Christmas is nearly here, and so are the NFL playoffs. You’ll often find juiced prices on teams that “want it more” at this time of year, but I think there are some postseason hopefuls being dangled at playable odds.
I’m mixing a fairly low-risk moneyline parlay with a more aggressive same-game parlay as I look to secure a winning holiday weekend in Week 16, so please join me as I discuss the NFL odds and share my free NFL picks for Sunday, December 24.
Chelsea have appointed Antonio Conte as their new head coach to replace Guus Hiddink at Stamford Bridge from the start of next season.
The Premier League champions have long been linked with a move for the Italy head coach and he has now signed a three-year deal which will see him join them after Euro 2016.
Chelsea had been in the market for a new permanent boss since the sacking of Jose Mourinho last December.
They appointed Hiddink as interim coach until the end of 2015-16 and had since been linked with Massimiliano Allegri, Diego Simeone and Conte as permanent options before eventually landing the latter.
Speaking about his appointment, Conte told Chelsea s official website: I am very excited about the prospect of working at Chelsea Football Club. I am…
Marouane Fellaini is yet to agree a new contract with Manchester United, according to the Mail Online.
The Red Devils are keen to keep hold of the Belgium international and have placed a fresh deal on the table though terms haven’t been agreed.
His current contract is set expire at the end of this season by which time the midfielder will have turned thirty and the club have a policy of offering players of that age one year rolling deals though Fellaini is likely to want a longer stay.
He is currently being watched by a number of clubs across Europe and can open talks with foreign outfits from January.
The twenty-nine year old followed David Moyes to Old Trafford from Everton in the summer of 2013 and regularly featured under the Scotsman while Lou…
Isco s perfect free-kick paved the way for Real Madrid to start their latest Champions League defence with a 3-0 home win against Roma, with Gareth Bale and Mariano Diaz also on target.
Madrid are aiming to win the tournament for the fourth year in a row and Julen Lopetegui s side cruised to a comfortable Group G victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Isco took set-piece duties following the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus, and on the same night his former team-mate was sent off against Valencia, the Spain international whipped in a superb strike from 25 yards just before the break.
And Bale, scorer of a brace in Madrid s defeat of Liverpool in last season s final, made sure of the points with a placed finish after racing through on goal from Luk…
Manchester United boss Manchester United was in stands for Serbia’s historic UEFA Nations League triumph over Montenegro in Podgorica on Thursday night.
Serbia and Montenegro locked horns in a game that marked the first encounter between the two countries that appeared as a single team at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Visitors grabbed a 2-0 victory thanks to a brace from Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic who extended his fine run of form by scoring his ninth goal of the season, four of which came for his country in two Nation League wins.
Mourinho’s Scouting Mission
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was a surprise guest at the UEFA Nations League match in Podgorica last night but the Portuguese flew over to visit his friend and former Yugoslav legen…
Didier Deschamps has labelled Benjamin Pavard a new star as the defender s profile soars in the afterglow of France s triumphant World Cup campaign.
Pavard, 22, exceeded expectations to start all but one match in Russia as Les Bleus were crowned champions for the second time.
The Stuttgart defender, whose stunning strike in the last-16 win over Argentina was voted goal of the tournament, is now reportedly the target of interest from top clubs in England and Germany.
Bayern Munich and Tottenham have both been strongly linked with the former Lille man and Deschamps says the recognition is richly deserved.
Despite their former status and some inexperience at this level, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas [Hernandez] were brilliant and stabilised the defence, the Fra…
Argentina s World Cup celebrations were vulgar and evidence of them being inelegant winners , according to French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera.
It was confirmed on Thursday that French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet wrote to his Argentinian counterpart, Claudio Tapia, to complain about the abnormal and shocking taunts towards Kylian Mbappe.
Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties following an enthralling 3-3 draw after extra time in Sunday s World Cup final, sparking elaborate celebrations over the coming days in Buenos Aires.
Millions took to the streets of Argentina s capital, with Tuesday s victory parade ultimately cut short due to the huge crowds causing the team s bus to be held up.
During the celebrations, Argentina goalke…
Jose Mourinho has been appointed as Tottenham s new head coach, returning to the Premier League in place of the sacked Mauricio Pochettino.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss will be tasked with turning around Spurs fortunes in the Premier League, as they lie a concerning 14th heading into the weekend.
However, as well as those short-term issues, it appears Mourinho is keen to ensure Tottenham continue to bring players through from their academy following in the footsteps of Harry Kane and Harry Winks.
The quality in both the squad and the academy excites me, Mourinho said on Wednesday. Working with these players is what has attracted me.
The Portuguese has been criticised for his failure to make the most of young talents at previous clubs, b…
Jorginho has been offered a new contract by Chelsea amid speculation he is wanted by a number of clubs, according to the midfielder s agent.
The Italy international, who has been a regular for Chelsea for the past five seasons, is due to become a free agent at the end of the current campaign.
Barcelona and Juventus are reportedly eager to open talks with Jorginho in January, while Chelsea s Premier League rivals Newcastle United have also been linked with the former Napoli man.
However, Jorginho s agent Joao Santos has revealed the 31-year-old will first discuss fresh terms with Chelsea over prolonging his stay at Stamford Bridge.
His contract expires on June 30, Santos told Tuttomercato. We have a renewal proposal from Chelsea and we will give them prio…
Best odds: 8/11
Bookmaker:
The final day of the 2021-22 Premier League season is approaching, and it will be an exciting one at both ends of the table. At Anfield, Liverpool will be welcoming Wolverhampton Wanderers, and while watching their heroes in action, their supporters will surely be keeping one eye on developments at the Etihad.
Liverpool
The Merseysiders have won the Carabao and the FA Cup, both by beating Chelsea on penalties in the final, and their journey towards the fabled quadruple now depends on what happens on Sunday. As things stand ahead of the final round, they are one point behind Manchester City, and the defending champions will be hosting Aston Villa at the same time. Six days later, Liverpool will be facing Real Madrid in the final of the…
Xabi Alonso has held no discussions with Napoli and will remain at Real Madrid, according to his agent.
The Spain international midfielder penned a new two-year deal at the Santiago Bernabeu in January.
However, that has not prevented rumours surfacing that Alonso could once more link up with Rafael Benitez, who was his manager at former club Liverpool.
There were suggestions in the Italian media that Benitez s Napoli may look to take advantage of Real signing Toni Kroos by tabling an offer for Alonso.
But that scenario looks unlikely after Alonso s representative, Inaki Ibanez, stated his client will stay in the Spanish capital.
I want to deny rumours that there has been any contact with Napoli, he told Europa Calcio.
They have never be…