It’s the season to be jolly, and we’re here to make your Christmas even more delightful. This week, we’ve teamed up with bookmaker William Hill to bring you the best deals in sports betting for the upcoming week. Read on for 10 of our top predictions across rugby, boxing, cricket and American football.
Best Rugby Union Predictions This Week
After a three-week hiatus, the United Rugby Championship 2024-25 gets back on the field with its festive fixtures. Let’s find out which could be the best bets to make in this round. We will also take a look at the Premiership Rugby battle between Gloucester and Harlequins.
Ulster vs. Munster – Handicap Tie (-3) @ 17.00
Ulster will be walking out of the Kingspan Stadium tunnel for the final time this year as they take on interprovincial rivals Munster on Friday night. After falling to Toulouse and Bordeaux in the first two rounds of the Investec Champions Cup pool stage, Ulster now turn their focus to the URC, with two interprovincial derbies to close out a turbulent 2024.
Ulster boss Richie Murphy must have been feeling the heat after losing four games on the trot, so he will be hoping to return to winning ways with a statement win against the Red Army. With injury woes mounting, Murphy has had to reshuffle his squad in recent weeks. Wing Zac Ward made his highly anticipated Senior debut against Bordeaux-Begles, with academy back three talent Rory Telfer also making an impact off the bench.
Munster have also gone through a whirlwind season. They will travel to Belfast with interim head coach Ian Costello after Graham Rowntree left the club following three successive defeats in the URC. Munster won the competition with Rowntree in 2022, but two years on, the former England international has decided to step down as the Irish side finds themselves in the midst of a mid-season crisis.
Munster head into the match following a narrow loss to Castres in the Champions Cup. However, they can take confidence from their recent URC victory, where tries from Thaakir Abrahams, Shane Daly, and Alex Kendellen helped secure a 17-10 win over the Emirates Lions at Thomond Park.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 18th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Ulster and Munster currently occupy the 10th and 11th spots in the URC standings, respectively. The visitors have 16 points from seven appearances, while the hosts have one more point from the same number of matches.
Looking at the head-to-head encounters between the two sides, it’s clear they often play tightly contested matches. In two of the last four interpro derbies featuring these teams, the winning margin was just one point. With this in mind, there’s strong value in backing a handicap tie, allowing for a three-point margin of error. The return is a substantial 17.00 at bookmaker William Hill.
Stormers vs. Lions – Stormers to Cover -3 Handicap @ 1.91
The DHL Stormers are back at home in Cape Town, set to take on a rejuvenated Emirates Lions team in what promises to be a fiery South African derby. With the Lions sitting higher in the standings, the Stormers will be determined to defend their home turf and keep their dimming hopes of a resurgence alive.
John Dobson’s side did not have the ideal start to the season. They have managed to win only two of their first six fixtures. The Men in Black have lost four matches in a row across all competitions, so the confidence levels are not soaring at the Stormers camp right now.
The Stormers suffered a heavy 53-16 defeat to Harlequins in their latest Champions Cup outing. With injury concerns and the Christmas fixtures against the Lions and Sharks in mind, Dobson was forced to call up several players from the reserves. The Stormers named five debutants in their lineup for the Harlequins match, but they were unable to produce a surprise performance.
The Lions, on the other hand, have had a much better start to their URC campaign. They have picked up four wins in their first six and saw off Section Paloise comfortably in a 43-35 affair at the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Despite a strong start in the URC, the Johannesburg outfit have lost their last two matches in the competition, a setback that could hinder their momentum heading into this tie. Head coach Ivan van Rooyen, therefore, should name the strongest squad he has at his disposal to grind out a win in enemy territory.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 18th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
While the league position paints the two teams in contrasting colours at the moment, the Stormers can consider themselves the favourites considering the recent head-to-head record between the sides.
The 2021-22 URC champions are currently on a five match winning streak against the Lions. The Stormers are also unbeaten in their last 10 matches against fellow South African teams. So, we are expecting the Stormers to cover the spread in this match-up.
Gloucester vs. Harlequins – Gloucester to Cover -3 Handicap @ 1.91
Gloucester and Harlequins will lock horns in a mid-table battle as they return to Premiership Rugby action this weekend. The Londoners will travel to the Kingsholm Stadium hoping to bounce back from a 48-24 hammering against Bristol last month at Twickenham. George Skivington’s men, on the other hand, will look to extend their winning run in the competition to three matches.
Gloucester currently sit fifth in the Premiership Rugby standings with 20 points after seven rounds, while Harlequins are two places below them, trailing by just a single point. A Harlequins win, therefore, will see the visitors leapfrog their Friday night hosts on the points table.
Skivington chose to rest some players in their European Challenge Cup match against RC Vannes in their most recent outing and start youngsters like Will Butler and Jack Cotgreave. But the Cherry and Whites struggled to match the intensity of the home team in northwest France and were forced to call on reinforcements after the interval. It was too little too late nonetheless, as RC Vannes cruised to a 43-19 victory.
Harlequins had better luck in Europe as they thrashed South African giants DHL Stormers in the Champions Cup. Quins duo Cadan Murley and Alex Dombrandt scored hat-tricks to steer their team to a comfortable 53-16 victory against a weakened Stormers unit. The Twickenham side was incredibly clinical which would come to great relief to Danny Wilson who saw his team’s wasteful display against Racing 92 in the previous match.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 18th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Gloucester have won three of their last five matches against Harlequins. Although both teams have shown similar form recently, we believe the home side has the best chance of covering the spread in this match.
Best Cricket Prediction This Week
The 14th edition of the Big Bash T20 League is underway in Australia. We have picked the Sydney derby between the Thunder and Sixers for our betting preview this week.
Sydney Thunder vs. Sydney Sixers – Sixers to Win @ 1.80
The Sydney Showground prepares for a genuine Sydney showdown as the local Big Bash teams Thunder and Sixers are set to renew their rivalry at the Emerald City. Both sides will aim to maintain their winning start to the 2024-25 Big Bash campaign at the expense of their local rivals.
Moises Henriques led from the front for the Sydney Sixers, scoring a blistering 53 not out off 27 balls to clinch a five-wicket win over the Melbourne Renegades. The skipper’s innings, featuring four boundaries and three sixes, saw the three-time champions chase down 170 with nine balls remaining.
The Sixers, a perennial BBL powerhouse and last season’s beaten finalists, extended their stranglehold over the Renegades. They have now won nine of their last 10 meetings with the Melbourners.
Just a day later, a stunning fifty from Sam Konstas and a rapid knock from Daniel Sams propelled the Sydney Thunder to a thrilling two-wicket win over the Adelaide Strikers, with two balls remaining at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
In pursuit of 183 on a batting-friendly pitch, the Thunder looked on course as Konstas blasted 56 off 27 balls at the top of the order. The teenager not only became the youngest to score a half-century in BBL history but also recorded the fastest 50 in Thunder history.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 18th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
The toss could prove to be a crucial factor in this match. The highest successful run chase at the Sydney Showground is just 139. Teams batting first have generally been more successful here, with the venue averaging 151 runs per innings.
This could come down to a battle between Thunder’s incredible bowling attack and the Sixers’ formidable batting lineup. The conditions at the Sydney Showground might give the Sixers an edge, especially with their impressive 17-7 head-to-head lead. Given this, we’re backing a Sixers victory at odds of 1.80 with bookmaker William Hill.
Best American Football Predictions This Week
With teams crunching the numbers to analyse their post-season probabilities, the NFL returns for week 16 action this weekend. Let’s explore the best value bets for this week’s games.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos – Broncos to Cover +2.5 @ 1.91
Thursday Night Football heads to SoFi Stadium for a crucial AFC West Divisional showdown between the Denver Broncos (9-5) and the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6). The two teams currently hold the last two Wild Card spots in the AFC.
A win for Sean Payton and the Broncos would secure them a playoff berth for the first time since their Super Bowl 50 victory in the 2015 season. Denver started the 2024 campaign with two losses but has since won four straight and posted a 9-3 record in their last 12 games. However, Sunday’s 31-13 win over Indianapolis wasn’t as dominant as the score suggests.
At 13-7 in the third quarter, the Colts appeared in control, but Jonathan Taylor’s potential touchdown was nullified when he dropped the ball before crossing the goal line, and it went out of bounds for a touchback. From that point, Denver went on a 24-0 run. The Broncos’ struggles on Sunday were mostly down to rookie QB Bo Nix, who threw for a mere 130 yards and three interceptions.
After a strong 7-3 start, the Chargers have dropped three of their last four games. Despite this recent slump, John Harbaugh has his team in playoff contention, a vast improvement from last season’s five-win campaign. However, in their loss to the Buccaneers this past Sunday, LA allowed Tampa Bay to score on eight of their first 10 possessions, with four touchdowns and four field goals.
The Chargers gave up a season-high 40 points and 506 total yards. One of the key struggles has been their inability to run the ball in the past three weeks. Against the Bucs, they managed only 32 rushing yards, and in total, they’ve rushed for just 182 yards over their last three games. This dip in performance aligns with the injury to J.K. Dobbins, who sustained a knee injury just before the slump began.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 18th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Away teams have struggled in Thursday Night Football this season, with only one team managing to win on the road in the last eight occasions. That said, the Chargers have been an inconsistent side. The only victory in their last four games came thanks to Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who carelessly gave away four interceptions. Given the Chargers’ recent form, we expect the Broncos to cover the spread against this team.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans – Over 41.5 Points @ 1.85
In a Saturday afternoon NFL clash, the Houston Texans will take on the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Texans are sitting atop the AFC South with a 9-5 record, while the Chiefs are enjoying a stellar season with 13 wins and only one defeat.
The Houston Texans are coming off a 20-12 win over the Miami Dolphins last week. Quarterback C.J. Stroud led the offence, throwing for 131 yards, completing 18 of 26 passes, and scoring twice. Dare Ogunbowale led the rushing attack with one carry for 35 yards, while Joe Mixon spearheaded the defence with five tackles for 33 yards.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs triumphed 21-7 over the Cleveland Browns last week. Patrick Mahomes guided the offence, throwing for 159 yards, completing 19 of 38 passes, and scoring twice. Kareem Hunt was the top rusher with 13 carries for 45 yards, while Xavier Worthy made his mark on defence with six tackles totaling 46 yards.
Mahomes, who left the pitch with an injury in the Browns game, is racing against time to recover before the Texans visit Kansas City. However, it’s highly likely that the superstar quarterback will miss the match, which would be a significant blow for the hosts.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 18th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
The Houston Texans are in for a tough test as they take on the Chiefs in Kansas, a team that has been nearly invincible this season. This game promises to be a high-energy affair, with both teams boasting explosive attacking lines. Expect a close match, and it’s very possible the total points will exceed the 41.5-point line.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Steelers to Cover +6 Handicap @ 1.85
The Ravens and Steelers have both enjoyed strong seasons and are battling for the AFC North crown. With only three weeks left, this game could be pivotal in deciding the division winner. A win for Baltimore would put them level with Pittsburgh at the top of the standings, while a Steelers victory would nearly guarantee their AFC North title.
Following their week 14 bye, Baltimore cruised to a decisive victory over the Giants, bringing their record to 9-5 and leaving them just one game behind Pittsburgh. The Steelers, on the other hand, were defeated 27-13 by the Eagles in week 15, their first loss since week 12. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh has been impressive, with a 7-2 record over their last nine games.
Pittsburgh’s defensive dominance over the Ravens continued in their earlier match-up this season, with the Steelers clinching an 18-16 victory, driven by six field goals from Chris Boswell. Pittsburgh has now won six consecutive games against Baltimore, all as underdogs.
The Steelers’ offence has shown significant improvement after a sluggish start to the season, averaging 325.6 yards and 24 points per game. The standout factor has been Russell Wilson, who has thrived since taking over as the starting quarterback. Wilson has thrown for 1,912 yards, 13 touchdowns, and three interceptions, with a completion rate of 64.7%
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 18th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
However, the Ravens may have a chance to break their Steelers’ hoodoo in front of their home crowd. George Pickens could miss the trip to M&T Bank Stadium, which would make things even harder for the visitors. Despite this, the Steelers should still be able to cover the +6 spread.
Best Boxing Predictions This Week
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for a rematch just months after their first showdown. In addition to this highly anticipated fight, we will also cover two other events from the card in our betting preview.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 – Usyk to Win by Decision @ 3.00
On December 21, the long-awaited rematch between Oleksandr Usyk (22-0) and Tyson Fury (34-1) will take place, marking the second chapter of their heavyweight rivalry. Seven months after their initial fight, the two champions will once again face off for the world heavyweight titles.
Usyk and Fury first faced off at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia in May, where Usyk’s exceptional boxing skills earned him a split-decision win over his rival. After suffering a tough few rounds, Fury recovered to finish the fight strongly and has committed to avenging the one defeat in his professional record.
Fury is a former unified world champion, even though he currently holds no straps. The Mancunian tasted defeat for the first time in his career, so he will be eager to bounce back with a win and add Usyk to his list of victims. He is a powerful puncher with a knack for knockouts. He will look to settle the fight early with his furious fist.
That will be easier said than done, of course, against a fighter like Usyk. Although the Ukrainian relinquished the IBF belt, he still holds the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles. Furthermore, Usyk has won all 22 of his professional bouts. The 37-year-old, therefore, will head into the rematch with Fury brimming with confidence.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 18th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
We saw a full 12-round fight when these two first met, and we’re almost certain the rematch won’t end early either. Both fighters possess formidable knockout power, but they also have exceptional defensive skills. While there will be plenty of punches thrown, it seems unlikely that either will land a blow strong enough to finish the fight decisively.
We believe Usyk will win the fight once again by decision. The Cat showed exceptional agility inside the ring in May, which helped him to nullify Fury’s physical edge. He used his footwork to evade strikes and exploit brief openings in Fury’s defence. We foresee the same narrative unfolding in this fight.
Johnny Fisher vs. Dave Allen – Fight to End Either in Round Five or Six @ 4.33
English heavyweights Dave Allen from Doncaster and Johnny Fisher from London will square off this Saturday, December 21st, on the undercard of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch.
Johnny Fisher, 25, has a flawless 12-0 record with 11 knockouts, accumulating only 31 rounds of experience since his professional debut in 2021. The six-foot-four-inch heavyweight has demonstrated incredible power, with a knockout ratio of 91.7%. His lone fight to go the distance was a unanimous decision victory over Gabriel Enguema in February 2022, when he went six rounds.
With five first-round knockouts, three in the second, and one in the third, fourth, and seventh rounds, Fisher’s power is undeniable. However, his opponents so far haven’t been top-tier, with the toughest being the previously unbeaten Babic.
David Allen, now 32, holds a 23-6-2 record with 18 knockouts, having made his professional debut in 2012. Over his career, he’s fought 129 rounds. Standing six-feet-three-inches tall with a 75-inch reach, Allen is just an inch shorter than Fisher. His biggest career win came in April 2019 when he stopped former heavyweight champion Lucas Browne in the third round.
Allen’s six career losses have come at the hands of some top-tier heavyweights. In 2019, David Price stopped him in 10 rounds, while Tony Yoka did the same in 2018. Lenroy Thomas won a split decision over 12 rounds in 2017 for the vacant Commonwealth Heavyweight Title.
Other setbacks include an eighth-round stoppage to Luis Ortiz in 2016, a 10-round unanimous decision defeat to Dillian Whyte for the vacant WBC International Heavyweight Title, and a sixth-round stoppage by Frazer Clarke in 2023, when Allen had to retire on his stool after suffering a perforated eardrum.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 18th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Allen will be a significant step up for Fisher, so we don’t think he will be able to force an early win in this one. The Romford Bull should still win this fight with a knockout, but we expect it to happen in the fifth or sixth round.
Moses Itauma vs. Demsey McKean – Fight to End Either in Round Three or Four @ 4.20
Rising boxing sensation Moses Itauma (10-0) returns to the ring on December 21, where he will take on Demsey McKean (22-1) in a 10-round battle. The bout, featuring two southpaws from the UK, is part of the Usyk-Fury 2 undercard in Saudi Arabia.
McKean made the most of his Muay Thai and MMA background to build a successful boxing career. Making his pro debut in 2014, he’s boxed 120 rounds and stands at six-feet, six-inches tall, though his reach remains unlisted. With 63.6% of his wins coming by stoppage, McKean has knocked out 11 of his last 14 opponents.
The 34-year-old has been out of action since August 2023, and his upcoming fight marks the end of a long layoff. His most recent match saw him suffer the first loss of his career, a TKO defeat to Filip Hrgovic in the final round.
Itauma will celebrate his 20th birthday on December 28th and enters the ring with an unblemished record of 10-0, with 8 knockouts, having fought just 22 rounds since turning professional in January 2023.
With an 80% knockout rate, Ituama certainly knows how to finish a fight. The only men to go the distance with him are Kevin Espindola and Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko, who each survived six rounds in consecutive bouts last year, in April and July.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 18th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
This will be a fight between two fighters who love to get the fight wrapped up as soon as possible. This could go either way, but the fight might get decided by the third or fourth round.
The Best Bets to Make This Week
Thanks for making it this far into our weekly predictions. To make sure you didn’t miss out on any, let’s go through our recommended picks once again:
- Ulster vs. Munster – handicap tie (-3) @ 17.00
- Stormers vs. Lions – Stormers to cover -3 handicap @ 1.91
- Gloucester vs. Harlequins – Gloucester to cover -3 handicap @ 1.91
- Sydney Thunder vs. Sydney Sixers – Sixers to win @ 1.80
- Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos – Broncos to cover +2.5 @ 1.91
- Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans – over 41.5 points @ 1.85
- Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Steelers to cover +6 handicap @ 1.85
- Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 – Usyk to win by decision @ 3.00
- Johnny Fisher vs. Dave Allen – fight to end either in round five or six @ 4.33
- Moses Itauma vs. Demsey McKean – fight to end either in round three or four @ 4.20
We’re picking the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury rematch as our best bet of the week. It seems highly likely that the Ukrainian will secure a decision victory over his British rival once again, with bookmaker William Hill offering an appealing return of 3.00 for this outcome.
