Bitesize Prediction: Penafiel vs Academico Viseu – 31/12/22

Competition: Liga Portugal 2

Market: Academico Viseu double chance

Odds: 1/2 @ 888sport

Looking to extend on their recent purple patch on New Year’s Eve, Academico Viseu will make the trip to Penafiel on Saturday morning.

Starting with the hosts, although Penafiel might find themselves holding a commanding eight-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, they are in the midst of what has been an extended struggle. While Filo’s side might have been last seen on December 17th claiming a 1-1 draw away at Estrela, the Reds have managed to muster just a single win from any of their last nine straight contests across all formats. With that run stemming all the way back to October 8th, the former Feirense boss has also seen his downbeat squad gain a reputation for their rather glaring issues on home soil. Last seen in front of their own supporters getting hit with

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Bitesize Prediction: Wigan vs Sunderland – 29/12/22

Competition: Championship

Market: Sunderland double chance

Odds: 8/15 @ 888sport

Looking to make it back-to-back Championship wins on Thursday night and spring an upset on the road, Sunderland will make the trip to Wigan.

Starting with the hosts, while Wigan might have made their Ligue 1 return last season, the Latics have really struggled to find much stability this time around. Opening Thursday’s fixtures sat three points adrift of safety and tipped as a leading relegation pick, new boss Kolo Toure knows that he has quite the job on his hands. Last seen on Boxing Day when putting in a nightmare display as they were hit with a 4-1 drumming away at Middlesbrough, fans around the DW Stadium should be bracing themselves for what could be another tough test here. Despite claiming a much-needed 2-1 win against fellow strugglers Blackpool prior to the World Cup break, it appears that was

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Bitesize Prediction: Auxerre vs Monaco – 28/12/22

Competition: Ligue 1

Market: Monaco win

Odds: 19/20 @ 888sport

Marking their return from the World Cup’s festive break on Wednesday afternoon, Monaco will make the trip to Auxerre.

Starting with the hosts, while Auxerre might have made their Ligue 1 return over the summer, it appears that Christophe Pelissier’s side are one of the leading relegation scrappers this time around. Last seen on top-flight duties when heading into the World Cup break with a 5-0 drumming away at defending champions PSG, the Whites open up Wednesday’s fixtures sat in the bottom-three. Claiming just a single victory from any of their previous 11 Ligue 1 outings – a run that stems all the way back to August 27th – Auxerre could face a tricky test in midweek. Likewise, it should also be highlighted, Pelissier’s men have picked up just a sole win from any of their last five showdowns on

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Bitesize Prediction: Leyton Orient vs Stevenage – 27/12/22

Competition: League Two

Market: Over 1.5 goals

Odds: 4/9 @ 888sport

Two sides who find themselves battling it out at the top of the League Two table, Leyton Orient will welcome Stevenage to Brisbane Road.

Starting with the hosts, last seen on December 17th putting in another eye-catching display as they picked up a 2-0 victory at home against Sutton, Leyton Orient have only continued on a remarkable purple patch this season. Opening up Tuesday’s fixtures holding a commanding seven-point buffer at the top of the table and skyrocketing towards a League One return in 2023, Richie Wellens’ men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Looking to lay down another marker in midweek, the one-time Salford boss has now seen his side win each of their last four straight outings. With that run highlighted by a 3-0 romp against Bradford earlier in the month, Orient have

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Bitesize Prediction: Rotherham vs Stoke – 26/12/22

Competition: Championship

Market: Stoke draw no bet

Odds: 8/13 @ 888sport

Hoping to try and find a route into the top-half of the Championship table on Boxing Day, Stoke will make the trip to a struggling Rotherham.

Starting with the hosts, although Rotherham might open Boxing Day still sat outside the drop zone, it appears that the Millers are destined to be at the heart of another bottom-three scrap in 2023. Marking their return from the World Cup break with a pair of woeful displays, Matt Taylor’s men will firmly be looking over their shoulder. Now coming off the back of back-to-back 3-0 and 3-1 drummings at the hands of West Brom and Bristol City, the Yorkshire-based outfit have picked up just a single win from any of their last nine Championship outings. With that nightmare spell stemming all the way back to October 18th, Rotherham have also gained a

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Bitesize Prediction: Dumbarton vs East Fife – 24/12/22

Competition: Scottish League Two

Market: Dumbarton win

Odds: 19/20 @ 888sport

Looking to extend their buffer at the top of the League Two table and pick up a Christmas Eve boost, Dumbarton will host East Fife on Saturday lunchtime.

Starting with the hosts, left disappointed last time out on December 3rd as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw away at relegation scrappers Bonnyrigg Rose, Dumbarton will be seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, with the mood in their camp likely to still be at a real high, Stephen Farrell’s men find themselves tipped as the leading promotion contender this season. Opening this weekend’s fixtures sat holding a four-point buffer at the top of the table, the Sons are also enjoying a hugely impressive seven-match unbeaten run across all formats – a run that stems all the way back to October 8th. With that purple patch underlined by a

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Prediction: Rio Ave vs Maritimo

Verdict: Rio Ave win

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to mark their return to Primeira Liga duties with a flurry on home soil, Rio Ave will welcome Maritimo to the Estadio dos Arcos on Friday night.

Rio Ave

Starting with the hosts, last seen on December 13th when picking up another League Cup victory thanks to a 2-1 win at home against Farense, Luís Freire’s side should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Relishing their return to action on Friday night with their sights set on trying to make up some ground in the European hunt, the top-flight returners have continued to gain plenty of praise from across Portugal. Heading into the World Cup’s enforced winter break with a gritty 1-0 victory away at Arouca on November 12th, the former Nacional boss will be calling on his side to mark their return to action with

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Bitesize Prediction: Perth Glory vs Wellington Phoenix – 23/12/22

Competition: A-League

Market: Wellington Phoenix double chance

Odds: 8/15 @ 888sport

Looking to make it back-to-back A-League victories on Friday morning, Wellington will make the trip to a struggling Perth when this weekend’s fixtures get underway.

Starting with the hosts, while Perth might have finally managed to pick up a much-needed boost against Western United on December 10th, it appears that was nothing more than a minor positive note for the A-League strugglers. Making an immediate return to losing ways last weekend as they were hit with a toothless 1-0 loss away at Macarthur, Ruben Zadkovich’s men are at the heart of another nightmare domestic campaign. Lifting the wooden spoon last season and once again sat rock-bottom of the A-League standings this time around, the Purples have taken just six points from their opening eight top-flight showdowns. With their extended issues highlighted by a 4-0 drumming at the hands of

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Bitesize Prediction: Charlton vs Brighton – 21/12/22

Competition: EFL Cup

Market: Brighton win

Odds: 4/11 @ 888sport

Looking to extend on their EFL Cup adventure on Wednesday night, Brighton will make the trip to a struggling Charlton.

Starting with the hosts, suffering another collapse on home soil over the weekend as they were eventually hit with a 2-1 loss at home against Bristol Rovers, Charlton find themselves at the heart of what has become a real nightmare. While the one-time Premier League outfit might have been dreaming of mounting a genuine play-off charge this season, many in their camp are now firmly looking over their shoulder at the drop zone. Coming under real scrutiny on December 7th as they came crashing out of the FA Cup following a 3-1 drumming away at League Two outfit Stockport, the Addicks are without a win from any of their last seven contests across all formats. With that woeful run of

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Rumour Has It: Chelsea, Real Madrid and Man City prepare bids for Croatia talent Josko Gvardiol

Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City are reportedly the three leading candidates to land prized RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol after his excellent World Cup for Croatia.

Gvardiol, 20, has emerged as one of the top young centre-backs in the world after breaking into Leipzig’s starting XI last season, and with 19 senior caps for Croatia under his belt already, he is well established on the international stage.

Having been signed from Dinamo Zagreb for €16million in 2020, that deal has proven to be a bargain, but it remains to be seen if Leipzig feel it is good business to part ways with their young star with four more years remaining on his contract.

TOP STORY – EUROPE’S TOP CLUBS CIRCLE CROATIA’S ROCK IN DEFENSE

Gvardiol may feel his future does not lie in Leipzig, but with his contract tying him to the club until 2027, he has no leverage

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