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Aston Villa host Sunderland AFC at Villa Park on Sunday, April 19, in a late-season Premier League match that matters at both ends of the European race. Villa come into it sitting fourth and still trying to lock down Champions League football, while Sunderland have pushed themselves into the broader conversation for Europe after a strong stretch and a 1-0 win over Tottenham last time out. Villa are also coming off a 4-0 home win over Bologna on Thursday that sent them into the Europa League semifinals, so this is a spot where league urgency and workload collide a bit.
That is what makes this handicap interesting. Villa still have the stronger squad and the better home environment, and the standings say they should be favored. Still, Sunderland are not walking into this match as some harmless mid-table side. They have stayed competitive, defended with more discipline than many expected from a promoted team, and given themselves a real shot to keep climbing if they can nick points off teams above them. The market respects Villa, but not enough to ignore the scheduling angle or Sunderland’s recent resistance.
Sunderland AFC vs Aston Villa Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always keep an eye on the latest soccer odds before locking anything in because this kind of Sunday Premier League number can move late.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunderland AFC | +445 | +0.5 (+105) | O 2.5 (-111) |
| Aston Villa | -138 | -0.5 (-145) | U 2.5 (-115) |
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Sunderland AFC Betting Form
Sunderland are coming in with more life than a lot of bettors probably expected a month ago. The big headline result is the 1-0 win over Tottenham, and the broader tone around the club is that they have worked themselves back into the race for a higher finish rather than just coasting toward safety. That matters here because it changes the likely game script. This is not a team showing up to survive 90 minutes. They have a reason to push for points.
From a betting perspective, Sunderland make more sense when the match turns physical and transition-based. The recent read on them is an energetic pressing side that can make favorite teams uncomfortable, especially when the opponent is balancing multiple competitions and might not want a fully chaotic match. That does not automatically make Sunderland a moneyline play for me, but it does keep draw no bet, plus-handicap, and lower-event totals in the conversation.
Availability is part of the handicap too. The published injury list for Sunderland is not light, with Brian Brobbey, Romaine Mundle, Bertrand Traore, Reinildo, Simon Moore, Jocelin Ta Bi and Nilson Angulo listed out, while Omar Alderete is listed as suspended. That probably pushes Sunderland toward a more compact and pragmatic approach, which, honestly, may fit the match better anyway given the opponent and venue.
Aston Villa Betting Form
Villa still look like the better side on raw talent, and the midweek 4-0 win over Bologna was a reminder of how dangerous they can be when Emery gets control of the match. Ollie Watkins reached 100 goals for the club in that one, and Villa were clinical enough to kill the tie early. At home, they still carry real weight, and that is a big reason the market has them favored even with the scheduling squeeze.
The concern is that the league form has not been as clean as the overall narrative suggests. Villa drew 1-1 at Nottingham Forest last weekend, and the read going into this match was that they had only one win in their last six league games. So yes, the ceiling is obvious, but the week-to-week domestic profile has been a little less convincing than the Europa scoreline might make it feel. For bettors, that matters because laying a home favorite is different when the favorite may be managing legs as much as chasing margin.
Villa also have their own personnel concerns. The published list showed Boubacar Kamara, Pau Torres, Leon Bailey, Tammy Abraham and Emiliano Buendia out, with Lucas Digne and Harvey Elliott doubtful. Emiliano Martinez was expected to be available again after training before the Bologna second leg, which is important, but the larger point is that Villa are not entering this one with a perfectly clean, fully rested squad. That tempers the appetite to chase a big Villa margin.
Sunderland AFC vs Aston Villa Matchup Breakdown
This feels like a match where Villa should control more territory and Sunderland will try to make that control uncomfortable rather than passive. Villa at home are usually the team dictating rhythm, but Sunderland’s recent profile suggests they are willing to press, compete physically, and attack space when the favorite gets stretched. With Villa coming off a Europa League quarterfinal second leg only three days earlier, I think that workload angle is one of the first things serious bettors should price in.
The total at 2.5 is telling. The market is not pricing this like a wide-open Villa home game. It is pricing it like a match where Villa may still be better, but Sunderland can keep enough structure to stop it becoming too loose. Sunderland’s recent low-scoring road tendency and Villa’s recent under trend at home both point in that direction. It is not hard to picture a game where Villa have more ball, Sunderland stay compact for long stretches, and the betting drama comes from whether Villa can create clean enough chances in settled possession.
That is also why broader matchup concepts from an expert betting guide matter here. You are not just asking who is better. You are asking whether Villa’s price is fair in a spot where fatigue, squad rotation, and a motivated opponent can flatten the talent gap. I think Villa’s quality still gives them the better win condition, but I do not love the idea of paying a premium for a comfortable home cruise because the circumstances do not really point there.
If there is a stylistic edge, it is probably this: Villa are more likely to own the cleaner possession spells, while Sunderland are more likely to benefit if the match gets scrappy, second-ball heavy, and slightly broken. And in late April, with table pressure and European congestion involved, broken games happen. Maybe more often than the raw talent models want to admit.
Sunderland AFC vs Aston Villa Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is still toward Aston Villa, but more on the idea that they find a way rather than dominate. The home edge matters. The overall squad quality matters. Watkins’ form matters. But the number is not screaming value on Villa if you believe the scheduling and injury context can drag this into a slower, tighter game. I would rather trust Villa to edge it than ask them to make a real statement.
The total is where I have more interest. Sunderland have shown they can stay organized, and the market itself is already hinting at a controlled match by sitting at 2.5 instead of something more aggressive for a Villa home spot. Villa may have enough to win, but they do not need to turn this into a track meet, and Sunderland probably prefer that it is not one. A 1-0 or 2-0 type of Villa result makes a lot of sense. A 1-1 draw is not hard to see either.
I would be careful with both teams to score as a primary angle. There is a path there if Villa rotate poorly or the game opens after the first goal, but the stronger read is that one side, probably Villa, controls just enough while Sunderland try to keep it compact. The safer betting lens is to respect Sunderland’s competitiveness without assuming they drag Villa into a fully open exchange.
So the side lean is Aston Villa, but the better betting position is on the total. The price is still playable enough for me, and the match context supports it more than the home favorite narrative does.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals (-115).
Premier League Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are betting this match and the rest of the slate, the value in checking Premier League picks is that you can compare how different cappers are pricing the same spot. Soccer markets are rarely just about picking a winner. One handicapper may see the side, another may like the under, and another may attack a derivative market. That range matters because not every sharp read on a match lands on the same betting type.
That is also where the platform becomes more useful than a one-off prediction. You can track the top sports handicappers and sort through the handicapper leaderboard to see who is actually winning over time, not just who had one hot week. For soccer bettors, especially, that transparency helps because style and league specialization matter a lot from one match to the next.
And if you want a stronger card beyond the free analysis, that is where premium soccer picks come in. On a busy weekend board, being able to compare volume, long-term performance, and league-specific betting styles is usually more valuable than chasing one loud opinion and hoping it sticks.
Burnley head to the City Ground on Sunday, April 19 for a Premier League relegation fight that matters a lot more to Nottingham Forest than their place in mid-April usually would. Forest came into the weekend 16th on 33 points, still stuck in the survival grind, while Burnley were 19th on 20 points and running out of road fast. The reverse meeting at Turf Moor finished 1-1 in September, so there is at least some recent evidence that this fixture can tighten up and stay uncomfortable for long stretches.
Forest are balancing two realities at once. They just reached the Europa League semi-finals after beating Porto 1-0 on Thursday, but the bigger domestic issue is that they cannot let that European high distract from the league table. Burnley, meanwhile, are close to the brink and know this is one of the few remaining spots where they can still drag another team into the mess. That desperation matters, though it only matters if the quality comes with it.
The team news is part of the handicap here. Forest were sweating over Chris Wood after his knock against Porto, and there had also been concern around Murillo, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Elliot Anderson this week. Burnley arrived with Josh Cullen, Hannibal Mejbri, Connor Roberts and Jordan Beyer out or unavailable, while Zeki Amdouni had only recently returned to training. The lineup picture looked clearer by matchday, with Wood and Anderson both in for Forest, and Burnley leaning on Zian Flemming, James Ward-Prowse and Jaidon Anthony in a 4-2-3-1.
Burnley vs Nottingham Forest Odds
These are the current betting lines for Burnley vs Nottingham Forest, and bettors should keep checking the latest soccer odds before locking anything in because the market has leaned hard toward the hosts.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnley | +583 | +1.5 (-165) | O 2.5 (-142) |
| Nottingham Forest | -196 | -1.5 (+120) | U 2.5 (+110) |
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Burnley Betting Form
Burnley’s season profile is rough, and honestly it is hard to dress it up much. They have just 28.89 xG and 63.98 xGA through 32 league matches, which is a brutal differential for this point of the year. They are averaging only 9.28 shots per match, and on the road that drops into a profile that looks even thinner, just 12.88 away xG against 35.31 away xGA across 16 matches. That is usually not the kind of shape you want when you are going to a ground where the home side does not need to dominate possession to create danger.
Recent form does not really rescue them either. Burnley had taken only one point from their last five league matches, and their last-five underlying numbers came in at 5.60 xG and 11.24 xGA. That tells a pretty familiar story. They can nick moments, perhaps, but they are giving up too much volume and too many decent looks on the other end. The broader defensive data is even harsher: Burnley have faced the most shots, the most shots on target, the highest xG against, the most touches in their own box, and the most big chances in the Premier League this season.
There are still a couple of pathways for them. Ward-Prowse gives Burnley real set-piece quality, and since his February debut no Premier League player has created more chances from set plays. Flemming has been their most reliable scorer with eight league goals, and Anthony has chipped in seven. So the Burnley case is not about controlling the game. It is more about surviving pressure, landing a dead-ball delivery or transition chance, and hoping Forest’s heavy schedule leaves them a little flat.
Nottingham Forest Betting Form
Forest have not had a pretty league season, but the shape is still clearly stronger than Burnley’s. They are at 37.81 xG and 45.33 xGA through 32 league matches, with 12.72 shots per game overall. At home they are generating 23.76 xG and allowing 21.33 xGA, plus 15.19 shots per match, so the attacking volume at the City Ground is noticeably better than the season-long surface numbers suggest. It is not an elite home profile, not even close, but it is still comfortably healthier than Burnley’s away record.
The recent league trend is fairly steady too. Forest are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games, and while the form line is not explosive, it has at least kept them alive. Their last five league matches produced 6.01 xG and 6.52 xGA, which is not dominant but does suggest a team that is more balanced than Burnley right now. Add in the emotional lift from the Porto win, and there is a reasonable case that Forest come in sharper than the table alone implies.
The lineup also gives Forest more functional threat between the lines. Gibbs-White leads them with nine league goals, Neco Williams has quietly been one of their better creators, and the likely front four around Wood gives them more movement and more direct threat than Burnley can usually match. I still worry a bit about the workload. Thursday night in Europe, then straight back into a survival match, that is not nothing. But Forest at least have more ways to hurt an opponent that defends deep for long spells.
Burnley vs Nottingham Forest Matchup Breakdown
This game looks like one where Forest should see enough promising attacking positions even if they do not fully control possession. Burnley are allowing too many box entries and too many big chances, while Forest are more comfortable attacking in bursts rather than trying to script long, clean passing sequences. That matters because Burnley’s defensive structure has cracked in a lot of different ways this season, not just one. If you are framing the matchup from a market angle, the expert betting guide is useful here because side and total are connected more tightly than usual.
The set-piece angle is probably Burnley’s clearest route back into it. Ward-Prowse gives them delivery quality, and Forest are not so airtight that they can dismiss those moments. But in open play, I keep coming back to the shot-volume gap and the xGA gap. Burnley are conceding wave after wave over the course of the season, while Forest at home are at least generating enough attempts to make a one-goal lead feel attainable.
Competition context matters too. Forest cannot afford to empty the tank recklessly with an Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa coming soon, so there is a chance this becomes more pragmatic than flashy. That could actually help the favorite. Burnley need points badly enough that, if they chase the game, the spaces should open. If it stays level for a while, Forest can still be patient because Burnley’s season-long defensive numbers suggest the cracks tend to appear eventually.
The other piece here is goalkeeper pressure. Burnley’s keepers have been busy all season because the back line lets too much through, while Forest have at least been able to survive matches without being territorially dominant. That usually pushes me toward the home side and, a little reluctantly, toward a game state where Burnley spend long stretches hanging on rather than building sustained pressure of their own.
Burnley vs Nottingham Forest Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Nottingham Forest on the moneyline. The price is not especially cheap from a value perspective, so I would not pretend this is some hidden gem, but Forest are the more coherent side and the matchup is favorable. Burnley’s away xGA is too high, their season-long defensive exposure is too obvious, and Forest have just enough creators around Gibbs-White to turn territorial pressure into one or two decisive moments.
The total is where it gets a bit trickier. Burnley’s numbers scream defensive vulnerability, but Forest’s workload and the survival pressure on both teams pull the other way. This is not one of those spots where I love blindly betting the over just because Burnley concede a lot. Forest are quite capable of approaching this with control first, especially after Europe, and if they get in front they do not need to turn it into a track meet.
BTTS is tempting because Burnley do at least have a dead-ball route and Forest have not exactly posted elite clean-sheet numbers. Still, Burnley’s away creation is modest and the road profile just is not convincing enough for me to make that the headline play. I think the cleaner angle is backing Forest to win and trusting Burnley’s defensive issues to show up before their attack does.
If you want a slightly more aggressive route, the -1.5 spread is understandable at plus money. I am just a little less comfortable there because Forest draw a lot of tight matches, and the schedule spot does introduce some caution. The straight moneyline is less exciting, but it fits the matchup better.
Best Bet: Nottingham Forest Moneyline (-196).
Premier League Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are betting this league every week, it helps to compare this match against the rest of the board instead of isolating one survival game and forcing action. The today’s Premier League picks page is useful for that because it gives you a wider view of where price, form, and matchup might line up more cleanly than they do here. This game has a strong favorite, yes, but not every strong favorite is the same kind of bet.
That broader view also matters when you are deciding whose opinion to trust over the long run. ScoresAndStats makes it easier to sort through top sports handicappers and check the handicapper leaderboard, so you are not just chasing the last hot pick or one flashy weekend. For soccer bettors, that kind of transparency matters a lot more than people admit.
And if you want more than just free looks, the premium soccer picks section is where you can compare experts by record, volume, and style. For a match like Burnley vs Nottingham Forest, where the obvious side may still come with some price discomfort, that extra layer can help narrow down whether to stay simple with the moneyline or get more selective with the spread or derivatives.
This is the Merseyside derby with real table pressure attached to it. Liverpool head across Stanley Park for a Matchweek 33 meeting at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, April 19, with kickoff set for 2:00 PM BST. It is the first derby at Everton’s new ground, and it lands in a spot where both clubs still have something meaningful to chase. Liverpool entered the day five points clear of Everton, with six league matches left, so this is not just rivalry noise. It can shift the European race in a hurry.
Everton come in with better momentum than most people would have expected a few months ago. David Moyes’ side had won three of its last five league matches and built some belief at home, while Liverpool arrived under more pressure after a rough recent run and a midweek Champions League exit to PSG. That part matters. Derby matches are emotional anyway, but this version of Liverpool also looks physically and mentally stretched, which changes how you price the spot.
Liverpool vs Everton Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep an eye on the Liverpool vs Everton odds because this is a live 3-way market with Liverpool at +128, Everton at +225, and the draw also sitting at +225.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | +128 | -0.25 (-106) | O 2.5 (-118) |
| Everton | +225 | +0.25 (-116) | U 2.5 (-108) |
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Liverpool Betting Form
Liverpool still have the higher-end attackers, and that is why the market has not fully flipped against them. Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, and Alexander Isak give them enough individual quality to win a match like this even if the overall structure has looked shaky. The problem for bettors is that the away form has been slipping for a while. Liverpool had lost four straight away matches in all competitions coming into this derby, and the broader away league sample has been much less dominant than the badge suggests.
There is also a workload angle here that is hard to ignore. Liverpool are coming off that PSG tie, Hugo Ekitike is out for the season, Joe Gomez was ruled out for this match, and Alisson was absent as well, which pushed more responsibility onto a squad that already looked a bit thin in key moments. Even with the confirmed front four carrying threat, this does not feel like a side you blindly trust at a short road price in a derby.
From a betting angle, Liverpool are still live in goals-related markets because their away league matches have leaned a bit volatile. Six of their last 10 away league matches went over 2.5, and six of those 10 also saw both teams score. That said, the sharper question is whether they can control game state for 90 minutes. Right now, I think that is the part that looks least convincing.
Everton Betting Form
Everton have made themselves annoying again, which is exactly what you want from a home underdog in this kind of fixture. They had won three of their last five league matches coming in, recently drew at Brentford, and their home form had started to feel more reliable with two straight home wins and clean sheets in that stretch. The 3-0 win over Chelsea gave this ground a real pulse, and that matters in the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson.
The shape is pretty clear too. Everton lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Beto up top and Dwight McNeil, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Iliman Ndiaye underneath him. That trio gives them enough balance to play the game in two different ways. They can sit compact, defend the box, and attack second balls, but they can also break quickly when the moment opens. Beto’s recent form matters here because if Everton can turn pressure phases into direct service, he gives them a real outlet instead of just a hopeful clearance target.
The home numbers are not flashy, but they do support a disciplined read. Everton’s last 10 home league matches averaged 1.4 goals scored and 1.1 conceded, with six of those 10 staying under 2.5. That does not scream chaos. It suggests a team that is far more comfortable dragging matches into physical, lower-margin scripts, which is usually a helpful trait when you are catching a quarter goal at home in a derby.
Liverpool vs Everton Matchup Breakdown
This matchup comes down to whether Liverpool can play through Everton’s pressure without handing the game back in transition. Liverpool still want territory, combinations around the box, and enough touches for Salah and Wirtz in dangerous spots. Everton, though, are happier if this turns ugly. Moyes will not mind long spells without the ball if his side can stay compact, protect the middle, and make Liverpool earn everything through wider deliveries and second phases.
Set pieces and game-state swings feel huge here. Everton are physical enough to challenge Liverpool in dead-ball situations, and Liverpool’s recent away profile has not exactly screamed calm when matches get scrappy. If you read the market through an expert betting guide, this is one of those spots where draw equity and small handicap edges matter more than the straight-up talent gap. Derby tension compresses margins. That is even more true when the favorite is not in stable form.
There is also a scheduling edge on Everton’s side. Liverpool had the midweek PSG loss hanging over them, while Everton came in with a cleaner domestic setup and more time to prepare for this exact game. In a vacuum, Liverpool have the stronger names. In this spot, though, Everton look like the fresher and more comfortable side for the specific rhythm this match is likely to take.
Weather should not distort the handicap much. The forecast around kickoff was cool and mostly dry, with temperatures near 53°F, so this looks more like a tactical and emotional derby than a weather-driven one. That keeps the focus on structure, set pieces, and whether Liverpool can handle the crowd and the second-ball battle without unraveling.
Liverpool vs Everton Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Everton on the Asian handicap rather than trying to get too cute with the 3-way moneyline. Liverpool still have enough top-end talent to win, obviously, but the price asks you to trust a road side that had lost four straight away in all competitions, just exited Europe, and is missing major pieces. That is asking a lot in the first derby at this venue. Everton +0.25 gives you a cleaner way to back the home environment and the current form edge without needing the outright win.
On the total, I get the case for the over because Liverpool’s away profile has produced goals and both teams do have front-line players who can punish mistakes. Still, I think the likelier script is more controlled than the market implies. Everton’s home sample has leaned lower-event, and Moyes should be perfectly happy to keep this in a narrow, contact-heavy range rather than let it become a transition race.
BTTS is not a bad secondary look because one Everton goal would put serious stress on Liverpool, and Salah alone keeps the away side alive in almost any state. But from a value standpoint, the handicap is stronger. You are betting the spot, not just the names. Everton have the fresher legs, the home crowd, and the more stable recent profile for this exact type of match.
Best Bet: Everton +0.25 (-116).
Premier League Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are building a card beyond this derby, the best place to start is the Premier League picks page. It is useful because it does not treat every favorite the same way. The page leans into match-state logic, draw equity, spreads, and totals, which is usually where bettors get cleaner edges in this league than by chasing brand-name moneylines.
For bettor research, ScoresAndStats also makes it easier to compare different styles. You can sort through top sports handicappers, check the handicapper leaderboard, and see who is actually producing across sports and markets instead of just riding short-term noise. That transparency matters, especially in soccer, where league specialization and pricing discipline matter a lot.
And if you want a stronger position than the free board, the buy expert picks section gives you access to premium packages and deeper card-building options. For anyone betting this league seriously, that mix of daily coverage, tracked results, and expert comparison is probably the cleanest reason to keep the whole ecosystem in one tab.
This Premier League Matchweek 33 showdown at the Etihad Stadium feels like the match that can swing the title race for real. Arsenal come in six points clear on 70 points, but they have played one more match than Manchester City, so Pep Guardiola’s side know a home win would tighten everything and put the pressure right back on the leaders. Kickoff is set for Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. ET, and the stakes are obvious. Arsenal can put one hand on the trophy with a statement road result. City can drag the race into a full sprint.
The recent mood around the two clubs is very different. City are coming off a 3-0 win at Chelsea and have built momentum domestically, while Arsenal’s domestic edge has softened after the Bournemouth loss and a tighter-than-expected Champions League quarterfinal against Sporting. That matters here because Arsenal are trying to protect first place while managing fatigue and multiple injury concerns, and City are arriving fresher with no European match in midweek.
Arsenal vs Manchester City Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep an eye on the latest soccer odds because this market has real title-race weight behind it. This is a 3-way moneyline market, with the draw priced at +245. The table below reflects the current side, handicap, and total prices available pre-match.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | +330 | +0.5 (-109) | O 2.5 (-100) |
| Manchester City | -112 | -0.5 (-114) | U 2.5 (-127) |
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Arsenal Betting Form
Arsenal are still top for a reason, and the underlying quality is real, but this is not the same flowing side we saw a few weeks ago. They have scored only three goals across their last five matches, and the rhythm in open play has dipped at exactly the wrong time. That is the part that makes the Arsenal side of the market a little tricky. The defensive floor is strong, but the attacking ceiling has looked lower without full continuity in the final third.
There is still a betting case for Arsenal-based protection markets, though. Their defensive profile remains elite, with the best expected-goals-against record in England and the lowest shot-in-box percentage allowed. On top of that, they have covered the +0.5 line in 18 of their last 20 road matches, so there is a reasonable argument for backing Arsenal to avoid defeat if you trust their structure more than their finishing. That said, Bukayo Saka has been ruled out, and Martin Ødegaard, Jurriën Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, and Noni Madueke all arrived at the weekend with varying levels of uncertainty. That is a lot of stress around a match this demanding.
Arsenal’s road identity still matters. They are disciplined, hard to break, and more than capable of turning this into a lower-event game. If you like the visitors, the angle is probably not the outright 3-way moneyline. It is more likely Arsenal +0.5, draw no bet in some markets, or a match script tied to a lower total and tighter margins.
Manchester City Betting Form
City look like the sharper team entering the weekend. They have scored 63 league goals, posted 165 shots on target, generated the most goals from fast breaks, and their press continues to create high turnovers at one of the best rates in the league. That mix matters against Arsenal because it gives City more than one route to chance creation. They can control the ball, but they can also punish mistakes quickly when opponents try to play through pressure.
The home form is the bigger point for bettors. City are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League home games, and several previews this week noted three straight wins to nil plus a broader unbeaten run in league play. Add in the fact that Guardiola’s side have had a full week after the Chelsea win, while Arsenal had to navigate European minutes, and the scheduling edge leans toward the hosts. Nico O’Reilly is expected to be available, John Stones has been in contention to return, and while Rúben Dias appears unlikely, City still enter this spot in better physical shape than Arsenal.
That is why the City moneyline is appealing even in a high-level matchup. This is not just about name value or home-field bias. It is about sharper recent execution, cleaner availability, and a tactical setup that has already hurt Arsenal in the EFL Cup final. If City win again, it will probably come from forcing Arsenal into uncomfortable build-up phases and then turning territorial pressure into enough big moments.
Arsenal vs Manchester City Matchup Breakdown
The style clash is strong here. City should see more of the ball, and Arsenal are likely to accept stretches without it and look for cleaner transition moments. That makes the first phase of Arsenal’s buildup really important, because City’s press has produced the second-most high turnovers in the league and the most that end in a shot. If Arsenal beat that first wave, they can still hurt City, especially because City have allowed a high share of shots from inside the box when opponents do get through.
The problem for Arsenal is that the margin for error feels smaller than usual. Saka being out removes one of the cleanest escape valves in transition, and any limitation for Ødegaard or Timber would affect their progression and balance. Arsenal’s defense is still good enough to keep this close, and honestly that is why the under deserves respect, but they do not look quite as explosive or as fluid as they did before the recent wobble. If you need a broader framework for reading this sort of market, the expert betting guide is a useful baseline for comparing side, total, and derivative value.
Competition context matters a lot here. Arsenal are protecting first place and would still leave in a strong position with a draw, even if Arteta has insisted they will not play for one. City, by contrast, really need the win. That usually creates an interesting tension: one side has the greater tactical urgency, while the other has more scoreboard comfort. In matches like that, the first goal can change everything. A City lead would force Arsenal into a much more open game than they probably want.
The weather does not look like a major disruptor either. Forecast conditions in Manchester point to cool temperatures and mostly cloudy skies rather than meaningful rain or wind, so this should be a normal Etihad pitch-speed game. That slightly favors the team more likely to dominate territory and circulate cleanly, which again nudges the matchup toward City.
Arsenal vs Manchester City Predictions and Best Bets
My main lean is Manchester City on the 3-way moneyline. I do not love laying heavy prices in matches between elite sides, but this number is still close enough to even money that it feels playable. City are fresher, healthier, and in better domestic rhythm. Arsenal can absolutely defend their way into a result, but their attack has looked flatter lately, and this is one of the toughest possible spots to rediscover it.
The total is where I hesitate a bit, because there are arguments both ways. Arsenal’s recent scoring drop, City’s three straight clean sheets, and the pressure of the occasion all support the under. At the same time, one goal could break the whole thing open if the trailing side has to chase. Still, if I had to choose between over and under, I lean under 2.5 a little more than I lean BTTS. Arsenal’s best path is a controlled, compact match, and City do not need a chaotic shootout to win this.
I also think bettors should be careful with the draw. It is live, obviously. Arsenal’s defense is good enough to make it live for 70 or 80 minutes. But the combination of City’s home pressure, Arsenal’s injury cloud, and the workload difference makes me less interested in fading the hosts outright. If Arsenal get something, I think it probably comes from surviving wave after wave and nicking long stretches of control out of possession rather than actually dictating the match.
So the best way I see it is fairly simple. City are the more trustworthy side right now, and the price is still reasonable enough to back. I would not be shocked by a tense 1-0 or 2-0 type of result. That feels like the cleanest read on the board.
Best Bet: Manchester City 3-Way Moneyline (-112).
Premier League Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you want more than one opinion on this match, or you are building a full Sunday card, the best move is to compare today’s Premier League picks with the broader best soccer bets this week view and see where the strongest angles overlap. That is usually where the board gets more interesting, especially when a high-profile match like this pulls a lot of public attention.
The other edge is transparency. ScoresAndStats lets you sort through top sports handicappers and the full handicapper leaderboard, so you are not just tailing a random pick with no track record behind it. You can compare styles, sports, and long-term results instead of blindly following whoever sounds the most confident.
And if you want to go beyond free content, you can shop premium soccer picks and line up experts whose approach matches the leagues and markets you actually bet. For bettors who play multiple cards every week, that kind of consistency matters more than one flashy opinion on one match.
Milan head to Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on Sunday, April 19, for a Matchday 33 Serie A meeting with Hellas Verona. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. local time in Verona, which is 9:00 a.m. ET. The spot matters at both ends of the table. Milan enter the day in third place and still under pressure in the Champions League race, while Hellas Verona sit 19th and are running out of runway in the survival battle.
It also feels like a match where urgency could shape everything. Milan are trying to respond after back to back league defeats, including that flat 3-0 loss to Udinese, and they cannot afford another stumble with Juventus close enough to apply pressure. Verona, meanwhile, have dropped four straight league matches and come in off a 2-1 loss to Torino, so this is not a casual home date for them either. It is a high-pressure setup, just from very different angles.
Milan vs Hellas Verona Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep an eye on the latest soccer odds before locking anything in. This is a 3-way moneyline market, with the draw sitting at +310 in widely listed prices Sunday morning.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milan | -185 | -1.5 (+148) | O 2.5 (-104) |
| Hellas Verona | +600 | +1.5 (-196) | U 2.5 (-125) |
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Milan Betting Form
Milan still look like the stronger side by almost every meaningful pre-match indicator, even if recent results have cooled the market a bit. Their profile is the cleaner one: 47 goals scored, 27 conceded, 89 big chances created, 311 shots from inside the box, 52.6% average possession, and 87.7% pass accuracy. That usually points to a team that can control territory, pin back a weaker opponent, and create enough volume to win even without being spectacular in front of goal.
The betting question is really whether Milan deserve to be trusted laying margin. They have lost their last two Serie A matches, so there is some hesitation there, but the broader matchup still favors them. Milan have won 10 straight league meetings with Verona, and the club’s official preview says everyone is available ahead of this one. Reuters also noted Rafael Leao’s return to full training, which matters because Milan need more threat and more verticality after that recent scoring dip.
Hellas Verona Betting Form
Verona’s current form is the obvious problem. Four straight league defeats, only 23 goals scored all season, 55 conceded, and just 43 big chances created compared with 68 big chances allowed. They defend a lot because they have to, and some of the defensive workload numbers are massive, but that is not always a compliment. It usually means the opponent has the ball, the back line is under pressure, and the game is being played in the wrong areas for long stretches.
That said, Verona are not totally toothless from a betting standpoint. Their transition game is the clearest path to upsetting the script. They have produced 48 fast breaks for seven goals, which is actually a better return in that phase than Milan’s 36 breaks and five goals. Verona also get a boost from Tomas Suslov returning from suspension, though Ondrej Duda? no, it is Serdar who remains the long-term absentee according to Milan’s match preview. If Verona do anything here, it probably comes from a direct spell, a broken play, or a set-piece sequence rather than sustained control.
Milan vs Hellas Verona Matchup Breakdown
This matchup starts with possession and field tilt. Milan are more likely to own the ball, pass cleaner through midfield, and spend more time in the attacking third. Verona average 41.0% possession and 75.2% pass accuracy, so asking them to build calmly through pressure is probably a stretch. Milan are the side more likely to dictate shape, especially if Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot help them settle the tempo and circulate the ball into better areas. Projected lineups had both teams in a 3-5-2, which should make the midfield battle important, but Milan’s technical edge still stands out.
The second layer is where Verona can make it awkward. They are more dangerous when the match gets messy. Fast breaks, second balls, direct running, and moments where the opponent’s back three gets stretched are the routes. Milan have the stronger defensive numbers overall, with 13 clean sheets and only one error leading to a goal, but Verona do not need many clean chances to threaten if the game becomes transitional.
I also think the competition context leans toward a fairly controlled Milan approach, at least early. Milan are not in a position to turn this into a reckless, wide-open match because the top-four race is too tight, and another slip would invite real pressure before the looming Juventus game. Verona, on the other hand, need points badly, but desperation does not always mean front-foot soccer from the opening whistle. Sometimes it means compact lines and trying to keep the match alive into the last half hour.
That is why the side and total markets are connected here. Milan look better on the ball, better in the box, and more stable defensively. Verona look more live on a big underdog number than they do in a match where both teams trade chances freely. If you want more context on how to weigh game state, price, and tactical fit in spots like this, the expert betting guide is a useful reference.
Milan vs Hellas Verona Predictions and Best Bets
My first lean is Milan, but I do not love the idea of paying for the full favorite tax on a 3-way moneyline when the market already knows the table gap and badge gap. Milan are better, yes, and the data backs that up. They create far more big chances, they get into the box more often, and they have dominated this fixture for years. But recent finishing form has not been sharp enough to make me rush into an inflated number just because Verona are in bad shape.
The total is a little more interesting. Under 2.5 is shaded, and I think that makes sense. Verona do not create enough sustained pressure to make this an automatic BTTS match, and Milan’s recent league form has not exactly been explosive. On top of that, a lot of Verona’s matches have required them to defend deep and live off moments. That type of script can burn clock even when the favorite is the right side.
If Milan score first, the game could still finish 2-0 and stay under. If Verona keep it level into halftime, that only reinforces the lower-event angle because Milan may prioritize control over chaos. I can see Milan winning, I really can, but I trust the shape of the match a little more than I trust a big-margin result. Verona’s survival pressure should make them stubborn for stretches, and Milan’s cleaner defensive structure gives the under a realistic path.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals (-118).
Serie A Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you want to compare this match against the rest of the board, today’s Serie A picks are a good place to start. That page is built around weekly match analysis, matchup breakdowns, and league-specific betting context, which is useful in a competition like Serie A where tempo, rotation, and game-state management matter a lot.
For bettors who want to go deeper, ScoresAndStats also lets you compare top sports handicappers, check the handicapper leaderboard, and sort through premium soccer picks if you want a more aggressive card. The leaderboard page emphasizes ranking by metrics like win percentage, units won, ROI, and consistency over time, which makes it easier to separate hot air from actual performance.
Torino head to Stadio Giovanni Zini for a Serie A Round 33 match on Sunday, April 19, with Cremonese badly needing points in the survival race. Cremonese entered the day 17th on 27 points through 32 matches, while Torino sat on 39 points and had a bit more breathing room in the lower middle of the table. The reverse meeting went Torino’s way, a 1-0 result in December, so there is already a recent template for a low-event match here.
Form matters here, and it does not flatter the hosts. Cremonese came in on an LLWLL run across their last five league matches, scoring only four times in that stretch, while Torino were WWLWL and had taken wins over Pisa and Verona in their two most recent Serie A outings before this one. Team news also leaned slightly toward the visitors, with Cremonese missing or managing issues around Youssef Maleh, Michele Collocolo and Jamie Vardy, while Torino were dealing with Ardian Ismajli’s suspension and injuries to Duván Zapata and Zakaria Aboukhlal.
Torino vs Cremonese Odds
These are the current market numbers for Torino vs Cremonese, and bettors should keep monitoring the latest soccer odds before locking anything in. This is a 3-way moneyline market, with the draw sitting at +204 in the current snapshot.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torino | +163 | -0.5 (+155) | O 2.5 (+122) |
| Cremonese | +182 | +0.5 (-225) | U 2.5 (-158) |
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Torino Betting Form
Torino have not been some dominant road side, but the profile is still a bit stronger than Cremonese’s. Through 32 Serie A matches, Torino had 37 goals, 381 shots, 135 shots on target, 37.84 xG and 45.44 xGA. The possession share is modest at 44.1%, which tells you this side is comfortable playing without long spells on the ball and trying to do damage more directly. That usually matters in matches like this, where the opponent has to chase points and can leave transitions behind them.
What I like a bit more is the recent chance creation. Torino generated 7.72 xG over their last five league matches, and in the last two results before this fixture they beat Pisa 1-0 with 1.85 xG, then beat Verona 2-1 with 1.31 xG. Giovanni Simeone has been Torino’s top scorer with nine league goals and leads the team in shots, so the visitors at least have a clearer focal point in the box than Cremonese do right now.
There is still some caution attached to backing Torino aggressively away from home. Their last five away Serie A matches produced 6.20 xG and 7.25 xGA, so they are not exactly shutting games down on the road. Still, the shape of the attack feels a little more trustworthy, and the confirmed lineup with Simeone, Che Adams and Nikola Vlašić gives them enough movement between the lines to trouble a defense that has leaked chances all year.
Cremonese Betting Form
Cremonese are in the more desperate spot, and sometimes that creates value, but the underlying numbers remain rough. They had only 26 goals, 289 shots, 101 shots on target and 32.01 xG through 32 league matches. More concerning, they had allowed 51.88 xGA, the highest figure in Serie A at that point, which is a pretty clean signal that the defensive structure has been bending too often, even when raw goals allowed do not always look catastrophic on a given weekend.
The recent trend is even shakier. Over their last five league matches, Cremonese created just 4.83 xG and six big chances total, and the most recent outing at Cagliari produced only 0.29 xG, five shots and two shots on target despite heavy possession. That is the kind of stat line that worries me before a match against a side that is comfortable sitting compact and waiting for mistakes.
At home, the numbers are a little better but not convincing enough to erase the broader concern. Cremonese had 19.36 home xG and 23.35 home xGA, which suggests they can create some moments at Giovanni Zini but still give up too many decent looks. The confirmed lineup with Federico Bonazzoli and Antonio Sanabria up top gives them a more direct route, and Jari Vandeputte can supply service, but the margin for error is small because the midfield absences and doubts thin out the supporting cast.
Torino vs Cremonese Matchup Breakdown
This matchup feels like a tug between Cremonese’s urgency and Torino’s cleaner attacking profile. Cremonese have carried more possession than Torino across the season, 45.9% to 44.1%, but Torino have still produced more shots, more shots on target and better overall expected-goal output. So even if the hosts see more of the ball in stretches, that does not automatically mean they are the more dangerous side. It may just mean Torino are happy to defend in shape and break into space.
There is also the quality-of-chances angle. Cremonese’s last five league games brought only 4.83 xG, while Torino’s last five produced 7.72 xG. That gap is not enormous, but it is meaningful in a match where the market already expects a low total. In low-total spots, I usually want the side that is more likely to turn limited volume into the better chances, and that points a bit more toward Torino. If you need a broader framework for weighing those tradeoffs, the general expert betting guide is a useful baseline.
The reverse fixture ending 1-0 for Torino matters too, not because rematches always repeat, but because it showed how these teams can cancel each other out for long stretches. Torino do not need to overextend, and Cremonese are under enough pressure that one sloppy turnover or one bad set-piece sequence could swing the whole game. There is no major travel or multi-competition fatigue angle here, so this looks more like a straightforward league-state match where survival tension for the home side and relative comfort for the visitors shape the tempo.
Torino vs Cremonese Predictions and Best Bets
My first lean is Torino on the 3-way moneyline, though I would still call it a lean, not a full send. The visitors are creating more, they have the more stable front line, and Cremonese’s season-long xGA number is the worst in the league. When a relegation-threatened team is also the team giving up the weakest defensive process, I get nervous about trusting the emotional “must-win” angle too much.
The stronger play for me is the total, and specifically the under. Cremonese have been struggling to manufacture clean chances, and Torino’s road profile is not explosive enough to make me rush toward an over at this number. The market is already shading that direction with Under 2.5 at -158, and honestly, I think that makes sense. The reverse fixture finished 1-0, Cremonese just posted 0.29 xG in their last match, and Torino’s best recent road result was a controlled 1-0 at Pisa.
BTTS is tempting because Cremonese are at home and desperate, but I trust desperation less than actual shot quality. They have only 3.16 shots on target per match for the season, and in the last five league matches they managed just 17 total shots on target. That is not enough for me to force a goals-both-ways position unless the price gets much friendlier.
So, yes, Torino are the side I prefer, but the cleaner wager is still the total. It fits the recent xG trend, it fits the reverse fixture, and it fits the way both teams are likely to approach the match state.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals (-158).
Serie A Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are betting this league regularly, it is worth checking the full board instead of treating one match in isolation. The today’s Serie A picks page makes that easier because you can compare matches across the card, not just this one, and see where the market might be softer than it looks at first glance.
That is also where the handicapper side of ScoresAndStats can help. You can compare top sports handicappers, sort through the handicapper leaderboard, and track longer-run performance instead of blindly tailing one hot day. For bettors who want more volume and more structured card building, premium soccer picks are the cleaner next step.
And if you want one more broader content layer before placing anything, the site’s best soccer bets this week coverage is a solid way to scan for matches where price, form and matchup are lining up a little more cleanly than they are here. This fixture has a viable angle, I think, but it is probably a discipline spot more than a hero spot.
Banged-up Astros try end skid against Cardinals
The injuries continue to add up for the Houston Astros, who lost outfielder Joey Loperfido to right quad tightness on Friday. He was unavailable for the Astros’ 7-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.
Loperfido underwent an MRI on Saturday and likely will be placed on the injured list, manager Joe Espada said. Houston, needing a victory on Sunday to avert a three-game series sweep, claimed outfielder Dustin Harris off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Saturday in a move unrelated to the Loperfido injury.
Harris slashed .224/.318/.414 across 27 games with the Texas Rangers (2024-25) and White Sox (2026). The Astros, who have lost three straight overall, entered the weekend with outfielders Jake Meyers (right oblique strain) and Zach Dezenzo (right elbow sprain) on the 10-day injured list.
“Our reports have him pretty good in the (outfield) corners,” Astros manager Joe Espada said of Harris. “Left-handed bat. There’s some speed in there that we like. So the plan is to primarily stay in the corners, so once he gets here, we’ll get him in there.
“We like the player. We would like to have him in the organization.”
Right-hander Mike Burrows (1-3, 6.55 ERA) is scheduled to start the series finale for Houston.
Burrows has allowed 33 hits, tied for the most in the majors, while tied for the most earned runs (16) and homers (five) surrendered in the American League. He logged a season-best six innings in a 6-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Monday but allowed 11 hits and six earned runs, both season highs.
Burrows will make his first career appearance against the Cardinals.
Left-hander Matthew Liberatore (0-1, 4.29) has the starting assignment for the Cardinals.
Liberatore earned his first decision this season in his previous start, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts over five innings in a 9-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Monday. He posted a 3.38 ERA in his first three starts without a decision. The Cardinals won each game.
Liberatore has faced one batter in his career against the Astros, recording an out in the Cardinals’ 8-5 road loss on June 4, 2024.
St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol has lauded the early-season commitment to detail from his club, one purportedly entering a rebuilding phase this season. The Cardinals set the stage for a series sweep on Sunday by combining resourceful starting pitching with an egalitarian approach to offense, with contributors up and down the lineup playing a role in the first two series wins.
Starting pitchers Kyle Leahy and Andre Pallante combined to allow four runs over 10 innings in wins on Friday and Saturday. After four different Cardinals recorded RBIs in the series opener, three Cardinals homered on Saturday to help carry the offense, including Masyn Winn and Jose Fermin going deep for the first time this season.
A collective effort yielded a pair of interleague wins this series. Marmol wants more of the same.
“We’ve just got to stay head down and continue to work on the things that we’re working on,” Marmol said. “Stay downhill. These guys have done a nice job this road trip, so we need to continue that (Sunday).”
–Field Level Media
Orioles contact-less lineup tries for better results vs. Guardians
There was a glaring lack of contact from Baltimore Orioles’ hitters on Saturday.
The Orioles had four hits — two of them homers — while striking out a stunning 16 times.
Baltimore will look to have their bats smack the ball more often in Sunday’s finale of a four-game series against the host Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians have won two of the first three games, including Saturday’s 4-2 victory when right-hander Gavin Williams dominated the Orioles.
Williams struck out 11 in seven innings and allowed one run, three hits and one walk. He leads the majors with 40 strikeouts.
“That’s not the biggest goal for me,” Williams said of the strikeouts. “I’m just trying to help the team win games. It’s cool, but I don’t think it’s necessary to have to punch that many people out. I’m just trying to win games.”
Meanwhile, Baltimore’s Pete Alonso and Colton Cowser struck out in all four at-bats and Dylan Beavers fanned three times on Saturday.
That breeze inside the ballpark wasn’t necessarily coming from the nearby lake.
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz pointed to Williams’ dominance as the reason for Alonso and Cowser’s difficulties.
“They couldn’t see the breaking ball early enough to either make an adjustment or hold off on it,” Albernaz said.
Alonzo was the club’s marquee offseason acquisition and signed a five-year, $155 million contract. But so far, he has fizzled with a .208 average, two homers and eight RBIs to go with 26 strikeouts in 78 at-bats.
Cowser has yet to go deep and is batting .178 with 16 strikeouts in 45 at-bats. The fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft continues to struggle with big-league pitching.
“Colton, he’s our guy, and he has to figure it out how he wants to approach guys and what he’s trying to feel,” Albernaz said. “But with Colton at the plate, he’s dangerous. He’s a guy where, if he’s not feeling great, he can still get one pitch and do damage on, and that’s something where we feel very confident in.”
Leody Taveras and Gunnar Henderson hit the homers for Baltimore’s runs.
All of Cleveland’s runs also came on homers on Saturday. Brayan Rocchio smacked a three-run homer and Bo Naylor hit a solo blast.
Rocchio said a more patient approach is paying off for him. He has three homers in 63 at-bats after having five in 344 at-bats in 2025.
“That’s impressive for me, too,” Rocchio said. “Last year, I was struggling at hitting. Now I’m able to help the team with my at-bats and to see more pitches is pretty cool.”
Left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-0, 2.61 ERA) will start the finale for the Guardians.
Cantillo, 26, received a no-decision against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday when he gave up two runs and five hits over six innings. Both runs came on solo homers.
Cantillo is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in four appearances (two starts) against Baltimore. Cowser is 2-for-4 with one strikeout against Cantillo.
Left-hander Trevor Rogers (2-1, 3.04) will take the mound for Baltimore.
Rogers, 28, was roughed up by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday and took the loss. He gave up four runs and nine hits over 4 2/3 innings.
Rogers is 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in two career starts against the Guardians. Rhys Hoskins is 9-for-21 (.429) with four homers off Rogers while David Fry (1-for-4) also has taken him deep.
–Field Level Media
Robbie Ray, Giants go for sweep of mistake-prone Nationals
The San Francisco Giants will try to accomplish a couple of firsts for this season in the series finale at the Washington Nationals on Sunday.
The Giants will look to win four consecutive games for the first time and will also try to complete their initial three-game series sweep.
Both are possible because the Giants outlasted the Nationals 7-6 in 12 innings after watching the Nationals tie it in the ninth on Saturday.
A pair of veterans match up in the finale when San Francisco left-hander Robbie Ray (2-2, 2.42 ERA) opposes right-hander Miles Mikolas (0-3, 11.49).
Ray has given up two earned runs or fewer in each of his four starts. On Tuesday, he allowed two runs on two hits and four walks in a loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
“I felt good,” Ray said. “I felt like the fastball and the changeup were working good. Slider was playing really well. Struggled a little bit with the curveball … that’s something I’m going to work on a little bit going into my next outing.”
He is 3-5 with a 5.21 ERA in nine starts against the Nationals.
Mikolas has struggled, allowing 20 earned runs in 15 2/3 innings. On Tuesday, he gave up three runs on three hits in 3 1/3 innings working behind an opener.
He is 5-1 with a 3.20 ERA in 10 games (six starts) versus the Giants.
The Giants rallied from a 5-1 deficit on Saturday, took the lead in the seventh, surrendered it in the ninth and won it in the 12th.
“That was one where the baseball gods didn’t feel like they were going to let us lose today,” manager Tony Vitello said. “There were several moments where we could have lost that game. I’m sure they could say the same in the other locker room. That’s what made it a great, March Madness, playoff-type game.”
Heliot Ramos had three hits, including his second home run in two games. Five players provided two hits each as part of a 16-hit attack.
Ryan Walker surrendered the lead in the ninth but pitched out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the 10th before Caleb Kilian pitched two innings for the win.
“That was super exciting,” Killian said of earning his first major league win in his 18th career appearance. “Probably long overdue.”
For the Nationals, Saturday’s loss was a mistake-filled effort. Miscues in the field and on the basepaths contributed to losing the early lead and later failing to pull the game out. Washington ranks near the bottom of MLB defensively with 18 errors.
“Every day we meet as a team and go through plays from the day before, plays that we did well, plays that we didn’t do well, and then how we want to execute them as a team,” manager Blake Butera said. “I think (Sunday’s) meeting will just be a good bit longer than usual.”
James Wood hit his seventh home run for Washington, which fell to 1-7 at home. He has reached base safely in 12 of his last 13 games since April 5, batting .360 with nine extra-base hits (three doubles, six homers).
–Field Level Media
Garrett Mitchell providing spark as Brewers eye sweep of Marlins
Garrett Mitchell has often been on the injured list since his major league debut in August 2022, but he has been healthy this season as he and the Milwaukee Brewers go for a three-game sweep of the host Miami Marlins on Sunday.
“I’m just happy with the way he’s staying healthy,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said of Mitchell, who drew three walks, stole one base and scored one run on Saturday in Milwaukee’s season-high fourth straight win. “He’s responding after bad results.
“Garrett gives you tough at-bats. He sees a lot of pitches.”
Mitchell, a 27-year-old Californian with elite tools, was Milwaukee’s first-round pick (No. 20 overall) in 2020. In 18 games this year, he has an .877 OPS, which is on pace to exceed his career high of .832 from 2022. He’s getting regular playing time in part because center fielder Jackson Chourio and DH/outfielder Christian Yelich are on the injured list.
As for Sunday’s pitching matchup, it will be a battle of two tall right-handers with triple-digit fastballs: Miami’s Eury Perez (1-1, 5.40 ERA) against Jacob Misiorowski (1-1, 3.32).
Perez, listed at 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, is 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA in two career starts against the Brewers.
The Marlins are 3-1 this season when starting Perez, although he has pitched past the fifth inning just once. Perez has elite extension and easy velocity, topping out between 98 and 101 mph. He also has a deadly slider, and his confidence in his other secondary pitches appears to be growing.
Misiorowski, listed at 6-foot-7 and 201 pounds, has never faced Miami.
The Brewers are 2-2 this season when pitching Misiorowski, who has lasted at least five innings in all four of his starts.
Misiorowski, who reaches 100 mph with his fastball, was Milwaukee’s second-round pick in 2022. He made his major league debut last year, going 5-3 with a 4.36 ERA in 15 games, including 14 starts, and being selected for the All-Star Game. He struck out 87 in 66 innings, showing off some of the most electrifying stuff in MLB.
This season, he has 33 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings.
On Sunday, he will be facing a Marlins squad that has lost seven of their past eight, including a season-high four in a row.
In Saturday’s 5-2 loss to Milwaukee, the Marlins had eight hits — all singles — and five came after the seventh inning.
“I wish I had the magic pill to determine which innings we’re going to do it,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. “I think it’s just the ebb and flow of games.
“You will see times when we cash in with runners in scoring position. And you will see games when we get opportunities, and we just don’t come through.”
–Field Level Media
