The San Francisco 49ers and the Las Vegas Raiders each have something to prove this season, but in very different ways.
Sunday’s visiting 49ers have been a near-constant in the Super Bowl discussion in the Kyle Shanahan era, but still have yet to win their sixth title. Meanwhile, the Raiders have to bounce back after a terrible 6-11 season which saw them miss out on the playoffs.
As usual, a lot of this preseason discussion is about who isn’t there, whether that’s starting quarterbacks or Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, who is holding out. Don’t miss our NFL picks and predictions for 49ers vs Raiders on Sunday, August 13.
49ers vs Raiders odds
49ers vs Raiders predictions
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Bayern Munich have more talent at their disposal now than when they last ruled Europe in 2013, according to captain Manuel Neuer.
Neuer, along with David Alaba, Jerome Boateng and Thomas Muller, was one of four players remaining from their Wembley triumph over Borussia Dortmund who started Wednesday s 3-0 semi-final triumph against Lyon.
Despite coughing up early chances to their Ligue 1 opponents, there was little doubt over the outcome after Serge Gnabry s fabulous opener – the initial part of a first-half brace from the Germany winger.
Robert Lewandowski, who played for Dortmund in the showpiece seven years ago, typically got in on the act with his 55th goal of the season, meaning only Paris Saint-Germain lie between Bayern and a sixth European title.
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Jordan Pickford is set to return to Everton’s starting lineup against Manchester City on Wednesday having missed the last four matches with a rib injury.
David Squires on … football and the cyber cesspool of social mediaRead more
The England international has been absent since colliding with a post during last month’s home defeat by Newcastle but returned to full training on Monday. Providing there is no adverse reaction to the injury in training, the 26-year-old will replace Robin Olsen against the Premier League leaders and be in contention to face Liverpool in Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield. Pickford was roundly criticised for the tackle that ended Virgil van Dijk’s season in October.
Carlo Ancel…