The Orioles head to Dalkin Park on Saturday to open a three-game set against the Astros. Read our preview of the Baltimore Orioles vs Houston Astros game.
Baltimore comes in as +186 road underdogs despite back-to-back wins over Seattle, while Houston looks to keep pace with the Mariners in the AL West title race.
Matchplug is the best site for all MLB picks, predictions and analysis.
Betting Preview for Baltimore Orioles vs Houston Astros
Venue: Dalkin Park
Date: Saturday, August 16th, 2025
Teams: Baltimore Orioles vs Houston Astros
Odds are provided by 1xbet
Betting on Baltimore Orioles
1XBet Moneyline: +230
1XBet Spread:
1XBet Over/Under: Over 2.5
The Orioles sit bottom of the AL East at 55-66 but are fresh off two confidence-boosting wins over Seattle. Baltimore’s pitching has been their saving grace, posting a 3.60 ERA across the last five games. However, the offense remains a major concern, producing only 2.9 runs per game on a .176 batting average during that span.
On the mound, Brandon Young (1-4, 7.25 ERA in last five starts) is a liability. He gave up six earned runs over just 3.0 innings against Oakland in his last outing. With the lineup struggling to generate runs, Young cannot afford to fall behind early against Houston.
Betting on Houston Astros
1XBet Moneyline: +230
1XBet Spread:
1XBet Over/Under: Over 2.5
The Astros (68-53) are locked in a battle with the Mariners for the AL West crown. They just took two of three from Boston and will try to extend that momentum. Houston’s pitching has wobbled lately with a 5.32 ERA and 1.4 HRs allowed per game over their last five, but the offense is in rhythm, averaging 4.8 runs per game over that stretch.
Framber Valdez gets the start, and he has been dominant against Baltimore with only 3.3 runs allowed per game in three career starts versus the Orioles. He’ll look to exploit Baltimore’s weak lineup and steady a bullpen that has posted a concerning 10.34 ERA across the last five contests.
MatchPlug Prediction for Baltimore Orioles vs Houston Astros
The Astros have won six of the last eight meetings with the Orioles, covering the -1.5 run line in five of those games. With Valdez on the mound and Houston’s offense producing, this looks like another spot where the Astros can win comfortably.
The Philadelphia Phillies wrap up their three-game weekend series against the Texas Rangers on Sunday afternoon in Arlington. Read our preview for the Philadelphia Phillies vs Texas Rangers.
With the Phillies leading the NL East and the Rangers fighting their way into the AL playoff race, this finale has plenty at stake. Matchplug brings you the odds, preview, and prediction for this matchup.
The first pitch is scheduled for 2:35 PM EST on Sunday.
Betting Preview for Philadelphia Phillies vs Texas Rangers
Venue: Globe Life Field, Arlington
Date: Sunday, August 18th, 2025
Time: 2:35 PM EST
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies vs Texas Rangers
Odds provided by 1XBet
Betting On The Philadelphia Phillies
1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.65
1XBet Over/Under: Over 8.5
The Phillies are in full stride as they look to lock up the NL East crown. They opened this series with a commanding 9-1 win on Friday, powered by home runs from Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Brandon Marsh. Zach Wheeler (9-5, 2.64 ERA) gets the ball for the finale, and he has been a model of consistency with 16 quality starts this season. Backed by an explosive lineup and an improved bullpen, Philadelphia enters as a strong favorite to take the series.
Betting On The Texas Rangers
1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.30
1XBet Over/Under: Under 8.5
The Rangers have battled their way back into the AL playoff picture, but inconsistency has plagued them. In Friday’s opener, newly acquired starter Merrell Kelly struggled with command, allowing four runs and five walks in just a few innings. For the finale, Patrick Corbin (6-7, 3.91 ERA) takes the mound, but his recent form is concerning — he hasn’t lasted six full innings in his last five starts. To win this game, Texas will need their bullpen to step up and their offense to pressure Wheeler early.
MatchPlug Prediction For Philadelphia Phillies vs Texas Rangers
The Phillies hold the clear edge on the mound with Wheeler against Corbin, and their bats have been firing in this series.
Expect Philadelphia to push the pace offensively, get into the Rangers’ bullpen, and secure the series win.
Charlotte FC welcome Real Salt Lake to the Bank of America Stadium on Saturday for a crucial MLS clash. Read this preview for the Charlotte FC vs Real Salt Lake match.
This is their first meeting since April 2023, when RSL claimed a 3-1 home victory. Both sides come into the game in contrasting form, with Charlotte red-hot and Real Salt Lake looking to bounce back from defeat.
The match kicks off at 00:30 on Sunday.
Betting Preview for Charlotte FC vs Real Salt Lake
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Date: Sunday, August 17th, 2025
Time: 00:30
Teams: Charlotte FC vs Real Salt Lake
Odds provided by 1XBet
Betting On Charlotte FC
Spread: -1.0
Moneyline: 1.65
Over/Under: Over 2.5
Charlotte FC are flying right now, unbeaten in six league games (5W, 1D) and winners of five straight. Their latest win came away at Cincinnati thanks to Wilfried Zaha’s late strike, continuing his scoring form. Charlotte have turned the Bank of America Stadium into a fortress, taking 13 of the last 15 points available at home. Sitting seventh in the East with 41 points, Dean Smith’s side are firmly in playoff contention and will look to extend their hot streak.
Betting On Real Salt Lake
Spread: +1.0
Moneyline: 4.20
Over/Under: Under 2.5
Real Salt Lake return to league play in shaky form. They suffered a 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls last weekend after a decent US Open Cup campaign. In MLS, they’ve been inconsistent, with just nine wins in 25 matches (9W, 12L, 4D). Pablo Mastroeni’s men sit 10th in the West on 31 points, one off the playoff spots, but their away form has been poor, making this trip to Charlotte a tough assignment.
MatchPlug Prediction For Charlotte FC vs Real Salt Lake
Charlotte are playing their best football of the season and have been dominant at home. With Real Salt Lake struggling to get results on the road, the momentum strongly favors the hosts. Expect Charlotte’s attack, led by Zaha, to make the difference in another statement win.
Football this year has been full of surprises. At times, the results of matches were so unpredictable that people who like to bet on sport at MelBet made a fortune on their predictions.
Unexpected defeats, underdogs’ triumphs and a completely new and exciting tournament – all this amazed and delighted fans. It’s time to look back at the biggest football sensations of 2025! We’ve selected the most significant events especially for you.
Top 5 football sensations of 2025:
Tottenham’s first trophy in many years.
Paris Saint-Germain’s historic triumph in the Champions League.
New format of the Club World Cup.
Chelsea’s surprise win in the final.
Andrés Iniesta becoming an ambassador for Melbet.
Tottenham’s trophy
For many years, Spurs and their fans suffered ridicule from fans of other clubs. The reason was the lack of major titles – since winning the League Cup in 2008, Tottenham Hotspur had won absolutely nothing.
The Londoners regularly performed at the highest level and showed quite impressive results, but they were unable to win a trophy. In the 2016-17 season, Spurs came close to winning the Premier League, but were overtaken by their neighbors, Chelsea, at the finish line. Two years later, Tottenham reached the Champions League final, where they lost to Liverpool.
In the last Premier League season, things were going very badly for the team – they suffered defeat after defeat, firmly establishing themselves at the bottom of the standings. The season looked like a real disaster, but suddenly, everything turned into an incredible success. Tottenham managed to reach the Europa League final, where they narrowly beat Manchester United.
Now, for the first time in many years, a new trophy is on display in the Spurs club museum, and football haters are forced to find a new target for their ridicule. Recently, Manchester United have increasingly been claiming this unfortunate role.
Paris Saint-Germain’s first victory in the Champions League final
The Parisians were aiming to become the best team in Europe since the club had been acquired by Qatari businessman Nasser Al-Khelaifi. According to the Financial Times, since 2011, Paris Saint-Germain has spent around €2.3 billion on transfers. Zlatan Ibrahimović, Neymar and Lionel Messi came to the French capital, but each time the “Big Ears” eluded the French giants.
PSG came closest to winning the Champions League in 2020, when the Red-and-Blues reached the tournament final, where they lost to Bayern Munich. Despite the disappointing defeat, the French champions didn’t give up and still managed to win the coveted trophy.
The historic season didn’t start very well for the Parisians. In the last league phase matches, they had to work hard to advance to the next stage. However, in the knockout phase, Luis Enrique’s young and daring team gained momentum and defeated all opponents on their way to the final. In the decisive game, Paris Saint-Germain left Inter no chance, scoring five unanswered goals against the Nerazzurri.
Tournament stage
Opponents
Aggregate score
Key player
Knockout phase play-offs
Brest
10-0
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Round of 16
Liverpool
1-1 (4-1 p)
Ousmane Dembélé
Quarter-finals
Aston Villa
5-4
Nuno Mendes
Semi-finals
Arsenal
3-1
Ousmane Dembélé
Final
Inter Milan
5-0
Désiré Doué
Thus, Paris Saint-Germain not only won their first Champions League title but also set a record by achieving the biggest victory in the history of the tournament’s finals.
Club World Cup in a new format
In 2025, the Club World Cup took on a new look and unprecedented scale. The tournament was held from June 14 to July 13 in the United States, with 32 teams from 6 continental confederations participating. The competition rules were based on those of the World Cup for national teams, with one exception: there was no third place play-off.
The tournament prize pool was a whopping $1 billion, which was distributed among the participants based on their rankings and results. According to Sports Illustrated, Chelsea earned the most at the tournament – $114,6 million. Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid also received large sums – $106,9 million and $82,5 million, respectively. Auckland City earned the least prize money – $4,6 million. We’re sure that the New Zealanders weren’t upset, as this amount is seven times their annual budget.
The competition gave fans quite a few big surprises: Atlético Madrid were eliminated at the group stage, Saudi Arabian Al-Hilal sent Manchester City home, and Fluminense knocked out Inter Milan and made it to the semi-finals. There was also a big upset in the tournament final.
Chelsea won the Club World Cup
Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain clashed in the final. The reigning Champions League winners were considered the clear favorites, but the Londoners pulled off something incredible on the pitch. By half-time, Enzo Maresca’s team was leading 3-0 thanks to a brace by Cole Palmer and a goal by João Pedro.
In the second half, the Blues looked well-organized and didn’t let their opponents get back into the game, maintaining a comfortable lead until the final whistle. In the end, despite all predictions, it was Chelsea who became the first winners of the Club World Cup in its new format. The prestigious trophy was presented to the Londoners by US President Donald Trump.
Andrés Iniesta became MelBet ambassador
The legendary footballer and the world’s best betting brand have signed a partnership agreement, which came as a pleasant surprise for both Andrés’s fans and MelBet clients. Together, the parties will implement a number of interesting projects and will also promote football and the principles of fair play in both sport and business.
As part of the partnership, a special concept called “The Great 8” was developed, symbolizing not only Iniesta’s shirt number but also the values shared by Andrés and the MelBet brand. These include honesty, reliability, passion for the game and others.
The cooperation will include a number of exciting contests and events. Iniesta’s fans will have the chance to get closer to their idol and win shirts, footballs, boots and other prizes autographed by Andrés. Besides, entertaining content will be regularly posted on social media to attract more attention to football. The most active participants will get a special gift from Iniesta – a promo code for generous bonuses from MelBet!
Football in 2025 proved once again that it can surprise and evoke genuine emotions. Such sensations make the game even more attractive to fans and remind us why we love this amazing sport so much.
Are you good at predicting unexpected results and love winning big? Visit MelBet, get generous welcome bonuses and make the boldest predictions! The brand offers over a thousand sporting events, high odds and the best conditions for betting.
MelBet carefully studies its clients’ interests and regularly runs promos specifically for local bettors. The brand’s impeccable reputation is confirmed by its partnerships with world-renowned sports clubs and organizations. MelBet is a partner of Juventus FC, the most successful club in the Italian Serie A and two-time Champions League winners.
Chelsea will kick off the new Premier League season with a London derby clash against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea vs Crystal Palace fixture is set for Sunday, August 17, 2025, with kick-off at 2pm BST.
Both teams have endured a busy summer, with Chelsea lifting the Club World Cup in mid-July after goals from Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro sealed a victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
Betting Preview for Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: 17th August, 2025
Time: 14:00 BST
Teams to play: Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Odds as provided by 1XBet
Betting On Chelsea
1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.66
1XBet Over/Under: Over 2.5
Chelsea come into the season as freshly crowned Club World Cup champions, having beaten Paris Saint-Germain in mid-July with goals from Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro. Despite a shortened summer break, they returned to pre-season in strong form, recording back-to-back friendly wins over AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen.
New signings Jamie Gittens, Estevao, and Jorrel Hato are in line for their competitive debuts, while Liam Delap and Pedro already have minutes from the Club World Cup. The Blues scored six goals in their two pre-season outings and will look to carry that momentum into this fixture.
Betting On Crystal Palace
1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 5.99
1XBet Over/Under: Under 2.5
Crystal Palace begin the season after a mixed summer. The high of winning the FA Cup and securing Europa League qualification was quickly followed by demotion to the Conference League due to a multi-club ownership violation. However, they bounced back by lifting the Community Shield, defeating Liverpool on penalties.
The Eagles will take confidence from that win, but facing Chelsea away from home in their opening league fixture is a stern challenge.
MatchPlug Prediction For Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Chelsea remain an unpredictable force this season, but their sharp pre-season form and quality in attack make them favourites here. Palace have shown resilience but often struggle at Stamford Bridge.
Our prediction for Sunday’s derby is a Chelsea win to start their Premier League campaign on the right foot.
Wrexham return to the Racecourse Ground for their first home match in the EFL Championship since 1982, as they take on West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Read our preview for the Wrexham vs West Brom game.
This preview features Match Plug’s predictions, odds, and analysis of the match happening at Racecourse Ground on Sunday.
Betting Preview for Wrexham vs West Bromwich Albion
Venue: Racecourse Ground
Date: Saturday, August 16th, 2025
Time: 15:00
Teams to play: Wrexham vs West Bromwich Albion
Odds as provided by 1XBet
Betting On Wrexham
1XBet Spread: 0
1XBet Moneyline: 2.81
1XBet Over/Under: Over 2.5
Wrexham began their league campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Southampton last week but bounced back in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, knocking out Hull City on penalties. They have found the net three times in three of their last four matches, including in that midweek cup win.
Striker Kieffer Moore is expected to sit out due to injury, with Ollie Palmer pushing for a starting role after scoring twice in midweek. Phil Parkinson’s side will be eager to mark their Championship homecoming with a strong performance.
Betting On West Bromwich Albion
1XBet Spread: 0
1XBet Moneyline: 2.59
1XBet Over/Under: Under 2.5
West Brom started the season on a positive note, edging Blackburn Rovers 1-0 thanks to an early Isaac Price strike. However, they suffered Carabao Cup disappointment on Tuesday, losing to Derby County on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Carlos Corberán’s men have struggled on the road in 2025, failing to win an away game across all competitions since October last year. They will also be without Daryl Dike due to a thigh injury, although Darnell Furlong is available again after serving his suspension in midweek.
MatchPlug Prediction For Wrexham vs West Bromwich Albion
Wrexham’s attacking form at home and West Brom’s ongoing struggles on their travels point towards a tight contest. The hosts will be motivated to impress in their Championship return, but the Baggies’ experience could balance the scales. A draw looks the most likely outcome.
Barcelona kicks off their La Liga title defence on Sunday evening with an away trip to the Visit Mallorca Estadi. Read our preview for the Mallorca vs Barcelona game.
Match Plug has the predictions, odds, and analysis of all la liga matches happening this season.
Betting Preview for Mallorca vs Barcelona
Venue: Visit Mallorca Estadi
Date: Sunday, August 17th, 2025
Time: 21:30
Teams to play: Mallorca vs Barcelona
Odds as provided by 1XBet
Betting On Mallorca
1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 7.8
1XBet Over/Under: Over 2.5
Mallorca finished 10th in La Liga last season after a strong first half of the campaign but fell just four points short of European qualification. They lost 16 matches and struggled at home, winning only seven of 19 league games.
Javier Aguirre’s team have a poor record against Barcelona, losing their last three meetings and failing to win in their previous 10. The challenge for them will be to improve defensively while finding a way to trouble a team that travels exceptionally well.
Betting On Barcelona
1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.441
1XBet Over/Under: Under 2.5
Barcelona won the 2024/25 La Liga title with a strong finish, claiming four wins in their final five league matches. Their exceptional away form was key, losing just twice on the road all season.
Xavi’s side begin the campaign with three straight away games due to renovations at Camp Nou. They will be confident, having won each of their last seven league matches on the road and dominating this fixture in recent years with nine wins in the last 10 meetings.
MatchPlug Prediction For Mallorca vs Barcelona
Mallorca couldn’t have asked for a tougher start to the season. Given their long-standing struggles in this matchup and their struggles at home, this game could be a really tough one for them.
Barcelona’s away form and head-to-head dominance point towards a convincing opening-day win for the champions.
Manchester City begin their 2025-26 Premier League season with a trip to Molineux on Saturday to face Wolves. Read our preview of the Wolves vs Manchester City match.
Pep Guardiola’s men will aim to make a strong start in their quest for a seventh league title in nine years, while the hosts look to upset the champions early on.
Betting Preview for Wolves vs Manchester City
Venue: Old Trafford
Date: 17th August, 2025
Time: 16:30 BST
Teams to play: Man Utd VS Arsenal
Odds as provided by 1XBet
Betting On Wolves
1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 7.03
1XBet Over/Under: Over 2.5
Wolves enter this season looking to rebound from a summer of major changes, including the departure of Matheus Cunha, Aït-Nouri, and captain Nelson Semedo. Vitor Pereira’s side endured a winless pre-season and will be hoping new arrivals can spark a turnaround.
Jhon Arias, signed from Fluminense after an impressive Club World Cup campaign, could be the creative spark Wolves need, while David Moller Wolfe is in line for his debut at left wing-back. Yerson Mosquera is working his way back from injury, and Jorgen Strand Larsen will lead the attack.
Wolves have struggled against City in recent years, losing nine of their last ten meetings, but they will draw inspiration from their 2-1 home win in September 2023.
Betting On Manchester City
1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.472
1XBet Over/Under: Under 2.5
City’s preparations have been hampered by injuries and a short pre-season. Rodri is a doubt with a groin issue, while Phil Foden, Claudio Echeverri, and Mateo Kovacic are also injury concerns.
Even with those setbacks, City’s quality remains high. A summer addition from Wolves bolsters their squad, and Guardiola will expect a fast start despite last season’s patchy away form. The champions beat Wolves home and away last season, both by a one-goal margin, and will look for another composed performance here.
MatchPlug Prediction for Wolves vs Manchester City
Wolves’ lack of cutting edge without Cunha and a poor pre-season record may prove costly against a City side that usually grinds out wins in these fixtures.
Expect a competitive but ultimately controlled display from Guardiola’s men.
The Premier League returns with a blockbuster fixture as Manchester United host Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, August 17th, 2025, in the afternoon headline slot. Read our preview for the Man UTD vs Arsenal.
Both teams will be eager to kick off their 2025-26 campaigns with a win.
Before you lock in your picks for Sunday’s game, read below for Matchplug’s picks and analysis in this preview.
Betting Preview for Man Utd vs Arsenal
Venue: Old Trafford
Date: 17th August, 2025
Time: 16:30 BST
Teams to play: Man Utd vs Arsenal
Odds as provided by 1XBet
Betting On Man Utd
1XBet Spread: 0
1XBet Moneyline: 4.01
1XBet Over/Under: Over 2.5
Manchester United have a slight edge historically in this rivalry and are unbeaten in their last two meetings with Arsenal across all competitions — a penalty shoot-out win in the FA Cup last season and a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in May.
Ruben Amorim’s side has undergone major attacking changes this summer, bringing in Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha to form a brand-new front line. While this boosts their firepower, questions remain over their defensive solidity, which could make this game open and high-scoring.
Betting On Arsenal
1XBet Spread: 0
1XBet Moneyline: 1.956
1XBet Over/Under: Under 2.5
Arsenal head into the season as last year’s best defensive side in the Premier League, having kept their backline intact over the summer. The Gunners have also bolstered their attack with Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, reuniting him with his former boss Amorim’s opposite number.
Mikel Arteta has a decision to make on whether to start Gyokeres in this clash, but Arsenal’s balanced squad and consistency make them a tough opponent. They will look to turn their dominance in possession into tangible results at Old Trafford.
MatchPlug Prediction For Man Utd vs Arsenal
Manchester United’s attacking reinforcements could make them more dangerous going forward, but Arsenal’s defensive strength and recent consistency may see them edge this contest. The Gunners will have to be wary of United’s new-look attack, but they should have enough quality to grab all three points.
PSG begin the defence of their Ligue 1 crown on Sunday night with a trip to Stade de la Beaujoire to face Nantes. Read our preview for the Nantes vs PSG game.
This preview features Match Plug’s predictions, odds, and analysis of the highly anticipated match happening on Sunday.
Betting Preview for Nantes vs PSG
Venue: Stade de la Beaujoire
Date: Sunday, August 17th, 2025
Time: 20:45
Teams to play: Nantes vs PSG
Odds as provided by 1XBet
Betting On Nantes
1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 8.75
1XBet Over/Under: Over 2.5
Nantes narrowly avoided the relegation playoff last season, finishing 13th after a late run of form that saw them lose just once in their final five Ligue 1 matches. The Canaries held PSG to 1-1 draws in both league meetings last term, showing they can frustrate the champions.
However, they will be without last season’s top scorer Matthis Abline, leaving Mostafa Mohamed to lead the line. Nantes’ defensive organisation will need to be at its absolute best if they are to contain PSG’s attack.
Betting On PSG
1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.385
1XBet Over/Under: Under 3.5
PSG dominated French football last season, winning the Ligue 1 title by 19 points, lifting the Coupe de France, and finally claiming their first-ever Champions League crown with a 5-0 demolition of Inter. Luis Enrique’s side won 26 of their 34 league matches but notably failed to beat Nantes in either fixture.
They will be without suspended midfielder Joao Neves, while summer signing Lucas Chevalier is set to debut in goal. The Parisians are overwhelming favourites to start their campaign with three points.
MatchPlug Prediction For Nantes vs PSG
Unsurprisingly, PSG head into this fixture as heavy favourites given their squad form, and last season’s dominance.
Nantes’ recent record against the champions suggests they can make life difficult, but missing their main goal threat could limit their chances of another upset.
PSG should have enough firepower to get the job done, even if it’s not a runaway win.
Final Prediction: PSG Win
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