Jane Njoku

maatsen scores for dortmund in champions league win

Maatsen proud scoring in Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League win

Ian Maatsen was very proud after scoring in Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League quarterfinal victory against Atletico Madrid.

Maatsen joined Dortmund on loan in January.

“It’s such an amazing feeling, you know?” Maatsen told CBS.

“I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid, especially scoring my first goal in the Champions League. I’m so happy I can’t even describe it.

“I always believed [I could] play for Chelsea, but unfortunately it didn’t work out.

“Now I’m here I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I’m very proud of myself. I kept believing in myself and came here to play my game at the highest level. Today I think I showed an excellent performance.

“These opportunities don’t come often for full-backs and I’ve been practising in training.

“I got a good touch in the box and I saw the goal and just put it in the net as hard as I can. Today it paid off.

“This Yellow Wall is insane. You felt the energy from the fans and you feel such a buzz. You feel it so much in your heart. It goes all through your body. Great fans. I can’t describe it.”

palkin: chelsea must learn mudryk

Palkin: Chelsea coaches must learn how to work with Mudryk

Shakhtar Donetsk chief Sergei Palkin says Chelsea attacker Mykhaylo Mudryk needs a better understanding from the Blues. 

Palkin traded Mudryk to Chelsea in January 2023.

“Misha is a top European player – a unique player,” he said. “I believe coaches need to learn how to use him and how his teammates need to play with him. When I watch Chelsea, nearly all the attacks go down the right side, not the left.

“In our club, we realized his strengths and urged our players to use him to the maximum. A lot depends on the coaches and how they treat and teach him. He is still young.

“They need to have personal contact with him to show him his weaknesses and promote his strengths. He will deliver at the top level of European football.”

barcelona, chelsea watch dybala situation at as roma

Barcelona, Chelsea watching Dybala situation at Roma

Barcelona and Chelsea are monitoring Paul Dybala at AS Roma with talks about his transfer ongoing.

It has emerged that clauses in his current contract mean Dybala can leave this summer for €12m if a foreign club wants him and  €20m if he moves within Italy.

Now a transfer expert from Tribalfootball, Rudy Galetti reports that Paul is still waiting to begin discussions with Roma about an extension. 

And many European clubs, including Barcelona and Chelsea, have gotten information about Dybala’s transfer situation and buyout clause.

Galetti reports: “Paulo Dybala is still waiting to discuss a new contract with AS Roma.

“The current agreement with the deal expires in 2025.

“Some clubs in Europe – including Barcelona and Chelsea – collected some preliminary info on the Argentine and his release clause.”

lionel messi wins first prestigious MLS award

Lionel Messi wins first prestigious MLS award since Inter Miami transfer

Lionel Messi has been awarded MLS Player of the Matchday for the first time since he joined Inter Miami, with a lead role against Sporting Kansas City. Messi received the award after a stunning performance against Kansas City. This puts him in record books alongside USMNT legend Landon Donovan and Thierry Henry.

The Argentine phenom was magical in that matchup, as he scored one and secured another in a 3-2 win for Miami. Messi’s success was witnessed by over 72,000 spectators at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City; the fourth-largest attendance for an MLS fixture.

Lionel’s strike in that game was outstanding, as he fired home from outside the box while teaming up with Diego Gomez in the 18th minute. Luis Suarez delivered the decisive goal for Inter Miami as they reached the top of the Eastern Conference.

Lionel Messi’s efforts have been recognised with MVP honours for Matchday 9. This is not surprising as he has become the first player to deliver at least five goals and the same number of assists through his first five games of the year. Messi has also joined other greats like Landon Donovan, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and Raul Diaz Acre in scoring at least 10 goal contributions through five matches to start an MLS campaign.

coyotes vs oilers expert picks

NHL Predictions Today: Arizona Coyotes VS Edmonton Oilers Expert Picks

The Edmonton Oilers will travel to face the Arizona Coyotes at the Mullet Arena. The Oilers have a record of 49-25-6, while the Coyotes have a record of 35-41-5. These two teams clashed twice this season with each side winning one matchup. Watch Coyotes VS Oilers.

MatchPlug has the NHL Predictions today for the Coyotes VS Oilers. Use the Prediction today, picks, odds, and analysis we laid out in this preview.

Betting Preview for Arizona Coyotes VS Edmonton Oilers

  • Venue: Mullet Arena.
  • Date: Thursday, April 18th, 2024.
  • Time:  03:00.
  • Teams to play: Coyotes and Oilers.
  • NHL Picks: MONEYLINE 2.081.

Odds as provided by 1XBet and BetMGM.

Betting On Arizona Coyotes

  • 1XBet Spread: 0
  • 1XBet Total: Over 6.5
  • 1XBet Moneyline: 3.045
  • BetMGM Spread: +1.5
  • BetMGM Total: Under 6.5
  • BetMGM Moneyline: 2.45

The Arizona Coyotes were +100 underdogs in their previous match and they lost 6-5 to the Calgary Flames. The Coyotes have been playing well on offense recently. They scored four or more goals in seven out of their last 10 matches. Arizona ranks 17th in goals per game and 27th in shots per game.

Arizona’s defense and goaltending have struggled this season. The team ranks 25th in goals against per game and 24th in shots against per game. They are second last in the Central Division. The Coyotes will not make the playoffs.

Betting On The Edmonton Oilers

  • 1XBet Spread: 0
  • 1XBet Total: Under 6.5
  • 1XBet Moneyline: 2.081
  • BetMGM Spread: -1.5
  • BetMGM Total: Over 6.5
  • BetMGM Moneyline: 1.57

The Edmonton Oilers were -550 favourite in their last match and they beat the San Jose Sharks 9-2. Adam Henrique and Dylan Holloway each scored a goal and had two assists. The Oilers’ offense has been impressive this season. They scored four or more goals in six of the last 10 matches. Edmonton is fourth in goals per game and first in shots per game.

Edmonton’s defense and goaltending have been great this season. The team is ninth in goals against per game and fifth in shots against per game. They are second in the Pacific Division. The Oilers’ goaltending has improved and their offense is one of the best in the league.

MatchPlug Prediction On Arizona Coyotes VS Edmonton Oilers 

In this match, the Edmonton Oilers will continue to reign over the Arizona Coyotes and the Oilers will win by two or more goals.

Final Prediction: Edmonton Oilers Moneyline.

greg newsome does not pay attention to trade rumours

Browns Greg Newsome does not ‘pay attention’ to trade rumours

The Cleveland Browns’ former first-round pick Greg Newsome II has been tagged as a potential trade target by those outside. While Newsome knows about the talks, he pays no attention.

“I don’t pay attention, but my family and stuff tell me and ask me,” Newsome said Tuesday, via Camryn Justice of WEWS Cleveland. “What goes through my head is nothing. I feel like I’m comfortable here. I feel like AB (general manager Andrew Berry), the ownership and all my coaches know what I’m capable of. They know what I bring to this team, not just on the field, being one of those glue guys. As a guy who’s always energetic. Celebrating no matter what. I feel like they know my value, so no I wasn’t too worried about that.”

The reasoning behind the trade talk is that Cleveland has Denzel Ward on a big-money contract and Martin Emerson, a former third-rounder who had a strong 2023. The Browns would be trading a powerful position to fortify other units. However, in today’s NFL, having three reliable corners is vital.

Despite any rumours, Newsome continues to plan his future in Cleveland.

“I told you from Day 1, I want to be one of those guys that sticks around one place their whole career,” he said. “God be willing, I’ll be here for a long time.”

The Browns can decide to make on Newsome’s fifth-year option ahead of the May 2 deadline.

With the 2024 NFL Draft approaching, the Browns might dangle Newsome as trade bait during the drafting process or soon after if a club does not acquire him.

Regardless, the decision is not Newsome’s to make. He is just focusing on his job in Jim Schwartz’s defence unit.

“I feel good. Whatever I can do to help the team win, I’ll do,” he said. “I was able to do a lot of things, you know, blitz, I was able to cover a lot more in man-to-man. I think I had a great role last year, and I’m just ready to keep getting better at it.”

derozan wins nba cares award

DeMar DeRozan wins NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award

The NBA has announced Chicago Bulls guard-forward DeMar DeRozan as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for March. DeRoznan is being recognized for his contributions to mental health advocacy and supporting youth in Chicago. He will receive the David Robinson trophy and the NBA will donate $10,000 to Coffee, Hip-Hop and Mental Health, a mental health advocacy group in Chicago.

Throughout February and March, DeRozan released “Dinners with DeMar’’ a new video series where he hosts current and former NBA players to have impactful conversations about mental health at the dinner table. Since the series was launched, he has hosted three full-length episodes featuring Draymond Green, Damian Lillard and Dwayne Wade. Every episode features over 45 minutes of meaningful dialogue and transparent conversations on mental health for athletes and society.

The series has gathered over 425,000 views on YouTube and is a way to break the stigma surrounding mental health challenges. Furthermore, DeRozan hosted a premiere for the series at his alma mater, the University of Southern California (USC), where he and student-athletes from the men’s and women’s basketball teams share how they manage their mental health. Full episodes and short clips are available on his YouTube channel with additional episodes to be released in the future.

Throughout the season, DeRozan has partnered with Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health (CHHAMH), a Chicago non-profit that provides free therapy to those facing financial barriers to break the stigma around mental health. In March, CHHAMH launched a DeMar DeRoznan-inspired coffee drink and hoodie with funds benefiting the local coffee shop and their weekly men’s group therapy meetings for an entire year. DeRoznan amplified the impact by inviting Bulls teammates, Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry, to join him in a few sessions with the men’s therapy group.

“As a Bulls and NBA player, I’m grateful for the opportunity to build a platform I can use to make real change and work to break the stigma around mental health,” said DeRozan.  “Throughout the years, I’ve seen what can happen when people have honest conversations about mental health and understand that everyone faces challenges, including professional athletes. I look forward to creating more forums for difficult but necessary conversations and providing more resources to support mental health for those who most need it.”

In addition to his work around mental health advocacy, DeRoznan has also been involved in the Chicago community supporting youth. In March, he partnered with Make-A-Wish to provide a VIP experience for a child and his family that included a meet and greet with the Bulls team, observing practice and courtside seats to a game. Earlier this year, he hosted a young Chicago fan and cancer survivor along with his family on the team plane for a road game.

DeRoznan will officially be awarded in-arena as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner during the pre-game of the April 17 Hawks-Bulls NBA Play-In Tournament match. Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas will present him with the award.

trevor bauer

Woman who accused Trevor Bauer of sex assault now charged with defrauding the ex-MLB player

An Arizona woman who accused former major league pitcher Trevor Bauer of sexual assault has been charged with defrauding him.

An indictment which was unsealed Monday in Maricopa County Superior Court charges the woman with fraud and theft by extortion which are both extortion. However, it does not give specific details about her alleged crimes. It says Bauer and another person were caught up in a scheme that potentially spanned several years.

The woman sued Bauer in December 2022, accusing him of rape two years earlier that she said resulted in pregnancy in late 2022. 

Court records on Tuesday afternoon did not mention an attorney for the lady in the fraud case, and the lawyer representing her in the lawsuit did not respond to a phone message seeking additional comment.

Bauer was never arrested or charged with sexual assault. Instead, he countersued, stating he had one consensual sexual encounter with the woman in 2020 and then accused her of faking the pregnancy to extort money from him.

His lawyers have said that the woman made several million-dollar demands against him. Trevor said he paid $8,761 for expenses he believed were for the woman’s reported pregnancy and its subsequent termination.

She later reported that she did not terminate the pregnancy, but had a miscarriage. The woman is scheduled to be arraigned on the criminal charges next Friday.

In a recorded video statement released Tuesday, Bauer said he was innocent.

“What else do I have to do to prove that this entire situation has been a massive lie? This is insane,” he said. “At what point do I get to go back to work and continue earning a living?”

Bauer has been fighting to revive his major league career after he was suspended for violating the league’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. He served a suspension after another woman accused him of beating and sexually abusing her; another accusation he denied.

The Los Angeles Dodgers released him in January 2023 and he played last year with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan’s Pacific League. Bauer signed a contract this spring to pitch five matches for Diablos Rojos and appeared for the first time in a spring exhibition against the New York Yankees.

bulls vs hawks expert picks

NBA PREDICTIONS: Chicago Bulls VS Atlanta Hawks Expert Picks

The regular season closes and the postseason begins on the pro hardwood, starting with the play-in tournament. The 10th-seeded Atlanta Hawks visit the Wind City to face the ninth-seeded Chicago Bulls tonight. Watch Bulls VS Hawks.

Keep reading for NBA Betting predictions, picks, odds, and Sure Tips for the Bulls VS Hawks game, brought to you by MatchPlug. Follow us for full coverage of this contest.

Predictions and Betting Preview for Chicago Bulls VS Atlanta Hawks 

  • Venue: United Center, Chicago.
  • When: Thursday, April 18th, 2024.
  • Time: 02:30
  • Teams to play: Bulls and Hawks.
  •  NBA Expert Picks: SPREAD -3.5.

Odds by BetMGM and 1XBet.

Betting On The Chicago Bulls

  • 1XBet Spread: -3.5
  • 1XBet Moneyline: 1.765
  • 1XBet Over/Under: Over 222.5
  • BetMGM Spread: -2.5
  • BetMGM Moneyline: 1.67
  • BetMGM Over/Under: Under 222.5

The Chicago Bulls took the New York Knicks to the limit before they fell in overtime in their regular season finale Sunday afternoon, ending their two-game win streak. Chicago finished 39-43 in the regular season and were fourth in the Central Division, 10 matches behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the top spot. Against the Knicks, the Bulls trailed by one after the opening quarter and by three at the half before leading by six after three quarters.

For the season, Chicago is 22nd in the NBA in scoring offense with an average of 112.3 points per contest. They are 14th in rebounding as they score an average of 43.8 boards a night while they are 23rd in assists by handing out an average of 25 dimes per match. The Bulls are 16th in scoring defense as they permit an average of 113.7 points per game this season.

Betting On The Atlanta Hawks

  • 1XBet Spread: -3.5
  • 1XBet Moneyline: 2.459
  • 1XBet Over/Under: Under 222.5
  • BetMGM Spread: +2.5
  • BetMGM Moneyline: 2.25
  • BetMGM Over/Under: Over 222.5

Atlanta Hawks dropped their final six matches of the regular season as they were destroyed on the road by the Indiana Pacers Sunday afternoon. Atlanta finished the regular season 36-46 and finished third in the Southeast Division, 11 matches behind the Orlando Magic. Against the Pacers, Atlanta trailed by 15 after the opening quarter, rallied to tie the game with 4:26 to play in the first half only to get outscored by 22-8 to trail by 14 at intermission.

Atlanta enters this match 5th in scoring offence by averaging 118.3 points per match. The Hawks are 6th in rebounding by collecting 44.7 boards a night while the team is 16th by delivering 26.6 assists per contest. Atlanta is 28th in the NBA in scoring defense as they permit opponents to score 120.5 points per game this campaign.

MatchPlug Prediction For Chicago Bulls VS Atlanta Hawks 

The Chicago Bulls have struggled many times, but they have a home-court advantage in this game. Experts hope that Dosunmu and Drummond can take the floor for them. The Bulls get the advantage over the Atlanta Hawks in this matchup extending their season at least one more match.

Prediction: Chicago Bulls Spread.

76ers vs heat expert picks

NBA PREDICTIONS: Philadelphia 76ers VS Miami Heat Expert Picks

The NBA regular season has ended and the postseason begins with the play-in tournament. The eighth-seeded Miami Heat visits the City of Brother Love to face the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers tonight. The winner becomes the seventh-seed and gets a first-round contest with the New York Knicks, while the loser plays whoever wins the Hawks/Bulls matchup for the eighth seed. Don’t miss the 76ers VS Heat.

MatchPlug has the Sure Win Prediction Today for 76ers VS Heat. If you need more NBA Predictions Tonight for similar matches, you can find them on our website.

Predictions and Betting Preview For Philadelphia 76ers VS Miami Heat 

  • Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.
  • Date: Thursday, April 18th, 2024.
  • Time: 00:00 am.
  • Teams to play: 76ers and Heat.
  • NBA Expert Picks: SPREAD -4.5.

Odds by BetMGM and 1XBet.

Betting on the Philadelphia 76ers

  • 1XBet Spread: -4.5
  • 1XBet Moneyline: 1.558
  • 1XBet Over/Under: Over 208.5
  • BetMGM Spread:
  • BetMGM Moneyline:
  • BetMGM Over/Under:

The Philadelphia 76ers ended the year with eight consecutive wins as they beat the Brooklyn Nets in their regular season finale on Sunday afternoon. They finished the regular season 47-35 and were third in the Atlantic Division, 17 matches behind the Boston Celtics for the top spot. On Sunday, the 76ers trailed by one after the opening quarter before outscoring the Nets 33-21 in the second quarter to take an 11-point edge at the half.

On the year, Philadelphia is 15th in the NBA in scoring offence with 114.6 points per game. They are 20th in rebounding as they gather 43 rebounds per contest while they are 24th in assists by delivering an average of 24.9 dimes a night. The 76ers are 9th in the league in scoring offence as they permit an average of 111.5 points a contest.

Betting On The Miami Heat

  • 1XBet Spread: +4.5
  • 1XBet Moneyline: 2.988
  • 1XBet Over/Under: Over 208.5
  • BetMGM Spread:
  • BetMGM Moneyline:
  • BetMGM Over/Under:

Miami Heat struggled this season, although they ended with consecutive wins over the Raptors at home with Sunday’s victory to end the regular season. Miami finished the regular season 46-36 this season and were second in the Southeast Division,  one game behind Orlando Magic for the top spot. Against the Raptors Sunday, the Heat was even after the opening quarter and trailed by one with 7:01 to play in the first half before ending on a 3-11 run to take a 21-point edge at intermission.

Miami enters this game 26th in the NBA in scoring offence with 110.1 points per match this campaign. They are 26th in the league in rebounding with 42.3 boards a contest while the team stands 18th in assists by delivering 25.8 dimes a night. The Heat are 3rd in the league in scoring defense as they permit 108.4 points per game. Miami is 22nd in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 46.5% from the floor this season. They are 19th in threes per match draining 12.5 triples per contest and the team is 12th in three-point shooting by hitting 37% beyond the arc.

MatchPlug Prediction For Philadelphia 76ers VS Miami Heat

The Philadelphia 76ers will play at home, where they have gone 25-16 on the year and they have tons of momentum going for them entering this contest. Joel Embiid will lead the 76ers to a win and a first-round series matchup with the New York Knicks by emerging victorious here, while the Miami Heat’s offence continues to struggle.

Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers Spread.