Matchplug is the best soccer prediction site connecting bettors with winning tips. We are spot on in our Soccer predictions, premier league predictions, Bet9ja prediction, matched betting and premier betting.
After being away from the spotlight for much of the NFL pre-draft process, quarterback Hendon Hooker has been selected as one of the hottest names in the 2023 draft class.
The Tennessee star’s recovery from a season-ending knee injury prevented him from impressing scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine and the Volunteers’ pro day, but it appears draftniks are catching up on his tape because he has been rising in the ranks lately.
As a skilled QB prospect with 6,080 passing yards and a 58:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio over his past two college seasons, Hendon is a dart thrower that can deliver the football with touch, timing, and anticipation at a short and intermediate range. Hooker complements his pinpoint changeup pitches with rainbow tosses that are high-arching and fall from the sky into the waiting hands of light-footed pass catchers running various vertical routes.
After Hendon Hooker was transferred from Virginia Tech, he showed Knoxville that he can take on defenses like a championship fighter, deploying jabs (dink and dunk tosses) and right hooks (deep balls) that cause opponents to fight to defend every grass from the sideline to sideline and end zone to end zone. Hooker’s gait, patience, and precision make him a plug-and-play prospect at the next level.
While unbelievers will say that Hooker’s numbers are inflated because of Josh Heupel’s explosive system, the tape shows a cerebral player with a clear understanding of concepts and coverage. Hendon’s knowledge and football IQ aid him play the sport in slow motion while other players (Levis and Richardson) move at a frenetic pace, causing inconsistent production and performance.
Matter of fact, Hendon Hooker’s dominating multiple seasons in the SEC makes it an easy decision to give him the draft cap as the third quarterback off the board. He is more refined and productive than his SEC counterparts from Kentucky and Florida, and teams going for the toolsy guys could regret overlooking the prolific passer.
Hooker’s game brings to mind Geno Smith’s play and just like the veteran, Hendon can excel as a pro if given the opportunity and a solid supporting cast.
Ex-NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the workings of the NFL and offers insight from his notebook. He covers some potential trade fits for star linebacker Devin White.
More than two years after winning the Lombardi Trophy, the Tampa Bay Buccanneers seemed to have fallen from the top.
Last season did not go as they expected. Although the Buccanneers finished top of the NFC South, they posted an 8-9 record before losing on their home field on Wild Card Weekend. A while after this, they lost NFL’s greatest quarterback to retirement. And now one of the key players in the team wants to leave.
Tom Pelissero an NFL Network Insider reported this week that Bucs linebacker Devin White requested a trade recently. White should earn $11.706 million on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, but the trade is probably because of the lack of a long-term extension.
While White has not talked about the matter in public, Jason Licht did. On Thursday, the Buccaneers’ general manager said that the team does not intend to trade the linebacker who played a significant role in the 2020 Bucs’ Super Bowl LV triumph before he made his first Pro Bowl in 2021.
“I have all the respect in the world for Devin,” Licht said to reporters. “He’s done some great things for us as a player, and we look forward to more from him in the future, so he’s on our team. We are looking forward to this season. We are gearing up for this season with the draft right now, free agency, and, you know, looking forward to him being a part of this team. If he has the kind of year that we all think he’s capable of, we can hopefully put this to rest and everybody’s happy.”
Licht may be right and the whole matter will die out, the defensive captain might stay in Tampa Bay for at least one more season. However, with Devin White’s disappointment and the team’s current status adjusting to a post-Tom Brady existence, it will not hurt to explore which other NFL teams would be interested in having an off-ball linebacker in his prime. Especially with the dearth of mouthwatering options at the position in the 2023 NFL Draft, as shown by Lance Zierlein ranking linebacker as the weakest position group in this year’s prospect crop.
In four NFL seasons, Devin White has been a stat-building machine with 483 tackles, 55 QB hits, 35 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, and an interception. He has constantly shown disruptive potential as a designated playmaker in the midst of defence. From punishing opposing quarterbacks to running down ball carriers from behind. White is a sideline-to-sideline menace defensive coordinators covet in a traditional Mike ‘backer’.
On that note, White has been criticized most times for being more flashy than consistent. Last October, Hall of Famer and Buccanneers icon Warren Sapp took him to task for loafing or taking plays off in the middle of games, while focusing on a couple of lacklustre snaps on film.
However, as a powerful tackler with incredible instincts, awareness, and diagnostic skills, Devin White becomes a blur when is locked in and ready to go. His pass-rush skills distinguish him from other players in this position. White’s impact could make him an in-demand commodity in the trade market.
With all these in mind, here are five NFL teams that will be a good fit for Devin White.
It is difficult to know the Minnesota Vikings’ plan presently, with Kirk Cousins entering the final year of his contract. Minnesota should be in a transitional mood, having moved on from Adam Thielen and Erick Kendricks.
With Kendricks’ loss at linebacker, it could be hard for Kevin O’Connell and his team to pass up a chance to add a key playmaker to the defence that could disrupt opponents with new coordinator Brian Flores’ pressure packages.
White is a wrecking ball as a second-level pass rusher who has great instincts and timing. His skills match Flores’ aggressive tactics perfectly. If the Vikings can get this playmaker in the midst of his prime, they can keep chasing a title while flipping the roaster with interesting new puzzle pieces.
If the Texans’ new head coach DeMeco Ryans wants a bully in the AFC South, Devin White could be the key component for this job. As a former Pro Bowl linebacker too, Ryanss created elite defenses in San Francisco around the playmaking talents of blue-chip ‘backers’ Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, who constantly caused trouble between the tackles.
White’s game is unique, but his potential for disruption and Super Bowl experience can jumpstart the Texans’ rebuilding effort. Ryans and general manager Nick Caseiro have enough salary cap space and draft capital to make this trade happen.
Despite the Eagles being reluctant to pay big money for off-ball linebackers in the past, general manager Howie Roseman may see White as a vital piece of a championship-calibre defense.
White would give Philadelphia another player who would be part of a dynamic pressure package under the guidance of new defensive coordinator Sean Desai.
Devin White could bring a new dimension to a defense with a deep-and-talented rotation along the front line.
Bill Belichick can make a move for White if he wants to improve his defense and upgrade his linebacking corps. White who was a second-team All-Pro in 2020 is a pass-rushing specialist with a talent for getting to the quarterback that would cause problems for opponents who attempt to slow down edge rushers Matt Judon and Josh Uche in pass protection.
Now that Belichick wants to adapt and adjust his tactics to play to the strengths of his top players, the Patriots could become a blitzing machine to destroy the timing and rhythm of the murderers’ row of quarterbacks in the AFC.
The ultra-aggressive scheme of Vance Joseph makes Denver the perfect landing spot. Devin White’s disruptive tendencies as a pass-rushing ILB will allow the Broncos to attack from the inside out to force opposing quarterbacks to move off their spots within the pocket.
White’s experience in neutralizing Patrick Mahomes is an ability that Sean Payton can use now that he’s assembling a lineup to threaten the Kansas City Chiefs’ unending reign in the division.
When offered a chance to upgrade the middle of their defense with a young and dynamic defender, the Broncos may want to take in the disgruntled linebacker from Tampa Bay.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has likened Erling Haaland to five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and his eternal rival Lionel Messi.
The Norwegian striker has been in hot form since joining Man City from Borussia Dortmund last summer. He is already City’s all-time leading goalscorer in a single season, having scored twice in his side’s 4-1 over Southampton on Saturday.
That brace took his tally in the Premier League this season to 30 in only 27 appearances. With nine games still to play in the PL this season, Haaland could score ten more goals, given his current ratio of goals per game.
That would put the Norwegian on 40 goals this season. Should he achieve that, he would smash the existing single-season Premier League record of 32 goals held by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Speaking after the game against Southampton on Saturday, Haaland’s coach Pep Guardiola quickly praised the superstar’s goal-scoring ability, comparing him to Ronaldo and Messi. However, he insisted that the Argentine was a more complete player.
“In terms of the thesis of scoring goals. He’s quite similar in terms of Cristiano, but Messi is the more complete player,” Guardiola explained.
“Messi can play wherever while Cristiano and Erling are machines. Erling knows those two guys dominated over two decades, not just one or two seasons, winning titles and doing everything. Football is a better place for Cristiano and Messi for what they have done for our business and the traction of these two guys competing at the big clubs.
“Erling is arriving in the toughest league in the world. I can talk as I’ve been in other leagues, and doing what he has done is remarkable.”
The Catalan coach worked extensively with Messi at Barca and is better placed than most to directly compare Haaland to the World Cup winner. And according to Pep, it seems that Haaland has the edge on the all-time great in terms of his positive mindset.
“Haaland is always happy, always smiling. Lionel Messi scored two but not three and was a bit sad because he didn’t score the third!” Guardiola explained.
“Erling is all the time in an incredible mood. Even in the bad moments at the beginning of this season, when people said he couldn’t adapt, he arrived at training with a big smile and said hi to everyone. He has had an incredible impact, not just on the pitch.
“Every day in training sessions, in the locker room. I have the feeling that he is so happy with us. He never complains about [being taken off]. He respects me a lot.”
As part of the preparations for the 2023/24 season, Arsenal FC will be visiting the United States in the summer. Coach, Mikel Arteta and his men will participate in the annual MLS All-Stars VS Arsenal fixture happening in July in Washington D.C
Arsenal will play against a hand-picked team of players from the MLS at D.C. United’s Audi Field on Wednesday, July 19. The All-Star team will be led by Wayne Rooney and witnessed by 20,000 spectators.
This will be the second year the Gunners have travelled across the pond. Last summer they won Everton, Orlando City, and Chelsea within a week in a successive trip.
The North Londoners’ plans were confirmed by the club after there were speculations about the fixture starting a day before. “It’s great that we’re playing against the MLS All-Stars in Washington D.C. in July,” Arteta said.
“Our US tour last summer was very good preparation for the season, and we’re looking forward to once again visiting our amazing supporters in the US. The match against the MLS All-Stars will be a good test ahead of the 2023/24 season.”
Besides the All-Star game, MLS players will face off in the 2023 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge the day before the big game – Tuesday, July 18 – tickets are now available for purchase.
England-based supporters will start planning their summer fixture. On that note, fans can be updated on how they can purchase tickets for the football festival in Washington.
After Arsenal’s participation in the year-round fixture against the MLS All-Star side was confirmed, news has come out that the tickets for the matchup will start selling to the public on Tuesday, March 28 (10 am EST/2 pm GMT).
Fans who wish to buy tickets for the MLS All-Stars VS Arsenal Washington-bound event, can do that at MLSsoccer.com or access the presale of tickets on Ticketmaster.
Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly offered in-from Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford a huge £400,000-a-week contract to ditch Old Trafford for Parc des Princes this summer amid uncertainty over his future in England.
The England man has just one year left on his deal with United. He has opened talks with the Premier League side, but talks between both sides have reportedly stalled recently.
According to The Athletic, there is little progress in discussions between Rashford’s entourage and Man United, with the striker reportedly waiting to find out if the club will be sold to new owners.
As a result, PSG are lurking around, looking to pounce should both sides fail to reach an agreement soon.
The French giants have maintained a keen interest in the 25-year-old since last summer and are willing to match his rising profile with a good monetary offer.
Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi even admitted during the World Cup that the Ligue 1 giants have previously spoken with representatives of the “really amazing” United star.
And now it is reported that PSG had an offer worth more than £400,000-a-week on the table for Rashford at one stage. However, they were unable to tempt the England ace to France.
But if the uncertainty surrounding Rashford’s contract at Old Trafford persists, they will certainly return to try again. So United need to move quickly and decisively if they are to keep a home-grown talent on their books.
Manchester City reportedly want to add out-of-favour midfielder Kalvin Phillips in the deal to bring Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães to the Etihad.
According to the Mirror, the Cityzens are keen on the Newcastle United star and will do everything possible to land him this summer. That includes adding Kalvin Phillips to the deal, hoping Newcastle will soften their stance on selling the player.
Guimarães joined the Magpies in January 2022 from French side Lyon for a reported €42.10 million deal. He has become a key member of Eddie Howe’s side and has made 28 appearances this season. He has contributed to seven goals in all competitions this season (four goals and three assists) and is seen as a long-term fixture in the Newcastle midfield.
As such, the Tyneside club have slapped an €80m price tag on the 25-year-old, who still has at least three years in his contract at St. James Park. They do not want to sell him any time soon.
However, Manchester City do not mind bidding for the player and are looking to include out-of-favour midfielder Phillips in a deal for the Newcastle United star. Phillips joined the Etihad side last summer from Leeds United. But he has not enjoyed his time at City, with a lack of fitness and form restricting him to just 345 minutes of competitive action this season.
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scored his 40th goal of the season in the first period of a home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, to become the first player in NHL history to achieve 13 40-goal seasons in his career.
Ovechkin was previously tied with Wayne Gretzky for 12 40-goal campaigns and before the game, there was a 20-minute on-ice ceremony in his honour, for passing Gordie Howie for second position on the all-time NHL goals list on December 23rd.
He skated in down on the right side and sent a shot to the far post. His teammate Dylan Strome originally got credit for this game, after his stick seemed to direct the puck into the net, but after a review, it was discovered that it was the Blue Jackets Nick Blankenburg’s stick instead. Ovechkin received an official scoring change which gave him the marker.
But, Columbus stole the show with an impressive 7-6 overtime win over the Capitals.
Jack Roslovic exploited T.J. Oshie’s turnover to score his second goal of the night 2:34 into overtime, giving the Blue Jackets (22-41-7, 51 points) the win in a game they trailed 3-0 and 5-3.
credit: dailymail.co.ukcredit: dailymail.co.uk
With this goal, Alex Ovechkin passed Wayne Gretzky for the most 40-goal seasons in NHL history with 13!!#GR802pic.twitter.com/IUyu0QRhpA
Karl-Anthony Towns was confirmed to return Wednesday night for the Minnesota Timberwolves after sitting out 51 games following a right calf strain.
The three-time All-Star has been absent since November 28. He was averaging 20.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 21 games before the injury.
“Expectations are that he just kind of settles into the flow of the game, not try to do too much at this point in time,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said before Minnesota hosted the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. “Most importantly, knock the rust off. Certainly want him to be himself but not at the expense of what we’re trying to do out there. And I think that’s pretty easy ask for him.”
Finch did say Towns will face limitations, but there were no specifics. He had an update on Anthony Edwards too, who was listed as questionable after missing two games due to a right ankle sprain.
ESPN Sources: After missing 51 games with a calf injury, Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns plans to make his return vs. the Atlanta Hawks tonight. Towns has been out since Nov. 28, and comes back with Minnesota ninth in the Western Conference playoff race.
After missing 51 straight games with a Grade 3 calf strain, Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns will return tonight vs. Atlanta Hawks barring setback in pregame, sources tell @TheAthletic@Stadium. Nine games remaining as T'Wolves battle for playoff positioning. pic.twitter.com/t7rxbqJ5ww
The Minnesota Timberwolves were 10-11 when Karl-Anthony Towns had his injury and did well since he had been out, going 26-26 that period. But, they have been 20-16 since the beginning of 2023, but have faltered lately, going 2-3 in their past five games.
Minnesota is No.9 in the West, trailing the Oklahoma City Thunders (36-36) and Dallas Mavericks (36-36) by ½ game for the No.7 and 8 seeds, respectively, and are one game behind the Golden State Warriors (37-36) for the No.6 seed.
Towns, after playing 82 games in his first three seasons in the NBA, lost a significant time to injuries and illnesses since then. The Wolves big man is a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, winning Kia Rookie of the Year honours in 2016.
Foster Moreau, a free-agent tight end on Wednesday announced that he has Hodgkin lymphoma and will be stepping away from football as a result.
He tweeted that he discovered he had cancer after a physical with the New Orleans Saints.
“Through somewhat of a miraculous process, this free agency period has been life-changing for me,” Moreau wrote. “During a routine physical conducted by the Saints’ medical team down in New Orleans, I’ve come to learn that I have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and will be stepping away from football …
at this time to fight a new opponent: Cancer. I’m grateful for the support and thankful for people who have stood firm with me.
There hasn’t been a single step I’ve taken without hundreds of people lighting the path before me, and I will continue to seek their guidance.
“That being said, I’ll go kick this thing’s ass and get back to doing what I love! AMDG!”
Also known as Hodgkin’s disease, Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that attacks the lymphatic system – part of the body’s germ-fighting immune system – as defined by the Mayo Clinic. White blood cells, called lymphocytes, grow out of control to cause swollen lymph nodes and growth throughout the body.
The American Cancer Society says the five-year “relative survival rate for all patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma is now about 89%.” But, cancer’s stage and the person’s age impact those rates.
Foster Moreau was a fourth-round selection of the Las Vegas Raiders picked in the 2019 NFL Draft. He played for four seasons with the Raiders organization, garnering 91 receptions for 1,107 yards and 12 touchdowns in that time. Accompanied by a career-high of 33 catches and 420 yards in 2022, Moreau joined the free-agent market this offseason.
Shohei Ohtani has not been called to close out a game for the last seven years. His manager Hideki Kuriyama felt the same way as he called the shots in the World Baseball Classic. Back then, the situation at hand was crucial too – Japan needed to win to advance to the 2016 Japan Series – with Ohtani brought in to face the remaining three Softbank Hawks batters after DH-ing all game.
After seven years, Ohtani was called forth again on Tuesday, this time to take on the title of world’s best. As always, he stepped up to the challenge to close out the game for his motherland, leading Japan to a 3-2 victory, earning the World Baseball Classic crown.
The pitcher closed the game in a remarkable manner, striking out his Angels teammate and powerhouse Mike Trout swinging on a 3-2 pitch.
Shohei delivered the way a global two-way star would. He helped Samurai Japan accept its latest star, as Lars Nootbaar became the first non-Japanese-born player to join the team.
“All you got to do is be born being able to throw at 100 mph and hit the ball 500 feet,” Nootbaar joked after the game. “There’s really not that much going into it. But, no, he’s exceeded all of my expectations. He’s able to do stuff that I can’t even dream of doing.”
He controlled the plate, hitting .435 and drawing a truly absurd 10 walks. He hit a home run and run infield singles, extra-base hits, and stole bases too.
Ohtani recreated the same magic on the mound, too. Starting two games, he struck out 11-batters and when the Baseball clash anticipated by every fan Ohtani VS Trout happened, he was not fazed.
The title of the World’s MVP has never been in more deserving hands.
“What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90 per cent of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” Mark DeRosa USA manager said. “He is a unicorn to the sport. I think other guys will try it, but I don’t think they’re going to do it to his level.”
When Kyle Schwarber faced Yu Darvish in the top of the eight to cut Japan’s lead to one, the game was set. Trout would bat in the ninth. Ohtani who ran to the bullpen and then back to the dugout to bat – legging out on an infield single, natch before going back to the bullpen again, had to pitch.
“When I was in Japan, of course, I didn’t run to the bullpen, but I do have the experience doing that,” Ohtani said, downplaying his remarkable achievement. “So, to go from the dugout and the bullpen and back and forth is not difficult for me.”
Jeff McNeil battled before drawing a walk, receiving cheers from USA fans.
Mookie Betts, MVP Award-winner, grounded into a double play. And the crowd got wilder.
Then, big dog Trout stepped onto the plate. He breathed deeply before stepping in, maybe stopping to slow his heart rate. It did not matter, the game had ended.
“What blows me away on this stage is the fact that no moment’s too big for him,” DeRosa said. “He did not seem rattled by walking Jeff McNeil on a close pitch, not rattled that three MVPs were coming up to bat.”
Before the big moment, Ohtani gave a speech to motivate his teammates, telling them that they could defeat the USA and that there was nothing to be afraid of from the lineup and pitching staff featuring star Major League ballplayers.
“Just looking at the lineup of the great players made us feel like — how do I say that? – obviously, we had respect, but at the same time, it looked like we might get beaten,” Ohtani said about how the clubhouse felt. “So, [I told them to] just forget about those kinds of feelings. We’re even. We have to just beat ’em.”
“… In my baseball life, [winning the World Baseball Classic was] one of the things that I wanted to achieve,” Ohtani said. “Today I was able to achieve one of the goals. Of course, I happened to to get the MVP, but this really proves that Japanese baseball can beat any team in the world.”
The MVP Award was not the only honour announced after the intriguing close to the tournament. People who made the All-World Baseball Classic Team were announced too.
Trea Turner (USA) and Randy Arozarena (Mexico) were voted unanimously to the All-World Baseball Classic team. Turner tied a record with five home runs in one Classic, slashing .391/.440/1.043 overall with 11 RBIs. Arozarena matched a WBC record for doubles, with six, and hit .450/.607/.900 in six games.
Masataka Yoshida custodian of Japan’s powerful offense, set a new single-tournament record with 13 RBIs, slashing .409/.531/.727 total with a double and two home runs. Puerto Rico’s Javier Báez made the All-Tournament Team for the second time in his career, including in 2017, after hitting .368 (7-for-19) with three doubles, a home run, and six RBIs.
This is the complete 2023 All-World Baseball Classic team:
C: Salvador Perez (Venezuela)
1B: Yu Chang (Chinese Taipei)
2B: Javier Báez (Puerto Rico)
3B: Yoán Moncada (Cuba)
SS: Trea Turner (USA)
OF: Randy Arozarena (Mexico), Masataka Yoshida (Japan), and Mike Trout (USA)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (Japan)
P: Shohei Ohtani (Japan), Patrick Sandoval (Mexico), Miguel Romero (Cuba)
