Slot praises atmosphere for Liverpool win

Slot praises Anfield atmosphere after Liverpool win

Liverpool began the defence of their Premier League crown with a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday. The match  which combined emotion, and  drama, roused a late surge from the champions. The evening opened with a tribute to the late forward Diogo Jota, before Arne Slot’s side produced a thrilling contest in his memory. Mohamed Salah and substitute Federico Chiesa struck late on to secure the match after Antoine Semenyo’s brace had pulled Bournemouth level. “Do you have half an hour?” Slot joked when asked to sum up the occasion. “Unbelievable atmosphere in the final minutes,” he said. “I thought that winning the league here (last season) will always be more special than winning a home game against Bournemouth, but the last six or seven minutes – wow, wow, wow, wow. How impressive that was. “Three teams involved in a great game. Why three teams? Bournemouth and us playing full gas for 96 minutes, or even longer, 99 I think, and the referee (Anthony Taylor) who just kept the game going, didn’t blow his whistle every single time for every small thing. It was a great game to watch. In the end, we won it. So that helps my emotions.” The Dutch coach added that the most poignant moment of the night came before kick-off. His “overriding emotion,” he said, was how “impressive and powerful the tribute for Jota was.”

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monga

Monga breaks age record as Championship’s youngest-ever goalscorer

Jeremy Monga made history as the Championship’s youngest-ever goalscorer. However, his landmark moment was not enough to save Leicester from a 2-1 defeat at Preston on Saturday. The 16-year-old came off the bench to equalize, breaking a record previously held by Jude Bellingham.  His goal cancelled out Alfie Devine’s opener for the hosts, only for Milutin Osmajic to strike five minutes from time at Deepdale and seal victory for Preston. Monga had already written his name into Leicester’s record books in midweek. He became the club’s youngest ever starter in their League Cup shootout loss to Huddersfield. That mark surpassed a 59-year-old record set by former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Elsewhere, Stoke continued their strong start with a second consecutive league win, beating a troubled Sheffield Wednesday side 3-0 at Hillsborough.  Fans were still protesting against owner Dejphon Chansiri when Million Manhoef opened the scoring inside the first minute.  Divin Mubama, on loan from Manchester City, doubled the lead early in the second half before Manhoef added his second to complete the victory.

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rashford cleared to play against mallorca

Rashford cleared to make Barcelona debut against Mallorca

Marcus Rashford has been registered in time to feature for Barça when the Spanish champions kick off their league campaign against Mallorca on Saturday. The England forward, who arrived last month on loan from Manchester United with an option to buy, is joined by goalkeeper Joan Garcia in Hansi Flick’s matchday squad. Garcia completed his move from Espanyol in June. Barcelona had been racing against time to secure registrations amid ongoing financial fair play restrictions. The club has struggled for several seasons to balance transfer spending and wage commitments with revenue, forcing them to prioritize which signings to register first. Both Rashford and Garcia now appear on La Liga’s official website, while the profiles of Gerard Martin  and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny  remain missing. This could indicate the Catalan side may be staggering their player registrations. The club’s difficulties were partly eased through negotiations with Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The German goalkeeper initially refused to sign a medical leave agreement that would allow Barcelona to free up 80% of his salary.  After losing the captaincy in the standoff, he eventually agreed to the deal and regained the armband.

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reds vs brewers betting predictions

MLB Prediction Today: Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds

The Milwaukee Brewers take on the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday at Great American Ball Park. Here’s the prediction for the Brewers vs Reds game. The Brewers are red-hot, extending their winning streak to 13 games after rallying to beat the Reds 10-8 on Friday. Milwaukee now holds the best record in MLB at 77-44. Matchplug’s the best site for all MLB picks, prediction and analysis. Betting Preview for Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds Venue: Great American Ball ParkDate: Saturday, August 16th, 2025Time: 7:15 PM ETTeams: Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati RedsOdds as provided by 1XBet Betting on the Milwaukee Brewers 1XBet Spread:1XBet Moneyline: -1401XBet Over/Under: Over 9.5 The Brewers continue to prove they’re one of the best teams to back in MLB, winning 13 straight games and consistently covering run lines. Quinn Priester takes the mound with an 11-2 record and 3.49 ERA this season. Milwaukee has won by two or more runs in each of his last five starts. This gives them a reliable edge both on the mound and at the plate. Yelich has been the spark offensively, adding his 24th and 25th homers in Friday’s win. Betting on the Cincinnati Reds 1XBet Spread:1XBet Moneyline: +1201XBet Over/Under: Over 9.5 The Reds had a chance to snap Milwaukee’s streak on Friday, jumping out to an 8-0 lead by the third inning, but their bullpen collapsed. Their inability to close out games has haunted them, and against a red-hot Brewers lineup. They’ll need near-perfection from their starter and relievers to stay competitive. Match Plug Prediction for Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds With Quinn Priester on the mound and Milwaukee’s offense firing on all cylinders, it’s hard to fade the Brewers right now. They’re finding ways to win even when trailing big, which makes them one of MLB’s most dangerous and profitable teams at the moment. Final Prediction: Brewers ML.

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MLB Prediction Today: Chicago White Sox vs Kansas City

The Kansas City Royals take on the Chicago White Sox on Friday at Kauffman Stadium. Here’s the prediction for the Royals vs White Sox game. Kansas City has the upper hand in this season series, leading 5-2 against the White Sox. Both teams are coming off Thursday’s rest, but they head into this matchup on very different paths. The Royals just took a series win in Washington, while Chicago has dropped eight of their last ten games. Matchplug’s the best site for all MLB picks, prediction and analysis. Betting Preview for Chicago White Sox vs Kansas City Royals Betting on the Chicago White Sox The White Sox continue to struggle offensively, scoring just two hits in their last game against Detroit. With nine strikeouts in that contest, their inconsistency at the plate is alarming. Aaron Civale, who owns a 4.91 ERA in 2025, will start. He was shelled by Cleveland in his last outing, giving up nine earned runs on eight hits. Betting on the Kansas City Royals The Royals will counter with Noah Cameron, who has been in strong form. Kansas City has won four of his last five starts, and he blanked the Twins across 5.2 innings in his most recent outing. Cameron has shown composure under pressure, stranding multiple baserunners without surrendering a run. Offensively, Kansas City continues to produce, with Witt Jr., Pasquantino, Frazier, and India all contributing hits in Wednesday’s 12-hit performance against Washington. Match Plug Prediction for Chicago White Sox vs Kansas City Royals The Royals are simply the hotter and more reliable team right now, while the White Sox are struggling both on the mound and at the plate. With Cameron in solid form and Kansas City’s offense clicking, this game should favor the Royals heavily. Final Prediction: Royals -1.5 Runs.

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new york yankees vs st louis cardinals

MLB Prediction Today: New York Yankees vs St. Louis Cardinals

The New York Yankees take on the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday at Busch Stadium. Here’s the prediction for the Yankees vs Cardinals game. After edging out the Cardinals 4-3 in Friday’s opener, the Yankees will look to secure back-to-back wins with Max Fried on the mound. Matchplug’s the best site for all MLB picks, prediction and analysis. Betting Preview for New York Yankees vs St. Louis Cardinals Betting on the New York Yankees The Yankees have been steady offensively, scoring 4.4 runs per game in their last five. Despite Max Fried’s recent struggles (1-4, 6.12 ERA in his last five starts), he has been excellent against the Cardinals, going 3-0 while allowing just one run per game in his last three outings against them. If the bullpen holds firm, New York’s bats can give them the edge. Betting on the St. Louis Cardinals The Cardinals will turn to Sonny Gray, who has been inconsistent (3-2, 6.26 ERA in his last five starts) but has posted two stellar performances recently, giving up only one run over seven innings against both the Dodgers and Cubs. He also won his last two starts against the Yankees, giving St. Louis a chance if their offense can support him. Match Plug Prediction for New York Yankees vs St. Louis Cardinals This is shaping up to be a close contest with two struggling yet capable pitchers on the mound. While Gray has shown he can shut down the Yankees, New York’s offense and bullpen depth should give them the slight advantage. Final Prediction: Yankees to win.

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MLB Prediction Today: Miami Marlins vs Boston Red Sox 

The Miami Marlins face the Boston Red Sox on Saturday at Fenway Park. Here’s the prediction for the Marlins vs Red Sox game. This is the first meeting of the season between these interleague opponents. Boston has the edge historically, going 7-3 in the last ten against Miami, while the under-casked in six of those contests. Matchplug’s the best site for all MLB picks, prediction and analysis. Betting Preview for Miami Marlins vs Boston Red Sox Betting on the Miami Marlins Miami sends Cal Quantrill to the mound. The veteran right-hander has struggled this year, posting a 4-9 record with a 5.09 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 23 starts. On the road, his ERA sits at 5.03. Still, the Marlins’ offense has been lively in August, scoring 5.1 runs per game and helping them to a winning record in the second half of the season (14-12). Betting on the Boston Red Sox The Red Sox counter with Brayan Bello, who is 8-6 with a 3.25 ERA across 21 appearances. At Fenway, he has been reliable, going 6-3 with a 3.09 ERA. Boston has stumbled recently, losing six of its last seven, but Fenway has been a fortress this season where they are 39-22. With Bello’s home form, Boston will aim to steady the ship. Match Plug Prediction for Miami Marlins vs Boston Red Sox The Marlins have shown offensive growth, but the pitching matchup tilts toward Boston with Bello’s consistency at Fenway.  Miami’s bats can keep them competitive, but the Red Sox should take advantage of home-field strength to bounce back. Final Prediction: Red Sox Moneyline 

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MLB Prediction Today: Seattle Mariners vs New York Mets

The Seattle Mariners take on the New York Mets on Saturday at Citi Field. Here’s the prediction for the Mariners vs Mets game. Seattle looks to extend its head-to-head winning streak over New York to five games after taking the series opener 11-9. The Mariners’ bats came alive Friday, putting up their biggest offensive outing since the All-Star break. Matchplug’s the best site for all MLB picks, prediction and analysis. Betting Preview for Seattle Mariners vs New York Mets Betting on the Seattle Mariners The Mariners will send Bryan Woo to the mound, one of their most reliable arms. Woo ranks top-20 in ERA and strikeouts across MLB, and Seattle has won each of his last two starts. With an offense that just exploded for 11 runs and a pitcher who can neutralize New York’s big bats, Seattle is in a strong position to keep momentum going. Betting on the New York Mets The Mets continue to produce offensively, averaging 7.6 runs across their last five games. But their pitching has been a disaster, with a 7.77 ERA during that stretch. Starters (8.72 ERA) and the bullpen (6.85 ERA) have both been liabilities. To make matters worse, New York will send rookie McLean to the mound for his first MLB start, adding even more uncertainty. Match Plug Prediction for Seattle Mariners vs New York Mets Seattle’s advantage in pitching and their offensive resurgence should make the difference here. While the Mets’ bats are hot, their pitching staff is simply too unreliable to trust against Woo and the Mariners. Final Prediction: Mariners -1.5 Runs.

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MLB Prediction Today: Baltimore Orioles vs Houston Astros Sure Tips

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 Betting on Baltimore Orioles 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 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. Final Prediction: Astros

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MLB Expert Picks: Philadelphia Phillies vs Texas Rangers

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 Betting On The Philadelphia Phillies 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 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. Final Prediction: Phillies

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