Pepijn Lijnders: ‘Klopp will always be there to reach out a helping hand’

After four months as Red Bull Salzburg’s head coach Pepijn Lijnders has experienced a wide range of emotions. Jürgen Klopp’s former Liverpool assistant won six and drew two of his first eight games but has since overseen a challenging period that has included three heavy defeats. Not that it has lessened his determination. This job has, after all, been a long time in the making.

From the moment it was announced in January that Klopp and Lijnders would leave Anfield at the end of the season, the Dutchman was open to offers and a few clubs were invited to his house in Formby to explain their ideas. Salzburg were among them and it was not their first attempt to lure him.

Jürgen Klopp shakes English football’s God delusion with embrac…

Asian champions Jeonbuk banned from 2017 Champions League

AFC Champions League holders Jeonbuk Motors have been banned from continental competition in 2017 over a match-fixing scandal in the K-League, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Wednesday.

Last year, Jeonbuk were docked nine points and fined 100 million South Korean won (approximately US$85,000) by the Korean Football Association after one of their scouts was found to have made payments to referees in 2013. The points deduction ultimately handed FC Seoul the K-League title ahead of Jeonbuk.

Jeonbuk defeated Al-Ain 3-2 on aggregate in the 2016 Champions League final but will not be given the chance to defend their title.

A club statement confirmed the four-time Korean champions will step up their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

San Jose Earthquakes v FC Cincinnati: Gonzalez aiming to make home into a fortress

Luchi Gonzalez has urged San Jose Earthquakes to turn PayPal Park into a fortress, starting against FC Cincinnati in the MLS on Saturday.

San Jose sit bottom of the Western Conference, three points adrift of FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City after winning just three games this season.

The ‘Quakes are winless in their last four matches, but Gonzalez is confident the mid-season break served his team’s preparation for Cincinnati well.

The guys had some time off to kind of recharge and miss each other, miss training, miss the competition, Gonzalez said. They re showing hunger, they re showing intensity and excitement as we approach Cincinnati.

It s about getting the stadium back to being our fortress. Making teams miserable here and our intensity and o…

Berbatov named Bulgarian player of 2010

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has been voted Bulgarian footballer of 2010 for a record seventh time, the Bulgarian Football Union announced on Monday.

Berbatov, 29, who last month scored an amazing five goals in Manchester United s 7-1 win over Premier League rivals Blackburn Rovers, also won in the title in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Bulgarian Litex Lovech captain Ivelin Popov, who recently transferred to Turkey s Gaziantepspor, came second followed by Bulgarian national team and Dutch Twente goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov.

Premier League 2018-19: Can Manchester City be even better next season?

Manchester City became the first team to retain the Premier League title in a decade, backing up their 100-point season last time around with a similarly remarkable haul of 98.

They were pushed all the way by an irrepressible Liverpool side this time around, however, pipping Jurgen Klopp s men by a point thanks to Sunday s 4-1 win at Brighton and Hove Albion.

While a sense of exasperation has been easy to find at Anfield what more could Liverpool have done? – City still appear to have room for improvement after passing a challenging campaign with flying colours domestically, an unprecedented treble two-thirds complete.

However, Europe remains the final frontier for Guardiola s City and a captivating recasting of English football s traditional Manchester-Mer…

Busquets: Dutch different to 2010

Spain s Sergio Busquets said their re-match of the 2010 World Cup final with the Netherlands is a new challenge for the champions.

Since Spain triumphed 1-0 in Soccer City, Johannesburg, the Dutch outfit has seen several changes to their on-field artillery and also the notable switch in coach from Bert van Marwijk to Louis van Gaal.

Van Gaal will lead the Dutch into battle on Friday against the World Cup holders, for their Group B curtain-raiser in Salvador.

No matter the outcome of their fortunes in Brazil, the Netherlands will again have a new coach for their bid to make the finals in 2018 with Van Gaal bound for Manchester United after their Brazil campaign.

Busquets said while the crux of Spain s side had largely remained from four years back, including boss …

Eagles vs Buccaneers MNF Prop Bets: Brown Goes to Town in TB

Another doubleheader is ready to go for MNF odds with the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicking off the action at the Pirate Ship in Tampa.

Week 3 odds feature a matchup of undefeated teams — as well as former Oklahoma Sooner quarterbacks — as Jalen Hurts and Baker Mayfield go toe-to-toe for the first time in their careers as starters on either side. Both teams will be looking to stay undefeated and keep up with fellow undefeated division foes.

Continue reading for tonight’s free NFL picks for Eagles vs. Buccaneers in the NFL player props market. Make sure to also read our full Eagles vs. Buccaneers betting picks as well as our Mike Evans props spotlight picks before placing your wagers!

Week 15 NFL Parlay Picks: Falcons Strike Twice Against Niners

Week 15 has all 32 teams in action across what is now five days as NFL Saturdays come back. On Saturday, we’ll see a good rivalry contest as the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts do battle, while in a bonus Monday game, the Las Vegas Raiders meet the Cleveland Browns – two teams on the edge of the AFC playoff race. Due to health & safety regulations, two more games have been postponed until Tuesday as well.

To help navigate all the commotion, here’s a look at my favorite spread and total NFL parlay picks I’ll be targeting in Week 15.

Week 9 NFL Parlay Picks: Vikings Pillage Commanders in Battle

Week 9 of the 2022 NFL season brings us the thinnest NFL odds slate of the year due to bye weeks, with six teams sitting idle. But there’s still a copious amount of wagering opportunities, which I’ve combed over to bring you the best bets you can make this Sunday.

I’m keen on four road teams this week — two favorites, and two underdogs. I’ve grouped them into two separate NFL parlay picks, which I’ll outline below.

Steelers vs Falcons Picks & Predictions for Week 1: Kirk Cousins Set To Shine In Atlanta Debut

The NFL returns in force this Sunday, and one of the most fascinating matchups on the Week 1 slate is between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons.

Both teams have upgraded at quarterback after seeing real struggles under center last year, but my Steelers vs. Falcons predictions expect Kirk Cousins to outshine his opponent on Sunday. Find out more in the NFL picks ahead.

Steelers vs Falcons prediction

My best betFalcons -3.5 (-112 at BetMGM)

My analysisIn the NFL, quarterbacks are always the key part of the conversation and these teams made addressing their QB situation a primary concern this offseason. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers replaced Kenny Pickett by bringing in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields — both g…