For Athletic Bilbao, the next few games offer an opportunity for them to make history. They have never been able to claim a major European title but when you take one look at their current squad, it isn’t at all surprising to see them in this position. They have momentum, they have confidence, and they look like a team that will mow down anyone in their path right now.

Then, there’s Manchester United. From the perspective of their Premier League campaign, things have gone pretty dreadfully. They’ve only just been mathematically confirmed as safe from relegation, and we’re closer to May than we are April. Given the stature of this once great club, that’s pretty horrendous – but their shining light is they’re still just about hanging around in Europe.

Their aggregate win over Lyon was one of the most incredible European performances we’ve ever seen, and it’ll rightly go down in the history books. Now, though, the Red Devils have an even bigger obstacle to overcome. Whether or not they’re capable of that remains to be seen, but this is quite literally the last thing they have left to play for before we hit the summer.

Bilbao look set to play Champions League football regardless next season, but that isn’t really the point. The point is that this trophy would mean more to this football club and its fans than most. They are the shining light of the Basque Country, and this is quite the journey they find themselves on.

Bilbao are quite a methodical team, as they proved in the last round against Rangers. They seem to have a more structured approach to the game throughout the core of their squad but when it comes to United, it’s so, so easy to get dragged into an all-out brawl – and a slugfest is precisely the kind of thing we’re expecting to see in this game.

Bilbao and United are going to trade blows and although there’s a whole second leg to come, we don’t think either of them are going to be thinking too much about that. Instead, they’re going to focus their attention on trying to get the win on the night, with the home fans being the ones to carry Bilbao through to victory.

It’ll be a narrow lead to take back to Old Trafford but at the very least, it should set us up for something special in Manchester.

Official prediction: Athletic Bilbao 3-2 Manchester United

From incredible, breathless games to a level of unpredictability we haven’t seen in years, there’s something about Tottenham vs Bournemouth that is absolutely screaming out to us. Sure, there’s a chance it may not live up to the hype we’re creating, but it just feels like one of those games where everything is going to mesh together perfectly to make for a classic.

Tottenham, unsurprisingly, will be pretty disappointed with how the season is going. Their only real hope for a trophy now lies in the Europa League and while their draw is favourable, there’s certainly a long way to go before they can even start to realistically dream about lifting it above their heads.

As for Bournemouth, they are absolutely soaring right now. All of a sudden, they look like a team that could legitimately qualify for Europe next season – and if you’d have asked even their most optimistic fans about their chances at the start of August, we can’t imagine many of them would’ve taken that idea too seriously.

Outside of the time spent playing your aviator game, we’d say one of the best ways you can hope to have some fun would be by making a lot of money on a game like this. How do you do that, you ask? Well, in our view, you back the idea that both teams are going to score, and that they’re going to do it more than once.

Spurs are frenetic when they push forward and that’s the way Ange Postecoglou likes to set his teams up. He wants them to possess the kind of intensity that’s going to strike fear into the hearts of any team that comes their way, and against the Cherries, there is no reason whatsoever to believe he won’t go for it once again.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, have seen Spurs concede plenty of goals throughout the course of the season, and they’ll firmly believe that they can hit them where it hurts. We think that even if they go behind (which we don’t think they will), they’ll be able to battle their way back into it. If they do go ahead, as we expect, it’ll all come down to keeping a level head and maintaining their structure.

Alas, we quite like the idea of this one transforming into a complete and utter shootout. It’s not going to be good for the heart rate of those fans involved but for the neutrals, we predict that they’re going to see a four-goal slugfest that will live long in the memory.

Official prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Bournemouth

United, who return to the competition having most recently suffered a devastating 3-0 loss to serial winners, Sevilla away from home two seasons ago, look to finally add European silverware to a trophy cabinet which has been empty of such since 2017. 

Man United sizeable betting favorites to beat FC Twente tonight

And ahead of tonight’s Old Trafford opener against the Dutch side, United are closing as impressive -800 betting favorites to beat FC Twente – to kick off their UEFA Europa League campaign, with all your information for soccer odds for future games available at the link provided. 

Held to a nil-all draw at Selhurst Park on Sunday evening, Man United failed to convert some key chances from Matthijs de Ligt, as well as Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes seeing guilt edge chances hit the bar. 

However, looking to kick on and spur home a positive result tonight against FC Twente, United welcomed back Danish striker, Rasmus Hojlund into the fold in their most recent Premier League outing, with Uruguayan midfielder, Manuel Ugarte also expected to feature tonight.

Set to rekindle his love affair with former Eredivisie champions, FC Twente tonight, finished his playing career with the side back in 2002, contributing an impressive 162 appearances for the side.

And clearly holding the Dutch side in his heart, former captain, ten Hag claimed he will be difficult to “hurt” his former side as he guides Man United into UEFA Europa League action tonight. 

“FC Twente has brought me a lot,” Erik ten Hag told assembled media during his availability on Tuesday. “I was put through their academy. I was part of the generation of the first youth team when the youth competition was started up again after many years, so for me there is a great deal of history there.”

“I would have preferred to play against someone else,” ten Hag explained. “It is not nice to have to hurt something you love.”

And set to debut in their new league format for the UEFA Europa League this season, following tonight’s pairing with FC Twente, United hit the road and fly to Portugal to take on FC Porto – a familiar foe from UEFA Champions League competition over the years to boot. 

After that outing, Man United head to Turkey to take on Fenerbache, currently led by Jose Mourinho – the last coach to guide the Old Trafford side to a European cup win, before matchups with PAOK, Bodo/Glimt, and a trip to take on Viktoria Plzen before Christmas. 

In last season’s UEFA Champions League outing for Man United, it proved one to forget in a big hurry – with the side finishing bottom of their tough group, which included both Bayern Munich and FC Copenhagen, losing 4 matches from their 6 outings, despite enjoying a free-scoring run in most outings. 

Madrid, who landed their jaw-dropping fifteenth European Cup win last season with a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund, seemed to give the oddsmakers reason for their short prices overnight at home, with goals from Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, and Brazilian talent, Endrick enough to see off Bundesliga side, Stuttgart.

And with the win, despite Man City’s current status as -275 betting favorites to win the UEFA Champions League, fans of betting online can still get good odds on Real Madrid to go back-to-back – with the Spanish side currently placed as second favorites with odds of +350.

Real Madrid emerge as betting hot shots for European Cup win

Besting Pep Guardiola’s side over two legs with a penalty shootout last season culminating at the Etihad, Real Madrid would knock out the treble-winning holders, before narrowly edging past Bayern Munich en route to a final win over the above-mentioned, Dortmund. 

As for third betting favorites, Arsenal, the London club kick off their UEFA Champions League assault tomorrow night against Italian side, Atalanta – fresh from a UEFA Europa League triumph – in a bid to land their first European Cup in the clubs history.

One side backed with an outside chance of +1,200 come as competition regulars and serial winners, Liverpool – who backed by Arne Slot rose from an early deficit against AC Milan to win 1-3 at the San Siro courtesy of goals from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Dominik Szobozslai enough for the win. 

Seeming to have outsiders, FC Barcelona purring in La Liga competition, German head coach, Hansi Flick has so far led the Catalan side to victories in each of their domestic outings so far this campaign.

And despite riding a current +1,200 betting line in line with Liverpool, the Spanish side travel to former competition finalists, AS Monaco in France tomorrow night for their new league format debut in the competitions. 

At once placed as sizeable betting favorites in the past to land themselves a UEFA Champions League win, recent finalists, Paris Saint Germain are currently drawing odds of +2,200 ahead of their competition return tonight against high-flying La Liga side, Girona. 

One particular reason for their dwindling status amongst UEFA Champions League frontrunners comes in the form of their loss of French forward, Kylian Mbappe, who split the Parisian side earlier this summer in a high-profile move to Real Madrid. 

As for Bayern Munich, despite missing out of Bundesliga success to first-time winners, Bayer Leverkusen, the Bavarian club are boasting odds of +1,000 to win the UEFA Champions League this season – following their exit against Real Madrid last time out.

Currently topping the Bundesliga with three wins from three matches, Vincent Kompany’s side turned in a monumental 9-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb overnight in their European Cup opener, with Harry Kane netting four goals to surpass countryman, Wayne Rooney as the most prolific English forward in the tournament’s history. 

Man United, who managed to strike the league cup as the first piece of silverware under the tenure of Dutch head coach, ten Hag, started impressively at Old Trafford overnight, with an early strike from Marcus Rashford. 

Soon thereafter, Man United would add a second and third before half time with Antony converting a penalty, and Alejandro Garnacho scoring before the break.

Just moments into the second half, Garnacho and Rashford would complete the rout – with Danish midfielder, Christian Eriksen adding a sixth and seventh with a late brace.

Man United enjoy 7-0 rout against Barnsley

And returning to Premier League action against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday, fans of United globally can catch all the action on the road by obtaining a VPN for Firestick – with United looking to continue in their winning run.

Last time out in Premier League action on the road, Man United managed to land a 0-3 win on at St. Mary’s against Southampton, with goals from Matthijs de Ligt, as well as the above-mentioned Rashford and Garnacho steering the tide in favor of ten Hag.

And following last night’s progression into the next round of the Carabao Cup, ten Hag praised the striking of Rashford, who ended his drought last weekend – and has now struck three times in his last two starts in all competitions.

“In my first season, he (Marcus Rashford) had a vibe, a good mood and was calm, composed and i was confident he would score,” Man United boss Erik ten Hag told Sky Sports following the win.

“I think last season for everyone was difficult but we ended up with a trophy and you can’t forget it, but by the end we hit our targets and this is what we aim for this season,” ten Hag explained. “We want to progress and go forward, just like Marcus Rashford and the whole ream was really hungry. …It was a brilliant goal from Rashford with lots of speed, he is ruthless in front of goal. The key was the shape and the right attitude, 100 percent concentration we played well, It was enjoyable to watch and we played well in defense.”

Attempting to reverse fortunes from last season’s trip to London to take on a then-streaking Palace side, United were comfortably brushed aside – with Michael Olise striking two wonderful goals before his move to Bundesliga side, Bayern Munich.

Completely a massive 4-0 route at home, further strikes from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell downed the side in one-sided nature.

Hooked off at the hour mark, the trio of Rashford, Portuguese full back Diogo Dalot and new signing, Manuel Ugarte are all expected to make the trip to Selhurst Park this weekend and feature from the beginning, as United look to continue this recent vein of free goalscoring. 

While the two games are often labeled ‘football’ in certain countries around the world, they are far from the same and clearly varied in many aspects.

But what are 7 differences between Soccer And American Football?

1. Name Of The Game

Whilst known as Soccer in the United States, worldwide the sport of ‘Football’ got its name for a very simple reason, most players using their feet to play the majority of the game.

But why does American Football carry the word ‘football’ in its name?

After all, the sport isn’t based on the foot and mostly involves throwing, catching, or carrying the ball instead. A more logical branding could be ‘throwball’ or ‘catchball’ surely? The true origin of the name is unknown but because the ball is roughly one foot in length then this seems likely.

‘Soccer’ on the other hand derives from the phrase ‘association football.’ With your newfound knowledge of American Football, why not check out the latest NFL odds while your learning about the differences between soccer and American football.

2. On The Ball

Whilst both sports are played with a single ball, the shape and use of the object are very different.

Soccer balls are simple in design, round, and perfect for kicking or rolling smoothly whereas American footballs are almost egg-shaped with giant stitches along one of their sides. They are ideal for gripping, streamlined through the air, and easier to grip than a soccer ball. 

American footballs don’t bounce across the playing surface as predictably as soccer balls and often rebound in random directions.  

3. Field Of Play

The playing area in each sport varies greatly. The standard dimensions of an NFL field are 91.4 meters long and 48.8 meters wide. The surface is marked out in ten-yard or nine-meter sections with an “end zone” line and two upright ‘rugby’ style posts at either end.

A soccer field or ‘pitch’ is designed differently. It is slightly longer than an American Football field at 105 meters and 68 meters across which is much wider and makes a big difference when it comes to football betting. The surface has two semicircles in the middle and a box placed just over seven meters in front of each goal. This area indicates where the goalkeeper is permitted to handle the ball.

4. Aims And Goals

Soccer is the more simplistic of the two games with its aims more easily explained. 

The objective is to kick the ball into the opponent’s net and score a goal. Whichever team scores the most goals wins the game and provides delight for punters involved in soccer betting.

However, American football is based around “touchdowns.” The aim is to avoid being tackled whilst carrying the ball into the opposition’s end zone and thus score. A touchdown is worth six points followed by an additional point if a player then successfully kicks through the posts.

A major difference is that soccer games are in a tie or ‘draw.’ In comparison, American football matches are generally high-scoring and whenever there is a tie, “overtime” is played with the team who scores first winning.

5. Player Management

Both Soccer and American Football involve eleven players per team featuring on the field at once. The differences lie in how players are used as part of in-game tactics.

Whereas the same eleven players play through most of a soccer match with only a handful of substitutes, American football teams continuously switch their personnel in and out of the game depending on whether they are attacking or defending.

6. League Logistics

Both sports function in a league format.

American Football’s NFL sees the same 32 teams face off against each other every single season. No matter if your team wins every game or loses regularly, they get the chance to compete with the same teams again the following campaign.

In soccer, leagues are divided into numerous divisions with the three or four teams finishing towards the bottom of each competition being relegated to the league below and the top sides promoted to the division above.

7. Fanbase

Whilst both sports are undeniably popular globally, the difference between the size of their fan bases remains vast.

The NFL has over 410 million fans worldwide and yet a large proportion of these supporters originate from within North America itself. Soccer has an estimated fandom of around 3.5 billion people with fans following a multitude of teams from every conceivable part of the world.

To further compare, the Superbowl attracts around 115 million viewers at its peak and Soccer’s World Cup Final sees audience figures of 1.5 billion people, which is one-fifth of the world’s population!

Travelling on the road to St. Mary’s over the course of the weekend, despite an early penalty scare, Man United ran out comfortable 0-3 winners against the newly-promoted side, with one of the more impressive wins since ten Hag’s arrival from Ajax.

Goals from new signing, Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford and a late came from Alejandro Garnacho saw the away side run out as impressive wins and move to number 10 in the Premier League table, snapping a two-match losing skid against Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as a 0-3 loss against Liverpool. 

Gareth Southgate favorite for Man United manager role

And amid that aforenoted skid, former England head coach, Gareth Southgate has emerged as a massive +200 betting favorite to become the next permanent Man United coach – something fans who are interested in betting on football are sure to find intriguing. 

However, with constant murmurs regarding the status of Dutch coach, ten Hag’s security at Old Trafford, the former Eredivisie winner insisted that with a Carabao Cup clash with Barnsley on the horizon tonight, his side is taking the pairing more than serious in search of a second win in the competition since his move to the side.

“I think all the leagues are important,” Erik ten Hag told during his pre-match press conference as acquired from the BBC. “In top football, at the end of the day, it is about winning trophies and hitting targets. You se some targets in the season but also longer term ones which you want to grow into, therefore you have a strategy and follow the strategy. You develop and progress the team.”

“When you win one of the five [top] leagues then you hit some targets and you have done your job well,” Erik ten Hag continued. 

Also joining the dugout this summer as part of ten Hag’s next backroom staff, former Manchester United striker and Dutch forward, Ruud van Nistelrooy has been handed the assistant manager role at Old Trafford. 

Furthermore, the Man United favorite’s status at the club in such a prominent assistant manager position, has led to more speculation that should things turn sour once more this season, the new INEOS-backed regime has a head coach in place to take the reigns already. 

And as a result, the Premier League winner is currently drawing outsider odds as the second betting favorite as high as +275 behind Gareth Southgate to replace his compatriot in a permanent facet in the Old Trafford dugout. 

Returning to Premier League action next weekend ahead of another go-round in the UEFA Europa League, Man United take to the road again – travelling to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace following a heavy defeat last season.

And next week, their European tenure kicks off at home against Dutch side, FC Twente – with current manager, ten Hag enjoyed two stints at the side during his professional playing career. 

Haaland, who joined Didier Drogba, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Michael Owen and Robin van Persie with two Premier League golden boot wins last season following another massive return, has already found the net nine times this season in the opening four matches. 

And amid his stunning start to this season as City chase a fourth straight title win, fans interested in betting online card land themselves odds currently at -800 for Norweigan striker, Erling Haaland to take home the golden boot for the third time consecutively. 

Erling Haaland huge favorite for 3rd golden boot win

Part of City’s title victories in the last two seasons, former Borussia Dortmund striker, Erling Haaland exploded on the English game with a stunning 36 Premier League strikes, to go with a further 27 goals last season for the uber-talent.

And a third golden boot win this season in the Premier League would leave Haaland just one award away from former Arsenal hitman, Thierry Henry on 4 separate wins – and would see him tie Alan Shearer and Mohamed Salah on 3 golden boot triumphs. 

Striking on the opening game away to Chelsea, Haaland would then bury all three of City’s goals on the road once more against West Ham – before netting a stunning second straight hattrick at the Etihad Arena against Ipswitch Town,

And last weekend against Brentford – Erling Haaland would score another brace for the Citizens at home, bringing his Premier League tally to nine already inside just four appearances domestically. 

Far and ahead of every other player in the current race, despite his best efforts from the bench this season – including his thunderbolt against Everton, Jhon Duran is joint second with 3 goals alongside compatriot, Luis Diaz, as well as Noni Madueke, Bryan Mbuemo, the above-mentioned Salah, Yoane Wisse – who is tasked with replacing an Ivan Toney shaped hole for The Bees. 

While Salah has made a bright start to this season with 3 goals, the Egyptian forward is an outsider already in the golden boot race according to many odds, boasting 12/1 odds – while next best chance Ollie Watkins is even further down the list alongside AlexanderIsak – with the duo boasting 25/1 odds. 

Before Erling Haaland’s arrival in the league, the most recent golden boot award was shared between Salah and Tottenham forward, Heung Min-Son – with the South Korean striker struggling to find a direct dance partner amid the exit of Harry Kane – with Spurs splashing a large transfer kitty on Dominic Solanke this summer. 

And for a prior winner, Son – who also moved to the Premier League from the Bundesliga, is only landing odds as high as 35/1 at the time of publication to upset the applecart stacked by Haaland and land the golden boot come the culmination of the domestic season in May of next year. 

So who are the best Canadian Soccer midfielders ever?

7. Ismael Kone

One of the best Canadian Soccer midfielders ever is Ismael Kone, who at the age of 22 has already made quite the impact, winning over 20 caps for his country and scoring twice so far including a goal during the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League. He appeared in all three of the national team’s matches at the World Cup and has been named Canada Soccer Youth Player of the Year twice.

Kone has played most notably for MLS side CF Montreal and English Championship team Watford. He has made 95 domestic appearances so far, scoring eight goals, and is hotly tipped to become a future international star.

6. Paul Stalteri

Paul Stalteri played 374 times for Werder Bremen, Tottenham Hotspur, and Borussia Monchengladbach, finding the net 34 times throughout his club career. He helped guide both Werder Bremen and Spurs respectively to Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and English Football League Cup success.

As one of the best Canadian Soccer midfielders ever, Stalteri won 84 caps and scored seven goals including a strike versus Costa Rica during the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and was also named in the CONCACAF Gold Cup All-Tournament team of 2007.

With your newfound knowledge of Canadian soccer, why not check out yabby casino no deposit bonus codes acceptor.

5. Tajon Buchanan

Amongst the best Canadian Soccer midfielders ever, Tajon Buchanan made his international debut in 2021, playing nearly 40 times for Canada to date and already hitting four goals including three strikes during the 2022 World Cup qualification. He has previously been named in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI, and MLS Best XI whilst winning both the CONCACAF Gold Cup Young Player Award and Canadian Youth International Player of the Year.

Buchanan has already played over 150 times for the likes of New England Revolution, Club Brugge, and Inter Milan with a total of 20 club goals to his name at the age of just 25. So far he has won the Belgian Pro League with Club Brugge along with a Serie A and Supercoppa Italiana title at Inter.

4. Julian de Guzman

Julian de Guzman is one of the best Canadian Soccer midfielders ever. He played 426 times for Hannover, Deportivo La Coruna, and Toronto FC, finding the net 13 times throughout his club career. Although he featured in a number of Europe’s biggest leagues, de Guzman failed to secure a major honor at the club level.

He went on to win 89 caps for his country and scored four international goals including a strike versus Jamaica during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification. De Guzman was also named the CONCACAF Gold Cup’s Most Valuable Player in 2007!

3. Jonathan Osorio

Jonathan Osorio has played solely at Toronto FC to date, appearing 357 times and scoring 64 goals. He has won the MLS Cup, three consecutive Canadian Championships from 2016 to 2018, and six Trillium Cups!

Amongst the best Canadian Soccer midfielders ever, Osorio has made over 70 international appearances and scored nine times including during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification in a 1-1 draw against Mexico. He was named Canadian Soccer League Rookie of the Year, named in the CONCACAF Champions League Best XI, and awarded the CONCACAF Champions League Golden Boot for 2018.

2. Dwayne De Rosario

Dwayne De Rosario is one of the best Canadian Soccer midfielders ever. He played 487 times for the likes of San Jose Earthquakes, Houston Dynamo, and Canadian side Toronto FC. De Rosario claimed the MLS Cup four times along with two Canadian Championships in both 2009 and 2010.

De Rosario made his international debut in 1988, awarded 81 caps for his country, scoring a total of 22 goals, and drove Canada to the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000. He was also named in Major League Soccer’s 25 Greatest Players and inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.

1. Atiba Hutchinson

Atiba Hutchinson is perhaps the best Canadian Soccer midfielder ever. He played for teams such as Copenhagen, PSV Eindhoven, and Besiktas, scoring a total of 72 times in 743 club appearances. Hutchinson won a number of both Dutch and Turkish domestic trophies along with being named in FC Copenhagen’s All-Time Best XI.

He earned a record 105 caps for his country and scored nine times over the course of twenty years. Impressively, Hutchinson featured for the national side at a total of five CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments and was even crowned Canadian Player of the Year on six occasions from 2010 to 2017!

Mbappe, 25, who captains his country, fractured his nose in a collision with Austria defender Kevin Danso, who has since sent his best wishes to the striker. Mbappe, who has just signed for Real Madrid as a free agent from PSG, was initially thought to require surgery to fix the fracture, but this hasn’t proved to be the case. However, the situation appears to be a moving one as things stand.

Before the tournament began, France was the joint favorite to win the tournament alongside England, according to Euro 2024 betting. And, not surprisingly, Mbappe was tipped to be the top scorer in Germany. Since his injury, Mbappe has seen England’s Harry Kane and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo move ahead of him where the odds are concerned.

As mentioned above, the situation is one that continues to move, but there’s a belief that Mbappe will now don a mask for the rest of the tournament, which will allow him to continue to lead Les Bleus. Something you’d imagine manager Didier Deschamps is keen to happen, especially when his team could only manage a 1-0 victory over Austria in their tournament opener.

But there are also concerns that Mbappe may have to sit out the rest of the group stage before making a return with a face mask for the knockout rounds, which France look very likely to qualify for. France will play the Netherlands next before completing their Group D games against Poland.

Against Austria, Mbappe played as the central striker in the main and was flanked on either side by Ousmane Dembele and Marcus Thuram, son of France legend Lilian. If Mbappe has to miss fixtures, Deschamps could decide to deploy Thuram through the middle, as he’s enjoyed a productive season for Inter, with goals and assists aplenty. Antoine Griezmann could also be moved further forward, and there’s also the option to call on Olivier Giroud, who came on as a substitute against Austria.

Deschamps and France will be hoping Mbappe is ready to play against the Netherlands because he’s the captain and also one of the most feared attacking forces in world football. However, the decision will come down to medical advice and whether a bespoke mask can be produced in time for the fixture that could see Les Bleus confirm their participation in the knockout stages of Euro 2024.

If Mbappe isn’t ready, Deschamps will know his side arguably only need to defeat either the Netherlands or Poland to make it out of the group, something the former France midfielder will believe is very possible, and even likely, considering the talent he has at his disposal for the top end of the pitch.