Guardian writers’ predicted position: 13th (NB: this is not necessarily Ben Fisher’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)
Last season’s position: 14th
Prospects
Wolves sold their captain as well as their best player this summer but rather than getting the excuses in early there is a determination to kick on, after their hopes of a European berth faded badly last season, winning one of their final 11 matches after injuries and fatigue exposed a thin squad. After Pedro Neto’s £54m move to Chelsea was confirmed, Wolves’s sporting director, Matt Hobbs, suggested it was the “right deal at the right time” and the same could be argued for Max Kilman, f…
West Ham captain Mark Noble has had his contract extended until 2021.
Noble and the club have activated an option in his deal to further his stay with the Hammers, with whom he has spent his entire career.
The 31-year-old joined West Ham s academy in 2000 and has made 446 competitive appearances for the club since turning pro in 2004.
Speaking to West Ham s official website, Noble said: It was an option in my contract that I signed a few years ago now, and it s an extra year, which is fantastic for me and my family.
The Club are delighted to announce that we have taken up the option to extend Mark Noble’s contract to 2021.
There’s only one
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd)
I ve been at this club all my life I ve al…
The 2012-13 A-League season will feature a fully revamped finals series, while there will be football on Good Friday for the first time.
Football Federation Australia has opted to alter the structure of the finals series, shortening the playoff part of the campaign by a week.
It will now become a straight knockout cup style format with the first- and second-placed teams given a week off, while third plays sixth and fourth plays fifth.
The top team will then host the lowest-ranked winner from Week 1, while team two will face the highest-ranked winner from the elimination finals.
The highest-ranked winner of the semi-finals will go on to host the A-League Grand Final.
It was clear from the feedback from fans, media, broadcasters and clubs that the…
While Liverpool might have been looking to open the 2022/23 Premier League campaign with a statement on the road, Jurgen Klopp s side eventually had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Fulham.
Missing out on defending their domestic crown by a single point last season, the Reds had to come from behind twice against the top-flight returners on Saturday lunchtime.
Although the attacking duo of Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah might have both got themselves on the scoresheet at Craven Cottage, Liverpool will feel like they missed out on a golden chance here.
With Aleksandar Mitrović finding the net on either side of the half-time break, few would have expected such a rugged display from the Cottagers.
In a showdown between two sides who are expected to be battl…
To paraphrase the apocryphal question asked of Abraham Lincoln s widow, Aside than that, Mr Laporta, how was the lunch?
When Lionel Messi jetted into El-Prat last Wednesday, it was to complete the formalities of a long-awaited contract extension that would commit him to the club of his life for the rest of his career.
At least, that s what the six-time Ballon d Or winner and pretty much everyone else thought until he sat down for lunch with club president Joan Laporta on Thursday. After that, all hell broke loose.
We had everything agreed but, at the last minute, it couldn t happen, he said at his tearful Sunday news conference, with the rampaging shambles of Barca s financial, internal and political affairs having put paid to the best laid plans.
Mes…
Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm says that winning the FIFA Club World Cup was the perfect way to end an unbelievable 2013.
Currently enjoying the Bundesliga s mid-season break, Lahm reflected on an exhausting 2013 that saw Bayern win a staggering five trophies.
The Bundesliga title set them going the Bavarian giants winning the title by a staggering 25 points from Borussia Dortmund before they lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy for the fifth time in their history.
Success in the DFB-Pokal, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup has followed, and Lahm says victory against Raja Casablanca in Marrakech earlier this month topped off a stunning year for the club.
It s been very, very good to have some time off, Lahm told Bayern s official website.
It s been i…
Sam Darnold gets a second chance to make a first impression with the Carolina Panthers this season.
Cast out of New York, the former Jets QB is worth a squeeze to see if three seasons worth of woe was on him — or due to a terrible team and piss-poor coaching.
Quality coaching won’t be an issue in Carolina with Matt Rhule and Joe Brady on the sidelines. That tandem navigated a rough 2020 and seems ahead of schedule in rebuilding the franchise. Will it be a giant leap, baby steps, or a stumble backwards for Carolina bettors in 2021?
Check out our 2021 Carolina Panthers NFL betting preview.
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We were blessed with some extra football earlier on in the week, with the Thanksgiving slate delivering three games to start Week 12.
The Buffalo Bills bounced back in a big way, and the Detroit Lions’ struggles continued after suffering another heartbreaking loss keeping them out of the win column.
With a lot of small spreads, we look to be in another tricky week of NFL wagering. Here’s a look at my favorite NFL parlay picks for Week 12.
…
A rematch of Super Bowl LV closes out a busy Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in NFL Week 4.
It’s been a wild week in Tampa Bay after Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Florida and threatened to move this game to Minnesota. However, Sunday Night Football stays in the pirate ship, where the Buccaneers are short home underdogs in primetime.
Tom Brady and this Tampa Bay attack have been hampered by injuries since training camp but are starting to get bodies back, namely at receiver. That extra offense shows up just in time for this run-in with Kansas City, which could easily be undefeated if not for some gaffes against Indianapolis last Sunday.
I break down the spread and total for Sunday Night Football and give my bes…
The Green Bay Packers snuck out a win in Week 3, scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter after falling down 17-0. Jordan Love continues to impress despite the Packers flaunting one of the league’s most inexperienced receiving corps.
Tongight they host the Detroit Lions, who bounced back with a 20-6 win in Week 3 behind a commanding performance from Jared Goff (243 passing yards and a touchdown through the air and on the ground) and fantastic efforts from Amon-Ra St. Brown (nine receptions for 102 yards) and Sam LaPorta (eight for 84 and a touchdown).
Let’s break down the TNF odds and try to figure out who will step up for each side in this Thursday Night Football showdown. If you want full-game side and total predictions check out our Lions vs. Packers p…