With the final week of the NFL regular season stretching into January, it’s no surprise to see winter weather this weekend.
I dive into the extended forecasts for Saturday and Sunday and see how the rain, snow, and wind will impact the NFL Week 18 odds and outcomes.
Here is the weather to watch when making your NFL picks for the season finales.
Columbus Crew will face New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference finals after their respective wins in the MLS Cup play-offs on Sunday.
Gyasi Zardes inspired Columbus in extra time of a 2-0 victory over Nashville.
The United States international s cutback found Pedro Santos to score the opener for the hosts in the 99th minute.
And, just four minutes later, Zardes sealed the win with a clinical finish in a one-on-one after being played in by Luis Diaz Espinoza.
ANOTHER ONE |
— x Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC)
Zardes has been directly involved in seven goals (five goals and two assists) in four matches against expansion sides over the past two MLS seasons, according to Opta.
It was enough for Columbus to reach the E…
Marco Reus will try everything to get Kai Havertz to join Borussia Dortmund.
Following Julian Brandt s switch from Bayer Leverkusen to Signal Iduna Park in the close season, BVB captain Reus has his eye on another of their Bundesliga counterparts prized assets.
Havertz, training this week alongside Reus in preparation for Germany s European Championship qualifier against Netherlands on Friday, enjoyed a breakout campaign last season with 17 goals in 34 Bundesliga appearances.
Asked if he saw Havertz playing for rivals Bayern Munich in the future, Reus told Sport1: I will try everything to guide him to Dortmund.
I don t know how much further the fees will increase and if it could maybe be too much for Dortmund.
But I will try my best just as I di…
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has officially entered the Guinness World Record book for his haul of 12 assists in the Premier League last season.
The 21-year-old became an undisputed starter at right-back in the 2018-19 campaign, featuring 29 times as the Reds narrowly missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City.
Alexander-Arnold s performances earned him a place in the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) Premier League Team of the Year and he has also become a regular at international level for England.
His effectiveness in the final third has drawn most acclaim and his remarkable haul of 12 assists is a new record for a defender in the Premier League, going one better than his team-mate Andy Robertson, who managed 11 in the sa…
Xavi is urging Ousmane Dembele to make an effort after contract negotiations between the Frenchman and Barcelona hit an obstacle.
The 24-year-old has entered the final six months of his contract at the club, meaning he is able to begin talking with other clubs over a free transfer at the end of the season.
Dembele s Barca career has been largely disappointing since joining from Borussia Dortmund for a reported €105million in 2017, with injuries restricting him to just 86 LaLiga appearances from a possible 165.
Yet, ever since Xavi was appointed as Ronald Koeman s replacement in November, the new coach has frequently spoken of his admiration for Dembele, repeatedly backing him to be the best player in the world in his position.
Xavi remains hopeful in li…
Wigan’s owners say they have now paid all their players and non-playing staff their wages for this month, with chairman Talal Al Hammad apologising for the stress the delay had caused.
The Latics’ players were given a day off training earlier this month amid the latest hold-up, with Wigan having not paid players or staff on time on four previous occasions this season.
Those delays resulted in a three-point deduction by the English Football League for breaching an agreement made in January, when the club accepted a suspended penalty.
Club Statement | Wigan Athletic can share the following update regarding wages and funding of the Club.
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial)
The club, who have been relegated from the Championship, issued a fresh …
Jamie Vardy missed a penalty as Burnley came from behind to beat Leicester City 2-1 at Turf Moor and condemn the Foxes to back-to-back Premier League defeats.
After Chris Wood s instinctive finish against his former side had cancelled out Harvey Barnes contentious opener, Leicester looked set to retake the lead when Ben Mee fouled the Foxes goalscorer with 23 minutes remaining.
Vardy, however, lacked his usual composure from the spot, with Nick Pope making a smart stop down to his left and also denying Leicester s forward in a one-on-one soon after.
Pope s saves paid further dividends in the 79th minute as Ashley Westwood lashed home from the centre of Leicester s box and, despite a late glut of pressure, Brendan Rodgers side could not find a way back.
Antonio Rudiger s future at Chelsea has been the topic of plenty of speculation.
The 29-year-old centre-back has been with the Blues since 2017 when he joined on a five-year deal.
Rudiger is yet to extend his contract with Chelsea, with plenty of interest in the Germany international.
TOP STORY – NEWCASTLE AND MAN UTD IN FOR RUDIGER
Newcastle United are ready to compete in the race to sign Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, claims the Telegraph.
The Germany international has drawn interest from Real Madrid while the Express reports that Manchester United are also considering a move for the defender.
Rudiger s contract with Chelsea expires at the end of this season, although he has not ruled out staying at Stamford Bridg…
Hansi Flick has confirmed he is in advanced talks with the German Football Association (DFB) about taking over as coach of the national team, though his immediate focus is on saying farewell to Bayern Munich.
Joachim Low will end his tenure in charge of Die Mannschaft after the Euro 2020 finals, opting to leave rather than see his contract through to the 2022 World Cup.
Flick is seemingly set to return to the Germany fold, having previously served as Low’s assistant between 2006 and 2014, a span that included being crowned world champions in Brazil.
It is clear that I spoke to the DFB. Things always have to be regulated. It s about little things, Flick told the media on Friday ahead of his final game in charge of Bayern.
When the time comes, things…
Manchester City moved back to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.
City were seven points behind Liverpool on January 19 but Wednesday s win sees them move level with Jurgen Klopp s Reds, the defending champions taking over at the summit on goal difference.
Aymeric Laporte s second league goal of the season put City ahead in the final moments of the first half, Everton giving the defender the freedom of the penalty area to head past Jordan Pickford.
The visitors wasted a number of chances to extend their lead before Gabriel Jesus wrapped things up in stoppage time, condemning struggling Everton to a seventh defeat in their last 10 league matches.
HEAD BOY!
0-1
— Manchester City (@ManCit…
Sir Kenny Dalglish would happily take a “rubbish” Scotland performance if they got a result in Spain and qualified for Euro 2024.
Spain captain Rodri labelled Scotland’s tactics “rubbish” after being on the end of a 2-0 defeat at Hampden in March, accusing Steve Clarke’s men of provocation, feigning injury and time-wasting.
Scotland have since taken their winning start to the group to five games and sit six points ahead of Spain before their meeting in Seville on Thursday, but the home side have hit 16 goals in their other three matches.
Dalglish, Scotland’s record appearance holder, said: “I think there will be a wee bit of an edge to the game after some of the statements made here when Spain got beat.
“I don’t think I would ever back…