Aston Villa have been fortunate to pick up four points from their last two games, but they have lost two of their last four at home and face a Newcastle side that picked up a confidence-boosting win over Tottenham in midweek. The Magpies arguably have greater strength in depth, and that could prove pivotal in a tie where both sides are expected to rotate.

Reading look the stronger proposition at home. They’ve scored in 27 of their last 28 league games and have hit at least two goals in five straight League One matches. Crucially, they’ve lost just once in their last ten at home. In contrast, Wycombe Wanderers have struggled badly for goals on the road, averaging just 0.71 per away game.

Tranmere are on a dreadful run of six successive League Two defeats, with them conceding 14 goals in this sequence. This includes four successive home losses in which they have conceded at least twice, while Crawley have taken four points from their last two away fixtures.

Burnley manager Scott Parker should give this fixture his maximum focus and a 5-1 win at home to Championship outfi Millwall in the third round supports that case. The Clarets should have got a lift from Wednesday’s 3-2 win at Crystal Palace and can win an entertaining FA Cup fixture.

Alvaro Arbeloa has recovered from a disastrous start to lead Real Madrid to five wins from his last six games. They have won four successive home games but conceded in three of them, while the in-form Real Sociedad have found the net in 12 successive games.

Bayer Leverkusen have scored in all ten Bundesliga home games this season and both teams have scored in four of their last six matches. Leverkusen have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight of their last ten games. St Pauli’s last three matches have also featured goals at both ends, but the visitors have also lost their last three away games.

Just six points separate these sides, but Crewe are unbeaten in nine home games and have won three of their last four here, while Gillingham have lost three of their last four League Two trips.

Lens are well in the Ligue 1 title fight and have won 13 of their last 14 matches. Six of their last seven away games have ended in victory, while Paris FC are winless in seven home games and hold the third worst home record in Ligue 1.

Bristol City have bigger priorities than a FA Cup run as they look to secure a Championship playoff spot, but they should have too much for Port Vale, who are marooned at the bottom of League One. Back the second-tier outfit to win without conceding.

FEBRUARY –  The Texans’ suffocating defence has been the key to their eight-game winning run and with the AFC looking the less competitive conference this season after the demise of the Kansas City Chiefs, they have the talent to go a long way. Quarterback CJ Stroud is fully fit again and can look for an elite wide receiver in Nico Collins while former first-round picks Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. are just two of their many defensive stars.

JULY – Elena Rybakina looks a bet in her bid to repeat her 2022 triumph at the All England Club. The Kazakhstani has had a tough couple of years, due in the main to off-court issues, but she finished last year on a high with victory at the WTA Finals. She’s a superb grass-court player who is as good as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek when she’s on her game.

JULY – Alex Noren enjoyed a resurgence in his career in 2025, winning twice on the DP World Tour, and 2026 could finally be the year he ends his long wait for a maiden Major. The Swede has an affinity for links golf, evidenced by his victory at the 2016 Scottish Open and his two top-10 Open finishes, he could go all the way and land the Claret Jug in 2026.

DECEMBER – Mercedes may have botched the ground-effect era, but the Silver Arrows have a strong record of responding well to rule changes, and the sweeping regulation shift coming in 2026 should bring the title back into play. Their power unit has already come under, and been cleared, of scrutiny, suggesting it is likely to be among the strongest engines on the grid, and they have the driver lineup to win the consistent points necessary to land the constructor crown.

Lanus are yet to lose in this Argentina Liga Profesional season and, looking back to last term, they have only lost one of their last nine fixtures. Independiente have also proven tough to beat, but they have dropped points in three of their four games this season.

Velez Sarsfield are top of the Argentina Liga Profesional, but they did draw to Independiente in their last away game and they visit a Defensa y Justicia side yet to lose this season.

America de Cali vs Sante Fe 01:00 – Sante Fe DC at 8/11 America de Cali lost for the first time this season at Atletico Nacional last time out and are now winless in two, while Independiente Santa Fe are unbeaten after seven games this season.

Puntarenas have only won two of their eight competitive games this season and just one of their three home matches, while Zeledon have only lost one of their six games this term.

Lanus are yet to lose in this Argentina Liga Profesional season and, looking back to last term, they have only lost one of their last nine fixtures. Independiente have also proven tough to beat, but they have dropped points in three of their four games this season.

Just two points separates these sides in the A-League, but Sydney FC have won four of their five home games this season, scoring 11 times in the process. Adelaide United have lost four of their seven trips away and each of their last two visits to Sydney FC.

Melbourne Victory have won four of their last five home matches and have notched 14 goals in this sequence, while Brisbane Roar have lost three of their last five on the road.

Just two points separates these sides in the A-League, but Sydney FC have won four of their five home games this season, scoring 11 times in the process. Adelaide United have lost four of their seven trips away and each of their last two visits to Sydney FC.

El Hadji Malick Diouf is the best crosser of a ball at West Ham and has already racked up four assists in 18 Premier League starts this term. With the hosts likely to sit off their opponents, expect Diouf to get plenty of opportunities to cross from deep on the left and he looks a tempting price for an assist.

With injuries to Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley in recent weeks, Joe Willock has gotten more of an opportunity in Newcastle’s midfield. He is particularly effective in this role away from home and it is notable that all four of his shots on target this term have come on the road. After good performances in his last two games, back him for a shot on target.

Wirtz is growing into his first season as a Liverpool player and he was a persistent thorn in Sunderland’s side on Wednesday. The German now has 13 shots on target in his last 13 games and has scored six times in that spell.

Each of Oldham’s last four games have gone over 2.5 goals and three of their last four at home have also produced three or more goals. Fleetwood’s last six games have all featured more than two goals, too.

West Ham have been in decent form recently, winning four of their last six games, and they are fancied to continue that recent run against a Burton side struggling at the bottom of League One. The Brewers’ last eight games have gone over 2.5 goals and a repeat may be on the cards in defeat.

Stuttgart have scored in seven of their last eight Bundesliga games, while Cologne have been inconsistent, winning just two of their last six. The hosts have won four of the last six head-to-heads and are unbeaten in nine of the last ten meetings, making goals likely in this clash.

MK Dons’ recent matches have been high-scoring, including a 3-2 win over Cheltenham last weekend. Ten of Newport’s 15 away league games have produced at least three goals, and over 2.5 has landed in seven of their last nine on the road. Newport have also conceded a league-high 56 goals.

Aston Villa have been fortunate to pick up four points from their last two games, but they have lost two of their last four at home and face a Newcastle side that picked up a confidence-boosting win over Tottenham in midweek. The Magpies arguably have greater strength in depth, and that could prove pivotal in a tie where both sides are expected to rotate.

Reading look the stronger proposition at home. They’ve scored in 27 of their last 28 league games and have hit at least two goals in five straight League One matches. Crucially, they’ve lost just once in their last ten at home. In contrast, Wycombe Wanderers have struggled badly for goals on the road, averaging just 0.71 per away game.

Tranmere are on a dreadful run of six successive League Two defeats, with them conceding 14 goals in this sequence. This includes four successive home losses in which they have conceded at least twice, while Crawley have taken four points from their last two away fixtures.

Liverpool bounced back from their loss to Manchester City by getting the better of Sunderland in midweek and they are fancied to dominate a Brighton team who have been dismal as of late, winning just two of their last 14 games.

Cardiff City are ruthless at home, winning nine of their last ten league games at the Cardiff City Stadium and leading League One with 19 victories from 30 matches. They’ve scored 55 goals — more than anyone in the division — and have hit at least twice in four of their last five. Luton Town arrive in poor away form, losing five of their last six on the road and failing to score in their last three trips.

Just six points separate these sides, but Crewe are unbeaten in nine home games and have won three of their last four here, while Gillingham have lost three of their last four League Two trips.

Livingston are rock bottom of the Scottish Premiership with 11 points from 26 games. Only four of these have been earned away from home, and each of their last six trips have ended in defeat, while Dundee have won six of their last nine at home.

Alvaro Arbeloa has recovered from a disastrous start to lead Real Madrid to five wins from his last six games. They have won four successive home games but conceded in three of them, while the in-form Real Sociedad have found the net in 12 successive games.

Bayer Leverkusen have won four of their last five games and three on the spin at home, while St Pauli have taken just one point from the last 15 available away from home.

Derby County are worth siding with at Pride Park against a Swansea side that simply cannot buy a result on the road. The visitors have lost seven of their last nine away league games and confidence looks fragile. Derby, by contrast, have been ultra-consistent in front of goal, scoring in 24 of their last 25 Championship matches. With just three points separating the sides despite Derby sitting higher, home advantage and attacking reliability give the Rams the edge.

Lens are well in the Ligue 1 title fight and have won 13 of their last 14 matches. Six of their last seven away games have ended in victory, while Paris FC are winless in seven home games and hold the third worst home record in Ligue 1.

Serie A leaders Inter Milan have won five straight games and 19 of their 24 Serie A matches this term, suggesting they are far too strong for a Juventus side who have managed just one victory in four. The returns of Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu only further boost the hosts’ chances and anything other than a Nerazzurri win would represent a major shock.

Morecambe remain in miserable form, sitting second from bottom in the National League having endured a torrid season on and off the pitch. They have lost three of their last four away games and face a Southend side on a four-game winning streak at home.

Sevilla are without a clean sheet in their last eight games and both teams have scored in their last four outings, while there have been goals at both ends in three of Alaves’ last four fixtures.

Alvaro Arbeloa has recovered from a disastrous start to lead Real Madrid to five wins from his last six games. They have won four successive home games but conceded in three of them, while the in-form Real Sociedad have found the net in 12 successive games.

Bayer Leverkusen have scored in all ten Bundesliga home games this season and both teams have scored in four of their last six matches. Leverkusen have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight of their last ten games. St Pauli’s last three matches have also featured goals at both ends, but the visitors have also lost their last three away games.

Blackpool and Plymouth Argyle both concede far too regularly to trust either defence. Plymouth have scored in 12 straight games but have also let in goals in seven on the bounce. Blackpool have shipped 44 in 30 and are without a clean sheet in three. Five of Blackpool’s last seven and Plymouth’s last three have landed BTTS, and this has all the same ingredients.

Burnley manager Scott Parker should give this fixture his maximum focus and a 5-1 win at home to Championship outfi Millwall in the third round supports that case. The Clarets should have got a lift from Wednesday’s 3-2 win at Crystal Palace and can win an entertaining FA Cup fixture.

Alvaro Arbeloa has recovered from a disastrous start to lead Real Madrid to five wins from his last six games. They have won four successive home games but conceded in three of them, while the in-form Real Sociedad have found the net in 12 successive games.

Bayer Leverkusen have scored in all ten Bundesliga home games this season and both teams have scored in four of their last six matches. Leverkusen have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight of their last ten games. St Pauli’s last three matches have also featured goals at both ends, but the visitors have also lost their last three away games.

These teams are heading in opposite directions in the Championship and the rejuvenated Canaries should avenge a 1-0 home league defeat to West Brom in October by booking their place in the fifth round.

The Saints produced a great comeback to see off Leicester on Tuesday and the Foxes may take some time to recover, so take the Saints to go marching on in the FA Cup.

Bristol City have bigger priorities than a FA Cup run as they look to secure a Championship playoff spot, but they should have too much for Port Vale, who are marooned at the bottom of League One. Back the second-tier outfit to win without conceding.

Burnley manager Scott Parker should give this fixture his maximum focus and a 5-1 win at home to Championship outfi Millwall in the third round supports that case. The Clarets should have got a lift from Wednesday’s 3-2 win at Crystal Palace and can win an entertaining FA Cup fixture.

Aston Villa have been fortunate to pick up four points from their last two games, but they have lost two of their last four at home and face a Newcastle side that picked up a confidence-boosting win over Tottenham in midweek. The Magpies arguably have greater strength in depth, and that could prove pivotal in a tie where both sides are expected to rotate.

Norwich started the Championship season in dismal fashion, picking up just ten points from their opening 17 games, but they have been rejuvenated by the appointment of manager Philippe Clement.The Belgian has completely transformed the side, leading them to ten wins in 18 games and six in the last seven, and their blend of exciting youngsters like Tuesday’s hat-trick hero Mo Toure with seasoned pros such as Kenny McLean means they are becoming a force to be reckoned with.West Brom, meanwhile, do not fall into the same category. The Baggies are still searching for a first win since bringing in new boss Eric Ramsay and the measly three goals Albion have scored in six games under him suggests it is unlikely to arrive in this FA Cup tie at Carrow Road.

With League One title rivals Lincoln and Bolton doing battle at Sincil Bank, leaders Cardiff will be keen to take advantage and strengthen their grip at the summit.The Bluebirds have won nine and drawn one of their last ten home league games and look a nice price to bring Luton’s upturn in form to a halt.The Hatters have won back-to-back league fixtures to put themselves back in playoff contention but they have picked up only one point from their last six away games, suffering 1-0 reverses in their last three at Exeter, Huddersfield and Plymouth.

Sheffield Wednesday have lost nine consecutive games without scoring, a run which saw them beaten 4-0 at Swansea last weekend. The Owls are now heavy underdogs in every game they play, and this weekend pits them against a Millwall side who are fifth in the Championship.The Lions have beaten Wrexham, Charlton, and Watford by two clear goals across their last five matches. Wednesday head into this clash having conceded 33 times in their 12 home matches, scoring only seven times in return.

Lens won for the 13th time in their last 14 games against Rennes last time out, and the surprise Ligue 1 title challengers can claim another three points in the French capital on Saturday.Paris FC have the third-worst home record in the top flight and have failed to win each of their last seven games on home soil. Les Sang et Or have taken 18 points from the last 21 available on their travels and have already beaten Paris FC this season, so back their good form to continue.

Hibs may have lost the Edinburgh derby to rivals Hearts in midweek but they are fancied to bounce back as they host St Mirren on Saturday.The Buddies shuddered a deflating defeat of their own on Wednesday, throwing away a lead to lose 4-3 to strugglers Kilmarnock and they are in right in the relegation battle.Hibs have scored nearly double the amount of goals that St Mirren have this season, 41 to 21, and that could be the difference between these two teams.

Florian Wirtz has found his feet as a Liverpool player, he has 13 shots on target in his last 13 games and has six goals in that run. He is a tempting price to get on the scoresheet once more when Brighton visit.

Phil Foden has not been at his best this season but with injuries to Savinho and Jeremy Doku he may get the chance to start in a forward position against this Salford side. He has scored ten goals in all competitions and could add to that tally.

Just six points separate these sides, but Crewe are unbeaten in nine home games and have won three of their last four here, while Gillingham have lost three of their last four League Two trips.

Queens Park Rangers look well placed to capitalise on Blackburn Rovers’ travel sickness. Blackburn have failed to win any of their last seven away games, losing four of the last six, and have blanked in four of their previous five on the road. QPR, by contrast, have won six of their last eight at Loftus Road and average over two goals per game at home against bottom-half sides. With a 12-point cushion in the table, the hosts hold the stronger hand.

Derby County are worth siding with at Pride Park against a Swansea side that simply cannot buy a result on the road. The visitors have lost seven of their last nine away league games and confidence looks fragile. Derby, by contrast, have been ultra-consistent in front of goal, scoring in 24 of their last 25 Championship matches.

Barrow are edging closer to the relegation zone after a six-game losing streak in League Two, and they may fall to another loss against a Colchester side that have taken 12 points from their last 18 available.

Serie A leaders Inter Milan have won five straight games and 19 of their 24 Serie A matches this term, suggesting they are far too strong for a Juventus side who have managed just one victory in four. The returns of Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu only further boost the hosts’ chances and anything other than a Nerazzurri win would represent a major shock.

Lens are well in the Ligue 1 title fight and have won 13 of their last 14 matches. Six of their last seven away games have ended in victory, while Paris FC are winless in seven home games and hold the third worst home record in Ligue 1.

Lille have been in strong home form this season, winning ten of 21 Ligue 1 games and averaging 2.80 goals per game against bottom-half sides. Brest are struggling on the road, having failed to win six of their last seven away matches and conceding 20 goals in ten games, giving Lille the edge.

Alvaro Arbeloa has recovered from a disastrous start to lead Real Madrid to five wins from his last six games. They have won four successive home games but conceded in three of them, while the in-form Real Sociedad have found the net in 12 successive games.

Real Madrid have scored exactly twice in six of their seven games since Alvaro Arbeloa took charge, including a 2-1 win in their last home game. Real Sociedad have scored exactly one goal in three of their last five away fixtures.

Juventus edged a thriller 4-3 when these sides met in Turin in September but Inter have won 18 of their 21 Serie A games since and should control things at the San Siro. The Nerazzurri have won four of their last six Serie A matches to nil and can prevail 2-0 for the third time in five games.The Belgian has completely transformed the side, leading them to ten wins in 18 games and six in the last seven, and their blend of exciting youngsters like Tuesday’s hat-trick hero Mo Toure with seasoned pros such as Kenny McLean means they are becoming a force to be reckoned with.West Brom, meanwhile, do not fall into the same category. The Baggies are still searching for a first win since bringing in new boss Eric Ramsay and the measly three goals Albion have scored in six games under him suggests it is unlikely to arrive in this FA Cup tie at Carrow Road.

Lens are well in the Ligue 1 title fight and have won 13 of their last 14 matches. Six of their last seven away games have ended in victory, while Paris FC are winless in seven home games and hold the third worst home record in Ligue 1.

Liverpool look like the best value pick, with the Reds putting their struggles behind them with an eight-game unbeaten run. The Reds have the fourth-best Expected Goals record across the first six Champions League gameweeks, while they’ve recorded back-to-back 1-0 wins over Real Madrid and Inter Milan in Europe. Arne Slot’s side have a kind double-header in January, leaving them primed for a top-eight finish. With the Premier League coasting towards a fifth Champions League berth, the Reds should be in a good position to focus on European success in the spring.

Spain have some incredibly talented individuals, Lamine Yamal being the prime example, but are strong in all areas and don’t have any particular weaknesses. They won Euro 2024 with relative ease and they should be too good for their continental rivals at the World Cup. They also look a level above South American heavyweights Argentina and Brazil, suggesting they will be the team to beat at the World Cup this summer.

Chelsea should have enough quality to overcome Hull even if they do make changes. Goals should be on the agenda as well as there have been at least four goals scored in five of the Blues’ last six games, back the visitors to win in a game featuring over 3.5 goals.

Managerless Rennes face a tough test as they host Paris Saint-Germain, especially considering PSG have inflicted heavy losses on these opponents in the majority of their recent meetings. Four of the last five league head-to-heads have been PSG wins with over 3.5 goals and a repeat is fancied.

Alverca’s away record has been skewed by trips to sides above them, but against weaker sides, they’ve allowed games to open up. The visitors have scored twice in three of their five visits to sides below them. Six of Tondela’s clashes with bottom-half teams have featured three or more goals, so this should be an open clash.

Dortmund have scored three times in five of their last six games, and they should prove too strong for a Mainz side who have won one of their 14 meetings with sides above the bottom six.

PSV Eindhoven are the runaway Eredivisie leaders, winning 19 of their 22 league games this term. The Dutch champions have a perfect record of 11 wins from 11 on their travels, averaging close to three goals per game. Volendam haven’t beaten a top-half side in 11 attempts this season, but they have scored in 10 of their 11 home games. PSV have conceded in 13 of their 19 league wins this term, so Volendam should be good for a consolation goal.

Mainz have conceded four goals in three of their 10 defeats this season, and they meet a Dortmund side who have netted three goals in each of their last three at home. The hosts have a perfect record at home to sides in the bottom-half, while Mainz have scored 13 times in 10 away trips.

Elche have lost three straight games and four of their previous six, while Osasuna have moved into the European mix with 10 points from the last 12 available. However, the visitors have conceded in their last three victories, and they’re without a clean sheet in six trips.

Chelsea’s last four wins have come by 3-1, 3-2, 3-2 and 3-1 scorelines. Chelsea have conceded in 10 consecutive away games so Hull may be able to get on the scoresheet against a Blues side who should prove too strong.

Monaco have not been in the best form recently, but they have already won six home games this season and should be able to add to that tally against a Nantes side who have lost four on the spin. Both teams have scored in seven of the visitors’ last nine and a repeat is fancied in a home win.

Wrexham have conceded in 81% of their home league games this term, and they struggled to prevent Ipswich making chances in the previous meeting this term. The Tractor Boys have conceded in 11 of 14 away trips, while Wrexham’s last eight home matches saw BTTS land on seven occasions.

Elche’s last six matches have seen both teams find the net, while the hosts have scored in their last nine La Liga matches. The visitors have conceded in 11 of their 12 away trips, while Elche are winless in six, conceding 15 times.

Both teams have scored in 10 of Genk’s 12 away games, and 75% of their trips have featured at least three goals. The hosts have failed to score only twice at home this term, while they’ve kept one clean sheet across their last seven league matches.

Struggling Andorra have shipped 21 goals across 13 away games this season, and they head to an Almeria side who have built their playoff push on good home form. The hosts have netted 2.33 goals per game at home this term, but they head into this contest having seen BTTS land in 19 of 25 games. Five of Andorra’s last six have seen both teams find the net, so back both sides to score.

Mainz have conceded four goals in three of their 10 defeats this season, and they meet a Dortmund side who have netted three goals in each of their last three at home. The hosts have a perfect record at home to sides in the bottom-half, while Mainz have scored 13 times in 10 away trips.

Elche have lost three straight games and four of their previous six, while Osasuna have moved into the European mix with 10 points from the last 12 available. However, the visitors have conceded in their last three victories, and they’re without a clean sheet in six trips.

Wrexham have conceded in 81% of their home league games this term, and they struggled to prevent Ipswich making chances in the previous meeting this term. The Tractor Boys have conceded in 11 of 14 away trips, while Wrexham’s last eight home matches saw BTTS land on seven occasions.

Chelsea should have enough quality to overcome Hull even if they do make changes. Goals should be on the agenda as well as there have been at least four goals scored in five of the Blues’ last six games, back the visitors to win in a game featuring over 3.5 goals.

Elche’s last six matches have seen both teams find the net, while the hosts have scored in their last nine La Liga matches. The visitors have conceded in 11 of their 12 away trips, while Elche are winless in six, conceding 15 times.

Pisa have struggled in their meetings with the top six this season, including losing by two or more in three of their four home meetings with them. Milan have claimed impressive wins at Como and Bologna in recent weeks, and they can secure another routine victory on Friday.

Wrexham have conceded in 81% of their home league games this term, and they struggled to prevent Ipswich making chances in the previous meeting this term. The Tractor Boys have conceded in 11 of 14 away trips, while Wrexham’s last eight home matches saw BTTS land on seven occasions.

Alverca’s away record has been skewed by trips to sides above them, but against weaker sides, they’ve allowed games to open up. The visitors have scored twice in three of their five visits to sides below them. Six of Tondela’s clashes with bottom-half teams have featured three or more goals, so this should be an open clash.

Rathbone has scored in four of his last nine matches despite largely starting from the bench in those games. He netted in his start against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup last month, and he can take his chance once again.

Rodriguez has scored four of his five La Liga goals at home, including a strike against Barcelona in Elche’s last home outing. The forward has scored in two of his last three appearances, and he can continue that fine form this weekend.

Wrexham have conceded in 81% of their home league games this term, and they struggled to prevent Ipswich making chances in the previous meeting this term. The Tractor Boys have conceded in 11 of 14 away trips, while Wrexham’s last eight home matches saw BTTS land on seven occasions.

Monaco have not been in the best form recently, but they have already won six home games this season and should be able to add to that tally against a Nantes side who have lost four on the spin. Both teams have scored in seven of the visitors’ last nine and a repeat is fancied in a home win.