JOIN OUR WORLD CUP BRACKET

If you like competition and free stuff, you're gonna love our World Cup bracket. For all the Yanks in the group, It's just like an NCAA March Madness bracket, except a better sport with the best in the World competing.

What do I win? The winner of the bracket will get an official jersey from the country of their choice.

How do I participate? Simply click here, make your selections and you're in.

Disclaimer: Only Straight Red subscribers will be eligible for the prize.

Ask: Let's make this the biggest pool we can. Send it to your friends, family members, dogs, horses, co-workers, and anyone who will listen to you. Go!!!!

Let's get straight into it.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It):

Is this Barcelona's year? Spirit and vigor are carrying this team over the line... From 1-0 down and after TWO sending offs, Raphinha netted this late winner to take a crucial three points over Osasuna. Europa League beckons for the Blaugrana, but they retain a 2 point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga.

Arsenal just keep on doing it!! We're sure we have some Gunners following the newsletter, and we're just as sure you're a happy bunch at the moment... After Gabriel's goal, the Arsenal players swarmed former captain Aubameyang in celebration. Can someone say awkward?

Here's one: Aston Villa's Leon Bailey has scored 4 Premier League goals for Aston Villa, each one under different managers... He scored the first of three in a 3-1 win over Manchester United at the weekend. A new key man for Unai Emery?

Liverpool advanced in the League Cup beating Derby on penalties Wednesday. Fact: Caoimhín Kelleher has now won 4 penalty shootouts between the sticks — more than any other Liverpool keeper in the club's entire history. It was just his 18th appearance for the club.

USMNT: Here's a look at the US World Cup roster, which dropped Thursday. Notable names missing include John Brooks and Ricardo Pepi. Did Berhalter get it right? They square off with Wales in their World Cup debut in just 10 DAYS!!!

Quiz Of The Week

What is the furthest run the United States has ever made at the World Cup?

(Answer at the end of the letter)

Saudis vs Yanks

Saturday –– 12:30 PM ET

Newcastle (+130) vs Chelsea (+210)

Nope, the title isn't a World Cup preview nor an ongoing national conflict... It's a battle of two PL top four hopefuls with new owners at the helm.

Newcastle are just flying, aren't they? The new Saudi Arabian consortium has poured money into the club already, since the purchase went through just over a year ago. But it's a fresh face from the sideline that has made all the difference... What manager Eddie Howe has done to this side is nothing short of remarkable. He's taken a team barely surviving the drop (relegated not long ago) to the upper echelons of the Premier League in next to no time. New faces like Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimarães have had a huge impact, but it's the players that have improved drastically under Howe that have made all the difference. Joelinton looks like prime Yaya Touré in midfield, while Miguel Almiron is a completely man. Almiron has taken center stage, netting 8 league goals already.

Chelsea haven't quite gotten going since Graham Potter took charge. They haven't won in the league in nearly a month, and sit just 7th in the PL. Since winning the Champions League two years ago under Tuchel, Chelsea have stuttered––and Potter will need time to get things in the right direction. Is it underperforming players? Tactics? A leaky defence? Maybe a combination of all the above, but the bottom line is the likes of Aubameyang, Sterling, Mount and Havertz must get going. We'd like to see more chances for Christian Pulisic as well...

It's difficult to understand how Newcastle would have better odds over Chelsea when not long ago you wouldn't dream of it. Toon Army will be out and ready on Saturday, and Newcastle love playing at home. Going out on a limb and expecting a big win for the black and whites this weekend.

Dan & Billy's Locks of the Week

Dan's Picks: I'm saving my juice for the World Cup, but I'll give you two horses to back this week: Everton tie no bet (-116) at Bournemouth. Bournemouth are just there for the taking. Chelsea (+210) at Newcastle. I'm backing two away winners, I know, but something tells me Chelsea go Tyneside and get the win.

Billy's Picks: It's always the weeks you're not confident when you hit big? I'm coming off a heater so you can look at it one of two ways: get the h*** off the train before it rides off the tracks, or GET ON WHILE WE'RE HOT BABY!! I'll pick up where we left off on Newcastle... I seriously think they take Chelsea head on at home, and you get your money nearly even here (+135). How about some Forest action? Forest have little chance of picking up points anywhere but at City Ground, and with the home crowd behind them I think they might just edge Palace. +215 is great value there. Lastly, FREE MONEY taking Napoli (-235) home to Udinese. Not the best odds but think Man City at home against _______. Napoli are piping hot at the moment and top Serie A by a margin.

Red Card of The Week

Oh Pique... Pique, on the bench for FC Barcelona in his last ever game as a professional player, was enraged by the referee's performance in the 1st half. He exchanged some words with the ref, saying: ‘It's a f****** shame, I s*** on your f****** mother!’.”

It's not a Zidane headbutt, but still a legendary way to go out if you ask us.

One of the greatest center backs to have every played, Pique was a controversial figure, but won everything there is to win. We wish him the best in retirement.

Goal Of The Week

OOF... A cracker from Toni Kroos. Stunning technique.

Quiz Answer: Semi-finals, if you can believe it. You have to go all the way back to 1930, when the US lost to Argentina in the penultimate round.

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