A Minnesota Vikings helmet rests along the sideline during third-quarter action in a divisional matchup against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The equipment sat near the bench area as Minnesota battled on the road in NFC North play. Nov 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA: A helmet remained positioned near the Vikings sideline during game action. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings are off and running at the NFL Combine, speaking to media on Tuesday and not holding back as they reveal their offseason plans. The club has an interim general manager after firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah four weeks ago, at least nine draft picks to spend, and all-in stakes to win in 2026. Thanks to head coach Kevin O’Connell and interim GM Rob Brzezinski, a few items became clear this week.
O’Connell spoke, Brzezinski clarified authority, and Minnesota’s next roster moves began to come into focus.
The developments were especially helpful as free agency gets off the ground in 12 days.
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The Vikings-Themed Items to Know at the Start of the Combine
O’Connell attends his fifth NFL Combine. Here’s what we learned so far.
Feb. 17, 2022 — Minnesota Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski speaks with Vikings.com’s Gabe Henderson during a recorded interview about roster construction, contract strategy, and the organization’s leadership framework. Brzezinski outlined the club’s long-range football operations approach and discussed the arrival of head coach Kevin O’Connell as part of Minnesota’s evolving front-office structure. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
1. The Power Structure Is Collaborative
Remember the Vikings’ “triangle of authority” from the Brad Childress days? That’s back.
Asked about the front office structure, Brzezinski replied, “We have to have protocol in place, and so the owners have asked me to handle that responsibility if that would occur. But our intent is to have complete and total collaboration, and I think the decisions are going to be pretty easy to make.”
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Brzezinski also said, “It’s an awesome responsibility. I’ve been here a long time. I know what this franchise means to our fans, and I just want to be a small part of one day delivering that championship.”
It sounds like O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores will be very much in charge of personnel, with Brzezinski possibly playing a tiebreaker role if necessary.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s ownership group stated last month that it would hire a full-time general manager after the draft in April. Perhaps Brzezinski will impress enough to keep the job.
2. Josh McCown Has Been Promoted
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The Vikings announced a new coaching organizational chart, complete with new names, after losing seven coaches in the last two months. Among them, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown earned a new title: offensive passing game coordinator.
Some fans criticized McCown for not empowering J.J. McCarthy to the fullest in the last two seasons, but O’Connell clearly doesn’t agree.
McCown is now in charge of the passing offense, working with offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, who is also often an object of fans’ scorn.
3. Insider Says DT Javon Hargrave Is on the Trade Block
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Since the start of the offseason, Vikings loyalists have speculated about players who might be traded, including big names like McCarthy and wide receiver Jordan Addison.
But as of Tuesday, there’s officially a tangible trade rumor — involving defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz tweeted Tuesday, “Sources: The Vikings have had trade talks with teams regarding 2x Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave. Hargrave started 15 games last year and had 3.5 sacks in his first season with Minnesota.”
Minnesota is likely shopping Hargrave for a late-round draft pick, a last recourse before his release.
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4. The Vikings’ Timeline for J.J. McCarthy Has Changed
Media members asked O’Connell if he still considers McCarthy as a franchise quarterback, a slogan he’s never been afraid to attach to McCarthy.
Aug. 10, 2024 — Minneapolis, Minnesota — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) participates in pregame stretching and warmup throws ahead of a preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. The rookie passer worked on timing and mechanics as coaches evaluated offensive cohesion and depth entering exhibition play under the stadium lights. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
O’Connell said yes but added a caveat, “It’s just the timeline is in a different place for all of us than it was in the summer of 2024. And I have a responsibility — we have a responsibility collectively as we put together this team — to make sure that we use the data that we have at this time and the experiences we have.”
This basically means that O’Connell classified McCarthy as his franchise quarterback in the summer of 2024 when he first answered the question; now, the timeline has changed. The Vikings need a McCarthy alternative in case injuries arise in 2026, a familiar theme for McCarthy.
5. All QB Options Will Be Examined
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At the start of the offseason, O’Connell and former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah proclaimed a deep quarterback room as the foremost priority.
That mindset remains, even after Adofo-Mensah left the Vikings.
Brzezinski said, “We’re exploring every option that can be out there. What we do know is we need a level of baseline quarterback play for us to be effective.”
“A lot of this has been J.J. in unfortunate situations with some of the injuries and things that he’s dealt with, but we’re going to explore every opportunity, and I don’t think there’s anything specifically we’re looking for. We can’t manufacture anything that’s not there. So, No. 1, what are the options? Is it reciprocal? Is it financially doable? All those things. There’s just a lot of factors that go into it.”
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Need a level of baseline quarterback play is the smoking gun that suggests a quarterback signing or trade is imminent.
6. Nothing But Love for Kwesi
Some claimed that an O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah rift may have caused Adofo-Mensah’s termination at the end of January. That is categorically false.
Oct. 7, 2023 — Minneapolis, Minnesota — Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches from the sideline during the Minnesota Golden Gophers’ game against the Michigan Wolverines at Huntington Bank Stadium. The Vikings executive attended the in-state contest as part of ongoing scouting work while continuing to shape the team’s roster planning and long-term draft outlook. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
O’Connell on Adofo-Mensah: “From the standpoint of my relationship, personally and professionally, with Kwesi was and will always continue to be strong. Any thoughts or noise to the contrary of that is not accurate in any way, shape or form. Speaking to the timing of it, I just know that our ownership is, I think they’re the best owners in sports.”
“I think they’re very thorough in their postseason evaluation. They made a decision, an ownership decision at that level. We will press onward, but obviously really, really thankful for my time to work with Kwes’ and what we were able to build together here and some of the success that we’ve had together and obviously the learning moments. I know he’s going to continue to go on to great things in his career.”
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Brzezinski, Adofo-Mensah’s direct replacement, called his predecessor a “fabulous human being.”
NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals produced a stunning batting display as young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi powered them to a record-breaking start against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. Chasing 202, RR raced to 97/1 in the Powerplay, their highest-ever total in the first six overs and one of the best in IPL history. Sooryavanshi, who was dismissed for 78 runs off 26, led the charge inside the powerplay with a blistering 57 off just 18 balls, while Dhruv Jurel supported him with a quick 27 off 10 balls.
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The sixth over alone produced 24 runs, underlining RR’s dominance.This effort placed RR among the top Powerplay scores in IPL history, just behind some explosive totals by Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders. Highest Powerplay totals in IPL
125/0 – SRH vs DC, Delhi, 2024
107/0 – SRH vs LSG, Hyderabad, 2024
105/0 – KKR vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2017
100/2 – CSK vs PBKS, Wankhede, 2014
97/1 – RR vs RCB, Guwahati, 2026*
94/1 – SRH vs RR, Hyderabad, 2025
The aggressive approach ensured RR took early control of the chase, putting immense pressure on RCB’s bowling attack.Earlier, RCB had posted 201/8, largely thanks to a fighting knock from captain Rajat Patidar, who scored 63 off 40 balls. Walking in during a collapse, Patidar steadied the innings and kept the scoreboard ticking despite wickets falling at the other end. Virat Kohli had provided a quick start with 32 off 16 balls but fell trying to accelerate.RR’s bowlers, led by Jofra Archer and Ravi Bishnoi, triggered a middle-order collapse, reducing RCB to 94/6 at one stage. Bishnoi’s variations proved crucial, while Brijesh Sharma impressed with key breakthroughs.However, a late surge from Impact Sub Venkatesh Iyer, who smashed 29 off 15 balls including 21 runs in the final over, pushed RCB past the 200-run mark. Despite the late flourish, the total appeared slightly below par on a surface offering bounce but also value for shots.In response, RR’s fearless approach in the Powerplay, spearheaded by Sooryavanshi, turned the game decisively in their favour, scripting a memorable night and showcasing the arrival of a new batting star in the IPL.
World football governing body FIFA has ruled out Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from officiating at the 2026 World Cup.
The decision comes months after his controversial performance in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, which drew heavy criticism from fans, players, and football officials.
Ndala was at the centre of several disputed calls during the final, with many observers questioning his judgement in key moments of the match. The backlash that followed placed his officiating under intense scrutiny.
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After a detailed review process, FIFA opted to leave the experienced referee out of its list for the global tournament. The body is said to have based its decision on consistency, performance levels, and the need to maintain high refereeing standards on the world stage.
The move signals FIFA’s firm stance on accountability, especially after major competitions where officiating decisions can shape outcomes. It also reflects the growing demand for accuracy and fairness in modern football.
Ndala, once regarded as one of Africa’s top referees, now faces an uncertain future at the highest level, as the fallout from the AFCON final continues to affect his career.
Fury was in the same upbeat mood he has shown all week – making time for fans outside beforehand, laughing and joking with the media, and strolling out to Eminem’s ‘Without Me’ with the line “guess who’s back?” blasting over the speakers.
But the focus soon turned to the scales, with weight a talking point throughout the Morecambe fighter’s career.
He was a career-heaviest 20st 1lb (127.5kg) – although fully clothed – for his rematch with Usyk in December 2024, while during his hiatus from boxing between 2016 and 2018 he ballooned to around 28st (177.8kg) amid personal struggles.
Fury – who has spent his training camp in Pattaya, Thailand – weighed the same as he did for his last fight in the United Kingdom in December 2022 when he beat fellow Briton Derek Chisora.
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“It’s a decent, comfortable, happy weight for Fury. A lot of people thought he’d come in heavier, but that’s a good weight,” said BBC Radio 5 Live boxing pundit Steve Bunce.
“He looks like a man that has been training in the heat for an awful long time.
“He might have been 23 or 24 stone when he started training for this fight. He’s moved a little bit of weight and built it up slowly after his exile. He’s been walking up hills and carrying trees. I love how he looks.”
Makhmudov, though, is one of the few heavyweights capable of matching Fury for sheer physical presence.
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Standing 6ft 6in, the Russian-born, Canada-based fighter – known as ‘The Lion’ – has secured 21 wins in 23 fights, including 19 by knockout, and arrives in London with a reputation as a heavy puncher.
Makhmudov’s most recent victory came against British heavyweight Dave Allen in October 2025.
“I’m ready to go. I can’t wait for tomorrow night to make my dream happen. I’ve waited a long time to get here. It’s my dream and my time,” he said.
After a rough first round at Augusta National Thursday, Bryson DeChambeau did not appear too pleased when he was asked about his 3D-printed 5-iron.
The two-time U.S. Open champion had an eventful first round at the Masters, hitting a patron with a tee shot on the sixth hole before taking three separate bunker shots on the 11th.
After the round, he had to face the media, and he was asked about the process of making his special club other than the driver.
Bryson DeChambeau reacts to his tee shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., April 9, 2026.(Grace Smith/Imagn Images)
DeChambeau said it’s roughly a “day-and-a-half” process to make a club, so when he was asked if he “would want to” go through the process of making another one, it was a hard no.
“Pfft, no. It has to be USGA-conforming. There’s a whole process you have to go through,” he said.
It’s a club he built himself.
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“There’s this nature that I have about myself where innovation is a habit of mine, and I really find and take pride in that ability to learn — even through failure, even through making a bad decision or a good decision — what I can get from that,” he told ESPN.
Bryson DeChambeau hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., April 9, 2026.(Eric Gay/AP Photo)
“We’ll see where it goes. We’ll see where it takes me. All I could say now is, if I don’t put them in the bag, it’s my fault now.”
DeChambeau said after the round that he only used the club once on Thursday.
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Last year, DeChambeau was in the final group of the Masters alongside eventual winner Rory McIlroy. The two were paired together to end the prior year’s U.S. Open as well, which DeChambeau won in part due to bad putting by McIlroy and a forever-remembered up-and-down by DeChambeau from the bunker on 18 at Pinehurst No. 2.
But DeChambeau could not find similar success Thursday after shooting a 4-over 76, putting himself in danger of missing the cut.
Bryson DeChambeau acknowledges patrons on the 17th green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., April 9, 2026.(Michael Madrid/Imagn Images)
Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) grabs a rebound over Phoenix Mercury forward Kathryn Westbeld (24) during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
Three-time WNBA champion and six-time All-Star guard Jewell Loyd is close to signing a three-year contract with the Las Vegas Aces, ESPN reported on Friday.
Financial terms were not disclosed in the report.
Loyd, 32, played in a career-best 44 games in 2025 during her first season with Las Vegas, averaging 11.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists.
She is averaging 16.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 371 career games (335 starts) with the Seattle Storm and Aces.
Nikola Jokic & Co. are on a league-best 10-game winning streak and have beaten those 10 opponents by an average of 9.7 points a game. The streak includes an overtime victory over the Spurs, which ended San Antonio’s 11-game winning streak. With just two games remaining in the regular season, Denver (52-28) has moved into the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, ahead of the Lakers (51-29) and Rockets (51-29).
After the Nuggets’ recent run, Denver sits in fourth in futures betting for the NBA Finals, at +850 at DraftKings, behind only the Thunder (+120), Spurs (+500) and Celtics (+550).
On Friday the Nuggets will try to keep their momentum rolling when they battle the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena in Denver. The Nuggets are 11.5-point favorites against Oklahoma City because, according to reports, the Thunder are set to sit up to 10 players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, among others. Meanwhile, five Denver players are questionable, including Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.
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Fans interested in wagering on Friday’s games need to check out the latest DraftKings promo code for a great offer.
While Nuggets vs. Thunder is the marquee attraction on Friday, there are other options on a sporting landscape that includes 14 other NBA matchups and a full MLB schedule. Below is a snapshot of what to watch and bet for Friday, April 10. All times Eastern.
NBA best bets, where to watch
Cavaliers at Hawks
Time: 7 p.m. | Location: Atlanta | TV: Prime Video | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
There’s still a small chance that Cleveland catches the Knicks for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, but the Cavaliers would need to win their last two games while New York would have to lose its last two. So Cleveland has elected to play it safe on Friday by sitting All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill. Barner notes that Evan Mobley should get shot attempts and rebounding opportunities with the absences of Mitchell and Allen. “Even with them on the floor against the Hawks on Wednesday, Mobley finished with 22 points and 19 rebounds,” he says. Meanwhile, the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, says the Cavaliers have a 39.0% chance to win and assigns a B grade to the Cleveland money line (+272).
Thunder at Nuggets
Time: 9 p.m. | Location: Denver | TV: NBA League Pass | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
During its 10-game winning streak, Denver is averaging a robust 128.2 points per 100 possessions. That not only leads the league over that time but also is much better than the Nuggets’ season-long average of 121.1, which also leads the league. Jokic is on track to become the first player to lead the NBA in both rebounds (12.9) and assists (10.9) per game. The playing status for the three-time MVP is worth monitoring, obviously, but the SportsLine Projection Model says Denver has a 67.0% chance to cover against the shorthanded Thunder and gives a B grade to Nuggets -11.5.
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Timberwolves at Rockets
Time: 9:30 p.m. | Location: Houston | TV: Prime Video | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
With just two games remaining in the regular season, the Rockets (51-29) still have something to play for. They are tied in the standings with the Lakers, but because Los Angeles owns the tiebreaker, the Lakers are the No. 4 seed. If the Rockets can catch Los Angeles, which is playing without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, for the fourth spot, they would have home court advantage over the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. That would be significant since Houston is 29-10 at home this season but just 22-19 on the road. The SportsLine Projection Model says there’s a 65.7% chance the teams combine for 222 points or more and assigns a B grade to Over 221.5.
MLB best bets, where to watch
Angels at Reds
Time: 6:45 p.m. | Location: Cincinnati | TV: Apple TV | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
Cincinnati starter Chase Burns (1-0, 0.82 ERA) is showing the stuff that made him the No. 2 overall pick two years ago. So far this season, the 23-year-old righty has allowed only one run on six hits, while striking out 16 and walking four across 11 innings. According to Baseball Savant, he ranks in the 98th percentile in whiff percentage (44.4) and in the 96th percentile in fastball velocity (98.5). On Friday, he faces an Angels ballclub that already has struck out 142 times this season, the most in all of baseball. The SportsLine Projection Model says there’s a 63.0% chance the Reds win and gives a C grade to the Cincinnati money line (-189).
Giants at Orioles
Time: 7:15 p.m. | Location: Baltimore | TV: Apple TV | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
Traditional baseball statistics suggest that San Francisco starter Landen Roupp has been just OK this season; he is 1-1, with a 4.22 ERA. But according to Baseball Savant the 27-year-old righty ranks in the 90th percentile or better in ground ball percentage (66.7), average exit velocity (82.9) and xERA (2.05). The SportsLine Projection Model says the Giants have a 55.0% chance to win and assigns a B grade to the San Francisco money line (+106).
NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals cruised to a comfortable six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, thanks to a breathtaking knock by teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Chasing 202, the 15-year-old smashed a stunning 78 off just 26 balls, including seven sixes, helping his team finish the chase in just 18 overs. While most teenagers his age are busy with exams, Sooryavanshi lit up the stadium with fearless hitting, reaching his fifty in just 15 balls.
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Alongside him, Dhruv Jurel played a steady and classy knock of 81 not out, but the spotlight firmly remained on Sooryavanshi’s explosive batting. The duo stitched together a rapid 108-run partnership, taking the game away from RCB in no time.Sooryavanshi took on experienced bowlers like Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar with ease, hitting boundaries and sixes all around the ground. His fearless approach and clean striking left both the bowlers and the crowd stunned. From whipping yorkers into the stands to dominating even tight deliveries, he showed remarkable confidence and skill.This innings further proved that Sooryavanshi is no ordinary youngster. After an impressive debut season, he has come back even stronger, pushing the limits of T20 batting with an incredible strike rate. He is not just following trends but setting new ones, showing that even a 200 strike rate can be surpassed.Earlier, RCB posted 201/8, thanks to a solid 63 from Rajat Patidar and a late boost from Venkatesh Iyer. However, once Sooryavanshi got going, the target looked far from enough.With such performances, the young batter is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting talents in the IPL, and perhaps even knocking loudly on the doors of the national team.Brief scores: Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 201 for 8 in 20 overs (Rajat Patidar 63; Jofra Archer 2/33, Ravi Bishnoi 2/32, Brijesh Sharma 2/37)Rajasthan Royals: 202 for 4 in 18 overs (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 78, Dhruv Jurel 80 not out; Krunal Pandya 2/30, Josh Hazlewood 2/44)
Wolfsburg will invite Eintracht Frankfurt to Volkswagen Arena in the Bundesliga on Saturday. The hosts have five wins and are 17th in the league table. Frankfurt have 10 wins and are seventh in the league standings.
Die Wölfe have endured a poor run of form and are winless in their last 11 games in all competitions. They suffered a second consecutive defeat last week, as they resumed their league campaign after the international break with a 6-3 away loss to Bayer Leverkusen. The Danish trio of Jonas Wind, Joakim Mæhle, and Christian Eriksen scored in the first half, but they conceded four goals after the break.
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Die Adler are winless in their last two games and were held to a 2-2 draw by Koln last week. After a goalless first half, Jonathan Burkardt and Arnaud Kalimuendo scored in quick succession in the second half. Koln scored twice late in the match to level the score.
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Wolfsburg vs Eintracht Frankfurt Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
The two teams have crossed paths 53 times in all competitions. Die Wölfe have the lead in the head-to-head record with 24 wins. The visitors have 11 wins, and 18 games have ended in draws.
They last met in the reverse fixture in November and played out a 1-1 draw.
The hosts have the joint-worst defensive record in the league, conceding 63 goals, 10 more than Eintracht Frankfurt.
Wolfsburg have scored a goal each in their last three meetings against the visitors.
Six of the last nine meetings between the two teams have produced under 2.5 goals.
Die Adler are winless on their travels across all competitions since December.
Only Hamburg have drawn more games (10) in the Bundesliga this season than the visitors (9).
Wolfsburg vs Eintracht Frankfurt Prediction
Die Wölfe have lost five of their last six league games, conceding 17 goals in that period, and will look to improve upon that record. Notably, they have scored in all but one of their last 10 home games.
They have a lengthy absentee list for this match, as Cleiton, Kevin Paredes, Bence Dárdai, Rogério, Jenson Seelt, Kilian Fischer, Jonas Wind, and Marius Müller are injured, and Konstantinos Koulierakis is suspended.
Die Adler have conceded two goals apiece in their last two league games. They have conceded three goals each in four of their last seven away games, which is cause for concern.
Michy Batshuayi, Rasmus Kristensen, Kauã Santos, Nnamdi Collins, and Jean-Mattéo Bahoya remain sidelined for the visitors.
Frankfurt are unbeaten in their last four meetings against the hosts and should make the most of Wolfsburg’s struggles to eke out a win.
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Prediction: Wolfsburg 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Wolfsburg vs Eintracht Frankfurt Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Eintracht Frankfurt to win
Tip 2: Goals – Over/Under 2.5 Goals – Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: Both teams to score – Yes
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Tip 4: At least one goal to be scored in the second half – Yes
Following his retirement, Terence Crawford has made way for new stars to take over his former divisions, with the next 18 months set to be telling as boxing discovers its new pound-for-pound contenders.
Crawford claimed the undisputed super-lightweight world title when he defeated Julius Indongo back in 2017 and replicated the feat up at welterweight six years later with a dominant triumph over Errol Spence Jr.
The Omaha operator then stepped up to super-welterweight, where he dethroned Israil Madrimov upon his 154lb debut to claim the WBA world title, before a shocking jump up to super-middleweight.
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Up at 168lbs, Crawford registered a legacy-defining triumph over then undisputed ruler Canelo Alvarez, which is sure to be spoken of for generations to come. Soon afterwards his retirement was announced, leaving the super-middleweight titles fragmented.
Now, at super-welterweight, it appears as though the champions are ready and willing to fight both the top contenders and one another, with Xander Zayas recently becoming boxing’s youngest unified world champion and then signing for a fight with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.
However, on social media, Crawford highlighted the quality of a different super-welterweight world champion, believing that nobody in the division is capable of defeating WBC titleholder Sebastian Fundora.
Remarkably, despite fighting six weight divisions (including bridgerweight) below heavyweight, the appropriately nicknamed ‘Towering Inferno’ is boxing’s tallest active world champion, boasting a 6’5” frame that has proven difficult for his super-welterweight rivals to overcome.
Fundora returned to action last month, claiming a dominant stoppage victory over Keith Thurman to retain his WBC title, and it will certainly be a tough ask for anybody to defeat him. Intriguing future fights include a unification with the winner of Zayas and ‘Boots’.
The 2026 Randox Grand National Festival got underway on Thursday afternoon with an Irish 1-2 in the opening Grade One Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle.
Mange Tout (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy, 5-1) and Selma De Vary (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend, 9-4 favourite) fought out the finish if the two miles and one furlong contest, with the former prevailing by three-quarters of a length.
Successful trainer Gordon Elliott said of his filly:
“I thought he gave her a great ride. I thought winning or the losing of the race was done from the third-, fourth-last to the turn in. Jack had to ride to settle her – she was very keen at Leopardstown and he rode her to win rather than to settle her there, and it took its toll.
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“It was hard not taking her to Cheltenham, because you want as many bullets as you can have, but now Cheltenham’s over I’m glad we kept her for here. Just the flatter track would suit her and she’s just got a bit of boot. Jack said she didn’t do a stroke in front, she was very idle.
“We thought we’d have her out early in the season for Down Royal – she was very keen there, but she’s a nice mare and she’ll jump a fence as well in time. That will be her for the year now – she’s not the biggest girl in the world.”
Winning jockey Jack Kennedy told ITV Racing:
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“She was good. She can overrace a little bit, but I got a bit of cover on her today.
“She was still a bit keen but not as bad. She’s a big frame of a filly – she’s not small but she’s narrow, and I’d say bypassing Cheltenham helped.”
“She’ll definitely jump a fence and she probably has a bit of filling out to do, so she can be a nice mare.”
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