Jane Njoku, Author at Matchplug Blog

Ezekiel Elliot wants more playing time for the Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliot does not want his lack of playing time with the Dallas Cowboys to be a big issue.

He told reporters on Thursday that he discussed with coaches about his sparse appearances, but isn’t trying to complain a lot.

“I’ve talked a little bit (to the coaches),” Elliott said, to the Dallas Morning News. “But kinda let it play itself out.”

Elliot began Week 1 taking 10 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown in the victory over the Cleveland Browns. In the four matches since then, he has not gotten over six carries, averaging 2.9 yards per totes. Elliot has played less than 30 snaps per match in the last four competitions, including 23 in Week 5’ weak victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rico Dowdle has displayed more pop in the run game and gotten most of the carries. He has secured a career-high 20 carries for 87 yards on Sunday night.

Ezekiel mentioned that he wants to appear more in the red zone and short yardage scenarios where Dallas has struggled. He said he wasn’t sure why he was sidelined.

“It’s definitely a little different, but keep your head down,” he said.

After he was released last season, Elliot spent 2023 with the New England Patriots. He recorded career lows with 652 yards on 184 carries and three touchdowns while averaging 3.5 yards with New England. Coming back to the Cowboys in 2024 has not been the reunion he hoped for.

“I just focus on being a good teammate,” Elliott said. “I’ve been focusing on continuing to help lead this team and I’m not making it about me, it’s about this football team (winning) football games.”

thomas hit grand slam off skubal to lead guardians to alcs

Thomas hits grand slam off Skubal to lead Guardians to ALCS

Lane Thomas ensured the Cleveland Guardians will stay in the running for MLB championship, with a 7-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Saturday. He turned on the first pitch from Skubal and sent it over the 19-foot wall in left-center field, ushering in the sixth postseason grand slam in Cleveland history.

For the first time since 2016, the Guardians will return to the American League Championship Series. They left for New York on Saturday to get ready for a clash against the Yankees which will start Monday at the Yankee Stadium.

“You dream of at-bats like that as a little kid,” Thomas said, “and to do it at this stage, in this game and to come through for the guys in the clubhouse, it feels awesome.”

Cleveland wanted their star to feel the love as he concluded third base. This was not just the seventh grand slam in a “winner-take-all postseason” match in league history. This was when the Guardians knew they were going to the ALCS. And it was thanks to the offensive player they drafted at the Trade Deadline.

The crowd reaction to Lane Thomas' home run is everything 🤩 pic.twitter.com/j1jBzMRtu2
— MLB (@MLB) October 12, 2024

“After a game like that, you’re fired up,” Thomas said. “You’re ready to run through a wall.”

Thomas deserved this moment. It wasn’t always apparent that this was the player he would become with the Guardians. In his first 29 matches at Cleveland, he hit .177 with a .484 OPS. In his 30th match, he hit a home run at Kansas City that may have been the first indicator of a change in his batting. But when Thomas came in the next morning, he didn’t make the starting lineup. He asked Stephen Vogt why.

“I just said, ‘Lane, look, here’s what we’ve got. We’ve got guys that can hit righties,’” Vogt recounted. “ We had a really good conversation and I challenged him. … And then he steps up, and I can’t take him out of the lineup. And that’s what big-time players do. They step up and they get it done.”

Immediately after the conversation with Vogt, Thomas got an eight-game hitting streak. He brought more firepower that sent his team into the playoffs. Lane hit a huge blast in Game I against Detroit that secured the Guardians a victory. He was the star of the show in Game 5 when the offense could not reach Skubal.

It was not until Thomas stepped up the plate, seeking a fastball, and hit a grand slam that the offense came alive.

Simone Inzaghi has rejected Manchester United twice

Manchester United have been rejected by one of their desired head coaches, Simone Inzaghi.

The Red Devils are currently deciding whether or not they should retain or sack Erik ten Hag.

According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, they reached out to Simone Inzaghi twice.

But, Inzaghi who manages Inter Milan has turned them down twice.

Simone is happy in Italy and believes he can accomplish his career ambitions at Milan.

Internazionale won the Serie A last season and are among the favourites to win the league again this campaign.

Watzke bids Jurgen Klopp goodluck with Red Bull role despite dispute

Borussia Dortmund’s chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke bears no ill will towards Jurgen Klopp.

This week, Watzke sent good wishes to Klopp, who has gotten a new job.

The former Liverpool manager will become the new global head of soccer at Red Bull, working for RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg.

Watzke told Sky Sports: “For me, it was no surprise because we had spoken about it personally. I wish Jurgen, as always, good luck in his new job.”

Klopp said about the Red Bull project in 2017: ” I’m a football romantic and I like tradition in football and all that stuff.

“In Germany, only two clubs sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before the game and that is Mainz and Dortmund.”

barcelona monitoring carreras at Benfica

Barcelona monitoring for Manchester United fullback Carreras at Benfica

Barcelona are monitoring Benfica wing-back Alvaro Carreras.

Now in his second season at the Liga Portugal club since exiting Manchester United, Carreras’ form has gone to the next level in Portugal.

Sport reports Barca chief Deco is having the Spain U21 player observed with the hopes of bringing him home in 2025.

Carreras began his career at Real Madrid’s La Fábrica before joining Manchester as a 16-year old.

However, Barcelona won’t vye for him unopposed, as both United and Real are interested in re-signing the wing-back.

Tyler Wolff sustains Atlanta United’s season

With Atlanta United’s campaign hanging by a thread, Tyler Wolff provided a lifeline to the team.

Wolff left the bench to score a crucial stoppage-time goal that gave Atlanta a 2-1 home win over the New York Red Bulls. This earned him Energy Moment of the Matchday honours for Matchday 37, which is presented by Celsius.

Shortly after he stepped on the pitch, Wolff ran into the open space chasing a ball from Alexey Miranchuk and calmly breezed by Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. His strike ended United’s five-game skid, giving them a chance to qualify for the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Thanks to Tyler, Atlanta can steal an Eastern Conference Wild Card spot with a Decision Day victory at Orlando City SC, including other good results they have.

“For me, it was just trying to focus on the task that the coaches are giving me before I go in, you know, kind of see how the game’s playing out,” Wolff said post-match of his heroic substitute appearance. “But obviously, chaos and it’s part of the game and just stay calm and when you get your chance, just take it.”

Whatever role Wolff plays on Decision Day, he is excited to be a contributor to his team’s late playoff qualification.

“I kept telling myself let’s just finish this season strong and then when you get your opportunity to take a chance,” he said. “And yeah, happy to help the team get the three points in the end.”

TYLER WOLFF WITH A RUN FOR THE AGES 💨 pic.twitter.com/p7Fh9SQ1FR
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) October 6, 2024

NFL PREDICTIONS: Seattle Seahawks VS San Francisco 49ers betting Tips

The Seattle Seahawks will kick start Week six of the NFL season as they host the defending NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers in an NFC West Division clash. Watch Seahawks VS 49ers.

MatchPlug has the NFL predictions, picks, odds, and analysis for Seahawks VS 49ers. Check out the previews for similar matches on our site.

Predictions And Betting Preview For Seattle Seahawks VS San Francisco 49ers

Venue: Lumen Field.
When: Thursday, October 10th, 2024
Time: 01:15
Teams to play: Seahawks and 49ers.
NFL Expert Picks: SPREAD -3.5.

Odds provided by 1XBet.

Betting On The Seattle Seahawks

1XBet Spread: +3.5
1XBet Over/Under: Over 48.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.65

The Seattle Seahawks will return home, hoping to snap their two-game skid. They began the year strong at 3-0 before falling to a 42-49 score to the Detroit Lions. They followed up that score last week with an appalling performance against the New York Giants, where they lost 29-20. The match was tied at the half but Seattle was outscored 19-10 in the second half. They have the 15th ranked red zone defense.

Seattle will want to end their losing streak against long-time rivals, the 49ers. They enter this match 7th in the league in total offense. The Seahawks are 7th on the ground and 15th throughout the air this campaign. In the red zone, Seattle is 10th in the NFL in turning those chances into touchdowns. They are 11th in total defense in the NFL, 18th against the run and 8th against the pass.

Betting On The San Francisco 49ers

1XBet Spread: -3.5
1XBet Over/Under: Under 48.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.5

The San Francisco 49ers’ hold on the NFC has become fragile after losing two of their last three matches, both against clubs with losing records. Two weeks ago, they lost 1-2 on the season against the Los Angeles Rams. After recovering with a victory over the New England Patriots at home, the 49ers lost again, this time to the Arizona Cardinals, 24-23.

San Francisco are second in the NFL in total offense this term. They rank 12th rushing the football and are first in passing. The 49ers are ranked 29th in the league in turning red zone chances into touchdowns. Defensively, the team is 10th in total defense this campaign. They are 21st against the run and 23rd against the pass. In the red zone, San Francisco’s defense is 10th.

MatchPlug Prediction For Seattle Seahawks VS San Francisco 49ers

The Seahawks, struggling with penalties, 24th in the NFL, and turnovers, 25th in the NFL, will have a hard time subduing a seasoned 49ers squad. Take San Francisco below the spread.

Final Prediction: San Francisco 49ers -3.5

ncaaf predictions: coastal chanticleers vs james madison dukes

NCAAF PREDICTIONS: Coastal Carolina Chanticleers VS James Madison Dukes betting Tips

Two NCAAF teams will grace viewers screens tonight, as the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and the James Madison Dukes meet at the Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg, Virginia. These sides met last campaign, with James winning 56-14 on the road. Watch Chanticleers VS Dukes.

Read out NFL predictions, picks, odds, and analysis for Chanticleers VS Dukes. MatchPlug provides accurate Sports betting predictions for NCAAF previews.

Predictions And Betting Preview For Coastal Carolina Chanticleers VS James Madison Dukes

Venue: Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
When: Friday, October 11th, 2024.
Time: 00:30
Teams to play: Chanticleers and Dukes.
NFL Expert Picks: SPREAD -8.

Odds provided by 1XBet.

Betting On The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

1XBet Spread: +8
1XBet Over/Under: Under 60
1XBet Moneyline: 3.55

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers started off strong this year, with a 4-1 record, and opened their Sun Belt schedule with a victory. The Chanticleers have a 3-2 record against the spread, and this will be their second road match, as they entered Temple and won by eight in Philadelphia. Coastal’s offense just registered 45 points against Old Dominion, scoring at least one touchdown in each quarter.

Chanticleers defense permits 2.6 points per match, but they are still 4-1 as most of their matches have been high scoring shootouts. They have 12 sacks through five matches, with linebackers Tray Brown and Joah Cash leading the way with 2.5 each. Carolina has four interceptions from four different players, with Xamarion Gordon taking one to the house against Temple.

Betting On The James Madison Dukes

1XBet Spread: +8
1XBet Over/Under: Over 60
1XBet Moneyline: 1.317

The James Madison Dukes had everything under their control up until last week. They were a popular pick to secure a spot in the playoffs as representatives from the Group of Fiver, especially since they went against North Carolina and conceded 70 points to the Tar Heels. James’ playoff hopes took a massive blow last Saturday when they lost their conference opener to UL Monroe as 16.5-point favorites.

The Dukes are allowing 18.2 points per game, but 50 of the 92 points scored against them were all from North Carolina. Khairi Manns has been a powerful rusher off the edge, he leads the team with 3.5 sacks on the season, as the defensive unit shares 13 sacks over their five matches. Jacob Dobbs is a linebacker leading Madison with 32 tackles, and has a sack on the season.

MatchPlug Prediction For Coastal Carolina Chanticleers VS James Madison Dukes

The Dukes registered 70 on North Carolina on the road, their offense unit will enjoy destroying a weak Chanticleers defense. They will cover the spread in this match.

Final Prediction: James Madison Dukes spread.

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Kansas City Royals VS New York Yankees betting Predictions

The Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees will meet at Kauffman Stadium tonight, to play Game 4 of the Royals VS Yankees series.

MatchPlug has the MLB Expert Picks, predictions, and odds for Royals VS Yankees. We are a Hot Prediction Site that offers accurate MLB previews and match analysis.

Predictions And Betting Preview For Kansas City Royals VS New York Yankees

Venue: Kauffman Stadium.
When: Thursday, October 10th, 2024.
Time: 01:08
Teams to play: Royals and Yankees.
MLB Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.676.

Odds as seen on 1XBet.

Betting On The Kansas City Royals

1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.274
1XBet Over/Under: Over 7.5

Kansas City Royals pitchers have given up 644 runs for the season while recording a team ERA of 3.76 (596 earned runs). They have delivered 146 home runs and conceded 4.06 runs per 9 innings (6th in the MLB). Kansas City has a WHIP of 1.243 and an FIP of 3.76 as a pitching staff this season. The team’s strikeout to walk ratio is 8.40 (1,399 strikeouts vs 472 bases on balls). The Royals are 15th in the league, with 1,303 hits surrendered.

Michael Wacha will pitch for the Royals tonight. Wacha has conceded 1,405 base hits while gathering 1,290 punch outs in 1,454 innings. He has earned a 3.89 ERA and has given up 8.7 hits per innings. Wacha gave up 629 earned runs while recording a WHIP of 1.282 and having an FIP of 3.8. His K/BB ratio is 2.82 and he has played 6,130 opposing hitters.

Betting On The New York Yankees

1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.676
1XBet Over/Under: Under 7.5

The New York Yankees have a slugging percentage of .429 and have been called out on strikes 1,326 times, while taking a walk 672 times. The Yankees have 782 RBIs including 1.352 hits on the season, with a.248 batting average. They have recorded 243 two-baggers as a unit and have hit 237 balls out of the stadium. New York has a total of 815 runs while holding a team on-base percentage of .333. As a team they record 5.0 runs/g, keeping them 3rd in the league.

Gerrit Cole will pitch for the Yankees tonight. He has pitched 1.945 times and has 2,251 punch outs in his career. Cole has an ERA of 3.18 (690 ER’s permitted) and his WHIP is 1.089. He has conceded 1,627 base knocks (7.5 hits per 9 innings) and 500 walks. Cole has an FIP of 3.13 while facing 7,861 batters in his time in the major leagues.

MatchPlug Prediction For Kansas City Royals VS New York Yankees

The Kansas City Royals will bring their A-game tonight as they battle to advance to finals. However, the New York Yankees are the chosen favorites to win this game.

Final Prediction: Kansas City Royals Moneyline.

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Detroit Tigers VS Cleveland Guardians betting Predictions

The Cleveland Guardians will visit Comerica Park tonight to play the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of Tigers VS Guardians. Tanner Bibee and Reese Olson will pitch for both clubs.

Find the MLB best bets today, predictions, picks, and odds for Tigers VS Guardians on MatchPlug. We are a Sure Prediction Site to get accurate previews on MLB matches.

Predictions And Betting Preview For Detroit Tigers VS Cleveland Guardians

Venue: Comerica Park
When: Thursday, October 10th, 2024.
Time: 23:37
Teams to play: Tigers and Guardians.
MLB Expert Picks:

Odds by 1XBet.

Betting On The Detroit Tigers

1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.069
1XBet Over/Under: Over 6.5

The Detroit Tigers have an on-base percentage of .300 and a batting average of 234 on the year. They have been rung up on 1,461 instances (8th in MLB) and have 1,237 base hits. The Tigers have gathered 162 homers so far this campaign and 656 RBIs. They have a team slugging percentage of .385 and score 4.21 runs per outing (20th in MLB). Detroit has 244 doubles, 476 walk minutes and delivered 682 runs.

Detroit has picked bullpen pitchers in 71 save chances and have 45 saves. They place 17th in the league with a save percentage of 63.4% and have sent 504 relievers to the mound this term. The Tigers relief pitchers have taken the mound 168 times in high leverage scenarios and on 178 occasions with runners on too. These pitchers have scored a 23.2% percentage of 241 inherited.

Betting On The Cleveland Guardians

1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.808
1XBet Over/Under: Under 6.5

The Cleveland Guardians have hit 245 doubles and hit 185 baseballs out of the stadium. They have a slugging rate of .395 and have been called out on strikes 1,196 times, while drawing a walk on 466 occasions. As a team, the Guardians total 4.4 runs per game, putting them at 14th in baseball. They have 7670 RBIs and 1,263 base knocks on the season. Cleveland’s batting average is .238.

Cleveland has had 593 relievers on the mound for the season with 26.0% of those players crossing the plate. The Guardians have 53 saves this year and wasted 16 of their 69 chances to save the match. Cleveland’s relievers have scored a save rate of 76.8% and entered this game with 193 save situations. Their relief pitchers have scored 122 holds this campaign (1st in MLB).

MatchPlug Prediction For Detroit Tigers VS Cleveland Guardians

As it is the end of the season, the Detroit Tigers will put up a brave fight to advance to finals, but ultimately, the Cleveland Guardians are the preferred favorites to win this match.

Prediction: Cleveland Guardians Moneyline.

Jane Njoku