Melanie Gervasoni
Melanie is a freelance writer covering sports news, major event analysis, and match previews/reviews. Her articles feature athlete perspectives and insightful commentary on the latest developments across the sporting world.
Articles by Melanie Gervasoni
09
Jul
Some knockout ties need no selling. France versus Morocco at a World Cup makes its own case, and both dressing rooms know precisely why.
Three years on from that 2022 semi-final in Qatar – the night Morocco's fairytale collided with Les Bleus and stopped – the sides meet again, this time in the quarter-finals, on Thursday 9 July at 9pm BST. Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, just south of Boston, stages the rematch.
The framing has shifted, though: Morocco arrive as genuine contenders rather than gatecrashers, and France as favourites still chasing that trophy that slipped away in 2022.
Below you can weigh...
06
Jul
Wimbledon 2026 is missing its king. Carlos Alcaraz, champion in 2023 and 2024 and runner-up last year, won't set foot on the lawns this fortnight, a wrist injury that already cost him Roland Garros having ended his grass season before it started.
For the first time in years the men's draw opens without the player who has owned Centre Court, and one question hangs over the whole event: with Alcaraz gone, who walks through the door he's left open? By the time we reach the final four, we'll have our answer.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams – 44 years old, seven-time champion, nearly...
04
Jul
Before the 36-team league phase kicks off, 52 clubs have to win their way in through a summer of Champions League qualifiers, played out over two legs between clubs you might not know yet and a few you definitely do.
For the champions of Europe's smaller leagues it is the only route to the top table. For bigger names who slipped up at home, it is a nervy detour they would rather avoid. Either way, it all starts on 7 July.
Odds are live now, so you can back every qualifying tie on our Champions League betting page.
UEFA Champions League Qualification...
03
Jul
The last time France and Paraguay met at a World Cup, back in 1998, it took a 114th-minute golden goal from Laurent Blanc to separate them, and France went on to lift the trophy.
They meet again on Saturday 4 July at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, kick-off 10pm UK time for another great Round of 16 match. Ninety minutes, maybe more, decides who takes on Canada or Morocco in the quarter-finals.
Below, we've laid out the Paraguay vs France betting odds in full, with every market explained in plain English so you get the full picture before placing your bet.
Paraguay...
01
Jul
For the first time, a World Cup has a Round of 32 and Spain begin their knockout run under the closed roof of SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Thursday 2 July, 8pm UK time, La Roja against an Austria side that has made a habit of doing things the dramatic way.
Spain were imperious in the group stage – three matches, seven points, not a single goal conceded. Austria scraped in as Group J runners-up after that wild draw with Algeria. It is favourite versus gatecrasher, with a place against the Portugal-Croatia winner on the line.
We've explained every market below,...
26
Jun
Panama already know their World Cup is finished. Croatia saw to that, and a tournament that started with such hope ends with a dead rubber. So when they walk out at MetLife Stadium on Saturday 27 June, there is nothing left to chase but pride, and a reckoning with the side that put six past them last time.
England have the opposite worry. Win this final Group L game and they top the table, earning the softer knockout route that comes with first place. Kick-off in East Rutherford, New Jersey is 10pm BST. Below are the main Panama vs England...