Premier League Darts Night 12 Picks 2026 (Thursday 23rd April)

Only five Nights remain in the Premier League Darts tournament before we reach the Play Offs and the pressure is building on those looking to push their way into the top four of the standings.

Jonny Clayton looked to be in a bit of a slump, but picking up the Night 11 win means he is back on top of the standings and almost certainly playing at the O2 Arena at the end of May.

There is an 11 point gap between Luke Littler and 5th place and you have to imagine he already has enough in hand to earn his spot in the Semi Final, although there may be some motivation in wanting to finish top of the regular season standings. How much could depend on how the 4th place position shakes up, but Littler is 5 points behind Clayton and needs some consistency over the final five weeks to close down the Welshman and ultimately overtake him.

The European Tour 5 event last weekend was won by Gerwyn Price and he is 3rd in the Premier League standings and likely a couple more Quarter Final wins away from earning his chance to win the trophy. That victory in Germany last weekend will have given Price a huge boost and he has been playing at a very high level throughout 2026, while having a few more days to recover from an illness can only be good news.

He has the momentum, but it feels like it is below Price that the race for the Play Offs really is taking place.

4th place is currently held by Michael van Gerwen, but his Quarter Final defeat on Night 11 means he is 3 points ahead of Luke Humphries, 4 points ahead of Gian van Veen and 5 points ahead of Stephen Bunting. That looks a decent gap, but there are plenty of points still to play for and the defending Champion, Luke Humphries, remains a danger even if he has yet to find the consistency that took him to the title eleven months ago.

Night 12 feels like an opportunity for the likes of Gian van Veen and Stephen Bunting on the other side of the draw to Luke Littler, but they have the two Welshman to deal with in the Quarter Final.

Instead it is Michael van Gerwen who looks to have the chance to extend his lead in 4th place with the 'easiest' of the four Quarter Finals to play, although he will be well aware that Josh Rock has raised his level significantly over the last month and who has been winning Quarter Final matches in the Premier League setting even as it has come a little late to really have the Northern Irishman pushing for a late inclusion in the Play Offs.

With the Premier League entering the final quarter of the regular season next week, this is a big Night for all involved.

Gerwyn Price to win & most 180s v Gian van Veen: Five losses in a row have just underlined the fact that Gian van Veen has not been at his best since his operation and he has lost some ground in the race for the top four in the Premier League.

An early loss last weekend means he heads to Liverpool with little momentum and the Dutchman could struggle to keep up with Gerwyn Price.

The Ice Man was out of sorts in Rotterdam having just returned from an illness, but his performance to win the European Tour 5 event suggests Price has more than recovered.

This is a player producing some very significant scoring and the expectation is that Gerwyn Price will win this match.

Th Welshman has been the much more consistent maximum hitter of the two and he can secure the Match Double in this Quarter Final.

Jonny Clayton to win & both players over 1.5 180s v Stephen Bunting: Last year, Stephen Bunting played a really poor Quarter Final in his defeat in Liverpool and you do have to imagine the emotions got the better of him.

In 2026, that experience should lead to a better effort from Bunting, but he may still come up short against Premier League leader Jonny Clayton who returned to form on Night 11.

Earning the Nightly win after three successive Quarter Final defeats will have just reignited the fire for Jonny Clayton and he played well in Germany last weekend before throwing in a poor match against Martin Schindler. Missing doubles proved to be the issue, but Clayton can bounce back by putting up another two points in the Premier League.

Stephen Bunting was not at his best in the defeat to Wessel Nijman in Germany, while he has been struggling for consistency in the Premier League in his bid to close in on the top four places.

Playing at home can be tough at times, but both players should contribute to the maximums being hit and it may be a match that Jonny Clayton can do just enough to edge through.

Michael van Gerwen to win & both players over 1.5 180s v Josh Rock: He has been playing well outside of the Premier League setting so it is not a major surprise that Josh Rock has begun to win games on Thursday nights.

Unfortunately for the Northern Irishman, he has yet to win back to back matches on the same night and that leaves him with a lot of work to do if he is going to make a surprise run through to the Play Offs.

Losing this Quarter Final will make it very difficult for Josh Rock to do that against the player currently occupying the last of those Play Off places, but he will not be lacking for any confidence when facing Michael van Gerwen.

After opening the season looking more like his old self, Michael van Gerwen has been struggling for consistency, but he has been doing just enough to keep the points ticking over. He was well beaten by compatriot Wessel Nijman last weekend in the Third Round of the latest European Tour event played, but van Gerwen will feel his steady kind of level may be enough to win this match.

Both are more than capable of putting a couple of maximums on the board, but it feels like the Dutchman may just do what he needs to earn a spot in the Semi Final, while adding two more key points to his tally.

Luke Humphries v Luke Littler: These two players have met three times in the Premier League and all have come down to a last Leg decider.

Luke Littler has won two of those, including last week in the Semi Final, and it is understandable that he has been set as the favourite.

However, over the last month, Luke Littler has not been operating at his very best and even the motivation to top this Premier League regular season standings may not be as high as some may think. Perhaps the altercation with Gian van Veen on Night 9 in Manchester has had some kind of impact on him and so there is an opportunity for Luke Humphries.

The doubling has really let Humphries down in the Premier League and his 37% checkout percentage is the worst of the top six.

Scoring has not been a problem, but you won't win many matches if you cannot double out when needed and it has proven to be costly.

However, he has at least played with more confidence when facing Luke Littler, even if coming out of the wrong side more often than not, and Luke Humphries may be able to make the underdog odds pay out here if he can just find some composure from somewhere to really start moving towards the top four in the defence of the title he won eleven months ago.

MY PICKS: Gerwyn Price to Win & Most 180s @ 2.75 Sky Bet (1 Unit)

Jonny Clayton to Win & Both Players Over 1.5 180s @ 2.60 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Michael van Gerwen to Win & Both Players Over 1.5 180s @ 2.70 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Luke Humphries @ 2.50 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Darts 2026: 53-79, - 15.88 Units (129 Units Staked, - 12.31% Yield)

Tennis Picks 2022 (April 23rd)

SWEEP!!

A 5-0 Friday has moved this week back in a position to record another winning run on the clay courts and I have to hope that the momentum is now behind the selections.

After a difficult couple of days, it was nice to be on the right side of some of the fortune and the tournaments are all back on track with the Semi Final matches set to be played in the four events on Saturday and the conclusion of the events to come on Sunday.

There are quite a few matches scheduled to be played on Saturday with Semi Final matches at all four events, but I think it is reasonable to suggest a watching brief should be taken with the majority of them.

However, I do have a single Tennis Pick can be read below:

Diego Sebastian Schwartzman - 1.5 games v Pablo Carreno Busta: Players who have reached the Semi Final at the ATP Barcelona tournament have had to go through double duty on Friday and it does make those matches a little tougher to break down.

All credit has to be given to the four players remaining, but I do wonder how much Pablo Carreno Busta has left in the tank having needed the full six sets on Friday. His wins over Lorenzo Sonego and Casper Ruud are solid and will give Pablo Carreno Busta a lot of confidence, but going the distance in both matches means the Spaniard has spent just shy of six hours on court in a single day.

It has to have taken something out of the tank, while Pablo Carreno Busta also allowed his two opponents to combine for more break point chances than he managed himself. I am expecting not just the physical side of things to be a concern for Pablo Carreno Busta, but those were emotional wins and he is going to need the full support of the Spanish fans.

I do think he will have success against Diego Sebastian Schwartzman who can have a very vulnerable serve on the clay courts. However, the diminutive Argentinian earned his place in the Semi Final with much more conviction than Pablo Carreno Busta and Diego Sebastian Schwartzman also spent a little over four hours on the court on Friday.

This should be important considering the kind of rallies we are expecting to see from the two players in Barcelona, but Diego Sebastian Schwartzman has the edge when it comes to the return of serve.

Both players have struggled to hold serve in previous matches between them, while Pablo Carreno Busta beat Diego Sebastian Schwartzman in a tight three setter here in Barcelona in 2021. This time I expect the fresher Schwartzman to have the advantage as he looks to reach the Final, and he has also had the stronger numbers here this season.

Pablo Carreno Busta has been serving well in terms of the holds he has put together, but the break point chances have been there for his opponents and someone like Diego Sebastian Schwartzman can do enough to win this match.

I expect plenty of swings in momentum with both players likely to find breaks of serve, but Diego Sebastian Schwartzman being fresher has to be a huge key to the outcome of this Semi Final.

MY PICKS: Diego Sebastian Schwartzman - 1.5 Games @ 1.91 Bet Fred (2 Units)

Weekly Update: 11-10, - 0.54 Units (42 Units Staked, - 1.29% Yield)

Boxing Picks 2022- Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte (April 23rd)

Let's face it, the Heavyweights will always be given the limelight when it comes to the biggest events in Boxing and having an all-British WBC World Title fight at Wembley Stadium will be appealing to the masses.

It helps that it involves a character like Tyson Fury who has transcended Boxing, although perhaps not to the level of Anthony Joshua.

Ultimately holding the green belt that is famous around the world rather than one to merely keep your trousers from dropping is why Tyson Fury is the premier World Champion in the Division, something that will hopefully become even clearer over the next twelve months if a Unification with the winner of the Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk rematch can be arranged.

We have heard Tyson Fury speak about this being his last fight and I would not be surprised if it is his last fight in Britain, but it feels like one more challenge would keep him going before he calls it a day and that is becoming the first four belt Undisputed Champion in Heavyweight history.

The undercard is, erm, underwhelming to say the least, but the main event should be a good one on Saturday.

Before that there is another card in Liverpool on Friday night that should have seen John Riel Casimero taking on home hope Paul Butler for the WBO Bantamweight Title. Over the last few days, Casimero has been replaced by compatriot Jonas Sultan, and this is now going to be a card headlined by with an Interim World Title on the line, although the winner could soon be promoted if the WBO chooses to strip Casimero having failed to fulfil obligations twice in a row.

I will have a few thoughts about the card in Liverpool and will then add my Picks for the Tyson Fury-Dillian Whyte to this thread.

Paul Butler v Jonas Sultan

The main event should have featured John Riel Casimero, but Jonas Sultan has been drafted in to take on Paul Butler for an Interim World Title.

Jonas Sultan actually holds a win over Casimero when they met in 2017 and a year later he was beaten in a World Title bid against Jerwin Ancajas- those fights means he cannot be underestimated and a victory over previously unbeaten Carlos Caraballo has put Sultan in this unexpected position to potentially become a full World Champion.

He put down Caraballo a number of times in that win, but showed vulnerability by beating put on the canvass himself later in the fight and I do think he can make this an entertaining fight.

Paul Butler is going to be well supported at home and some will feel this is a significant drop off compared with his originally scheduled opponent that will give him a chance. If Butler can box well and handle the power that Jonas Sultan brings, I do think he has an opportunity to win this fight, but I also feel the Filipino has been a progressive fighter and hits harder than his Knock Out record may suggest.

Both Zolani Tete and Emmanuel Rodriguez put Paul Butler down, although only the former was able to keep him there. The home fighter has won six in a row since losing to Rodriguez, but I do think he will have a hard time keeping Jonas Sultan from getting forward and landing some big shots.

Jonas Sultan feels like a fighter who will break down opponents with an accumulation of shots rather than one-shot power and I think he will be able to get inside and begin to rough up Paul Butler.

It also feels like Sultan has been operating at a much higher level than Paul Butler and being the progressive fighter suggests he will find a way to end this fight within the Twelve Rounds scheduled. Paul Butler is tough and he will want to put on a big performance for the home fans who have come out to support him, but I think he will struggle to keep Jonas Sultan off of him and it will lead to a stoppage, most likely at some point in the second half of this Interim World Title bout.

One of the main undercard fights on the night in Liverpool is having home favourite James Dickens back for the first time since he lost his World Title bid against Kid Galahad.

That was a pretty bad beating taken by Jezza who eventually had to be pulled out of the fight in the Eleventh Round, but he has had nine months to recover and being back at home on the comeback trail has to be a positive.

It also helps that Dickens holds a win over Leigh Wood as recently as February 2020 and the huge improvement in Wood's career in that time has to be a motivating factor for the Liverpudlian.

We will learn plenty about James Dickens and what he has left in the tank in the weeks and months ahead, but I do think he can get the better of a rugged Spaniard in Andoni Gago.

Andoni Gago is a former European Champion so has to be respected, but I think Dickens will believe he has moved past that level. Even then, he will have to be switched on against an opponent who was pretty active in 2021, even if his fights went 1-1 and with a Technical Draw thrown in too.

My feeling is that James Dickens will be able to box well and just keep out of too many troublesome moments and is likely to take this on the cards. He won't want to take too many risks after the Kid Galahad fight and Jezza has never been the biggest puncher in the Division so it is difficult to imagine him stopping a fighter who has been beaten inside the distance just once in thirty-three professional fights.

Another undercard bout comes in the Light-Welterweight Division and the vacant IBO World Title is on the line- no one will get carried about this portion of the 'World Title', but Josh Taylor could soon be leaving the Division and that means the Belts are likely to be scattered.

Winning this fight would put unbeaten Sam Maxwell in a strong position to move into other World Title fights in the months ahead and I do think he will be able to do that.

A strong win over Akeem Ennis Brown will have given Sam Maxwell the edge over some of his domestic rivals to move up to this kind of level, although there are some big names both at home and around the world at the 140 pound limit.

For now Maxwell can only build on his performances and I do think he will get back to basics with a relatively early stoppage over Alejandro Meneses.

Any Mexican fighter has to be respected, but Alejandro Meneses arrives with an 18-5 record and he has been stopped three times before with all of those stoppages coming in the early Rounds.

Some fighters from that nation do start early and have some setbacks, but Meneses is fighting in Europe for the first time and looks like someone who may be tailor-made for Sam Maxwell to take the next step in his career.

It has been three years since the resident of Liverpool last earned a stoppage, but I don't think Sam Maxwell will have to look for Alejandro Meneses and can come through a firefight with a big win in front of his supporters.

Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte

We should have really had a Unification bout by now in the Heavyweight Division with all of the Belts being held by two boxers, but that will have to wait until Tyson Fury and Oleksander Usyk defend their Titles over the coming months.

First up is Tyson Fury who will return home having beaten Deontay Wilder over their trilogy.

The big man looks the best in the Division and being able to perform at Wembley Stadium is another one to tick off the bucket list. I am not convinced that this is Tyson Fury's last fight as he is suggesting himself, but it may be the last time he fights in the United Kingdom and I do think Fury will want to put on a strong display for the fans.

He has come in lighter than he did for the Wilder fights, but I think it is more an indication of a really strong, long camp he has had rather than Tyson Fury wanting to stick and move for much of the night. That has to be the early game plan against someone like Dillian Whyte who is going to come forward and look to land some very big punches early.

Dillian Whyte has put together a decent record since his loss to Anthony Joshua and he has been well prepared for a long overdue World Title shot. He has spoken well this week and has looked confidence, but Whyte has been someone that has lost some energy late into fights and that has seen him put down a number of times after the halfway mark of his big name bouts.

Alexander Povetkin caught him with a stunning punch relatively early, but the likes of Joshua, Jospeh Parker and Oscar Rivas have put Dillian Whyte down after the Sixth Round has been completed.

I don't think Dillian Whyte will be frustrated if Tyson Fury is moving early, but I think he will be forced to expend plenty of energy and around the halfway mark I expect the WBC Champion to begin to exert his control. Early on I expect Fury to be a little more cautious of walking into something silly, but after the halfway stage I expect Tyson Fury to have his timing down and begin to hit an increasingly easy target.

SugarHill Steward will remember how Uncle Manny used to want his Kronk fighters to be aggressive once they are in a position to do that and my feeling is that the gamplan will be to really sit down on the punches after the Fourth or Fifth Round.

Tyson Fury is a puncher that accumulates the wear and tear on an opponent and I think that will be the outcome of this one. While I expect plenty of movement in the first half, Tyson Fury may find he can begin to punish Dillian Whyte in the second half and I think he will eventually crack through the defences.

Dillian Whyte can come again, but I am expecting his first World Title shot to be ended by Tyson Fury in the Championship Rounds.

For a major event like this WBC World Heavyweight Title bout is, the undercard is underwhelming.

The main undercard bout features Tyson Fury's buddy Isaac Lowe taking on Nick Ball and it could be the fight of the night if the styles gel as imagined.

Isaac Lowe has been on a number of the Fury undercards, but even that won't have fully prepared him for fighting at Wembley Stadium. He is coming off a bad loss and now faces an unbeaten Boxer who has been plenty of quiet hype about him.

There is no doubt that is a huge step up for Nick Ball and more so than the one that Isaac Lowe will be facing, but Liverpool do believe they have a potential World Champion in the making. He hits hard and Nick Ball will bring it all night and I think that could see him come through for this vacant WBC Silver Belt, which would put the winner in a strong spot in the World Rankings.

While Nick Ball is improving and looking upwards, Isaac Lowe may be a fading force and Ball may have enough to earn the stoppage in a fight where neither is likely going to have to look too hard to find the other.

Ekow Essuman has stopped three of his last four opponents and the British Welterweight Champion has been given a big opportunity.

He was originally due to fight next week, but his bout has been brought forward to fill out the undercard at Wembley Stadium and I expect him to take full advantage of that. He is unbeaten and I think Essuman will be looking to make a statement to all those watching.

A fight against Darren Tetley looks a good one for Ekow Essuman to produce a quality finish for the fans to enjoy and I think he will be able to get this done inside the distance. I can see Ekow Essuman boxing into the bout, but he should have too much for Tetley at some point in the middle of the scheduled Twelve Rounds.

Darren Tetley was being Knocked Out at English level last year and is unlikely to be able to fend off Ekow Essuman once the latter gets going.

Unsurprisingly Tommy Fury is on the undercard as he inexplicably continues to call out Jake Paul- I get that it is the money fight for the younger Fury, but it just comes off desperate and he should really concentrate on improving his own career with Paul clearly not interested.

He is facing another opponent that shouldn't cause too much trouble. However, Tommy Fury will have to challenge the inner Golovkin his father believes he has and the best way will be to stop an opponent very quickly.

I think that is why Daniel Bocianski has been selected and Fury should be able to produce a very early night.

Another boxer looking to avoid having to spend too long in the ring this week will be David Adelaye who knows it is Knock Outs that will excite the fans watching on the most.

Like Tommy Fury, David Adelaye is up against an opponent he should be stopping relatively early and the biggest challenge may be facing a southpaw.

Chris Healey has been stopped in two of his eight defeats and I think David Adeylaye is likely going to walk through him after figuring out the stance he is facing.

Each of David Adelaye's last three fights have gone at least Four Rounds and I think he should be able to get this one done in either the Third or Fourth Round. Chris Healey's two stoppage defeats have come in the Third Round against Nick Webb and Fourth Round by Paul O'Hagan and I do think he may have durability to get through the opening couple of Rounds before David Adelaye closes the show.

MY PICKS: Jonas Sultan to Win by KO/TKO/Disqualification @ 2.20 Bet365 (2 Units)

James Dickens to Win by Decision/Technical Decision @ 1.80 Bet365 (2 Units)

Sam Maxwell Win Between 1-6 @ 2.10 Sky Bet (2 Units)

Tyson Fury to Win Between 7-12 @ 2.87 Bet365 (2 Units)

Nick Ball to Win by KO/TKO @ 4.33 Sky Bet (2 Units)

Ekow Essuman to Win Between 5-8 @ 2.37 Bet365 (2 Units)

Tommy Fury to Win Between 1-3 @ 2.25 Sky Bet (2 Units)

David Adelaye to Win Between 3-4 @ 3.50 Sky Bet (2 Units)

Boxing Picks 2022: 5-5, + 8.44 Units (18 Units Staked, + 46.89% Yield)

Weekend Football Picks and Fantasy Football 2021 (April 23-26)

So just what were they thinking?

The 'Big Six' from the Premier League in particular- I can understand the European Super League being attractive to the top Spanish and Italian teams who have long been poorly run and struggling to rub two pennies together, but why on earth would the Premier League clubs want to do this? Ok, guaranteed money for the leech like owners that have arrived from the United States where the owners of all NFL teams are taking a piece of the pie regardless of how they perform on the pitch, but surely someone, somewhere, would have told the organisers that most fans are not going to stand for a closed shop for what are the top teams in this snapshot of time.

Tottenham Hotspur being involved was laughable.

This is the same Tottenham Hotspur who are hoping to snap a thirteen year wait for a trophy on Sunday and who were last League Champions in 1961. Since then the likes of Ipswich Town, Derby County, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers have all been Champions, while Leicester City have not only been Champions just five years ago, but are above this club in the current Premier League standings having done the same last season.

However, 'it's Tottenham lads' so I am not too fussed about how they blagged their way into the 'elite'.

As a Manchester United I am disgusted with my club, but for the first time the rest of England and Europe can see what we have long been telling anyone that listens- the Glazers could not give a damn for anything but the bottom line and all they care about is stripping Manchester United of as much as they can.

I would say it is hard for those people to ever sit foot inside Old Trafford again, but they don't anyway and I think it would only be fitting that they die on this hill and have to sell the club.

I doubt that happens right now, but I am hopeful that the fans get behind the common cause and at least have co-ordinated efforts to really rally together and show the entire world what kind of power the 'legacy fans' have.

A serious punishment is unlikely to be forthcoming, because the Premier League and UEFA need Manchester United arguably more than the other way around, but I don't care if they can find a way to throw the book at them. Maybe that would be the spark for the ridiculous owners to move on and find something else to ruin, but I won't be holding my breath before the next set of television rights come around next year.

The Super League idea might be over for now, but I have little doubt that something else will crop up sooner than later. The hope is that this whole palaver is going to inspire real changes as to the power of the fans and how their wishes have to be considered first and foremost rather than the amount of money that can be siphoned away by the owners hiding behind the 'good of all football' rhetoric that Florentino Perez has been trying to promote.

My only hope is by that time the American owners in particularly have been ousted in England and any new owner will understand our game and our culture much better than those currently in charge.

Arsenal v Everton Pick: If plans had come to fruition like the Big Six of the Premier League wanted, Arsenal would be secure in their 9th place knowing they were going to be a part of the Super League next time around regardless of their final position domestically.

That seems so far against what we are used to seeing as football fans and it is no surprise the Super League has been consigned to the history books (for now) and the importance of this Premier League game is not lost on two powerful English clubs.

Neither Arsenal nor Everton are having the season they would have liked, but the latter are showing more progress. Carlo Ancelotti has long targeted a place in European competition, but he will be highly frustrated that Everton are not much closer to the top four places after dropping some very poor points in recent weeks.

Time is running out for Everton, but a win would be a huge boost on a weekend when West Ham United host Chelsea and Everton would push back into the top seven with a victory. Injuries have hurt them, but Everton could have some key figures back for this game while Arsenal are the ones that may be without some important players like Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

With an upcoming Europa League Semi Final, Mikel Arteta may not want to risk any player with knocks and that should give Everton a chance. However, Arsenal have been creating chances and I think they will cause problems for an Everton team that have been struggling to contain opponents.

However, I also think Everton can make chances here and this may be another one of the higher-scoring Premier League games that have been evident since the March international break. They haven't scored in their last couple of away Premier League games, but Everton might be facing a weakened Arsenal team and they have to know how important it is to win this game which could leave the fixture as an open one.

In the last couple of Premier League meetings between Arsenal and Everton an early goal has opened things up and I think that could be the case here.

Liverpool v Newcastle United Pick: The importance of this fixture has increased for Liverpool over Newcastle United when a couple of weeks ago you could have suggested it will be the other way around at kick off.

In that time Newcastle United have won a couple of Premier League games and moved clear of the bottom three, while Liverpool have got back in the mix for the Champions League places. Moving clear means the pressure is off Newcastle United, which could make them dangerous, but they also lost Allan Saint-Maximin to injury and his absence this weekend would be a big blow.

Liverpool dropped two more League points on Monday evening after a day of being dragged through the mud for their horrible decision to join a closed shop European Super League. The fans made their feelings clear and it would have affected the players who have come out in solidarity with their supporters in deriding the new competition which the Big Six and some top European clubs were keen on exploring.

Jurgen Klopp was visibly irritated by the questions he had to face and mainly because he had been blindsided by the decision of those above him at the club. Instead of facing up to their decisions, the manager had to stand in front of the press and the hope for Liverpool is that their subsequent withdrawal will allow the players to focus.

They are still in reach of making the Champions League on sporting merit and a win would move The Reds into the top four. The poor run at Anfield in the Premier League was ended in Liverpool's last game here though and having a week to prepare for this fixture is very important for the squad and especially as they should be very keen to remind the supporters that they are behind them with a strong performance, even in front of the empty stands.

Liverpool probably have the right opponent to be honest and I think they are going to be too much for Newcastle United to handle if playing anywhere near the level they found in the first half at Elland Road on Monday. With the wins under their belt to ease relegation worries, Newcastle United could potentially fold with the amount of chances they have been giving up defensively of late and I think that shows up here.

A poor record at Anfield doesn't help and I think Liverpool likely win by a couple of goals on the day.

West Ham United v Chelsea Pick: With six Premier League games to be played, this is a huge fixture between Chelsea and West Ham United on Saturday afternoon.

In another dimension it means nothing to Chelsea who have secured a spot in the European Super League regardless, but in this one The Blues are hanging onto a Champions League spot via a top four finish in the Premier League. They are only above West Ham United on goal difference and the winning team will certainly feel they have the momentum.

West Ham United have a decent home record against Chelsea in recent seasons, but they are under pressure having lost 3-2 at Newcastle United last weekend. They are back at home where they have won 4 of their last 5 Premier League games, but West Ham United's underlying numbers have not made for good reading and the feeling I have is that the bubble may have burst last week (pardon the pun).

Defensively they are allowing too many chances and this week West Ham United are without Craig Dawson and potentially without Arthur Masuaku and Aaron Cresswell. They have been reliant on special finishing, but Chelsea are not a team that offer up a lot of chances and I think that is where the visitors have an edge.

The squad looks healthier, even while managing a heavy schedule, and I think there will be a sense of freedom from the pressures that have been created by their owner with the Super League news. Now that has been put to bed, at this moment anyway, I think Chelsea have the quality in the final third to earn a big away win which will make them favourites for a top four finish.

Granted they have not enjoyed much success in this Stadium in recent visits, but Thomas Tuchel's men are not likely to give a lot away and I think that is the difference. While West Ham United have impressed, they are a team that have been fortunate to win a couple of their games of late and last week that deserted them in their defeat to Newcastle United.

I expect the Chelsea attacking quality to shine through and help earn the victory on the day, a big one ahead of the Champions League Semi Final with Real Madrid.

Sheffield United v Brighton Pick: The likes of Sheffield United, West Brom and Fulham have not really put the pressure on their relegation rivals as they would have wanted and it may be too late for them now.

It is definitely too late for The Blades who return to the Championship after spending two seasons in the Premier League and there is some considerable work to be done at the club. A new manager is needed and some changes to the squad may also be required as Sheffield United begin to prepare for how they can challenge for promotion next time around.

The players have absolutely given their all, but some poor transfer decisions have proved to be costly. The lack of goals has not been fixed and losing Dean Henderson meant the clean sheets were not as forthcoming as last season.

Those disguised the problems in the final third and ultimately Sheffield United have paid for the lack of goals.

Brighton have not been picking up too many wins, but draws with Everton and Chelsea keep the points ticking along and a victory on Saturday night will almost certainly mean they are safe from the drop. They are already 7 points clear of Fulham, but to make that 10 points with just five League games left should be enough for Brighton to secure top flight football again.

They are a team who create chances, although Graham Potter has to be looking for a striker who can put away some of those opportunities next season. I expect Brighton to be able to do the same here and they are secure enough at the back to believe they can keep their hosts at arm's length in a narrow victory.

It is hard to trust Brighton because of their ability to miss so many chances, but they should be able to break down a Sheffield United door which has been left ajar far too often this season. The Blades lack of a cutting edge is a concern for them and I think Brighton will likely win a relatively low-scoring game.

Wolves v Burnley Pick: If there is one thing I have learnt over the last couple of seasons it is that it is almost impossible to pick a Wolves game with any real confidence.

With little left to play for, I do think they are still likely to maintain the momentum they have picked up over the last couple of weeks, but Wolves still look plenty short to win this game.

Burnley are a team that will offer up chances, but they continue to find results when you least expect it and it took two late goals to help Manchester United get past this opponent last week.

The first goal feels like it is going to be huge, but I would not be that surprised if it ended goalless too. And I have no real conviction as to which of these teams will score first which makes this a game that will be one that I can afford to move past without taking much of a backwards glance.

I wouldn't even call this one as important for the neutrals, but Burnley's motivation is a touch higher and that could be enough to earn a result here.

Leeds United v Manchester United Pick: This might not appeal to the 'fans of the future' but for us 'legacy fans' Leeds United versus Manchester United is the kind of rivalry fixture that gets the juices flowing.

It has been a long wait for these two rivals to meet at Elland Road in the Premier League and the only shame is that the stands will not be packed to the rafters. The atmosphere, which has helped create the Premier League into the monster viewing event it has become around the world, will be missing, but both Leeds United and Manchester United should entertain those tuning in.

Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United will play their usual way and they continue to rattle the cages of the top sides by getting amongst them and attacking with pace and power. On another day they would have beaten Liverpool in the 1-1 draw on Monday night, but Leeds United will go again and they will certainly believe they can hurt a Manchester United team that have conceded in each of their last 3 Premier League games.

That has not stopped them winning games though and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be very much aware of the rivalry so I expect Manchester United to be focused despite the upcoming Europa League Semi Final against Roma later this week. Manchester United have won 4 of their last 5 away games in all competitions, but they give up as many chances as they create and I think that will be the key to the way this fixture develops.

The playing surface at Elland Road has not been the best and is likely going to be replaced in the summer, and that has perhaps been the main reason that 3 of the last 4 Premier League games have ended with two or fewer goals shared out. However, it was only fantastic saves that prevented there being more goals in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Monday and both Leeds United and Manchester United are unlikely to sit back in this one.

An early goal really will fire up the fixture, although the fans are going to be a big miss.

This may not appeal to those watching from afar, but the Yorkshire and Lancashire rivals are going to be very keen to impose themselves on the other and I think an early goal will see something of a shoot out develop.

Aston Villa v West Brom Pick: It is very hard to trust Aston Villa at this stage of the season considering their recent form and the likelihood that there is very little left for the squad to play for.

A poor run means Europe looks to be beyond them, although one or two figures in the squad will be looking to impress Gareth Southgate and try and earn a spot in the Euro 2020 squad. One of those would be Jack Grealish, but the midfielder's continued absence has hurt Aston Villa who were beaten despite taking the lead against Manchester City during the week.

It is the second Premier League fixture in a row in which they have taken the lead but eventually been beaten, although I think the first goal in this game is going to be key.

A Midlands derby would have had more intensity if the fans were allowed into Villa Park, but without them it will be difficult for the players. Things may also have been different if West Brom's run of consecutive wins had not come to a crashing halt in their 3-0 defeat at Leicester City on Thursday which is almost the one that confirms their place back in the second tier of English Football.

West Brom have been trying hard though and I think that may make this an open game as they look to try and get forward and score the goals they need to have an opportunity to escape their perilous position in the standings.

The problem is an open game leaves their vulnerable defence exposed and Leicester City showed what can happen when that is the case.

Aston Villa are not as strong as Leicester City and especially not without their inspirational leader Jack Grealish, but this is a team that has pace in the forward areas. Any spaces can thus be exploited and I think the home team will likely have too much against an opponent that is beginning to get a little desperate.

The form has not been ideal, but Aston Villa's sole win in recent weeks has come against a relegation threatened side at home. I think they can double that up here against a rival as they push West Brom that much closer to the trapdoor.

Leicester City v Crystal Palace Pick: There was plenty of attacking verve on display by Leicester City as they beat West Brom comprehensively on Thursday, although they are going up against a rested Crystal Palace that are back in action for the first time since April 10th.

Will that make a difference on the day? Obviously physically Crystal Palace should be in good shape, but there is very little for this team to play for in the remaining month of the Premier League season and motivation has to be questioned.

They did earn a late draw at Everton in their last away game, but Crystal Palace were very fortunate and a similar defensive performance is more likely to end in a similar way to the 1-4 home loss to Chelsea rather than the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

It is especially the case against this Leicester City team who are playing with real confidence at the moment and one who beat Crystal Palace comfortably here last season. The first goal on Thursday inspired Leicester City and they are about as healthy as they can be at the moment which gives them the edge as they look to secure a top four finish and a place in the Champions League.

Leicester City have won 3 of their last 4 at the King Power Stadium and scored at least three goals in each of those wins. We have also seen Crystal Palace lose half of their last 6 away Premier League games and all by at least two goal margins, while a more composed Everton would have likely beaten them pretty comfortably in their last away game too.

Last season Leicester City won this game 3-0 and I think they are more likely to secure another comfortable win and keep the pressure on those below them that are looking to steal away Champions League Football.

MY PICKS: Arsenal-Everton Over 2.5 Goals

Liverpool - 1.5 Asian Handicap

Chelsea

Brighton & Under 3.5 Goals

Leeds United-Manchester United Over 3.5 Goals

Aston Villa

Leicester City - 1 Asian Handicap

Fantasy Football GameWeek 33

The Triple Captain play on Heung-Min Son looked to be a risky one that was not going to pay off, especially after VAR ruled out what looked like being a late winner against Southampton on Wednesday evening.

However, he did manage to put away a late Penalty to give the week a positive return with the decision to take a slight hit for Kelechi Iheanacho also proving to be a correct one.

Unfortunately it looks to have come too late in some of my mini-Leagues and I am not even sure I am going to end with a good Overall Ranking in what has been a congested season.

Too many strange results seem to have impacted me and these early deadlines are irritating too.

We have another on Friday.

And the Wild Card is activated.

However, I am already committed to going out on Friday afternoon and that means having to make late decisions on my phone, a far from ideal way to play the Wild Card. With the Double GameWeek coming up in GW35 yet to be confirmed (we are still waiting to hear how the final two weeks are going to shake up to allow fans to be present for all twenty clubs despite the constant rumours that a decision has been made).

With that in mind I have to take a guess at how the weeks will break down- I have to assume what is currently GameWeek 36 due to be played in the midweek between GW35 and GW37 will be pushed back a few days and instead there will be a full round of fixtures between the final two weekends of the Premier League season.

So what does that mean for Fantasy purposes? First off it will mean the FA Cup Final will cause a blank for Leicester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, but all four clubs should have a DGW in 35.

Add in the Southampton vs Crystal Palace and Aston Villa vs Everton fixtures and it should mean eight teams have a Double left, but only half of them will also be in action in GW36.

It is such a shame that Jack Grealish is injured because he would have been a perfect player to bring in, but I am looking at bringing in a couple of Aston Villa players despite the difficult nature of their remaining fixtures and with motivation running down.

Other teams that look to have favourable fixtures are Liverpool, Leicester City, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur (although they blank in GW33), and Leeds United (after this week of course, I couldn't be asking their players to have a big week against Manchester United).

Those are likely to be the teams that make up the bulk of my Wild Card.

If you see someone buried in his phone while enjoying a nice, cold drink on Friday afternoon at least leave him alone until the 6:30pm deadline has passed.

Tennis Picks 2021 (April 23rd)

Another day and some more poor moments within matches have just swung things against my Tennis Picks which continues to frustrate more than disappoint.

Even Pablo Carreno Busta did his best to lose a match he was dominating, or at least fail to cover the handicap, but thankfully that was not the case.

Regardless I am really disappointed with my results in the first two months of the season and it is a far cry from the profitable seasons I have enjoyed in recent years. Some adjustments have to be made by me, but I also have to believe that the breaks are going to eventually start going my way especially if players keep dominating in all statistical areas bar the scoreboard.

Ultimately it is the scoreboard that is most significant and, no matter how things shake up, the results have not been good enough as far as I am concerned. I wrote in the last post that I would take the rest of the month off if the Thursday results were not good enough and that is where I stand after another 2-3 where players continue to miss their own break point chances but can't prevent opponent's from taking the few opportunities that come their way.

It was during the Stefanos Tsitsipas win over Alex De Minaur that this decision was made- he has been in such hot form, but to only win three return points in the first five games and then wait until he couldn't cover before going into overdrive and dominating the match was the final straw for me.

The second you start believing the negative feelings around any selection then it is best to just stick a pin in things for now. I will get back to it when the Madrid Masters comes around in early May and that will be the big run towards the French Open during which time I will be demanding nothing but good results and no excuses from myself.

Before then I will have my second NFL Mock Draft with the real Draft taking place next Thursday, while I will also have the Weekend Fantasy thoughts out for the Premier League with the deadline set for Friday afternoon.

And before you know it we will be into the third Masters event of the season.

NFL Mock Draft First Round 2020 (April 23rd)

So how is everyone doing?

This is without a doubt the strangest period of time I have lived through and I am sure many others are feeling the same. Everything we have taken for granted in the Western world has ground into a halt and that includes the things we love.

I have missed sports in general and it is a sad time to think this is when the NBA PlayOffs should be days from beginning, the Major League Baseball season would have been well underway and the European Football Leagues would have been entering the portion of the season when hopes are dashed and dreams are achieved.

The Tennis Tour would have begun the run to the French Open and we would have been plenty occupied from those who love any form of sport that is usually played in April.

Of course it all pales into insignificance when it comes to protecting those we love around us and so I have been taking the advice from governments very seriously- stay home, protect those around us and hopefully we will return to some level of normality in the weeks and months ahead.

Make no mistake, things will eventually get better but for now we have to follow the advice being given to make sure no one unnecessarily loses loved ones. I have already felt that impact around me so this is not an overblown message from the media, but a serious concern we all have to take on head on by making sure we are keeping our distance from others.


The same goes for the NFL where Free Agency was conducted in an unfamiliar way, but that is nothing compared to how the 2020 Draft is going to be run. I just hope all the teams have invested in top broadband providers in what is hopefully going to be the one and only time we have to see the NFL Draft in the manner it will be conducted this year.

Free Agency has already bared its teeth with the biggest move being Tom Brady's decision to join the NFC and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after spending two decades with the New England Patriots.

On the face of things you may think it is a backwards step, but the NFC looks much more open than the AFC (avoiding facing Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes before the Super Bowl is a boost in anyone's language) and the Buccaneers are loaded Offensively which makes them one of the favourites in the Conference.

And I would sign up to see Tom Brady versus Drew Brees twice this year all day long!

There is work for the Buccaneers to do if they are going to use the two years with Brady to win another Super Bowl, but the team is in a 'win now' position and I really like their chances to at least make the big game once in that time.


That was the big move, but as a Miami Dolphins fan I was mostly interested to see how the next stage of redeveloping this team would go.

Before the 2019 season the Dolphins were actively shipping away the majority of their assets which meant having a big Draft arsenal and plenty of cap space going into this off-season. Overachievement in the season meant a team who were expected to end with between 0-2 wins had 5 on the season, but a top five Draft position is not going to harm them at all.

Importantly they have gotten some big deals over the line in Free Agency with the standout signing being Byron Jones from the Dallas Cowboys. Along with Xavien Howard the Dolphins have locked down the Corner positions, while I am pleased with the Kyle Van Noy and Emmanuel Ogbah signings too which go along with Shaq Lawson to give Miami some punch up front on the Defensive side of the ball.

It all points to Miami taking an increased focus on fixing the Offense in the Draft and they have the capital to do that which automatically makes the team a much better prospect in 2020, especially if the Coaching staff can get more out of the team as they did in 2019.

With the Patriots weakened, the Dolphins and Buffalo Bills will be looking to take advantage, but like much of the League, it is all about getting it right in the Draft.


So a Mock Draft- usually I don't have the time to write this out with work and sports being run, but it is something that we all love to speculate on. I have to make some 'mock trades' just for the fun of it, but the Draft is regularly one which springs a lot of surprises so trying to second guess teams is not an easy thing to do.

Like many, this is going to look so dumb after the first five Picks are made on Day 1 with the surprises we see in the NFL Draft, but it is just a bit of fun and nothing to take too seriously.

1. Joe Burrow (QB)- go back twelve months and I was reading previews for the upcoming College Football season which had written they expected a big improvement from Joe Burrow as he moved into the starting spot as Quarter Back of the LSU Tigers.

However in the same preview he was rated as the fifteenth best QB prospect that would be eligible for the 2020 NFL Draft.

2019 proved to be a huge season for Burrow who led the Tigers to the National Championship and at the same time greatly improved his own stock to the point he is an obvious Number 1 Pick. Barring the house being given to Cincinnati for this position in the Draft, Burrow will be the new franchise Quarter Back for the Bengals.

Am I convinced about Burrow? Not completely with the potential of him being a one season wonder, but his character isn't in question and Cincinnati have to take him here.

2. Chase Young (DE)- there has been some suggestions from the Washington Redskins that they are doing their due diligence about the Quarter Backs in the 2020 Draft, but I do think that is smoke and mirrors.

It would take plenty of Draft capital for a team to move into this spot and I am not sure any team will want to offer what Washington will consider.

With that said Washington are getting the chance to pick a potential star at the next level- there is a recovery job being done in the nation's capital, but Chase Young is a great piece to add to the Defensive Line. Perhaps trading away Trent Williams will give Washington more resources to add the Draft, but with this many holes on the roster you have to take the best possible player on the board and that is Young.

3. LA CHARGERS TRADE with the DETROIT LIONS
Justin Herbert (QB)- I would be more surprised if the Detroit Lions were to pick Number 3 in the Draft than if they were able to pick some additional Draft capital and see either the Miami Dolphins or the Los Angeles Chargers move into this position.

It makes little sense for the Lions to do anything else, especially as they won't be slipping that far down the Day 1 Draft spots and in my Mock I have the Chargers being the team to pull the trigger.

Miami have the potential to do the same, but I think they seem happier in the Number 5 spot barring yet another team moving ahead of them. The Chargers seem to be more convinced about Justin Herbert than the Dolphins and at Number 6 in the Draft I think there is more urgency for them to move into the Number 3 or 4 spot than the Dolphins.

There is a chance that Detroit still pick here with the Giants looking to trade out of the Number 4 spot, but my feeling is that someone will just get a touch twitchy and make the move.

I am not at all sure about Herbert and am desperate for Miami to avoid him- he hasn't played away from Oregon and looked very inconsistent in 2019 against teams that are perhaps a tier below the very elite in College Football. His stock has risen in the weeks leading to Draft day, and I think that will see him picked high, with the Chargers supposedly very keen on him.

4. Jedrick Wills (OL)- the stories coming out of New York that the Giants have been scouting up Justin Herbert seem to be completely designed to produce a trade that will add Draft capital for the team.

If the Detroit Lions are not able to make a deal, it would not surprise me if the Giants are able to move down a couple of spots and still pick up the player I have registered for them here.

For this mock I have the Giants unable to make a deal, although I do think there is a potential for someone like the Jacksonville Jaguars to offer enough compensation to skip ahead of the Miami Dolphins if they feel they want to take a Quarter Back here.

That wouldn't surprise me at all, especially if they can deal away Yannick Ngakoue for what the Jaguars have been looking for. If they do that, I would expect them to trade above the Miami Dolphins, but for this Mock I have the Giants upgrading the Offensive Line and also someone who can pave the way for Saquon Barkley for years to come.

5. Tua Tagovailoa (QB)- any news story you read at this time of the year is designed to scramble what other teams are thinking and I think that is the case with the Miami Dolphins looking at other options in the Draft.

In a perfect world they don't have to move from this spot to take the Quarter Back that has been high on the agenda for a long time and ever since the 'tanking' was put in place last season. Injuries to Tua Tagovailoa are a concern, but in this day and age it is not a selection that is going to hinder Miami for years to come if they get this wrong.

Tagovailoa went into the 2019 season as the clear Number 1 Quarter Back and I think that will still be the mindset for the Dolphins despite the injuries he has suffered. Another year of 'Fitz Magic' can see Tagovailoa get healthy, and worst case scenario for the Dolphins is they are picking very high again in twelve months time and can change the direction of the team if Tua is shown to be too banged up for the next level.

I am not sure how I feel about Tua, especially the lack of athleticism that seems to be the way forward for players in this position in the NFL. However I think Miami have targeted him for some time and they can select him without losing any of the other host of early selections they have in the next two Drafts.

6. DETROIT LIONS TRADE with the LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Jeff Okudah (CB)- in this Mock Draft the Lions are able to move down and add some additional capital as well as being able to pick the player they are most likely to take in the Number 3 spot if they stand pat.

Jeff Okudah looks to be the best Corner in the Draft and the Lions have lost Darius Slay who has been moved to the Philadelphia Eagles.

This looks a no brainer for a team who are rebuilding the Defensive unit in a 'make or break' season for the Coaching staff.

7. Isaiah Simmons (LB)- the Carolina Panthers are clearly in rebuilding mode with a first year staff, but the biggest holes are on the Defensive side of the ball. They did do some work to address the Offense in Free Agency, so anything but a Defensive player being picked in the First Round would be a surprise.

Adding more Picks by trading down is a possibility, but the way my Mock is unfolding I think the pressing needs begin to be addressed here.

The retirement of Luke Keuchly means there is a gaping hole to be filled by Isaiah Simmons and it would be surprising if the Panthers pass on someone who can be effective from a number of positions on the field

Derrick Brown is a possibility here too, but Simmons looks the more obvious choice.

8. DENVER BRONCOS TRADE with the ARIZONA CARDINALS

Jerry Jeudy (WR)- the Broncos have some Draft capital which helps them move ahead of other rivals who will be looking to upgrade their Wide Receiver corps.

I really was at loggerheads with this selection in the Draft as the Cardinals could easily select Derrick Brown here, but with a General Manager who is used to making moves and the lack of selections in the Draft I do think they can drop down and still fill a need.

Adding selections will help the Cardinals and the Broncos should be keen with the capital they have to offer in a trade as they get their first choice Receiver. That helps Drew Lock and Courtland Sutton going forward and I do think the Broncos have identified Jeudy as the best Receiver in the Draft.

9. Derrick Brown (DL)- there are plenty of Draft selections for the rebuilding Jacksonville Jaguars so I don't think there will be much interest in dropping down here.

With as many holes as the Jaguars have, I do think they will select the best player available for them and that is the monstrous Derrick Brown on the Defensive Line.

Both Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus are gone, and the Jaguars struggled to stuff the run last season so Brown makes the most sense. CJ Henderson is another they could target, but I think Brown is the selection here.

10. Tristan Wirfs (OL)- the Right Tackle position has been dealt with in Free Agency, but the Cleveland Browns protect Baker Mayfield a little more by taking the second Offensive Lineman off the board.

Like many teams as you move down the Draft positions there is a chance the Browns will trade down to add to their selections, but I don't think they find a willing partner here and take a player to fill a real position of need.

Things could change if Odell Beckham Jr is moved on in a trade prior to the Draft and Cleveland could go for a Wide Receiver ahead of the Jets and the Raiders, but right now I think they go with an Offensive Lineman to give their Quarter Back the best chance of success in 2020.

11. CeeDee Lamb (WR)- the Jets have a number of positions to address in the Draft, but the loss of Robby Anderson makes this an easy choice for a First Round selection.

With Jerry Jeudy off the board in my Mock, the Jets go with CeeDee Lamb as the gift for Sam Darnold.

There is a chance the Jets go with an Offensive Lineman to offer their Quarter Back better protection, but Darnold needs someone to throw to and I think that might be the more pressing concern in this position.

12. Henry Ruggs (WR)- it would be a big surprise if the Las Vegas Raiders do not take a Wide Receiver in the First Round and I think they can do that without moving up the Draft positions.

With both Jeudy and Lamb off my board in the Mock Draft, the Raiders pick up Henry Ruggs and don't have to give away any further Picks. There is a chance Las Vegas think about doing this earlier if they like one of the other two Receivers a lot more, but I think they will be happy with any of the three leading players at that position and give Derek Carr a chance to prove he is the franchise Quarter Back going forward.

13. ATLANTA FALCONS TRADE with the SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

CJ Henderson (CB)- in my Mock Draft the top three Receivers are off the board ahead of the San Francisco 49ers who are in the thirteenth spot thanks to a trade made with the Indianapolis Colts.

With a lack of Draft selections, the 49ers find a willing partner to see them move down a few spots and pick up an extra Pick.

I have the Atlanta Falcons making the trade as they look to move ahead of the Arizona Cardinals who may also be looking to upgrade the Defensive Back positions. This is a big season for the Falcons Coaching staff and I think they will be looking to pick up the clear second best Corner in the Draft with Jeff Okudah already off the board.

The 49ers can still pick a player of need a few spots down so this looks to make sense for both teams.

14. Andrew Thomas (OL)- I know there are some suggestions that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be moving up the Draft positions to take their Offensive Lineman earlier, but I think they can land one even if they stay where they are.

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski have arrived in this part of Florida and that means the Buccaneers are in a 'win now' spot. The Offensive Line is the obvious weakness on this side of the ball and being able to land Andrew Thomas here is a huge boost for the team.

Any potential trade could depend on what the Arizona Cardinals do with the Number 8 Pick in the Draft- if they stay there and pick up an Offensive Lineman I do think Tampa Bay will look to move up behind them to take one, but in this Mock things work out perfectly for the Buccaneers who look a real power in the NFC already.

15. ARIZONA CARDINALS TRADE with the DENVER BRONCOS

Mekhi Becton (OL)- Kyler Murray has asked for some more Offensive help to take the next step in his career.

DeAndre Hopkins has been signed from the Houston Texans, but Murray will need time to make plays for his Receivers and Arizona get fortunate.

They are able to trade down in my Mock and still pick up a top Offensive Lineman in Mekhi Becton who has perhaps been overlooked by some teams due to the flagged drug test which recently hit the press.

He might be the fourth Lineman off the board, but the Cardinals have additional Draft capital and fill a big need in this Mock.

16. SAN FRANCISCO 49ers TRADE with the ATLANTA FALCONS

Javon Kinlaw (DE)- the San Francisco 49ers have traded away DeForest Buckner for the Indianapolis Colts First Round selection, but they use that to add some Draft capital as well as being able to take the player they likely would if they stayed in the thirteenth spot.

In this Mock Draft they are able to make the trade with the Atlanta Falcons and select Javon Kinlaw who will come in and fit Buckner's vacated spot.

17. K'Lavon Chaisson (DE)- I think the Dallas Cowboys have a number of options here and all make some sense.

There is the obvious need at Corner Back and Defensive End which can be filled here or they can choose to move down the Draft board and still have a very good chance of being able to fill positions of need.

One team I toyed with moving into this spot was the New England Patriots who could be keen on picking up Jordan Love as the potential Quarter Back of the future, but the way my Mock has worked out means they could stay at Number 23 and still be able to pick Love if they wanted.

This is a spot in which AJ Epenesa, AJ Terrell, Kristian Fulton, Jaylon Johnson could all fill, but I think the Dallas Cowboys might be encouraged by the upside K'Lavon Chaisson brings as they look to play him opposite DeMarcus Lawrence in the position vacated by Robert Quinn.

18. Josh Jones (OL)- after picking the Quarter Back of the future, the Miami Dolphins have to make sure they are able to protect him and I think that is why they will use the second First Round Pick on an Offensive Lineman.

Some Mocks have Cesar Ruiz settled in here, but Miami did sign Ted Karras for that position and instead may choose to upgrade the Tackle positions with Josh Jones from Houston.

Jones looks very capable at the next level and I would not be surprised if Miami are targeting at least one more Offensive Lineman in the Draft with the amount of selections through the first two Rounds. Ezra Cleveland is another name being linked with the team, but may be able to be picked in the Second Round so I think they go with the superior graded talent in Jones here.

19. Kristian Fulton (CB)- Eli Apple was supposed to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders in Free Agency but seemingly has changed his mind.

That might just strengthen the mind for the Raiders when it comes to the second Draft selection in the First Round and I think they could pick Kristian Fulton here as the Corner Back to slot in where Apple was expected to go.

With Henderson and Okudah off my board, the Raiders pick the third Corner Back here.

20. Xavier McKinney (S)- the Jaguars have lost a lot of pieces on what was a stellar Defensive unit just a couple of years ago and I think their second First Round Draft Pick will also be used on that side of the ball.

In my Mock Draft Derrick Brown has already been selected to help the Defensive Line, but the Jaguars back that up by picking arguably the best Safety in the Draft.

There are options at Corner Back too with AJ Terrell still on the board, but the Jaguars continuing to take the best player of need and that is Xavier McKinney.

21. Justin Jefferson (WR)- there is a chance that the Eagles will move up the Draft standings if one of either Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb or Henry Ruggs drops below Number 12 in the order, but in my Mock Draft all three are gone.

For a long time the talk about the Eagles has been taking Justin Jefferson and I think he will still be there if they are picking at Number 21.

More weapons for Carson Wentz are needed and I think this goes some way to addressing that without having to give up Draft capital.

22. Jaylon Johnson (CB)- this is a spot the Minnesota Vikings have picked up in trading Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills, but the choice looks to be replacing pieces on the other side of the ball.

All three top Corner Backs from 2019 have moved on and Mike Zimmer is a Defensive Coach who will want to pick up someone to at least fill in. With three Corners off the board, Jaylon Johnson looks like someone the Vikings can pick up here ahead of AJ Terrell.

Johnson is ranked pretty highly by Pro Football Focus and this fills an obvious need for the Vikings as their fans look to see how they convert the stock picked up in moving Diggs.

23. BALTIMORE RAVENS TRADE with the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Patrick Queen (LB)- both the Patriots and Ravens have plenty of Draft Picks in 2020, but the Baltimore Ravens could entice a trade up with New England who don't have a Second Round Pick where Baltimore have two.

Maybe future considerations are given up as Baltimore look to get in front of the New Orleans Saints and take Patrick Queen who looks to be the clear Number 1 Linebacker in the Draft.

That would suit the Ravens and I also think the Patriots might be keen to drop down and add a Second Round Pick if possible assuming the rumours about not being overly convinced by Jordan Love is true.

If Baltimore are not able to make the trade, I would fully expect Queen to be gone in the next spot with the New Orleans Saints.

24. Grant Delpit (S)- this would be a popular choice in New Orleans if a loaded roster was able to give themselves another Defensive Back who played his College Football up the road at LSU.

Patrick Queen would be the obvious choice here if the Ravens haven't jumped ahead and taken him and I think if he is on the board he will be picked by the Saints.

Some are suggesting Sean Payton may be keen on Jordan Love, but I think Drew Brees signing for two years and Taysom Hill on the roster means they won't be picking a Quarter Back. This is a small window for success for the Saints with Brees at QB so they have to pick players who can play a part now, and adding a Defensive Back to the team can't be a bad thing when you think they have the Buccaneers sitting in the same Division.

Grant Delpit has some huge upside at Safety and he would be someone that may be able to match up with Rob Gronkowski.

However I think there is a potential for New Orleans to pick him up a few spots down so I would not be surprised if someone jumps back into the First Round to pick here and give the Saints some additional Picks having only five in the Draft in 2020 going into this one.

A trade down is most likely in my opinion, but for this Mock I will plug in Delpit here. Other options could be AJ Terrell or AJ Epenesa as New Orleans look to load up the Defensive side of the ball to compete with the talent Tampa Bay have put together.

25. Jalen Reagor (WR)- the Vikings might be in 'win now' mode, but this is a roster with a number of holes that need to be filled on both sides of the ball.

On Day 1 of the Draft I would expect the Vikings to select someone to help on both sides of the ball.

Having selected a Corner Back at 22, I have the Vikings looking to replace Stefon Diggs at 25 and the speedster out of TCU looks to be the player that fits the mould best. Laviska Shenault Jr will interest teams, but I think the Vikings go for the slightly shorter Jalen Reagor who has speed in abundance.

26. D'Andre Swift (RB)- the Dolphins have picked a Quarter Back and an Offensive Lineman in this Mock and there is every chance they pick another one here.

They might be reaching a little bit to do that and instead may want to pick up the first Running Back in the Draft before those coming up have a chance to do that.

D'Andre Swift could be the player to pair up with Jordan Howard in the backfield with Day 2 concentrating on strengthening the Line further. He looks to be the best Running Back in the Draft and may be the second part of the tandem in the backfield that Miami will be looking to turn the franchise around as Swift lines up behind Tua Tagovailoa.

27. AJ Epenesa (DE)- a poor Combine day has affected his stock, but this could be a god chance for the Seattle Seahawks to pick up a replacement for Jadeveon Clowney.

This is a spot from which the Seahawks may decide to trade down and pick up some extra Draft capital and it would not surprise me if that is the case.

But if the Seahawks do stay here I think they could decide to take an edge rusher who has better game tape than the Combine showing and has slipped into a good position.

28. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS TRADE with the BALTIMORE RAVENS

Jordan Love (QB)- there have been rumours both ways regarding New England's interest in Jordan Love and in this Mock they are able to trade back and still able to pick the player they might have gone with in their original position.

The Patriots do have Jarrett Stidham on the roster and he would have spent a year learning under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. That can't be discounted and perhaps the Patriots pick up more Draft selections by trading out of the First Round and having enough to stock up the front of the Defensive unit which has lost some key players.

However for this Mock Draft I will have Love landing here as the selection to take over from Brady.

29. Curtis Weaver (DE)- the Tennessee Titans would love for someone to trade in with the Seattle Seahawks in this Mock scenario and have AJ Epenesa land with them here.

It is clear that the Defensive Edge needs addressing and in this spot I slide in Curtis Weaver even if he was dominant at a level in College that was not against Power 5 opponents.

Yetur Gross-Matos is another potential selection for the Titans and they can address the Offensive Line on Day 2.

30. Tee Higgins (WR)- the Aaron Rodgers window for success at the Green Bay Packers is closing rapidly and there is no doubt the Quarter Back looks to have declined in recent seasons.

Last season the team did win thirteen games, but I can't count too many that were on Rodgers' back but rather an improved Defensive unit which kept the team in games.

The two heavy losses to the San Francisco 49ers shows a team that needs more Offensive weapons as teams continue to double Davante Adams. While Tight End will be addressed in later Rounds, the Packers do have some intriguing choices at Wide Receiver at the end of the First Round.

I have placed Tee Higgins here, but Green Bay could easily go Brandon Aiyuk, Denzel Mims, Laviska Shenault Jr or Michael Pittman Jr.

I think Higgins may be the best fit with his size as a big target in the End Zone.

31. Michael Pittman Jr (WR)- the 49ers are able to pick a Defensive End with their first Pick in the First Round and this time they help the other side of the ball.

Losing Emmanuel Sanders means there is room to bring in a Wide Receiver and they may go for a big body in Michael Pittman Jr to play opposite Deebo Samuel.

Jimmy Garroppolo is not the most accurate, but he can throw the ball up and let Pittman Jr use his size to make some plays and it might give the 49ers one of the best Receiving corps in the NFL when you add George Kittle to the cause.

The 49ers could choose to let someone high in the Second Round move in with the potential to take a Wide Receiver there and add Draft selections.

32. AJ Terrell (CB)- the Kansas City Chiefs look like a loaded team going into the 2020 season as they look to defend as Super Bowl Champions, but that doesn't mean there aren't any holes to still fill.

As good as the team are, losses in Free Agency in the Secondary means the Chiefs are in a position to bring in AJ Terrell here in my Mock.

At the back end of the First Round I would expect some teams to trade out of position to add Draft stock and that is the case with the Chiefs too. But I also think if the Draft lands like this they can pick up one of the better Corner Backs in the 2020 Draft and fill a real need for now and years to come.

That's the way it rolls in my Mock Draft, but as I said from the very beginning it could look very foolish just an hour into the real Draft on Thursday evening.

Rumours are running rampant with teams looking to move up and down the positions so things can get messy very quickly.

Players like Trent Williams and Yannick Ngakoue could both be moved for First Round selections with the latter being linked to the Las Vegas Raiders who have two selections in the first thirty-two on Thursday. That will again change the entire outlook of the Draft and make a mockery of any Mock you read.

It will be fun as always and fans are going to both love and hate selections made throughout the evening. The virtual setting will be weird to say the least, like playing Madden in real life, but it is a big moment for the thirty-two names that will be called.

Enjoy it.