Dave1962

The first leg of this semi-final could be a win for the home side, NY Knicks, who have won eight of their last ten home games. They have won the last two meetings between these two sides when playing at home.

In their quarter-final win, CLE Cavaliers knocked out DET Pistons, who finished top of the table. On their last visit to the NY Knicks, they only lost by two points. If they play as they did in their thirty-one-point win at DET Pistons, then every chance this starting advantage will be enough to see them get the win.

After four legs of this playoff, each team has won twice. Quimsa lost the last game, which was at home. Prior to that defeat, they had won seven consecutive home games. Instituto have lost three of their last six away games.

Hapoel Jerusalem are six points ahead of Hapoel Beer Sheva. They have welcomed Hapoel Beer Sheva on thirteen previous visits, and they have won them all.

Bnei Herzliya are higher than their opponents in the table by two positions and two points. Their opponents come into this game after losing their last three matches. In the last five times Bnei Herzliya have hosted Hapoel HaEmek, they have won.

Hapoel Tel Aviv are second in the table, five places and seven points higher than Maccabi Rishon LeZion. Hapoel Tel Aviv lost their last home game to the team one place below them. Maccabi Rishon LeZion lost on their last visit to Hapoel Tel Aviv.

The world number one is by far the highest-ranked player in this tournament. In his last event, the PGA Championship, he opened with a three-under-par round. With another solid opening round, Scheffler could well be the first-round leader.

As one of the hosts of this tournament Mexico play in the opening game of the 2026 World Cup. Their last two friendlies saw them draw with Belgium and Portugal. They have ranked forty-five places higher than their opponents. With tougher opponents to come, the hosts will be wanting to collect all three points from their opening game.

When Scotland needed to win, they beat Denmark to qualify for the World Cup. They have since played two friendlies, which they lost. They are ranked forty places above Haiti in the FIFA rankings. Scotland need the win to get their campaign up and running. With games against Brazil and Morocco to come, Scotland will be looking to secure all three points as a foundation for progressing in the competition.

England return to competitive football, and with a full-strength team they should do much better than their last game, which was a friendly at home against Japan where they lost. England are ranked seven places higher than Croatia in the FIFA rankings. The last two times England have played Croatia they have won by a single goal. This could be another closely fought game. In qualifying, England won all eight games, while Croatia won seven and drew one. Another England win by a single-goal margin could once again be the outcome of this game.