ES
NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Timbers hope to stop road skid at Minnesota
The Portland Timbers might be the more desperate team. The Minnesota United could be the more fatigued team.
The clubs meet Saturday night at Saint Paul, Minn.
Following Saturday’s match, Portland (2-4-1, 7 points) travels to San Diego and Salt Lake. The Timbers are 0-3-0 in road matches.
“It’s a group of fixtures we have to pick up points,” coach Phil Neville said. “We have to develop a different type of mentality. We’re going to have to dig in. We’re going to have to get victories. We’re going to have to get results.”
Portland became the first team this season to score on LAFC in last week’s 2-1 victory. That might be a spark that can lead to more consistent results.
“We’re gaining and building some leaders in the group,” Neville said. “Results help the confidence and belief, but also having the trust of your teammates.”
Portland gave up three goals in both of its last two outings away from home.
Minnesota (3-2-2, 11 points) has won its last two MLS games by 2-1 scores, including last Saturday at San Diego. But the Loons had a midweek detour from MLS play, edging host Sacramento Republic in 12 rounds of penalty kicks. That came with a revised lineup, though a few of the regulars were on the field.
The Loons plan to work new player combinations into the lineup in upcoming games.
“There’s going to be the opportunity for us to balance the minutes out across the squad,” Minnesota coach Cameron Knowles said. “Being able to stretch some guys that haven’t played a lot of minutes that we might be calling on in the next week or two.”
With four goals, Kelvin Yeboah is the only Minnesota player with more than one goal this year as he has half of the team’s eight goals. Kristoffer Velde has scored three goals to lead Portland.
The Timbers might have to wait to determine the availability of forward Alexander Aravena, who trained on the side this week.
“I think he’s going to be OK,” Neville said. “He felt something tight (in his thigh). But he felt a lot better (Thursday).”
Meanwhile, the Timbers are preparing for chilly conditions.
“It’s going to be cold,” Neville said. “You think about pitch conditions … It’s probably perfect for football, that’s the view of a lot of those players who are used to playing in those temperatures.”
–Field Level Media
Santiago Moreno, FC Dallas put unbeaten streak on line vs. Galaxy
FC Dallas, with Santiago Moreno’s arrival this year adding to an already potent attack led by Petar Musa, will try to keep their early-season form going Saturday night when they continue a homestand against the Los Angeles Galaxy in Frisco, Texas.
Moreno enjoyed 4 1/2 good years in Portland, scoring 20 goals and adding 40 assists in 131 fixtures for the Timbers. But a high-profile transfer to Brazilian side Fluminense resulted in Moreno logging just 18 minutes total.
Fluminense loaned Moreno to Dallas for the season’s balance with an option to make it permanent at year’s end. He believes he can help Dallas (3-1-3, 12 points) become a contender in MLS’ Western Conference.
“The few times I’ve been able to train with the group, I’ve felt very good,” Moreno said. “They train a lot on the physical side and that is vital in a team, so I’m just waiting to adapt to keep competing.”
Moreno figures to slot in as a central playmaker for Dallas, providing service for Musa and Logan Farrington, who have combined for 11 of the team’s 15 goals.
FC Dallas are on a four-match unbeaten streak (2-0-2).
Meanwhile, the Galaxy (2-3-2, 8 points) aim to bounce back from a 3-0 loss to Toluca on Wednesday night in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup in Carson, Calif. Needing to win by three goals to advance on aggregate, Los Angeles didn’t come close, falling 7-2 in the series overall.
“We’ve got to answer the bell here and we’ve got to respond,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said.
Los Angeles did at least win its latest MLS fixture, edging Austin FC 2-1 on April 11 for its first victory since a 3-0 rout of Charlotte FC on Feb. 28. The Galaxy have fired 51 shots on target, the top total in the league, but rank in the middle of the pack with 10 goals.
Captain Maya Yoshida was agitated when asked after the Wednesday loss if it was good that the team could now focus on its league schedule.
“We have to make it good,” he said. “We have no choice.”
–Field Level Media
Hurricanes brace for stern challenge vs. surging Senators
The Carolina Hurricanes worked all season to secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and now they turn their attention to the next phase of the season on Saturday afternoon.
They’ll welcome the Ottawa Senators for the opener of the first-round series in Raleigh, N.C.
“We’ve been eager for this for a long time,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Once we knew it was official, and we were in a pretty good spot all year, we’ve got to turn the page now. It goes to being a sprint. We know the season’s a marathon, and now all of a sudden you’ve got to be ready right from the get-go and put your best foot forward.”
The Senators hold the eighth seed, but they’ve been one of the best teams in the NHL the past couple of months. It’s the first time these organizations will meet in the postseason.
“They had kind of a tough start to their season, and some interesting things go on, but they’ve got it covered, top to bottom,” Brind’Amour said of the Senators. “It’s going to be a huge challenge.”
The Senators went 26-12-6 since the beginning of 2026. They’re intent on creating more momentum.
“The stuff that every kid dreams about doing is getting an opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup,” Ottawa forward Warren Foegele said.
Foegele, a former Carolina player, said he’s aware of the playoff atmosphere in Raleigh. He said it’s one of the loudest arenas in the NHL, not to mention a playoff-tested team that will appear in the playoffs for the eighth year in a row.
“They play fast, they play aggressive, they’re in your face,” Foegele said. “They’re an experienced team. They’ve been there.”
Carolina has won at least one playoff series in six of the past seven years.
Brind’Amour has been noncommittal regarding the goaltending assignment for the playoff opener between rookie Brandon Bussi and veteran Frederik Andersen.
“They both played really well down the stretch,” Brind’Amour said.
Andersen has played in 32 playoff games for the Hurricanes and 85 total postseason contests in his career.
The Senators will turn to goaltender Linus Ullmark, who has won his last four outings. Ottawa’s backup is James Reimer, a former Carolina player.
The Hurricanes went 7-1-1 in their last nine games of the regular season, with the regulation loss coming by a 6-3 decision on April 5 at Ottawa. Carolina won the other two regular-season matchups, including 4-3 on Feb. 3 in Raleigh.
Bussi picked up the two victories for the Hurricanes.
Forward Nikolaj Ehlers played all 82 games in his first season with the Hurricanes, racking up a career-high 71 points.
Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle posted a team-high 83 points in 80 games.
Foegele scored six goals in 21 games since joining the Senators in a trade from the Los Angeles Kings.
“He’s going to be a big part of our group in the playoffs,” Ottawa coach Travis Green said.
The Senators played only two road games in April, and now they’ll play their first two playoff games away from home. Game 2 is set for Monday night.
–Field Level Media
Stars take win streak into playoffs as Wild goalies await
The Dallas Stars are entering the Stanley Cup Playoffs on a different path this season.
When they host the Minnesota Wild in Game 1 of their first-round series on Saturday, the Stars will be riding a five-game winning streak.
A year ago, Dallas entered the playoffs on a season-long seven-game skid, but then went on to reach the Western Conference finals.
“Last year, we were comfortable and confident going into the playoffs, but it is nice going in winning,” Dallas forward Sam Steel said. “There are less questions.”
The Stars are also as healthy as they’ve been in a while.
They are still without forwards Tyler Seguin and Roope Hintz, but defenseman Miro Heiskanen returned to practice on Friday after missing the past three games with a lower-body injury. Steel and defenseman Nils Lundkvist returned for the 4-3 shootout win against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday in the regular-season finale.
“After missing some time, there is a little bit of rust to break off and get your touches in and get back into thinking at that speed of the game,” Steel said. “It’s good to get back and get one before the playoffs.”
The five-game winning streak also allowed the Stars to reach 50 wins for the third straight season and seventh time in franchise history. Jason Robertson led the team with 45 goals and 96 points.
“It’s hard to get 50 in this league,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said. “Good on our guys. Just the fact they were thinking about it shows you about our group. It’s quite an accomplishment by them.”
Minnesota, which has known it would be facing Dallas in the first round for more than a week, concluded its regular season with a 3-2 win against the visiting Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday.
The Wild alternated starts by goalies Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt during most of the season and will likely continue that pattern in the postseason.
“We have two excellent goaltenders,” Wild coach John Hynes said. “We’ve had two excellent goaltenders all year long.”
Wallstedt, a rookie, finished with the second-best save percentage in the NHL during the regular season (.916) while Gustavsson was tied for 18th (.904).
“What we do know is Wally’s a strong goalie. He’s played really well. He’s come a long way in his development. He’s a top-end NHL goalie,” Hynes said. “Both players (are). Gus has got great experience. Great goalie. He’s been a backbone for us. He’s been the leader of the goaltending corps between the two of those guys. So, you can’t go wrong with the decision.”
Gustavsson has watched in awe as Wallstedt has developed into a top-flight goalie this season, as well as while they were Olympic teammates with Sweden.
“Night in and night out, he’s always given the team a chance to win,” Gustavsson said of Wallstedt. “It’s very nice to have a duo like that, if you don’t have to feel the pressure to play all the games. You know if he’s in the pipes, the team has a very good chance to win anyway. It’s a great duo to have.”
Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes missed practice on Thursday and Friday because of an illness, but he’s expected to fly to Dallas later on Friday and be available for Game 1, Hynes said.
–Field Level Media
Storylines abound as Scottie Barnes, Raptors open series at Cavs
Success came quickly for Toronto Raptors power forward Scottie Barnes, who won the Rookie of the Year award and got a taste of the playoffs four years ago.
Two All-Star selections followed, but a return to the postseason proved elusive until now.
The fifth-seeded Raptors will challenge the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in an Eastern Conference first-round series. Game 1 is Saturday in Cleveland.
“We knew from when we talked in training camp, that was our goal,” said Barnes, the only player in the league with 600 rebounds, 400 assists and 100 blocked shots in a single season. “I think we were all confident then that we could get it done. It’s just great that we went out and did it.”
Toronto (46-36) moved past the Atlanta Hawks on the final day of the regular season, locking it into a matchup with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and the Cavaliers. Cleveland (52-30) is making its fourth consecutive playoff appearance.
The Raptors went 3-0 against the Cavaliers this season with Barnes averaging 20.0 points and team-highs of 10.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.0 blocks. Brandon Ingram scored 37 points in their final meeting on Nov. 24 and averaged 22.7 points in the set.
All three games occurred long before Cleveland acquired Harden in a trade-deadline deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Cavaliers were 19-7 with the future Hall of Famer in the lineup and won 35 of their final 49 contests.
“We’re a lot different team now,” said reigning Defensive Player of the Year Mobley, who was chosen one spot ahead of Barnes in the 2021 draft at No. 3. “We’ll have to adjust accordingly on how they play, but it’s a good matchup. Toronto has a lot of great players like Scottie and Brandon Ingram.”
Mobley and Barnes will always be linked because of their draft order and the low-key rivalry that developed with both playing the same position. Injuries limited Mobley to 65 games this season, but he still averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and a career-high 1.7 blocks.
Their head-to-head battle was the main talking point in Toronto going into the series, while most in Cleveland remain focused on Harden’s elusive quest for a first championship in his 17th season. He has made the playoffs every year.
“It’s like a spin cycle, a lot of up and downs, once you get here,” Harden said. “A lot of different things happen in a game and in a series. Toronto is a really good team, but we’re prepared. We know what we need to do.”
Harden’s ability to execute in half-court sets gives the Cavaliers a dynamic they didn’t have in the last three postseasons. The ninth-leading scorer in NBA history also figures to attack Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley, who is nursing a hamstring injury.
The shooting guard matchup pits Cleveland’s top scorer and face of the franchise, seven-time All-Star Mitchell, against RJ Barrett. Raptors center Jakob Poeltl said he will be “as physical as possible” against Cavaliers big man Jarrett Allen.
“You’re playing the same team over and over, so the deeper you go, the sets and plays have less value because everyone can scout,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said. “It’s more about the tendencies of the players and are you playing to their strengths or your strengths.”
Quickley was again limited to individual workouts Friday in Toronto. Cleveland’s only question mark is backup center Thomas Bryant (left calf strain), who last played on April 5 and appears unlikely to suit up.
This is the fourth time the teams will square off in the playoffs, where the Cavaliers eliminated the Raptors in the 2016 conference finals, and the 2017 and 2018 semifinals. Toronto was swept in the latter two series and is 0-7 all-time in playoff games in Cleveland.
“This is when we earn our money,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “The flowers are blooming, it’s warm and you just feel the energy. It’s like a renewal. Truly the best time of the year.”
–Field Level Media
Rivalry continues as Nuggets host Timberwolves for Game 1
Denver slugged its way past Minnesota in 2023 on its way to the NBA title. The Timberwolves derailed a Nuggets repeat with a Game 7 upset in 2024.
Act III of this sometimes-bitter rivalry kicks off Saturday afternoon when No. 3 Denver hosts No. 6 Minnesota for Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.
Since the calendar turned to 2023 the teams have played 28 times, including the playoffs, and each has won 14 games. The Timberwolves dominated the four regular-season matchups in 2024-25 but the Nuggets took three of the four meetings this season, including an overtime thriller on Christmas night.
And there is star power, most notably from Minnesota’s outspoken guard Anthony Edwards and Denver’s more muted triple-double machine Nikola Jokic. Both are expected to play at a high level so the outcome could come down to the supporting cast and injuries.
For the Timberwolves, Edwards and Jaden McDaniels have missed time with knee injuries and Naz Reid, one of the many who will try to stop Jokic, has been dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries.
The Nuggets have gotten healthier after a season full of injuries. Aaron Gordon played just 36 games due to multiple hamstring injuries and Christian Braun, who will draw the primary assignment on Edwards, was limited to 54 games because of an ankle sprain.
Peyton Watson missed 25 of the last 30 games with a hamstring strain, and Spencer Jones missed the last two weeks of the season with the same injury.
The status for both for Game 1 is unclear, with head coach David Adelman’s latest update coming Wednesday when he told reporters, “Peyton and Spence both practiced, not contact, all non-contact stuff. Spence did more yesterday, as far as his player development, they look good, but neither guy’s clear as of yet. My hope is they’ll play in Game 1. If not, we’ll play the group that is healthy.”
Edwards averaged 30.3 points in three games against Denver this season. Jokic, who averaged a triple-double for the second straight season (27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists), feasted on Minnesota. In four games against the Timberwolves, he averaged 35.8 points, 15 rebounds and 11.3 assists.
Minnesota, like every other team, will make containing Jokic a priority. But it won’t be easy.
“Probably gotta call God and talk to him for a little bit and ask him for a few favors,” Timberwolves forward Julius Randle said of guarding Jokic. “It’s going to be a tough matchup. He’s an incredible player.”
Jokic leads the NBA’s top-ranked offense that averaged 122.1 points a game and 125 against Minnesota. The Timberwolves gave up an average of 114.6 points this season, which was 12th in the league.
Denver retooled its roster in the offseason for another run at a championship. The Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson, and the salary relief led to signing Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. and trading for Jokic’s backup, Jonas Valanciunas.
Brown was on the 2023 team that beat the Timberwolves in the first round and, despite winning in five games, called it the hardest series on the road to the title.
Denver is expecting another tough one in 2026, and the sense of urgency is there.
“To win a championship, you need the guys to step up at the right moment. If it is not your night one game, it’s OK because the next one is coming soon,” Jokic said. “I think we need everybody on our roster. Everybody needs to step up.”
–Field Level Media
D-backs’ Michael Soroka, riding hot streak, turns focus to Blue Jays
The Arizona Diamondbacks will return home as one of the hottest teams in baseball, set to open a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night in Phoenix.
Since a 9-6 win over the Detroit Tigers on March 30, the Diamondbacks have won 11 times. Only the San Diego Padres (12) have won more in that stretch. Arizona completed a 6-3 road trip by winning all three series — against the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles.
Arizona has eight comeback victories this season and has won six of 10 one-run games. The Diamondbacks have not lost a series since being swept by the Dodgers to open the season, winning four and splitting the other series.
“That’s our identity, to do what the at-bat calls for,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “That’s the type of baseball we play here. It’s gritty and helps you stay in games.”
Arizona right-bander Michael Soroka (3-0, 2.87 ERA) is scheduled to face Blue Jays left-hander Eric Lauer (1-2, 7.82) in the series opener.
The injury-depleted Blue Jays have lost four of the past five games and 10 of 13. They have lost five straight series while playing without premier hitters George Springer and Alejandro Kirk and starting pitchers Jose Berrios, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage and Cody Ponce.
The Blue Jays are coming off a series defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers, in which Toronto lost two 2-1 games. The Jays have not seen the anticipated production from offseason free-agent acquisition Kazuma Okamoto, who was 0-for-4 on Thursday and has just two hits in his past 23 at-bats. After hitting a home run in two of the first four games of the season, he has no homers and two RBIs since.
“Over the long course of a season, I know there are going to be ups and downs, and that’s not different from playing in Japan,” Okamoto told MLB.com through an interpreter. “I think this is just a little lull right now, and hopefully I can get it going soon.”
Arizona is receiving help from perhaps unexpected sources.
Catcher Adrian Del Castillo had five RBIs in an 8-5, 10-inning victory at Baltimore to complete the trip Wednesday. His two-run homer in the 10th was the decider, and he also had a two-run triple in the third and an RBI groundout in the seventh. He has 10 RBIs, one behind team leader Corbin Carroll.
“Honestly, we’ve had some crazy wins and some good wins,” Del Castillo said in a TV interview. “We all work together. We just keep having fun. I think we have to feed off these wins and take it home and keep doing it.”
Utility player Ildemaro Vargas has hit in all 12 games he has played, a franchise record to start the season. He has played at first, second and third bases and also left field. He has five doubles, two homers, eight RBIs and a .383 batting average.
Soroka has won all three of his starts and has two 10-strikeout games in just 15 2/3 total innings. Soroka, 28, who spent the 2025 season playing for the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs, and Randy Johnson are the only two pitchers in franchise history with 10 or more strikeouts in two of their first three appearances with the team.
Against the Blue Jays, Soroka is 1-2 with a 5.09 ERA in five career games (four starts) but has faced them only twice since 2019.
Lauer beat the Athletics 5-2 on March 29 to open his season but has lost his past two starts, and he gave up seven runs on five hits and two homers in a 7-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday.
Lauer is 4-4 with a 2.38 ERA in 10 career starts against Arizona. He gave up one run and struck out eight in five innings in an 8-1 victory over the D-Backs last June 18, his only start against them since 2022. He played for the Brewers that season.
–Field Level Media
White Sox eager to halt woes in opener of road trip vs. A’s
The Chicago White Sox possess the worst record in the majors as they head out on a six-game road trip.
The first three games will be against the Athletics, beginning Friday night in West Sacramento, Calif.
Chicago has won just six of 19 games this season and has dropped eight of its past 10. The trip will conclude with three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix.
The White Sox were outscored 21-11 while being swept in a three-game home set by the Tampa Bay Rays, ending with Thursday’s 5-3 setback.
“We haven’t had a ton to show for it, but hitting the ball hard,” White Sox manager Will Venable said after the latest loss. “Too much on the ground or at guys. They made a ton of plays, but stringing some good things for the offense.
“Still just missing that big hit and putting some of these crooked numbers up there. Have to keep going.”
Chicago has scored three runs or less 13 times this season and has the second-fewest runs in the majors (60). Only the San Francisco Giants (58) have fewer.
Among players with at least 30 at-bats, Chase Meidroth is the club’s leading hitter at a meager .222. Former Japanese star Munetaka Murakami has five homers through 19 games in the majors but is batting just .167 with 26 strikeouts in 60 at-bats.
Catcher Edgar Quero said he thinks it’s just a matter of time before the White Sox get their attack moving.
“Good contact makes you feel a little bit better and a little bit more confident,” he said. “Yeah, we are frustrated. We’ve been hitting the ball pretty well those three games (against Tampa Bay). “The last couple of games we’ve hit it pretty well. The ball is not going in the hole, but it’s part of the game, too. We need to keep fighting.”
The Athletics have been faring well and have won seven of their past nine games, counting Thursday’s 9-6 home loss to the Texas Rangers.
The Athletics had taken a one-run lead on Nick Kurtz’s wind-blown, three-run double with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning before Texas scored four in the ninth.
In the seventh inning, the heavy wind gusts turned Josh Jung’s fly to right into a two-run homer for the Rangers.
“Probably one of the more difficult games that I’ve been a part of in terms of the elements,” said Athletics fifth-year manager Mark Kotsay, who played 17 seasons in the majors.
The disappointing ninth-inning collapse gave the A’s a four-game split with the Rangers.
“I think we’ll be OK,” said A’s left-hander Jacob Lopez, who gave up two runs in five innings on Thursday. “This team has a lot of heart, as you’ve seen based on the times when myself or the rest of the staff, they give up some runs and the offense picks up right away. But it’s a long season and we’ve got a good team.”
Right-hander Aaron Civale (2-0, 1.72 ERA) will start for the Athletics on Friday. Civale, 30, beat the New York Mets on Sunday when he allowed four hits in 5 2/3 scoreless innings in a 1-0 triumph.
Civale is 5-4 with a 4.82 ERA in 12 career outings against the White Sox. Andrew Benintendi is 5-for-13 with two homers off him.
Right-hander Davis Martin (2-1, 2.50 ERA) will take the mound for Chicago. Martin, 29, most recently lost to the Kansas City Royals 2-0 last Friday, allowing two runs and seven hits over seven innings.
Martin is 0-1 with a 2.61 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against the A’s. Lawrence Butler (2-for-8) has homered off him.
–Field Level Media
Friday’s Bundesliga Matchday 30 opener is a real pressure game. Cologne travel to Millerntor-Stadion to face St. Pauli with the visitors sitting 13th on 30 points and the hosts 16th on 25, which means St. Pauli are starting the round in the relegation playoff spot and Cologne can create real breathing room with a result. Kickoff is set for Friday, April 17, at Millerntor-Stadion in Hamburg.
The recent form leans toward Cologne. They beat Werder Bremen 3-1 last time out and are unbeaten in four league matches, while St. Pauli have gone five straight without a win and were just hammered 5-0 by Bayern. The reverse fixture ended 1-1 in December, but the broader head-to-head still favors Cologne, who are unbeaten in the last seven meetings between the clubs.
There is not much room for either side to relax. St. Pauli are chasing survival with five matches left and already own the league’s weakest scoring record, while Cologne are only five points clear of St. Pauli and still close enough to the bottom that another bad run would drag them right back into danger. It feels like a match where the game state matters a lot, and perhaps the first goal matters even more than usual.
MLB analysis that actually matters.
Stop guessing and start cashing.
Cologne vs St. Pauli Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep checking the latest soccer odds before kickoff because this is still a fairly live market. The 3-way moneyline has Cologne as the slight road favorite, while the handicap market also gives the visitors a small edge.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cologne | +145 | -0.5 (+130) | O 2.5 (+102) |
| Draw | +215 | — | — |
| St. Pauli | +190 | +0.5 (-195) | U 2.5 (-125) |
Cologne Betting Form
Cologne are not a dominant side, but they do look like the healthier attacking team coming into this match. They have scored eight times across their last three league games and just put three past Werder Bremen, which fits with a season profile that is at least respectable in attack: 43 goals scored, 1.5 goals per match, 43.9 expected goals, 4.7 shots on target per match, and 71 big chances created. Those are not elite numbers, but they are comfortably stronger than what St. Pauli have produced.
The key names are pretty clear. Saïd El Mala has 11 league goals, while Jakub Kaminski and Ragnar Ache have seven each, and Ache has also chipped in four assists. That gives Cologne more than one route to chance creation, which matters in a matchup where the home side are likely to defend deep for stretches and try to make the game ugly. Marvin Schwäbe has also held up reasonably well with a 67.3% save rate, so there is at least some goalkeeper stability behind the back line.
The obvious concern is the away record. Cologne are just 2-7-5 away in league play, so backing them outright always comes with a little discomfort. Still, their underlying process is better than St. Pauli’s. Cologne hold a 47.0% average possession share, a near-neutral xG difference of -2.7, and they do not need to control every phase to be dangerous. Against a team that has struggled badly to create shots and goals, that may be enough.
St. Pauli Betting Form
St. Pauli are in trouble because the attack has never really clicked, and right now it looks even thinner. They have only 25 goals in 29 league matches, just 0.9 goals per game, the lowest expected-goals total in the Bundesliga at 25.0, a league-worst xG difference of -21.9, and only 3.4 shots on target per match. That is a brutal combination when you are trying to dig out of the bottom three.
There are still a few pieces that can make them annoying at home. Danel Sinani leads the side with five league goals and three assists, Andréas Hountondji gives them some direct running up front, and Nikola Vasilj has at least kept them alive at times with a 67.1% save rate. St. Pauli also have five clean sheets and home matches have leaned higher-scoring lately, with the total going over in 10 of their last 14 at Millerntor. So this is not a complete fade-everything team. It is just a team with a very thin margin for error.
The injury and suspension list is another problem. Joel Chima Fujita is suspended, while Eric Smith, James Sands, Ricky-Jade Jones, and Simon Spari are all unavailable. That is not ideal for a side that already lacks ball progression and reliable shot volume. The likely setup still looks like a 3-4-2-1 with Sinani and Pereira Lage supporting Hountondji, but the midfield depth is definitely being tested.
Cologne vs St. Pauli Matchup Breakdown
This game sets up as a clash between the more efficient attack and the more desperate home team. Cologne do not dominate possession, but they are more functional in the final third, create more big chances, and carry several threats across the front line. St. Pauli are far more limited. They sit at 44.0% possession, create only 41 big chances all season, and simply do not generate enough sustained pressure to make opponents uncomfortable for long stretches.
The projected shapes reinforce that. St. Pauli are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1, with Sinani and Pereira Lage working underneath Hountondji, while Cologne are projected in a 4-4-2 with Ache and El Mala up front. That should give Cologne the cleaner attacking lanes in transition, especially if Kaminski and Maina can get into wider spaces before St. Pauli settle into their defensive block. If you are weighing side versus total, that is where the expert betting guide mindset comes in handy, because the cleaner team is not always the same thing as the safer price.
The other angle is pressure. St. Pauli need points more urgently because they are sitting 16th, but urgency does not always help when a side struggles to score. In some matches like this, the desperation actually creates a better transition environment for the opponent. Cologne are not balancing Europe or cup distractions here, so the focus is simple: get a result, stretch the gap, and make the bottom of the table someone else’s problem.
I also think the goalkeeping battle is close enough that it does not swing the handicap back toward the hosts. Vasilj and Schwäbe both sit right around a 67% save rate, so this is less about miracle keeping and more about which side can produce the better shots. On that front, Cologne have the edge. They have more proven scoring across the lineup, a much healthier xG profile, and a far stronger recent attacking rhythm.
Cologne vs St. Pauli Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is toward Cologne, though I would admit this is not the kind of road favorite you back without thinking twice. The away form is messy, the market is tight, and St. Pauli are desperate enough to turn this into a scrap. Even so, Cologne look like the more trustworthy side because their attack is more varied, their recent scoring is stronger, and the underlying numbers do not scream relegation-level team the way St. Pauli’s do.
The total is interesting too. Over 2.5 at plus money has some appeal because Cologne’s last three league games have produced eight goals for them alone, St. Pauli’s home overs have piled up lately, and the match pressure on both sides could open things up after the first goal. Still, I do not fully trust St. Pauli to carry their share of the scoring, and that is what keeps me from making the total my favorite angle.
So I come back to the side. Cologne have the better scorers, the better expected-goal profile, and the better recent rhythm. St. Pauli can absolutely grind and maybe drag this into a draw, but if one side is more likely to create the decisive chances, it is the visitors. At plus money, that is enough for me.
Best Bet: Cologne 3-way moneyline (+145).
MLB analysis that creates real betting value.
Stop chasing, start profiting
Bundesliga Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you want more than one angle before locking in a Friday card, checking today’s Bundesliga picks is the easiest place to start. The value is not just the volume. It is being able to compare different match reads across the same slate instead of betting one opinion in isolation.
That gets even more useful when you move from single-game previews to broader performance tracking. ScoresAndStats lets you compare top sports handicappers and sort through the handicapper leaderboard, which is a better way to judge long-term form than just chasing whoever had a good weekend.
And for bettors who want more coverage than the free board gives them, there are buy expert picks along with broader weekly content like best soccer bets this week to help narrow the strongest spots across the full card.
Internazionale host Cagliari on Friday night at San Siro in a Serie A Matchday 33 spot that still carries real weight at both ends of the table. Kickoff is set for 8:45 p.m. local time in Milan. Internazionale enter the round nine points clear at the top after a wild 4-3 comeback win over Como, so the title is now very much in their hands. Cagliari arrive in 16th place, still needing points to keep the bottom three at arm’s length and avoid a nervous finish.
That creates a pretty clean motivation split. Internazionale are pushing to close out the Scudetto without letting the door reopen for Napoli, while Cagliari are chasing safety and trying to turn every point into breathing room. The home side also have the recent matchup edge here, beating Cagliari 2-0 in the reverse fixture in September, and they have not lost this matchup since 2019.
MLB analysis that actually matters.
Stop guessing and start cashing.
Cagliari vs Internazionale Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep checking the latest soccer odds before kickoff. This is a 3-way moneyline market, with Internazionale listed at -550, the draw at +600, and Cagliari at +1100, while the handicap sits at Internazionale -1.5 and the total is 2.5 goals. There has not been a meaningful recorded move in the main moneyline so far.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cagliari | +1100 | +1.5 (+110) | O 2.5 (-175) |
| Internazionale | -550 | -1.5 (-152) | U 2.5 (+135) |
Cagliari Betting Form
Cagliari are not coming in totally dead. They just beat Cremonese 1-0, and that matters because it stopped the slide a bit and gave them something tangible before this trip. Even so, the broader profile is still pretty thin for a road underdog at this price point. Cagliari rank near the bottom of Serie A in attacking process with 29.8 expected goals, a -14.3 xG difference, 3.3 shots on target per match, and 53 big chances created. They simply do not generate pressure at the same rate as the league’s stronger teams.
The attack leans heavily on moments rather than sustained control. Sebastiano Esposito leads them with six goals and five assists, and he remains their most dangerous creator, while Semih Kilicsoy and Gennaro Borrelli offer some secondary threat. Still, Cagliari average just 45.8% possession and 319.4 accurate passes per match, so this is usually a team that has to live without the ball and hope its counters or set pieces are sharp enough. Against Internazionale, that can get uncomfortable pretty fast.
There are also a few availability concerns that do not help. Mattia Felici and Riyad Idrissi are out long term, Luca Mazzitelli has been dealing with a calf issue, and Leonardo Pavoletti has not been fully fit. Elia Caprile has done solid work in goal with a 70.3% save rate and positive goals-prevented numbers, which is part of the reason Cagliari stay alive in matches, but asking him to absorb this much volume in Milan is a rough setup.
Internazionale Betting Form
Internazionale look like the best side in Italy by both results and process. They lead Serie A in expected goals at 60.7, own a +32.3 xG difference, average 59.5% possession, generate 6.2 shots on target per match, and have already created 130 big chances. That is a complete attacking profile, not one built on a few finishing spikes. Even when the games get messy, like they did against Como, there is enough shot volume and enough control to trust the floor.
The obvious concern is squad health. Lautaro Martinez is expected to miss out after another calf problem, and Internazionale also have defensive absences or doubts around Yann Bisseck and Alessandro Bastoni, while Petar Sucic is suspended. Still, Marcus Thuram just scored twice against Como and is up to 10 league goals, Denzel Dumfries is coming off a two-goal performance of his own, and the projected setup still looks strong enough to dominate field position.
What I keep coming back to is how stable the home side usually are in these spots. Internazionale have 15 clean sheets, their defensive structure remains one of the best in the league, and they are 24-5-3 overall. They may rotate a little with the Coppa Italia semifinal second leg against Como coming next week, but the gap in quality here is large enough that the main question is margin, not whether they are the better team.
Cagliari vs Internazionale Matchup Breakdown
This matchup tilts toward Internazionale because the stylistic gap is pretty obvious. Cagliari are more comfortable in reactive phases, defending in numbers and waiting for a break or a second ball. Internazionale, by contrast, can control the match through possession, wingback width, and midfield circulation, and they create sustained pressure instead of isolated flashes. When one team averages nearly 60% possession and the other sits below 46%, you can usually guess who is going to spend more time defending its box.
The other issue for Cagliari is chance quality. Internazionale have been the most productive team in the league by xG and big chances, while Cagliari sit near the bottom of the same categories. So even if the visitors keep the shape tight for stretches, they are still likely to face repeated entries from Dumfries, Dimarco, Barella, and Calhanoglu. That is the kind of volume that turns a close first half into a two-goal game late. If you are weighing side versus handicap, this is the part of the handicap case that matters most.
There is also the competition context. Internazionale are closing in on the title, so the urgency is real, but they also have another important match against Como in the Coppa Italia semifinal second leg next week. That might keep the tempo a little more controlled if they get ahead early. Cagliari, meanwhile, would happily drag this into a low-event game and take one point. That tension makes the side easier to trust than the over, and it is part of why a bettor might review a broader expert betting guide before deciding whether to lay the bigger number or keep it simpler on the main result.
Cagliari vs Internazionale Predictions and Best Bets
I lean clearly toward Internazionale on the side. The title race context, the home field, the underlying numbers, and the head-to-head edge all point the same way. Even without Lautaro, this is still the stronger attack, the stronger midfield, and the more reliable defensive team. Cagliari can defend for stretches, sure, but they do not usually produce enough attacking volume to punish a favorite like this unless the favorite gifts them transition moments.
The handicap is playable, but I think you have to be honest about the tradeoff. Internazionale have the quality to win by multiple goals, and the market is clearly telling you that. At the same time, the upcoming cup match and the absence of Lautaro could make this feel more like a controlled 2-0 than a reckless push for four or five. So I would rather pay for the stronger team than force the bigger margin unless you are specifically hunting plus-money aggression.
The total is where I am a little less eager. Over 2.5 has the juice, which makes sense because Internazionale can cover most of that themselves, but Cagliari do not bring much shot volume into the match and their best path is to slow everything down. If Internazionale score early, the over gets live quickly. If they score late, it could turn into one of those one-sided matches that never really opens up. I think the better value sits with the favorite rather than the total.
Best Bet: Internazionale moneyline (-550).
MLB analysis that creates real betting value.
Stop chasing, start profiting
Serie A Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you want a wider board before locking in a play, the best place to start is with today’s Serie A picks. That gives bettors a quick way to compare matchups across the league without bouncing from page to page, which is useful on a round where title, Champions League, and survival pressure are all in play.
For a longer-view approach, ScoresAndStats also makes it easier to compare top sports handicappers and sort through the handicapper leaderboard. That matters in soccer because different experts attack different leagues and markets, and it helps to see who has actually produced over time instead of just catching a hot week.
And if you want to go beyond the free board, you can check premium soccer picks or use the weekly content hub for best soccer bets this week to narrow the strongest spots.
