We bid farewell to the Olympics last week, but that doesn’t mean that the world of sports is not getting any less hectic. The European football season is set to begin, with many top leagues set to return in action over the next few days.
Our friends across the Atlantic will have to wait more for their brand of ‘football’ as the NFL official season will not start until September 5. But, there are some pre-season clashes that will give American football fans at least something to cheer about.
Golf fans can enjoy the first post-season playoff at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, while the second Test between South Africa and the West Indies gets underway in Georgetown. We’ll also preview the next round of NRL fixtures as the Finals series approaches.
We’ve partnered with bookmaker Pinnacle to provide the best betting odds on all the sporting action mentioned above. Read on for our analysis of the best bets to make this week across football, golf, cricket and rugby league.
Best Football Predictions This Week
Some of the biggest European leagues will be back in action this week, including the Premier League. Here are the best bets to make on the opening round of Premier League fixtures:
Both Teams To Score and Manchester United to Win @ 2.800
Manchester United and Fulham will kick off the 2024-25 Premier League season under Friday night lights.
Fresh from a penalty shootout defeat to Manchester City in the Community Shield, the Red Devils are looking to improve on last season’s eighth-placed finish, which included a 2-1 loss to Fulham at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag has been given a second chance to write his name in United’s history books, but following a lavish summer spending spree, the expectations on the Dutchman to deliver this season are higher than ever.
Fulham may have lost star midfielder João Palhinha to Bayern Munich, but the arrival of Emile Smith Rowe offers hope as they aim to consolidate their mid-table position for a third successive season.
Smith Rowe opened his Fulham account with a stylish finish in their final pre-season tune-up; a 2-0 dismantling of Hoffenheim. The Cottagers stormed through the summer, winning four from five to lay down a marker for the campaign ahead.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 14th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Manchester United boast a formidable record on opening day, having triumphed in 21 Premier League curtain-raisers – more than any other club.
Fulham, despite their memorable victory earlier this year, have a history of struggles at Old Trafford, losing thirteen of their seventeen visits. The Cottagers have never managed consecutive league wins on the red side of Manchester, and United themselves have kept just one clean sheet in their last six Premier League home games.
Ten Hag’s second season at the helm was a campaign to forget, with only relegated Sheffield United facing more shots than Manchester United’s 667. The Red Devils’ defensive frailties were laid bare in the two encounters with Fulham, who managed 35 attempts on goal, including a particularly threatening 17 during their memorable 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
We anticipate goals at both ends with Manchester United ultimately claiming bragging rights. Bookmaker Pinnacle offers a tempting 2.800 for this outcome.
Brighton and Everton to Draw @ 3.360
Everton are set to begin their 2024/25 Premier League mission with a home match against Brighton.
Everton had a lucky escape last season, finishing 15th despite playing better football than their position suggests. A costly eight point deduction for financial misconduct deprived the Merseyside outfit of a comfortable mid-table finish. At one point, Everton seemed destined for a drop, but Sean Dyche managed to steer them out of danger.
Dyche’s Everton were hardly the most thrilling side to watch last season, but their resilience and organisation saw them through. A pragmatic approach yielded enough points to avoid a late-season scare. As they look ahead to a new campaign, they’ll aim to build on that solid foundation.
Brighton & Hove Albion enter the new season shrouded in intrigue. After scaling new heights under Roberto De Zerbi, last season’s 11th-placed finish was a slight step back. The Italian’s departure, by mutual consent, marked the end of an era. In his place comes Fabian Hürzeler, a 31-year-old from St. Pauli, who takes the reins at the start of a new chapter.
Brighton have enjoyed a more impressive summer transfer window and look better prepared for the season ahead. Everton, on the other hand, may need time to address their attacking concerns.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 14th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Everton have suffered a significant blow with the departure of Amadou Onana to a lucrative deal. The Belgian midfielder was a key figure in their midfield and his absence will be keenly felt.
Taking on Brighton without a midfielder of Onana’s calibre will be a tough ask for Everton, considering Hürzeler’s reputation as a high-pressing coach.
That said, there are too many uncertainties in this match to call a winner. We are banking on Everton’s strong defence to grind out a point in this one. Bookmaker Pinnacle is backing a draw at 3.360.
Forest vs. Bournemouth – Both Teams to Score and Draw @ 4.330
Bournemouth aim to carry their impressive 2023/24 form into the new season as they travel to City Ground for their first Premier League 24/25 assignment.
The Cherries delighted their fans with a respectable 12th place finish last season.The appointment of Andoni Iraola was a gamble that paid off, with the Spaniard turning the team’s fortunes around after a difficult start.
Iraola transformed Bournemouth’s defence and made them harder to beat. However, losing top scorer Dominic Solanke to Tottenham for a massive £54 million is a big blow. The southwestern outfit must find a suitable replacement up front to continue the momentum they gained from their 23/24 campaign.
Nottingham Forest’s Premier League comeback hasn’t been easy. Despite their illustrious history, they narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing 17th. It was a tough season for the Tricky Trees as they struggled to adapt to the demands of the top flight.
Steve Cooper was a popular face among the Forest faithful, but the club had to go for a managerial change to keep their survival hopes alive. In came Nuno Espírito Santo, the former Wolves and Spurs boss, to steady the ship. While Forest managed to collect enough points to avoid the axe, their football has not been fascinating by any means.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 14th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
These two teams produced two closely-fought matches last season, and we think we are in for another nail-biter. Without Dominic Solanke leading the line, Bournemouth might not be able to outscore their hosts, but we expect them to find the back of the net regardless.
Morgan Gibbs-White will be key to the home side’s attacking play. With 15 goal involvements last season, he’ll be looking to exploit weaknesses in the opposition defence once again.
A stalemate seems the most likely outcome, with both sides eager to avoid defeat. Bookmaker Pinnacle offers enticing odds of 4.330 for a draw with both teams scoring.
Best NFL Predictions This Week
The 2024 NFL pre-season will see its second round of matches this week, and betting odds for the upcoming fixtures are now available. Let’s identify the best betting opportunities in these match-ups.
Patriots -2.5 Handicap vs Eagles @ 1.884
The Philadelphia Eagles travel to Gillette Stadium this Thursday to face the New England Patriots in the opening game of week two of the preseason.
The Eagles and Patriots both had successful starts to the preseason. Nick Sirianni’s men saw off the Ravens away from home while the Patriots treated the Gillette Stadium crowd to a 17-3 demolition of Carolina Panthers.
The Philadelphia Eagles are aiming to build on their strong start last season, which saw them hold a 10-1 record before faltering in the second half and losing in the Wild Card round. Key additions to the squad have boosted their hopes of conquering the NFC this time around.
The Eagles’ most significant offseason acquisition was Saquon Barkley, who joined the team after spending his entire career with the Giants. Kenneth Gainwell is expected to be his backup. The 25-year-old rushed for 364 yards last season and 23 yards in the preseason opener.
The New England Patriots have undergone a significant overhaul this season. Bill Belichick has retired, and the franchise has appointed Jerod Mayo as head coach and Eliot Wolf as general manager. Such a shake up was expected, however, following the disastrous NFL campaign they had last season.
Few anticipated a seamless transition for the New England Patriots post-Tom Brady, yet the last couple of campaigns have been particularly arduous for Bill Belichick’s outfit.
For this reason, the dominant win against the Panthers, despite being a pre-season one, was a much-welcome sight for Patriot fans. They will hope the momentum continues in the second game as they take on a formidable Panthers unit.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 14th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Both teams have struggled in the preseason in recent seasons, but the Eagles’ performance has been notably underwhelming. With a record of just two wins and two draws in their last ten preseason games, it’s clear that the Eagles aren’t prioritising the warm-up season.
This is further evidenced by the fact that star quarterback Jalen Hurts hasn’t played a single preseason game since 2022.
The New England Patriots, on the other hand, have a statement to make as they venture into the new season. We anticipate a Patriots win and cover of the -2.5 point spread, available at odds of 1.884 with bookmaker Pinnacle.
Ravens vs. Falcons – Under 36.5 Points Total @ 1.892
The Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons will meet on Saturday in the second week of NFL preseason action at M&T Bank Stadium.
The Falcons (7-10) under-performed last season and brought in QB Kirk Cousins to bolster their lacklustre passing game. On Friday, Atlanta conceded 14 unanswered points in the second quarter during a 20-13 away defeat against Miami.
Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. made a dazzling debut for the Falcons. He completed nine of 16 passes for a tidy 104 yards. Carlos Washington Jr. proved a dual threat, racking up 38 yards and crashing over for the Falcons’ sole touchdown. Unfortunately, the third-down jinx was upon them, as they converted a paltry two of seventeen attempts.
The Baltimore Ravens are among the leading contenders to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy this season. The Ravens (13-4) topped the league rushing charts last year and strengthened their backfield by signing the formidable Derrick Henry on a two-year deal.
However, neither quarterback Lamar Jackson nor Henry featured in Friday’s 16-13 home defeat against Philadelphia.
Justin Tucker was in fine form for Baltimore, slotting two field goals in the first half, while quarterback Devin Leary powered over for a one-yard rushing touchdown. Leary and Josh Johnson shared the quarterbacking duties, combining for 82 passing yards. However, the Ravens were outclassed offensively, managing just 164 yards compared to Philadelphia’s 259.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 14th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Neither side set the world alight with their attacking prowess in their respective preseason openers, and we anticipate a similar pattern in this encounter.
Given the experimental nature of preseason football and the ever-present threat of injury, caution will be the watchword for both teams. As a result, we favour a low-scoring affair and recommend backing under 36 points at odds of 1.892 with bookmaker Pinnacle.
Best Cricket Prediction This Week
West Indies and South Africa will reconvene under the Georgetown sun for the second and final match of their bilateral test series. With the action set to begin on Thursday, we will pinpoint the best betting prospect of this potential series decider for you.
West Indies vs. South Africa to Draw @ 5.380
The first Test ended in a draw, with South Africa largely dominating proceedings. However, the West Indies displayed admirable resilience to hold on for a hard-fought stalemate. We anticipate a similar story-line unfolding at Providence Park over the next few days.
The rivalry between South Africa and the West Indies in red ball cricket has become pretty one-sided over the years. The Proteas have exerted sheer dominance over their Caribbean counterparts in the longest form of the game.
South Africa have won 22 out of the 32 Tests these two teams have played against each other. The West Indies, on the other hand, have managed to get the better of South Africa only three times in Test cricket.
However, this is a different South African team to the one that reigned supreme overseas in the mid-2000s. With a relatively inexperienced side, the West Indies will believe they have a chance to upset the odds in this series.
The first test result will add to the growing confidence of the home team. While rain played its part, West Indies were able to drag the match to the final day and come out of it unscathed.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 14th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
South Africa got bowled out for 357 runs in their first innings. They managed to take a 124 runs lead after their bowlers dismissed the home side in 233 runs. South Africa added a further 173 runs to their total, setting the West Indies a target of 298 runs to win in the final two sessions.
The West Indies suffered an early blow in their pursuit with the loss of captain Kraigg Brathwaite. However, Alick Athanaze’s resolute 92 and crucial partnerships with Kavem Hodge and Jason Holder enabled them to hold on for a draw.
Having watched both teams in action last week, we believe the home side can once again frustrate their opponents. While we don’t anticipate a home win, a draw is certainly a possibility, especially given the forecast of rain for Thursday and Saturday. Backing a draw at odds of 5.380 with bookmaker Pinnacle could prove to be a shrewd move.
Best Golf Prediction This Week
After a season of jaw-dropping shots, dramatic comebacks, and Scottie Scheffler’s reign, the FedEx St. Jude Championship tees off on Thursday, marking the start of the high-stakes playoffs. Let’s see who we fancy to claim the first prize.
Rory Mcllroy to Win Outright @ 11.620
Scottie Scheffler, the world number one golfer, is coming off a gold medal win at the Olympics in Paris just two weeks ago. He’s the top contender for this tournament and has already won six PGA Tour events this season, including his second Masters title. Bookmaker Pinnacle has given him odds of 4.940 for the tournament.
Xander Schauffele, who has the second shortest odds for St. Jude glory, has enjoyed a stellar 2024 as well. He emphatically silenced critics who labelled him a ‘best golfer without a major’ by claiming two of the year’s four majors – the PGA Championship and The Open. Bookmaker Pinnacle currently prices Schauffele at 9.710 to win in Memphis this week.
If anyone can prevent these two from lifting the trophy this weekend, our money is on Rory McIlroy. His runner-up finish at last month’s US Open might have stung, but the Northern Irishman has repeatedly shown he’s made of sterner stuff.
Aside from missing the cut at The Open, McIlroy has been in exceptional form, with a worst finish of T12 in his last eight starts – the PGA Championship being his only blemish. And of course, the 35-year-old boasts the major championship pedigree to match fellow title race front-runners.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 14th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
A haven for long and accurate hitters, TPC Southwind is a course that suits McIlroy’s game to a tee. Last year, he delivered a T3 finish here and this time he will be hoping to get his hands on the trophy. At double-digit odds, he represents exceptional value.
Best NRL Predictions This Week
With just four rounds remaining in the 2024 NRL regular season, the competition is still wide open. Keep reading for our top NRL betting tips this week.
Panthers -4.5 Handicap vs Storm @ 2.060
A heavyweight showdown looms as the red-hot Panthers aim to dethrone the reigning Storm from the NRL summit. BlueBet Stadium will be the battleground as these two titans clash in a blockbuster this Thursday night.
Melbourne’s shock loss to the Dragons a fortnight ago has presented Penrith with a golden opportunity to snatch the Minor Premiership. A win by at least three points will propel them to the top of the ladder.
Ivan Cleary watched on from the technical zone as his Panthers side extended their winning streak to five games with a nail-biting two-point victory over the Parramatta Eels. Despite trailing at halftime, Penrith dug deep to claim another thrilling win.
The Panthers are the competition’s hottest property right now, riding a wave of momentum into Thursday’s showdown. With a perfect 3-0 record against the Storm last season, including a Preliminary Final win, they’ll fancy their chances of claiming another scalp.
The Storm roared back to life after their Dragons setback by dismantling the Rabbitohs with a ruthless first-half performance. A 12-point victory on enemy territory is just the message Melbourne boss Craig Bellamy wanted to send to the Panthers camp ahead of the big clash.
Bellamy’s side emerged victorious in the teams’ earlier encounter this season, claiming an 8-0 shutout. However, we anticipate a more open and entertaining game this weekend.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 14th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Penrith are peaking at the right time, but Melbourne have been remarkably consistent throughout the season. We, however, have a very good reason to back a Panthers win in this one.
Penrith have been an absolute brick wall against the competition’s heavyweights, conceding a miserly 17.3 points per game in six clashes with the top five attacking sides. They also boast the stingiest defence in the league, conceding the fewest metres (1313m) and the fourth fewest line breaks (4.2) per game.
With such a formidable defensive record, we’re backing the Panthers to cover the -4.5 line, available at exciting odds of 2.060 with Pinnacle.
Warriors +13.0 Handicap vs Sea Eagles @ 2.060
The Sea Eagles aim to solidify their top-four position when they host the Warriors at 4 Pines Park on Friday night.
Anthony Seibold’s men unleashed a second-half fury, burying the Raiders in a 28-point avalanche to secure a dominant 22-point victory, their fourth triumph in five matches. Manly’s Canberra carnage saw them storm from seventh to sixth and significantly improve their points differential.
Three points separate Manly from the top four, and they’re the bookies’ darlings heading into this weekend.
The Warriors lit up Suncorp with a four-try blitz in 17 minutes on Sunday, but their fairytale finish was cruelly snatched away in a rare golden point decider against the Dolphins. They now languish in 14th spot.
The Warriors’ injury curse came back to haunt them as Shaun Johnson was ruled out late with a quad strain. However, the veteran is expected to return to the fray this weekend.
Interestingly, this was not the first time a Warriors game ended undecided this season after regulation time. The round six encounter between the Warriors and Sea Eagles also ended in a draw. Even the golden point shootout could not yield a winner that day.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 14th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
While the Sea Eagles are the runaway favourites, as the odds from bookmaker Pinnacle suggest, we believe it will be a much tighter affair. The Warriors showed remarkable improvement last week and we expect that upward trajectory to continue. Backing the New Zealand Warriors to cover a 13-point spread appears a solid wager.
Roosters vs. Eels – Over 51 Points Total @ 1.909
The Roosters are eyeing a third consecutive win when they face the Eels at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
After suffering a demoralising 24-8 defeat to the Storm, the Roosters have rediscovered their form with back-to-back wins over the Sea Eagles and the Dolphins.
The Sydney boys have a golden opportunity to secure a top-four finish but must be wary of a resurgent Eels side that pushed the high-flying Panthers to the brink just last round.
Trent Robinson’s side have a great chance to build momentum for the playoffs with their remaining four matches against teams outside the top eight. However, any slip-up will see the Sharks and Bulldogs closing in.
The Eels, on the other hand, fell short to Panthers in a fiercely contested battle that ended 36-34. It was their seventh defeat in eight outings, but there were many positives to be drawn from that performance.
The Parramatta team will be looking to finish the season strongly, having endured a largely forgettable 2024 campaign. Their Finals hopes are long gone, but avoiding the Wooden Spoon should be a motivation strong enough for them to put together another impressive effort.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 14th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
The Roosters have been a prolific attacking force in recent weeks, averaging an impressive 32.8 points per game over their last five matches, despite a solitary eight-point outing against the Storm.
Parramatta have also been averaging 32 points per game in their last two matches, suggesting a high-scoring encounter. With that in mind, betting on over 51 points at odds of 1.909 with bookmaker Pinnacle looks like good value.
The Best Bets to Make This Week
From the thrilling climax of the NRL season to the return of European football, there’s an abundance of opportunities for sports punters this week. We have unearthed the most compelling betting angles to help you navigate the action-packed week ahead. Here our expert picks:
- Both teams to score and Manchester United to win @ 2.800
- Brighton and Everton to draw @ 3.360
- Forest vs. Bournemouth – both teams to score and draw @ 4.330
- Patriots -2.5 handicap vs Eagles @ 1.884
- Ravens vs. Falcons – under 36.5 points @ 1.892
- West Indies vs. South Africa to draw @ 5.380
- Rory Mcllroy to win outright @ 11.620
- Warriors +13.0 handicap vs Sea Eagles @ 2.060
- Panthers -4.5 handicap vs Storm @ 2.060
- Roosters vs. Eels – over 51 points total @ 1.909
Our Premier League predictions look set to deliver handsome returns. We’re also extremely confident in our West Indies vs. South Africa selection, available at attractive odds of 5.380. What do you think? Dive in before it’s too late this week!
