Talks to avert WC2010 workers strike resume

Unions representing workers at South Africa s World Cup stadiums will resume wage talks on Monday to avert a strike that could delay construction deadlines, SAPA news agency said on Friday.

Workers at five 2010 World Cup stadiums still under construction in Cape Town, Durban, Polokwane, Nelspruit and Johannesburg have threatened to down tools on Wednesday over wage disputes.

The parties were looking for common ground and committed to meet again, said Joe Campanella, spokesman for the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors.

Basically, we are back on negotiating terms, we have resumed talking to each other, Campanella told SAPA.

The talks between the unions and the contractors body will be facilitated by the country s labour relations …

Guardiola 2021: Pep´s Manchester City could spark Premier League´s third golden age

Pep Guardiola s decision to sign a two-year contract extension at Manchester City, tying him to the club until 2020-21, was interpreted by many as a statement of dynasty-building intent from the previously itinerant Catalan coach.

After four years in charge of Barcelona s first team and in contrast to an efficient three-year stay at Bayern Munich, Guardiola will have been at the helm at the Etihad Stadium for five campaigns if he sees out the duration of the new deal announced on Thursday, which could yet be extended further. 

Some suggested his unprecedented display of long-term commitment sounded the death knell for competitiveness in England s top flight, such was the champions inevitable, infallible dominance in marching to the title this season.

But by thro…

Can Croatia qualify for the quarter-finals of Euro 2012?

Croatia face a crucial Euro 2012 clash with European and world champions Spain this evening.

The Croats are level with their opponents on points in Group C and know that only a victory will guarantee them passage into the quarter-finals of the competition.

Draw

A draw could be enough for both sides to progress depending on the result of Italy’s clash with the Republic of Ireland.

However the Spanish are unlikely to settle for a draw in Gdansk and will be looking to secure a quarter-final place with a victory.

Difficult

It will be difficult for Slaven Bilic’s men to get the victory that they so desperately want. It won’t be impossible for Bilic’s men though. His side has made a really good impression in their first two games of the…

Predicting the Premier League: How will the top four look in 2022-23?

It is just over two months since the 2021-22 season ended in drama, with Manchester City clinching the title thanks to a stunning comeback win over Aston Villa.

That dashed Liverpool s hopes of an unprecedented quadruple, as Jurgen Klopp s side – who would go on to lose in the Champions League final six days later – settled for second.

The same top two could battle for the title again this season, and despite both Klopp and Pep Guardiola emphasising the strength of other sides in the league, some would say it is hard to see anybody being able to match their consistency, though Liverpool do have to learn without Sadio Mane, while City might need to get used to Erling Haaland.

Liverpool gained some small form of revenge by beating City 3-1 in the Community S…

Bundesliga 2021-22: Can anyone stop Bayern Munich? Stats Perform AI predicts

Bayern Munich are entering a new era under Julian Nagelsmann, but it looks unlikely much will change when it comes to their dominance of the Bundesliga in 2021-22.

It could be another good season for Wolfsburg, but things are not looking too good for Greuther Furth, according to Stats Perform predictions.

The Stats Perform League Prediction Model, created by Stats Perform AI using Opta data, has analysed the division ahead of the new season to assign percentages to potential outcomes for each club.

The model estimates the probability of each match outcome (win, draw or loss) based on teams attacking and defensive qualities, which considers four years worth of results, with weighting based on recency and the quality of opposition. The season is then simulated 10,…

Cristiano Ronaldo wins the 2013 Ballon d’Or award

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo was yesterday awarded the 2013 Ballon d Or award

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the Ballon d’Or award yesterday.

The Portuguese international won the award ahead of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery.

Emotional

The 28-year-old was emotional when he received the award.

On receiving the award he said: I have no words to describe this moment. Thanks to all of my team-mates at Real Madrid and the national team.

Without all of their efforts this would not have been possible. I am very happy, it is very difficult to win this award.

Everybody that has been involved with me on a personal level I have to thank. My partner, my friends, my son. It is a t…

New Orleans Saints 2021 NFL Betting Preview: Uncertainty Abound in the Post-Brees Era

You know at some point this season, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is going to yell out the classic coaching cliché, “DREW BREES AIN’T WALKING THROUGH THAT DOOR!”. 

Brees has hung them up, leaving this once-feared passing game in flux. Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill could play a few rounds of musical chairs under center, putting added weight on the Saints’ dominant defense to finally hog the spotlight. 

Payton is going to earn his paycheck this year, but can he earn some extra scratch for NOLA backers as well?

Enjoy our 2021 New Orleans Saints NFL betting preview.

Week 12 NFL Parlay Picks: Mistake Free at Mile High

We were blessed with some extra football earlier on in the week, with the Thanksgiving slate delivering three games to start Week 12. 

The Buffalo Bills bounced back in a big way, and the Detroit Lions’ struggles continued after suffering another heartbreaking loss keeping them out of the win column. 

With a lot of small spreads, we look to be in another tricky week of NFL wagering. Here’s a look at my favorite NFL parlay picks for Week 12.

Chiefs vs Buccaneers Sunday Night Football Picks and Predictions: Evans Comes Back With a Bang

A rematch of Super Bowl LV closes out a busy Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in NFL Week 4.

It’s been a wild week in Tampa Bay after Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Florida and threatened to move this game to Minnesota. However, Sunday Night Football stays in the pirate ship, where the Buccaneers are short home underdogs in primetime.

Tom Brady and this Tampa Bay attack have been hampered by injuries since training camp but are starting to get bodies back, namely at receiver. That extra offense shows up just in time for this run-in with Kansas City, which could easily be undefeated if not for some gaffes against Indianapolis last Sunday.

I break down the spread and total for Sunday Night Football and give my bes…

Lions vs Packers TNF Prop Bets: It's a Love Story

The Green Bay Packers snuck out a win in Week 3, scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter after falling down 17-0. Jordan Love continues to impress despite the Packers flaunting one of the league’s most inexperienced receiving corps. 

Tongight they host the Detroit Lions, who bounced back with a 20-6 win in Week 3 behind a commanding performance from Jared Goff (243 passing yards and a touchdown through the air and on the ground) and fantastic efforts from Amon-Ra St. Brown (nine receptions for 102 yards) and Sam LaPorta (eight for 84 and a touchdown).

Let’s break down the TNF odds and try to figure out who will step up for each side in this Thursday Night Football showdown. If you want full-game side and total predictions check out our Lions vs. Packers p…