Tips of the day

Segunda DivisiónWon3:2

AlmeriaCastellón

Why this pick: Almería were the second-best home team in the Segunda División, behind only Racing. The difference between their home and away performances is striking: they scored 52 goals at home compared to just 29 away from home. The first match ended without a winner, and it was clear that Almería were primarily focused on protecting the draw, while Castellón played with greater attacking intent. This time, however, a very different scenario is expected in the return leg, with Almería likely to play far more aggressively on their home ground.

FriendliesLost5:1

TogoBenin

Why this pick: Togo and Benin enter this friendly with very similar profiles, both relying more on defensive structure than open attacking football. Togo remain unbeaten in recent matches but continue to struggle creating consistent chances, with most games finishing under 2.5 goals. Benin show the same pattern, especially against teams of similar level, where matches are often slow and tactical. Their heavier defeats mainly came against top African nations, while games versus balanced opponents stayed tight and low scoring. Previous meetings also support the expectation of a cautious match with limited goals and few clear chances.

FriendliesLost1:1

ArmeniaMoldova

Why this pick: France enter their final friendly before the World Cup with clear expectations to respond after the recent defeat against Ivory Coast. Despite the loss, Deschamps still used many key attacking players, showing the importance of building rhythm before the tournament. Northern Ireland remain a compact and disciplined side capable of making matches uncomfortable, especially through defensive organization and physical play. However, the overall gap in quality and attacking talent strongly favors France, who should control the game far more effectively than in their previous friendly.

Why this pick: Colorado Eagles and Chicago Wolves meet in a decisive West final of the Calder Cup 2026. Colorado have been more stable across the season, finishing near the top of their division and playing a high volume of playoff games with consistent offensive output. Chicago, however, arrive with strong momentum after eliminating top opponents and finding a key turning point with the decision to start goalkeeper Amir Miftakhov. His performance in the previous match gave Chicago stability and confidence, helping them overturn a deficit and stay alive in the series. This final match is expected to be tight, with both teams relying on form and momentum rather than clear structural dominance.