MATCH PREVIEWS

Liverpool vs Everton: Derby Day at Anfield (Bring the Noise, Not the Neighbours)

Anfield’s about to pop off. It’s Liverpool vs Everton, a city divided by colours but united in chaos. Whether it's 90 minutes of samba football or a full-on cage match, Merseyside derbies never do boring.

Key Stats to Know

• Liverpool’s Fortress: Slot’s boys have won 6 of their last 8 at home, banging in 2.25 goals per match (xG: 2.38) and conceding just 0.88 (xG: 0.85). Efficient, clinical, and mean at the back.
  

• Salah’s Still Cooking: The Egyptian King has 3 goals in his last 5 and 32 overall this season. Not bad for a man who’s apparently “past it” every six months.
  

• Injury Watch: No Trent, no Alisson. That’s big, but Liverpool have depth. It's not ideal, but Liverpool have some very fine replacements.
  

• Everton’s Grit: 15th in the table but not folding away from home, 2 wins, 3 draws, and just 1 loss in their last 6 on the road. Still, only scoring 1 per game (xG: 0.97) with no Calvert-Lewin? Ouch.
  

• Anfield Headache: One win for Everton at Anfield in their last seven visits. The Toffees melt in this part of town.

Betting Suggestions

Liverpool looks like they’re marching straight to the title, but this one’s never a gimme. Still, the quality gap is wide, and Everton are missing their main man up top. A controlled 2-0 home win feels right and at 6.0, it’s tasty enough to take a swing at.

Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona: Tension at the Top in the Spanish Capital

The Copa del Rey doesn’t care about league tables. Atlético and Barcelona may be first and third in La Liga, but tonight, it’s all about these 90 minutes. One of them is going out, and the Wanda Metropolitano will be boiling.

Key Stats to Know

• Home edge? Kind of: Atlético have won five of their last eight at home, scoring 1.88 per game (xG: 1.41) and conceding less than one (xGA: 1.22). That’s solid, but they’ve beaten Barça just twice in their last six meetings in Madrid.
  

• Missing spark: Ángel Correa is suspended, and with him goes a big chunk of Atlético’s attacking guile. Julián Álvarez has been doing the heavy lifting with 23 goals, including 3 in his last 5, but he’ll need to carry even more now.
  

• Barcelona on the charge: Xavi’s men have won six straight away from home, scoring 3.5 goals per game (xG: 2.1). The defence is far from perfect, conceding 1.17 per match (xGA: 1.28), but with Lewandowski in this kind of form, it often doesn’t matter. He’s scored 5 in his last 5 and 37 in total.
  

Mood check: Atlético is starting to look tired at the wrong time. Their energy has dropped, and they come into this feeling flat. Barcelona, on the other hand, looks focused, sharp, and ruthless.

WTF?

🧟‍♂️Serie A Star Forced to Deny Zombie Attack Claims

In today's "things we never thought we'd write" news: Bologna striker Jens Odgaard had to publicly confirm he hasn't joined the undead after fans spotted a mysterious red mark on his neck during a match against Venezia.

By the numbers:
• Odgaard's age: 25
• Goals this season: 6
• Zombie bites: 0
• Social media theories: Countless
• Bologna's position: 4th in Serie A

Between the lines: While fans were busy crafting theories ranging from shark attacks to the zombie apocalypse, the truth was decidedly less Hollywood. Turns out it was just some medicine for a neck condition. Way to kill the vibe, reality.

Bottom line: Bologna might be killing it in Serie A (five straight wins!), but their striker isn't actually killing zombies in his spare time. Though we have to admit, "Professional footballer fights off undead while leading team to Champions League" would've made for a better headline. 🧟‍♂️

DID YOU KNOW?

🤯 Ajax's Farioli Is About to Make History (or is he?)

The youngest manager to win the Eredivisie might need to move over. Ajax's 35-year-old Francesco Farioli is cruising toward the title, and if they clinch it before April ends (which looks likely given their dominant form), he'll snatch the record from Aad de Mos, who won it at 36 years and 41 days back in '83.

By the numbers:

• Farioli's age: 35 years old

• Current record holder: Aad de Mos (36 years, 41 days)

• Next youngest: Frank de Boer (40 years)

• Ajax's 2024/25 season: Crushing it

• Games needed to clinch: Just a few more

Bottom line: It's not if but when for Ajax this season. And when they do wrap it up, their Italian wonderkid manager will add his name to the history books. That's not bad for your first season in Amsterdam, right? 📚

MEME OF THE DAY

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WHO WILL WIN?