Good Morning ☀️,

It’s Lucas here, your Chief Predictions Officer at What Are the Odds?

So, the Wolves somehow managed to beat Liverpool over the weekend. You’d think that would be news. Turns out, all Liverpool fans care about is Dominik Szoboszlai “bizarre new hairstyle.” And as for the commentators… they were too wrapped up in the “Gomez Congestion Index.” Something about too many players named Gomez (5 in total).

In any case, congratulations Wolves. Enjoy it while it lasts. (We’re betting it doesn’t last long!)

Meanwhile, over in Brazil, Flamengo decided to sack their coach just hours after they won 8-0 and secured qualification in the Rio state championship (please make it make sense!).

And speaking of things that don’t make sense, FIFA just slashed World Cup ticket prices… but also claimed that all 104 games are officially sold out.

And here’s what’s ahead in this week’s edition of What Are the Odds?

• This weekend’s top Odds & Predictions. 🦵⚽

• A little FIFA history for all FIFA lovers out there. 🏟️✨

• A Winston Churchill banger for the ages. 🎩🔥

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⚽ Mansfield Town vs Arsenal
🏟️ FA Cup Playoffs
Saturday 07 March; 13:15 (Europe/Paris)

• Why we’re watching: If you’re looking for a sure thing this weekend, then this is it.

• CXSports says: In theory, the possibility of an upset exists in this game, just as it does for any other game. But let’s be serious for a moment. For that to happen, it would require Mansfield to outperform their typical scoring rate (1 goal per game) while simultaneously fending off an Arsenal attack that averages 2 goals per match while playing against superior talent in the Premier League. So sure, that’s not impossible. It’s just highly, highly, highly unlikely. That’s why we’re going with Arsenal in this one, and not by a small margin, either.

• Score prediction: 0-3 for Arsenal

Option #1

• Bet: Arsenal Victory

• Odds Range: 1.02-1.09

Option #2

• Bet: Both Teams to Score (No)

• Odds Range: 1.34-1.53

▶▶Full Match Details: [Read More]

⚽ Newcastle vs Man City
🏟️ FA Cup Playoffs
Saturday 07 March; 21:00 (Europe/Paris)

• Why we’re watching: The BTTS play looks promising here given Man City’s massive goal scoring potential and Newcastle's habit of scoring at home.

• CXSports says: If there’s one thing running in Newcastle’s favor here, it’s that they’ll likely land a punch. They usually do at home. Unfortunately, that will probably be the highlight of the game for them as their defensive math usually doesn’t hold up over ninety minutes. At least, not against an attack of Man City’s calibre, which is currently scoring around two goals per game (slightly more in recent games), while Newcastle has a habit of conceding in just about every game. Put all that together, and you get a likely Man City victory here.

• Score prediction: 1-3 for Man City

Option #1

• Bet: Man City victory

• Odds Range: 1.70-2.00

Option #2

• Bet: Both Teams to Score (Yes)

• Odds Range: 1.33-1.54

▶▶Full Match Details: [Read More]

⚽ Leeds vs Norwich
🏟️ FA Cup Playoffs
Sunday 08 March; 17:30 (Europe/Paris)

• Why we’re watching: Some very healthy odds on Leeds given how much everything seems to be leaning in their favor.

• CXSports says: Leeds come into this fixture averaging about 1.8 goals per game over their last five matches while conceding just 1.0. That’s a healthy balance. Much healthier than Norwich, who are in the habit of playing a slightly looser brand of football, scoring around 1.6 goals per match but conceding 1.8. And if that wasn’t bad enough, their away defense is usually even leakier (closer to 1.9 goals per) while Leeds’ home performance is even stronger (scoring ~2 goals per game). Past head-to-heads also point the same way. In their last five, Leeds average 1.8 goals per game while Norwich has only managed 1.2 (and Leeds have won 3/5). In other words, there’s nothing running in Norwich’s favor here.

• Score prediction: 2-1 for Leeds

Option #1

• Bet: Leeds Victory

• Odds Range: 1.26-1.48

Option #2

• Bet: Both Teams to Score (Yes)

• Odds Range: 1.61-1.83

▶▶Full Match Details: [Read More]

⚽ Port Vale vs Sunderland
🏟️ FA Cup Playoffs
Sunday 08 March; 14:30 (Europe/Paris)

• Why we’re watching: It’s conservative, but there’s a nice Over/Under play here that looks solid given both teams’ scoring averages.

• CXSports says: The past hasn’t been kind to Port Vale in this fixture — in the last 5 head-to-heads, Sunderland’s won 4. And given the fact Sunderland’s had a bit of time in the Premier League since, there’s a fair chance they’ve learned a thing or two since. But even if we forget the “experience” bit and just focus on stats, Port Vale’s really only managing about 1.4 goals per game at home right now (against lesser squads), while Sunderland usually manages to score around 1.8 goals per game when facing Sunderland. That points this one strongly towards a favorable outcome for Sunderland.

• Score prediction: 1-2 for Sunderland

Option #1

• Bet: Sunderland Victory

• Odds Range: 1.34-1.44

Option #2

• Bet: Over/Under (Over 1.5)

• Odds Range: 1.14-1.28

▶▶Full Match Details: [Read More]

Want to get the best odds on these predictions?

If you have a hard time believing that FIFA’s somehow sold out all 104 World Cup games while also offering cut-price tickets and hammering fans with “limited time offers”, you’re not alone.

After all, it’s not like FIFA is known for being the most transparent organization out there, is it?

Not sure what we’re talking about? Maybe you will after this quick quiz from our friends at Masters of Trivia.

Question: What specific accusations were made against FIFA executives in a 2015 U.S. DOJ indictment?

• A: Embezzlement and personal use of FIFA funds

• B: Match-fixing at the international level

• C: Acceptance of bribes for broadcasting and marketing rights

• D: Manipulation of FIFA presidential elections

Think you know the answer?

Read to the end to see if you were right.

⚽ Heidenheim vs Hoffenheim
🏟️ German Bundesliga
Saturday 07 March; 15:30 (Europe/Paris)

• Why we’re watching: We love it when a top-3 contender takes on the wooden spooner — it usually only ends one way!

• CXSports says: The basic math on this game is hard to ignore. On one side, we’ve got a team that’s averaging under 1 goal per game while often conceding over 2 (Heidenheim). And on the other, we’ve got a team whose stats are more or less the polar opposite (Hoffenheim) with more than double the goals scored (They’re averaging just over 2 goals per game while barely conceding one goal per game). Of course, Heidenheim could be dangerous on occasions in this match, as is usually the case when a team’s got nothing left to lose (they’re already facing relegation). But “occasionally dangerous” probably won’t be enough to fend off a Hoffenheim squad that’s vastly superior and much more consistent over the full 90 minutes.

• Score prediction: 1-3 for Hoffenheim

Option #1

• Bet: Hoffenheim Victory

• Odds Range: 1.42-1.64

Option #2

• Bet: Both Teams to Score (Yes)

• Odds Range: 1.40-1.59

▶▶Full Match Details: [Read More]

⚽ RB Leipzig vs Augsburg
🏟️ German Bundesliga
Saturday 07 March; 15:30 (Europe/Paris)

• Why we’re watching: If you’re willing to ignore Augsburg’s recent turnaround as being a major factor here, Leipzig has a very clear edge.

• CXSports says: This is the kind of fixture where recent form says one thing, but a wider look speaks another. What are we talking about here? Augsburg, of course. They’re riding here with a respectable run behind them — four wins in their last five matches while conceding just 1.0 goal per game. Not bad. Too bad the deeper numbers don’t look great for them — across 23 historical meetings Leipzig have won 13 and Augsburg just 3. And what’s worse is, the aggregate score across those games sits at 46-19. (Leipzig scores roughly 2 goals per game while Augsburg can’t even manage one). Of course, Augsburg’s new and improved form might help limit the damage this time around. But don’t expect it to be enough to defy the broader pattern here. Especially with Leipzig playing at home.

• Score prediction: 2-1 for RB Leipzig

Option #1

• Bet: RB Leipzig Victory

• Odds Range: 1.26-1.48

Option #2

• Bet: Both Teams to Score (Yes)

• Odds Range: 1.44-1.66

▶▶Full Match Details: [Read More]

⚽ Atalanta vs Udinese
🏟️ Italian Serie A
Saturday 07 March; 18:00 (Europe/Paris)

• Why we’re watching: Nothing too special here, although the odds on Atalanta are pretty decent value at the upper end of the range.

• CXSports says: Atalanta is the better side here, and their ability to average around 1.5 goals per game over the long run against Udinese bodes well. That said, their recent history has been a little slower — the last four meetings have produced only six total goals between the two teams (vs around 2.6 goals per game over the long term). That’s in part down to Udinese becoming a slightly awkward opponent for attacking teams with their ability to keep matches well contained. Of course, Atalanta’s attacking depth should eventually overcome any resistance (especially at home), so there’s still good reason to believe this ends in a reasonably controlled Atalanta victory.

• Score prediction: 2-1 for Atalanta

Option #1

• Bet: Atalanta Victory

• Odds Range: 1.42-1.67

Option #2

• Bet: Over/Under (Over 1.5)

• Odds Range: 1.14-1.31

▶▶Full Match Details: [Read More]

⚽ Juventus vs Pisa
🏟️ Italian Serie A
Saturday 07 March; 20:45 (Europe/Paris)

• Why we’re watching: If you’re looking for this week’s second-surest thing, then this is your game.

• CXSports says: There’s no point even pretending there’s any sort of “balance” to be found here — Pisa arrives here with the sort of numbers that more or less make them a non-starter in most fixtures (they’ve only got a single victory all season!). Of course, Juventus are playing somewhat chaotically at the moment — their last six matches produced a monstrous 27 total goals (4.5 goals per game) although they have managed to nab around 2 of those goals in each game for themselves on average. And given Pisa aren’t exactly known for their ability to break through (nor for their ability to stop the opposing side from breaking through), there’s a good chance Juventus’ current fast and loose style could lead to a big winning margin here.

• Score prediction: 3-0 for Juventus

Option #1

• Bet: Juventus Victory

• Odds Range: 1.10-1.28

Option #2

• Bet: Both Teams to Score (No)

• Odds Range: 1.45-1.67

▶▶Full Match Details: [Read More]

Make your sportsbook work for you!

Given the Wolves’ miraculous victory this week (and Liverpool’s correspondingly shocking result), it’s probably the appropriate time to drop this banger from the late Winston Churchill.

Want to learn more about Winston Churchill?

Masters of Trivia is the only trivia app where every player is rewarded. Play all the trivia quizzes you can handle and earn real rewards simply for participating.

Take Masters of Trivia for a spin with the Winston Churchill Trivia Quiz today.

PS: The answer to this week’s question was [C] — FIFA executives were found to be accepting bribes for broadcasting and marketing rights in the 2015 FIFA scandal. Discover more trivia like this with the FIFA Corruption Scandal Trivia Quiz.