The Pacers were beaten 121-78 by the Pistons last time out, so this is a good spot for the Sixers to bounce back from consecutive defeats. Philly have the fourth-best record against the spread this season, so back them to cover what looks like a low number, considering that the Sixers beat Indiana 115-105 last month.

Phoenix have the best record against the spread in the NBA, covering in 71% of their games. They’re also a perfect 6-0 as an away favourite, and this Brooklyn side suffered a 22-point defeat to the Chicago Bulls in their last game.

Phoenix have the best record against the spread in the NBA, covering in 71% of their games. They’re also a perfect 6-0 as an away favourite, and this Brooklyn side suffered a 22-point defeat to the Chicago Bulls in their last game.

The Wizards are on a six-game losing run, and they’ve shut down Trae Young with an eye to keep that going. After making a strong start to the year, the Wizards have switched their focus to keeping their draft pick in in the summer. The Clippers have won 12 of their last 14 games, including each of their last five.

New York has really struggled over the past month or so, going just 3-14 ATS and winning only twice in 10 games played. Dallas isn’t in the best shape in terms of injuries, but their last 2 games saw them win and put up 138 and 144 points. They’ve won 3 of 4 games, while the Knicks are expected to ease Jalen Brunson back in, if he features at all.

The Pacers were beaten 121-78 by the Pistons last time out, so this is a good spot for the Sixers to bounce back from consecutive defeats. Philly have the fourth-best record against the spread this season, so back them to cover what looks like a low number, considering that the Sixers beat Indiana 115-105 last month.

Phoenix have the best record against the spread in the NBA, covering in 71% of their games. They’re also a perfect 6-0 as an away favourite, and this Brooklyn side suffered a 22-point defeat to the Chicago Bulls in their last game.

The Celtics’ success this season has been built on dropping only four games against teams with losing records, but they’re 13-11 against teams that are .500 or above. The Pistons are 13-4 against teams with winning records, and they’ve won 16 of their last 19 home games.

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.

Felix Auger-Aliassime has been placed in a competitive quarter that looks a four-way fight between himself Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedez and Andrey Rublev – and the Canadian looks capable of coming through. Auger-Aliassime beat both Zverev and Rublev on his march through to the last four of the US Open, before beating the former again in the ATP Finals. Auger-Aliassime is the form player of this quartet and he looks capable of making a deep run in Melbourne.

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.

Felix Auger-Aliassime has been placed in a competitive quarter that looks a four-way fight between himself Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedez and Andrey Rublev – and the Canadian looks capable of coming through. Auger-Aliassime beat both Zverev and Rublev on his march through to the last four of the US Open, before beating the former again in the ATP Finals. Auger-Aliassime is the form player of this quartet and he looks capable of making a deep run in Melbourne.

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.

Goal difference alone separates these two sides heading into the final two weeks of League Phase action, and there could be little to separate Copenhagen and Napoli at the Parken Stadium on Tuesday.I Partenopei are yet to claim a point on their travels in the Champions League and have won just one of their last four ties, while the Danes have only lost one of their three home games in this competition, including a high-scoring draw with Bayer Leverkusen in September.

Bayern Munich put yet another defence to the sword when they demolished RB Leipzig 5-1 on Saturday, and they will have Union Saint-Gilloise quaking in their boots as they visit the Allianz Arena.Die Bayern have scored four or more goals in four of their last five games and have scored 22 goals across their last five at home. Union Saint-Gilloise have lost four of their six Champions League ties, including 4-0 thrashings at the hands of Newcastle and Inter Milan.

Lyon are top of the standings in the Europa League league phase, and they can consolidate top spot when they visit Switzerland on Thursday.Les Gones have won five of their six Europa League fixtures, and they head into matchday seven of the competition off the back of a fantastic run of form over the winter period. They have wonseven of their last eight, and hosts Young Boys have lost their last three assignments, conceding 12 goals in the process.

After a round of midweek fixtures, Derby and West Brom will lock horns at Pride Park on Friday evening, and it is the Rams backed to take all three points to close the gap on the Championship play-off positions.John Eustace’s side have taken five points from their last five home games and, while they are far from the best home side in the second tier, their visitors have lost their last ten league away games and four of their last five trips to this ground.

Despite a dreadful run of form which has seen them win just one of their last eight games, Tottenham are odds-on favourites for their trip to Turf Moor, and they look worth opposing after last weekend’s shambles.Thomas Frank’s side were beaten on their own patch by the dire West Ham and, despite their lowly position in the table, Burnley have taken points from Liverpool and Manchester City in their last two games. It remains to be seen whether Thomas Frank will still be in charge on Saturday but, if he is, the Clarets could put the final nail in his coffin.

AZ Alkmaar’s 18 Eredivisie games have produced a massive 64 goals, and there could be a fair few added to that tally when they visit the BUKO Stadion on Sunday.Telstar have scored 17 and conceded 20 in their last nine home games, with seven of those going over 3.5 goals, while four or more goals have been scored in five of AZ’s last six domestic fixtures.

The home side go into this clash in good form in Serie A, with three straight wins since the turn of the year and without conceding a goal. Atalanta can claim a win that could seal their path into the last 16.

Spurs have just one win in their last seven games and they’ve lost four of those. Ahead of Saturday’s game with St Pauli, BVB are on a six-game unbeaten run and have been in excellent scoring form recently having hit eight goals across their last three games. The in-form Bundesliga side can boost their chances of avoiding a play-off with a win at Tottenham.

Arsenal are already virtually assured of their place in the last 16 after triumphing in all six games so far and Inter, who are sixth, still have a bit of work to do. Mikel Arteta knows a winning habit is key for his side and I cannot see the Gunners easing off in Milan.

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.

Lazio ended a four-game winless streak against bottom-placed Verona last time out, but they were far from convincing in that victory and have already lost against Como this season. They lost at home to Napoli recently, while I Lariani have won their last two away fixtures without conceding.

Guingamp have seen both teams score in six of their eight away trips, including four of their five visits to sides below them in the standings. They drew 2-2 at home to fifth-bottom Nancy in the reverse meeting, and they’ve also scored twice in all five of their clashes with the bottom four this term. The hosts returned to action with a 2-1 win at Amiens, so back goals in this clash.

Brighton are unbeaten in four games and have scored exactly twice in three of these. They face a Bournemouth side that have won just one of their last 13 games. However, the Cherries have failed to score in only one of their 10 league trips, and they’ve scored in five of their seven defeats so far.

There have been four or more goals scored in all but one of Estrela Amadora’s last six league games, while 75% of Estoril’s away trips have featured four or more goals. The visitors’ eight meetings with fellow bottom-half teams have seen over 3.5 goals land on five occasions. 

Despite a 2-1 victory in their last game, Ajax Reserves are now bottom of the Dutch second-tier. The hosts have managed to put up a fight in many of their clashes with the league’s top sides, including a 3-3 draw at fourth-placed Roda JC earlier this season. Over 3.5 has landed in all the hosts’ meetings with the top six, while 73% of Roda’s away trips have featured at least three goals. 

PSV Reserves have kept only one away clean sheet this season, and they’ve conceded in seven of their 10 league victories. They head to an Utrecht Reserves side who have lost three of their first four clashes with the top five, so back the high-flying visitors to follow up a 2-1 win at ADO Den Haag.

Outside of goalless draws with two of the top three, BTTS has been a common occurrence for Granada at home this season. Their two home victories each saw them concede, while they host an Eibar side who have lost seven of their first 10 away trips.

Brighton are unbeaten in four games and have scored exactly twice in three of these. They face a Bournemouth side that have won just one of their last 13 games. However, the Cherries have failed to score in only one of their 10 league trips, and they’ve scored in five of their seven defeats so far. 

33 goals have been scored across Bournemouth’s last seven matches, with six of these going over 2.5 goals. Three or more goals have been scored in ten of their 11 away games this season and in each of their last five meetings with Brighton.

There have been four or more goals scored in all but one of Estrela Amadora’s last six league games, while 75% of Estoril’s away trips have featured four or more goals. The visitors’ eight meetings with fellow bottom-half teams have seen over 3.5 goals land on five occasions.

PSV Reserves are flying high in fifth-place in the Dutch second tier, and they’ve been thrilling across their away trips so far. Their matches on the road have seen 4.18 goals per game on average. Utrecht Reserves drew 3-3 with Monday’s opponents in the reverse fixture, while there have been 24 goals scored across their five home meetings with the top seven so far.

Despite a 2-1 victory in their last game, Ajax Reserves are now bottom of the Dutch second-tier. The hosts have managed to put up a fight in many of their clashes with the league’s top sides, including a 3-3 draw at fourth-placed Roda JC earlier this season. Over 3.5 has landed in all the hosts’ meetings with the top six, and in over half of the visitors’ away trips. 

Lazio ended a four-game winless streak against bottom-placed Verona last time out, but they were far from convincing in that victory and have already lost against Como this season. They lost at home to Napoli recently, while I Lariani have won their last two away fixtures without conceding.

Elche have been rock solid at home this season, losing just one of their ten games in their own back yard in the league, and they are fancied to get the better of a Sevilla team who have lost 11 of their 19 top-flight matches this term.

33 goals have been scored across Bournemouth’s last seven matches, with six of these going over 2.5 goals. Three or more goals have been scored in ten of their 11 away games this season and in each of their last five meetings with Brighton.

Estoril have conceded in seven of their eight away trips this season, while they’ve scored eight goals in three visits to sides below them. Estrela have failed to score only three times at home this term, while they’ve scored three goals in back-to-back league outings, a 3-3 draw and a 3-2 victory.

Lazio ended a four-game winless streak against bottom-placed Verona last time out, but they were far from convincing in that victory and have already lost against Como this season. They lost at home to Napoli recently, while I Lariani have won their last two away fixtures without conceding.

Guingamp have seen both teams score in six of their eight away trips, including four of their five visits to sides below them in the standings. They drew 2-2 at home to fifth-bottom Nancy in the reverse meeting, and they’ve also scored twice in all five of their clashes with the bottom four this term. The hosts returned to action with a 2-1 win at Amiens, so back goals in this clash.

Estoril have conceded in seven of their eight away trips this season, while they’ve scored eight goals in three visits to sides below them. Estrela have failed to score only three times at home this term, and they’ve scored three goals in back-to-back league outings, a 3-3 draw and a 3-2 victory.

Brighton are unbeaten in four games and have scored exactly twice in three of these. They face a Bournemouth side that have won just one of their last 13 games. 2-1 has been the final scoreline in each of the last three meetings between these sides, with Brighton winning two of those.

Sevilla have lost three league games in a row without scoring and failed to net in four on the spin in all competitions. Elche have kept five clean sheets in ten home matches and could edge this one 2-0.