Daily Sports Recap — Thursday, July 16

Portland Fire @ Washington Mystics

Market has the spread dialed in—Mystics' home court is balanced by Fire's better form, and injuries muddy the waters further. No obvious value emerges.

New York Liberty @ Dallas Wings

Liberty are heavy favorites but the line reflects that; Dallas plays tough at home and can run hot or cold, making this close to a coin flip on the spread.

Sporting Kansas City @ St. Louis CITY SC

Kansas City’s recent slump is baked into underdog odds, but St. Louis CITY’s inconsistency makes picking either side tough—the number feels right.

Atlante @ Necaxa

Liga MX depth for both squads is sketchy due to midweek rotations, and public action has kept odds honest on both sides.

Tigres UANL @ Tijuana

Market knows Tigres should win but Tijuana at home is unpredictable and the moneyline doesn’t offer value either way.

Argentina @ England

Argentina have the flash, but England at Wembley just hits different, especially with their rising core and home crowd. England edges this classic, likely by a single goal.

Lean: England

Santos @ Botafogo

Botafogo at home are significantly stronger and Santos have struggled away for a while now. Expect Botafogo to take all three points.

Lean: Botafogo

Vasco da Gama @ Vitória

Vitória at home have been stout defensively and Vasco da Gama lack the firepower to break them down. Vitória grinds out a narrow win.

Lean: Vitória

Excelsior @ SC Cambuur

SC Cambuur in their fortress rarely slip up against mid-table sides like Excelsior. I’m rocking with Cambuur to win this opener.

Lean: SC Cambuur

Académico de Viseu @ Benfica

Benfica’s depth and star quality dwarf Académico de Viseu. This one’s a walk in the park for Benfica.

Lean: Benfica

FC Famalicao @ Estoril

Estoril at home have the edge in midfield and Famalicao’s attack looks toothless starting the season. Give me Estoril by a goal.

Lean: Estoril

Sporting CP @ Estrela

Sporting CP against minnows Estrela? Not even close—Sporting steamrolls for a comfortable win.

Lean: Sporting CP

Alverca @ FC Porto

FC Porto will be too much for newly promoted Alverca. Expect Porto to dominate both possession and the scoreboard.

Lean: FC Porto

Rio Ave @ Gil Vicente

Gil Vicente are a tough out at home, and Rio Ave don’t travel well. Gil Vicente nick this one in a scrappy contest.

Lean: Gil Vicente

Casa Pia @ Maritimo

Casa Pia’s away record just doesn’t stack up, while Maritimo have the experience and composure to see this one out at home.

Lean: Maritimo

Braga @ Moreirense

Braga’s firepower will overwhelm Moreirense who often struggle against top-six teams. Easy pick for Braga here.

Lean: Braga

C.D. Nacional @ Santa Clara

Santa Clara’s organization and recent form put them above C.D. Nacional, especially at home. Santa Clara snags the W.

Lean: Santa Clara

Arouca @ Vitória de Guimaraes

Vitoria de Guimaraes at home are a tough nut to crack, and Arouca’s inconsistent attack won’t be enough. Guimaraes get the job done.

Lean: Vitória de Guimaraes

Golden State Valkyries @ Indiana Fever

Indiana Fever, led by superstar Caitlin Clark, will outpace the Valkyries’ expansion squad at home. Fever win this one outright.

Lean: Indiana Fever

Matthew Baldwin @ Thomas Detry

Thomas Detry is the steadier hand and has shown he can handle pressure moments. He outplays Baldwin in this matchup.

Lean: Thomas Detry

Fabián Gómez @ Richie Ramsay

Richie Ramsay’s experience gives him the edge over Gómez, especially in a head-to-head. Ramsay takes it.

Lean: Richie Ramsay

@ Field TBD

Without specifics, I’m leaning towards last year’s field leader—chalk wins out when there’s so much unknown.

Lean: Field TBD

@ Field TBD

Same here: in a vacuum, backing the established Field favorite is safest.

Lean: Field TBD

Dricus Du Plessis @ Kamaru Usman

Du Plessis brings raw power, but Usman’s championship pedigree and wrestling are the difference. Usman grinds out a decision win.

Lean: Kamaru Usman

Christian Leroy Duncan @ Jared Cannonier

Jared Cannonier’s striking and big-stage experience should be too much for Christian Leroy Duncan. Cannonier by stoppage.

Lean: Jared Cannonier