Union have won the xG battle in each of their last six games, but five of those matches have also seen both teams find the net. Augsburg have suffered 10 defeats in 16 Bundesliga matches, including losing half of their home games. However, their home matches have seen plenty of chances, so back a high-scoring away win.

Both teams have scored in seven of Valencia’s last eight games and they have scored in 10 consecutive fixtures across all comps. La Liga 2 outfit Burgos should be able to find the back of the net, having scored seven goals across their last five games.

These two teams have drawn 14 of their combined 38 matches this season. Como are unbeaten at home and Milan have won just two of their last six across all comps (D3, L1) so the hosts should be able to claim at least a point.

Barcelona had won five games in a row by two or more goals prior to their 3-2 Super Cup triumph over Real Madrid. The Catalan giants should be able to win fairly comfortably against second tier opponents but Racing can at least grab a consolation effort. The hosts edged out La Liga side Villarreal in the previous round and are yet to draw a blank at home in any competition, scoring 25 goals at this venue in 11 league games.

Verona have lost ten of their 19 league games and look set for more misery when they take on Bologna, who have won three of the last four head-to-heads and are better than their recent record suggests.

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.

Verona have lost ten of their 19 league games and look set for more misery when they take on Bologna, who have won three of the last four head-to-heads and are better than their recent record suggests.

These two teams have drawn 14 of their combined 38 matches this season and with Como unbeaten at home and Milan yet to lose on their travels, another stalemate could be on the cards for these European candidates.

Verona have lost ten of their 19 league games and look set for more misery when they take on Bologna, who have won three of the last four head-to-heads and are better than their recent record suggests.

Union have won the xG battle in each of their last six games, but five of those matches have also seen both teams find the net. Augsburg have suffered 10 defeats in 16 Bundesliga matches, including losing half of their home games. However, their home matches have seen plenty of chances, so back a high-scoring away win.

Both teams have scored in seven of Valencia’s last eight games and they have scored in 10 consecutive fixtures across all comps. La Liga 2 outfit Burgos should be able to find the back of the net, having scored seven goals across their last five games.

These two teams have drawn 14 of their combined 38 matches this season. Como are unbeaten at home and Milan have won just two of their last six across all comps (D3, L1) so the hosts should be able to claim at least a point.

Barcelona had won five games in a row by two or more goals prior to their 3-2 Super Cup triumph over Real Madrid. The Catalan giants should be able to cover a -1 handicap against second tier opponents.

Union have won the xG battle in each of their last six games, but five of those matches have also seen both teams find the net. Augsburg conceded four goals on Sunday as they suffered a 10th defeat on the campaign, but they’ve scored nine times in eight home matches this season.

Both teams have scored in seven of Valencia’s last eight games and they have scored in 10 consecutive fixtures across all comps. La Liga 2 outfit Burgos should be able to find the back of the net, having scored seven goals across their last five games.

Illic hasn’t scored this season, but he leads all Union players in terms of xG generated. The Serbian had 0.8 xG in their weekend clash with Mainz, while he scored a brace in this fixture last season as Union claimed a 2-1 win.

Union have won the xG battle in each of their last six games, but five of those matches have also seen both teams find the net. Augsburg have suffered 10 defeats in 16 Bundesliga matches, including losing half of their home games. However, their home matches have seen plenty of chances, so back a high-scoring away win.

Three of Union’s last four matches have featured at least four goals, and the visitors generated over 3.0 xG in their clash with Mainz on Saturday. Augsburg conceded four goals on Sunday as they suffered a 10th defeat on the campaign, but they’ve scored nine times in eight home matches this season. The stats suggest these sides can combine for at least four goals.

These two teams have drawn 14 of their combined 38 matches this season and with Como unbeaten at home and Milan yet to lose on their travels, so an ultra-competitive affair seems likely. Eight of Como’s nine home games this season have gone under 2.5 goals and goals could be at a premium here.

Three of Union’s last four matches have featured at least four goals, and the visitors generated over 3.0 xG in their clash with Mainz on Saturday. Augsburg conceded four goals on Sunday as they suffered a 10th defeat on the campaign, but they’ve scored nine times in eight home matches this season. We’re going with a 3-1 Union win. 

These two teams have drawn 14 of their combined 38 matches this season and with Como unbeaten at home and Milan yet to lose on their travels, another stalemate could be on the cards for these European candidates. Eight of Como’s nine home games this season have gone under 2.5 goals and they have drawn three of those 1-1. A repeat of that scoreline looks like a solid pick in what should be an ultra-competitive affair.

Auckland have won four of their last six A-League games, while the visitors have won four of their last five away games. Melbourne City have suffered three defeats in seven home games and they’ve only won once across their last six matches.

Auckland have won four of their last six A-League games, while the visitors have won four of their last five away games. Melbourne City have suffered three defeats in seven home games and they’ve only won once across their last six matches.

Brisbane Roar are overperforming their xG this term thanks to some strong early results, but the visitors have lost four of their last five A-League matches. Perth Glory have won two of their last three matches, and they can secure another three points.

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.