MATCH PREVIEWS

Ajax vs AZ: One Last Hurdle Before the Finish Line?

The Johan Cruyff Arena braces itself for another crucial Eredivisie clash as Ajax welcome AZ. With Ajax edging closer to the title, this could be one of the last real tests standing between them and silverware. AZ, meanwhile, would love nothing more than to throw a wrench in their plans.

Key Stats to Know

Ajax at Home: The league leaders have been dominant at home, winning five of their last seven while averaging 2.0 goals per game (xG: 1.99). Their defense has been steady, conceding just 1.0 per match (xGA: 1.66). Jordan Henderson’s suspension leaves a gap in midfield, but with their attacking depth, Ajax should still have the upper hand.

AZ’s Road Woes: AZ have struggled away from home, managing just one win in their last seven. They’re scoring 1.71 goals per game (xG: 1.58) but leaking 1.86 (xGA: 1.37), which isn’t ideal when facing an Ajax side in full flow. With 17 goals this season, Troy Parrott remains their biggest hope of an upset.

Betting Suggestions

Ajax are in control of their title destiny, but these are the types of games where a slip-up could still happen. A 2-1 Ajax win at 8.0 looks solid, while a draw at 3.65 isn’t out of the question if AZ put up a fight. Expect a tense, competitive affair with plenty on the line.

Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona: A Heavyweight La Liga Clash

The Wanda Metropolitano is set for a blockbuster as Atlético Madrid take on Barcelona in a top-tier La Liga showdown. With both teams battling for points at the summit, expect intensity, drama, and a few Diego Simeone death stares.

Key Stats to Know

Atlético Madrid's Fortress: Atleti have been rock solid at home, boasting five wins and two draws in their last seven at the Metropolitano. Their defense is tight, conceding just 0.43 goals per game (xGA: 1.22), and their attack, led by the red-hot Julián Álvarez (22 goals this season, five in his last five), has been efficient, averaging 1.86 goals per game (xG: 1.45). Missing Ángel Correa is a blow, but Simeone’s side rarely crumbles at home.

Barcelona's Firepower vs. Defensive Woes: Xavi’s men are deadly in attack, firing in 3.29 goals per game (xG: 2.38) away from home. Lewandowski is in lethal form with 33 goals in all competitions, and the Catalans have won six of their last seven on the road. But here’s the concern. With Marc-André ter Stegen out, their defense, already conceding 1.14 goals per game (xGA: 1.4), could be shaky against a clinical Atleti.

Betting Suggestions

Atleti are coming off another gut-wrenching loss to Real Madrid, and you know Simeone will have them fired up for redemption. Given their defensive steel and Barcelona’s missing shot-stopper, Atlético to win 1-0 at 13.0 is a juicy pick. If you think Lewandowski keeps Barcelona in it, 1-1 at 7.5 also looks promising. Expect a tight, tactical battle rather than a goal-fest.

WTF?

Maradona's "House of Horror" Trial Kicks Off 🏥

In a trial that reads more like a true-crime Netflix series than a sports story, seven healthcare workers are facing homicide charges in connection with Diego Maradona's 2020 death. And folks, it's wild:

The soccer legend's final days were apparently spent in what prosecutors are calling a "house of horror," where he was allegedly given sleeping pills dissolved in alcohol and... perhaps the most wild of all claims... hosed down like he was at a sketchy car wash. His neurologist (now defendant) even wrote in WhatsApp messages "the fat man's going to end up kicking the bucket."

The potential consequences?

• 25 years: Maximum prison sentence the accused could face

• 503 grams: Weight of Maradona's heart at death (2x normal size)

• 45 minutes: Time spent trying to revive him

• 6.5 hours: How long he allegedly went unchecked before being found

Speaking of hearts... his is currently chillin' in formaldehyde at a police lab as evidence. Because apparently, that's just how 2025 is going. 🤷‍♂️

The trial runs through July, with 100+ witnesses set to testify about the football icon's final chapter.

DID YOU KNOW?

🇳🇱 De Kabel: When Dutch Football Split Down The Middle

Before VAR drama and player power, "De Kabel" was possibly the spiciest chapter in Dutch football history. Setting: Euro '96, a star-studded Netherlands squad, and enough drama to fill a Netflix series.

The tea: Five Dutch superstars; Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert, Michael Reiziger, and Winston Bogarde formed what became known as De Kabel (The Cable). The boiling point? Davids dropping this live TV bomb about coach Guus Hiddink: "The coach should stop putting his head in some players' a**es."

The aftermath:

• David's got his marching orders mid-tournament

• The Dutch crashed out in the quarters

• Media circus went into overdrive

• Sparked crucial conversations about diversity in Dutch football

Plot twist: Most of these players became legends anyway, with Davids and Seedorf eventually burying the hatchet with Hiddink. Even better? The same group helped drive the Netherlands to the '98 World Cup semis. Sometimes the best teams are built from broken pieces. 🔄

MEME OF THE DAY

Football comes at you fast.

WHO WILL WIN?