MATCH PREVIEWS

Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid: A Derby Under the Bernabéu Lights!

It’s Madrid derby time, and the Bernabéu is the stage for what promises to be another heavyweight clash between two of Spain’s finest. Real Madrid sit top of La Liga, but Atlético Madrid are breathing down their necks. Tense? Always. Explosive? Almost guaranteed. Let’s dive in.

Key Stats to Know

Real Madrid’s Home Domination: Los Blancos have turned their fortress into a nightmare for visitors, winning 6 of their last 7 at home. Their attack is purring, averaging 3.71 goals per game (xG: 3.42), but their defence? A little leaky, conceding 1.57 goals per game (xG: 1.0). Missing Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, and Militão is not ideal. At least they’ve got Mbappé, who has 20 goals this season, including 6 in his last 5 outings.

Atlético Madrid’s Away Form: Diego Simeone’s men are no slouches outside the Wanda, racking up 6 wins in their last 7 away matches. They’re solid at the back, conceding just 0.57 goals per game (xG: 0.87), and their attack is pulling its weight with 2.71 goals per match (xG: 2.2). Griezmann (15 goals this season) remains the talisman, while Giuliano Simeone has chipped in with 3 goals in his last 5.

Betting Suggestions

This one feels like a chess match with an explosion waiting to happen. Real Madrid at 44% to win, Atlético at 28%, and a draw also at 28%. The numbers paint a close battle.

If you think Simeone parks the bus and forces a stalemate, 0-0 at 15.0 is juicy. A 1-1 draw at 6.0? Looks like a smart shout, given these tight affairs. But if you see fireworks, a 3-2 Real Madrid win isn’t crazy, given their attacking form.

Madrid vs Madrid. Fire vs Steel. Who blinks first?

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Fortuna Sittard vs Ajax: Can the Hosts Upset the Title Chasers?

It's Fortuna Sittard versus Ajax at the Fortuna Sittard Stadion on February 9, and the home side will be looking to defy the odds against the second-placed visitors. Ajax are on a mission to close the gap at the top, but can Fortuna Sittard throw a spanner in the works?

Key Stats to Know

Fortuna Sittard's Mixed Home Form: Sitting 8th in the Eredivisie, Fortuna have been inconsistent at home, winning 3 and losing 3 in their last 6. Their attack is serviceable, scoring 1.5 goals per game (xG: 1.52), but their defence is shaky, conceding 1.83 goals per game (xG: 1.45). Kristoffer Peterson leads their scoring with 6 goals, but injuries to Samuel Bastien and Kaj Sierhuis could weaken their chances.

Ajax’s Title Hunt: The visitors are 2nd in the league but have been unpredictable on the road, winning 3, drawing 1, and losing 4 in their last 8 away games. Their attack is underwhelming by Ajax standards, averaging 1.12 goals per game (xG: 1.28), while their defence has conceded 1.25 goals per match (xG: 1.47). Kenneth Taylor has stepped up with 10 goals this season, including 2 in his last 5 matches. However, injuries to A. Van Axel Dongen and Owen Wijndal could limit their options.

Betting Suggestions

The numbers heavily favour Ajax, with a 60% chance of winning, Fortuna Sittard at 18%, and a draw at 22%. Ajax have dominated this fixture, winning 4 of their last 5 encounters at the Sittard Stadion.

If you fancy goals, Ajax to win 2-1 at 7.25 looks promising. Want something riskier? Both teams to score in the first half at 4.3 could be worth a punt.

This game is available via our partner Booms Bet. Click here.

WTF?

🌿 When Your Soccer Agent's Side Hustle is... Growing Weed?

In a plot twist that reads like a Netflix crime comedy, Kyle Walker's football consultant went from closing AC Milan deals to... explaining why there were 90 cannabis plants in his house. You can't make this stuff up.

The timeline is chef's kiss:

• Thursday: Flies private jet to Milan with Walker for his big signing

• Friday: Poses for proud photos at Walker's AC Milan unveiling

• Monday: Police find £75,000 worth of cannabis at his house

Meet our protagonist: Michael Rankine, former striker turned football consultant who helps "recruit, manage and guide young professional footballers." And apparently has a green thumb on the side.

Plot twist: This isn't some small-time operation - we're talking professional growing equipment and nearly 100 plants. Talk about diversifying your portfolio!

Bottom line: While Walker was getting a new shirt number in Milan, his consultant was about to get a different kind of number from the police. I guess some agents take the term "high-profile deals" a bit too literally. 😅

DID YOU KNOW?

⚽️ The Day Football Forgot to End: The 203-Minute Marathon

Ever had a workday that felt like it would never end? Try being a footballer in 1946's most ridiculous match.

Picture this: Stockport County vs Doncaster Rovers in what started as a normal cup replay. But plot twist - there were no penalty shootouts back then, just vibes and a "keep playing until someone scores" rule.

The details

• Teams were deadlocked 2-2 after 90 minutes

• Game went on for 203 minutes total (that's 3 hours and 23 minutes!)

• The match only ended because, you know, the sun went down 🌅

Fun fact: Modern footballers complain about 30 minutes of extra time, while these legends played what essentially amounts to two full matches plus change.

Bottom line: Doncaster eventually won the next replay 4-0, probably because Stockport's players were still napping from their marathon match. And you thought your workout was intense... 😅

MEME OF THE DAY

Is the Almere job still available?

WHO WILL WIN?