Guardiola ´happy´ Man City hearing begins next week

Pep Guardiola says he is happy Manchester City s hearing into 115 charges for alleged breaches of the Premier League s financial rules begins on Monday.

Following a four-year investigation, the club were charged and referred to an independent commission in February 2023.

Man City strongly deny all charges.

The alleged breaches of the Premier League s financial rules relate to a period between 2009 and 2018, with the trial expected to run for 10 weeks and a verdict likely to come in early 2025.

While some are dubbing it sport s trial of the century , Guardiola is just pleased that it is now close to the start date.

It starts soon and hopefully finishes soon, Guardiola said of the hearing. An independent panel will decide, and I am looking forward …

Barcelona Opta special: Setien struggles and Messi magic in 2019-20

Top of the table, sack your head coach, lose El Clasico, return to the top of the table.

It is hard to argue with where Barcelona stand as LaLIga s season pauses amid the coronavirus pandemic, although their means of staying on course for a ninth title in 12 seasons have often been unconvincing.

Here, we take a look back at the Opta numbers behind a campaign where Quique Setien has replaced Ernesto Valverde in the Camp Nou hot seat and many of the old certainties seem not to exist anymore.

Well, apart from one man s enduring brilliance.

by Leo Messi

VIDEO:

— FC Barcelona (from ) (@FCBarcelona)

WORST BARCA TEAM SINCE BEFORE GUARDIOLA

Barcelona s points haul of 58 from 27 games is enough for a two-point lead o…

On this day in 2013: Michael Owen announces decision to retire at end of season

Former England striker Michael Owen announced he would retire at the end of the season on this day in 2013.

Owen, then 33, had signed a one-year contract with Stoke after leaving Manchester United the previous summer but his time in the Potteries was hampered by a hamstring injury, contributing to his decision to call it a day.

Owen scored 40 goals in 89 England appearances – making him the fourth highest scorer for his country’s men’s team at the time – and played at the top level for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United.

“It is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my intention to retire,” Owen said on March 19, 2013.

“I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey I could only have…

Jets vs Colts Thursday Night Football Picks and Predictions: New York Keeps Flying?

The Fightin’ Mike Whites will look to make it two straight, as the New York Jets fly into Lucas Oil Stadium for a Thursday Night Football date with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9.

Despite White’s heroics in New York’s win over the Bengals last week, his team enters TNF as 10.5-point NFL betting underdogs against Indy on a short week. 

Can the Jets pull off an upset for the second straight week? Find out in our free picks and predictions for Jets vs. Colts on November 4.

Jaguars vs Commanders Week 1 Picks and Predictions: T-Law and Co. Start Season with a Road Upset

A new season is always a fresh start in the NFL but for the Washington Commanders, it’s their opening game with a new name for the franchise.

The scheduling gods have been kind to the Commanders, giving them an opening game that is winnable and in which they’re favorites, but should they be?

Find out in our free NFL picks and predictions for the Jaguars vs. Commanders, with kickoff on September 11.

Bengals vs Commanders Preseason Picks and Predictions: Commanders Boss Bengals Around

The Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders will kick off their final preseason game of 2023 on Saturday night at Fed Ex Field in Summerfield, MD. 

The Bengals will be using this game only for the deep reserves that are fighting for roster spots. The Commanders will likely do the same after losing Terry McLaurin to injury in the last game. 

I analyze the NFL odds and total and give my best NFL picks and predictions for the Bengals vs. Commanders below. 

Bengals vs Commanders odds

Bengals vs Commanders predictions

The Cincinnati Bengals are taking absolutely no chances with injuries in this preseason finale and are resting every starter on the team. Many of the starters will not even be…

Cardinals vs Texans Odds, Picks, and Predictions Week 11: Cardinals Spread Their Wings

Week 11’s matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans could be the biggest bag of cats on the NFL odds board.

Houston continues to climb the power ratings, winning three of its last four games including a 30-27 upset of Cincinnati this past weekend. The Texans enter this homestand with a 5-4 record SU and ATS, in pursuit of an improbable playoff spot.

Arizona hits the road with franchise quarterback Kyler Murray in tow after he made his season debut in a win over Atlanta last Sunday. Murray’s return snapped a six-game losing skid for the Cardinals, drastically changing the way the NFL Week 11 odds think about this non-conference clash.

I break down the point spread and Over/Under total for this head-scratcher and give my best NF…

Super Bowl 58 Opening Kickoff Prop Picks and Odds: Touchbacks In Style

One of the quickest bets to settle for Super Bowl predictions has also become one of the highest-handle prop bets from oddsmakers: whether or not the opening kickoff will result in a touchback. 

The markets for this prop have been wild over the last two years and once Pat McAfee mentions the kicking conditions to his massive audience, the markets will react. However, a lot has changed this year in the kicking game and it’s being reflected in the current Super Bowl odds. 

We continue to explore the Super Bowl prop bet market for you here and break down the opening kickoff as part of our Chiefs vs. 49ers predictions and NFL picks for Super Bowl 58 on Sunday, February 11.

Saints vs Chiefs Anytime Touchdown Scorer Picks: Johnson, Kelce Offer Best Value

A non-conference clash caps NFL Week 5 wagering when the Kansas City Chiefs host the New Orleans Sains on Monday Night Football.

The total for this primetime contest sits at 43 points, which predicts a low-scoring game between two of the league’s best defenses. But that doesn’t mean we can’t find value in the Saints vs. Chiefs anytime touchdown picks.

I break down the matchups and how they fit into the TD anytime markets, giving my best NFL picks and Saints vs. Chiefs predictions for October 7.

Aidy Boothroyd’s future in balance with England U21s facing early exit

On the eve of his second European Under-21 Championship as England manager in 2019, Aidy Boothroyd was asked which of the motivational quotes pinned around their training base in northern Italy was his favourite. “It is actually one of mine which says: ‘There has never been a better time to be an England player’,” he revealed.

Try telling that to the team that was comprehensively outclassed by Portugal on Sunday night. Despite Boothroyd’s promise that England would be more attacking after the opening loss to Switzerland, his side failed to register a single attempt on target in Ljubljana that means that their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the expanded tournament are now hanging by the slimmest of threads.

England U21s …