Bayer Leverkusen will use last campaign s Europa League loss against Roma as motivation to get the job done this time, so says Xabi Alonso.

Leverkusen were knocked out by Roma after a goalless draw in the second leg of the Europa League semis last season, losing the tie 1-0 on aggregate.

But a few things have changed since then with Alonso s side, who are now on an extraordinary 48-match unbeaten run this campaign, ending Bayern Munich s 11-year stranglehold on the Bundesliga title to secure their first trophy since 1993.

They are also a step closer to a treble, having beaten Roma 2-0 away in the first leg last week and reaching the DFB-Cup final against Kaiserslautern.

We haven t forget (forgotten) last season, we felt it. We need to use this energy and…

The Week 2 Sunday night showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens was supposed to be a possible postseason preview. But with the Ravens ravaged by injuries and playing on a short week following a Monday night overtime loss in Las Vegas, bookmakers don’t like the home team’s chances.

The NFL betting odds have the Ravens installed as 3.5-point home underdogs, taking on a Chiefs team that handed them a 34-20 beat down inside M&T Bank Stadium last September.

Check out our free NFL picks and predictions for Chiefs at Ravens on Sunday Night Football.

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The New Orleans Saints go on the road in Week 18 to face the rival Atlanta Falcons, with a win only part of the equation New Orleans needs to make the postseason.

If the Saints can march out of Atlanta with a W and the Rams can beat the 49ers, then New Orleans will find itself in the tournament. Before scoreboard watching, can NOLA take care of business in Atlanta?

Find out with our NFL picks and predictions for Saints vs. Falcons on January 9. 

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The bulk of NFL Week 17 picks and predictions kick off on New Year’s Day, not only giving football bettors a clean slate to start off 2023 but also time to reflect on past wagers. 

It’s a perfect chance to set some “New Year’s Resolutions” around your NFL gambling habits, rather than the usual hollow personal promises like losing weight or calling your parents more. 

No matter how far up or down the sports betting food chain you sit, you can always be better. Here are some of my resolutions for betting NFL odds in 2023. Feel free to tail:

• Beware the 4-point favorite: The 4-point spread is the “no-man’s land” of lines and has been a Bermuda Triangle for betting in recent years: money go…
  

Even after losing on banner night in Week 1, Patrick Mahomes odds have remained a popular target, and the Chiefs have turned things around, stringing together four wins. That includes last week, during which Mahomes went 31-for-41 for 281 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 27-20 win. 

This week, the Chiefs return to the national spotlight, hosting the Denver Broncos for an AFC West Thursday Night Football odds showdown. Denver’s defense has been spotty at best this year, potentially opening things up for an explosive performance from the two-time MVP and Super Bowl winner.

Will Mahomes light up the box score again in Week 6, or will the elevated divisional stakes make room for a more competitive environment?

Continue reading my Broncos vs.…

We’re on to Week 17 odds; the penultimate week of the regular season and our second-last chance to have a full slate of games for which to make choices for NFL player props.

Today, we’re betting on the NFL odds for two star quarterbacks (although one is a bet on an arm and the other on a QB’s legs), a red-hot wide receiver to torch a terrible pass defense, a couple of running backs to run roughshod over porous defenses, and then betting on a passing game so nice… I did it twice!

The push for the playoffs is on, so let’s cash in on crunch time with my favorite free NFL picks and player props for Week 17.

Latest NFL prop picks

• Nico Collins Over 59.5 receiving yards (-110 at bet365)
•  Noah Brown…
  

Two AFC teams searching for their first wins of the season will face off on Sunday as the Tennessee Titans welcome the New York Jets to Nissan Stadium.

The Jets struggled in the first healthy appearance for Aaron Rodgers in a New York uniform, but they are still favorites in the NFL odds over the Titans, who came up short against the Chicago Bears last weekend.

I’m fading Will Levis & Co. against this stout New York defense in my free Jets vs. Titans predictions and NFL picks for September 15.

Jets vs Titans prediction

My best betJets -4 (-110 at BetMGM)

My analysis

Former Kentucky standout Will Levis had a rough day at the office in his first appearance for the Tennessee Titans. The rookie quarterback comp…

Guinea-Bissau secured a maiden place at the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday thanks to Kenya s surprise 2-1 win over Congo.

On Saturday, Guinea-Bissau overcame Zambia 3-2 to move four points clear at the top of Group E, and the defeat for Congo against the bottom side ensured qualification for Paulo Torres men.

Ayub Timbe Masika and Eric Johanna will be the toast of Bissau, as their goals enabled Kenya to come from behind and end Congo s hopes of automatic progression.

Ghana joined Guinea-Bissau in advancing to next year s finals in Gabon, as second-half goals from Andre Ayew and Christian Atsu secured a 2-0 victory at Mauritius and top spot in Group H.

And Zimbabwe are also assured of a place at the tournament, after strikes from Knowledge Musona, K…

Mats Hummels was Borussia Dortmund s hero on Tuesday, as his goal sent the Bundesliga side into the Champions League final.

Hummels second-half header was the difference as BVB won 1-0 on the night against Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital, and a 2-0 win on aggregate.

The average age of PSG s starting XI was 24 years and 157 days, which was the youngest starting XI to be named in a Champions League semi-final since Arsenal in May 2009.

Yet it was a veteran campaigner in Hummels who was decisive.

His excellent header was the centre-back s first goal in the Champions League for Dortmund since February 2013.

At the age of 35 years and 143 days, Hummels became the third oldest player to score a Champions League semi-final goal, after Ryan Gig…

Champions League holders Liverpool have learned their opponents for the 2019-20 group stage, with Jurgen Klopp s side facing Napoli again.

The Reds were placed in Group B, which also includes Salzburg and Genk, when Thursday s draw was made in Monaco.

Inter s return to the Champions League saw them placed along with Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund in a daunting Group F, which also includes Slavia Prague.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid s bid to recapture their crown will see Zinedine Zidane s men take on Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Club Brugge and Galatasaray.

The official result of the 2019/20 ! 

 toughest groups are __ __ __  

— #UCLdraw (@ChampionsLeague)

Champions League group stage draw in full:

G…