Month in Sport: 57/1 acca covering February's biggest sporting events
Before becoming a Sports Journalist for Free Super Tips, Aaron spent three years studying Sports Journalism at the University of Sunderland while taking in the Black Cats' 'glory years' under Martin O'Neill. Now back in Northern Ireland he turns niche stats into predictions for FST, while he's one of the few people on this island who is equally comfortable at Windsor Park and the Aviva.
We started 2023 in great form here at FST, with January bringing 164/1, 97/1 & 51/1 winners. Now we’re looking ahead to February, a month which is packed to the brim with must-watch sporting events.
The shortest month of the year will see the Club World Cup awarded, the Champions League return plus All-Star games from both the NHL and NBA. However, there’s plenty more going on this month across the world of sport.
Below we have a 57/1 acca crossing football, rugby union and boxing. There’s also some understated Stateside action, as the Americans prepare for the Super Bowl and the crowning of LeBron James as the NBA’s greatest scorer of all-time.
FST’s Month in Sport Accumulator
Rugby Union
Six Nations – Saturday, 4th February to Saturday 18th March
The Six Nations returns this weekend as the northern hemisphere sides gear up for the Rugby World Cup later this year. We’ve got the main angles covered in our Six Nations preview and predictions with 40/1 & 13/1 tips, but we’re looking a little shorter term with the champion being crowned in March. Saturday brings two clashes between the British and Irish sides, but Sunday’s encounter between Italy and France looks to hold the opening weekend value.
Italy are being underestimated after some good wins against Wales and Australia. They tend to start well and should push the French from the off, so expect them to cause problems for the favourites. While France should prove too strong, the dogged resistance of the Italians should at least keep this clash close early on, so look to a narrow French lead at the break.
Tip: France to win the first half by 1 to 8 points at 11/5
NBA
James chases scoring crown
The LeBron James or Michael Jordan debate will continue to rage in the basketball world long after LeBron decides to call it a day, whenever that turns out to be. In his 20th season in the league LeBron is still going strong, with the 38-year-old once again ranking among the highest-scoring players in the league.
This month is set to see LeBron pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 38,387 points scored in the NBA. It’s probably the most impressive individual record in the sport, with Kareem too taking two decades to rack up that number.
LeBron is just 63 points shy of the record after a win on Wednesday night and he will break that record in a matter of days in all likelihood. The Lakers’ star is averaging 30.1 points per game so he should crack the record within three games, but with it so close it could come even sooner.
LeBron’s next two games are against the New Orleans Pelicans and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pels are on a 10-game losing run, while they will meet a Thunder side who are coming off a tough clash against the Golden State Warriors the night before. Steph Curry put up 38 points against OKC in his last game and LeBron can clear 30 in that clash too, so back him to break the record at home on Tuesday night.
Tip: LeBron to break the scoring record against OKC Thunder at 6/5
NFL
Super Bowl LVII – Sunday, 12th February
On the back of a dominant run game, something QB Jalen Hurts is a key part of, the Eagles are expected to impart their will on the Chiefs and win their second Super Bowl in five years.
The big question is whether the Eagles defense can slow the great Patrick Mahomes.
Boasting what is historically the best pass rush since the 1985 Chicago Bears, the answer is yes.
Tip: Philadelphia Eagles to win at 4/5
Football
Carabao Cup final – Sunday, 26th February
You’ll probably hear this a lot over the next month, but Newcastle United haven’t won a major trophy since 1955 (unless you’re the kind of person who values their Intertoto Cup victory in 2006). They can channel the spirit of Scott Parker’s heroes of ’06 at Wembley later this month, as the Magpies take on Manchester United in the EFL Cup final.
While Man United have turned their season around in the last few months, they’re still a side vulnerable to big defeats. This term they’ve lost 6-3 at Man City and were beaten 3-2 at Arsenal last month, with their away record leaving a lot to be desired.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have lost only one league game all season and that was a late 2-1 loss at Liverpool. They’ve been remarkably consistent and their defensive solidity should cause problems for United. I can see this one going the distance, but take Newcastle to edge it and end that long wait for silverware.
Tip: Newcastle to lift the trophy at 11/10
Boxing
Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury – Sunday, 26th February
Jake Paul and Tommy Fury are finally set to face off at the end of February in Saudi Arabia in a fight billed as ‘The Truth’.
Perhaps surprisingly, YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul goes into the bout as the slight favourite and there is an argument to suggest he has the more impressive fighting record. His notable wins have all come against MMA fighters but Fury is yet to take on a decent professional either, with six of his eight opponents having losing records.
Paul has also fought on the big stage before and this is the first contest Fury has been involved in that has drawn any serious attention. The stakes are high for Tyson Fury’s younger brother here and he simply has to win if he is to continue his own boxing career, and at odds against he looks backable in this match-up.
Tip: Fury to win at 6/5
Build better bets with our free betting tips, predictions and accumulators, every day.
More betting news:
Steve Palmer’s 59,849/1 golf majors accumulator
European cups winners predictions with 981/1 treble!
110/1 Acca for the Champions League last 16
Betting Academy: See our complete guide to football betting
Check out our predictions for other sports too, including our Tennis Predictions and Golf Betting Tips!