Afleveringen
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The Round of 32 is set and Billi breaks down 4 selected games from Monday and Tuesday's slate. France reached the final of the World Cup four years ago and they look good value to reach the same stage of the competition if their first three games are anything to go by.They topped Group I after winning all three matches, as they proved too much for Norway, Senegal and Iraq. Their reward is a clash with Graham Potter’s Sweden, who finished third in Group F on four points. Sweden hammered Tunisia 5-1 before then losing 5-1 to the Netherlands and they should come unstuck against France. Didier Deschamps’ team have scored three goals or more in four consecutive matches and they should put Sweden to the sword in East Rutherford.
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Colombia and Portugal meet at the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday night in a game that will decide who claims top spot in World Cup Group K.The South Americans have the advantage after two wins, while Ronaldo and Portugal have four points on the board and have to win to move ahead of their opponents and avoid Spain in the Round of 16.
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The key games show looks at five of the early key games from the third phase of the group stage, including matches involving Canada, Brazil and the clash between France and Norway, which is a straight shootout for top spot in Group I, as two of the world’s best strikers go head-to-head in Foxborough on Friday. Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe already have four goals apiece in their race for the World Cup Golden Ball, with their sensational displays contributing to two wins apiece for their nations.
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The key games show looks at five of the early key games from the second phase of the group stage, including matches involving Argentina, France and England. The USA put in a blistering display to beat Paraguay 4-1 in front of a home Los Angeles crowd and the Star and Stripes will be hoping for more of the same against Australia.
The opening round saw Argentina legend Lionel Messi made history as he became the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick as La Celeste thrashed Algeria in their opener, and he is expected to make the difference again as their title defence continues against Austria.The 38-year-old has scored 120 goals for his country and has found the net nine times in his last seven appearances for Inter Miami and Argentina. His hat-trick against Algeria took him level with Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading goalscorer in the World Cup, and he looks good value to take another record for himself in pursuit of his first-ever World Cup Golden Boot award. -
The key games show looks at five of the early key games from the second phase of the group stage, including matches involving the USA, Brazil and Germany. The USA put in a blistering display to beat Paraguay 4-1 in front of a home Los Angeles crowd and the Star and Stripes will be hoping for more of the same against Australia.
In contrast to the US, Brazilian fans wouldn't have been happy with what they saw in their opener. Aside from a stunning goal by Vinicius Junior, there was little sign of Brazilian swagger in their 1-1 draw with Morocco. The African side were the stronger team in the first half, before largely controlling the second. That draw has raised the stakes as the five-time winners arrive in Philadelphia to take on Haiti. The battle for top spot could now come down to goal difference, so Carlo Ancelotti will hope his side can dial up their intensity and put up an impressive performance against the group minnows. -
The key games show looks at five of the eight remaining game week 1 matches, including England's opening match against Croatia- who they lost to in the semi-finals of the 2018 tournament. However, it's not a great omen for the Croatians that their squad is largely the same from their run to the final in 2018. That side wasn’t exactly young, and their group stage exit at Euro 2024 suggests this group has had their day. England beat Croatia in their opening game of Euro 2020 before making the final, and they’ll hope that a victory in Dallas can kick off a similar run this summer.
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World Cup 2026 kicks-off tonight at the Estadio Azteca, with Co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa. The Mexicans head into their first hosting of the World Cup since 1986 unbeaten in eight matches, and it is worth noting that El Tri have recorded a joint-best quarter-final showing in both their previous World Cups on home soil. This is hardly surprising given the high altitude of many Mexican stadiums, which may explain why almost half of Javier Aguirre’s squad are based domestically. Their recent unbeaten run includes draws against European heavyweights Belgium and Portugal, and they have conceded just two goals in this sequence.
The key games show also includes five other Matchday 1 matches, including the USA's opener against Paraguay. The road to the USA’s opening game at the 2026 World Cup has been a rocky one, and it's fair to suggest that the tournament co-hosts don’t seem entirely ready for their clash with Paraguay in Los Angeles. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have lost three of their four games in 2026, and they’ve kept just one clean sheet across their previous 14 internationals. Meanwhile, Paraguay return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010, and certainly can't be dismissed after finished level on points with Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia in qualifying. -
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is right around the corner and the biggest tournament in world football is also one of the world’s biggest betting events. Millions of people place bets on the tournament, with many casual fans taking the opportunity to have a wager on the event. Unfortunately, many of these fans will be looking for good information, and will end up finding some used car salesman type - who only took an interest in football because of the tournament - masquerading as a "Soccer" expert, leading them down a path where their bankroll is blown before the the knockout stages.
Luckily you've found this podcast. Over the past week, Billi has delivered 6 extensive group preview episodes over on the Soccer Betting Podcast, and now closes out his Fututes content with this very episode- primarily focusing on the outright market. Billi has watched this sport since religiously since 1989, and has covered football betting since the 2014 World Cup, when he began on the Sport's Gambling Podcast as their lead Soccer expert. Since 2013, he's delivered 156 months of consecutive tracked and transparent betting profit across all sports, and has navigated his way through 11 major international tournaments (World Cup, Euros and Copa Americas) since then, delivering 10 winning tournaments- with his only losing tournament being Euro 2016.
American restaurants are known for generous portion sizes and this summer’s World Cup will be an all-you-can eat feast of football. The tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, has been expanded from 32 teams to 48 and the 16 venues are scattered across the North American continent. From Vancouver in the north to Mexico City in the south, from California to Massachusetts, this is a World Cup on a grand scale. In the outright market, there isn't much separating the top sides in this tournament, and it won't be surprising to see any of the top 7 names making it to East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the World Cup final takes place on July 19. Matches at last summer’s Club World Cup in the USA were played in sweltering conditions with thunderstorms forcing several lengthy breaks in play. Therefore, its massively important to factor in who is and who isn't equipped to handle the circumstances, heat and conditions. -
Billi concludes his 2026 World Cup Group breakdowns by deep dive into Groups K and L. World Cup Group K includes Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia, with matches to take place in US states Texas, Florida, Georgia and in Mexico City and Zapopan. Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play at his sixth and surely his final ever World Cup this summer, and will desperate to replicate what Lionel Messi did 3 and a half years ago.
World Cup Group L is England's group. They are alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions begin against Croatia on June 17 in Arlington, before they then face Antoine Semenyo's Ghana in Boston. The conclude their group stage ghase against Panama in New Jersey. -
Billi continues his 2026 World Cup coverage by breaking down Groups I and J. World Cup Group I includes 2022 runners-up France, Senegal, Iraq and Erling Haaland's Norway, and will feature an Mbappe v Haaland match (if both players start). Group I will see it's matches played in US cities New Jersey, Philadelphia and Massachusetts, plus Canada's Toronto.
World Cup Group J includes reigning World Champions Argentina, Algeria, Austria and Jordan, with Lionel Messi playing in sixth World Cup with Argentina and with Jordan taking part in their first tournament. Group J will see it's matches take place in Texas, Kansas and California. -
Billi continues his 2026 World Cup coverage by breaking down Groups G and H. World Cup Group G includes Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand, with matches taking place in US cities Seattle and Los Angeles and in Canada's Vancouver. Meanwhile, World Cup Group H includes pre-tournament favourites Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, with matches set to take place in Zapopan, Mexico and USA cities Atalanta, Miami and Houston.
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Billi continues his 2026 World Cup coverage by breaking down Groups E and F. World Cup Group E includes Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador, with matches taking place in the USA's Houston, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Kansas City plus Toronto in Canada. The four-time winners, Germany, will be looking for their first World Cup victory since 2014, while Curacao will be taking part in their first ever World Cup.
Group F includes Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia, with matches set to take place in Arlington, Houston and Kansas City in the US, plus Guadalupe in Mexico. The three-time runners-up, the Netherlands are the favourites for the group, and wil be desperately looking for their maiden World Cup win. -
Billi continues his 2026 World Cup coverage by breaking down Groups C and D. World Cup Group C includes Scotland, Brazil, Morocco and Haiti, with matches will take place in the USA in Foxborough, Miami, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Atlanta. Brazil have won every group since 1982 and are widely expected to top their group once again.
World Cup Group D includes co-hosts the United States of America, Paraguay, Australia and Turkey with the fixtures taking place in the USA in Los Angeles, Seattle and Santa Clara, plus the Canadian city of Vancouver. Some Americans have high hopes for their team, however, the road to the USA’s opening game at the 2026 World Cup has been a rocky one, and the tournament co-hosts don’t seem entirely ready for their clash with Paraguay in Los Angeles. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have lost three of their four games in 2026, and they’ve kept a single clean sheet across their previous 14 internationals. -
Billi begins his 2026 World Cup coverage by breaking down Groups A and B. World Cup Group A includes co-hosts Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and Czech Republic; matches will take place in Mexico and USA, with Mexico opening tournament vs South Africa on Thursday June 11th. World Cup Group B includes co-hosts Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland; matches will take place in Canadian cities Toronto and Vancouver and in the USA's Santa Clara, Los Angeles and Seattle.
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Billi recaps and analyses this season's Champions League and major European leagues, and glosses over what we might see next season. This season's action concluded last Saturday, with Paris St-Germain underlining their status as one of European football's greatest ever teams by becoming only the second club to retain the Champions League.Their nervy 4-3 win on penalties over Arsenalfollowing a 1-1 draw in the final in Budapest backed up their 5-0 win over Inter Milan in Munich 12 months ago.In doing so they became the first side to successfully defend their title since Real Madrid's three-peat from 2016 to 2018, and only the second to do it in the Champions League era - 1993 onwards.
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Billi breaks down what was Manchester United's 25/26 season. A season that began with Amorim and has concluded with Michael Carrick securing the job as the head coach of the men’s first team, having signed a new contract which will run to 2028.Carrick returned to United as head coach in January and was awarded the Premier League Manager of the Month award after victories against Manchester City and Arsenal in his first two games in charge. He has overseen qualification into next season’s UEFA Champions League with 11 wins from 16 games, accumulating the highest points tally in the Premier League since his arrival.
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Billi recaps an EPL Season which saw Liverpool - who were never at the races - relinquish the Premiership title to Arsenal, who ended a 22-year wait for a league title. The season also saw Pep Guardiola end a 10-year stay at Manchester City, while Manchester United returned to Europe's top table- with Chelsea missing out on Europe entirely. Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation, as West Ham dropped down to the Championship with Burnley and Wolves.
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The winners of this season’s UEFA Champions League will be decided in Budapest on Saturday, as Paris Saint-Germain face Arsenal in the final.
Although not historically two of Europe’s powerhouses, both sides have proved their worth in recent years and now sit proudly at the head of Europe’s top table – not only as finalists but as champions of two of the most famed domestic leagues in the world.PSG’s dominance in France’s Ligue 1 is well established, winning 12 of the last 14 league titles, while Arsenal’s three consecutive second-placed finishes in the English Premier League finally saw them take the next step this year. -
The Final Day of the 2025/26 Premier League season approaches on Sunday and while the title race is over there is still plenty to play for.There are places in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League to be secured, while the final relegation spot will also be decided.Even clubs without European qualification or Premier League safety to play for will still hope to finish the campaign on a high and potentially boost their prize money by securing a higher position in the table. Last season, each league place provided an extra £2.6million in prize money.
Tottenham Hotspur's midweek defeat at Chelsea means the relegation battle goes down to the wire, but Spurs' fate is in their own hands. The equation is simple: Beat Everton and they stay up. A draw would also almost certainly suffice, with Spurs’ -10 goal difference superior to West Ham United's -22.
Elsewhere, there are still two ways into the Champions League for Bournemouth. A Liverpool win against Brentford coupled with a Villa defeat at Man City, would result in Liverpool moving up to fourth and Villa dropping down to fifth, given the Reds have a superior goal difference. Fifth place in the Premier League will be given a European Performance Spot (EPS) in the Champions League, but Villa have already qualified for the competition by winning the Europa League. Consequently, should Villa finish fifth, the EPS spot will be passed down to sixth sending that club (currently Bournemouth) into the Champions League instead of the Europa League. Bournemouth can seal sixth-place with a draw as they are three points ahead of Brighton. -
Unai Emery heads into his fifth Europa League final in Istanbul on Wednesday, and the most successful manager in the competition’s history can lead Aston Villa to glory and get his hands on the trophy for the fourth time.Underdogs Freiburg are enjoying their most successful European season to date, but much of their success this campaign has been built on their flawless home record, and the lack of home advantage may prove a deciding factor on Wednesday.
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