UFC 302, WNBA, MLS, and More Stakes and Takes Week 13

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Alex King

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Every week Christian and I sit down, and decide how are we going to try to beat each other. I try to keep my picks creative, and well, he goes with soccer. It’s not a bad plan, he’s winning at a 65% clip through 12 weeks, whereas I’m only at 64%. As we jump into this week remember a couple of things, 1 I’m never not confident, and 2 I know the (1) makes absolutely no sense.

Stakes and Takes Week 13

Alex’s Takes (Picks) Week 13

  1. Alex Morono vs Niko Price: Niko Price is set to face Morono in a rematch from a 2017 fight where Niko Price knocked Alex Morono out in the final second of the second round. Morono is confident he can avenge this loss after staying active and having an overall better career trajectory. Price has only been able to fight 3 times in 3 years due to lingering injuries. Alex Morono
  2. Jake Matthews vs Phil Rowe: This is a close matchup, and stylistically similar. Jake Matthews is 19-7 (12-7 in the UFC) with a freestyle style that puts him in precarious situations against people with great cardio. Phil Rowe is 10-4 (3-2 in the UFC) and is a mixed martial artist who has been seeking heads in his appearances so far. That kind of game plan leaves you open to losing decision as he’s done twice in his short tenure. Matthews is 5-5 against longer reach and 7-6 against orthodox opponents. While winning as a favorite of 67%, I think this leaves the door open for Phil Rowe to claim the decision victory. Phil Rowe
  3. Grant Dawson vs Joe Solecki: What happens when grappling meets wrestling? In this matchup we may not get a clear picture, but I know the styles of both, and I see this fight on the ground multiple times. Dawson boasts a career record of 20-2-1 with 13 submission victories, and Solecki, 13-4, has 9 submission wins himself. Dawson is 7-1 against orthodox opponents, and is 7-1-1 as the favorite. With neither guy getting subbed in their career, I stake my claim as a Grant Dawson decision. Grant Dawson
  4. Inter Miami vs St. Louis: Prior to Messi arriving in Miami, they were dead last in the MLS. Now, leading the MLS with 39 goals for, they play a St Louis team 11th in their conference. Inter Miami hasn’t played the best season, and Messi will probably not play the entire game, but I think the clear favorite here is the right line. Inter Miami
  5. Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever: The Chicago Sky are 3-3, and currently allowing the fewest 3 point attempts in the WNBA. The Indiana Fever are at an abysmal 1-8, but they are shooting well from 3 point range. Angel Reese vs Caitlin Clark again. Who comes out on top of this matchup? While Reese is averaging a modest 11ppg, and 8.2reb per game, Clark is averaging 17.6 points and 6.6 assists. Close odds, on what should be a close game. Indiana Fever

Christian’s Takes (Picks) Week 13

  1. Inter Miami Vs St. Louis: Inter Miami is 1st in the MLS Eastern divsion, whereas St. Louis sits at 11th in the Western Division. Inter Miami has been playing well enough this season, they are winning without Messi. Last match he did not play they won 2-0. Inter Miami hasn’t played the best season, and Messi will probably not play the entire game, but I think the clear favorite here is the right line. Inter Miami
  2. FC Copenhagen vs Randers FC: Copenhagen is 3rd place in the Danish Super Liga. Randers is 7th place. The two teams have played each other twice this season, where Copenhagen has come out on top both times. (4-2 4-0). FC Copenhagen
  3. Al-Hilal vs Al-Nassar: The King Cup, the Saudi Arabia Football Federation is underway. Cup Final, features Cristiano Ronaldo, playing for Al-Nassar, taking on the reigning champs Al-Hilal. Ronaldo carries Al-Nassar to victory when they win. Although Al-Hilal did Drew and Beat Al-Nassar this season, we may see a Ronaldo piggyback. Al-Nassar
  4. FC Metz vs St. Etienne: Relegation Special. The winner moves up in league and the loser drops down. Essentially they swap places. FC Metz finished 17th place in Ligue 1, whereas St. Etienne finshed third place in Ligue 2. They haven’t played against each other since 2022 where FC Metz won 2-0. St Etienne had a much better season, winning 19 games and only drawing 8 with 48 goals for. St Etienne
  5. Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid: The Champions League Final. The best team in Europe. Dortmund finished 5th place in Germany, but made it to the final. Real Madrid, champions of Spain, most Champions League wins of all time. Last Match 2017 Real Madrid won 3-2. Does the clock strike midnight on Dortmund or do they get their fairy tale ending? Real Madrid