Kompany: Bayern Munich Will Have “Almost No Preparation” for Bundesliga

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has admitted that his side will begin the 2025-26 Bundesliga season with minimal preparation, due to their involvement in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup this summer. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Bayern’s next Club World Cup match, Kompany said:“For the next season, we will have almost no preparation. ”The tournament, hosted in the United States, runs until July 13, leaving little time for rest or traditional pre-season training. Despite that, Kompany acknowledged that the extended group time has some benefits — especially for new signings like Jonathan Tah and Tom Bischof. “We’re building team cohesion… It’s perhaps faster for the integration of new players,” he explained. Still, the Belgian coach admitted Bayern will be straying far from best practices when it comes to physical preparation:“If you look at the scientific research around pre-season prep, we are throwing the book away and just starting the new season with all the pressure to win. ”Kompany compared the environment to that of international tournaments, such as the World Cup or European Championships, noting that unlike national teams, club sides can work on advanced tactics, not just fundamentals.“It’s got its advantages… We’re working on details.” Bayern have already advanced to the next stage of the Club World Cup after thrashing Auckland City 10-0 and beating Boca Juniors 2-1. They face Benfica in Charlotte on Tuesday, looking to seal top spot in Group C. While the Club World Cup offers $1 billion in total prize money, Kompany remains cautious about its cost to domestic league preparation.

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Portland’s Antony Wins Goal of the Matchday for Matchday 18

Portland Timbers winger Antony has won AT&T Goal of the Matchday honors for Matchday 18, earning 49.2% of the fan vote. The Brazilian scored a brilliant solo goal, curling a shot into the top corner after a slick run to equalize in Portland’s 2-1 win over St. Louis CITY SC at Providence Park. It marked his sixth goal of the season. 2nd place, Daniel Ríos (37.6%): Starting with Brian White on Gold Cup duty, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker hit a long-range rocket that nestled into the side-netting as part of a 3-0 win over Cascadia rival Seattle Sounders FC. 3rd place, Philip Zinckernagel (8.1%):Zinckernagel joined in on Chicago‘s goalscoring onslaught with a well-taken strike from atop the penalty area in the Fire’s 7-1 rout at D.C. United. 4th place, David Ayala (5.1%): Ayaladelivered the Timbers that 2-1 result over St. Louis, tucking a clutch volley into the bottom corner in the dying moments of the match.

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Football Prediction: LAFC vs SKC Sure Tips

Sunday night lights shine on BMO Stadium as Los Angeles FC host Sporting Kansas City in an important Western Conference clash. Read on for our full LAFC vs SKC betting tips. LAFC are pushing for a top-four finish, while SKC are just trying to stay alive in the playoff conversation. Matchplug has the best pick for MLS  Betting Preview for LAFC vs SKC Betting on Los Angeles FC LAFC remain one of the most talented squads in the West, even if they’ve shown inconsistencies this season. Olivier Giroud has made a notable impact since arriving, bringing not only experience but also composure in the final third. With Carlos Vela and Denis Bouanga offering service and width, LAFC can stretch any defense. Their last outing, 2-2 draw with CF Montreal highlighted both their attacking threat and their defensive fragility. But at home, LAFC are a different beast. They’ve won 4 of their last 6 at BMO Stadium, averaging 2.3 goals per game over that stretch. Betting on Sporting Kansas City Sporting KC may have picked up a 3-1 win over Houston Dynamo last weekend, but consistency has been their biggest issue. Sitting in 12th place in the West, Peter Vermes’ side has struggled on the road, with only two away wins all season. SKC do have attacking weapons—Alan Pulido and Johnny Russell can hurt teams—but defensive lapses continue to plague them. They’ve conceded 2+ goals in 5 of their last 7 away games, and that’s a recipe for trouble against an LAFC side loaded with attacking talent. MatchPlug Prediction for LAFC vs SKC LAFC’s home form, combined with Sporting Kansas City’s road struggles, makes this a fairly straightforward call. Expect the hosts to dictate the tempo, find gaps in a shaky SKC backline, and grab all three points. Final Score Prediction: LAFC

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MLB Predictions: Padres vs Brewers Sure Tips

The San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers close out their tightly contested three-game series at American Family Field on Sunday afternoon. Check out our Padres vs Brewers prediction and best bet below.With both teams claiming one win apiece, Game 3 sets up a high-stakes showdown between a proven ace and a young rookie. Betting Preview For Padres vs Brewers Betting On San Diego Padres The Padres had Saturday’s game within reach before Luis Arraez tied it in the ninth, only for Caleb Durbin to walk it off for the Brewers. Despite the setback, San Diego remains a dangerous playoff contender with a balanced lineup and depth in the bullpen. They’ll send rookie Ryan Bergert to the mound for just his second career start, putting pressure on the offense to strike early and often. Bergert has promise, but facing the NL Central leaders on the road is a tall task. The Friars’ lineup, led by Arraez, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Manny Machado, must capitalize against Peralta early before Milwaukee’s elite bullpen takes over. Betting On Milwaukee Brewers The Brew Crew continue to show resilience, winning Saturday’s game on Caleb Durbin’s walk-off homer. They remain in control of the NL Central and send All-Star Freddy Peralta (6-3, 3.41 ERA) to the bump for the rubber match. Peralta has been a strikeout machine and dominates at home. Backed by a bullpen that ranks among MLB’s best, Peralta will aim to neutralize San Diego’s heavy hitters with high heat and pitch sequencing. Milwaukee’s offense is opportunistic, with all contributing RBIs in the comeback win on Saturday. MatchPlug Prediction For Padres vs Brewers The pitching mismatch is clear: Freddy Peralta vs. rookie Ryan Bergert gives the Brewers a decided edge. While the Padres are a quality opponent, Milwaukee should ride their ace to a series-clinching win. Final Prediction: Milwaukee Brewers 

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sounders vs whitecaps sure tips

MLS Prediction Today: Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders Sure Tips

Sunday night MLS action takes us to British Columbia, where the Vancouver Whitecaps will be looking to recover from a brutal loss in continental competition. Read on for our full Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders prediction and betting tips. But their task doesn’t get any easier, with familiar rivals Seattle Sounders visiting BC Place.  Betting Preview for Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders Betting on Vancouver Whitecaps The Whitecaps return home licking their wounds after being dismantled 5-0 by Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Final. That result was a serious blow, but they’ve been tough to beat at BC Place in MLS play this season. Vancouver’s strength lies in their high press and quick transitions, often spearheaded by Ryan Gauld and Brian White, especially in front of their home crowd. Despite the continental embarrassment, Jesper Sorensen’s men have lost just once in their last six MLS games at home. They’ll be looking to channel the pain of Mexico City into a response, and this fixture provides a perfect chance to do that against a regional rival. Betting on Seattle Sounders Seattle, for their part, also comes into this one off the back of a disappointment, losing 3-1 at home to Minnesota. That was another frustrating outing in a patchy season for Brian Schmetzer’s team. But if there’s one thing you can usually rely on, it’s the Sounders’ ability to perform away from home. With Jordan Morris and Léo Chú offering pace on the break, Seattle remains a threat on the road. They’ve scored in four of their last five away games and will be keen to repeat last season’s 3-0 win at this venue. But Vancouver’s improvement since then makes that a taller order this time around. MatchPlug Prediction for Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders This matchup has all the ingredients of a lively contest. Both teams are coming off defeats and have attacking quality that tends to show up in these Western Conference clashes. Vancouver will push hard to atone for their cup humiliation, and Seattle will exploit any spaces left behind. Our prediction for Sunday’s clash is Both Teams to Score, with the Whitecaps slightly more motivated to edge it at home. Final Score Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 

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MLB Predictions: Chicago Cubs vs Detroit Tigers Sure Tips

Two division leaders collide in an interleague showdown on Saturday afternoon as the Chicago Cubs face the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Read on for our expert Cubs vs Tigers prediction and pick. First pitch is set for 1:10 PM EST, and both teams come into this matchup sitting atop their divisions.  Betting Preview For Cubs vs Tigers Betting On Chicago Cubs The Cubs are on fire, having won four of their last five, including a dominant 7-1 win over Washington. Pete Crow-Armstrong is emerging as a legit star, and Ian Happ has been a catalyst in the middle of the order. They’ll send James Taillon (5-3, 3.76 ERA) to the mound. He’s logged eight quality starts in 12 appearances, showing excellent control with a 1.01 WHIP and just 13 walks in 69.1 innings. He may be vulnerable to the long ball (16 HRs allowed), but his ability to eat innings is a major plus. Chicago has also won three of Taillon’s last five starts, and they’ll be looking to build on their 5-game lead in the NL Central. Betting On Detroit Tigers Detroit leads the AL Central by six games but just dropped a tight 3-2 contest in extras to the White Sox. The Tigers have been scrappy all season but lack explosive offense, often relying on small-ball and timely hits. They’ll counter with Keider Montero (2-1, 4.02 ERA), who’s still settling into his rotation role. While he hasn’t allowed many home runs, Montero has struggled with efficiency and hasn’t made it past the 5th inning often. He allowed seven hits in 4.2 shutout innings in his last start but needs to limit base traffic with a 1.46 WHIP. Tigers are 4-1 in his last five starts, but his limited innings put pressure on the bullpen. MatchPlug Prediction For Cubs vs Tigers This is a clash between two solid teams, but the pitching matchup clearly favors the Cubs. Taillon’s consistency and ability to pitch deep gives Chicago a major edge over the less-proven Montero.  Our prediction for Saturday’s clash is a narrow Cubs win, powered by Taillon’s steady arm and a clutch offensive performance from the heart of the lineup. Final Prediction: Chicago Cubs ML (-120)

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MLB Predictions: Diamondbacks vs Cincinnati Reds Sure Tips

It’s the middle game of a three-game weekend series between National League foes as the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Saturday afternoon. Read on for our expert Diamondbacks vs Reds prediction and betting breakdown. Both teams are eyeing momentum as they continue to hover around .500.  Betting Preview For Diamondbacks vs Reds Betting On Arizona Diamondbacks The Diamondbacks arrive in Cincinnati riding a four-game win streak, punctuated by a stunning comeback against the Braves in which they scored seven runs in the ninth inning to win 11-10. That kind of resilience shows this team’s offensive depth, with Ketel Marte, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Alek Thomas all contributing home runs in that thriller. Despite losing Corbin Burnes to season-ending Tommy John surgery, Arizona’s pitching has held up recently. Ryne Nelson has been excellent in his last three appearances (0.57 ERA) and will take the mound Saturday in search of his third win. Arizona’s offense is dangerous and has scored 31 runs over their last four games. Betting On Cincinnati Reds The Reds have dropped four of their last five and are struggling for consistency, especially on offense. They were held to just four hits in a 9-1 loss to Milwaukee on Wednesday and are averaging only 2.6 runs over their last seven games. Nick Martinez gets the nod for Cincinnati and enters with a 3-6 record and a 3.89 ERA. He was hit hard in his last start vs. the Cubs, giving up five earned runs in under five innings. While he’s been generally solid at home, he’ll need a much sharper outing to hold back a surging Arizona lineup. Cincinnati’s bats, especially Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer, need to wake up if the Reds hope to salvage this series. MatchPlug Prediction For Diamondbacks vs Reds Momentum matters in baseball, and right now the Diamondbacks have it. Their lineup is hot, and Ryne Nelson’s current form gives them a pitching edge. Cincinnati, meanwhile, is lacking offense and has been poor at stringing together quality at-bats. Final Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks ML 

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MLB Predictions Today: Dodgers vs Cardinals Sure Tips

Busch Stadium sets the stage for a Saturday afternoon clash between the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals. Read our preview for the Dodgers vs Cardinals game. First pitch is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. ET in what should be a high-intensity matchup featuring two clubs with postseason aspirations. Below is our prediction, betting insights, and sure tips. Betting Preview For Los Angeles Dodgers vs St. Louis Cardinals Betting On Los Angeles Dodgers The Dodgers continue to live up to expectations after last season’s World Series triumph. With a deep lineup and strong rotation, Los Angeles sits atop the NL West, and their offense has consistently delivered. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start, looking to bounce back from a rocky outing against the Yankees. Despite allowing four runs in 3.2 innings last time out, he’s been excellent overall with a 6-4 record and 2.39 ERA, including a 2.06 ERA in six road starts. The Dodgers’ bats are also heating up, with run totals soaring past totals in many recent games (37-26 O/U on the season). No new injuries are reported, and the Dodgers’ full-strength lineup is loaded with power and experience. Betting On St. Louis Cardinals The Cardinals are still in the thick of the NL Central race, but they enter this contest on a lukewarm 5-5 run over their last 10 games. They’ve dropped two of three to the Royals and now face a far more formidable opponent. Erick Fedde starts for the Cardinals, coming in with a 3-5 record and 3.82 ERA on the season. His 5.20 ERA at Busch Stadium in five home starts is a concern, especially against a potent Dodgers lineup. While he managed a solid six-inning, two-run performance against Texas last time out, Fedde’s inconsistency could haunt St. Louis in this spot. Like LA, the Cardinals have no new injuries, but they’ll need their best effort to keep pace. MatchPlug Prediction For Dodgers vs Cardinals Yamamoto’s impressive road splits and the Dodgers’ offensive firepower give them a clear edge, especially against a St. Louis starter who’s struggled at Busch Stadium.  LA has also dominated recent H2H history, winning 6 of the last 10 against the Cardinals. Final Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers ML 

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Football Predictions: DC United vs Chicago Fire Sure Tips

The 2025 MLS season continues with an Eastern Conference showdown as DC United host Chicago Fire at Audi Field on Saturday. Read our preview for the DC United vs Chicago Fire game. Both sides are looking to break into the playoff spots after an underwhelming start to the campaign. Below is our prediction and betting preview. Betting Preview For DC United vs Chicago Fire Betting On DC United DC United snapped their poor run with a 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati, a result that will inject some belief into the squad. However, form remains patchy with just one win in their last six MLS outings. Sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference, the hosts have struggled with defensive structure and consistency in the final third. While they can threaten going forward, lapses at the back have cost them critical points. They will hope to build on last week’s upset against one of the league’s stronger sides. Betting On Chicago Fire The Fire come into this clash on the back of an impressive 3-1 win over Orlando City, with striker Hugo Cuypers netting a quick brace. That victory ended a run of three straight losses and might be the spark they’ve needed. Chicago currently occupy 11th in the East, just above DC United, and will see this game as a six-pointer in the race to stay within playoff contention. While they remain inconsistent, recent attacking improvement and the rise in Cuypers’ form suggest a turning point. MatchPlug Prediction For DC United vs Chicago Fire Both teams have been underwhelming overall, but Chicago Fire look sharper heading into this encounter. With DC’s leaky defense and Chicago’s newfound attacking edge, the visitors have a slight advantage. Final Prediction: Chicago Fire To Win

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MLB Predictions: Phillies vs Pirates Sure Tips

The battle for Keystone State bragging rights continues on Saturday afternoon as the Philadelphia Phillies face the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 2 of their three-game set at PNC Park. Catch our Phillies vs. Pirates prediction and best bet below. Both teams are looking to bounce back after rough series losses earlier in the week. Betting Preview For Phillies vs Pirates Betting On Philadelphia Phillies The Phillies are slumping, having lost six of their last seven, including a 9-1 blowout in Toronto. But Ranger Suarez (4-0, 2.72 ERA) offers hope. The lefty has been dominant in recent outings, posting a 0.48 ERA over his last three starts and owns a career 4-0 record with a 2.19 ERA vs. the Pirates. Despite the losing streak, Philly still sits just 1.5 games back in the NL East and has the bats to erupt at any time. Nick Castellanos remains a spark plug, collecting three hits in the latest defeat. Suarez has also been excellent at PNC Park, allowing 0 earned runs over 8 IP in his career there. Betting On Pittsburgh Pirates The Pirates are buried at the bottom of the NL Central and just dropped two of three to Houston. Andrew Heaney (3-4, 3.39 ERA) will try to keep Pittsburgh afloat, but his career 6.08 ERA vs. the Phillies doesn’t inspire much confidence. The Bucs managed just five hits in their last outing and struck out 16 times — a glaring sign of an inconsistent offense that doesn’t back up its pitching. Pittsburgh has lost three of their last four and remains one of the weakest lineups in baseball. Heaney has been serviceable lately but struggles with deep outings and lacks run support. MatchPlug Prediction For Phillies vs Pirates This matchup clearly tilts in the Phillies’ favor thanks to Ranger Suarez’s elite form and a Pittsburgh offense that’s been lifeless. With Philly’s pitching advantage and urgency to rebound in the standings, expect them to take command early and cover the spread. Our prediction for Saturday’s clash is a solid Phillies win. Final Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (-105)

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