Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal is happy to be on the Ballon d’or list of nominees.
Many players also believe that fullback deserves to be considered a contender for the award.
“It’s clear that, being a defender… In football, what stands out are the goalscorers,” he told The Athletic.
“But well, with the possibility of winning it I am very happy, it refers to the great year I had last year. My family and I are very proud.”
Carvajal added, “I have until next summer on my contract. I’m not considering retirement at the moment. I talk about it with my family: I want to enjoy every game, every training session. As the years go by, you realise you have to give more value to every moment and enjoy it,” he revealed to The Athletic.
“The relationship I have with the club is very transparent, very clear. If both parties agree to continue, I hope to stay here for many years.”
Barcelona midfielder Pedri is happy to be back in good health.
Back with Barca this week, Pedri suffered a knee strain during the 2024 Euros.
He recalled: “When I felt the pain in my knee I was scared because I had also seen what happened to Gavi. I have had several injuries, they are very hard times and thank God I have been lucky. It was a small thing compared to what could have been and now we are perfect.
“Did it cost me my vacation? Yes, especially during the vacation I had to work hard, I had to recover well to try to get to that first game and finally I did it. A lot of work with physiotherapy, physical preparation… But hey, that’s what I did. During the vacation I worked hard and I had to recover well to be able to play the first championship game.”
On Spain winning the Euros, Pedri added: “In addition to being a dream for every Spaniard, for me, who is still at the beginning of my career, it means a lot of motivation for what is to come, a lot of confidence and above all a dream come true. You are always the same person, but it is true that it gives you a lot of confidence.
“There are many players who retire and fail to win and I think that is a source of pride. We are also the team that has the most and this is felt in Spain.”
Liverpool got an injury concern during the international break as Alexis Mac Allister suffered a setback while training on international duty.
New head coach Arne Slot has had a great start to the season after winning three of his club’s opening matches and not conceding any goals.
Slot has also enjoyed the prowess of Argentina player Mac Allister, who has played for every game of the term so far.
However, it seems Slot must now find a replacement for the midfielder after he was injured in training ahead of Argentina’s World Cup qualifier with Chile on Friday.
Manager Lionel Scaloni told TyC Sports that they are observing his progress.
“Alexis didn’t train because he was overloaded, he was in pain. It always happens to us, they come out to do their part.
“We’ll wait and see how he responds today. It doesn’t change our way of playing much because we’ll stay the same, but it’s true that he gives us play, set pieces. The rest of the team is more or less decided.”
Argentina will play against Chile on Friday before visiting Colombia on Tuesday, whilst Liverpool will face Nottingham Forest on Saturday at the EPL, which may give Mac Allister enough time to recover.
If he does not, Liverpool have some talented replacements on the bench, including Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa who could make his debut for the club.
Two AL West rivals conclude their four-game MLB series as they lock horns in northern California. The Seattle Mariners will visit the Oakland Athletics for Mariners VS Athletics tonight.
MatchPlug has the MLB Expert Picks, predictions, and odds for Mariners VS Athletics. We are a Hot Prediction Site that offers accurate MLB previews and match analysis.
Predictions And Betting Preview For Seattle Mariners VS Oakland Athletics
The Seattle Mariners lost their fourth straight match, defeated in walk-off fashion for the second straight day by the Athletics. They entered Wednesday 69-70 on the season and are second in the AL West, 6.5 matches behind the Houston Astros for the top spot in the division. The Mariners were 5.5 matches behind the Royals for the final wild card spot in the AL playoff picture.
Bryan Woo will pitch for Seattle in his 18th start of the season. Woo is 6-3 with a 2.30 ERA, a 0.809 WHIP, nine walks and 71 strikeouts over 94 innings of work this term. He didn’t consider the decision in his last start against the Los Angeles Angels on the road Saturday night. Woo threw 6.1 innings, permitting four runs on five hits with no walks and three strikeouts in a game they lost 5-4.
Betting On The Oakland Athletics
1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.263
1XBet Over/Under: Over 7.5
The Oakland Athletics won their second straight and their sixth in the last nine matches as they won in walk-off fashion on Tuesday night. The Athletics entered Wednesday’s game 61-78 and were fourth in the AL West, trailing the Astros 14.5 games for the top position. Oakland were 13.5 matches behind the Kansas City Royals for the final wild card spot in the American League.
Joey Estes will pitch for Oakland tonight in his 21st appearance and 20th start of the year. Estes is 6-6 with a 4.29 ERA, a 1.112 WHIP, 23 walks and 83 strikeouts in 107 innings of work this term. He didn’t factor in the decision in his last start against the Rangers on the road Saturday. Estes threw six innings, permitted two runs on six hits with no walks and 7 strikeouts in a match the Athletics lost 3-2.
MatchPlug Prediction For Seattle Mariners VS Oakland Athletics
The Athletics went 24-17 in the second half and 31-22 since the beginning of July, the exact opposite of the Mariners. Oakland is a solid team, but Woo does a great job as a pitcher. Seattle will muster a win in the last game tonight.
The Philadelphia Phillies and the Miami Marlins will begin their four-game series in the division tonight. Watch Phillies VS Marlins.
MatchPlug has the MLB best bets today which you can rely on for Phillies VS Marlins. We are one of the Best sports betting sites to get previews for MLB matches.
Predictions And Betting Preview For Philadelphia Phillies VS Miami Marlins
Ranger Suarez will pitch for the Philadelphia Phillies tonight. Last time he pitched, he blew four runs on five hits in four innings against the Atlanta Braves, and lost. Suarez has conceded up to three runs in four of his last five performances, and has a 3.02 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. The veteran has an 11-6 record in 128.1 innings this term. Suarez has given up six runs in 11.2 innings agains the Marlins this season.
Philadelphia won three series in a row and are seven matches ahead of Atlanta to lead the division. They won three of four home series against Atlatna last weekend and the opener in their two-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays too. The Phillies are four matches above .500 on the road.
Betting On The Miami Marlins
1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.942
1XBet Over/Under: Under 8.5
Adam Oller will pitch for the Miami Marlins tonight. Oller was excellent in his last effort, delivering five scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants. This led to a no-decision in a match Miami lost. Oller has made three starts this campaign, giving up only six runs in 16.1 innings, giving him a 3.31 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 1-1 record. This is his first career meeting against Philadelphia.
The Marlins struggle to win matches and are inconsistent after trading several star players in July. They won two of three road matches against the Giants last week led by the pitching. This marked their first series victory in almost a month. Next, Miami lost 6-2 against the Nationals on Tuesday. They are 16 matches below .500 at home.
MatchPlug Prediction For Philadelphia Phillies VS Miami Marlins
Adam Oller has been good for the Marlins, conceding just six runs in 16.1 innings pitched on the season. He posted six scoreless innings against the Giants in his last start. The Phillies have lost four of their five outings that Suarez pitched in.
Final Prediction: Miami Marlins to cover the spread.
Picture Credit As the 2024 NFL season approaches, fantasy football enthusiasts are gearing up for their drafts, aiming to construct teams that can dominate the league. Here, we delve into the latest strategies and insights that can help you navigate your drafts with precision and foresight.
Embracing the Best Ball Format
Best ball leagues offer a unique challenge in fantasy sports, where your team is set post-draft and no in-season management (like waivers or trades) is required. The key to succeeding in best ball formats is a robust drafting strategy right from the outset. In 2024, a significant decision in the early rounds is choosing between drafting a running back or a wide receiver first. This choice is crucial as it shapes your entire draft strategy. The best approach is to secure a strong foundation with elite players in the initial rounds and then adapt based on the position you’re allocated in the draft.
Leveraging Strategy in Middle Rounds
Moving into the middle rounds of the draft, the focus shifts to strategic depth-building. Here, the goal is to identify potential league winners and fill out your team’s needs based on the foundation set in the early rounds. It’s essential to stay flexible but mindful of the team composition you’ve started to build. For instance, if you’ve heavily invested in running backs early, the middle rounds are an opportunity to balance your team with wide receivers or perhaps a tight end, depending on what values fall to you.
Incorporating fantasy NFL strategies and leveraging insights from NFL total wins can be crucial at this stage. Understanding which teams are projected for more wins can guide your picks, as teams expected to perform well might offer more stable and productive fantasy options.
PPR Draft Strategy
In point-per-reception (PPR) leagues, understanding the scoring system is critical. Players who catch a lot of passes, like certain running backs and wide receivers, rise in value. For example, a strategy might involve targeting a top-tier pass-catching running back early, then focusing on wide receivers central to their team’s passing game but might be undervalued in drafts.
Know the League Structure
Every fantasy league is different in terms of point systems and how the roster is formatted. For example, Superflex leagues allow you to have two quarterbacks. Therefore, when you draft, you will want to focus on securing a strong quarterback early on given the emphasis on this position.
Some leagues also have bonus points involved, handing out extra points for 100-yard rushing or receiving games and long touchdown plays. By studying the point system and league structure, you can better prepare for your draft.
Dynasty Leagues: Long-Term Planning
Dynasty leagues require a different approach, focusing on long-term player value. Young, promising players are prioritized, even if it means sacrificing short-term success. The strategy here involves a delicate balance between potential breakout stars and established performers to maintain competitiveness while also building for the future.
Robust RB Strategy
The Robust RB strategy emphasizes securing several top running backs early in the draft. This approach is based on the belief that high-performing running backs are crucial for winning, despite their higher risk of injury and variability in performance. However, this must be balanced against the opportunity cost of not picking high-performing wide receivers or quarterbacks, who may offer more consistency and less injury risk.
Conclusion
As you prepare for your 2024 fantasy football draft, the key is flexibility and informed decision-making. Understanding the dynamics of your specific league—whether it’s best ball, PPR, or dynasty—helps tailor your strategy effectively. While the allure of securing top talents early is strong, mid to late rounds should not be underestimated, as they often determine the depth and resilience of your team throughout the season.
By staying updated with the latest strategies and player performances, you can navigate your draft with confidence and potentially secure that coveted league championship.
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