Gerrard reveals 2013 retirement plan

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted that he could retire from the game when his current contract expires in 2013, in an interview with France Football magazine published on Tuesday.

Gerrard made his debut for the club in 1998 and has since gone on to win two FA Cups, one League Cup, one UEFA Cup and the 2005 Champions League, when he inspired his side to a memorable comeback from 3-0 down against AC Milan.

I will be 33 at the end of my contract in 2013 and I don t know if I will go any further, said Gerrard, 29, who was named the Football Writers Association Footballer of the Year for 2008-09 after scoring 24 goals in all competitions.

If I do retire, then I will know that from the start to the end of my career I only had one club. And I don t want t…

Former Liverpool defender Matip confirms retirement after Anfield exit

Former Liverpool defender Joel Matip has confirmed his retirement from professional football.

Matip, who joined Liverpool on a free transfer in 2016, has been without a club since leaving Anfield at the end of last season and has since decided to call time on his 15-year career.

The 33-year-old started out at Schalke, making 258 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit and helping them lift the DFB-Pokal and German Super Cup in 2011.

Matip was among the first signings made by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, joining in the same window as Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Loris Karius.

He helped the Reds return to the Champions League in Klopp s first full campaign in charge, making 29 Premier League appearances and keeping nine clean sheets.

However…

Copa Libertadores final 2021: Flamengo dreaming of third title as Palmeiras eye back-to-back trophie

Flamengo head coach Renato Gaucho is dreaming of Copa Libertadores glory as defending champions Palmeiras bid to become the first team in 20 years to retain the South American crown.

Montevideo is the scene for this year s all-Brazilian Libertadores final between 2019 winners Flamengo and titleholders Palmeiras on Saturday.

Uruguay s iconic Centenario stadium brings back good memories for two-time champions Flamengo, who trumped Chile s Cobreloa in 1981 for their first Libertadores trophy 40 years ago.

Flamengo remain undefeated in the 2021 edition. They will be aiming to repeat the feat of rivals Corinthians, who are still the only team to win the title while going undefeated in the current format of the tournament, following their 2012 achievement.

Spea…

On this day in 2015: Peter Crouch equals Premier League record for headed goals

Peter Crouch equalled Alan Shearer’s record for headed Premier League goals on this day in 2015.

The then 34-year-old nodded in a 71st-minute winner for Stoke in a 1-0 victory at Hull on February 28, 2015 for his 46th headed goal in the top flight.

Crouch admitted afterwards that he had enjoyed proving wrong those who doubted his aerial ability.

The 6ft 7in striker said: “There were a lot of people in the early days who said I was better on the ground than at heading, so it’s pleasing to rub it in a little bit.

“A lot of people said, for my size, I wasn’t as good (at heading) as I should have been when I was younger. Becoming the record holder for headed goals in the Premier League is something I didn’t think would happen when I was 15 or 16.<…

Falcons vs Dolphins Week 7 Picks and Predictions: Tua Tagovailoa On The Brink

Both the Falcons and Dolphins come into this after playing games in London, something you don’t see all that regularly. Miami might have forsaken their post-London bye week but they’ll be eager to get back to winning ways after losing to the Jaguars.

Meanwhile, the Falcons sit bottom of the NFC South with a 2-3 record but did show some promise during their trip to London with Kyle Pitts having his breakout game.

It’s going to be a tough game between two teams with losing records, so make sure you’re on the right end of the result by reading our NFL picks and predictions for the Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins.

Seahawks vs Cowboys Preseason Picks and Predictions: Dallas Covers Spread Against Visiting Seattle

The Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys face off in the final week of NFL preseason action before the 2022 season kicks off.

This will be an intriguing matchup with Seattle’s starting quarterback job still up in the air between Geno Smith and Drew Lock. With Dallas expected to rest almost all of its starters, the line has grown to favor the Seahawks as 7-point chalk as they head to AT&T Stadium for Friday’s game.

Here are our best free NFL betting picks and predictions for Seahawks vs. Cowboys on August 26.

Chiefs vs Saints Preseason Picks and Predictions: Teams Put Best Foot Forward in First Half

The Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints will kick off their 2023 preseason on Sunday afternoon at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

The defending Super Bowl champions will look to mean business even in Week 1 of the preseason in their title defense. Meanwhile, the Saints will be debuting a new quarterback and are trying to improve off their disappointing 7-10 record last year. 

This is one of the rare Week 1 preseason games where we will see starting unit vs starting unit on both sides of the ball for at least a series or two. 

I analyze the point spread and total and give my best NFL picks and predictions for Chiefs vs. Saints below. 

Chiefs vs Saints odds

Chiefs vs S…

NFL Week 10 Weather and Odds: Will Titans Melt in Tampa Temps?

The weather report for Week 10 odds runs a little hot and cold. Literally.

Some northern venues will see temperatures near freezing while NFL bettors won’t be the only ones sweating in some southern spots. Mix in a little wind and rain and there’s plenty to keep track of weather wise when making your NFL picks.

I look into the extended forecasts and how the elements could impact the NFL odds this week.

Lions at 49ers NFL Conference Championship Weather and Odds: Minimal Elements Expected at Levi's

The NFC Championship Game takes place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, with the San Francisco 49ers hosting the Detroit Lions for the 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff.

California doesn’t throw too much weather at teams, but we did see rain impact this past weekend’s Divisional Round matchup in the Bay Area. What does the forecast have in store for Championship Sunday? And how will it affect the Conference Championship odds?

I break down the game-time conditions and how those could impact the NFL odds for the NFC Championship in my Lions vs. 49ers weather report to help you make your NFL picks.

If you’re looking for more NFL playoff coverage…

NFL Week 5 Against the Spread Picks for Every Game

The Week 5 NFL slate might be the hardest slate to predict this year, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love my selections this week. 

The NFL odds have only one team laying more than a touchdown, with nine games currently sitting at a field goal or less.

This is as good a week as any to move up any season-long ATS pool standings or just flat-out win the week outright. Join me as I break down my best Week 5 ATS NFL picks below.