UCL, Ted Lasso, and Mario Who??

A lot going on in the world of footie this week, but we're entering the final stretch here. For some of us, that means head to the grindstone. For others (Dan), that means putting life in the rear view and escaping to a luxury Caribbean wedding. Billy will have to save the day... Remember to get those referrals in––jersey giveaway announcement soon!!

Let's get straight into it.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Liverpool beat Chelsea in a penalties-epic to win the Carabao Cup final. Both teams made every single penalty until the keepers themselves had to shoot. Kelleher slotted his home, before Kepa delivered this absolute howler to send the Scousers back north with something shiny. So.. Kepa came on just before the end of extra time as a 'penalty specialist,' didn't make a single save, and then did this? Is it little hands or little feet for this guy? Or both? One of the worst performances on the big stage I've ever seen. 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Ted Lasso is that you? He claims not to be, but American manager Jesse Marsch is officially in West Yorkshire. After a phenomenal run that included a return to the Premiership for the first time since 2003, an Amazon Prime series that found audiences around the world, and football that simply mesmerized the eye––Marcelo Bielsa was sacked by Leeds this past week. It comes on the back of his team shipping the most goals in a single PL month ever, and a string of results that puts Leeds into serious threat of relegation. Nevertheless, he will be very sorely missed, and will go down as a Leeds legend no doubt. Leeds' new cowboy takes charge of his first match this Saturday against Leicester. 

🇪🇸 Barcelona romped Napoli in the Europa league, then romped Athletic Club 4-0 in La Liga. Are Barça back? Xavi has come back to save them? Aubameyang looked like a botched Bosley victim just months ago, now he's banging in goals in number again. Maybe it's that crisp Catalan air. Or maybe it's hearing that same old jawn when the Europa League anthem comes on. Suddenly Barcelona look like it could secure top 4, with Atléti playing Betis in a big top-4 implicating match this weekend to boot.

Manchester Derby

Sunday 8:30 AM ET

⚽️Manchester City (-275) vs Manchester United (+750)

The title race meets the Manchester Derby this weekend. But should the title race be closer? In last weekend's match against Everton, Rodri was given a free pass on this handball, not long after City took an 82' lead via Phil Foden. The handball would've given Everton a chance at a penalty to equalize with just minutes left. It's an egregious call––there's just no way around it. So much so that the PGMOL actually apologized and said they got it wrong. But what good does that do now? Lampard was left fuming, and rightfully so; his team are in the thick of a relegation fight now. Pep will have been pulling his hair out if it was called, but through no fault of anyone but Rodri. Ridiculous decision.

A week on and City play United in the latest installment of the Manchester Derby, which will take place at the Etihad. City are in fine form, rolling through pretty much everyone––apart from a shock upset at the hands of Tottenham. United have chopped together some results and are in a dogfight for fourth spot, but Ragnick's best XI is still very much a question at this point. Ronaldo? Rashford? Sancho? Maguire? There are question marks everywhere, apart from Bruno and in-form Paul Pogba. United will need the ultimate performance to get something this weekend, but you can't miss this one either way.

Champions League

Wednesday 3:00 PM ET

⚽️Real Madrid (+150) vs PSG (+160)

It's a happy hunting ground for little Lionel, scoring 15 times at the Bernabéu in his career––including a goal that led to this iconic celebration. Kylian Mbappe's late goal sees PSG take the advantage to the second leg, but with the away goals rule scrapped it's all to play for over ninety more minutes.

A chance for Mbappe to continue his Real Madrid audition tape, Messi (and Neymar) to get another one over on the merengues, and for Madrid to play underdog for once. Listen, Real Madrid are an institution of football, but I'd like to see Messi and the boys go through. It would be a priceless life lesson for the small man: fight, claw, and scrap your way to the world stage. And then get a Qatari consortium to buy you out. 

Liverpool and Manchester City will each have their chance to get to the last eight next week, with both looking strongly poised to do so. Bayern is the only potential lost Goliath, taking an all-square cup tie against RB Salzburg back to the Allianz next Tuesday.

Race to the Scudetto

Sunday 11:45 AM ET

⚽️Napoli (+120) vs Milan (+240)

The Serie A title race is hotting up. Milan come in off a draw at home to Udinese, whilst Napoli did away with Lazio 2-1 on the road last weekend.

Here's how the title race looks: The lollipop guild is currently top of the table but sits at +175 to win the league. AC Milan is +450, while Inter Milan is -275. So, what does this tell us? It tells us Milan need to win this game this weekend if they stand a chance against the other two down the stretch.

With Juventus charging up the table now just seven points behind top spot, does +1400 look tasty for them to win the league? 👀

Mario Who?

"I am 100 percent certain that my quality is the same level as these people [Ronaldo and Messi], but I missed some chances." –– Mario Balotelli

Remember this guy? Maybe you don't. But he said this just days ago. Yes, Mario, you are on Messi and Ronaldo's level. We've all always thought it, especially when you were playing in Serie B. Just last season. At the age of 29. Even when you scored 2 goals in 36 games with Liverpool and Milan. Even as you went from club to club that no one watched, we were all thinking it Mario 🖤. Why always you, Mario? Gosh, I don't know.

It's a crazy thing to say, but it's good to see Balotelli get a semblance of a career back this year in the Süper Lig with Demirspor. He's scored 10 in 20 games there, and has even been rumored an Azzurri call up after three years away from the national set up. Even with Mancini at the helm?! After that bust-up all those years ago?! IYKYK. 

Dan & Billy's Betting Picks

Dan's Picks: Since this is Dan and I am writing this, I think it's time to give credit to my good friend Billy. Not only is he a devilishly handsome young kid with worlds of promise, he can also bet games. I, on the other hand, promise to do better. 

I'll start with my lock of the week: Leicester (-130) to beat Leeds in the early Saturday slot. Rooting for Marsch, but this first encounter will be too much for him. I also like Elche v Barcelona o2.5 (-130). The goals have been flowing for Barcelona and I don't expect it to stop. Lastly, PSG v Nice o2.5 (-160). Nice are in good knick, but there's goals in this game no matter how you slice it. 

Billy's Picks: Thank you Daniel, that really means a lot especially coming from you. What can I say, when you're hot you're hot. And I'm fiery hot. 3/3 last weekend, so you can honestly just start skipping to the bottom and using this letter as a cash cow?

Billy Bundesliga; you guys know the drill. A league I don't watch but make money on. This week's over: Leipzig v Freigburg o2.5 (-165). The super minus money is a good thing, trust me. I actually like a rare draw this week, between Wolves and Palace +210. A little plus money bet to get our toes wet this weekend. This weekend's slate feels tough, but I'm going to go with another over to round us out: Roma v Atalanta o2.5 (-155). I don't know what it's going to take for me to stay away from Mourinho, but this could be the last dance.

Goal Of The Week 

How about this FA Cup cracker from Southampton's Romain Perraud... from a left back no less!

Red Card Of The Week 

From a man who earns the name ROCKY –– how about a good old fashioned b****slap on Charlie Adam in the SPL? Get off me, Chucky. Incredible scenes.

Thanks for reading chaps, enjoy another weekend of footie, and continue to spread the Straight Red love if you can.