletico Madrid in both legs in their Round of 16 matchup, and they allowed a single goal to Porto over two games in the quarterfinals. They held Real Madrid without a goal at Stamford Bridge, as Timo Werner and Mason Mount propelled Chelsea into the final.

This team has an interesting mix of young talent and proven veterans. Timo Werner has been worth his hefty transfer fee, and Mason Mount has developed nicely. Kai Havertz has been solid, but not spectacular, after being added in the offseason too. Christian Pulisic has shined in some spots, and Hakim Ziyech has provided some offense as well.

The keys to the defense are midfielders N?Golo Kante and Jorginho. Kante has been heralded as the best defensive midfielder in the world multiple times, while Jorginho cleans up a lot playing just behind the other midfielders.

Prediction

We saw Manchester City run Chelsea off the pitch in Stamford Bridge in early January. The Citizens scored three goals in the first 34 minutes and cruised to a 3-1 win. Chelsea knocked off City on the ro ad earlier this month thanks to a Marcos Alonso extra time goal, but the Citizens sat most of their stars with the Premier League already in hand.

Both teams are close to full strength for this final, but Kante is a little banged up and Cheslea goaltender Edouard Mendy is questionable to play. Even if Kante and Mendy were fully healthy though, it wouldn?t be enough for Chelsea to win their second Champions League title.

UEFA Europa League Final Betting Odds

Moay, May 16, 2022

A Scottish team could win the Europa League for the first time ever this week. Dundee United, Celtic, and Rangers have all made it to the Europa League Final in the past, but all three clubs fell short of the title. Rangers would love to be the first winner in the history of Scotland on Wednesday, yet they are underdogs per the soccer betting odds to Eintracht Frankfurt. The German club bested Bundesliga counterpart Borussia Monchengladbach for the title in 1980, becoming the second German team to earn the honor.

Europa League Final ? Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Glasgow Rangers

When: Wednesday, March 18, 2022, 3 p.m. ET

Where: Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, Seville, Spain

TV: CBS and Paramount Plus

Europa Legue Final Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Eintracht Frankfurt +124

Glasgow Rangers +218

Draw +259

Over/Under 2.5

It wasn?t an easy path to the Europa League Final for Rangers. They failed to make it out of early qualifying for the Champions League with two losses to Malmo, and they had to hold on for a win over Armenian side FC Alashkert to make the Europa League. Rangers went a paltry 2-2-2 in the Group Stage and nearly missed out on a spot in the knockout rounds, but they have roared to life over the last couple months. They pulled off upset wins over both Borussia Dortmund and Red Star Belgrade, and they emerged victorious over Braga in extra time. Red Bull Leipzig was supposed to finally send them out, but Rangers won 3-1 at home in the second leg to pull off the upset.

Eintracht Frankfurt dropped down to the Europa League after finishing in third place in its Champions League group. They defeated Real Betis in added time in their first match and then knocked out favorites Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate in the quarterfinals. The club was very strong against West Ham United in the semifinals, and that run has led to Eintracht Frankfurt being close to an odds-on favorite to win this match by the three-way betting odds.

The leading goal scorer in this competition has been Rangers right back James Tavernier. He is the captain of the club, and he has put the squad upon his back throughout this Europa League. Tavernier has certainly benefited from being Rangers? penalty taker, but he has also come up from the back line to lead the charge at times. Eintracht Frankfurt must constantly be aware of his location.

Alfredo Morelos was Rangers? second-leading scorer in this competition before suffering a season-ending injury a few months ago. That will put some pressure on the forwards, as finishing in the final third has been a bit of an issue for the players up top.

Eintracht Frankfurt has a fantastic distributor in Filip Kostic and a strong finisher up top in Daichi Kamada. Kostic leads the Europa League competition with five assists, while Kamada has scored five goals.

Former Paris Saint-Germain starter Kevin Trapp is the goalkeeper for Eintracht Frankfurt. Trapp has been solid in goal for the club, and they are happy to have him back after a few years in Paris.

Europa League Final Free Pick

There is more offensive firepower with Eintracht Frankfurt than there is with Rangers. Eintracht Frankfurt are a middle-class Bundesliga team, and they have the depth that is needed for the final. Trapp should be fine in net, while Rangers offense will likely be stymied throughout the evening. That will be enough for the favorites to lift the Europa League Final trophy for the second time.

Europa League Final Best Bet: Eintracht Frankfurt

UEFA Europa League Final Betting Odds

Moay, May 24, 2021

The biggest question entering this year?s Europa League was whether Spanish teams would continue to have a stranglehold on this competition. Spain has dominated this tournament over the last dozen years with Atletico Madrid winning three times and Sevilla winning four times. Neither one of those teams took part in the Europa League this time as they were involved in the Champions League, but Villarreal is looking to continue the run for La Roja. It won?t be easy for the Yellow Submarine to win though, as they are significant underdogs to Manchester United.

The Europa League Final will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2021 at 3 p.m. ET at Stadion Miejski in Gdansk, Poland.

Europa League Finals Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Villarreal CF +338

Manchester United -118

Draw +265

Over/Under 2 and 2.5

The Red Devils have been one of the best teams in the world all season. Manchester United finished runner-up to Manchester City in the Premier League, and they shook off a disappointing performance in the Champions League that saw them finish behind Paris Saint-Germain and Red Bull Leipzig in the Group Stage. They have been considered the team to beat in the Europa League since their Round of 16 victory over AC Milan.

Manchester United hammered Granada 4-0 over two legs in the quarterfinals and dismantled Roma in the first leg at Old Trafford in the semifinals. The Red Devils overcame a 2-1 halftime deficit to slot in five second half goals, making the second leg back in Rome virtually irrelevant.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done a great job with this club since taking over. There have been plenty of skeptics and plenty of misses since Alex Ferguson stepped down, but it appears that Manchester United finally has its man. Of course, it helps that the Red Devils have a ton of young talent and some older pieces that have proven they can contribute too.

Edinson Cavani has proved he still has what it takes to thrive at a high level with his play over the last couple months, and Paul Pogba remains a difference maker in the midfield. The emergence of Mason Greenwood alongside Marcus Rashford has been a delight to watch, and Bruno Fernandes has played great.

However, there are concerns in the back. David de Gea hasn?t been great in net this year, and Dean Henderson may start over him on Wednesday. Additionally, Harry Maguire is a serious doubt to be in the starting lineup as he is dealing with an ankle injury. United are not as strong in defense without their talented center back.

Villarreal were placed in the Europa League from the outset. They played in one of the easiest groups during the Group Stage, and they had little trouble finishing ahead of Israel?s Maccabi Tel Aviv, Turkey?s Sivasspor, and Azerbaijan?s Qarabag.

The Yellow Submarine have been extremely impressive in the knockout rounds, overcoming the oddsmakers? expectations multiple times due to their defense. They allowed just one goal in a 4-1 aggregate win over Red Bull Salzburg and followed that up with a 4-0 aggregate win over Dynamo Kyiv. Dinamo Zagreb and Arsenal could each only score one time against this defense, so Villarreal have given up just three goals in eight matches during the knockout rounds.

Gerard Moreno is this team?s primary scoring option. Moreno notched 23 goals for Villarreal this season, and he was the designated penalty taker too. Paco Alcacer is someone to watch on offense as well, but there isn?t a lot of talent on the attack. Instead, Villarreal rely on their defense to win matches.

Prediction

Although Manchester United are certainly more talented, this price on Villarreal is too good to pass up. The Yellow Submarine play exceptional defense, and they can grit out a low scoring win.

EURO 2020 Final: England vs. Italy Betting Odds

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Is it actually coming home? For the first time since England won its lone World Cup in 1966, the Three Lions will be involved in an international final. They have benefited from being able to play five of their six matches at Wembley, and they will get to have the home crowd at their backs once again on Sunday. Italy is the toughest test that England has faced yet though. The Azzurri have not lost an international match since September 2018.

History will be made in the EURO 2020 Finals. This match will take place on Sunday, July 11, 2021, at 3 p.m. ET at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

UEFA EURO 2020 Odds at BookMaker.eu

England +183

Italy +179

Draw +213

Over/Under 2

Odds Analysis

Since suffering a 1-0 loss to Portugal in Nations League play back on September 10, 2018, Italy has not lost a match. The Azzurri tallied 22 wins and five draws before the start of EURO 2020, and they have continued to look untouchable at this competition. They outscored their opponents 7-0 in the Group Stage, and they have advanced over Austria, Belgium, and Spain on their way to the finals. Their toughest test was on Tuesday when they needed penalties to dispatch of long-time rival Spain.

England was one of the favorites to win EURO 2020 before the competition got underway. The English made it to the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup, and they continued to shine under Gareth Southgate in the run-up to this event. They didn?t allow a goal in seven straight matches before facing Denmark in the semifinals, and that?s when the Three Lions finally surrendered a score. They quickly leveled the affair before winning in extra time off a Harry Kane rebound from a penalty kick.

Both of these teams are excellent in defense. Italy has a great pair of experienced center backs in captain Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci. They have largely blunted opponents? attacks, although Belgium and Spain each broke through once and had a handful of chances.

The Three Lions have been very strong in defense too with Harry Maguire and John Stones acting as the anchors in the back. However, they have yet to face a great attack. The two best attacks they have faced were from Germany and Croatia, and both of those teams are much less lethal than they were a few years ago.

These offenses are both very good too. Italy has many more options on the attack than usual, as Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, and Federico Chiesa have all looked sharp at one point or another in this competition. The reserves are solid too, and the midfield is fantastic with Jorginho in the center and Marco Verratti and Nicolo Barella on the wings.

There is no dearth of scoring options for England. Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling are both sensational scorers, and Marcus Rashford is an excellent option to have off the bench. The midfield isn?t as strong as it could be though as Mason Mount and Bukayo Saka are still a bit young, and Jordan Henderson?s best football is behind him.

Matchup to Watch

England have players that can finish, but the midfielders haven?t created as many chances as they probably should have during this run for the Three Lions. Italy has one of the best defensive midfielders in the world in Jorginho, so it won?t be easy for England to get the ball to Kane and Sterling in good positions.

Free EURO 2020 Betting Pick

While England has a lot going for it ahead of this match, Italy is more battle-tested. The Azzurri had to outlast Belgium and Spain, and we have seen them continually beat the best teams over the last three years. There won?t be many chances, but Italy will make the most of its opportunities to win a second European Championship.

EURO 2020 Odds: Italy 2, England 0

EURO 2020 Semifinals: England vs. Denmark Betting Odds

Moay, July 5, 2021

Narratives will clash in the second semifinal match of EURO 2020. Denmark has been championed as a team of destiny ever since they miraculously made it out of the Group Stage following Christian Eriksen?s collapse on the pitch. The Danes have their countrymen thinking they are going to relive their incredibly 1992 run although their star player won?t be with them. Meanwhile, England?s fans are jubilant after what Gareth Southgate has gotten out of this squad. The Three Lions will have the benefit of playing at home for the semifinals and potentially the finals, and there is no doubt they will have the crowd at their backs this week. There have been chants of, ?It?s Coming Home? throughout this Euros and it really might be for the first time in England?s history.

Don't miss a second of EURO 2020. This match will be held at Wembley Stadium in London, England at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN.

UEFA EURO 2020 Odds at BookMaker.eu

England -138

Denmark +449

Draw +269

Over/Under 2 and 2.5

Odds Analysis

Denmark hammered Wales 4-0 in the Round of 16 and bested the Czech Republic 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Kasper Dolberg has taken over as the leader of the attack, and he notched a brace against Wales and the second goal against the Czech Republic.

Defense is the key for the Danes. Captain Simon Kjaer has been the leader in the back, and Andreas Christensen has played well. Kasper Schmeichel continues to prove himself in net, making this team difficult to carve up.

England is coming off its best performance in Euro 2020. The Three Lions scored just four goals through their first four matches, but they fired in four against Ukraine in Rome on Saturday. Harry Kane got things started in the fourth minute and bagged another goal shortly after halftime, and Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson both scored off set pieces.

The English have yet to concede a goal in Euro 2020. They have now gone seven matches without allowing a goal, and they haven?t lost since falling to Belgium in mid-November. Gareth Southgate has continued to have England in fine form since taking them to the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup, and this team is now favored to win its first Euros.

This attack has a plethora of options and talent in reserve to boot. Kane is a true No. 9 at the top of the formation, and Raheem Sterling can make a lot of things happen. Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish are players that would be permanent fixtures on almost any other team in the world, and Maguire is an aerial terror when he joins the attack on set pieces.

Matchup to Watch

It won?t be easy for Denmark to break through the English defense. Maguire has been as reliable as ever at center back, and John Stones has been very solid. Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw, and Kieran Trippier are great on the edges too.

Dolberg has made a name for himself at this event, but there just aren?t that many options for the Danes. Martin Braithwaite has had his moments, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has played very well, but there won?t be a lot of variance in the attacking third.

Free EURO 2020 Betting Pick

This is where Denmark?s dream run comes to an end. England are a much better squad with talent all over the pitch, and the Three Lions will have a sizable advantage playing at home. Denmark is likely to break Jordan Pickford?s clean sheet streak, but it won?t be enough.

EURO 2020 Odds: England 2, Denmark 1

Chelsea at West Bromwich Albion English Premier League Odds

Thursday, September 24, 2020

After a two-year absence from the top flight, West Bromwich Albion are back in the Premier League. The Baggies have not had a great return to the EPL though, losing both of their first two games by three goals. That has led to them being one of the biggest underdogs of the weekend against Chelsea. The Blues are looking to make up ground after last week?s loss to defending champions Liverpool, and anything other than three points against the Baggies would be considered a disappointment.

Don't miss the English Premier League action from The Hawthorns in West Bromwich at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 26, 2020. Catch every moment of the match live on NBC.

English Premier League Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

West Bromwich Albion +685

Chelsea -248

Draw +404

Over/Under 2.5 and 3

Odds Analysis

West Brom finished second behind Leeds United in the Championship last year. They didn?t spend like their Championship brethren over the summer though, shelling out just over $25 million on new players. That led to the oddsmakers making the Baggies one of the favorites to be relegated per the EPL betting odds, and that?s looking likely through two weeks.

In their first game back, the Baggies lost 3-0 to Leicester City. The Foxes controlled the run of play, but they didn?t break through until the second half and netted two of their three goals off penalties. A Kieran Gibbs red card at the end of the first half ruined their chances of getting a result against Everton at Goodison Park, but they showed tenacity in a 5-2 loss. They were trailing 2-1 and down a player, but Matheus Pereira notched a goal to briefly level the game.

Chelsea had no problem getting past the other Albion team (Brighton) in their opener. The Blues saw Timo Werner make an impact immediately although he didn?t get on the score sheet in a 3-1 win over the Seagulls.

The Blues ended up suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool last week. Chelsea played the Reds evenly in the first half, but Andreas Christensen was given a straight red card for tackling Sadio Mane without even trying to play the ball just before the break. Mane ended up scoring two goals in the first ten minutes of the second half, and Liverpool played most of the rest of the match in Chelsea?s end while up a player.

Key Injuries

Kieran Gibbs will miss this match after being sent off last week for West Brom. Kenneth Zobore and Ahmed Hegazi are both injured and won?t play on Saturday, and Hal Robson-Kanu is considered doubtful. There is a chance that Kamil Grosicki can recover from a back injury in time to play though.

Christensen was able to serve his one-match suspension in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, so he will be eligible for selection this weekend. Marco van Ginkel is a long-term injury, while Billy Gilmour and Hakim Ziyech are both expected to miss a couple more weeks. Christian Pulisic has been dealing with a thigh issue that has kept him out, and it looks like he will miss this match too.

Player to Watch

Roman Abramovich broke the bank to bring Kepa to Chelsea, but he may be questioning that investment. The highest-paid goalkeeper in the world made an awful mistake that led to Liverpool?s second goal last week, and he has not looked sharp thus far in 2020. A clean sheet here would give Kepa some confidence, but another mistake might lead to Chelsea questioning whether to move on.

Free Soccer Betting Pick

The Blues have a significant talent advantage, and they showed some life in their loss to Liverpool.

English Premier League Odds: Chelsea 2, West Brom 1

Liverpool at Chelsea English Premier League Odds

Friday, September 18, 2020

Liverpool had to hold on tight for a win in its season opener against Leeds United last week. The newly promoted side gave the Reds all they could handle, battling back three times to tie the score after Liverpool pulled ahead. The Premier League champions needed an 88th minute penalty conversion from Mo Salah to avoid a disaster in their season opener at Anfield, and that has Chelsea thinking their Big Six counterpart is vulnerable. The Blues spent heavily in the offseason to make themselves competitive once more, and they looked the part in the opening week of action.

Don't miss the English Premier League action from Stamford Bridge in London at 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, September 20, 2020. Catch every moment of the match live on USA.

English Premier League Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Chelsea +215

Liverpool +118

Draw +277

Over/Under 3

Odds Analysis

Chelsea made a lot of changes to their starting eleven with Roman Abramovich determined to make this team the best in England once more, and that led to an easy 3-1 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion in the season opener on Monday. The Blues shelled out almost $250 million for Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, and Hakim Ziyech, and manager Frank Lampard knows that there have been major improvements with those four at Stamford Bridge.

Werner failed to score in his Chelsea debut, but he made his impact felt throughout the match. He opened up Brighton?s defense with his back line runs, and he drew a penalty midway through the first half that put the Blues up 1-0. It?s only a matter of time before he breaks through with Havertz, Mason Mount, and Jorginho feeding him passes, and he has a very good chance at finding the back of the net against the Reds given what we saw from Liverpool in the first week.

Mo Salah was splendid for Liverpool last Saturday, netting a hat trick to ensure that the Reds grabbed all three points over the Peacocks. This attack was constantly pushing the pace and fired 22 shots against Leeds, but the issues on defense nearly led to a disappointing draw. Liverpool was beat multiple times by through balls sliding past their back four, so it will be interesting to see if Jurgen Klopp mixes up the scheme.

Virgil van Dijk found the back of the net, but he and Joe Gomez really had some issues in the center of defense. They will look to put those missteps behind them this week.

Key Injuries

Unfortunately for the Blues, they have the lengthiest injury report in the Premier League. Nine players are on the injury list ahead of this game, including summer signings Chilwell and Ziyech who both missed last week?s game against Brighton. Ziyech has been ruled out for this one, but Chlesea are hoping that Chilwell will be ready to take the pitch. Christian Pulisic is considered doubtful with a thigh injury that kept him out of last week?s match too.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a long-term injury for Liverpool, but the Reds are healthy otherwise. Tough midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri is considered questionable Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a long-term injury for Liverpool, but the Reds are healthy otherwise. Tough midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri is considered questionable after missing a stretch of time at the end of last season, while Konstantinos Tsimikas might be able to play after recovering from COVID-19.

Matchup to Watch

The midfield battle between these two elite clubs will be something to behold. N?Golo Kante has been the best defensive midfielder in the league for some time, and the young Havertz gives Chelsea an offensive phenom in the making. Meanwhile, Liverpool will bring their defenders up constantly with their high line, supporting Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita. Henderson is vital for the Reds here, as he is the key to so much.

Free Soccer Betting Pick

Both teams will have plenty of chances, so the over is the best play.

English Premier League Odds: Chelsea 2, Liverpool 2

Arsenal vs Chelsea FA Cup Final Betting Odds

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Arsenal have raised the FA Cup more often than any other club in the competition?s storied history. The Gunners have won the FA Cup 13 times, and they will be making their record 21st appearance in an FA Cup Final this weekend. Perhaps it?s only fitting that they take on arguably their biggest rival in this year?s final, squaring off against Chelsea in the North West London Derby. These two clubs locked horns here three years ago in the FA Cup Finals, and the Blues would love to upend the Gunners after missing out on a chance to add some silverware to their trophy case.

2019-20 FA Cup Finals Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Arsenal FC +226

Chelsea +121

Draw +256

Over/Under 2.5

How They Got Here

Chelsea had a favorable draw early on in this year?s FA Cup, being matched against second tier clubs Nottingham Forest and Hull City. The Blues dispatched both those teams relatively easily, but then their draw became significantly tougher over their last three matches. They had to get past Liverpool, Leicester City, and Manchester United to reach the FA Cup Finals, and they were brilliant defensively on their way to this match. Chelsea held Liverpool and Leicester City scoreless before allowing a late own goal in a 3-1 victory over United in the FA Cup Semifinals.

It wasn?t easy for the Gunners to get back to the FA Cup Finals. Their first match came against England Championship winner Leeds United, and they had the misfortune of drawing a Premier League opponent in Bournemouth in the Round of 32. Arsenal overcame both those challenges and finally received some good fortune by drawing third tier Portsmouth in the Round of 16, but Sheffield United pushed them to the brink in the quarterfinals. That led to clash with Manchester City in the semifinals where Arsenal were considerable underdogs per the soccer betting odds. The Gunners dismissed their deplorable recent history against the Citizens with a 2-0 victory thanks to a brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Recent History

These two clubs have combined to win a majority of the FA Cup competitions over the last two decades. Chelsea have been to the FA Cup Finals eight times, and they have gone on to lift the trophy six times.

Arsenal have an unblemished record in FA Cup Finals since 2002. After losing to Liverpool the prior year, Arsenal claimed consecutive FA Cup wins in 2002 and 2003, and they have grabbed four more FA Cup titles since that point. They have won in each of their last six trips to the FA Cup Finals.

Head to Head History

Chelsea?s only two FA Cup Finals losses of the last two decades came at the hands of Arsenal. The Blues lost the 2002 FA Cup Final to the Gunners, and they fell here to their rivals 2-1 three years ago. Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey ensured that Arsenal led for nearly the entire match. To pour salt in the wound, Arsenal went on to win the FA Community Shield in a shootout three months later.

However, Chelsea did avenge those losses with a 4-1 thrashing of Arsenal in last year?s Europa League Finals in Azerbaijan. Eden Hazard was unstoppable in his last match with Chelsea, notching a brace as the Blues knocked in four goals in just over 20 minutes in the second half.

Preview

N?Golo Kante looks set to return to the pitch for Chelsea on Saturday, giving Frank Lampard?s side a huge boost. The star midfielder had missed the Blues? last six matches due to a hamstring injury, and he is instrumental to what this team wants to do to shut down Aubameyang.

Aubameyang has been one of the few bright spots for Arsenal this season. He notched 22 goals to contend for the Golden Boot. The only other player on the team with more than five goals is the inconsistent Alexandre Lacazette. There are even bigger concerns on defense as Shkodran Mustafi is now a long-term injury alongside Calum Chambers, and first choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno will be out too.

That tips the scales decisively in the favor of Chelsea, so look for the Blues to wipe away their recent failures against Arsenal on this stage.

FA Cup Semifinals Betting Odds

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

There are no Cinderella stories to root for in this year?s FA Cup Semifinals. No non-Premier League team made it to the quarterfinals, and all four of the Big Six clubs still remaining in the competition went on the road and emerged victorious in late June to make it to Wembley. In an interesting twist, these four teams were also the last four winners of the FA Cup, so none of these clubs will find this moment to big for them.

2019-20 FA Cup Semifinals Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Saturday, July 18

Arsenal FC +710

Manchester City -312

Draw +434

Over/Under 3 and 3.5

Arsenal are the most successful team in the history of the FA Cup. The Gunners have won this competition 13 times, and they have hoisted the FA Cup six times in the last two decades. However, their chances of adding another piece of silverware this season are remote as they have not played good football. They are likely to miss out on European football altogether next year as they are currently tied with Burnley in ninth place, and Arsenal have been consistently blasted by Manchester City over the last three years.

The Citizens have won seven straight matches over the Gunners, and all their victories have come by multiple goals. Manchester City have cumulatively outscored Arsenal by a margin of 20-2 over that period of time. Arsenal?s last victory over City came in the 2016-17 FA Cup Semifinals as Alexis Sanchez scored in extra time to give the Gunners a 2-1 win on their way to claiming the title.

Manchester City have been locked into second place in the Premier League for months now, so the Citizens are eager to play meaningful matches once again. This club is the odds-on favorite to win the 2019-20 FA Cup given the talent on the roster, and they are extremely difficult to stop with a playmaker like Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings.

Sergio Aguero will miss this match, depriving City of their most talented forward, but the Citizens should still have their way with Arsenal?s porous back line.

Sunday, July 19

Manchester United +132

Chelsea FC +200

Draw +228

Over/Under 2.5

An FA Cup victory for the Red Devils would tie Manchester United with Arsenal as the most successful club in the history of this tournament. United are on a tear with a 19-game unbeaten streak following their draw against Southampton on Monday. They have played their way back into the race for a Champions League spot, and they are currently tied with Leicester City and four points behind Chelsea with a game in hand. Although Paul Pogba has not worked out nearly as well as the club hoped, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has this team looking sharp.

Chelsea were red hot prior to their stunning 3-0 loss at the hands of Sheffield United last Saturday. The Blues had scored eight goals in three matches prior to that defeat, and Christian Pulisic started to come into his own. The talented young American has the hopes of a nation on his back, and his play might lead to millions of his countrymen becoming Chelsea fans.

Manager Frank Lampard is hoping that N?Golo Kante will be able to play in this match after missing the last two weeks with a thigh injury. Kante is the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League and excels at breaking up opponents? attacks, so he is an instrumental part of Chelsea?s success.

This will be the fourth straight year that these two clubs have met in the FA Cup. Chelsea nipped Manchester United 1-0 in 2017 and 2018, but the Red Devils fought back with a 2-0 win last year. They have defeated the Blues in three straight matches in all competitions, outscoring them by a total of 8-1.

Soccer Odds - USA vs. Jamaica Match Preview

Moay, July 24, 2017

The script has been flipped from 2015. Two years ago, Jamaica upset the United States in the semifinals of the Gold Cup in what was effectively the beginning of the end for Jurgen Klinsmann as the coach of the USMNT. Now, Jamaica has upset Mexico in the Gold Cup semifinals in what will probably signal the beginning of the end (or the end of the end) for Juan Carlos Osorio.

Two years ago, the Jamaicans ran out of gas in the finale and lost out on the Gold Cup to Mexico. Now, they'll have to see if they can find one last push in the Gold Cup Final on Wednesday night against the Yanks.

Don't miss the Gold Cup action from Levi's Stadium at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Catch every moment of the match live on FOX Sports 1.

Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu

Odds Analysis

Jamaica was over a 6 to 1 underdog against Mexico in the semifinal and came up with the huge victory. The Reggae Boyz won't be underdogs by quite as much against the United States on Wednesday night in all likelihood, but the margin is going to be fairly large. The Americans have looked the part of a great team since the reinforcements came in for the knockout rounds of this event, and they'll be comfy favorites to ultimately hoist the Gold Cup for the first time since 2013.

How They Got Here

Bruce Arena won't be happy if this tournament doesn't end in triumph for the Americans, but he has to be thrilled with the way his team has played in these two knockout round fixtures. The match against El Salvador was a complete no-contest in spite of the modest 2-0 score line. That fixture could have easily resulted in a 5-0 win for the Yanks had their finishing been better.

Clint Dempsey saved the day against Costa Rica. He came off the bench and finished the job with a goal in the dying stages of a 2-0. Jozy Altidore was fantastic as well with his goal 10 minutes beforehand. Los Ticos put up a valiant fight, but when the chips were on the table, it was the American ringers who came up huge to push them into the finale.

Jamaica has made no bones about what it is here in the Gold Cup. Its possession has been rare throughout this event. Sure, the Jamaicans played well against Curacao in the opening fixture of its tournament, but since then, they haven't won the possession battle against anyone, including against Canada in the quarterfinals in a 2-1 victory.

But the real coup de grace came against Mexico. After playing to a 0-0 draw in the group stage, the Reggae Boyz put El Tri down thanks to a brilliant Kemar Lawrence free kick that got past Jose Corona in the 88th minute. It was a dramatic ending to a match that easily could have gone either way, and it will go down as one of the biggest goals in the history of Jamaican soccer.

Free Soccer Betting Pick

The script has been so similar from 2015 to 2017, and we have a hunch that it's going to play out this way in the finale as well.

The Americans just look completely different with Altidore up front and Michael Bradley again captaining the roster. They haven't had a particularly tough road to get to this point, but this isn't the toughest final in the world either.

If nothing else, we suspect the USA will have learned its lesson: This Jamaican team can play.

But there's only so long that you can keep allowing pressure before that pressure tells, and we can't see the United States failing to score as Mexico did against this team twice.

Gold Cup Odds: USA 2, Jamaica 0

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Soccer Odds - Mexico vs. Jamaica Match Preview

Friday, July 21, 2017

Two years ago, Mexico and Jamaica met in the Gold Cup final, a match that proved to be nothing all that close for the Reggae Boyz. They were merely happy to be in the finale, having beaten the United States in the semifinals in one of the biggest wins in the nation's history. Now, the Jamaicans have their eye on the prize that slipped through their hands in Philadelphia. The task of beating El Tri in Pasadena, though, is one that is nothing short on unenviable.

This Gold Cup duel will go down Sunday, July 23, 2017, at 9 p.m. ET at Rose Bowl Stadium. The match will be televised live on FOX Sports 1.

Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu

Odds Analysis

Mexico hasn't looked the part of a stellar team throughout the Gold Cup, and with Juan Carlos Osorio again left suspended for the rest of this tournament, there could be even more disconcerting efforts here against the Jamaicans. Sure, Mexico will be favored, as it definitely should be based off of its blunt skill alone, but Jamaica is going to be a live underdog for sure.

How They Got Here

Mexico made it clear on Thursday night in Glendale that a 1-0 lead in the early going is going to be one which it won't have a problem sitting on. This has consistently been an issue for El Tri over the course of the last several years. They rest on their laurels and hope that a rather drab, boring and uninspiring style of play where they maintain the ball for long stretches will get the job done. It did against Honduras in the quarterfinals of this tournament, and that keeps the Mexicans unbeaten in four fixtures.

The story of Jamaica's 2-1 win over Canada in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup can't be told by the stat sheet. Canada held possession for over 60 minutes in the fixture, and it managed to outshoot the Reggae Boyz 19-8 over the course of the game.

But much like Jamaica's match last year in Atlanta against the United States, it took a relatively early lead, doubled that lead right around halftime, and hung on tight from there.

There were so many great moments for Jamaica in that quarterfinal tie, far more than what you would think from Shaun Francis' and Romario Williams' goals. Andre Blake was once again stellar in net, and he remains really the only tremendous player on the Jamaican roster who can be counted upon every single step of the way. He cracked when he allowed Junior Hoillet's 61st minute goal, but with the 2-0 cushion, that safety net came in awfully handy.

Free Soccer Betting Pick

Can Jamaica really do this again? This has been one of the more surprising teams in the tourney, not even so much due to the fact that it's here in the semifinals, but that it is continuing to defy the odds against the best teams it runs up against. This, of course, is the toughest test of the bunch, even after drawing against Mexico in the group stage.

If that first match taught us nothing else, it's that Jamaica is very comfortable in its own skin, playing behind the ball and counting on the best keeper in this tournament outside of maybe Tim Howard keeping things organized at the back.

Goals are going to be few and far between for sure in this one, and we can't help but wonder if this time around, it's going to be the Reggae Boyz who get the best of the Mexicans to move into the Gold Cup final for the second straight tourney.

Gold Cup Odds: Jamaica 1, Mexico 0

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International Soccer Betting Odds ? Mexico at United States

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Over the course of their long rivalry, Mexico has dominated the United States in men?s soccer. El Tri holds a 35-19-15 all-time record against the Stars and Stripes, and they will look to add to that tally when they head to the Big Apple to take on the USMNT on Friday night. These teams met just two months ago in Chicago at the Gold Cup Final, with Mexico claiming its eighth Gold Cup crown in a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Jonathan Dos Santos.

Don't miss this international friendly from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, September 6, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on FS1.

International Soccer Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

United States +210
Mexico +129
Draw +233
Over/Under 2 and 2.5

Odds Analysis

After missing out on the 2018 World Cup, the USMNT is rebuilding around its youngsters. This is one of the most inexperienced rosters the United States has fielded in a recent friendly with nearly half the roster only playing 10 games or less with the senior team. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan and forward Gyasi Zardes are the only two players with 50 or more national team appearances, and manager Gregg Berhalter is likely to play a lot of youngsters in the United States? two friendlies during the international break.

Tata Martino is going for a much more experienced line-up. Most of Mexico?s stars are coming back for the international break, including all-time leading scorer Javier ?Chicharito? Hernandez, who missed the Gold Cup due to injury. Raul Jimenez is returning too despite having a broken wrist, and Hirving Lozano is back after a nice start with new club Napoli. The indomitable Guillermo Ochoa will be in net too, though it?s interesting Mexico didn?t call any young goalkeepers up.

Mexico Player to Watch

Andres Guardado has been El Tri?s hero for over a decade, and the veteran midfielder is set to become the most capped player in Mexican history in 2020. Guardado will be making his 162nd appearance for Mexico in this game, and the 32-year-old midfielder has tallied 28 goals. He is still playing at a high level with La Liga club Real Betis, but he has always made time for the national team over the years. His stewardship will be key.

United States Player to Watch

The Americans are desperate for answers in the midfield. Berhalter selected a lot of young, inexperienced players to the squad in the hopes that some players will emerge as future leaders. None of the midfielders that will be on the field have played more than 20 games for the USMNT, and the most exciting player might be the one set to make his senior team debut.

Paxton Pomykal has had a fantastic season. He was the star of the USMNT U20 team at the U20 World Cup in Poland a few months ago, and he has shined for FC Dallas. Pomykal has been an integral part of their success, and his ability to set things up can?t be overlooked.

Free Soccer Betting Pick

With the USMNT in flux, it?s hard to put any faith in the hosts. Mexico have a proven coach and a more talented team, and although they will be playing on the road, this is the time of year when you want to play in America. There is no real home advantage as the populace turns its attention to American football, so Mexico could be playing in front of a partisan pro-Mexico crowd. Everything is set up for an El Tri win.

Men?s Friendly Soccer Odds: Mexico 2, USA 1

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Leagues Cup Betting Odds ? Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Cruz Azul Match Preview

Friday, Augu 16, 2019

The Los Angeles Galaxy are out to follow in the footsteps of Atlanta United by winning an international trophy. Those have been few and far between for MLS teams, as the league has not had much success in the CONCACAF Champions League or in other tournaments of that nature over the years. The Galaxy are the lone MLS team in the Leagues Cup Semifinals though, and they will look to advance to the final that will be held in Las Vegas next month by picking up a win over Cruz Azul.

Don't miss this Leagues Cup semifinal from Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles, California at 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 20, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN2.

Leagues Cup Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Check Back Later

Odds Analysis

Cruz Azul have earned one trophy already this season. They crushed Necaxa 4-0 to win the Supercopa MX back in mid-July, but they have not fared well in league play. The Cement Makers squared off against Necaxa again the following week, and they were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw despite controlling much of the match. Their home opener saw Cruz Azul grit their teeth in a tie too as Toluca scored in extra time to nab a result.

The club fell apart in its next match, losing 3-0 on the road to Queretaro. Cruz Azul finally righted the ship with a 2-0 victory over newly promoted Juarez last weekend though. They made it to the semifinals of this competition after going to the Windy City to beat the Chicago Fire 2-0 in a match they dominated throughout.

After missing out on the postseason last year, the Los Angeles Galaxy are desperate to make the playoffs this campaign. They had been falling in the standings after three straight road losses, but things are looking up after a 2-0 win over FC Dallas on Wednesday night. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was incredible in the victory, notching both goals. He has now scored the Galaxy?s last nine goals tallied at home in league play.

Last month, the Galaxy clashed with Club Tijuana in the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals. In the most open match of the round, the two sides played to a 2-2 draw in full time with Emmanuel Boateng and David Romney netting goals for the Galaxy. The Galaxy were the much better side in penalties too as Tijuana converted just one of their spot kicks.

Key Absences

Elias Hernandez has been out since March with a knee injury for Cruz Azul, and he won?t feature for the club in this match. Yoshimar Yotun and Santiago Gimenez are both considered questionable due to thigh injuries, while midfielders Javier Salas and Stephen Eustaquio are listed as probable.

Midfielder Romain Alessandrini is the only player on the injury report for the Galaxy. He has been out for the last four months after undergoing knee surgery, yet he should be back soon.

Player to Watch

Someone other than Ibra needs to step up for the Galaxy. No other player on the team has more than three goals this season, and the Galaxy really need someone else to carry the load.

Uriel Antuna is the best option. He will turn 22 the day after this match, and his speed was on display in the Gold Cup earlier this year. Antuna can create havoc, and the Galaxy need that.

Free Soccer Betting Pick

Although the Galaxy are at home, they will have some tired legs here. This will be their third match in seven days, and that will put them at a bit of a disadvantage. As such, I see Cruz Azul earning a win.

Leagues Cup Odds: Cruz Azul 1, Los Angeles Galaxy 0

La Liga Matchday 3 Odds Analysis

Tuesday, Augu 27, 2019

Through the first two weeks of the 2019-20 La Liga campaign, two of the other major clubs not named Real Madrid and Barcelona are atop the table. Sevilla and Atletico Madrid are the only two teams to win both of their matches. Sevilla went on the road to beat Espanyol and Granada to nil, while Atletico Madrid played to their status quo, winning both of their matches 1-0. For now, Real Madrid and Barcelona are playing catch-up and looking to avoid another stumble.

La Liga Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

La Liga Matchday 3 Betting Odds

August 30

FC Sevilla -200
RC Celta de Vigo +502
Draw +360
Over/Under 3

Sevilla sunk a lot of money into their club this season in an effort to at least make it back into the top four after missing out the last couple years. Those investments have paid off with some dogged defending on display in the first few weeks.

Celta Vigo were surprisingly sharp in a win over Valencia last week, controlling the match from the beginning to the end. This could be a tougher test than the oddsmakers believe.

Athletic Bilbao +101
Real Sociedad +300
Draw +230
Over/Under 2 and 2.5

It?s never easy to go to the Basque Region to play Athletic Bilbao, just ask Barcelona. Athletic Bilbao went 9-8-2 at home last season, so it?s tough to bet on Real Sociedad even though this side is markedly better. The visitors have continued their fine form from the tail end of last season, and they already have two nice results on the year.

August 31

CA Osasuna +1111
FC Barcelona -384
Draw +468
Over/Under 2.5 and 3

Osasuna could not have asked for a better start to the season. The small club already has a road win on the year, and they were able to hold off Eibar for a draw. Big bad Barcelona are coming to town this week though, and they know what that means. Barca finally broke through by pummeling Real Betis 5-2 in the only high-scoring game last week, and this offense has finally found its form.

Real Betis -114
CD Leganes +364
Draw +232
Over/Under 2

It hasn?t been a great start to the season for the happiest fans in Spain. Real Betis went down a man less than eight minutes into their opener and were gutted at the death by a subpar Real Valladolid side, and then they were on the receiving end of a Barca whooping. They will be looking to pick up a win against a Leganes club that has yet to score.

CF Getafe -121
Deportivo Alaves SAD +419
Draw +225
Over/Under 2

The disrespect for Alaves continues to be perplexing. The Cinderella side was in the top four for much of last season, and they already have two results this season. They continue to play excellent defense and reinvested in the club this offseason, so don?t be surprised if they grab a result here.

UD Levante +101
Real Valladolid +271
Draw +252
Over/Under 2.5

Two Roger Marti penalties gave Levante a win over Villarreal last week, and the perennial mid-table team is close to even money to pick up three points against Real Valladolid this week. Levante have attacked a lot this season, but whether that?s a result of a new strategy or the quality of their opponents is still up in the air.

September 1

Atletico Madrid -232
SD Eibar +781
Draw +302
Over/Under 2

There is a lot of value on Eibar at this price. It?s not easy to score on Atletico Madrid at home, let alone beat them, but Eibar are better than what they have showed thus far. The visitors were one of four teams to pick up a result in the Metropolitano last season.

RCD Espanyol Barcelona -114
Granada CF +343
Draw +235
Over/Under 2 and 2.5

Espanyol have yet to score this season. This club was known for its defensive prowess last campaign, and it?s looking like the back line will be the key once more. That makes the under a solid bet.

CF Valencia -238
RCD Mallorca +617
Draw +366
Over/Under 2.5 and 3

This is not the start to the season that Valencia were hoping to see. The club that finished fourth in the table last year has yet to win a game, and they need a big win when they take on recently promoted Mallorca. Mallorca usually don?t fare well away from home.

Villarreal +300
Real Madrid -125
Draw +320
Over/Under 3 and 3.5

Is this really going to happen again for Villarreal? The Yellow Submarine were incredibly unlucky last season and ended up having to survive a relegation battle, and that bad luck has transferred over into this campaign. They have yet to secure a point and now they are underdogs against a Real Madrid side that will be hungry for a win after a disappointing draw against Valladolid.

La Liga Matchday 2 Odds Analysis

Tuesday, Augu 20, 2019

This year?s La Liga race is already off to a sizzling start. The first week of action gave us plenty of excitement as defending champions Barcelona were stunned by Athletic Bilbao on a late goal from Aritz Aduriz, Villarreal and Granada played to a 4-4 draw, and six red cards were doled out. Barcelona?s loss is the big story though as the Blaugrana lost just four league matches in the last two seasons. That puts the defending champions in a bit of a hole.

La Liga Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

La Liga Matchday 2 Betting Odds

August 23

UD Levante +162
CF Villarreal +162
Draw +250
Over/Under 2.5 and 3

While it was fun to watch Villarreal and Granada play to a 4-4 draw, the Yellow Submarine are sure to focus more on the back line in this match. Levante lost 1-0 to Alaves in their opener, but they controlled the run of play and fired 16 shots despite being the road team. Santi Cazorla looks rejuvenated, and he should help the visitors grab some points.

Granada CF +291
FC Sevilla -107
Draw +263
Over/Under 2.5

Granada are back in the top-flight after a two-year stint in the Segunda Division. Their first home game will be against Andalusian rival Sevilla, and you can be sure the atmosphere will be electric. Sevilla have long been the juggernauts of the region, so any result here would leave Granada fans in ecstasy.

August 24

CF Getafe +171
Athletic Bilbao +193
Draw +194
Over/Under 2

At home, Bilbao are extremely difficult to beat. The same can?t be said when they are on the road though. Getafe put forth a strong effort in a 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in their opener, but they will be without Jorge Molina for the next couple weeks after he was shown a straight red card for a gruesome tackle.

Real Madrid -454
Real Valladolid +1109
Draw +593
Over/Under 3.5

Real Madrid cruised to a win over Celta Vigo in their opener, but they won?t have one of their midfield maestros for the next few weeks. Luke Modric was shown a red card for an awkward challenge and with Eden Hazard injured, that leaves Los Blancos somewhat limited in the midfield.

CA Osasuna +157
SD Eibar +188
Draw +218
Over/Under 2 and 2.5

In their first game back in La Liga, everything went right for Osasuna. They were able to effectively counter and secured a 1-0 road win over Leganes thanks to an Ezequiel Avila goal in the 75th minute. Osasuna are likely to use similar tactics against an Eibar squad that likes to attack.

RC Celta de Vigo +219
CF Valencia +125
Draw +243
Over/Under 2.5

It was a frustrating first match for Valencia. The Bats seemed to have three points in hand for nearly their entire match with Real Sociedad, but an incredibly long period of added time cracked their back line. Francis Coquelin committed a foul in the box and Real Sociedad converted the subsequent penalty to secure a draw, and now Coquelin will miss this match after his two yellows led to a red card.

August 25

CD Leganes +408
Atletico Madrid -126
Draw +228
Over/Under 2

Joao Felix is reportedly fine, which is great news for Atletico. The most expensive signing in club history was incredible in his debut against Getafe, creating numerous chances with his sublime runs. He came off with a cramp, but Diego Simeone has insisted that Felix is ready to play in this match. Atletico won?t have Renan Lodi though following a red card in the first half against Getafe.

FC Barcelona -370
Real Betis Balompie +839
Draw +509
Over/Under 3.5

This is likely to be a blowout. Barcelona were unlucky not to get a result against Athletic Bilbao, hitting the frame twice in the 1-0 loss, but now they return home where they are nigh invincible. The Blaugrana are unlikely to disappoint at Camp Nou, and they have the added benefit of playing a Real Betis side that is sure to be a little gassed after they were forced to play down a man for nearly their entire opener due a Joel Robles red card in the eighth minute.

Deportivo Alaves Sad +155
RCD Espanyol Barcelona +201
Draw +207
Over/Under 2

Alaves are back to their old tricks. The tiny club countered exquisitely in a 1-0 win over Levante with Joselu notching the game?s lone goal. Espanyol are a club that focuses on shutting down opponents, and their center backs are some of the strongest in the league. That will lead to a very low-scoring match.

RCD Mallorca +195
Real Sociedad +148
Draw +224
Over/Under 2 and 2.5

Mallorca picked up a win on the island in their first match back in La Liga, and they will be at home again this week. However, the oddsmakers aren?t convinced of their quality, so they are underdogs to a marginal Real Sociedad squad. Sociedad looked strong in their opener against Valencia, but it?s never easy to win in Palma.

International Friendly ? Barcelona vs. Napoli

Tuesday, Augu 6, 2019

The La Liga-Serie A Cup was founded just two months ago. This preseason competition sees one team from La Liga and one team from Serie A square off in two neutral site games within one week, and the inaugural cup will see Barcelona and Napoli meet over four days in the United States. The first meeting will take place on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET when the two clubs clash in Miami, and the second meeting will kick off at the Big House on Saturday.

Don?t miss this international friendly between Barcelona and Napoli from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The match will kick off at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 10. It will be broadcast on ESPN2.

International Friendly Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Check Back Later

We have only seen Barcelona three times thus far in the preseason. The Blaugrana traveled to Japan to take part in the Rakuten Cup and then faced Arsenal in the annual Joan Gamper Trophy. In Japan, Barca fell 2-1 to Chelsea, but Carles Perez led the club to a 2-0 win over local club Vissel Kobe. Against Arsenal, the hosts overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to win 2-1 thanks to a Luis Suarez goal in the 90th minute.

It?s been a solid preseason thus far for Napoli. Although the Neapolitan club lost their first match to Serie B Benevento 2-1, they responded with a 5-0 victory over non-league side Feralpisalo. That was followed by a 3-3 draw with Serie B side Cremonese, and then they had their best performance yet against Liverpool. Lorenzo Insigne, Arkadiusz Milik, and Amin Younes all scored in a 3-0 win over the Reds. On Sunday, they played their most recent preseason match, beating Marseille 1-0.

Barcelona Preview

Unfortunately for the tens of thousands in attendance, Lionel Messi will not take part in either match of the inaugural cup. Messi picked up a calf injury against Arsenal, and the club wants to rest him prior to the start of the La Liga campaign.

Aside from Messi, all the familiar faces will take part for Barca. Gerard Pique, Ivan Rakitic, Luis Suarez, and Ousmane Dembele made the trip as well as new signings Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong.

Even without their star, Barca are loaded with talent. Suarez and Griezmann will be a formidable duo up top, and de Jong will showcase some of the skill we saw while he was at Ajax. Not having Messi could be a blessing in disguise for the young Dutchman as it gives him time to grow into his role.

Napoli Preview

The Neapolitans have been looking to upend Barcelona for the league title for the last five years, and this might be one of their best opportunities yet. Napoli shored up its defense by bringing in Konstantinos Manolas, and they have tried to ensure the goalkeeper position is set up too by completing transfers for three goalkeepers.

Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne, and Milik are the three to watch up top. They combined to tally 43 goals in league play last season, and that keeps Napoli one of the most exciting teams in Italy.

Barcelona vs Napoli Prediction

I believe both matches between these clubs will be open, free-flowing games. Both teams want to entertain the audience while also playing all of their stars as these are the final tune-ups for both squads before the start of their league campaigns.

Barcelona have so much talent, it?s hard to not call for them to get the win. The combination of Griezmann and Suarez is going to be too difficult to overcome, and they will win the inaugural La Liga-Serie A Cup.

International Champions Cup ? Manchester United vs. AC Milan

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Manchester United are the only team left that can catch Benfica and win the International Champions Cup. The Red Devils have been in good form, winning all five of their preseason matches, and they have allowed just one goal over that stretch. Meanwhile, AC Milan are at the bottom of the ICC standings and are just looking for a result so as not to earn the dubious wooden spoon.

Don?t miss this International Champions Cup match between Manchester United and AC Milan from Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The match will kick-off at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 3. It will be broadcast on ESPN Deportes.

International Champions Cup Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Manchester United -128
AC Milan +321
Draw +284
Over/Under 2.5 and 3

Previous Results

It?s been a busy preseason for Manchester United. In addition to their three ICC games, they have played three other preseason games, and they have been traveling a lot since the middle of the month. The Red Devils have played in Australia, Singapore, China, and Norway, and now they are coming to Wales.

Outside of ICC action, United have defeated Perth and Kristiansund, and they hammered Leeds United 4-0 two weeks ago. Their ICC victories have been a lot closer, beating Inter Milan 1-0 with a Mason Greenwood goal and knocking off Spurs 2-1 with goals from Anthony Martial and Angel Gomes.

AC Milan have yet to score in their two previous ICC matches. As Italian clubs tend to do, they defended well against both Bayern Munich and Benfica, but they lost to both teams by a score of 1-0. They will have had two additional days of rest compared to Manchester United prior to this game.

New Faces - Manchester United

Right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka was the main offseason acquisition for the Red Devils, and he has looked sharp during the preseason. The youngster came over from Crystal Palace for a fee of $62 million back in June, and fans have been elated with his play. He is seen as a defensive specialist, but he has looked strong when pushing forward on a rush.

Daniel James was the other main addition for Manchester United, moving over from Swansea.

Key Departures ? Manchester United

The Red Devils were unable to fill their coffers by selling players over the summer, as the three players that left all departed on free transfers. Midfielder Ander Herrera, forward James Wilson, and right back Antonio Valencia all waived goodbye to Old Trafford.

This club is hopeful that star midfielder Paul Pogba won?t be added to this list prior to the start of the Premier League campaign. Pogba has been linked to a move with Real Madrid, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been trying to keep him in the fold with enthusiastic praise.

New Faces ? AC Milan

New manager Marco Giampaolo has made a few moves this offseason. Midfielder Franck Kessie came over from Atalanta and left back Theo Hernandez was brought in from Real Madrid. The biggest move though is the return of Andre Silva. While Silva has largely been seen as a disappointment given the expectations placed on him by AC Milan fans, his talent is apparent, and at the very least the club will be able to move him for $25-$30 million.

Key Departures ? AC Milan

Young forward Patrick Catruone left for Wolves in the Premier League after a solid season, and AC Milan also said goodbye to 21-year-old midfielder Manuel Locatelli after Sassuolo acquired him on a permanent basis.

Manchester United vs AC Milan Prediction

Expect a low-scoring game of the style that AC Milan prefers. Solskjaer has been making defending more of an emphasis after Manchester United allowed more goals than they ever had in the Premier League during the 2018-19 campaign, so the under is a good play.

Serie A 2019-20 Betting Odds

Moay, Augu 5, 2019

Winning the scudetto is almost Juventus? birthright at this point. Juventus have won the last eight Serie A titles, and they are odds-on favorites to win the league title once more. However, they aren?t as big of favorites as they were last season per the Serie A betting odds, and some are saying this might be the year Napoli or Inter break through once more. That should make for an exciting season in Italy.

Serie A Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Odds to Win Serie A

Juventus -225
Napoli +475
Inter +600
AC Milan +3000
AS Roma +4500
Field +2250

Juventus spent a ton of money last offseason, and they doubled down again after failing to win the Champions League. Maurizio Sarri came in to lead the club and they spent nearly $100 million to land Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax. The 19-year-old center back was one of the stalwarts for the Dutch club, and he will certainly add some grit to a back line that oddly lacked it at times last season.

Cristian Romero, Merih Demiral, and Luca Pellegrini are defenders that came over from other Italian clubs to shore up the back line, as Juventus parted ways with Rogerio and Leonardo Spinazzola. The loss of Moise Kean might really sting too as the young talent just couldn?t see regular time behind so much talent.

Cristiano Ronaldo will be the leader up front. He is a proven scorer in the Champions League, and he was unafraid to shoot his shot in Italy. Aaron Ramsey came in from Arsenal to provide some depth in the midfield and former teammate Sami Khedira will have a major impact too.

Upgrading defense was the priority for Napoli in the offseason too. Konstantinos Manolas and Alex Meret were the club?s two biggest signings, as they looked to improve center back and goalkeeper.

This Napoli side can score. Arkadiusz Milik and Dries Mertens have made for a fun combination up front, and Lorenzo Insigne has provided some flair too. Fabian Ruiz and Piotr Zielinski are the stars in the midfield.

Welcome back to Italy, Antonio Conte. Conte?s return has created a lot of optimism at the San Siro, and the club has opened up the purse strings a little. Valentino Lazaro and Matteo Politano were the two biggest names acquired, but Inter picking up Diego Godin on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid could be huge too in Conte?s system.

The ongoing saga of Mauro Icardi needs to come to an end. The fallout between the player and the club has been toxic, and management has informed their former star forward that he will never play for them again. Reports indicate the club is looking to make a big splash by bringing in Romelu Lukaku, and that would be a huge get.

This last decade has not gone well for Inter?s Milan rival. AC Milan have missed out on the Champions League for the last four years, and that lack of extra funds has kept the club from competing. This offseason, they said enough was enough and started spending once more in an effort to compete. Rafael Leao was a nice signing, but perhaps the more important grab was that of Franck Kessie from league rival Atalanta.

AS Roma have been looking to make it big too, but the club?s struggles last year make it hard to imagine a real breakthrough. There have been some moderate changes at the club, yet more needs to be done for Roma to really compete once more.

The fate of Atalanta will be a curious one. The club set Serie A on fire and ended the year with more goals than any other team in Italy, but some of last year?s stars are gone. They have money to make a splash because of their Champions League entry.

Coppa Italia Final Betting Odds ? Lazio at Atalanta Match Preview

Moay, May 13, 2019

Atalanta continue to climb. The club won promotion back to the Serie A in 2011, and they were a middling club for their first five seasons in the top flight. The Goddess have looked a lot better over the last three seasons though. Atalanta finished fourth in Serie A in 2016-17, and they came in seventh place last season. This season, they are currently in the top four, and Atalanta are out to win their first trophy in nearly 50 years. They will face Lazio with the Coppa Italia on the line this Wednesday.

Don't miss the Italian Coppa Italia Final action from the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy at 2:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN2.

Coppa Italia Final Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Atalanta +152
Lazio +157
Draw +230
Over/Under 2.5 and 3

Odds Analysis

Lazio are no strangers to the Coppa Italia. They have won six Italian Cups in their history, and five of those trophies have been claimed in the last two decades. To get to the final, Lazio have relied on their defense. They allowed just two goals in four matches before Wednesday?s tilt. Lazio beat third-division Novara 4-1 in the Round of 16, before edging the Milan clubs in the quarterfinals and the semifinals.

Throughout their four games in this competition, Atalanta have poured in the goals no matter who they have played. They started off in the Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Cagliari, and then they stunned defending champions Juventus 3-0 in the quarterfinals. Atalanta were tested by Fiorentina in the semifinals, but they prevailed 5-4 over the course of two legs. This team has been the highest scoring in the Serie A this season too, and Atalanta are the only club averaging more than two goals per game in league play.

Interestingly enough, these teams met at the Stadio Olimpico less than 10 days ago. Lazio got off to a strong start with a Marco Parolo goal in the third minute, but the hosts couldn?t hold Atalanta at bay. Duvan Zapata leveled in the 22nd minute, and then Timothy Castagne scored in the 58th before an own goal from Wallace sealed a 3-1 victory for Atalanta.

Injury Report

Marco Varnier has not been available for Atalanta all season long due to a major knee injury, while Rafael Toloi is considered questionable because of a sprained ankle.

There are a number of injury concerns for Lazio ahead of this match. Jordan Lukaku, Valon Berisha, Patric, and Thomas Strakosha are all questionable to play, while Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is considered probable.

Matchup to Watch

Gian Piero Gasperini has done an incredible job as manager of Atalanta. He has turned the club around over the last three seasons, and he has a small club without much resources winning and winning pretty. Atalanta are a treat to watch with their predilection to put the pedal to the metal, and they are happy to continually push forward and look for opportunities.

Duvan Zapata is among the league leaders with 22 goals and seven assists, and Josip Ilicic and Alejandro Gomez have been key focal points of the attack too. Zapata has scored in both of Atalanta?s games against Lazio this season, so he will be out to go three for three with a trophy on the line.

Free Soccer Betting Pick

Lazio have not looked too impressive over the last month of the campaign with losses to SPAL and Chievo. Meanwhile, Atalanta continue to impress, so I?ll take them to win even though this is a nominal home game for Lazio.

Italian Coppa Italia Final Odds: Atalanta 2, Lazio 1

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Bundesliga 2019-20 Betting Odds

Moay, Augu 5, 2019

Bayern Munich won their seventh straight Bundesliga title in 2018-19, and the Bavarian giants are heavy favorites per the Bundesliga betting odds once more. Although they only beat out Borussia Dortmund by two points for the title last season, they were able to overcome a very sluggish start that saw them fall well behind Dortmund by losing just one of their last 22 matches. Following such a hot finish, Bayern are the team to beat, and their 28 Bundesliga titles don?t hurt.

Bundesliga Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Odds to Win Bundesliga

Bayern Munich -450
Borussia Dortmund +450
Red Bull Leipzig +1600
Bayer Leverkusen +3500
Field +2050

We didn?t see Niko Kovac make many moves this offseason. Bayern Munich only brought in three players, but two of those acquisitions were for major money. The club shelled out over $90 million to sign Lucas Hernandez away from Atletico Madrid and then spent $40 million on Benjamin Pavard. Those center backs are expected to be the lynchpins of a revamped back line for the club.

Robert Lewandowski will be the star up front. He has led the Bundesliga in scoring in four of the last six seasons, and he is one of the deadliest forwards in the world. Lewandowski will be complemented by Renato Sanches and Thomas Muller, and Bayern are hoping for big things from Sanches.

Manuel Neuer is healthy once more and ready to lead from the back. He missed the first part of last season due to injury, and his return helped spark Bayern on their run over the latter two-thirds of the season.

Borussia Dortmund have been the foil for far too long and last season?s failure to win the Bundesliga stung. Dortmund had a golden opportunity, but a 5-0 blowout loss to Bayern Munich in Bavaria in April broke them. They will take some solace in a Super Cup win over their rivals this past weekend, giving Dortmund at least some silverware.

Christian Pulisic departed for Chelsea over the summer and Abdou Diallo made the move to PSG. Dortmund made sure to spend the money from those moves though, attempting to improve a number of areas. The club added Mats Hummels from Bayern Munich and added Nico Schulz from Hoffenheim. Wingers Thorgan Hazard and Julian Brandt came in from Bundesliga rivals, and Paco Alcacer joined from Barcelona.

The meteoric rise of Red Bull Leipzig through German soccer has rankled the feathers of some traditionalists, but it has been very impressive. This club only started 10 years ago, yet quickly rose from the fifth tier of German soccer to the Bundesliga and have made a name for themselves.

This roster is incredibly young. The average age of everyone on Red Bull Leipzig is under 23 years, and two-thirds of the team are foreign-born to boot. They have added promising young players like Ademola Lookman and Christopher Nkunku to pair with Timo Werner and Yussuf Poulsen, and they will once again play an engaging brand of football.

Bayer Leverkusen edged rival Borussia Monchengladbach for fourth place in the Bundesliga last year after a fantastic final few months. They are looking like a Champions League team once again with players like Julian Baumgartlinger and Lars Bender now being paired with new signings like Kerem Demirbay and Nadiem Amiri.

A slow start to last season nearly ended their Champions League hopes, and that?s something Bayer Leverkusen are looking to avoid this year.

There are a number of contenders outside the top four. Borussia Monchengladbach, VfL Wolfsburg, and Eintracht Frankfurt were all close to Leverkusen last season, and Werder Bremen and 1899 Hoffenheim weren?t far behind. Hoffenheim were very unlucky to finish ninth last year, and they are a team that could make a huge splash with Dietmar Hopp?s deep pockets funding the club.

2019 FIFA Women?s World Cup Final Betting Odds ? Netherlands vs. United States Match Preview

Thursday, July 4, 2019

The United States are in the World Cup Final for the third time this decade. The USWNT are 3-1 all-time in this game, and the Stars and Stripes will look to add a fourth star to their crest on Sunday. Their opponents will be the Netherlands. The Oranje are the 2017 European Champions, and they are in the final in just their second appearance at the Women?s World Cup. Most analysts aren?t giving the Dutch much of a chance, but they have proven the oddsmakers wrong multiple times over the last two years.

Don't miss the Women?s World Cup Final from the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Decines-Charpieu, France at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 7, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on FOX.

2019 FIFA Women?s World Cup Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Netherlands +696
United States -238
Draw +350
Over/Under 2.5

Odds Analysis

The United States survived an incredibly tough bracket to get to the final for the fifth time in their history. The Stars and Stripes won all three of their knockout round games by a scoreline of 2-1, and the difficulty of those wins has increased in each subsequent round.

After a hard-fought victory against France, the USWNT were hoping things would go smoother against England, but the Three Lionesses gave them all they could handle in the semifinals. Both teams posed significant challenges to the other?s back line, and it looked like the game would get away from the US in the second half. England had the better chances in the final 45 minutes, but fell after an Ellen White goal was ruled offside and a Steph Houghton penalty kick was saved by Alyssa Naeher.

It hasn?t been easy for the Netherlands throughout this competition. Unlike their opponents in the finals, the Dutch haven?t blown anyone away with all of their victories coming by two goals or less. The story for the Oranje has been their tendency to break down opponents in the second half. Nine of their 11 goals have come after halftime, and that?s how they managed to get past Sweden too.

Sweden looked better in the first 45 minutes of their semifinal match, but the Netherlands started to ratchet up the pressure after halftime. A Vivianne Miedema header was tipped off the crossbar, and Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl made some critical saves to keep the game tied at 0. However, it wasn?t enough as Jackie Groenen scored the game winner in added time in the first Women?s World Cup semifinal to go past the 90-minute mark.

United States Player to Watch

Megan Rapinoe was a surprise scratch for the USWNT on Tuesday, but Rapinoe has said that she will be ready to go this Sunday. She reportedly tweaked her hamstring in training and manager Jill Ellis erred on the side of caution and kept her out given the depth the United States possesses. Rapinoe?s five goals are one behind White and teammate Alex Morgan, and she was huge in the USWNT?s wins over Spain and France.

Netherlands Player to Watch

It?s been a rough World Cup for the Netherlands? Lieke Martens. Martens scored both Dutch goals in their Round of 16 win over Japan, but she has failed to score in the five other matches. The star forward aggravated a lingering toe injury late in the game against Japan, and she came off at halftime against Sweden on Wednesday. Martens is the most dynamic player on the Netherlands, and she certainly needs a great outing for the Oranje to celebrate Dutch Delight.

Free Soccer Betting Pick

This is going to be an anticlimactic final. The USWNT jumps on teams early, and the Netherlands are typically slow out of the gate. The defending champions have the benefit of an extra day?s rest, while the Netherlands played 120 minutes on Wednesday, and that will make life difficult for the underdogs. It won?t quite be the 2015 Final when the USWNT slammed Japan, but it won?t be pretty.

2019 FIFA Women?s World Cup Odds: United States 3, Netherlands 0

2019 FIFA Women?s World Cup Betting Odds ? England vs. Sweden Match Preview

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Neither Sweden or England wanted to be playing in Nice on Saturday. Both teams have winning histories in the Third Place game of the Women?s World Cup though. Sweden has finished in third twice before. The Swedes beat Germany 4-0 for third place in the inaugural World Cup in 1991, and they earned their second third place finish with a 2-1 win over France in 2011. Meanwhile, England finished third in the last World Cup, knocking off Germany 1-0 in extra time.

Don't miss the Women?s World Cup Third Place match from the Allianz Riviera in Nice, France at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday, July 6, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on FOX.

2019 FIFA Women?s World Cup Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

England -144
Sweden +388
Draw +295
Over/Under 2.5 and 3

Odds Analysis

The Three Lionesses have some significant advantages coming into this game. The biggest advantage they have is rest. England played on Tuesday, while Sweden played on Wednesday, and the English only played 90 minutes compared to 120 minutes for the Swedes. It?s not easy to play on just two days of rest following a game that goes into extra time, and that will give the Three Lionesses an edge.

England have looked sharper in this competition too. The Three Lionesses had no trouble in their first two games of the knockout rounds, hammering Cameroon and Norway each by a score of 3-0. They were unable to get past the United States on Tuesday, but they played the Americans tougher than any other team has at this tournament. England fell 2-1, yet they looked much better in the second half than their opponents. Ellen White had a goal called back because of VAR, and Steph Houghton botched a penalty kick, costing England two goals.

Sweden were not expected to get to the World Cup semifinals, but they ended up blowing away expectations thanks to a devastating counterattack led by Stina Blackstenius. The Swedes have not had the majority of possession in any of their three elimination games, and they didn?t need it in the first two. They knocked off Canada 1-0 in the Round of 16, and the style was at its most effective in a 2-1 win over heavily favored Germany in the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, they didn?t have the same fortune against the Netherlands, allowing a goal in added time in a 1-0 loss.

Sweden Player to Watch

Hedvig Lindahl has had an incredible tournament for Sweden. Lindahl made some big stops during the knockout rounds, and she had two incredible saves in the second half to keep the score knotted at zero. No goalkeeper has been better at stopping penalty kicks this competition, and that?s a scary thought for an English team that has converted on just 1 of their 4 penalties.

England Player to Watch

Ellen White has had a fantastic World Cup. She is currently tied with Alex Morgan as the leading scorer in France with six goals in six matches, and she nearly led the Three Lionesses into the World Cup Final for the first time ever. White is very dangerous no matter where she gets the ball, and Sweden will have to watch out for her. Her style is very much shoot first, as she has no assists through those six games.

Free Soccer Betting Pick

Third place games can be tricky. Some teams just don?t have the same level of motivation at this point, and it?s hard to tell whether or not a squad is fully focused on the task at hand. Coming into Saturday?s game, a lot of things are going England?s way. They are rested, they have more weapons, and they have an elite scorer. However, Sweden?s counter game does scare me, and if this game goes to penalties I don?t think there?s a chance England wins. I?m going to predict an English win, but I?m not too confident.

2019 FIFA Women?s World Cup Odds: England 2, Sweden 1

2019 Gold Cup Final Betting Odds ? United States vs. Mexico Match Preview

Thursday, July 4, 2019

For the sixth time, the United States and Mexico will meet in the Gold Cup Final. The two heavyweights of the CONCACAF region were the two heavy favorites to win the tournament before the first game started, so it?s only fitting they meet in the final. Mexico have knocked off the US in four of their five previous meetings in the Gold Cup Final, but the USMNT are defending champions and have the advantage as hosts.

Don't miss the Gold Cup Final from Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 7, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on FS1.

2019 Gold Cup Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

United States +225
Mexico +115
Draw +220
Over/Under 2.5

Odds Analysis

Mexico looked unstoppable in the Group Stage. They crushed Cuba and Canada in their first two matches, and they knocked off Martinique to finish up without a loss. However, they have struggled mightily in the knockout rounds.

Some offensive drop-off was bound to happen after Mexico started the season with seven straight matches with three or more goals, but this attack has fallen off a cliff in the final third. El Tri held the lion?s share of possession against both Costa Rica and Haiti and fired off over 20 shots in both games, but they didn?t put many of those attempts on goal. That led to Mexico needing penalties to get past Costa Rica and added time (and a questionable penalty) to upend Haiti.

It?s been largely the same story for the United States. The USMNT didn?t have much trouble dispatching of Guyana or Trinidad and Tobago, but Panama were able to defend well and nearly earned a result from the Stars and Stripes in the Group Stage.

The United States were heavy favorites against Curacao in the Quarterfinals, but they failed to finish chances and ended up only just holding on to a 1-0 win. They did look better against Jamaica in a rain-delayed semifinal, earning a 3-1 win with a brace from Christian Pulisic and a goal from Weston McKennie.

Mexico Player to Watch

Raul Jimenez has had an excellent tournament. Jimenez has showed why he is the key to Wolverhampton?s offense in the Premier League, and he is constantly grinding to get the ball in good position for both himself and his teammates. He has tallied both of Mexico?s goals in the knockout rounds, and Jimenez was the only forward that could get on track against Haiti.

United States Player to Watch

This is Christian Pulisic?s team now. Pulisic has had two straight superb performances, and the American wunderkind might be starting to put it all together. He failed to register a goal against Curacao, but his impact was felt, and he made amends with regards to the goal scoring against Jamaica. Pulisic is the most talented player on the roster and will need to create chances with the forwards up top struggling.

Free Soccer Betting Pick

Although they continue to win games, the USMNT haven?t been very impressive given their competition, and they have largely relied on Weston McKennie and Pulisic to get the job done. We haven?t seen good play from Michael Bradley or the center backs, and the forwards continue to be switched around in the hopes of finding a spark.

That?s why I?ll go with El Tri here. Jimenez has looked very sharp, and I prefer Tata Martino?s tactics to those of Gregg Berhalter. Martino will be back on the sidelines after a yellow card suspension put him up in the box against Haiti, and his fiery nature will help spark a win for Mexico.

2019 Gold Cup Odds: Mexico 3, United States 1

2019 Gold Cup Betting Odds ? United States vs. Panama Match Preview

Moay, June 24, 2019

The final group winner of the Group Stage will be decided on Wednesday when the United States and Panama meet. Both sides are undefeated with wins over Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago to this point, but the US has the edge ahead of this match. Their +10 goal differential is far superior to that of Panama, so a draw for the Stars and Stripes will be enough to top the group. The Canal Men know they must win to finish first in Group D.

Don't miss this Gold Cup match from Children?s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Missouri at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on FS1.

2019 Gold Cup Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

United States -208
Panama +572
Draw +308
Over/Under 2.5

Odds Analysis

Los Canaleros have not looked as strong as many believed they were at the start of the Gold Cup. They were unable to break through Trinidad and Tobago?s back line until the second half in a 2-0 win in their first match of the competition, and they received quite a test from Guyana on Saturday.

Panama controlled possession and had great chances, but they also gave up a lot of very good opportunities too. Guyana ended up converting two penalty kicks, but it wasn?t enough as four goals for the Canal Men gave Panama a 4-2 win. A better team than Guyana would have converted more of those chances, so Panama know they must play better on Wednesday.

I had some major reservations about the USMNT ahead of the Gold Cup. They did not look sharp against either Jamaica or Venezuela, but they have put those struggles aside to easily dispatch of both Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

The scoreline against Guyana wasn?t as lopsided as you might think though. Gyasi Zardes? goal was incredibly fortuitous, and the Americans were easily frustrated early on. Those early frustrations continued against Trinidad and Tobago, as the USMNT didn?t score until the 41st minute. However, they poured it on midway through the second half with four goals in the span of 12 minutes to eventually earn a 6-0 win.

Panama Player to Watch

Roman Torres must be solid in the center of Panama?s defense on Wednesday night. Torres is the most experienced player on the roster with 112 caps, and he is very familiar with the USMNT. He has been a part of the Seattle Sounders since 2015, and that time in the MLS will come in handy. Torres is relied upon to break up dangerous attacks as the center back, so look for him to be active.

United States Player to Watch

Gyasi Zardes is the most experienced forward on the roster, and the veteran came through on Saturday. He scored a brace in the span of three minutes, and he now has three goals through two matches at the Gold Cup. Zardes has needed some time to get going, but he has comes through and he can make plays happen if the midfielders get him the ball in good positions.

Free Soccer Betting Pick

These two countries met in a friendly in late January. The USMNT cruised to a 3-0 win over Panama, but a number of current starters for both countries were not a part of those teams. Panama was without Torres and its best attacking options, while the USMNT was without its main creators in the midfield.

I believe that will work in favor of the over. The USMNT have looked much better on the attack, and Panama will test them in ways they weren?t in their first two matches.

2019 Gold Cup Odds: United States 3, Panama 1

2019 Copa America Odds at BookMaker.eu

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Brazil has not won Copa America in a dozen years, and the Selecao are looking to break that streak as the host of the event this summer. They are nearly odds-on favorites to win Copa America, and hundreds of millions will be cheering them on. For the first time ever, this competition will feature two teams from Asia too as Japan and Qatar look to make some noise at Copa America.

The 2019 Copa America will take place in Brazil. It will begin on Friday, June 14, and run through the final on Sunday, July 7. All of the action can be seen on ESPN Plus and Telemundo.

2019 Copa AmericaOdds at BookMaker.eu

Brazil +110
Argentina +360
Uruguay +675
Colombia +850
Chile +950
Peru +2350
Venezuela +2600
Ecuador +3400
Paraguay +4000
Japan +4050
Bolivia +7000
Qatar +7500

You have to consider Brazil the favorites. Not only are they hosting the competition, they have the most talented team of anyone involved. Neymar will be out to lead Brazil to glory once more, and he will have a lot of help in this endeavor. Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus are likely to join on the attack, and Roberto Firmino will be out to make his mark too. Youngsters like Richarlison, Lucas Paqueta, and Arthur give this team an extraordinary amount of options on the attack.

The back line is led by captain Dani Alves, and he will be flanked by veterans Marquinhos, Miranda, and Thiago Silva. Alisson is the best goalkeeper that Brazil has had in decades, and back-up goalkeeper Ederson is one of the best in the game too. This is Brazil?s tournament to lose.

Argentina are out to win their first international competition since claiming the Copa America over Mexico in 1993. The Argentines will have talisman Lionel Messi, and he will aim to overcome the heartbreak from losing the last two Gold Cups to neighbor Chile. Other veterans like Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, and Nicolas Otamendi are still involved, but this is largely a green, inexperienced side. All but five players have fewer than 20 caps for the national team, and that could be an issue.
The only country that has yet to name a preliminary Copa America squad is Uruguay. This country?s golden generation has just about passed, but they can achieve glory one last time at this competition. Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani have combined for over 100 goals in their time on the national team, and other veterans like Maxi Pereira, Diego Godin, and Fernando Muslera are likely to be involved. The key will be the midfielders, as there are no proven playmakers on the international level.

Colombia are the wildcards at Copa America. James Rodriguez has always shined for Los Cafateros on the big stage, and he will look to make his presence felt once more. This could very well be Radamel Falcao?s last run with the national team as well, and he would love to go out a winner. The play of the back line will be very important in this regard. Cristian Zapata is proven, but Davinson Sanchez and Yerry Mina are known for their offense as much as their defense. They will need to hold the line against some of the best countries in the world.

The last team the oddsmakers consider to have a real chance of winning Copa America is Chile. La Roja claimed the last two Copa America titles, but this veteran squad is on its last legs. Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez aren?t the players they once were, and this back line has experience, but all four starters are 30 are older too.
For this team to pull off the unthinkable and win three straight Copa America titles, they will need to find other playmakers. Eduardo Vargas is somewhat proven, but Chile needs more if they are going to top the best countries on the continent once again.

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UEFA Nations League Final - Netherlands vs. Portugal

Friday, June 7, 2019

Portugal are looking to win their second major international trophy in three years. The Navigators rode a fortunate draw to the 2016 European Championship for their first international title, and now they will be facing an old foe in their bid to win the inaugural UEFA Nations League. Portugal and the Netherlands met 13 years ago in what became known as the Battle of Nuremberg. It was the dirtiest game in FIFA history, with four red cards and 16 yellow cards administered over the course of the match.

Don?t miss the UEFA Nations League Final from the Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Portugal at 2:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 9, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN and Univision.

UEFA Nations League Final Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Netherlands +200
Portugal +139
Draw +235
Over/Under 2.5

Odds Analysis

The Netherlands have been awfully impressive since missing out on the 2018 World Cup. The Flying Dutchmen are back to playing the daring, innovative style that had been their hallmark throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and that has them on the cusp of winning the UEFA Nations League. This team bested France and Germany to be one of the final four teams in this competition, and they knocked off England 3-1 on Thursday night in the second semifinal. The Netherlands forced mistake after mistake out of the Three Lions? back line, and England finally collapsed in extra time.

Some Cristiano Ronaldo magic sent Portugal to the UEFA Nations League Final. Ronaldo registered his 53rd career hat trick in a 3-1 victory for Portugal over Switzerland, but that score is not indicative of how the match went. The Swiss consistently had numerous great chances thanks to some great play from their midfielders, yet they were unable to finish and that doomed them. If Switzerland had a quality striker on the roster, the Swiss would be in the final instead of the Portuguese, so the hosts must play better against a team that can punish them.

Matchup to Watch

Portugal?s back line was consistently carved up on Wednesday, and the Dutch have to be licking their chops. The Netherlands have more creative midfielders than the Swiss, and talents like Georginio Wijnaldum and Frenkie de Jong are sure to create a number of opportunities.

To make matters worse, Portugal will be without their most experienced player in the back for the final. Pepe fractured his shoulder blade in the win over Switzerland, and none of the remaining Portuguese defenders have more than 37 caps. Talented young players like Nelson Semedo and Joao Cancelo will have to step up or else Portugal will be run through.

Prop Bet ? Netherlands First Goal +112

It may take some time for Portugal?s back line to find their feet. The Netherlands are going to consistently push the pace, especially early, and I don?t think it will take long for the hosts to crack. The Oranje can be deadly on set pieces, especially corners, and defending those will be a major problem for Portugal. Matthijs de Ligt will get free and create trouble.

Free Soccer Betting Pick

If this game were at a neutral site, I believe the Netherlands would be favored. They have looked like the better team over the past 12 months, but they will be playing in a hostile environment in Porto.

Regardless, I think they will get the job done here, and I love the value in the Dutch. Although Cristiano Ronaldo is always going to be a threat, the Netherlands back line is talented enough to slow him down. The combination of Virgil van Dijk and de Ligt is an envious one, and Ronaldo won?t do enough to overcome Portugal?s woes in the back.

UEFA Nations League Final Prediction: Netherlands 2, Portugal 1

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UEFA Nations League Semifinals - Netherlands vs. England

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

The second UEFA Nations League semifinal will pit the Netherlands against England. The Three Lions are slight favorites coming into this match due to the strong showing of English football over the last calendar year. England made it to the World Cup Semifinals, and English teams won both the Champions League and Europa League in the last week. However, players on the Dutch team have had more rest, and they will try to use that to their advantage.

Don?t miss the UEFA Nations League semifinal from the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques in Guimaraes, Portugal at 2:45 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 6, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN2 and Univision.

UEFA Nations League Semifinals Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu

Netherlands +204
England +146
Draw +218
Over/Under 2.5

Odds Analysis

Netherlands appearance in the UEFA Nations League Semifinals is quite surprising considering the two teams they were pitted against in Group 1. The Dutch seemingly got the short end of the stick when they were drawn into a group with France and Germany, arguably the two best teams on the continent. They stunned both teams at home though, blanking Germany 3-0 in October and beating France 2-0 in November. Still, the Dutch needed some help to finish first and looked set to come in second after Germany took a 2-0 lead late into the final game of the Group Stage. Quincy Promes and Virgil van Dijk netted in the final five minutes to salvage a draw for The Flying Dutchmen.

They would have rather advanced to the World Cup Final, but England earned a small measure of revenge over Croatia by beating them in order to win the group and send Croatia down to League B. England needed to win their last two games to win Group D, and they jumped on Spain early in Sevilla to get the first victory in October. That last win was hard-fought though as Croatia took a 1-0 lead midway through the second half at Wembley, and the Three Lions had to rally. Jesse Lingard and Harry Kane scored in the final 15 minutes to send England through.

Matchup to Watch

It will be very interesting to see the starting eleven that manager Gareth Southgate chooses to play on Thursday. Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all started in the Champions League Final on Saturday, and Joe Gomez came off the bench as a reserve. Those players may not be at 100 percent, and in particular Kane and Alli had been nursing injuries before the final.

With this in mind, I expect the Netherlands to be much more daring on the attack. Stars Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum also took part in the Champions League Final, but the Dutch have four players from the young, talented Ajax contingent that nearly made it to Madrid. Frenkie de Jong and Donny van de Beek have been brilliant creators and Memphis Depay can finish if given the chance.

Prop Bet ? Netherlands Over 1.5 Goals +168

I don?t have an abundance of faith in England?s back line. I think Harry Maguire is a very good center back, but Ajax made a habit of picking apart better back lines throughout their Champions League run. The Dutch have a much better chance of scoring at least two goals here than the odds indicate.

Free Soccer Betting Pick

The Dutch are good value at this price. The Netherlands have fresher legs, and their young stars can use that to their advantage. They are back to playing the wide-open Dutch soccer that made them a treat to watch in the 1980s, and I?ll back them here.

UEFA Nations League Prediction: Netherlands 2, England 1