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2026 Masters odds, bets, Friday predictions: Picks to win from 10,000 simulations

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The first round of the 2026 Masters didn’t disappoint, setting the stage for a thrilling final three rounds. The 2026 Masters leaderboard looks somewhat similar to last year’s edition, as reigning champion Rory McIlroy sits atop at 5 under. He’s a co-leader entering Round 2, alongside Sam Burns, as the former LSU Tiger seeks his first major victory. A trio of golfers then follow at 3 under for the Masters 2026 with Kurt Kitayama, Jason Day and 2018 winner Patrick Reed.

McIlroy is the +270 favorite (risk $100 to win $270) in the 2026 Masters odds to become the fourth person to win back-to-back green jackets. Scottie Scheffler, the pre-tournament favorite, comes in at +350, while every other golfer to utilize in Masters bets is priced at double digits. Xander Schauffele is +1000, followed by Burns (+1300), Justin Rose (+1500) and Reed (+1800). Before locking in any 2026 Masters picks after the first round, be sure to see the 2026 Masters predictions and projected leaderboard from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

SportsLine’s proprietary model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, simulated every PGA Tour event 10,000 times and reveals golf betting picks that have a history of being extremely profitable. 

This same model has also nailed a whopping 16 majors entering the weekend, including the 2025 Masters — its fourth Masters in a row — as well as last year’s PGA Championship and Open Championship. Anyone who has followed its sports betting picks could have seen huge returns on betting sites

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Now that the first round of the 2026 Masters is in the books, the model simulated the final three rounds 10,000 times, and the results were surprising. Head to SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard

Top 2026 Masters predictions 

One surprise the model is calling for at the 2026 Masters: Burns (+1300), who enters Friday as a co-leader, stumbles down the stretch and barely cracks the top 10. Burns doesn’t have the greatest course history to comfortably rely on him with Masters bets as he’s never even had a top 25 across four prior starts at Augusta National. His best finish is tying for 29th as he’s missed the cut in half of his starts, but he does have a history of tumbling down the leaderboard after impressing early on.

At the 2023 Masters, Burns was in sixth place after both the first and second rounds, only to then falter on the weekend. He failed to break par on either day and finished tied for 29th for the tournament. His results at other majors aren’t much more inspiring, as across 22 starts, he has zero top-five finishes, with nearly twice as many missed cuts (seven) as top 25s (four). He’s one to fade with golf picks entering Round 2 of the Masters 2026. See who else to fade at SportsLine.

Another surprise: Tommy Fleetwood, a +2000 longshot who is four strokes back of the co-leaders at 1 under, makes a strong run at the title. The reigning FedEx Cup champion usually struggles in Round 1 at Augusta National, so it’s a promising sign that he’s near the top of the leaderboard entering play on Friday. Fleetwood was 2 over last year but still finished in the top 25, while at the 2024 Masters, he shot par on Thursday before putting together a strong final three rounds. The Englishman ended up in third place that year, marking his best finish at this major.

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Fleetwood’s metrics on the PGA Tour this season indicate his name could stick near the top of the leaderboard all tournament long as he’s top five in both strokes gained: tee-to-green and strokes gained: around-the-green. Additionally, he’s in the top 15 in driving accuracy percentage and strokes gained: total. He also stepped onto Augusta National in arguably the best form of his career: four top 10s over his last five events, three of those coming at signature tournaments. See who else to back at SportsLine.

How to make 2026 Masters picks

The model is targeting three other golfers with odds of +2500 or longer who will make surprising runs over the next three rounds, including one monster longshot who returns well over +5000. Anyone who backs these longshots could hit it big. You can only see the model’s Masters picks here.

So, who will win the Masters 2026, and which longshots will stun the golfing world? Check out the 2026 Masters odds below and then visit SportsLine to see the projected 2026 Masters leaderboard, all from the model that’s nailed 16 golf majors, including four straight Masters.

2026 Masters odds, contenders

Get full 2026 Masters picks, best bets and predictions here
(odds via FanDuel and subject to change)  

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Rory McIlroy +270
Scottie Scheffler +350
Xander Schauffele +1000
Sam Burns +1300
Justin Rose +1500
Patrick Reed +1800
Tommy Fleetwood +2000
Jason Day +2200
Shane Lowry +3300
Kurt Kitayama +3500
Hideki Matsuyama +4000
Jordan Spieth +4000
Cameron Young +4500
Brooks Koepka +4500
Jacob Bridgeman +5500
Ludvig Åberg +5000
Chris Gotterup +6500
Matt Fitzpatrick +7000
Adam Scott +7000
Justin Thomas +7000

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Manny Pacquiao takes over Floyd Mayweather gym as rematch dispute intensifies

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Manny Pacquiao has made a powerful statement without uttering a single word, as he prepares for a highly anticipated rematch against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The boxing legend’s new Hollywood gym, once associated with his rival, is now being rebranded as ‘Pacquiao Prime Boxing’ and is set to open this summer. Inside, a large image of Mayweather is slated for removal, symbolizing a new era.

It comes as Pacquiao and Mayweather are scheduled to face off again on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The bout marks more than a decade since their record-breaking encounter in 2015.

However, the nature of the upcoming fight has become a point of contention, with Mayweather characterizing it as an exhibition, while Pacquiao insists on the terms he agreed to. Representatives for Mayweather have not responded to requests for comment.

“He knows what he signed,” Pacquiao, 47, said in an interview this week.

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For the Filipino boxer, who ended a four-year retirement last year, the issue is one of principle. The undefeated Mayweather, 49, is returning to the ring nine years after his own retirement.

Pacquiao added: “Dignity. Integrity. That’s what matters.”

Manny Pacquiao poses while touring
Manny Pacquiao poses while touring “Pacquiao Prime Boxing,” his newly acquired gym in Hollywood (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Three different agreements

Behind the scenes, the focus has shifted from how the fight is being described to how it moves forward.

Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions and a producer on the event, said the bout is anchored by multiple signed agreements, and that those terms remain clear. He said Mayweather was well aware.

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“Not one, not two, but three different agreements,” Mathur said. “He signed all of them.”

According to Mathur, those agreements outline a professional fight, not an exhibition, and include financial commitments already in motion. His comments come amid broader questions surrounding Mayweather’s plans, including previously reported bouts with former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and against kickboxer Mike Zambidis — which could complicate the agreement.

“He took an advance on his purse,” Mathur said. “Everything is black and white.”

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Mathur described the situation as a breach of contract, pointing to public comments that differ from the signed terms. He added that the matter is now being handled through legal channels as both sides work toward a resolution.

“There are consequences that come with that,” Mathur said.

Pacquiao says the upcoming bout is about dignity
Pacquiao says the upcoming bout is about dignity (AP)

Pacquiao’s focus remains steady. But for him, the situation comes down to clarity and commitment.

“What we signed is a real fight,” he said. “I know that he knows what he signed. … We signed both, and I hope he honors it.”

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’He’s a chicken’

When asked what it would signal if the bout does not move forward as planned, Mathur did not hesitate.

“He’s a chicken,” he said.

Standing beside him, Pacquiao responded in his own way, letting out a brief “bawk, bawk, bawk” while flapping his arms, drawing laughter from both.

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Beyond the immediate stakes of the fight, Pacquiao also addressed the broader conversation surrounding legacy, including how greatness is defined in boxing. It’s a discussion that has long included both him and Mayweather.

“I don’t even claim myself as the greatest,” said Pacquiao, who noted he’s the only fighter to win titles across four decades. “I let the people say who is the greatest.”

Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, left, and boxer Manny Pacquiao tour the new
Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, left, and boxer Manny Pacquiao tour the new “Pacquiao Prime Boxing” gym (AP)

Why take over Mayweather’s gym?

Taking over a space once associated with Mayweather, especially in the lead-up to a high-profile rematch, carries a natural layer of symbolism. But Pacquiao and his team framed the decision through a different lens.

While standing in front of Mayweather’s image — one that will soon be replaced — Pacquiao described a new direction for the space as one centered on performance rather than accessibility.

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The facility will operate as a private training center for professional fighters, athletes and select guests. There are plans to expand the model across major markets.

Mathur pointed to location and visibility as key drivers behind the decision, noting the volume of daily traffic through the Hollywood corridor. At the same time, he suggested the opportunity reflects a broader shift in approach tied to the previous business connected to Mayweather’s brand.

“There was a chance to build something much bigger,” Mathur said. “We’re looking at this differently.”

Pacquiao said he wants to create opportunities for the next generation of fighters while expanding his footprint in the sport.

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“This is our passion,” he said. “To build more boxing gyms and help develop fighters.”

Pacquiao says he wants to build more boxing gy
Pacquiao says he wants to build more boxing gy (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Building beyond the ring

Beyond the fight, Pacquiao and his team are building with a broader vision in mind.

From fighter development under Manny Pacquiao Promotions to new training hubs through the Hollywood gym, the focus extends well past the ring.

Mathur, who partners with Pacquiao across multiple ventures, described a strategy centered on long-term growth, including efforts to bring Pacquiao’s established business footprint from Asia into the United States and beyond.

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“Manny is actively involved,” Mathur said. “This is about building something bigger.”

That vision also includes ventures in financial technology, highlighted by Manny Pay — a digital wallet platform the team is working to expand internationally — along with media and consumer products tied to Pacquiao’s global reach.

In a space being rebuilt for what comes next, Pacquiao is moving forward with focus. He said the balance between business and boxing remains clear.

“Both,” he said, when asked what drives him now. “We’re focused on this fight, and building our own businesses.”

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Xander Bogaerts hits a walk-off grand slam in the 12th as Padres top Rockies

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SAN DIEGO — Xander Bogaerts hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 12th inning and the San Diego Padres snapped the Colorado Rockies‘ four-game winning streak with a 7-3 victory on Thursday night.

Bogaerts sent a 1-0 pitch from Valente Bellozo (0-1) out to left field for his ninth career grand slam and his second with the Padres.

Fernando Tatis Jr. laid down a sacrifice bunt to begin the 12th, moving automatic runner Jake Cronenworth to third. Bellozo intentionally walked Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado to load the bases before Bogaerts’ shot.

David Morgan (1-0) retired all five batters he faced to get the win after coming in with two on and one out in the 11th.

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Cronenworth threw out Willi Castro at home on a grounder to second base to keep the Rockies from scoring in the 12th. Castro went 0 for 5 with five strikeouts.

Brett Sullivan had an RBI double in the 11th to give the Rockies a 3-2 lead, but Luis Campusano tied it with a two-out double.

Tyler Freeman’s RBI single gave Colorado a 2-1 lead in the 10th before Machado tied it with a sac fly.

Brenton Doyle hit a one-out solo shot to centre field off Randy Vásquez for his first home run of the season and a 1-0 Rockies’ lead in the third. Vásquez allowed one run on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out eight.

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Tatis tied it 1-1 with a sacrifice fly in the Padres’ third.

Hunter Goodman left with a laceration on his right middle finger after he was hit by a Vásquez pitch leading off the sixth.

Padres closer Mason Miller needed 10 pitches to strike out the side in the ninth, running his scoreless innings streak to 27 2/3 innings dating to last season. The right-hander has 58 strikeouts and only five hits allowed during the run.

Chase Dollander surrendered one run on four hits in 4 1/3 innings for Colorado after Jimmy Herget opened with a 1-2-3 first.

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Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0, 1.69) starts Friday opposite Padres RHP Walker Buehler (0-1, 9.45).

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Mouat leads Northern to sweep of Typhoon in curling’s Rock League

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Northern United rebounded from being on the wrong side of the first sweep in Rock League history with a sweep of its own in a win over the Typhoon Curling Club on Thursday afternoon.

A day after getting swept by Alpine Curling Club, Bruce Mouat’s Northern team improved to 3-1 in the league’s inaugural event.

Mouat led Northern’s men to a 10-4 win over Typhoon’s Niklas Edin.

Kristin Skaslien and Yannick Schwaller downed Tori Koana and Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi 8-5 in mixed doubles action, and Isabella Wrana’s women’s team won a draw shot challenge shootout after finishing tied 6-6 with Anna Hasselborg after seven ends.

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The victory gave Northern 3.5 points and a short time atop the standings. Team Alpine (3-1, 3.5 points) went back in front thanks to a 2-1 victory over Maple United (1-3, one point) in Thursday’s late game.

Earlier, Brad Jacobs and the Shield Curling Club beat the Frontier Curling Club 2-1. Shield improved to 2-2 with two points, while Frontier had a 1-3 record and one point.

Teams get one point for a win, plus an extra half-point for a sweep.

The inaugural event at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre runs until Sunday. The competition offers US$250,000 in prize money, with $100,000 going to the winning team.

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Behind the scenes at Manchester United’s training camp – watching Real Madrid, head tennis and Westlife

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Man Utd have spent three days training in Ireland this week as they look to set up a strong finish to the Premier League season. This is the story of the camp.

They had a split-screen set up in the Manchester United team room at the opulent Carton House on Tuesday night. On one TV, Manchester United Under-21s were taking on their Real Madrid counterparts in the quarter-final of the Premier League International Cup.

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Had Michael Carrick and his staff not been in County Kildare, they would have been at Old Trafford, casting an eye over some of the club’s talented youngsters as they underwent a technical test of the kind they don’t often face domestically.

Being across the Irish Sea wasn’t going to stop Carrick from continuing his support of the club’s academy, and staff made sure that MUTV was on after dinner on Tuesday, allowing those who wanted to watch United’s youngsters lose a good game 4-2 in extra-time.

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But that wasn’t the only entertainment available on Tuesday night. On the other screen, and attracting plenty of interest from players desperate to return to this stage themselves, was the Champions League quarter-final between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. A battle between European heavyweights and an open, end-to-end classic that looked nothing like some of the fare served up in the Premier League this season.

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You can understand those players keen to watch that game. It is where United want to be themselves and this three-day jaunt to Ireland was about setting them up for one final push. A run of 23 points from a possible 30 under Carrick has moved United into third and they look on course to return to Europe’s blue-riband competition.

This was also a chance for the players to regroup after two weeks apart. The media were granted access to the first 15 minutes of the week’s first training session, and it was noticeable how buoyant the atmosphere was. The togetherness in the squad was noted by staff who saw them together at close quarters, and one felt it was a “nice reminder” of how tight-knit the players had become.

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They trained on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning on the pristine pitches at Carton House, and were put through punishing gym sessions after being granted time off during the long break between fixtures. At times, the staff couldn’t drag the players off the training pitch, with the head tennis net proving a popular addition. Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha were declared the champions at the end of the week.

It wasn’t all work for the players, either. They had time off on Tuesday afternoon, with some hitting the venue’s two championship golf courses and others opting for clay pigeon shooting. Some just had a relaxing couple of hours in the hotel’s spa.

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These days, Carton House is mostly used by the Ireland rugby team, but it has played host to football clubs including Real Madrid, Chelsea, Newcastle and Burnley in the past. United did their best to keep their use of the venue quiet, but a few hundred fans were there when they arrived at around 7pm on Monday, and numbers grew as the week progressed.

By the time training finished on Wednesday, it is estimated that at least 3,000 fans lined the road between the training pitch and the hotel. Every player spent at least 20 minutes signing autographs and posing for selfies, and one United staffer said they had seen Fernandes sign at least 1,000 items across the three days. The captain also spent time with the club’s Sligo supporters branch, who presented him with their player of the year award.

The geography of Carton House makes it an appealing venue for clubs. United players could use the gym in their own area of the hotel before making the short walk down a tree-lined road and then a slight hill to training. With fans lining both sides of the one-track road, some players said it felt like a matchday arrival at Old Trafford.

United’s players weren’t the only head-turning attraction on site, however. Some members of the media were surprised to see Nicky Byrne from Westlife in attendance on Tuesday morning. As the wait for Amad and Bryan Mbeumo to arrive for their press conference ticked up towards 30 minutes, one remarked we were in danger of ‘filing without wingers’, offering a surprising knowledge of Westlife’s back catalogue.

Byrne was actually there for a meet-and-greet with the players, along with GAA star Carla Rowe and Irish influencer John Nellis. Also in attendance was nine-year-old Harry McCormack. The youngster is named after legendary United goalkeeper Harry Gregg, who survived the Munich air disaster. Young Harry is a lifelong patient at Crumlin Hospital after he was born with half a heart.

United’s presence in Ireland was partly to promote August’s pre-season friendly with Leeds, which will take place at the iconic Croke Park stadium, an 82,000-capacity GAA venue, which last hosted football 17 years ago.

It is a famous and historic site, and on arrival on Tuesday, striker Benjamin Sesko was whisked away for a photo opportunity. The size of the stadium shocked the Slovenian, who then shocked his hosts by showing some knowledge of GAA, having seen the sport on TV previously.

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Back at Carton House, it was a different kind of football on the agenda. United staff were delighted with the focus and application in training after more than two weeks without a game, with the intensity levels cranked up following the return of Lisandro Martinez, who always brings an extra edge.

They checked out on Thursday afternoon and could return in the summer for a training camp around that Leeds fixture. But for now, Carrick and his staff will hope three days in Ireland and a round of golf or two have teed them up for a strong finish, and a return to playing in the Champions League, rather than watching it on TV.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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Taiwo Awoniyi Vows to Help Nottingham Forest Escape Relegation Battle

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Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has promised to give his best in the final seven games of the season as Nottingham Forest fight to stay in the Premier League.

Forest are currently 16th in the table, sitting just three points above the relegation zone in the Premier League. The battle to avoid the drop is tight, with only a few points separating several teams near the bottom.

Awoniyi, who has struggled with injuries this season, has spent more time on the bench as other forwards have led the attack. However, he says he is ready to step up when called upon.

  • Victor Boniface returns to training after Injury LayoffVictor Boniface returns to training after Injury Layoff

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He stressed that the remaining matches are very important for the club and everyone involved, both on and off the pitch.

The Nigerian striker also spoke about the pressure of a relegation fight, saying no player wants to go through it, especially because of its impact on fans and club staff.

Forest still have tough fixtures ahead, including matches against top sides, as they try to secure their place in the top flight.

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Awoniyi, who scored in their recent game against Tottenham, believes that momentum can help the team as they push to finish the season strongly.

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Famalicao vs Moreirense Prediction and Betting Tips

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Seeking to snap their three-game losing run and secure their first win since mid February, Moreirense take on Famalicao at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao in round 29 of Portuguese Primeira Liga on Friday. Hugo Oliveira’s men, meanwhile, will head into the weekend looking to extend their perfect home record in 2026, having won each of their five home matches since the turn of the year.

Famalicao picked up another impressive result in their push for a top-four finish last Saturday, when they netted a 99th-minute equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw against league leaders Porto at the Estadio do Dragao.

Oliveira’s side have now gone six straight matches without defeat, picking up four wins and two draws since February’s 1-0 loss against Sporting Lisbon, a run that has seen them cement themselves as genuine contenders for European qualification.

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Famalicao have picked up 46 points from their 28 Primeira Liga matches so far to sit fifth in the league standings, just three points off fourth-placed Braga in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying spot.

In stark contrast, Moreirense’s free-fall in the league standings continued at the weekend when they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Braga in front of their home supporters.

Vasco Costa’s men have now lost three games on the spin and are without a win in their last six matches (2D 4L) since a 2-1 victory over Rio Ave on February 16.

This poor run of results has seen Moreirense drop to eighth place in the Primeira Liga table, level on 35 points with ninth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes.

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Famalicao vs Moreirense Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

  • With five wins from the last 15 meetings between the sides, Famalicao boasts a superior record in the history of this fixture.
  • Moreirense have picked up three wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on seven occasions.
  • Costa’s men have won just one of their last five Primeira Liga visits to the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao, while losing twice and claiming two draws since November 2019.
  • Famalicao boast a 100% home record in 2026, winning each of their five matches while scoring 10 goals and keeping four clean sheets since December’s 3-2 defeat against Estrela Amadora.

Famalicao vs Moreirense Prediction

High-flying Famalicao know they must avoid any slip-up in the run-in as they look to secure European football, and given Moreirense’s recent woes, we are backing them to extend their hot home streak with another impressive victory.

Prediction: Famalicao 2-0 Moreirense


Famalicao vs Moreirense Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result – Famalicao to win

Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals – No (There have been fewer than three goals scored in five of their last six meetings between the two teams)

Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards – Yes (There have also been at least five bookings in nine of their last 10 clashes)

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