The Mavericks suffered a disappointing home defeat to a returning Luka Doncic on Saturday, but they shouldn’t be outsiders against this Bucks team. Giannis Antetokounmpo is ruled out for Milwaukee, and they’re 3-11 across the games he has missed this year. Dallas have won four of their last five, so they’re backed to add to the Bucks’ woes.

The Mavericks suffered a disappointing home defeat to a returning Luka Doncic on Saturday, but they shouldn’t be outsiders against this Bucks team. Giannis Antetokounmpo is ruled out for Milwaukee, and they’re 3-11 across the games he has missed this year. Dallas have won four of their last five, so they’re backed to add to the Bucks’ woes.

The Pelicans have tested the Spurs across their first three meetings this season, but San Antonio have rattled off four straight home wins heading into this game. That includes a clutch win over the Timberwolves, and double-digit victories over the Jazz, Bucks, and Lakers. The Pelicans snapped a three-game skid in their last game, but they should struggle to match the Spurs.

The Heat can capitalise when they meet a Phoenix Suns side who are missing key man Devin Booker. The Suns have lost three of the four games that Booker has missed, narrowly winning the other by three points. The Heat are 2-2 on this five-game away trip, and they are capable of completing a season sweep of the Suns.

LA is the best team in the league over the past 15 games, winning 12 of them. The Nets have allowed 120+ in 4 straight, all losses. Earlier in the week they got blown out by the Knicks by 54 points, so the Clippers look capable of winning by nine or more. 

The Pelicans have tested the Spurs across their first three meetings this season, but San Antonio have rattled off four straight home wins heading into this game. That includes a clutch win over the Timberwolves, and double-digit victories over the Jazz, Bucks, and Lakers. The Pelicans snapped a three-game skid in their last game, but they should struggle to match the Spurs.

LA is the best team in the league over the past 15 games, winning 12 of them. The Nets have allowed 120+ in 4 straight, all losses. Earlier in the week they got blown out by the Knicks by 54 points, so the Clippers look capable of winning by nine or more. 

Top-seeded Denver will try to punch its first Super Bowl ticket since 2016 with backup Jarrett Stidham under centre after Bo Nix went down with a broken ankle in last week’s win over Buffalo. Stidham faces his former team while New England hits the road for the first time this postseason behind a defence that’s allowed just 39 points over its last 4 games and gone 14-5 ATS on the year. The Patriots have thrived as road favourites, but Denver has quietly been money as an underdog, going 4-1 ATS in that role this season and winning outright twice at home against the Chiefs and Packers. There’s a clear market overreaction to the quarterback switch, and with the Broncos getting points at home, the value sits squarely with Denver.

With just 3 games left in the NFL season, the NFC Championship between the Rams and Seahawks stands out as a razor-thin matchup between familiar rivals meeting for the 3rd time this season. Their first 2 games saw very little between them and underlined how tough this game is to handicap. The key difference comes at quarterback, where Sam Darnold has been excellent in the regular season but remains unproven in the playoffs, having played just twice in the postseason in his career. Last year, he suffered a rough loss to this same Rams defence while under centre for Minnesota, a game in which he endured 9 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay bring championship experience, an MVP-calibre season, and recent success against Seattle, giving LA the edge in this high-stakes matchup.

With just 3 games left in the NFL season, the NFC Championship between the Rams and Seahawks stands out as a razor-thin matchup between familiar rivals meeting for the 3rd time this season. Their first 2 games saw very little between them and underlined how tough this game is to handicap. The key difference comes at quarterback, where Sam Darnold has been excellent in the regular season but remains unproven in the playoffs, having played just twice in the postseason in his career. Last year, he suffered a rough loss to this same Rams defence while under centre for Minnesota, a game in which he endured 9 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay bring championship experience, an MVP-calibre season, and recent success against Seattle, giving LA the edge in this high-stakes matchup.

FEBRUARY –  The Texans’ suffocating defence has been the key to their eight-game winning run and with the AFC looking the less competitive conference this season after the demise of the Kansas City Chiefs, they have the talent to go a long way. Quarterback CJ Stroud is fully fit again and can look for an elite wide receiver in Nico Collins while former first-round picks Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. are just two of their many defensive stars.

JULY – Elena Rybakina looks a bet in her bid to repeat her 2022 triumph at the All England Club. The Kazakhstani has had a tough couple of years, due in the main to off-court issues, but she finished last year on a high with victory at the WTA Finals. She’s a superb grass-court player who is as good as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek when she’s on her game.

JULY – Alex Noren enjoyed a resurgence in his career in 2025, winning twice on the DP World Tour, and 2026 could finally be the year he ends his long wait for a maiden Major. The Swede has an affinity for links golf, evidenced by his victory at the 2016 Scottish Open and his two top-10 Open finishes, he could go all the way and land the Claret Jug in 2026.

DECEMBER – Mercedes may have botched the ground-effect era, but the Silver Arrows have a strong record of responding well to rule changes, and the sweeping regulation shift coming in 2026 should bring the title back into play. Their power unit has already come under, and been cleared, of scrutiny, suggesting it is likely to be among the strongest engines on the grid, and they have the driver lineup to win the consistent points necessary to land the constructor crown.

Aryna Sabalanka has reached each of the last six Grand Slam finals played on hardcourts and has won four of those. The Belarusian has won two of the last three editions of the Australian Open and can respond to the disappointment of losing last year’s final by taking the trophy in 2026.

Strasbourg are capable of getting on the scoresheet, but defensive issues remain a concern. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their last eight Ligue 1 games and are conceding close to two goals per away match. Lille are strong at home without being ruthless, which often leads to narrow victories rather than blowouts. Strasbourg have already lost three league games 2-1 this season, and a similar outcome looks likely again, with Lille doing just enough to see it out.

Alaves are unbeaten in three meetings at home to Real Betis, with two of those ending in draws, so a 1-1 correct-score line must make plenty of appeal. Goals will be hard to come by and Alaves do put up a fight when armed with home advantage.

Lille look well placed to take maximum points at home against Strasbourg. Lille have won four of their last five home games in Ligue 1 and continue to be a reliable proposition on their own patch. Strasbourg arrive out of form on the road, without a win in six away matches, and have lost four of their last five trips. With home wins proving profitable in top-half clashes this season, Lille’s stronger recent form gives them the edge.

Milan won two of the three meetings between the pair in 2025 and, having triumphed in four of their last seven away games, they look the most likely victors. Just one defeat in 21 league games this season shows how difficult Massimiliano Allegri’s men are to master.

Both teams have scored in each of Racing’s last six matches, while Deportivo have conceded in their last four home outings. The visitors have scored in 22 straight matches, while BTTS has landed in nine of their 10 away trips.

Alverca have lost all five clashes with the top five, and they’ve been beaten in five of their eight away trips this term. The visitors make this trip having lost three of their last four on the road, while Braga are in decent form at home.

Blackpool have scored in their last nine League One games, while they’ve netted 23 goals across their 14 games at Bloomfield Road. However, only two sides in the third tier have conceded more goals than Blackpool’s 39. Opponents Stockport have found the net in 10 of their 13 away games this term, but all of the visitors’ away clean sheets have come against teams in the relegation zone.

Barcelona haven’t kept a clean sheet in their seven Champions League games this term. The Catalans have conceded at home to Olympiakos and Eintracht Frankfurt, and they host a Copenhagen side who are pushing to make the top 24 after winning 3-2 against Villarreal last time out. 

Feyenoord have conceded 13 times across their seven League Phase games, while they were beaten 4-3 at FCSB in their last European trip. Betis have scored twice in all three of their home games in the Europa League this term, but the visitors need a win to avoid elimination. 

BTTS has landed in 10 of 14 Genoa games since Patrick Viera was sacked, and they head to a Lazio side who have scored 13 times in their six home clashes with sides below them.

Wolves have conceded the second-highest number of goals at home, while Bournemouth have shipped the most goals away. BTTS has landed in the visitors’ last eight games, while Wolves can threaten after an upturn in performances under Rob Edwards.

Rangers return from a visit to Portugal aiming to continue some free-scoring form in the Premiership, but they visits a Hibs side that averages two goals per game at home. 

Liverpool look like the best value pick, with the Reds putting their struggles behind them with an eight-game unbeaten run. The Reds have the fourth-best Expected Goals record across the first six Champions League gameweeks, while they’ve recorded back-to-back 1-0 wins over Real Madrid and Inter Milan in Europe. Arne Slot’s side have a kind double-header in January, leaving them primed for a top-eight finish. With the Premier League coasting towards a fifth Champions League berth, the Reds should be in a good position to focus on European success in the spring.

Spain have some incredibly talented individuals, Lamine Yamal being the prime example, but are strong in all areas and don’t have any particular weaknesses. They won Euro 2024 with relative ease and they should be too good for their continental rivals at the World Cup. They also look a level above South American heavyweights Argentina and Brazil, suggesting they will be the team to beat at the World Cup this summer.

Both teams have scored in six of Portsmouth’s last eight games overall and they have gone six games without a clean sheet at home. Saints are yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels in the Championship but they have scored themselves in all but one of their trips, so goals at both ends looks likely.

Hearts have scored in all of their home games across all competitions this season and are on a nine-game scoring streak overall. Celtic have scored in five straight games and are yet to draw a blank under Martin O’Neill in 12 games across two spells this term. There have been goals at both ends in both meetings between these sides this season, so goals at both ends looks likely at Tynecastle.

Genoa against Bologna has all the hallmarks of a game where both sides get on the scoresheet. Genoa have seen BTTS land in 13 of their 21 Serie A matches this season and defensive reliability has been an issue, particularly at home. Bologna arrive in better league position and have scored freely against bottom-half teams on the road, while nine straight games without a clean sheet suggests they are unlikely to shut Genoa out either.

Heracles have conceded on all ten of their Eredivisie away days this season and ten of Feyenoord’s last 12 league games have ended with both sides scoring.

This has the potential to turn into a goalfest. There have been at least four goals in each of Estrela’s last four away games in the Portuguese top flight and their trip to Lisbon could be just as entertaining.

Catanzaro have lost consecutive matches, but they should improve against fourth-bottom Sampdoria, who have lost seven of 10 trips. The visitors have struggled defensively, but BTTS has landed in their last four matches. The hosts have kept one clean sheet at home to sides below them, but they’ve scored nine times across their last four home games.

Mallorca have scored in five straight games and eight of their last nine overall. Seven of their ten away league matches have gone over 2.5 goals, with six of the last eight league fixtures featuring three or more. Atletico Madrid have scored in all ten home games this season, adding to the goals profile.

Aaron A: Lyon made it nine wins in ten matches with Thursday’s 1-0 success away at Young Boys in the Europa League. Paulo Fonseca’s men should be too strong for rock-bottom Metz, who are six points adrift of safety following five defeats in six league outings.

Aaron R: Santa Clara have lost 12 of their 18 league games this term, while four of their six away defeats have come by a two-goal margin or greater. Famalicao have kept a clean sheet in all of their league wins this term, and they have the fifth-best record in the division in terms of xG. 

Henry: Hearts have already beaten the Bhoys 3-1 at Tynecastle this term and Derek McInnes’ men were also good enough to win 2-1 at Celtic Park. With the league leaders at 2/1, back them for the points.

Alex: Brentford hold the fourth-best home record in the Premier League and have won five of their last seven games in all competitions, while Nottingham Forest’s only win in their last eight games came against the relegation-threatened West Ham.

Gareth: Napoli have won three of the last four meetings between these sides and Antonio Conte’s men arrive in good form, unbeaten in their last nine.

Crystal Palace are in a state of turmoil at the moment and results have fallen off as a consequence with the Eagles failing to win any of their last ten matches in all competitions. Marc Guehi’s moved to Manchester City is a huge blow, while the future of manager Oliver Glasner is also unclear after he announced he would leave at the end of the season. Although unconvincing at times, things have gone better for Chelsea who have won three of their last four matches, and they are fancied edge to victory at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Brentford hold the fourth-best home record in the Premier League and have won five of their last seven games in all competitions, while Nottingham Forest’s only win in their last eight games came against the relegation-threatened West Ham.

Aston Villa have only lost two of their last 17 matches and their only away defeat in their last nine trips came against Premier League leaders Arsenal. Newcastle have only won one of their last four matches and have failed to beat Villa in their last two meetings.

Arsenal have drawn their last two games in the Premier League and two of the last three head-to-head encounters have ended 1-1. Manchester United have played out 1-1 draws in two of their last four Premier League matches, and they were notably improved against Man City last weekend.

Both teams have scored in Anderlecht’s last four league games, but they should still be able to overcome bottom side Dender. The visitors have lost all six encounters with the top five, but their form in front of goal has improved of late, with BTTS landing in their previous six trips.

Celta Vigo arrive in strong form, having won six of their last eight league games and losing just one of their last ten away matches. They sit two places and eight points above Real Sociedad, who have failed to keep a clean sheet in 23 of their last 24 league games.

Both teams have scored in Anderlecht’s last four league games, but they should still be able to overcome bottom side Dender. The visitors have lost all six encounters with the top five, but their form in front of goal has improved of late, with BTTS landing in their previous six trips.

This has the potential to turn into a goalfest. There have been at least four goals in each of Estrela’s last four away games in the Portuguese top flight and their trip to Lisbon could be just as entertaining.

Milan won two of the three meetings between the pair in 2025 and, having triumphed in four of their last seven away games, they look the most likely victors. Just one defeat in 21 league games this season shows how difficult Massimiliano Allegri’s men are to master.