NFL: The Pros & Cons Of A UK Franchise

An NFL franchise in the United Kingdom is becoming a real possibility. The international games continue to be a success, and the fan base in the UK is growing year-on-year.

There were four NFL games in London in the 2019 regular season – two at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, two at Wembley – with a total attendance just shy of 290,000.

The entertainment was a mixed bag, but the NFL fan base in the UK is loyal. There’s major excitement around the announcement of the 2020 NFL London schedule.

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A lot has been written about bringing an NFL franchise to London. It’s a divisive issue, and not just among American fans.

Plenty of Brits aren’t keen on the idea, though others would welcome the opportunity to see more NFL in the UK, and hopefully cheaper ticket prices as a result.

While we aren’t going to unite those polarised groups, this article is going to take a look at the pros and cons of an NFL franchise on this side of the Atlantic.

 

Pros

Ready-made Fan Base

The demand for the NFL is already there. There are significant fan bases for every NFL team.

A trip to a Premier League match will involve plenty of sightings of NFL hats and caps, and the online NFL-supporting community continues to expand.

While there are issues with such an established fan base (we will come onto that later), it’s a positive, too.

The arrival of a franchise (most likely the Jacksonville Jaguars) wouldn’t be building from nothing, even if a lot of fans are travelling to support the Jags’ opponents rather than cheer on the new franchise.

It might not be ideal for the Jaguars, but it’s a way to guarantee demand for tickets. Even when the schedule provides matchups that are unlikely to become one of the best NFL UK London games, tickets sell rapidly.

The support, and commitment, of British NFL fans cannot be overstated. Imagine the London Jaguars hosting the New England Patriots or Dallas Cowboys: There would be no shortage of interest.

Opens League To More Fans

As well as working for the established fans, who may choose to stick with their teams, having a franchise in this country might open more people’s eyes to the NFL.

Using the London Jaguars as an example, it gives potential new fans an obvious team to support. It’s not easy picking an NFL team to follow.

Many soccer fans support their local team. That isn’t an option for overseas NFL fans at the moment.

American football is less popular in the rest of Europe. It has a long way to go before it can rival basketball and soccer.

Perhaps that would change with a franchise over here, a franchise that was more accessible to people in Paris, Berlin and Madrid.

 

Stadium Ready

Tottenham’s new stadium was built with an NFL franchise in mind. The pitch transformation is phenomenal, but it’s little more than a gimmick if it’s only used twice per year.

It doesn’t justify a franchise in the capital, of course, nor does it guarantee it will be a success. Having a purpose-built venue makes a difference, though.

The visitors’ experience at Spurs’ stadium is different from Wembley, and while it will obviously be shared with the Premier League club, it would give a London franchise a proper home.

 

Cons

Fans Already Support Teams

The flip side of an established fan base is that they already have strong allegiances. Allegiances to teams thousands of miles away, sure, but fans aren’t going to throw that away just because a team appeared in London.

The capital would obviously be the base of a British NFL franchise – that brings its own issues too.

Travelling to London isn’t easy for millions in the UK. A six, seven or eight-hour roundtrip should not be downplayed.

Fans in Glasgow, Plymouth or Liverpool would have a trek to get to London, a journey that would limit most to only occasional games. Does that do enough to entice them to alter their NFL fandom?

Logistics

Travel is a staple of American sports. Teams are used to flying across the continent for a game. Adding an extra few hours to that, and the Atlantic Ocean, changes the situation.

The NFL schedule provides teams with rest aplenty, including a bye week and usually a week between games.

Any Monday-Thursday weeks would be near-impossible for a London franchise unless both were played at home.

Getting stateside to make some shock first round NFL draft picks wouldn’t be a problem, but the week-to-week schedule could work against a London franchise.

The other alternative would be the NFL making significant adjustments, which may not be too popular with their competitors.

 

Performance

Would a London NFL franchise be able to survive a deep rebuild? That is, arguably, the most important question of all. American fans have a different relationship with sport compared to Brits with their soccer teams.

Rebuilds are a necessary evil, and some fans will drift away during those down years.

Without the long-term, core support, a London franchise could quickly fade to irrelevance if they were uncompetitive, particularly in their first couple of seasons.

Home games in a half-full stadium with fans supporting their opponents would not be a disastrous outcome, but it’s hardly what the league have in mind.

A team that spends all 16 regular season games as massive NFL betting underdogs is unlikely to do much for the sport in this country.

Success on the field will be the best chance of success off it. There will be no guarantee of positive results; the NFL is notoriously unpredictable, injuries can derail the season even of a Super Bowl favourite.

An NFL franchise in London would be a risk. It would divide fans in the UK and the US, but it might be a necessary gamble as the league looks to expand on this side of the ocean.

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo*

March 13, 2020
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Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.

He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.

Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.

Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.

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2020 Cheltenham Festival LIVE: Horse Racing Tips, Betting, Results & Runners

Horse racing fans, the wait is over - the 2020 Cheltenham Festival is finally here. After months of building up the hype, it is time to sit down and study the form ahead of the greatest week in National Hunt racing.

We will be here with LIVE updates on everything Cheltenham Festival-related throughout the week. Whether it is an update on non-runners, declarations or the going, 888sport is the place to be for all things Cheltenham.

Cheltenham 2020: Day Four

4:30pm: That's it from the 888sport LIVE blog for the 2020 Cheltenham Festival. It has been an absolute pleasure to talk you through the last four days - bring on next year's event!

4:20pm: The Willie Mullins run is over! It Came To Pass wins for trainer Eugene O'Sullivan, under jockey Maxine O'Sullivan. A real family affair in the winners enclosure.

4:05pm: Our Twitter team's NAP of the day is Minella Rocco - he goes next in the Foxhunter Chase.

Can this former Cheltenham Gold Cup runner up prevail?

3:45pm: Santini and Lostintranslation were brave but Al Boum Photo was too strong in the finish.

What a week it has been for the Donnellys - starting with Shishkin in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and capping off a fantastic week with Al Boum Photo securing his second Gold Cup in a row!

3:40pm: AL BOUM PHOTO has won the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup - the first horse to win back-to-back renewals since Best Mate!

What a ride from Paul Townend and what a training performance from Willie Mullins.

3:25pm: Here we go - good luck with your Gold Cup bets!

3:10pm: If you are new to 888sport, join now and take advantage of our new customer offer ahead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.

Back defending champion Al Boum Photo to retain his Gold Cup crown at a HUGE 33/1. T&Cs apply.

3:05pm: Rich Ricci believes that Monkfish and Latest Exhibition are future Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders!

Not long now until the 2020 renewal gets underway - will Al Boum Photo make it four wins on the day for Willie Mullins?

2:55pm: What a race that was! Monkfish gets back up to pip Latest Exhibition and Fury Road to make it three out of three for Willie Mullins this afternoon.

2:45pm: Not long now until the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle - one of the most competitive races at the meeting.

Can Thyme Hill further frank the 2019 Champion Bumper form?

2:30pm: One hour to go until the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Whet your appetite by reading our take on five famous winners of the big race.

2:20pm: If in doubt, back a JP McManus horse in the Cheltenham Festival handicaps. Saint Roi gets the job done to give his owner his seventh win of the week.

Gallant run from Aramon for our blogger - you can find his Cheltenham Festival Day 4 tips here!

2:05pm: Almost time for the County Hurdle - an absolute minefield of a race. Our blogger has backed Aramon and Eldorado Allen but the two JP McManus runners near the top of the market have been well supported...

2:00pm: Willie Mullins was very gracious following Burning Victory's success in the Triumph Hurdle. He could be set for more success later in the day...

1:55pm: Goshen looks like an absolute machine. Punters already hinting at the 2021 Champion Hurdle as a target for him - and it would be hard to dispute that.

So much raw ability and talent.

1:35pm: DRAMA in the Triumph Hurdle as Goshen unseats Jamie Moore at the final hurdle! Moore is left distraught on the ground as Burning Victory claims a shock win under Paul Townend.

Heartbreaking for connections but good to see Goshen and Moore up safe and sound.

1:30pm: Our final Big Race Battle of the week is Al Boum Photo vs Santini in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Nicky Henderson runner has been weak in the market today but has been hyped up for this race. It will be interesting to see if the Cotswolds Chase winner can get the job done...

1:15pm: Paul Nicholls is quietly confident of a big run for dual King George winner Clan Des Obeaux in the 2020 Gold Cup.

He disappointed last year but could give Sir Alex Ferguson a win in National Hunt racing's biggest race.

1:10pm: The Triumph Hurdle could be one of the races of the week. Dan Skelton has been bullish about Allmankind for some time now - can he claim Grade One glory in today's opener?

12:45pm: Front View very strong in the market for the Martin Pipe at 5:30pm. Connections won this race last year with Early Doors - can they make it two in a row?

12:00pm: 90 minutes until the first race of the day - the atmosphere is building at Cheltenham.

Irish punters will be hoping for a big day in the race for the Prestbury Cup - Ireland currently lead 11-8 heading into Day 4.

11:15am: The official going at Cheltenham has shifted once again. On the chase course, it is now GOOD TO SOFT, SOFT IN PLACES while on the hurdle course it is SOFT, GOOD TO SOFT IN PLACES.

We start the fourth and final day of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival with three hurdles races before the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

10:45am: Goshen is a strong favourite to win the Triumph Hurdle. He'll face stiff competition in Allmankind, Solo and Aspire Tower but trainer Gary Moore has stated that Goshen is an "absolute freak".

10:00am: Good morning all! Cheltenham Gold Cup day is here...

Our blogger has his Day 4 Cheltenham tips, including two selections for the big race.

Cheltenham 2020: Day Three

6:05pm: That's us done for Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival. Tomorrow is Friday and we all know what that means - the Gold Cup, National Hunt racing's biggest race, is the highlight.

We'll be back tomorrow with our top tips ahead of Day 4.

6:00pm: If you are new to 888sport, join now and take advantage of our new customer offer ahead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.

Back defending champion Al Boum Photo to retain his Gold Cup crown at a HUGE 33/1. T&Cs apply.

5:45pm: Well, would you believe it? Milan Native absolutely hacks up to win the Kim Muir!

That's three winners on the day for our blog writer - perfect time to hit top form ahead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

5:15pm: Gordon Elliott has had plenty of winners already this week but his NAP of the meeting runs in the Kim Muir.

Can Milan Native live up to the hype in what looks like a competitive affair?

5:00pm: The answer to our previous question is yes and her name is Concertista. Runner up in the race last year, she absolutely bolted up to give Willie Mullins his fifth win in the race.

He has a 100% record in the Mares Novices' Hurdle.

4:45pm: Going forward in the Mares Novices' Hurdle - are we about to see a future superstar?

4:40pm: So... heading into Day 4, we've had Benie des Dieux, Carefully Selected, Defi du Seuil, Tiger Roll, Appreciate It and Paisley Park all turned over. Envoi Allen the only odds on favourite to win this year!

4:20pm: "Should Imperial Aura run well on Tuesday, SIMPLY THE BETTS (8/1) is well worth a punt to go and win the Brown Advisory."

I fancied it on Tuesday morning and I was right! Simply The Betts gets the job done in the Brown Advisory.

That's three winning NAPs in a row for our blog - what a Cheltenham Festival this is turning out to be.

4:05pm: Simply The Betts is the favourite for the Brown Advisory but Ben Dundee is our market mover ahead of this race.

Can Davy Russell claim another Cheltenham Festival winner?

3:45pm: Actually - looks like our horse racing writer Steve Mullington did! Nice little winner at 50/1.

3:40pm: Well, don't think anyone saw that coming...

Lisnagar Oscar wins the Stayers Hurdle after a really testing race. Apple's Jade set one heck of a gallop while odds-on favourite Paisley Park was very disappointing.

3:15pm: Min is an absolute star. Trained by Willie Mullins, he has had to settle for second best behind Altior on more than one occasion but he finally breaks his Cheltenham Festival duck.

Credit to Paul Townend - gutsy ride from the front on his mount.

2:35pm: Not long now until the Ryanair Chase - A Plus Tard vs Min vs Frodon vs Riders Onthe Storm. Four very good horses but who will come out on top?

2:30pm: Incredible ride from Davy Russell on Samcro in the first race of the day. He has had his fair share of criticism over the last few years but what a moment for his connections - you just can't beat a Cheltenham Festival winner!

2:20pm: What a week this is turning out to be for JP McManus. Barry Geraghty with a superb ride on Sire du Berlais to claim victory in the Pertemps Final.

Gordon Elliott is having an exceptional meeting - the Irish trainer has hit top form at the right time.

1:40pm: What a race! Samcro just about holds off Melon in a frantic finish in the Marsh Chase.

Faugheen a gallant third - all three runners receiving a huge ovation from the Prestbury Park grandstand.

1:25pm: Not long now until the off in the Marsh Chase - Faugheen the clear favourite...

1:10pm: Who will win the Ryanair Chase this afternoon?

A Plus Tard and Min are the market principles ahead of today's big race.

12:30pm: 1 hour to go until the first race of the day. Faugheen winning would bring the house down...

Samcro has been strong in the market this morning though, with connections full of confidence after working well at home. Not long to wait now.

11:45am: Aramax gave our Twitter team a winning NAP at 10/1 yesterday - can they strike again on Day 3?

This time, our social media squad are backing Itchy Feet (9/2) to win the Marsh Novices' Chase.

11:00am: The official going on the New Course at Cheltenham is SOFT, GOOD TO SOFT in places. With dry conditions expected today, we could see the ground turn closer to Good to Soft ahead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

10:15am: Simply The Betts has been well supported to win the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate this afternoon. Our writer was very keen on the Harry Whittington runner in his preview earlier in the week...

"Should Imperial Aura run well on Tuesday, SIMPLY THE BETTS (8/1) is well worth a punt to go and win the Brown Advisory. He has been raised nine pounds for beating the Kim Bailey runner at Cheltenham in January but should cope reasonably enough.

Simply The Betts ticks all the right boxes to succeed at the Festival and he is undoubtedly Harry Whittington’s best horse racing betting chance of the week."

10:00am: New to 888sport? Join now and take advantage of enhanced odds on PAISLEY PARK to win the Stayers' Hurdle.

9:45am: Welcome to our coverage for Day 3 of the Festival. It has been a mixed bag for punters so far, with the likes of Envoi Allen, Champ and Epatante living up to the hype while Defi du Seuil, Tiger Roll and Benie des Dieux all flopped.

Today's card is a bit of a minefield - fingers crossed for a successful day of punting...

Cheltenham 2020: Day Two

5:45pm: Ferny Hollow pips stablemate Appreciate It to secure a 1-2 for Willie Mullins. Boy, did he need that!

Thanks for joining us here on the 888sport blog, we'll be back tomorrow for Day 3 of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.

5:00pm: This is JP McManus' world... we're all just living in it.

A fourth winner on the day for birthday boy as Aramax wins the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle!

4:20pm: Easysland wins the Cross Country Chase!

A treble on the day for JP McManus - Tiger Roll a gallant second. All roads lead to Aintree now for the Gordon Elliott runner...

3:55pm: Not long now until TIGER ROLL runs in the Cross Country Chase.

Gordon Elliott wasn't too confident about the ground - can the 'pint-sized' rcket claim his fifth Cheltenham Festival success?

3:45pm: Something clearly amiss with Defi du Seuil there. Lots of burnt fingers around Cheltenham...

3:35pm: HUGE shock as Defi du Seuil can only manage 4th in the Champion Chase!

Harry Skelton with a superb ride on Politologue to claim a much-needed winner for Paul Nicholls.

3:25pm: Check out our top tips on the rest of the Day 2 races - will Defi du Seuil, Tiger Roll and Appreciate It make it a brilliant day for punters?

3:15pm: Our horse racing writer was sweet on Dame de Compagnie and she duly obliged! What a day this is turning out to be for JP McManus... and he still has Defi du Seuil to come!

2:40pm: Has everyone recovered after Champ's late surge? He's got some engine. We've seen two possible Gold Cup contenders this afternoon.

2:30pm: Davy Russell was chuffed after Envoi Allen's win earlier today.

A huge future ahead for the Cheveley Park runner...

2:20pm: WOW - Champ comes from another postcode to claim victory in the RSA Chase. Heartbreak for Allaho & Minella Indo backers but what a ride from Barry Geraghty.

We could be seeing those famous JP McManus colours again this afternoon...

1:45pm: Gordon Elliott has an absolute superstar in his stable. Envoi Allen - a future Cheltenham Gold Cup winner?

1:40pm: What a horse. Envoi Allen justifies his short price to win the Ballymore!

Great start to Day 2 for favourite backers.

1:15pm: Chacun Pour Soi WAS our writer's NAP of the day but he has now been ruled out. He fancies Dame De Compagnie in the Coral Cup - she should run a big race off her current mark.

The JP McManus-owned mare has been well supported in the market this morning. Fingers crossed for a big run...

1:05pm: Less than 30 minutes until the off in today's first race, the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. 

Envoi Allen is the red hot favourite but he won't have everything his own way - Sporting John and The Big Breakaway are both 'could be anything' prospects and the Gordon Elliott star will need to be at his brilliant best to claim victory.

12:55pm: Our social team fancy Aramax to win the Boodles Juvenile Handicap this atfernoon. He's drifted out to 10/1 in the market this morning but is certainly talented.

11:45am: In the space of 48 hours, the Champion Chase has gone from the race of the week to a foregone conclusion. With Altior and Chacun Pour Soi ruled out, surely it is now just a formality for Defi du Seuil?

11:15am: We've got our 'Big Race Battle' for Day Two and it comes in the RSA Chase. A tough race to call but Minella Indo and Champ head the betting - who will prevail up the Cheltenham hill?

11:10am: BREAKING NEWS - Chacun Pour Soi will NOT run in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. He has been declared a non-runner due to a vets certificate.

10:30am: The official going for Day 2 at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival is SOFT. Fingers crossed for a dry day at Prestbury Park.

10:00am: Gordon Elliott is expecting big things from stable star Envoi Allen in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. Is he the BANKER of the Festival?

9:30am: The Willie Mullins camp are full of confidence in our writer's NAP of the day, Chacun Pour Soi.

Paul Townend was particularly bullish, saying "from riding against Defi Du Seuil on Un De Sceaux earlier in the season, I'm very happy to be taking him on with Chacun."

9:00am: New customer to 888sport? Backing Defi du Seuil to win the Champion Chase? Join now and take advantage of this HUGE enhancement ahead of Wednesday's big race.

Full terms and conditions apply.

Cheltenham 2020: Day One

6:00pm: And that is us done for the day. Thank you for joining our 2020 Cheltenham Festival LIVE coverage - we'll be back ahead of the first race at 1:30pm.

Click here for our top betting tips for Day 2!

5:45pm: It wasn't to be for Willie Mullins as Carefully Selected is well beaten. Ravenhill gives Gordon Elliott his first winner of the day and plenty of punters will be siding with Ballymore Novices' Hurdle fancy Envoi Allen in the opener tomorrow.

5:25pm: Willie Mullins hasn't had the best of days but Carefully Selected can give him a winner in the National Hunt Chase. Will the short priced favourite emerge victorious?

5:10pm: A winning NAP on Day One of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival for our horse racing writer. Hope readers backed it...

5:05pm: Would you Adam and Eve it? Imperial Aura wins the Northern Trust!

Superb ride from David Bass - keep an eye out for Simply The Betts in the Brown Advisory on Thursday now...

4:45pm: Kim Bailey said in the Racing Post Weekender that Imperial Aura was his best chance of a winner this week.

Can he justify favouritism in the Northern Trust Company Novices Handicap Chase?

4:30pm: Barry Geraghty was full of praise for Epatante after her victory in the Champion Hurdle. Will she be back in 2021 to defend her crown?

4:10pm: Shock in the Mares Hurdle as odds-on favourite Benie Des Dieux is turned over! Honeysuckle wins after a clinical ride from Rachael Blackmore.

Henry De Bromhead came under scrutiny for deciding on this race instead of the Champion Hurdle - bet the critics are quiet now...

3:35pm: Epatante wins the Champion Hurdle!

JP McManus was concerned over the ground before the off... No need to worry! Epatante makes light work of the Champion Hurdle field to claim a fourth successive victory for her owner.

3:05pm: What a race! Vinndication runs a mighty race off top weight but finishes 4th. The Conditional just about fends off Kildisart and Discorama in the closing stages under a patient ride from Brendan Powell.

Bigger things ahead for connections?

2:45pm: A frustrating second for our writer with Fakir D'oudairies in the Arkle. Check out the rest of his Day 1 Cheltenham tips here!

2:20pm: Put The Kettle On (20/1) wins the Arkle. Our social team got it all wrong with Notebook - very disappointing today. Doubt many people will have had the Shishkin/Put The Kettle On double...

2:05pm: Fancy Epatante to win the Champion Hurdle? Well, new 888sport customers can get a MASSIVE 28/1 on the Nicky Henderson mare to claim victory. Deposit £10 using the promo code in the banner below to qualify.

2:00pm: Perfect start for Nico de Boinville. He led all jockeys with three wins at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival - could he secure the award for the second year in a row?

1:40pm: A big drifter this morning, SHISHKIN wins the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, just about pipping Abacadabras on the line.

The winner touched 100/1 in-running!

1:10pm: Just 20 minutes to go until the first race of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival - Asterion Forlonge is the 10/3 favourite but Abracadabras has been well backed all morning.

12:45pm: We have a going change at Cheltenham. The ground is now officially SOFT, HEAVY IN PLACES from soft. Great news for Fiddlerontheroof in the Supreme, less so for Pentland Hills in the Champion Hurdle.

12:15pm: Our social team have selected Notebook as their NAP of the Day! The Henry De Bromhead star is well fancied to win the Arkle Challenge Trophy at 2:10pm.

12:00pm: The atmosphere is building at Prestbury Park. The Guinness is already flowing and punters are enjoying watching former Cheltenham greats trotting around the parade ring. Cue Card looked an absolute picture!

10:30am: Three hours to go until the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Find all of the most important race trends and statistics here - who is your idea of the winner?

10:25am: BREAKING NEWS: Nicky Henderson has confirmed that Altior is OUT of the Queen Mother Champion Chase. 

9:30am: The Mares Hurdle could be one of the races of the week. Can Benie Des Dieux (4/7) make amends after falling last year or can new kid on the block Honeysuckle (11/4) win under Rachael Blackmore?

8:15am: Our horse racing writer Steve Mullington (@mulldog) is up bright and early with his picks for Day One at the Cheltenham Festival. Here are his tips:

  • 1:30pm - Abacadabras (e/w).
  • 2:10pm - Rouge Vif (e/w).
  • 2:50pm - Cepage & Discorama (e/w).
  • 3:30pm - Click here for his Champion Hurdle preview.
  • 4:10pm - Honeysuckle (win).
  • 4:50pm - Galvin & De Plotting Shed (e/w).
  • 5:30pm - Forza Milan (e/w).

7:45am: Clerk of the course Simon Claisse has confirmed that the going is officially SOFT on the hurdle and the chase course.

Claisse said: "We have a few clouds in the sky but it's dry this morning.

"Overnight we had 4mm of rain overnight as anticipated so the going has reverted to soft on the hurdle and chase course. We're expecting a breezy but dry afternoon."

7:30am: Our horse racing writer is predicting a successful day for Willie Mullins - can Asterion Forlonge justify favouritism in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle?

Check out his Day 1 best bets ahead of what could be a fascinating opening day at Prestbury Park.

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Tom Hevezi / AP Photo*

March 10, 2020
Horse Racing

By Alex McMahon

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Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.

He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.

As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible. 
 

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The 5 Best Comebacks In Champions League History

The Champions League has been home to some of the greatest comebacks in football history.

Turnarounds over two legs, or even after the interval in a final, seem to be relatively commonplace. The force of ‘momentum’, the ferocious home crowds, lead to ties swinging one way when it looked a foregone conclusion the other.

Although the competition is renowned for its high level of football, history-making comebacks tend to require a drop in that standard.

One of the teams has to be somewhere between subpar and collapse for a major deficit to be overturned. Of course, the team performing the heroics need to be at their very best, too.

While there’s constant discussion of restructuring the Champions League, looking at these five wonderful comebacks serves as a reminder of how special the tournament is.

 

Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan (2005)

Without question, this belongs at the top of any greatest Champions League finals list.

A Milan team littered with stars had cruised to a 3-0 lead over Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool. Talent-wise it was a mismatch, but football isn’t just about raw talent.

Liverpool, inspired by Steven Gerrard, fought back in a surreal five-minute spell after half-time. Gerrard scored the first, Vladimir Smicer netted a second soon after and Xabi Alonso scored the rebound from his own missed penalty to equalise.

The match went to penalties. Jerzy Dudek was the star of the show, and Istanbul became a special city for Liverpool fans.

 

Barcelona 6-5 PSG (2017)

It was the first time in Champions League history that a team came back from a four-goal first-leg deficit and only the fourth in any UEFA tie.

Paris Saint Germain schooled Barcelona in the French capital in the 2016/17 last 16, their 4-0 victory had surely booked them into the last eight of the competition.

Luis Suarez made it 4-1 on aggregate three minutes in, and a PSG own goal before half-time pushed it to 4-2. A comeback was still seriously improbable, however, even when Lionel Messi converted from 12 yards in the 50th minute.

Edinson Cavani’s away goal looked to have quashed any dreams of history just after the hour. The Barca pressure piled on, though, with Neymar scoring in the 88th and putting away a penalty a couple of minutes later. PSG were in disarray.

Sergi Roberto popped up deep into injury time to make it 6-5 on aggregate and write another chapter in PSG’s disappointing Champions League history.

 

Liverpool 4-3 Barcelona (2019)

Immersed in an epic Premier League title race with Manchester City, Liverpool were effectively out of the Champions League after a 3-0 defeat at Camp Nou in the first leg.

Without Mohamed Salah, Liverpool needed a new hero. Divock Origi and Georgino Wijnaldum filled those roles, netting a brace apiece as they thrashed Barcelona 4-0 in front of a raucous Anfield crowd on their way to yet another Champions League title.

The intensity was clear from the very start. Origi got his first just seven minutes in, and Barcelona were rattled by the pressing of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Only 1-0 at half-time, Liverpool were still massive outsiders.

Wijnaldum came on at the break and it all changed. The former Newcastle man scored twice in three minutes before 60 was on the board and not for the first time in recent history, Barcelona were a mess.

Quick thinking from Trent Alexander-Arnold set up Origi for a tap in. The celebrations were wild and Barcelona were humiliated.

 

Roma 4-4 Barcelona (2018)

Peter Drury’s commentary for this match belongs in every football museum.

“Roma have risen from their ruins! Manolas, the Greek God in Rome. The unthinkable unfolds before our eyes. This was not meant to happen, this could not happen, this is happening!”

Drury’s words were fitting of the moment as Roma came back from 4-1 down to knock a Lionel Messi-led Barcelona out on away goals in the Italian capital.

A hyperactive performance from the hosts overwhelmed Barcelona, who were well clear in La Liga at the time.

Edin Dzeko put Roma ahead early on, but there was such a long way to go. Only when Daniele De Rossi made it 2-0 from the spot just before the hour mark was there real hope of an upset.

When Kostas Manolas scored from Cengiz Under’s cross, they had just eight minutes to hold on. It is a night anyone at the Stadio Olimpico will never forget.

 

Deportivo 5-4 AC Milan (2004)

A 4-1 first leg defeat to an AC Milan team loaded with all-time greats left Deportivo as good as out of the tie. The away goal gave them a bit of hope, though, and by half-time in the return leg, they had flipped the tie on its head.

Future Birmingham striker Walter Pandiani opened the scoring, followed by the ever-elegant Juan Carlos Valeron and Newcastle flop Albert Luque. Milan were stunned.

Fran Gonzalez made it four in the second half to seal an improbable comeback and knock out an historically strong Milan side.

Deportivo made it to the semi-finals, falling to Jose Mourinho’s Porto in a tightly fought two-leg duel. Only two players scored more goals in that season’s Champions League than Pandiani.

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Gregorio Borgia / AP Photo*

March 10, 2020
Champions League
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Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.

He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.

Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.

Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.

Sam Cox
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