The winter is here and the festive season is knocking on the door, but the world of sports is not taking a break. We are back with 10 more exciting betting picks for this week, with bookmaker Pinnacle providing the odds. Read on to find out the wagers we suggest taking over the next seven days.
Best Boxing Prediction This Week
This Saturday, 30th of November, Sunny Edwards, the former IBF Flyweight Champion, will go head-to-head with unbeaten fellow Brit Galal Yafai at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England. The pair will clash for the Interim WBC Flyweight Title, and here’s our take on how the bout will unfold.
Galal Yafai vs. Sunny Edwards – Edwards to Win @ 1.793
In a highly anticipated all-British flyweight battle, Birmingham’s own Olympic gold medallist Galal Yafai faces his biggest challenge yet this Saturday as he takes on ex-world champion Sunny Edwards. The stage is set for a spectacular clash as Yafai steps into the ring for the toughest test of his career till now.
Sunny Edwards may boast a far more extensive professional resume and the distinction of being a former champion, but he’s also the younger man heading into this weekend’s clash. Known for his exceptional defensive prowess, Edwards has cruised through most of his victories, earning widespread recognition as one of the sport’s finest defensive technicians.
Edwards entered last December’s bout against Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez with a flawless record of 20 wins from 20 fights. At the time, many, including the oddsmakers, saw him as a genuine threat to Rodriguez, who has since proven himself to be one of boxing’s elite talents.
The fight began as a tightly contested battle, with the first four or five rounds showcasing competitive exchanges. However, as the bout reached its midway point, Bam’s relentless pressure began to take its toll. Even Edwards’ elite defensive skills couldn’t prevent the stoppage, which ultimately came in the ninth round.
Coming from a family of boxing success, Galal Yafai has big shoes to fill, particularly with his eldest brother Kal Yafai, a former long-reigning WBA super-flyweight champion. However, Galal has already proven he’s more than capable, claiming Olympic gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
He turned professional afterward and has won in all eight fights he fought since then, with six of his wins coming via knockout. Edwards is unquestionably the toughest opponent Yafai has faced so far, making it intriguing to see how he measures up against a recently dethroned world champion.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: November 27th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
This is a finely balanced contest between two of Britain’s most skilled boxers, this fight looks likely to hinge on experience. Edwards has already proven himself on the world stage, and we are confident his drive and sharpness will see him edge this one on the scorecards. So, we will take up bookmaker Pinnacle’s offer of 1.793 odds for an Edwards’ victory.
Best Chess Prediction This Week
Ding Liren and Gukesh Dommaraju are competing in a historic all-Asian final series to decide the Chess World Championship 2024. Can Liren defend his crown or is Dommaraju set to become the new king of world chess? Here’s how we suggest betting on the series’ outcome.
Ding Liren to Win the World Chess Championship 2024 @ 2.030
Liren and Dommaraju are playing in the showpiece event at Singapore’s Equarius Hotel in Resorts World Sentosa. The first match took place on May 25th and the series is set to continue till December 13th if a winner is not decided by then.
It’s a 14-match competition, with one point awarded for a win and 0.5 points given for a draw. The first participant to reach 7.5 points gets to take the title home. That means, there is a possibility that we can see a new world champion within the next seven days.
Even though Liren is the defending world champion, he came into the event as a significant underdog. He became the first Chinese player to win the Men’s World Championship in 2023, but since then his career took a significant nosedive.
Liren had become quite irregular in the competitive scene and had a public battle with mental health issues. He has played only 44 times then and had a 28-match win-less streak before the competition.
The momentum was completely different for Gukesh Dommaraju. He became the youngest Candidates Tournament champion in chess history to set up this title deciding affair with Liren. Dommaraju also thrived at the World Chess Olympiad in Budapest with India. So, the 18-year-old was the favorite in this fight.
Liren did have a 2.5-.5 advantage over Dommaraju in previous meetings, and once the series began he maintained his unbeaten run against the Indian prodigy. He won the first match of the series and then drew the second one. After two matches, the series stands 1.5-.5 in the defending champion’s favor.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: November 27th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Liren and Dommaraju are both excellent players, but when it comes to experience in such high pressure games, the Chinese star has a clear advantage. He has had a rough patch lately, but now that he has had a great start against an opponent he never lost to before, we expect him to hold on to the momentum.
Liren remains the underdog at bookmaker Pinnacle with odds of 2.030, making it a valuable opportunity to back the 32-year-old for a successful title defence.
Best Cricket Predictions This Week
We have two Test matches to look forward to this week as New Zealand hosts England at the Hagley Oval, while Sri Lanka will face South Africa at Kingsmead. Let’s find out what betting tips we have in store for you for these two red ball clashes.
New Zealand vs. England – New Zealand to Win @ 1.952
The England Test team return to the field on Wednesday, kicking off their tour of New Zealand with the first Test in Christchurch. Following their frustrating series defeat in Pakistan last month, the Three Lions are in desperate need of a confidence boost, especially after their loss in the subcontinent dashed their hopes of competing for the World Test Championship.
England seemed on track for a series win in Pakistan after their commanding innings victory in the first Test. But with the conditions favouring spin bowlers, the hosts pulled off a surprise by winning the next two Tests, handing Ben Stokes his second away series defeat as captain.
England now travel to New Zealand with added pressure following a late injury to stand-in wicketkeeper Jordan Cox. Ollie Pope will take over the gloves, while Jacob Bethell is set to make his Test debut in the number three spot.
New Zealand, in contrast, have dramatically opened up the race for the World Test Championship final with a stunning 3-0 series win in India. Having handed India their first home Test series defeat since 2012, the Kiwis now face England, with one of their former legends, Brendon McCullum, in charge of the visiting side.
Their last encounter with Ben Stokes and company ended in a thrilling 1-1 draw in early 2023. This series, featuring three matches, also signals the end of Tim Southee’s Test career. So, the home side will be extra motivated to give him a proper farewell with a memorable series win.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: November 27th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
This promises to be a fascinating contest, with England depleted by Jamie Smith’s paternity leave and Jordan Cox’s injury. Ollie Pope, struggling for form, must juggle wicket-keeping duties with finding some much-needed consistency with the bat. This sets the stage for a New Zealand side, riding high after their sensational win in India, to pick up a winning start to the series.
South Africa vs. Sri Lanka – Draw @ 4.710
South Africa welcome Sri Lanka for their first home Test series of the South African summer. This will be the Proteas’ first red-ball experience since sweeping Bangladesh 2-0 in a two-match series last month. In their 31 meetings, South Africa have had the upper hand over Sri Lanka, claiming 16 wins to Sri Lanka’s nine. The remaining six matches have ended in draws or no results.
Temba Bavuma returns from injury to lead the charge for the home side, but the team will be without Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger due to their own injuries. Though South Africa have the firepower, Kingsmead hasn’t been kind to them in recent years. Since 2010, they’ve managed just two victories there and suffered five losses.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka arrives with their confidence soaring after a remarkable 2-0 home series victory over New Zealand. The Lankans have a strong history at Kingsmead, having never lost a Test there, and their dramatic 2019 series win over South Africa—capped by Kusal Perera’s heroic performance—remains fresh in everyone’s mind. With new head coach and batting legend Sanath Jayasuriya at the helm, Sri Lanka will be eager to begin the series with a victory.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: November 27th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Rain could play a major role in this Test, with the forecast suggesting a possible washout on day one, which should be considered when predicting the likely winner. Both teams are in excellent form recently, so backing a draw looks like the most sensible option. Pinnacle is offering attractive odds for a draw in this match.
Best Golf Prediction This Week
The ISPS Handa Australian Open makes its return to Melbourne on November 30th, with Joaquin Niemann back to defend his title in this prestigious DP World Tour event. Who are we backing in our golf betting pick to win the competition? Let’s find out.
Min Woo Lee to Win DP Tour Australian Open @ 8.970
The DP World Australian Open returns to Kingston Heath, ranked as the second-best course in the country, just behind Royal Melbourne, which is only a few miles away. The iconic course co-hosted the tournament back in 2022, but this year, it’s the main venue.
Kingston Heath proved tough two years ago, with an average of nearly two strokes over par and Adrian Meronk’s 66 as the standout score after two rounds. Even with rain making the course less firm, expect a true test.
The course will play long, and aside from the opening hole, the par-fives are especially challenging. The closing stretch, beginning at the 16th, is a particularly intimidating finish. Looking at the field, which lacks many top golfers from Australia and abroad, we are convinced that Joaquin Niemann and Min Woo Lee may benefit the best from the conditions.
If the tournament stretches to the full 72 holes, the leading players are likely to dominate. Considering the prestige of the Australian Open, it’s reassuring to expect organisers to ensure four rounds are played, especially with heavy rain expected.
The rain, coupled with his third-place finishes in the last two editions, offers enough reason to take a chance on Lee’s putting.
Lee has always been a superb putter, and with Kingston Heath set to play long, he has all the tools to come close to victory, including a solid round of 70 here two years ago. That performance proves he can score at Victoria, and if we look further back, his first DP World Tour win came at the Vic Open.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: November 27th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Niemann and Lee are the top picks among the big names. Despite his Scottish Open win, Niemann doesn’t get our vote because we believe Woo Lee offers a similar shot at the title at a much better price.
Best American Football Predictions This Week
The NFL returns with its Thanksgiving fixtures as the Chicago Bears will lock horns with the Detroit Lions on Thursday, hours before the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys meet. Here are our betting breakdowns for both games.
Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions – Lions -10.5 @ 2.070
The Detroit Lions will face off against the Chicago Bears in an NFC North clash on NFL Thanksgiving Day 2024. The two teams are heading in opposite directions with the Lions having won nine straight games, including a 24-6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday. Meanwhile, the Bears have lost five in a row, with their most recent defeat coming in a 30-27 overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
This will be the 20th Thanksgiving meeting between the Bears and Lions, with Chicago holding an 11-8 edge in the series. The Bears have won the last three match-ups on the holiday, while Detroit’s most recent win dates back to 2014.
Following their 24-6 victory over the Colts, the Lions’ defense has now gone 10 consecutive quarters without allowing a touchdown and has shut out opponents in the second half of their last three games. Even with key injuries in the front seven, the Lions have managed to shut down offenses, while their own offense continues to set records at a furious pace.
The Lions will face a Bears team that will look to avoid a sixth consecutive defeat. Chicago started the season strong at 4-2 with rookie No. 1 overall pick quarterback Caleb Williams at the helm, but has struggled over the past month and a half.
Their slump began with a heartbreaking Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders, followed by double-digit defeats to the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals. The pain intensified with a one-point loss to the Green Bay Packers on a blocked field goal as time expired, and then a 30-27 overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings on a field goal.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: November 27th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Detroit’s offense can strike from all angles, ranking second in the league in total offense (394.3), sixth in passing yards (243.5), and fourth in rushing yards (150.8). Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is a dynamic playmaker with exceptional speed and explosiveness, making him a constant threat. He ranks fourth in the NFL with 886 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Additionally, Gibbs has 26 receptions for 265 yards.
So, we are confident that the Lions can cover a -10.5 spread at home against a demoralised Bears outfit. Bookmaker Pinnacle is offering a sweet 2.070x return for that outcome.
New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys – Wan’Dale Robinson Over 30.5 Receiving Yards @ 1.900
The Dallas Cowboys will look to secure consecutive wins for only the second time this season when they take on the New York Giants in a 2024 Thanksgiving Day NFL clash. Dallas is fresh off a 34-26 victory over the Washington Commanders, while the Giants suffered a 30-7 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The New York Giants (2-9), on a six-game losing streak, are 2-3 on the road this season. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys (4-7) ended a five-game losing streak in Week 12 but remain win-less at home, with an 0-5 record at AT&T Stadium. Giants head coach Brian Daboll expressed hope that quarterback Tommy DeVito will be able to start again for New York after suffering an injury in the previous week.
Neither of these teams has had the season they hoped for, and both will finish the year with backup quarterbacks. Both teams are also 3-8 against the spread, so betting on them isn’t exactly a safe bet. So, for this particular match-up, we prefer to look at a player-based market.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: November 27th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Wan’Dale Robinson’s low receiving yard projection is surprising. He’s caught all 10 targets in the last two games, totaling 99 yards. This strong performance, especially considering DeVito’s first start, suggests a higher potential.
Robinson has consistently performed well for the Giants, regardless of the quarterback he is playing in front of. He averages 40.1 yards per game and has exceeded the 30.5 yards benchmark quite comfortably in both of his last two outings.
Best Football Predictions This Week
For this week’s football betting predictions we will look at three matches from UEFA’s lower tier club competitions.
AZ Alkmaar vs. Galatasaray – Both Teams to Score & Draw @ 4.460
AZ Alkmaar’s European campaign continues with a home match against Galatasaray. Following their impressive 3-1 victory over Fenerbahce, the Dutch side will look to maintain their perfect record against Turkish teams in European competitions.
AZ began their Europa League campaign with a 3-2 home win over Elfsborg. However, subsequent away defeats to Athletic Club and Tottenham halted their momentum.
The Cheese Farmers bounced back from their recent setbacks with a crucial home win against Fenerbahce. This victory propelled them to 17th place in the 36-team Europa League table, just three points away from the coveted top eight.
Galatasaray have made a strong start to their Europa League campaign, accumulating 10 points from their first four matches. They have been quite entertaining to watch so far, with each of their matches producing a minimum of four goals.
After a 3-1 home win over PAOK on matchday one, the team followed up with a 2-2 draw against Rigas Futbola Skola on matchday two. This was followed by a thrilling 4-3 victory over Elfsborg at home, and a 3-2 win over Tottenham in their most recent outing.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: November 27th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
AZ have been dominant at home in the Europa League this season, and Thursday should be no different for Maarten Martens’s side. That said, with Galatasaray’s impressive form, we expect them to earn at least a point in the Netherlands. So, we are predicting a goal-scoring stalemate here.
Dynamo Kyiv vs. Viktoria Plzen – Draw @ 3.270
Dynamo Kiev will aim to shed their reputation as continental underdogs when they host Viktoria Plzen at Volksparkstadion in Germany for a Europa League showdown on Thursday. The Blue and Whites are still without a point in the League Phase, while Viktoria Plzen are hoping to extend their unbeaten streak in the group to five matches.
Dynamo Kiev, who finished second in the 2023-24 Ukrainian Premier League, have made a strong start to the current domestic season, remaining unbeaten in their first 13 matches and dropping only four points.
Despite their dominance in the Ukrainian Premier League, Dynamo Kiev’s European campaign has been a disaster. They’ve lost their first four Europa League matches by a humiliating aggregate scoreline of 10-0.
After a shocking one-goal defeat to FC Slovacko in the Czech league earlier this month, Viktoria Plzen have regained momentum, winning three straight matches across all competitions around the international break.
Viktoria Plzen’s latest Europa League appearance came on November 7, when they hosted La Liga’s Real Sociedad. A dramatic 90th-minute winner from substitute Daniel Vasulin handed the hosts their first victory of the League Phase, edging out Imanol Alguacil’s side.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: November 27th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
With their backs against the wall, Dynamo Kiev will be out for blood in Hamburg. Expect a determined performance from the Blue and Whites, as they strive to salvage a point against Viktoria Plzen.
FC Twente vs. Union Saint-Gilloise – Draw @ 3.460
FC Twente will be hoping to secure their first win of the Europa League season when they take on Union SG at De Grolsch Veste on Thursday. The Dutch team, currently 27th with three points, drew 2-2 with Nice on November 7th, while their opponents are 30th with two points after a 1-1 draw with Roma on the same day.
The match between FC Twente and Nice was filled with late drama, as three goals were scored and both teams saw a player sent off in the final 30 minutes. However, the Eredivisie side will feel frustrated by the draw, having led 2-0 and played with a man advantage for 20 minutes of the second half. Twente have now drawn three of their four Europa League fixtures this season, with their only defeat coming against Lazio in a 2-0 loss on October 24th.
Union Saint-Gilloise currently sit ninth in the Belgian Pro League, with 20 points from 15 matches. However, they are just two points behind sixth-placed Gent, who hold the final playoff spot for the championship.
While Sébastien Pocognoli’s side have gone unbeaten in their last five fixtures, their Europa League record has been less impressive, with three losses, three draws, and just one win from their previous seven matches.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: November 27th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
FC Twente have struggled to make an impact in the Europa League so far, and they may find it challenging to maintain a lead if they score first. While the visitors secured a crucial point against Roma, their form on the road has been poor this season, making it unlikely they will overcome their away struggles on Thursday. We are expecting another draw in this one.
The Best Bets to Make This Week
Before wrapping up, let’s have a quick look at our betting picks this week once again:
- Galal Yafai vs. Sunny Edwards – Edwards to win @ 1.793
- Ding Liren to win the World Chess Championship 2024 @ 2.030
- New Zealand vs. England – New Zealand to win @ 1.952
- South Africa vs. Sri Lanka – draw @ 4.710
- Min Woo Lee to win DP Tour Australian Open @ 5.890
- Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions – Lions -10.5 @ 2.070
- New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys – Wan’Dale Robinson over 30.5 receiving yards @ 1.900
- AZ Alkmaar vs. Galatasaray – both teams to score & draw @ 4.460
- Dynamo Kyiv vs. Viktoria Plzen – draw @ 3.270
- FC Twente vs. Union Saint-Gilloise – draw @ 3.460
Min Woo Lee’s victory at the DP World Tour Australian Open is undoubtedly our boldest prediction this week. However, we are feeling even more confident about our football picks, each offering the potential for substantial returns.
