Journalist Gerard Romero, reports that Lionel Messi is no longer sure he wants to renew his contract with PSG and moving to MLS is once again a possibility.
At the end of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, every move pointed to Lionel Messi renewing his deal with Ligue 1’s Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and any speculations about him moving to MLS in the near future were mere rumours.
However, it seems things might have changed and according to a report by Barcelona journalist Gerard Romero, Messi is no longer confident about extending his relationship with PSG. This recent development has once again opened up conversations for the Best Player award winner to move to the MLS in the forthcoming summer market or the 2024 campaign.
Messi will end his contract with PSG in June of this year, and according to Romero, the legendary player is closer to becoming a free agent than he is to extending his stay with the Ligue 1 club.
Other Options For Messi
Speculations about Messi joining the MLS have been ongoing for a while now, and the Argentine has been linked with Inter Miami and New York City FC.
These MLS clubs are the possible destinations for the 35-year-old. However, other leagues would be keen on bringing him into their side.
It has been revealed that the Roshn Saudi League might want to add Lionel Messi’s name to their portfolio. Especially after the media buzz surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr gave rise to the Saudi Pro League being broadcast in France, Portugal, and Italy after media deals were brokered locally.
Marner tore through the New York Rangers and slid the puck past Igor Shesterkin, flying through the air.
One of the best things to come out of the NHL’s three-on-three overtime transition is that it gives players more space to showcase their talent. That is what the Toronto Maple Leafs Mitch Marner did on Wednesday evening when he carried the Maple Leafs into a 3-2 overtime win over the New York Rangers in a remarkable fashion.
Immediately after the opening matchup, Marner took control of the puck deep in his own zone and started building speed. Once he passed the offensive zone, he slowed done, weighed his options and sped past all the Rangers on the Ice, leaving a stunned Igor Shesterkin in the dust.
Marner joked after his goal; “There’s a snowstorm. I’m just trying to get out of here before I hit traffic.”
Toronto Fans could not contain their excitement over the Maple Leafs right winger’s heroic lone effort.
Source: Yahoo Sport
What Mitch Marner did on Wednesday was his 18th goal of the campaign and his 57th point in 49 games, assisting the Leafs’ offense to become one of the most dangerous in the NHL. Tied for the team lead in points, Mitch proved himself to be more than Auston Matthews ‘sidekick’.
Timothy Liljegren tied the game in the third period after Filip Chytil placed the Rangers 2-1 with a pair of goals in the second frame. Ilya Samsonov saved 27 out of 29 shots to clinch his 16th win of the season.
Although the Boston Bruins are leading the Eastern Conference and the President’s Trophy, breaking records in the same breadth, the fight for who will take the leftover top spots in the East is ongoing. The win nudged Toronto to 68 points, ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils.
With three games left on their five-game home stand that ends with Boston, Toronto will hope to gather some points in front of the crowd at Scotiabank Arena.
LeBron James is making history on his way to getting an all-time scoring record.
After his 46-point performance against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, Lakers’ LeBron James is now 178 points away from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time scoring leader.
As this historic moment edges closer with every game – a look at LeBron’s current scoring average (30.2 ppg), puts him on pace to pass Kareem on February 4th against New Orleans. King James included another feather to his cap on Tuesday, becoming the first NBA player to score 40 points against all of the league’s 30 franchises.
However, this is not the first time LeBron has pulled off a feat like this; in November 2019, he became the first player in the NBA to record a triple-double against all 30 teams. His teammate Russell Westbrook joined him two months later.
LeBron ended Tuesday’s game with 46 points on 16-of-29 shooting from the field while making a career-high nine 3-pointers in 14 attempts. His ninth triple of the game cut what was previously a 21-point fourth-quarter lead for the Clippers down to 10 with 6:46 to play, capping off a 15-point scoring burst from LeBron in over four minutes of game time as he made three 3-pointers, a pair of free throws and dunks, The Clippers had LeBron scoreless the rest of the way and outscored the Lakers 20-12 to finish the game, securing a 133-115 win.
What LeBron James did on Tuesday, was his 73rd career regular season game with at least 40 points; he has another 28 on his playoff resume and his first against the Clippers in 41 games played. LA Clippers have tied down LeBron to his second-lowest scoring average against any opponent at 24.6 points per game; only the Detroit Pistons have not given up to James, allowing only 24.1 ppg in 61 career games.
Although the Clippers allowed a 40+ point game to LeBron, they won the match, extending their winning streak over the Lakers to 10 in a row in this intracity rivalry. James losing while still scoring up to 40 points is rare; after Tuesday’s match, the Lakers are now 60-13 (.822) when scoring at least 40 points.
Milwaukee Bucks: LeBron has six 40+ point performances over 61 career games, scoring 40 in nearly 10% of his games against the Bucks.
Highest Percentage of 40+ Point Games
Miami Heat: With five 40+ point performances in 43 games played, James has scored at least 40 in 11.6% of his game played against his former team. LeBron’s 40+ point game rate for his career is 5.2% (73 40+ point games in 1,404 games played).
Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers: Both teams have given LeBron the chance to score at least 40% in 10% of their games played – four in 40 games played against Portland and two in 20 games played against Cleveland.
Highest Scoring Average
29.0 ppg vs. Cleveland in 20 career games against his former team.
28.9 ppg vs. Portland in 40 career games, highest vs. Western Conference opponent.
Highest Scoring Game
61 points, Miami vs. Charlotte on March 3, 2014.
13 more 50+ point games, with all but two coming on the road.
The three MVP finalists for the Associated Press 2022 NFL Most Valuable Player award, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes were announced on Wednesday, and three of them will be playing in the scheduled Conference Championship game this Sunday.
Two other MVP finalists, Josh Allen the Buffalo Bills’ quarterback and Justin Jefferson the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver took their exits from the postseason. But, the three quarterbacks Mahomes (Chiefs), Burrow (Bengals), and Hurts (Eagles) will play this weekend to give their teams a spot in Super Bowl LVII.
The AFC Championship Game for Sunday evening featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals is also a faceoff between MVP finalists, Mahomes and Burrow.
Mahomes is in line to win his second MVP award, he was chosen for this title in the 2018 season. This season, Mahomes ended with 5,250 passing yards and 358 rushing yards, both career highs, led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns (41) and was the second position in quarterback rating (105.2).
Cincinnati Bengals had a rough start to the campaign, but are now in the AFC Championship Game, not losing a game since Halloween and with their best regular-season record with Burrow under center. Joe finished the year as one of the top five in passing yards (4,475), touchdowns (35) and completion percentage (68.3), with the last two rankings second in the league.
When speaking on Burrow, the Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor said; ‘He’s deserving of anything that comes his way. He’s one of the greatest players in the league, and those are usually the type of guys that should be in that conversation,” Taylor said of his quarterback being nominated for the award. “I’ve said it a million times, we’re fortunate to have him.”
On the NFC side of the playoff bracket, Hurts when speaking on Wednesday following his nomination, said he was at a “loss for words” when he was mentioned as a finalist.
“It’s a cool honor,” he said.
This season, Hurts was 14-1 as the starter for the Eagles, and accumulated a career-high 3701 passing yards, 22 passing TDs and 13 rushing TDs, even after missing two games late in the season due to a sprained shoulder.
Nick Sirianni the Eagles’ head coach said on Wednesday “His body of work speaks for itself. He’s had a phenomenal year.”
For these three star players, the first other of business will be Championship Sunday, with an opportunity to appear in the Super Bowl on the line. After that, the NFL Honors ceremony holding on Feb.9, where one of the five finalists will take home a title considered one of the highest honours in Football.
Kansas City Chiefs Vs Cincinnati Bengals is a matchup between two of the NFL’s biggest teams facing off for the second season in a row. The Chiefs and Bengals will meet each other in the AFC Conference Finals this Sunday.
The Bengals ended the regular round as the AFC North’s champion and have already beaten the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills, the Bills were defeated by a 27-10 score. Chiefs, on the other hand, secured first place in the AFC west and were already the best squad in the American Conference before trashing the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-27 in the Divisional Round.
Last year, Cincinnati won Kansas in this same stage, in a 27-24 overtime, will they repeat history this Sunday?
Ahead of the matchup that has most NFL fans at the edge of their seat, MatchPlug gives you the NFL Predictions for the Chiefs and Bengals’ Conference Championship match.
Season record: 15-3 (AFC West Champion – 1st seed AFC)
1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline:1.85
1XBet Over/Under: Under 47.5
BetMGM Spread: -1
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.87
BetMGM Over/Under: Under 47.5
Kansas City Chiefs are going into Sunday’s game with a massive historic win against the strong Jacksonville Jaguars team, albeit after the scare that was Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury.
Mahomes the Chiefs’ quarterback, had to leave the game for some minutes, but even with his injury, he brought magic to the field, throwing 195 yards and two touchdown passes.
Although Patrick has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle, fans expect him to be on the frontlines this Sunday, playing a Bengals team that slowed him down on two different occasions.
Kansas City might have finished as the League’s best offense, but this is with credit to Mahomes’ efforts. Chiefs were first in points scored (496), the only team to pass 7,000 yards (7,032) and number one in average yards per play (6.4) too, air yards (5,062) and air TDs (41).
It is important that the Chiefs’ offense is charged. Defensively they are not one of the worst in the NFL, but they have quite the average performance, so the Bengals’ offense is expected to score some points as the Jaguars did to them during the Divisional Round.
Kansas is the team that forfeited the most TDS through the air in the league (33) is one statistic that puts a stain on Andy Reid’s squad’s record. This number doesn’t inspire confidence, particularly if they’re facing a team that has one of the NFL’s best aerial attacks, launched by Joe Burrow.
Season record: 14 -4 (AFC North Champion – 2nd AFC seed)
1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.95
1XBet Over/Under: Over 47.5
BetMGM Spread: +1
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.95
BetMGM Over/Under: Over 47.5
The Cincinnati Bengals’ are one match away from becoming American Conference champions again and their recent results speak well for one of the best teams in the league.
Cincinnati had no problems evicting the Bills in the divisional round and won the past 3 meetings against the Chiefs, plus last season’s Conference Final and Week 13 regular round game of this season.
Joe Burrow the quarterback is the one calling the shots for the Bengals, Burrow hasn’t settled, not even the avalanche that fell on Sunday in Buffalo could slow him down. He beat the NFL’s best defenses and threw for 242 yards with two touchdown passes.
Thanks to the 27 points scored, Cincinnati reached 10 successive games with at least 20 points. Making evident the offensive strength of this squad that doesn’t just depend on Burrow’s aerial game, but on Joe Mixon’s ground game too, which recorded 105 yards and a touchdown.
The Bengals’ defensive side is hard to crack too. This team haven’t allowed above 18 points to their opponents in four games. And last Sunday they schooled Josh Allen in defense strategy by holding Allen and his men ransom to only 10 points. That performance is why Cincinnati is the fourth-lowest TD defense through the air this season, and why Mahomes should be worried.
MatchPlug Prediction
NFL Predictions this week place the Bengals as a slight betting favourite for Sunday’s matchup, due to their strong home performance against the Bills and Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury.
But, the Chiefs are 8-1 at home this season and when playing them, nothing should be left to chance, especially since the Bengals have had a hard time defeating them four games in a row. A low-scoring result shouldn’t be expected for any of these teams. The game will be tough but end with a few points.
Sunday’s game features the two best quarterbacks in the NFL presently and the results that caused 9 losses in the past 12 meetings between the two leaders will be put aside.
In this game, we will have the two best quarterbacks in the NFL today and the results that led to the loss in nine of the last 12 meetings between the two will be left behind.
The NFC Conference Final scheduled for this Sunday features the overall two best squads in the National Conference. Philadelphia Eagles VS San Francisco 49ers face-off is a highly anticipated game.
San Francisco became NFC West champions after winning over the Seattle Seahawks in the Wildcard competition, it also defeated Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round.
Philadelphia on its own part didn’t lead the NFC East, but it had the best record in the Eastern Conference. They secured their record during the first weekend of the playoffs before settling down to defeat the New York Giants 7-38.
MatchPlug brings you a preview of the major matchup between the Eagles and 49ers, including the best NFL Predictions Today for the game.
Regular Season Record: 14-3 (NFC East Champion – NFC 1st seed )
1XBet Spread: -2.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.69
1XBet Over/Under: Under 46.5
BetMGM Spread: -2.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.67
BetMGM Over/Under: Under 46.5
The Philadelphia Eagles entered the match stronger than they’ve been, thanks to their bye week which they got by being the NFC’s best record and for ending their Divisional Round match with the New York Giants early on.
Philadelphia went into the break with a 0-28 lead, and the second half of the game, was merely to keep up appearances. The Eagles are recognised by many fans as one of the best teams in the regular round because its performance is consistent and each of its lines is impressive.
Nick Sirianni’s team gets its power from the offense, which is spearheaded by Jalen Hurts. His ball-throwing ability and great speed send fear into the hearts of opponents’ defenders.
It doesn’t come as a shock that the Eagles which are the best scoring team in the campaign recorded 268 rushing yards against the Giants and that they scored three out of five touchdowns using the same strategy. Can they pull off the same trick against the 49ers?
The answer to that question will define Sunday’s game. The Eagles’ defense is top 5 in the NFL. Although despite being above the League’s average, it has a weakness which is stopping the opponents’ rushing game. This Achilles heel for Philadelphia is exactly where the 49ers’ strengths lie.
To recap, Philadelphia places as one of the best defenses in the NFL, and they allowed the lowest total passing yards in the season, they also have more catches than other teams, registering 70.
Regular Season Record: 13-4 (NFC West Champion – 2nd NFC seed)
1XBet Spread: +2.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.178
1XBet Over/Under: Over 46.5
BetMGM Spread: +2.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 2.25
BetMGM Over/Under: Over 46.5
The San Francisco 49ers made it through their Wild Card and Divisional Round Games last week, before playing their first major pre-Super Bowl challenge.
San Francisco entered the game a bit down in the betting, even if their performance in the conference put them above the Eagles for some weeks, although they had a lower record than their opponents.
Kyle Shanahan’s boys won the Dallas Cowboys at home, the Cowboys fought till the end, but cracked under the weight of the best defense in the league. Dallas could barely score 12 points and 282 total yards. Dak Prescott the quarterback was intercepted on a couple of occasions.
The 49ers’ record shouldn’t also come as a surprise, especially since they finished first in the NFL in fewest points allowed (277), fewest total yards allowed (5,110) and most interceptions (20).
San Francisco’s offensive line is where they have problems. While in 7 of their last 10 games, the 49ers scored over 30 points, Dallas’ good defense which is almost the same as the Eagles’, rushed Brock Purdy several times.
Purdy could only amount 214 yards in the game, and the 49ers barely registered a touchdown, facilitated by Christian McCaffrey’s run. San Francisco finished with a total of 312 total yards, and the prowess that fans expected from the offense for some reason didn’t make it to the fight against the Cowboys’ defense.
MatchPlug Prediction
The Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers both have top defenses that can stop the two best offenses in the conference any time and in any matchup. With that in mind, the 49ers and Eagles also have the two best offenses in the NFL because of their dynamism in attack.
These two teams have top defenses, capable of stopping the best offenses in the circuit at any time and in any circumstance. That said, the 49ers and the Eagles also have in their possession two of the best offenses in the league, because of how dynamic they can be in attacking both rushing and passing.
The Dallas Cowboys controlled the San Francisco 49ers to an extent, but their rushing game can bruise Philadelphia’s defensive line. The 49ers experienced a QB of Hurt’s characteristics this campaign when they played the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes in week 7 and forfeited 44 points. So, it remains to be seen what the Eagles can do.
In the last four games between these teams, the Under was met, but since it’s the Conference Final, it will look to be a thrilling game from beginning to end. Furthermore, the game will be shouldered by two quarterbacks whose names have been on the lips of fans because of their great qualities.
More NFL Predictions for this matchup can be found on 1XBet and BetMGM, alongside odds.
On January 5th, the UCLA Bruins defeated the USC Trojans, 60-58 at Pauley Pavilion. Bringing the question if the Bruins will humiliate the Trojans again tonight when they meet at Galen Center for ULCA Bruins VS USC Trojans. Or if the Trojans will return the favour.
MatchPlug has done well to cover the Basketball Predictions and Best Betting Tips Today for the UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans matchup in the 2022-2023 NCAAB season. Keep reading for odds and picks for which team will win the game.
The UCLA Bruins are not used to tasting defeat this season, but then Mick Cronin’s boys have only lost 3 times in this campaign, their most recent loss was 58-52 to the Arizona Wildcats last Saturday in Tuscon. This was UCLA’s first loss in Pac-12 play this season, and in spite of this, they still sit on top of the conference table.
UCLA is considered to be a dangerous squad to play against, mainly because of their ironclad defense which is 9th in the country, allowing only 59.8 points per game. The Bruins put forward a tough defense that forces a high turnover rate for their opponents. UCLA is 10th in the nation with a 22.1% defensive turnover rate and is 3-1 ATS in its last four games.
The USC Trojans trashed the Arizona State Sun Devils on the road this past Saturday, 77-69, to secure their sixth win in the Pac-12 play. They have won three of their last four games, which is a good comeback from a bad two-game losing stint earlier this month.
USC is led by Drew Peterson and Boogie Ellis in scoring this season with 15.6 and 13.9 points respectively. They had some challenges with scoring points when they lost to UCLA, but they seem to have gotten their mojo back since then. Peterson and Ellis share 37 points in their game against the Sun Devils.
USC averages 71.3 points per game, allowing 66.4 points per outing and is 3-0 ATS in its last three games.
MatchPlug Prediction
UCLA Bruins have learned their lessons from their last game over the Trojans where they had a close win but loss. Basketball Predictions say they’ll be better for tonight’s games, especially on offense.
The Charlotte Hornets VS Chicago Bulls matchup is one of the six games happening this Thursday night in the NBA. The game features two sides with poor records in the Eastern Conference.
Charlotte and Chicago met once in the 2022-2023 season in November and the Chicago Bulls won 106-88.
As always, MatchPlug a Prediction Site you can count on brings you the preview for the Bulls and Hornets game, which has the most accurate NBA Predictions Tonight and betting odds too.
We would implore you to scan through our Prediction Site for more previews like this in other NBA and American sports games.
The Charlotte Hornets still fight the battle with the Detroit Pistons for which of them won’t be the worst team in the Eastern Conference. But, given the Hornets’ recent disappointing record, they seem to be already losing that fight.
Charlotte securing two wins over the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks for 122 points seemed to have given them a needed awakening, but the Utah Jazz gave them a reality check and the Phoenix Suns won them in their last game.
The Hornets are now one of the top 5 worst teams in defensive and offensive statistics. To worsen things, Charlotte still suffers the loss of LaMelo Ball who was their best player and leader in scoring average and assists.
The Chicago Bulls could not extend their 3-win streak after a surprising loss to the Indiana Pacers in their last match. They lost the game after taking a 12-point lead for the majority of the game but were overpowered by the home team who stopped their good results.
Throughout the campaign, Chicago’s problems have been made worse by their inconsistency in defense. They rank 8th overall in defensive average, with 114.7 points allowed per game. The Bulls also flop offensively, however, they’ve improved in this area in their most recent matchups, scoring up to 110 points in the last 5 games.
MatchPlug Prediction
The Charlotte Hornets do not have a positive home record too in the campaign, they won 12 games and lost in the same breathe. NBA Prediction Tonight reckons that the Hornets will try to get back on their winning streak today, but if LaMelo doesn’t play ball then it might be more difficult than they anticipated.
Chicago’s last game was a smarting loss, but since their performances have been interesting so far, they can be optimistic for tonight’s challenge. The Bulls are predicted to take home a good result from their visit to Charlotte.
Full NBA Expert Picks for tonight’s Hornets and Bulls game can be found on 1XBet and BetMGM.
The Nashville Predators VS New Jersey Devils game features two teams who although they seek to dominate each other, want different things this season.
New Jersey has a 31-12-4 record and consecutive wins that placed them at the top of the Metropolitan Division. While Nashville has a 23-18-6 record and has improved in the Central Division by winning their past two games.
Both the Predators and the Devils want to climb the standings in their respective divisions, and that energy will translate into today’s game.
MatchPlug is a good Prediction Site where you can find the best previews and odds for all NHL games. We have provided you with Betting Tips Today for the Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils game.
Nashville’s challenging season stems largely from their struggling offense which scored just 2.74 goals per game. Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene combine for 31 goals and 45 assists, while Roman Josi the defenseman, added 12 goals and 28 assists from the blue line.
The rest of the offense battled to score points; only 5 skaters scored 8 goals or higher and the opposing defenses wasted no time in destroying the helpless offense.
Although the Predators’ offense fails, their defense improved, allowing just 2.89 goals per game, including four goals in the last two games. Ryan McDonagh and Roman Josi share 5.5 defensive points and 189 blocked shots. Mattias Ekholm and Dante Fabbro combine 4.3 defensive point shares.
In addition, Jusse Saros the Predators goaltender came through with a .930 save percentage and a 2.70 goals-against average on 1204 shots.
Betting On The New Jersey Devils
Season Record: 31-12-4
1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.262
1XBet Over/Under: Over 5.5
BetMGM Spread: -1.5
BetMGM Moneyline: 1.77
BetMGM Over/Under: Over 6
Of the two teams, the New Jersey Devils are the ones who are having a fantastic season. The Devils’ offense led with 3.47 goals scored per game, plus 32 goals in the last 8 games. Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Nico Hischier scored 69 goals and 85 assists two leading the top lines.
However, the rest of New Jersey’s offense has played well too. Dawson Mercer, Miles Wood, and Yegor Sharangovich combine 30 goals and 46 assists, while Dougie Hamilton and Ryan Graves the defensemen have contributed 18 goals and 40 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The defense also improved, allowing just 2.60 goals per game, which includes only 3 goals in the last 2 games. Graves and Jonas Seigenthaler combined 7.2 defensive point shares and 168 blocked shots. Hamilton, Damon Severson, and Brendan Smith share 6.5 defensive points, adding to the unit’s depth.
Vitek Vanecek the Devils’ goaltender, improved with a .916 save percentage and a 2.30 goals-against average on 776 shots.
MatchPlug Prediction
NHL Predictions Today foretells that New Jersey which has had a good season will try to control the matchup from the first period, despite Nashville wanting to win on their home ice.
The Devils with their 3.47 average goals per game will pile on the goals with Hughes, Bratt, and the other members of the forward unit taking the Puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots.
New Jersey which allows only 2.60 goals per game, will curb the efforts of the Predators’ offense. Hamilton, Graves, and the defensive unit will create turnovers in the defensive zone and limit shots on the net, giving Vanecek the chance to make saves.
NHL Expert Picks select the Devils to win the game with a powerful performance on the road, giving them their third consecutive victory.
Leeds United is making progress in their bid to sign Weston McKennie from Juventus, with the midfielder said to be keen on the move.
McKennie has been a regular for the Italian side, however, he remains one man they will sell for the right price.
Arsenal and Aston Villa have been linked with a move for the midfielder in the last few days, but the midfielder is now closer to a move to Jesse Marsch’s side.
He becomes the latest American to play for the Whites and will be teammates with his national team captain, Tyler Adams and others.
Matchplug understands the midfielder has already reached agreements over personal terms and the clubs are now discussing a deal worth around 25m euros.
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