Tony Kelshaw 
Ottawa have only claimed four victories this season, five fewer than San Jose, but there is not much between these teams in several key stats departments. If the Senators can bring their A-game to SAP Center, the feeling is this is a winnable contest for DJ Smith’s side.
Ottawa return to action after a Covid-19 outbreak and will be hoping the lay-off can help them to regroup and improve on this season’s results. However, a 1-4-0 record on the road makes the Senators hard to fancy against an in-form Colorado outfit which is seeking a fifth straight victory.
With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finally put out of his misery, we’re taking a look at the Man Utd next manager odds to see who might succeed him. First-team coach Michael Carrick has stepped in on a temporary basis but bwin are betting on the permanent replacement.
The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on January 9 in Cameroon, with the final almost a month later on February 6. With African players fulfilling key roles at many top European clubs, whose domestic seasons will continue during the tournament, some absences will be keenly felt.
Only a point separates these two European powerhouses in Group A and it is highly likely that this contest in Manchester will decide who finishes in top spot. Despite two talented squads on display, both clubs are still waiting to collect their first trophy in Europe’s premier club competition.
Liverpool have already qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League as group winners so Jurgen Klopp can afford to rest some players on Wednesday. Porto, on the other hand, are a point clear of third-placed Atletico Madrid so they have everything to play for at Anfield.
Argentina are looking to make it three consecutive victories over arch-rivals Brazil in Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier. La Albiceleste won 1-0 in both a November 2019 Superclasico de las Americas clash in Saudi Arabia and this summer’s Copa America final in Rio.
Canada have been on an upward curve for some time now and can give their World Cup hopes another boost by holding Mexico on home turf. The Cannucks ended a five-match losing run in head-to-head encounters with El Tri when drawing 1-1 at Aztec Stadium last month.
England still need to get something from their trip to San Marino to make sure of top spot in World Cup Group I but that shouldn’t be difficult. These teams have met five times in the last decade, with the Three Lions prevailing in all of those games by an aggregate score of 29-0.
Scotland have already wrapped up second spot in World Cup Group F ahead of facing runaway leaders Denmark but will be keen to finish on a high. Steve Clarke’s side have rattled off five straight wins in this pool since September’s 2-0 loss to the Danes in Copenhagen.
Northern Ireland face a daunting task when taking on an Italy side looking to claim top spot in World Cup Group C. The Azzurri are only ahead of Switzerland on goal difference and the Rossocrociati will be eyeing a convincing victory at home to Bulgaria.
Losing at home to Luxembourg was the low point of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign and they will be keen to claim revenge. The Republic have produced some far more encouraging results recently and are taken to put the record straight in this Group A finale.
Wales are already assured of a place in the World Cup play-offs due to their Nations League exploits but are still chasing second place in Group E. The Dragons could secure a home semi-final if runners-up to Belgium and will boost those hopes with a convincing victory.
New Zealand and Australia were both underdogs for their Twenty20 World Cup semis, highlighting the unpredictable nature of this format. Each side looked up against it during those matches until some big hitting late on turned things around, so the final could go either way.