MATCH PREVIEWS

PSV vs Liverpool: A Champions League Showdown at the Philips Stadion

The Philips Stadion is set for a cracker as PSV host Liverpool in a high-stakes Champions League clash on January 29. With both sides bringing firepower but also some vulnerabilities, expect a night of drama under the floodlights. Adding to the intrigue, Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes his return to Dutch football, facing a PSV side eager to prove their mettle.

Key Stats to Know

PSV’s Home Comforts: The Dutch giants have been turning the Philips Stadion into a fortress, boasting 8 wins, 1 draw, and zero losses in their last nine home games. They’ve been clinical in attack, netting an eye-watering 4.33 goals per game from an xG of 2.51. Ricardo Pepi has been their go-to man, banging in 16 goals this season. But it’s not all smooth sailing defensively, PSV have been a bit leaky, conceding an average of 1.22 goals from an xG of 1.03. Plus, the absence of Noa Lang due to injury could dent their attacking fluidity.

Liverpool’s Away Day Strength: The Reds have been solid on their travels, racking up 5 wins, 2 draws, and just 1 loss in their last eight away matches. They’re finding the net with an average of 2.5 goals per game (xG: 2.87), but their defence has shown signs of vulnerability, conceding 1.12 goals despite an xG of 0.87. Mo Salah remains the man to watch with 23 goals in all competitions, though he’s cooled off recently with just 2 in his last 5 outings. 

Head-to-Head Woes: PSV haven’t had the best time against Liverpool at home, failing to win any of their last three meetings while only managing to score once and conceding six in the process. History isn’t on their side. But should that really matter?

Betting Suggestions

Two reasonable bets stand out here. A 2-2 draw at 10.5 could be worth a punt, given PSV's attacking form and Liverpool's defensive frailties. Meanwhile, the draw at 3.75 looks tempting, with both sides capable of cancelling each other out.

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

Ajax vs Galatasaray: Europa League Clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena

Prepare for an intriguing Europa League clash at the iconic Johan Cruyff Arena on January 30, where Ajax take on Galatasaray. With both teams sitting in 16th and 9th place in their respective leagues, this could turn into a battle for pride more than anything else.

Key Stats to Know

Ajax’s Home Form: Ajax are coming into this match with decent home form, bagging 4 wins, 1 draw, and just 1 loss in their last 6 at home. On the offensive side, they’re putting the ball in the net pretty well, scoring an average of 2.0 goals from an xG of 1.82. Their defence has also been solid, conceding just 1.0 goal from an xG of 0.84. Wout Weghorst, Ajax's top marksman, leads the charge with 7 goals all season, but they’ll have to cope without a few key players like B. Tahirovic, A. Van Axel Dongen, and Owen Wijndal due to injuries.

Galatasaray’s Away Strength: Galatasaray are not to be underestimated, especially given their away form, boasting 4 wins and 3 draws over their last 7 matches without a single loss. Their attacking numbers are impressive as well, racking up an average of 2.14 goals from an xG of 2.23. Defensively, they're just average, giving up 1.14 goals from an xG of 1.2. Victor Osimhen is their star striker, sitting on 16 goals this season and with 4 in his last 5, so he will be a player to watch.

Head-to-Head History: Ajax have yet to secure a home win against Galatasaray. It would be quite a good time to start, one would suggest.

Betting Suggestions

Looking at the numbers, a 2-2 draw at 10.0 feels like a solid option, given both teams' attacking strengths and recent form. If you're looking for a safer bet, Both Teams to Score at 1.37 might seem low, but take it from us. This game ain't ending 0-0!

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

WTF?

⚽️ Ajax's European Horror Show Gets Even Worse

Look, when you lose to a team that probably showed up in a minibus 5 minutes before kickoff, you deserve every bit of the roasting coming your way. But Ajax's 1-0 loss to Latvian side RFS wasn’t just a bad day at the office. It's historically embarrassing.

The damage report

• RFS hadn't played a competitive match since December (winter break who?)

• Ajax threw everything at it - Henderson, Traore, the works

• The Latvian league ranks BELOW the Dutch second division (that one's gonna sting)

• Ajax's European dreams? Currently on life support

Between the lines: Dutch football is having an identity crisis moment here. When your most storied club - we're talking four-time European champions Ajax - is getting outplayed by a team from the 71st-ranked league in the world, something's seriously broken.

Bottom line: Ajax fans are calling this "the biggest humiliation of a Dutch team in Europe," and honestly? Hard to argue. Their next game is against Galatasaray, and at this point, even the ball boys are probably betting against them. 💀

DID YOU KNOW?

The Curious Case of Marco Boogers and Those Dutch Caravan Rumours

If you think your sports bets are cursed, wait till you hear about Marco Boogers' West Ham saga. Back in '95, Harry Redknapp dropped £1M on a striker he'd never actually seen play (talk about betting blind), relying solely on a highlight tape (the 90s version of YouTube tutorials).

But here's where it gets wild: After getting red-carded for trying to send Gary Neville to the shadow realm, Boogers disappeared. The British press, doing what they do best, ran with a story that he'd gone completely "barmy" and was living in a caravan in Holland.

Plot twist: The whole caravan story is fake news based on a misheard phone call. A West Ham employee said "car," which somehow morphed into "caravan" faster than a live-bet odds shift.

The damage:

• 4 total appearances

• 1 legendary red card

• 0 caravans involved

• ∞ memes before memes existed

Bottom line: Sometimes, the best stories in football aren't about what happened but what everyone thought happened. Even your -1.5 bet that hit the post three times looks better than this transfer disaster. 🎯

MEME OF THE DAY

Unlike your girlfriend's best friend, this guy isn’t a keeper!

WHO WILL WIN?