Euro 2012 preview: Triple treat on the cards for Spain

Reigning European and world champions Spain can become the first team to win three major international tournaments in a row at Euro 2012.

Should they lift the trophy in Kiev on July 1, Spain will also become the first side to successfully defend the European Championship.

Spain head to Poland and Ukraine having won all eight of their qualification matches for the 16-team tournament.

Vincent del Bosque s men face Italy, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland in Group C.

Spain s biggest threats lie in Group B, where all four teams are currently ranked inside the top 10 in the world.

The aptly dubbed group of death features Euro 2008 runners-up Germany (ranked second in the world), 2010 World Cup runners-up the Netherlands (fourth), Euro 2004 runners-u…

Big rewards for referees at Euro 2008

Referees will be appropriately rewarded at the upcoming European Championships in Switzerland and Austria.

For each match, the referee in charge will receive 10,000 Euros. Whether it concerns a group match or the final, does not influence this amount.

The two linesmen will earn 5,500 Euros per match, while the fourth official receives 4,000 Euros. Even the reserve official (fifth man) will be collecting 3,000 Euros.

On top of the match fee, all officials will also receive 200 Euros a day.

Ballon d´Or 2018: Who might follow Modric as the Messi-Ronaldo era ends?

Luka Modric s Ballon d Or triumph on the back of a stunning year with Real Madrid and Croatia marks the end of an era for world football s most coveted global prize.

For the first time since Brazil midfielder Kaka won in 2007, a man other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned the best male footballer in the world. Indeed, Messi missed out on a top-three place for the first time since 2006.

Both superstars remain somewhere close to the peak of their powers and may well find themselves back at the summit 12 months from now.

Nevertheless, Modric breaking the Messi-Ronaldo streak means the Ballon d Or now looks more of a possibility for other players shining at the elite level. We look at six who, if everything falls into place, could take home th…

Enhanced Bet: Neymar is 15/1 to be 2015 Copa America Top Goalscorer

Brazil arrive at the 2015 Copa America hoping to make amends for the embarrassing exit from the 2014 World Cup and having won all nine matches under Carlos Dunga, the Seleccao have got to be considered one of the main candidates for the trophy.

The South American giants will again be heavily relying on superstar Neymar, who arrives in Chile following an impressive season with Barcelona where he bagged no fewer than 39 goals. Taking this into account, it is important to note that the forward can be backed at 15/1 special price to finish as top goalscorer at the 2015 Copa America.

In order to qualify, make sure to and then simply bet on Neymar in the Copa America top goalscorer market at the regular price (5/1). If the Brazilian scores most goals at the tournament, you w…

Football fans, Darth Vader celebrate Euro 2008 final

The Euro 2008 final has arrived at last and the whole world and universe came together on Sunday in Vienna to celebrate the culmination of three weeks of football, ahead of Germany v Spain.

The old town was drowned all afternoon in a sea of red, gold and black, in which German and Spanish fans could hardly be told apart.

The ones boasted hats, wigs and face paint in the German black-red-gold, while the others waved red and gold flags with giant black bulls.

You have to look at their faces and then you can figure out if they re German or Spanish, said Matts Landmark, a Swedish fan in national blue and yellow.

A distinctly Hawaiian feel descended on the fans as temperatures hovered around 30 degrees Celsius and the sun streamed down, with flags used as…

On This Day in 2019: Aaron Ramsey signs pre-contract agreement with Juventus

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey signed a pre-contract agreement with Juventus on this day in 2019.

It was announced by the Serie A club that Ramsey, then 28, had agreed a four-year deal and would officially join on July 1, the day after his Arsenal contract expired.

Confirmation of the move ended considerable speculation over the future of the Wales international, who turned down a new deal at the Emirates Stadium.

Juventus had long been the favourites for Ramsey’s signature despite a host of other top European clubs, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris St Germain and Bayern Munich, being linked.

2014 2015 2017

Aaron Ramsey: Our Wembley hero

— Arsenal (@Arsenal)

In a statement issued on his social media platforms, Ramsey…

Lions vs Bears Week 4 Picks and Predictions: A Win in the Windy City?

The Detroit Lions look for their first win of the year as they head to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears in Week 4 of NFL action.

Although neither team looks anywhere near playoff-caliber this season, it’s still a battle between division rivals and NFL betting lines have the Bears as 3-point home favorites.

Here are our best free Lions vs. Bears picks and predictions for Sunday, October 3, with kickoff at 1 p.m. ET.

Super Bowl 56 Best Bets: Our Top Plays For The Big Game

It’s time for the holy grail of all sports betting events, as Super Bowl 56 is all set to kick off from L.A. Sunday night.

We’ve compiled a plethora of Super Bowl props to go along with our typical Big Game betting picks, as our writers and content creators have pored through countless hours of analysis, trends, tracked the Super Bowl odds.

After absorbing all that knowledge, we’ve tasked our best and brightest with serving up their favorite bets for Sunday’s showdown: our Super Bowl 56 staff picks. 

Super Bowl 56 best bets

InglisBengals Over 1.5 field goals (+100)

ChernoffAkers Over 62.5 rush yards (-110) AND Akers to win MVP (+3,500)

Hochman1H Over 23.…

Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl History: Wins, Losses, Appearances, and All-Time Record

The Philadelphia Eagles are back in the Super Bowl for the first time in five years after easy wins over the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers in their first two playoff games.

They’ll face the Kansas City Chiefs as they seek their second Vince Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. 

With the Birds atop the Super Bowl odds and Jalen Hurts atop the Super Bowl MVP odds board, here’s a quick recap of the Eagles’ previous appearances in the Super Bowl — we broke down the Chiefs’ history as well. 

Need more insight? Read our Super Bowl predictions article. 

Super Bowl 57 odds

Here are the live Super Bowl betting odds from regulated sportsbooks in your area:

The Kansas City Chie…

Brock Purdy Odds and MNF Props: Mr. Irrelevant Gets Back on Track in Minnesota

Coming off the worst performance of his young NFL career, Brock Purdy is looking to rebound in a big way as the San Francisco 49ers head to Minnesota to take on the Vikings on Monday Night Football as Week 7 comes to a close.

With “Purdy is bad” truthers coming out guns blazing, Mr. Irrelevant might need to shoulder a bigger load with a hobbled Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams doubtful, and Deebo Samuel out.

You can see how I’m betting on the Brock Purdy odds as we dive into the MNF odds in my free NFL picks below.

For more MNF coverage, check out our 49ers vs. Vikings predictions and predictions and the best MNF prop picks.