Jimmy Greaves 1940-2021: English football´s greatest ever goalscorer

Jimmy Greaves is among the finest players England has ever produced and remained one of the great entertainers long into retirement.

Tottenham, Chelsea and England icon Greaves died on September 19 at the age of 81.

A naturally clinical finisher with both feet, who terrorised defences throughout a record-breaking career, the inside forward is the leading goalscorer in the history of the English top flight.

The World Cup winner found the back of the net a staggering 357 times in 516 First Division games and ended six seasons as the highest scorer.

He is also Spurs record goalscorer, having notched an incredible 266 goals from 379 appearances, and is fourth on the list of England s leading scorers, with 44 from 57 matches – including a record six hat-…

Highest win rate since 2013-14 – The Premier League´s flying Champions League start in Opta numbers

No English team has lifted the Champions League trophy since Chelsea s 2012 triumph, but the Premier League s five participants in this season s competition appear in a good position to change that.

Wins for Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool on Wednesday moved the tournament s English teams on to 15 victories.

Spurs and City are already assured of a place in the last 16 while Chelsea, following their 3-0 defeat to Roma on Tuesday, are the only Premier League side that is not top of a group.

Here, with the help of Opta data, we look at the numbers behind what has so far been one of the best Champions League campaigns for Premier League teams for some time.

15 English clubs have already won more Champions League games this season (15) than in the e…

New Orleans Saints Odds, Predictions, and Betting Preview 2022: A New Dawn in the Big Easy

With Drew Brees jumping into the red-hot pickleball space and retired head coach Sean Payton putting his feet up (before picking out homes in Dallas), no one would have blamed the New Orleans Saints for tearing down the Mardi Gras float in 2022.

But, with veteran defensive coordinator Dennis Allen taking over the head coaching reigns and long-time Payton staffer Pete Carmichael calling the offense, it’s business as usual in the Big Easy. That means pushing for a postseason spot. 

The Saints’ NFL odds are split on the success of NOLA this season, with a break-even win total and the playoff props projecting a fight to the finish for New Orleans. Can the good times continue to roll in the Crescent City? We find out with our New Orleans Saints 202…

Ravens vs Steelers Week 13 Picks and Predictions: Pittsburgh's Season is Nevermore

It hasn’t been pretty but the Baltimore Ravens are 8-3 and lead the AFC North. The Ravens will play their second divisional game in a row as they travel to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers whose best result over their last three games was a tie versus the Detroit Lions. 

Can Lamar Jackson rebound after a four-interception game? Can the Ravens continue to ride lady luck to victory? Can the Steelers stop this freefall after getting blown out by the Bengals last week? Find out in our free picks and predictions between the Ravens vs. Steelers.

Giants vs Packers Week 5 Props: Barkley's Resurgent Season Continues in London

The NFL’s international schedule continues in Week 5, with the somehow 3-1 New York Giants and the more understandably 3-1 Green Bay Packers meeting at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers are 7.5-point favorites in London, with oddsmakers tipping their hand as far as their feelings about New York in the NFL betting market. 

Our NFL player prop picks for the Giants vs. Packers check in on a pair of Green Bay skill position players, and a resurgent talent in New York’s backfield. 

Dolphins vs Bills Odds, Picks, and Predictions Week 4: Pay Dirt Earns Its Name on Sunday

It’s undoubtedly the game of the week with the Miami Dolphins in Buffalo to take on the Bills.

This will be the stiffest test of the season so far for each of the division rivals as Miami looks to stake its claim as the new king of the AFC East, while Buffalo wants to prove it’s still the team to beat. NFL odds have the Bills short 2.5-point favorites while this game has the highest total of the week at 53.5.

The Fins came close to beating the Bills twice in Buffalo last season — losing by three in mid-December and three once again in a wild-card game where Skylar Thompson was the starter. Miami hasn’t had much success in Buffalo recently, winning just once in its last ten trips. 

Let’s dig into what: Here are my free NFL picks fo…

Lions vs Bears Odds, Picks, and Predictions Week 14: Fields Finds Room to Run

The Detroit Lions head to Soldier Field to face off against the Chicago Bears in NFL Week 14 odds on Sunday. The 9-3 Lions will look to build on their three-game lead atop the NFC North while the Bears are at the bottom of the division at 4-8. 

NFL odds for this divisional showdown have seen plenty of movement with the Over/Under opening at 45.5 before plummeting to 40.5 and then ticking back up to 43.5. Should you consider the volatile total or find another angle? I let you know with my best free NFL picks for Lions vs. Bears on Sunday, December 10.

Lions vs Bears odds

Lions vs Bears predictions

NFL weather reports on Tuesday projected messy weather for this contest with temperatures approaching zero…

Bears vs Bills Prediction, Picks & Odds for This Week’s NFL Preseason Game

This Saturday we have the Bears vs Bills. The Bears beat the Texans in the Hall of Fame game and come into this preseason game on the back of that win, however, this will be the first time we see the Bills.

Don’t miss my NFL picks Bears vs Bills predictions for Saturday, August 10. 

Bears vs Bills prediction

My best betBears moneyline (+105 at BetMGM)

My analysisAs always with preseason things are complicated and we need to see through coach speak and depth charts, in order to find out how things will shake out in each game. Ahead of this game, we know more about where the Bears are, than the Bills, having seen them beat the Texans 21-17 in the Hall of Fame game.

The most important thing in any preseason game is …

Administrators need to wisen up if football’s perception is to change

Media politics could not be more niche in Australia’s complex football landscape – and the message hardly muddier. For those operating in the comparatively small local scene, one currently battling sliding TV ratings and crowds, that can be both a blessing and a curse.

One striking advantage for journalists is the capacity to build close, trusting relationships with players, coaches, officials and other stakeholders. It is the kind of access about which counterparts working in the grand-scale, cut-throat world game in other countries can only dream.

Perth Glory reach agreement with blockchain trading firm over club’s saleRead more

Undercutting this severely under-utilised benefit (more on that later) is a slightl…