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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
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Enjoy the show, and thanks so much for listening. Hello everybody,

(00:26):
and welcome back to the Free Kick. We're towards the
end of February right now, Geo Martino, Puccio, Gio Coslino
obviously alongside me, so many matchups that have happened this
past week, including Champions League, and then we're heading into
this week. There's so many great matchups Champions League included
league play. We're gonna get into all of that stuff,
But first of all, how was your weekend? And no

(00:48):
Monopoly one on Friday? You're happy against Prussia? I mean,
I mean it's three points, but where you really happy
with the I was happy with the response after they
gave up that goal. They seem you know, there's the
market is still kind of down down the half. Yeah,
down at the half. They came back and win to
win that game. So that's also always good to see.
I think it's just good. They want to think six

(01:08):
out of seven, so they're kind of finding a rhythm
going into the Barston matchup. So uh, you know, we'll
see what happens. It's it's fun with the Champions League
is back again, so it's always a good week. Yeah,
Champions League really had a ton of surprising ones. But
we'll get into Athletic Go in Liverpool. I mean, this
one from the start just couldn't have gone more perfect
for Athletic Go for the way it's started. You get

(01:28):
an early goal and then all they had to do
is do what they do best and that's defense and
simply it was really difficult for Liverpool. We know they
struggle on the road in the Champions League. We saw
it against Barcelona when they eventually knocked themb out when
they went back to anfield. We see the issues that
they've had with Napoli at the road as well. We
always highlight that um and then another one they go

(01:49):
and face that let it go on the road. They
score early and let it go, Liverpool just doesn't get
a shot off on target. Saudio money comes out in
the game and then you're just really thinking, you're stuff, Okay,
what do Liverpool have to do in order to be
kind of satisfied with the result at this point, because
you knew they weren't going to score, they had like
some opportunities where they're creating some chances and you're thinking, okay,

(02:12):
maybe they could sneak in one, get one one draw
and that's beautiful because you get that away goal, you
go back to anfield which is probably the most difficult
place to play at this point in the world. So
what were your takeaways from that? I think I let
it go, played it perfectly. It couldn't have gone better
for them. But at the end of the day, Liverpool,
it's only one nothing lead. They've come back from much
worse than that, and I think this team knows that

(02:34):
and they're confident heading into the second lay. Yeah, and
I think the past season where they won the Champleons
League really proves that they're they're okay with something like
this happening because they're confident that they can come back.
I mean, we've seen some you know, world within them
games for them to come back and beat like you
mentioned Barcelona, and I don't think this results too bad
for them. When no, it hurts when you don't get
it away goal, absolutely, But at the same time, if

(02:55):
you're Athletico, you're thinking, you know, we should have gone
at least one more instead of kind of closing ourselves
in defense and really preserving the one zero victory because
going to anfield, you know that it's gonna be tough
for you to score inn away goal and it's kind
of inevitable. I feel like Liverpool to score just one
goal at home, you know what I mean, and entirely
aggregate up and then you go from there. Um, you know,
I would be scared if I'm if I'm Athletico just saying,

(03:17):
you know, we needed more than one goal. I feel like,
are you gonna be able to go to Enfield and
what played defensively for a zero zero draw the whole game.
It's it's gonna be almost impossible, you would think, And
and against you know, on the road for them as well.
And I know that Simon's game as well, right, He's
a defensive minding coach and he gets paid to to
have a good defense and they do because they have
one of the better better ones in even in La Liga,

(03:38):
and they showed it against Liverpool in the first like,
but I don't think it's enough ultimately, no, And the
oddsmakers are even looking at it and they're saying my
plus seven hundred for Athletic Go to win on the
money line and the return like liverpools and the minus
two hundreds at this point, um, and we're still a
little bit away from that, so things can obviously change.
But I think you're right. Athletic Go simply cannot come

(03:59):
out defensive when they get to Enfield because it's really
difficult to do that for ninety minutes. I think they
have to, you know, keep it open a little bit,
try their best to create chances to maybe sneak one in,
because you can't play scared. You can't go into one
of the toughest places in the world to play and
just say, okay, we're gonna try and defend for ninety minutes.
Eat that out, because let's face it, as great of

(04:21):
a defensive performance that was by Athletico, you're not going
to hold Liverpool to zero shots on target two legs
over over two legs, right, That's simply I think personally
it's impossible to pull off something like that. So so
for me, I'm still not worried about Liverpool advancing to
the next round. I think if they were to lose,
that's probably the best possible way for them to lose,

(04:42):
even though there wasn't an away goal there. Um again,
this is why Liverpool is the best team in the world.
This is why they've only lost in a handful of
times over the past what twenty four months or so.
So for me, I think Liverpool is going to advance
with that. But Athletico still has a chance here now,
right because if they do somehow manage to sink in
away goal, you know, even if it's one one, if

(05:04):
it's to one, Athletico they are going to play it defensive.
It just depends when those goals occur. So look out
for live betting stuff because if that game is won
one in the second half, I think Athletic goal has
a ton of value to potentially ben on them. Yeah. Absolutely,
they're going to have to shoot out for that away goal.
It's it you you just stopped Liverpool from getting one,
so you have to go out and get one. That

(05:24):
that kind of puts you up as if you know
you're by two goals, as you know, can it constant
double that goal with the same odds to advance by
the way minus one eight team to the next round
for both teams. So yeah, so the odds odds makers
are given them that you know that m favor or odds,
but they're not confident in just a in a way win,
which doesn't mean they need the away win. A one
one draw gets in so that's all they'll need. And listen,

(05:48):
I know we're saying Liverpool there's really no shot that
they're getting eliminated, and I get that, but you know,
anything could happen. But at the same time, they haven't
shown us that that they're going to falter. Right. We've
seen really proved games that that that eventually like flapping that.
And I think one of the things that I think
we should be getting into is is some of the
games that are going to be happening today, and that

(06:08):
is Real Madrid and Man City and Real Madrid Man City,
I mean, look at it right now, these two teams,
Uh couldn't be in more different directions, right, I mean,
Man City has all these issues with the appeal and
the whole Champions League band and now Real Madrid they're
not playing that great in law Liga. They have help
Classico this week. On top of this star studied matchup

(06:30):
against Man City. Man City still has their defensive issues
as well. It's just not they're not playing great football,
but they are playing better in the league. That aiden
hazard injury as the hairline fracture, so we know he's
definitely missing this matchup. We know we've been on Real
Madrid all season long. Is there a reason to back
off of them now and for Man City to strike one?

(06:52):
The iron's hot? This is It's just such a weird
situation because you think that the whole band thing would
you know, turn a team off and really maybe started
right and start some catastrophe where they just start collapsing
and this could be the other way around now now
that Hazar went down. Listen, we've said all the season
long that even with Hazard out, they've been getting it done.

(07:13):
But look at what's happening now. Benzema, I think it's
four or five games he hasn't scored, so he's in
kind of a drought. There's no other goal scorers really
stepping up to score for them. You know, they need
stuff from their midfielders. Their defenders aren't always going to score.
You know, you can get the occasional Ramo's goal, but
it's not like he's always gonna be scoring for you.
And if Benzama is not scoring, you don't have Ronaldo anymore.
So it kind of, you know, starts scaring you. I

(07:33):
think this is the point where we should start to worry,
at least for champions like I think um with Barsa,
it's still I'm not still convinced that they're fully back yet.
So La Liga is still a possibility for Real and Dreid,
especially heading into the l Classico, which we'll get to.
But for man City, this is the time to pounce
on a Real Madrid team that's kind of suffering, just
like Man City was earlier. And you know they still

(07:54):
have their injuries too, don't get me wrong, but right
now is where Real Madrid now without the hazard that
I just come act. Now he's gone again. Uh. They
have other guys as well who are kind of day
to day like bail Jovich, who have you know, have
really produced either, So where are they gonna get their
their production from? It's it's hard now, Yeah, I think
they just really just this is the midfield battle for
me in my opinion, right I think we kind of

(08:15):
understand who has the advantage on the other two sides
of the ball, right, I think Man City it's safe
to say at this point they have the better advantage
in terms of attack. We know Real Madrid have the
better advantage in terms of the defense. They have the
better defenders all around, right, But it's simply the midfield.
Man City have the best midfielder in the world at
the moment and Kevin de Bruner, but the collection of
midfielders at Real Madrid are better in my opinion. But

(08:38):
this one's at the Burnabout, right, So if there is
a place that Man City have issues with. Our teams
in general that have problems exercising their demons. We know
all the time how many teams struggle, especially from England,
to go into the Burnabout in Madrid to go beat them,
and the one iconic one is Terry on Re going
there for Arsenal and beating them. That was like a

(09:00):
decade and a half ago. So so now we're expecting
a team that has never done this before to go
into the burn About. Honestly, they need an away goal
here otherwise I'm not completely convinced in this. I would
love Man City if they were hosting this first leg
considering the whole situation with Real Madrid, but Real Madrid
or in the burnabout, they're gonna be a little bit
more comfortable than they would be on the road playing

(09:23):
um at Man City. For me, if you have to
pick a result here, where are you leaning? Are are
you picking everyone's plus money here? In terms of money line?
Who are you leaning with? We know we cited all
these problems and issues, the advantages disadvantages of both teams.
Who do you like more? I like, I like a
gold bet actually more. I feel like you can get

(09:45):
something like in maybe over two and a half. I
feel like there's like, I feel like there's gonna be
goals in this game. The only thing is I would
still sort of lean to a Drial and Drid just
because the fact that their home. We've mentioned this before,
it's hard for especially English teams seems like to come
in and beat them at home, or just in Europe
in general, they're always good in the Champions League, and
it's just weird. You look at the odds on vandal

(10:05):
and Real Madrid at home is actually an underdog, right
plus one to plus one thirty five, and that's got
to be because of the injuries. There's no other way
to put it, because Man City hasn't shown enough to
tell me their massive favorites coming into this game. You know,
if I have to lean towards the money line, I
would I would say something like a two one for
Real Madrid. I just feel like Real Madrid could pull
it out, um, But then I'd be worried going into

(10:27):
you like to one is a really good result for
Man City, right if they were to lose, absolutely you
can look at the other way and say, hey, this
is a good result for man City too, getting that
away goal and then going back to England. I mean
they can get it done as well, because we've seen
Real Madrid now with the injuries, they seem a little
bit shaky. They lost this past weekend as well. Not
always a good result when you're trying to go into
El Classico ahead of Barcelona. Now you're behind them. So

(10:49):
it's scary to think about. But I think, um, I
think Real Dad could pull one out at home at least. Yeah,
I think so too, because again, their defense has been
a mainstay this season, has been one of the five
best in the world. They can handle Gabriel jeseus um
Guero not the greatest Champions League player, Sterling. Maybe he's
been fantastic at Man City for the past eighteen months,

(11:13):
but you're right, it's just a pass. A few months
he struggled a little bit, and I think, I think
that's just everything within Man City in general for them.
So I think Real Madrid, I think if you're gonna
lean a winner, I see that happening. I do see
Man City grabbing an away goal, however, and that is
going to be vital, especially if you want them to
go to the next round, because I think they're going

(11:35):
to be in really good position. I think if they're
going to lose, and a good loss for them, in
my opinion, two to one is a really good loss. Um.
I know it's it's kind of difficult because everyone over
here in the States is used to there's no such
thing as a good loss. You lose, But when you're
in these uh two legs and there in the Champions League,
away goals matter. Two to one's a pretty good loss
um to advance though. So if it goes to one

(11:57):
really quick, who do you think is going to lands?
I've still give Real Madrid. I feel like they just
had more. Don't tested you right, exactly battle tested? They
have those war wounds, but they've gone it done in
the past. Um I'll give them the edge to to
advance regardless of this result, but only if they went
Man City have pretty good chances if they lose two
to one, but we'll see what happened. Sports grid dot

(12:21):
Com Betting insights and entertainment at your fingertips as our
team covers the most important topics in sports wagering, real
time odds, predictive betting models, expert picks, and more. Want
the edge than get on the grid. Sports grid dot Com.

(12:44):
Hello everybody, and welcome back to the Free Kick. We
have our friends from Acti Score here to break down
a couple of games for US Wolves and Spurs. Is
one of the top games that we want to highlight here.
Spurs have obviously had a ton of key injuries to
their squad. Sun is out for the foreseeable future the
rest of the season. Harry Kane obviously out for the
rest of the season as well. Wolves are also vying

(13:05):
for another Europa League spot along with Spurs. Who wins
in this matchup to Spurs get some points here last
time when these teams. Smith at Tottenham home field. Wolverhampton
also significant Underdock and their odds were over eight in
that game. Outcome was three one win for Wolves and

(13:27):
even though this time it looks for even surprises can
happen and it's gonna be big score fist for either
of those teams. Yeah. Offensively, Spouse haven't been very good
under Hose Marino at any point and now they are
missing both Son and Harry Kane, which will spell trouble

(13:47):
against the sound defensive team like Wolves. Is U at home,
Spurs have played better than on the road, so they
speaks for them. But they did lose to Chelsea. They
did lose to Liverpool at home. UM, but they are
still in contest for Champions League spots, so that's something
that shouldn't be ruled out. They are only four points

(14:08):
behind fourth place Chelsea even if they lost their game
against them just a couple of days ago. UM Wolves
are hunting the exact same spot, so with a win
they are able to leap frog Spurst. They are one
point behind only UM. They played really well against big clubs.

(14:29):
They're playing style suits that sort of situation really well.
They give out the possession, but they strike back with
with a lot of efficiency and they've been scoring goals
pretty easily as of late, especially Diogo Yota now is
absolutely on fire. He scored five goals in the last
two games. Scored a hat trick against Espaniel in Europo

(14:50):
League and then two against Norwich and what's very close
of the third one as well. Um In simulations, the
game does look very even and very low scoring. Tottenham
will win with thirty two percent probability, the draw gets
thirty three percent and Wolves are a tiny bit favorite
here with thirty five percent. But as the percentages say,

(15:14):
it is pretty much three way coin flip this time around. Yeah,
it's really vital for Spurs to get a win here
or even points in general, because Wolves are a very
top match. Speaking of Wolves in general, do you think
they have enough to take this on the money line victory?
When do we review the totals? Accu score predictions have

(15:36):
been a reasonably accurate for Tottenham home games, even though
there has been very few value bits for totals, actually
only two in this season when Tottenham is played at home,
and out of those two, one was correct. When I
was pushed or by betting twenty you would end up
having twenty nine in your pocket. How do you see, Tommy,

(16:00):
what do you bet totally in this game or if not,
which team you would find some value for a bit
one x two market. Both teams are likely to go
very conservatively in this game. Neither team wants to lose,
and it's very important not to give the three points
to their opponents. Um In simulations, both teams average well

(16:21):
under one goal. Spurs will score zero point seventy four
on average and Wolves with zero point eight nine on average.
A very low scoring game, very even um So, Wolves
are favored a tiny bit, but it is very very close.
Hopefully they give us a great battle for Europa League
matchup over there in the Premier League, but we're gonna

(16:42):
head over to Serti now where we have Roma and Caliari.
Calari has obviously played well this season, but they teetered
off a little bit. Roma hit a little bit of
a snag, but they played much better as of late.
Who do you see winning this matchup? Gallieri definitely overachieved
the start of season. They were in top four at
some point and they're not that good a team by

(17:04):
a long shot. They're back where they belong in the
middle of the back. Their eleventh now UM and actually
they haven't won since December, the second in Seria, so
it's been ten games that they haven't won UM. Roma
has had some issues as well. They are lost three
straight recently, but they got some positives now. They beat

(17:26):
gent in europe League and led Chair at home for
nothing just this weekend, so they're trending upwards a little bit,
as they probably should. They are fifth now, which is
pretty much their correct position in Seria. The teams above
them have played a bit better, but Roma is still
challenging for the Champions League spots, which would be the

(17:47):
top four UM In this game, the simulations indicate Roma
to be definite favorite. It's for Roma draw gets twenty
and Calliari only gets twenty four percent at home, so
even on the road, Roma is clear favorites to win

(18:08):
this one. Roma Definity have been a better team here
because last time when Cagglary one at home against Roma,
it was over eight years ago. And generally Roma has
been a better team because last four games then when
they have visited in Sardinia they want to and then

(18:29):
two games have been two two draws, so every time
when it has been a tight game, it has been
also quite a goal faced convert to other matchups when
Roma has won zero one actis corpredictions have been accurate
when whenever there has been value for Roma in this game,

(18:52):
but that has been very fuse only once out of
these four games, and that has happened and it has
been correct. So I also agree with Tommy that Aroma
is a bit of it in this game. Hopefully we
get a winner in that one, because draws are kind
of boring if we're being honest here. But if you
had to take a team or win total in this

(19:14):
matchup between these two, what are you taking away? Four totals?
The total line has fluctuated a bit, but it's quite
high right now, three point twenty five or even three
point five in some places. And do you see, Tommy,
that it would make sense to bit over or is
it going already too high in the team total or

(19:38):
match total? Both the team totals and the game totals
are set quite high for this game, but active score
simulations do agree with that assessment. As a Roma scores
one point nine six goals per game, CALLIAI scores one
point thirty four goals per game, so this all adds

(19:58):
up to three point thirty on average, so it is
safe to say that we would go over three goals
for this game. Tommy Toomas, thank you so much for
sending in your videos. As always for actie score guys,
please check them out at acti score on Twitter and
acti score dot com. They have the best data and
information possible for football soccer, whatever you love to call

(20:20):
the world's beautiful game. Joe, we're talking some more gambling here,
obviously within the Champions League. We're going a little bit
with futures here. There's a lot of different things that
you could do in terms of futures. You can always
pick teams, you can pick the country that they're in
to win, to advance in the next round. But we're
gonna stick it to teams to win this tournament right um.
This year it's kind of like college basketball. It's a

(20:41):
little bit more open. There's maybe one to two teams
that some people like to lean often towards more than not,
and that would really be Liverpool. Do you think Liverpool
is still the favorite because they would have to be
going back to the third Strade final, very difficult to do.
I think they're still the favorite, you know, despite where
we are right now. Obviously at the time of this
we're at or you know, behind one nil on the A.

(21:02):
But listen, by the time they get back to anfield,
I think that they can pull this off if probably
the best possible logy you can get considering they're going
in already down. So yeah, the the opportunity that Atletico
could advance to the next round, it means, hey, Liverpool's
adds are lower um than they usually are to win
the champions On the other hand too, you mentioned it,

(21:22):
if Athletico somehow gets through, right, they could be something
that you guys want to look towards because there they
already beat the favorite and you know, going forward, why
not there if they did defensively well against the best
team in Europe, then they can do it against the
other teams, right yeah, because then even then you could
possibly head your bet if you don't like the matchup
that they have going forward, or if they get a
favorable matchups. Say there is a team that that advances,

(21:45):
you know, say Chelsea beats Byron for example, and then
Atletico place Chelsea next thing. You know, Aletical was a
chance to go to the semifinals and you're out of
that could be pretty good. Um, but yeah, anyone outside
of Liverpool though, because there's just there is not really
a team that has solidified itself. We know man City
have their issues, we know Real Madrid have their issues

(22:05):
as if late. We'll see what happens this week. We
also have Barcelona having their issues. You haven't been particularly commanding,
I mean, there's always Byron looming in the shadows. What
team out of all of those that I just named
do you really like? I mean, I think Juventus has
the talent to get it done, but get me wrong,
but I don't know if they're playing the correct style
or uh the system is working the way they wanted

(22:27):
it to. We'll have to see what what happens, because
this could very well be Saudi's one and only season
as you have a manager. I think you know. Obviously,
Italian teams are the Italian teams, even with Atalanta up
for one right now, Juventus is the best Italian team
in the tournament. That's obviously. But I wanted to bring
up France because ps G. I know they're down to one,
but we said this could be their year. Finally, where

(22:47):
they could you know, go through and they got the
away goal. So do you are you confident that this
could be pretty confident in them and I know nyme
are he kind of started over the weekend you got
another right card, so his frustrations and carry over to
that he has to be a hundred percent healthy. Thomas
Toogle did a pretty poor job of making those substitutions
in the Barushia dormant game because you can't have him

(23:08):
Bobby up top by himself right, you need to have
him out wide so we could create on the wings
eventually like cut on the inside and try and score.
You have a card the uf Cavani. So I think
it really again depends that PSG have the talent to
do it. They don't always necessarily have the manager to
do so. The Thomas Stoogle has to have one of
his best tactical performances as a manager going into that country.

(23:30):
To him, Liverpool really the only one in England in
my opinion that's able to win this. I like Spain
if it's a country, just because I think Barcelona, Real
Madrid or the country that have at least two teams
that we see that could win this term. Yeah, absolutely,
I agree with Spain because any of those street can
really get it done. Um. You look to England and

(23:50):
you look at one, you know, Tom had England second,
just because because that's really all you have. You have
to see what man say doesn't gainst Real Madrid, and
then you have to you also take in scinislation that
to him is really banged up at very life. They
did have nothing over at Spurs. I mean, that's exactly
what you need. And it's gonna take way too much
for the Spurs to with no sa no cane to
come back now. But Spain has three very solid teams

(24:12):
even if you take out uh, you know, Valencia. So okay,
three countries here, rank them in order really quick. Spain, England,
Italy Okay, we'll go France before just because psg um
in order no I think. I think, uh, England because
I'm so high on Liverpool and Spain, in Italy, Spain
and then France. Alright, everybody, but when we come back,
we're gonna be talking about the MLS. It's finally back.

(24:34):
Stay tuned sports grid dot com, Betting insights and entertainment
at your fingertips seven as our team covers the most
important topics in sports wagering, real time odds, predictive betting models,
expert picks, and more want the edge than get on
the grid sports grid dot com. Hello everybody, and welcome

(25:03):
back to the Free Kick and welcome back MLS, right Geo.
We always start the seasons a little bit earlier over here,
much different obviously than Europe. You know, nice summer, late start.
They're going into May. Depending on the league's MLS they start,
you know, late February, early March. They go all the

(25:23):
way deep into November sometimes, So tell me you're a
big MLS guy. We got fantasy here. By the way,
this isn't just gambling. We have the fantasy for you
here as well, if you guys are into some DFS.
G O is a fantasy MLS writer as well. So
there's been a ton of moves obviously, we know's lot
On moved back to Milan. He's no longer in the MLS,

(25:44):
so that's a big name lost for them there. But
they got probably the biggest name they could have gotten
back in the MLS. RITO. We also have discussed that
as well over to l A. Tell me who are
some of the guys that some people should be eyeing
some big name people that you should be adding. If
you do season long stuff where you create your lineup

(26:05):
or even DFS values from time to time, who do
you really like? Who are some of the big names?
Take it away? I mean you get out to the
obvious ones, right. You have Vela, you have Postsuelo as well,
Maxi Morales from n y cfc uh. Some people rank
him as a top midfielder actually or a top creating
midfielder in the MLS. Listen you when you're talking about fantasy,

(26:26):
you want guys that take your set pieces, take your penalties, um,
take your corners, and of those you know those stats,
because those stats are what's gonna get you, um the
biggest numbers or production on something like a fandel or DraftKings.
So you know, Villa had a record breaking season last year.
We've seen Joseph Martinez also come back, you know, not

(26:46):
repeat exactly the same run, but have a great season
for Atlanta as well. He's you know, he's still up
there as well as someone you'll look forward to coming
in for his lot on spot. I don't think he'll
have you know, the same crazy you know, we know
he does have the same Chiming. Absolutely, the personality is different,
the chrismas different. But he's proven, you know in North
and South America as well as being a legend for

(27:09):
his his own right as well. And I think with
the likes of Pavone in l A as well, Uh
the Winger, they're they're gonna have some production and Charito
should fill in well for his lots on. You know,
I could see him getting towards the twenty gold mark.
I'm not saying he's gonna gets a thirty, but he
can if he stays healthy. UM do that as well.
Post Swelo has been amazing, UM coming to the MLS
last year. You have Carlos Hell as well. There's so

(27:31):
many names to talk about, UM and I just wanted
to mention quickly, just maybe out of bias, because we
know this guy. He's also American born Giuseppe Rossi. UM
going to Ralph Salt Lake absolutely if he stays healthy
as well, Guys, you know, he could be a person
that will score some goals for you, get some of
those assist numbers as well. You know, all these guys
are people to look forward to, and obviously once we

(27:51):
get into the season, there's gonna be a lot more
people who maybe we didn't see coming out of the
world work and just really produce as well. Um, but
I think Villa could repeat as him Epe to be
honest with you, because I mean, l AFC is still
built to have success. That premature exit in the in
the MLS playoffs was you know, kind of embarrassing. I
think with the way they got totally dominated, they destroyed

(28:12):
the whole league the whole year, and then you know
they kind of pooped it out there in the playoffs.
So I see Villa coming out with a vengeance as well. Um,
there's no none of this distraction where it's uh, you know,
it's locked on versus Vela, But now we have Mexico
versus Mexico versus Vela, which should be very fun. I'm
very excited to see what happens this season. But those

(28:33):
are some of the guys you should look forward to.
But we'll get into more as a season progressive. Yeah,
So really, I know it's kind of early. If you
were to put down maybe a futures for an m
v P, who are you leaning towards, because we know
these are two of the best Mexican players of their
generation in Chio and Carlosbela, who do you like to
do that? I mean, I I think Carlos Vela has

(28:53):
a little bit more of a chip on his shoulder.
For Chica Rito, it's a little bit more house money,
you know, because the European dream, as he said it
um kind of ended now. You know. He played at
the biggest clubs that you could have played at, Manchester United,
Real Madrid first in UM. I believe he was at
Sevilla as well. So this guy has proven it everywhere,
played pretty solid and international tournaments as well. For me,

(29:15):
he's been far and away the best Mexican player that
I've seen in my life. I know I'm only about
twenty five years old, but still this guy is a legend.
I think he's his legend is only gonna grow bigger
playing in l A. You know, their close proximity to Mexico.
I think I want to put money on Chico Rito
for m v P. I mean, I could see why

(29:36):
you would do that. For me personally, I'm still gonna
lead towards Villa repeating honestly, I feel like they'll make
a deep run into the playoffs this season. I think
that you know, they got that first season out of
the way, and Villa could easily reproduce what he did
last season. I mean we saw when we when Joseph
Martinez came back, and you know, he's still had a
stellar season as well. You know, he's more of a goalscorer.

(29:58):
He's not gonna feed his teammates as as much, where
you know he does rack up assists. But Villa has
that all around game. He could play on you know,
both wings pretty much. Sweet left foot can play as
you're center forward a striker, so he's versatile right, He'll
move around and stuff like that. I think if I
want to give you a you know, a dark horse
really quickly, I think Alejandro Corstwilo from Toronto, because I
think people won't look at them that much. Toronto is

(30:20):
you know, they have the third highest odds to win
the whole They're less they're built to win. They're they're
built that you know, they can make a deep run.
And it's funny because we kind of make fun of
Josie Altado right sometimes and saying he is the American
striker and but for MLS, I know, but for MLS
he's built for that game. You know, if he's healthy.
We saw when he came back he could score every game.

(30:41):
And if you have Postwelo feeding him there, the only
thing is but the only thing is post Swello it
doesn't score as many goals as Villa. You know, Villa
put up almost dirty. So if I had to be safe, yeah,
because you know I understand that because in America sometimes
we always try to look towards the numbers, the numbers,
who's scoring the most, more skulls and all that kind
of stuff, and you're just sitting there thinking to yourself,

(31:02):
does that really matter as much? Because we've seen so
many great players over the years, whether it's in Europe,
you know, South America international tournaments, they don't necessarily have
to score the goals, right like cenathin sa Don is
not a top goal score. Fernando Torres has more career
goals since they done. Are you taking Torres over him?
Is he more valuable than him? No, he's obviously not.

(31:22):
So for you do is that potentially possible that you
see someone like that that could steal Because again l
A f C, by the way, plus three forty is
the heavy favorite to win this MLS Cup is this
This kind of seems like the oddsmakers are saying this
is VELAs to lose. Yeah, and you mentioned it before,
Chip on your shoulder, right, he has everything to prove again.

(31:44):
I mean, I don't think people in North America, obviously
in Mexico, they know what player he is and whoever
else watches the MLS because you know, it is slowly increasing,
the viewership, it's growing. I don't think they doubt that
he's a great player. I don't think there's any doubt
about that. We saw in all the derby's last season.
He can be there. You know, he'll show up and
he will score for you and you know, produce chances.

(32:05):
You know, he was one of the most chances creative,
if not the most last year. I can't remember the
exact number, you know. I think it's his title to lose.
L AFC's titled to lose that. I really don't see
why they can at three forty, don't get me wrong,
plus three forty for futures bet if they're the favorite,
it's not a bad number. I mean, you kind of
you want to take. The next highest ones are in
Atlanta and Toronto are tied at plus seven fifties, So
in reality, a four hundred gap is pretty sizable. And again,

(32:28):
this isn't like Europe, this isn't where it's strictly the
regular season is the title in the postseason, right, it
is the playoffs that matter, And we've seen Seattle Sounder
is not necessarily the greatest regular season team going in there.
They're built, they know how to win. They win that
and you know anything is possible there. So if you
have to go prediction really quick for I'll still be safe.

(32:50):
I'll say Vella for for m v P is the
safest pick you can you can have. UM, but I
agree with you that could be right there behind him. UM.
And I think Postwelo will get some looks as well.
I'll keep mentioning that because he really did carry Toronto
to the playoffs. I mean they no one really suspected
them to get there or expect them to get there. Uh.
And when I'll just put the l a f C
will go deeper. I feel like they can win it

(33:12):
this year, although I wouldn't be surprised if Toronto makes
it to the finals somehow, because I feel like, just
you know, Toronto everything else, they could just get there
and like you mentioned, you always kind of have the
same teams getting there. But I like Villa for m
v P. I'm most confident about that. If I had
to pick, all right, well, there you have it there,
so we're gonna be moving over to the Premier League.
Now Manchester United Man, I don't know what the narrative

(33:35):
is or what we have to really say about them.
They're only three points back in fourth place to get
into the Champions League. I'm really kind of dumbfounded by
this because we know how great Liverpool have been, we
know how good Leicester City are, we know how good
Manchester City are despite all the injuries. Geo, I just
got one question to ask Manchester Unity of that's good

(33:56):
or is the Premier League after the top three teams
this bad? Uson no offense to any man you fans
watching the show plus two thirty to finish top for
legendary club have so much history. We know over the
past couple of years, they're not the same. It's it's
also a fact that the rest of the league is
just playing a business right now. You have Arsenal who's

(34:16):
battling around the tenth spot um and even in this matchup,
they are they are tet has finally gotten them playing well,
fun game against Everton where in this matchup is Everton
Man United. Um, but listen, I have to give them
some credit because they also have a lot of injuries
as well. You know, Rashford was informed for that injury
and now now he's officially out for the rest of
the season, so now they have to depend on Marcial

(34:39):
who Hey, the past couple of games has gotten it done.
And I'm really um, you know, they should be very
happy that they got Bruno Fernandez because he's come in
and really stepped it up for them. You know, he's
just very cred They needed an immediate impact for someone
that you're paying that type of pressol And and I
saw a funny stat actually it was him compared to
MEAs with Ozzy of Arsenal, and in three games he

(35:02):
has as many goals and more syst than Ozill already
for this, you know, and I understand Ozill is also
on the back end of his career still, but still
to have that incident pack for a team who needs
it is so crucial and I think that's why they're
a getting some of these results now. Yeah, And I mean, look,
Everton too. We know how much they struggle. Carlo Ancelotti
obviously has come in there. He stopped the bleeding somewhat.

(35:25):
But at the end of the day, when you're squad's
that poor, it's really difficult to get a lot out
of them. We know Rack Carlson is such a talented player,
is a name that will definitely be circling around all
the top clubs come this summer. But for this matchup Everton,
you know, they always kind of give. They're inconsistent when
they play some of the top teams. Right you see

(35:46):
them step up and play well against you know, some
of the other top side and then they have that
showing against Arsenal this weekend. We're kind of looking at yourself.
Is like again the similar question, is Arsenal that good
or is Everton that bad? For me? Here? Man United
on the road plus one eighty Everton plus one fifty
money line plus two forty on the draw. If I'm

(36:10):
going towards the winner, I'm going Manchester United if I wanna.
If I want to result that I'm most likely feeling.
I think I'm kind of feeling a draw. Yeah, And
I was just gonna say that, um, but I have
to agree. I feel like a draw is the closest everence.
You're not confident in either of these teams winning, and
look at the defenses. I mean they're all conceding goals.
I mean, you know, man, you addically cheap, but it

(36:30):
was you know, against Wafers, so well, still though you
have you still have to do it at today. You
have to play who you play, and then you have
to eventually obviously win those games. So if you have
to pick something here, money line, what do you feeling
draw plus two forty, I think you can make a
plot any over under numbers two and a half over
and over two and a half over, feel like it'll
be a shootout. Cunning right, Well, they have it. But

(36:51):
when we come back the top matchups in European football
sports grad dot Com setting insights and enter tayment at
your fingertips as our team covers the most important topics
in sports wagering, real time odds, predictive betting models, expert picks,
and more want the edge than get on the grid
sports grid dot Com. Alright, everybody, we're back here. Martino Puccio,

(37:24):
Gio Coslino, l Classico Derbid Italia there's so many top
matchups throughout your this right here, Okay, this right here
in terms of the way these clubs have been playing,
right because we talk about all the time throughout your
Manchester United is not what they used to be. Mean
Land is not what they used to be. Um even
some of the other clubs like Arsenal not at the
top of their game like they used to be. Ter

(37:46):
close back to the top. HU obviously been at the top.
We all Madrid, Barcelona, we know they dominated last decade.
These matchups right here between these four clubs are some
of the best football that you will be able to
watch throughout the whole in higher world. And we're getting
them both on the same weekend. But first we're gonna
start off with El Classico. We highlighted earlier in the

(38:06):
show some of the issues that Real Madrid have had
at this point their home. In this matchup, Barcelona the
away team here, Barcelona clearly playing a lot better. We
know it's messy. FC had a hat trick over the
weekend in twenty six minutes, finished with four goals. Real
Madrid obviously lost. They've been struggling up top. Barcelona underdogs here.

(38:27):
Everyone is plus money once again, We're throwing it up
top right now. Plus one for Real Madrid plus two
seventy on the draw plus two d Barcelona geo. I
personally love to spread here for Barcelona to cover the
number minus one seventy for them plus one. That is
my favorite pick in that. Obviously we've been on Real

(38:47):
Madrid this whole time. We've been saying pick them to
win the league. I'm not shying away from that. But
what matters though, is obviously form, and we say form
is important. Take out over history every single time. It's
Messy man. This guy is just so unbelievable. Every single
time Barcelona worries about it. He missed the first seven
games of the season. He is far and away the

(39:10):
top scorer in La Liga. Are you betting against Messy
this week? How could you bet again to Messy? Are
you gonna bet again? If you're if you're smart, you
wouldn't bet against Messy. I mean, if I had to
choose one, excuse me to to go with one of
these teams, you have to lean towards Barsla and you
get good odds at plus two hundred. I mean, there's
no reason not to. And then the spread a plus

(39:31):
one minus one seventy as well. Um, there's no reason
not to lean towards that. And you know bars has
finally gone back ahead of the table as well. Listen,
I'm like you as well, not shying away from Real Madrid.
I think it's you know there with what thirteen games
left are so like that one of those numbers they're
not you know too, you know exactly, and you know,
if Barsta does win this game there, I think plus

(39:53):
five it's still doable. You never know what's gonna happen.
Because Barcela, like I mentioned earlier in the program as well,
I feel like, you know, are back, but I'm not
fully convinced that they're back because they're still relying on
Messy right, because we Messy FC. Because when we're recording
this on on a Monday, this just prior to whatever's
happening between Barsonnopoly, right, So who knows, maybe that carries

(40:14):
over into the even had already played their Champions League games,
so they don't really necessarily have to worry about that.
Barcelona on the road for both of these is that
a factor to you? Does that matter that these guys
are traveling around two of the toughest places, by the
way to play. Despite whatever Monopoly is doing in the league,
we we talk about it all the time. That is

(40:35):
really irrelevant to what happens in the Champions League. Are
you taking that into account here? Yeah? Why wouldn't you?
I mean, And also there's some fun history behind these matchups, right,
because you have Messy finally going to the song this
this is in terms of quality in both clubs and
and all the players that have come across this is
the best ridd sport right absolutely, And and by the time,

(40:56):
like Martino mentioned, by the time you guys are watching this,
Barston's matchup with have been over, but they made a
trip to Monopoly, which isn't always a funny Yeah. I mean,
we'll see what I'll be, if I'll be happy or not.
But it's gonna be a hostile member for Barsa. But
I've seen already up to this point where we are
a lot of Mopoply fans just love and respect Messy
and also think about it, he's the best Argentina player

(41:17):
to come back into the San Polo since Madadonna, you
know what I mean. So this is a historical type
of thing about what about the goal scoring record. Yeah,
we're not gonna talk about that guy because you know,
I'm not gonna say things that I shouldn't see on
the show any but yeah, whatever his name is, um,
But listen, I mean Barsa also going on the road,
both teams going on the you know, having Chambers League
pictures is gonna matter. I think it comes down to health. Unfortunately. No,

(41:39):
we're being a dead horse here and always keep mentioning it,
but it really doesn't matter, and especially with current form
because up to the injuries, Uh, this past couple of weeks,
you know, round Madrid didn't seem like they were slowing
down right the worst they can do with draw game,
and now that they've they've lost zero zero and they've
lost some leads and then now they lost the past
weekend as well. From you guys are watching this as well.

(42:01):
So it's it's tough for me to say that I'm
fully convinced around mad for this game. I'm not going
to completely give up on them for the season because
you just never know what happens. But with Messy just
being in the form that he is right now, how's it.
You just can't go against it. And Barsto plus two
hundred is just something you gotta go. If I'm leaning
towards I'm leaning towards bars of I'm picking one. Yeah,
I I actually agree with that. For me, to the

(42:21):
safest and the one I love the most is just
the minus one seventy barstood covered the spread there. I
think it's really hard to go against that. And look,
we say this time and time and get into sports,
and it's really difficult sometimes in soccer football, right, because
it is a lot harder for an individual to have
an impact as opposed to a quarterback in the NFL,
or Lebron James and basketball, or even Mike Trout and baseball.

(42:44):
I think probably Mike Trout and baseball is the closest
thing with MESSI. They're like, you can only do so much. Um.
I think soccer players have bigger impact obviously. Um, But
that's just a whole another conversation I have. UM. But
simply here, this is Messy. We're talking about the guy
is starting to catch fire now and he when he
goes through stretches like this, this guy has single handedly

(43:06):
closed the gap between Barcelona Real Madrid. Right, This isn't
something where it was these two teams throughout the history
of time since when these two clubs started, that they're
going back and forth between titles, that both of these
teams are going back and forth between the best clubs
in the world. In reality, Messi has significantly closed the

(43:26):
gap between these teams and in the amount of trophies
that they had, right, because this is quite frankly the
greatest player of a generation. We are a Messy kind
of a show here, right. We think Messi is a
better player than Cristiano Ronaldo, and in his moments like this,
when the league is riding on Leo Messi to show
up and get a win from Barcelona because at this point,

(43:48):
I know we've been on Real Madrid forever. Now they
go five points clear here. If they get the win
at the Burnabout, Messi is certainly capable of that. If
you're leaning towards a winner really quick, who are you
gonna leading towards Barsa? I just put it that simple.
You can't really go, you know, in another direction. If
Real Madrid comes out and really they have the capability.

(44:09):
This is one of the best duos outside a Liverpool
in my opinion currently that could stop Messy ron and
Sergio Ramos. They're that good. I'm just a little I
don't toss. I don't trust Tibo Karta. I simply don't.
I don't think this guy has simply lived up to
the billing that you get rid of Kaylor Navas, and
this guy shows up any place as well, So we'll

(44:31):
go with that. I like Barsta covering the spread. You
like Barsa the win. If do you like Barsta covering
the spread? Spread is the more safer spread is more
safer back. But we're gonna be moving over to Italy
now derby the Italia inter Huve. We know how well
Inter has been playing over the course of the season,
stumbling a little bit, not playing as great as they should.
We obviously highlighted that lost against Latsio is difficult. This

(44:51):
one is playing behind closed doors. There are going to
be no fans in Torino for this one. Obviously, the
coronavirus outbreak in northern it has been significant, So all
the games that are going to be playing at home
in northern Italy will be okay to play, but there
will be no fans allowed in the stadiums, so they're
all behind closed doors. Does that matter atmosphere in the

(45:13):
new stadium to me? Isn't quite the same as it
used to be. But in reality that really hasn't affected
them because they're so dominant at home. Yeah, it hasn't
affected them, and I have no expectations that it will
affect them. I'm more worried about their recent forum and
I know sometimes we say, you know, history in terms
of play, it's not really a result, no, no, because
they're getting the results right. They're still a top to city,

(45:35):
although it's a close race with Latsia, which is impressive
the more you go, so you know, I'm not worried
about that, but they're just the football that they've been
playing is not the best football we've seen in a
long time from Juventus and with in Dead who also recently,
by the way, it hasn't been playing that great. So
it's kind of a matchup where I think they're both
going to really just beat each other up. Whether it

(45:56):
could be very low scoring, I honestly don't think it'll
be high scoring. I think that it would be a
low scoring games. You guys plus money here. I know,
I know it's like even plus one hundred, but yeah,
I still like I would even go for a draw
in a game like this. Behind closed the worst. You know,
I could see that he could just simply Ronaldo is
so hot, right he has tied the consecutive goals scored

(46:17):
in matches and steading out with Battistuta. Um drawing the
blank on the other name. I don't know why, Um,
but look, this guy is on fire. We know his
age interest defense is really tough. What what are you
kind of feeling here? Because again, he's got to slow
down at some point, But we're also talking about one
of the greatest players of all time. Even if he

(46:38):
gets on on the score sheet, doesn't mean that it
can't be something like a one one. I really like
plus one too, No, I know, and but I really
like to draw a plus two fifty because I really
think that. Also, you think about it, Kellen's come back
for you mentors, right, you know, and they desperately need him.
By the way he's gonna He's not shying away from
a guy who's in his mid to late thirties coming
off a torn a c L. He's putting him in

(47:00):
because they know they need to get him going simply
because killing. We saw it when he got hurt last
year and he missed the matches in the Champions League.
They are totally different team defense, and he hasn't shown
signs of slowing down. Right last season he was, you know,
one of the best center backs again and in the league,
and the organization that he provides to that team is just, um,
it's unfence, irreplaceable. It's irreplaceable. We've seen Bernucci have so

(47:23):
many slip ups, you know, for US Solids he can
be But yeah, we won't talk about the Milon history
and what happened. I don't care about that. I just
it's just an overrated like that. They just falling over
the fact that this guy is just sending balls sixty
yards down the field. That's not his job. His job
is to mark and defendant. I've seen him have way
too many mental lapses for a guy who was regarded
of one of the top five defensive players in the world.

(47:44):
He's simply not even the top three defensive player at
Huan this season. No. I mean, if you want to
get Martino heated, then you go, you can bring up
lab But no, I think that that's also gonna be
very It's gonna be deep. That's what I'm saying. That's
why I scoring match up. What about over under. No,
I'm going with under, but that's what I'm saying because
you have they're both at one ten. By the way,
I think you go on with the under at least

(48:06):
I would, just because you finally got Killini back. Don't
forget who intet having defense is fantastic. I think it
also depends if easily Padelli is straight garbage. I don't
think I've actually seen a worst interplayer. No, he's been
very bad for them, which comes back in the back
line as who they usually play. It's I feel like

(48:28):
the under because from the worst center player I've seen
probably to the most underrated enterployer. And it happens, right,
this is what injuries happened, and this is what's happened.
Padelli has let them down in the past. Couple any
chance enter, No, there is a chance, I think so yeah, yeah,
I think there's a chance. And you mentioned atmosphere is
maybe not the greatest. But even with no fans, um
int that hab what it takes you did you forget

(48:49):
they have Antonia Conte right, he's he's coach Uventus in
the past. Don't forget. I know history doesn't always matter,
but listen, He's the forefront of a lot of revivals, right,
revival of revival of Winter Italy. To an extent, they
did miss the World one. Yeah, at the end of
the day, so I think if I'm leaning anywhere, if
Padeli does play, I'm picking Cuban money line. I like

(49:12):
interest to cover as well. Sports grid dot Com betting
insights and entertainment at your fingertips as our team covers
the most important topics in sports wagering, real time odds,
predictive betting models, expert picks, and more. Want the edge
than get on the grid. Sports grid dot Com