For any dedicated punter, there’s no better way to kick off the new year than with a few winning bets. We’ve teamed up with bookmaker Pinnacle to bring you the best sports betting offers of the week. Be sure to have a look over our top predictions below before placing your wagers.
Best Golf Prediction This Week
The first event on the 2025 PGA Tour itinerary tees off on Thursday, as Kapalua Resort in Hawaii hosts the Sentry. Once known as the Tournament of Champions, the event will bring together some of the Tour’s brightest stars. Here’s our betting pick for the tournament.
Byeong Hun An to Win @ 38.090
A shocking Christmas dinner injury has robbed Scottie Scheffler the opportunity to start the new year with silverware. This is a sad setback for the star hoping to build on his outstanding 2024 successes. With Scheffler out of the picture, it’s safer to look at more high-return alternatives to punt on in Hawaii. It’s even more tempting to support dark horses since world number three Rory McIlroy won’t be there either.
The Sentry will be the first of the two PGA events we will see in the Aloha State this month. A small field of 60 players will fight for a portion of the $20 million prize fund. The field used to be restricted to those who have won a tournament in the previous calendar year. Now, it also invites golfers who ranked inside the top 50 in FedEx Cup standings from last season. As a result, expect the competition to still be fierce.
South Korean star Byeong-Hun An impressed in this tournament last season. Ben An, the youngest U.S. Amateur winner, was long seen as one of golf’s most promising players, but a PGA Tour triumph still eludes him. However, that could change come Sunday.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 1st, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Given his exceptional performance at this course, it is surprising to find his odds at bookmaker Pinnacle as long as 38.090. His lack of winning experience could be an issue, but here we are concentrating on course form and he has that in spades. He finished a great fourth-place last season, just three strokes away from eventual champion Chris Kirk. Then he lost narrowly in a play-off at the Sony Open, which is also a Hawaiian event.
An ranked 38th globally in Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green last season. If he can hold on to that level of performance, he will be in a prime position for success here. We expect him to perform even better this time, and if he does, he might finally break his duck.
Best American Football Predictions This Week
We have explored the upcoming NCAA college football fixtures to find the best betting offers.
Duke vs. Mississippi – Under 51 @ 1.934
While the College Football Playoff dominates the spotlight this week, there’s still plenty of action to enjoy after the quarter-final games on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Gator Bowl, where the Duke Blue Devils square off against the Ole Miss Rebels in a prestigious battle between two ACC and SEC rivals, is one of the best remaining fixtures.
The Blue Devils were one of the biggest surprises in college football this season. They largely exceeded expectations by picking up nine victories. Meanwhile, the Rebels fell short of the playoff despite having one of their best chances in years to claim the national title.
The actual concern surrounding this game is whether Ole Miss has the motivation to put up an effort. Since the Mississippi side has named a strong squad, featuring quarterback Jaxson Dart, we think Ole Miss is focused on making a strong showing against their Gator Bowl adversaries even though only grabbing rights are up for grabs.
Ole Rebels have the firepower in their ranks to secure a win by a comfortable margin in this one. There is, nevertheless, reasonable worry about the players’ attitude. Can they shrug off the frustration of an underwhelming season and deliver a top performance? We are not 100% convinced of that, so will choose to exploit the under market for this match-up.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 1st, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Losing quarterback Malik Murphy has seriously disrupted the Blue Devils’ attack. Ranked 118th in offensive success rate and 93rd in points per drive, they were not particularly outstanding even with Murphy at the helm. We expect Manny Diaz’s men to have a tough day picking the locks of a defence anchored by the likes of Walter Nolen and JJ Pegues.
Mississippi ranks third nationally in success rate allowed and 45th in points per drive allowed. Mostly because of their strong defence and the way oddsmakers have regularly set their pricing, the Rebels have regularly delivered in under bets this season.
We see the Rebels rushing into an early lead in this game, then stepping off the pedal in the second half after building a considerable lead. With that in mind, we’re backing the under, priced at 1.934 with bookmaker Pinnacle.
North Texas vs. Texas State – North Texas to Cover +13.5 Spread @ 1.917
This is a football showdown rich in pure Texan flavour. The North Texas Mean Green and Texas State Bobcats will face off in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas. It’s a quick journey for the “Dudes of Denton”, as the Mean Green only have a 45-minute drive, while the “Sons of San Marcos” are in for a three-and-a-half-hour trip to the Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
North Texas gains from a relative home-field advantage, but the betting market finds it insufficient to offset their many personnel losses. With the Mean Green entering the contest with a depleted lineup, the bookmakers have declared Texas State the overwhelming favourites in this Texas derby.
Quarterback Chandler Morris, who has transferred to the ACC to join the Virginia Cavaliers, represents the most notable loss for North Texas in this game. Morris was involved in 510 of UNT’s 519 pass attempts, so his absence has dealt significant damage. Outscoring opponents is the primary philosophy of the team since they are not known for their defensive ability.
Head coach Eric Morris is well-known for his attacking brilliance, hence he probably will make the proper changes. Still, it’s not only the quarterback he’s lacking. Top wide receiver DT Sheffield and center Tyler Mercer are also out of contention. Running-back Shane Porter is unavailable too. It remains to be seen how he manages to cope with so many absentees in a game of this magnitude.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 1st, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Just the quarterback position hands the Bobcats a colossal advantage in this clash. After TJ Finley left, there were worries that Texas State may regress; instead, James Madison transfer Jordan McCloud has performed quite brilliantly in his place.
Both teams have had their ups and downs this season, but before this game, it’s difficult to feel optimistic about North Texas. It’s tough to overlook the absences they have in their squad. Even a coach of Morris’s quality will struggle to fill the gaps and create a winning game plan.
The team will face a Texas State squad boasting a formidable defensive line, sitting in the top 10 for tackles for loss. McCloud provides the attacking spark that justifies the sizable spread they’ve been given. All indicators suggest that North Texas will cover the spread against their Lone Star rivals.
Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech – Minnesota to Cover -9.0 Spread @ 1.917
With both teams hoping to complete their season in style by covering the winning coach in heaps of mayonnaise, The Duke’s Mayo Bowl is set to close out bowl season with a fun tradition. This quirky college football custom adds to the excitement of an already thrilling game. The Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech showdown is sure to draw plenty of attention.
Starting with the most significant absences from the Virginia Tech squad, QB1 Kyron Drones will not be playing due to a late-season injury. Both Drones’ camp and head coach Brent Pry feel that it’s not worth the risk, as he’s been struggling with multiple injuries. Backup quarterback Collin Schlee, who also sustained an injury late in the season, is listed as questionable for the bowl game, with the line movement suggesting he is also unlikely to feature.
Several key defensive starters will also be absent for Virginia Tech. Due to injuries, transfers, and NFL Draft planning, the Hokies are likely to be devoid of at least 26 players for this game. The Virginia Tech coaching staff have a lot of head-scratching to do to finalise their battle plan against a side that will be seeking to pick up their eighth successive victory.
Though quarterback Max Brosmer and leading rusher Marcus Taylor are not among them, the Gophers have some absentees heading into this clash as well. Right tackle Phillip Daniels will be the biggest miss, but head coach P.J. Fleck should be happy with the options he has at his arsenal before hosting Virginia Tech.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 1st, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Virginia Tech’s defence has been a bit of a mixed bag this season, excelling in sacks but struggling to get off the field on third downs and limit big pass plays. With multiple starters unavailable for this game, we expect the steady Minnesota offence to move the ball with more efficiency and create significantly more scoring chances.
Fleck has a 4-1 record against the spread in bowl games and with much more firepower on his side, we are supporting the Gophers to cover the spread and have a mayo-filled celebration following the game.
Best Cricket Predictions This Week
Our weekly betting preview would not be complete without some cricket tips. It’s summer down under, so we have a busy week of cricket up ahead. Here are our recommended cricket tips.
Perth Scorchers vs. Sydney Thunder – Thunder to Win @ 2.160
The Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder will look to keep up their respective winning runs at each other’s expense when the duo lock horns at the Optus Stadium on Friday night. With both teams coming off two consecutive wins, confidence should be soaring high in both camps.
With an undefeated 48 to lead the Perth Scorchers to a seven-wicket triumph over Adelaide Strikers on New Year’s Eve, Australia all-rounder Cooper Connolly continued his outstanding run in the Big Bash. In his 35-ball innings, Connolly hammered three fours and two sixes to become the top run scorer in the competition with a haul of 229 runs in total.
The Scorchers, who climbed to second in the eight-team table after the win, chased 143 with 33 balls to spare. Finn Allen topped the scorecard with 50, and captain Ashton Turner added an undefeated 35 from 18 balls.
The second spot was previously occupied by Sydney Thunder, who claimed the position with their nail-biting eight run win against Melbourne Renegades. Returning to form with an undefeated 86 off 57 balls, Thunder skipper David Warner guided his team to a decent score of 156-4.
Wes Agar then dismantled the Renegades batting, dismissing Mackenzie Harvey and Sutherland in consecutive balls. Although Laurie Evans briefly revived their hopes with a knock of 40, Agar had him caught behind at the end of the 18th over. The right-arm pacer picked up four for 32 to limit the Renegades to 148 for eight. This was Thunder’s first win at the Sydney Showground Stadium in more than two years.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 1st, 12:00 AM (GMT)
This is a difficult match to call since both teams have shown identical form recently. Both have produced balanced performances with the ball and bat. However, we believe David Werner’s return to form slightly tilts the balance in Thunder’s favour. The former Australia captain could prove to be the difference-maker in this incredibly close contest.
While Thunder have lost their last two matches against the Scorchers, they did win in their last trip to the Optus Stadium. This is going to be a close call, no matter which way you go, so I choose to side with the underdogs.
South Africa vs. Pakistan Second Test – Pakistan to Win @ 3.030
South Africa were comfortably beaten 3-0 in their home one-day international series against Pakistan this month, but they will be hoping for a better outcome when the teams meet in the Test format. By winning the opening match of the series, they’ve proven that their position at the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings is well deserved.
While South Africa is a different beast in red ball cricket, Pakistan gave them a run for their money in the Boxing Day Test in Centurion. In a high-stakes match at SuperSport Park, The Proteas secured their place in the World Test Championship final with a thrilling two-wicket victory over the Shaheens.
Chasing a modest but challenging target of 148, South Africa was dangerously positioned at 99 for 8 just before lunch. Then Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen stood up to score the last 51 runs in a nervous ninth-wicket stand.
Mohammad Abbas, returning to the Test side after a three-year hiatus, bowled an exhausting 19.3-over spell from the Hennops River End and took a career-best 6 for 54. However, his efforts couldn’t prevent Pakistan from extending their win-less streak in South Africa, as they suffered their eighth consecutive Test defeat in the country, a streak dating back to 2007.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 1st, 12:00 AM (GMT)
The performance of his bowlers can give Shan Masood the belief that his team can end that wretched run in Cape Town. The pitch and conditions should favour seamers in this Test, with both teams possessing pace attacks capable of exploiting these factors.
While Pakistan languish in eighth place in the current ICC World Test Championship rankings, they have gone toe-to-toe with the best teams in recent matches. With newfound belief, it could prove quite rewarding to back Pakistan in this contest.
Australia vs. India Fifth Test – Draw @ 4.530
Australia lead India 2-1 following an exciting last session in the Boxing Day Test into Sydney’s fifth and last game of the series. Since their resounding triumph in the first match in Perth, the visitors have been outmatched and outclassed in practically every field, even though they still hope of departing Australia with something to show for their efforts.
A third successive series win in Aussie shores is out of the question for Rohit Sharma’s men following their 184-run loss in Melbourne. But, they can still share the spoils by winning the final Test of the series and keep hold of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India have certainly shown resilience in the first four matches. For much of the final day in Melbourne, it seemed they would leave the MCG with a draw and still have a chance to win the series. However, the Indian batting line-up faltered once again against the hosts’ lethal bowling attack.
Since scoring a largely inconsequential century in the second innings at Perth, star batter Virat Kohli has struggled to make an impact, with his highest score being just 36. Captain Rohit Sharma, meantime, has not yet achieved double figures in any of his six innings in the series.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 1st, 12:00 AM (GMT)
India came back from the brink of defeat the last time they played in Sydney. Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari put up a resilient display with the bat on the final day to grind out a remarkable draw.
The two-time ICC Test Championship silver medalists will try to put their recent hardships behind them and grab a statement victory. But, they might find it difficult to break down the home team, who knows a draw is enough to win the series. We think there is a good chance of seeing a draw in this one and getting excellent returns at bookmaker Pinnacle.
Best Football Predictions This Week
The fixtures are coming in thick and fast in the Premier League. Here are the best betting tips for English top-flight matches this weekend.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United – Total Over 3.75 Goals @ 2.080
Newcastle will look to extend their winning streak to five league games as they take on Tottenham in North London. The Magpies come into this fixture on the back of a commanding 2-0 victory at Manchester United on Monday, which saw them climb to fifth in the table. They also defeated Spurs 2-1 in their earlier clash this season.
Tottenham, on the other hand, are struggling for form. A two-all draw with Wolves on Sunday marked their third straight league match without a win, leaving Ange Postecoglou’s side sitting 11th in the standings.
The Lilywhites have been shambolic at the back this season. They have shipped 28 goals in the league so far, with only Aston Villa (32) having a worse defensive record among teams in the current Premier League top 11.
Adding to their defensive troubles, Spurs saw Destiny Udogie sidelined with injury and Rodrigo Bentancur suspended following the Wolves match. With Udogie unavailable, Ange Postecoglou will head into Saturday’s clash without four defenders, his first-choice goalkeeper, and a starting defensive midfielder. It’s a daunting challenge, particularly against a Newcastle attack that produced 2.15 post-shot expected goals in the last meeting between the two sides.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 1st, 12:00 AM (GMT)
While Tottenham have struggled to keep clean-sheets this season, they have been contrastingly better in the other end of the pitch. Spurs have scored 41 goals in the 2024/25 Premier League season, second only to league leaders Liverpool, who have netted 45.
Newcastle have been in free-scoring form lately as well. Eddie Howe’s men found the back of the net 15 times in the last three matches. With Tottenham missing so many key defensive players, the stage seems set for a high-scoring affair. We’re backing over 3.75 goals, with bookmaker Pinnacle offering odds of 2.080.
Bournemouth vs. Everton – Total Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.020
Bournemouth welcome Everton at Vitality Stadium on Saturday. Though both clubs might have started the season with similar goals, they suddenly find themselves on somewhat distinct paths. Everton are expectedly in a relegation fight, but the Cherries have become surprise contenders for European spots this season.
Bournemouth’s season has been nothing short of impressive, with the club firmly in the mix for European qualification. Sitting seventh in the table, they are unbeaten in seven matches, including four wins.
With 30 points from 19 games, they trail fourth-placed Chelsea by just five points. Just five points off Chelsea in fourth, a win against the Toffees could push them even higher up the table.
Everton, meanwhile, are still battling at the bottom of the table. A recent home loss to Nottingham Forest broke a four-match unbeaten run with three outstanding draws against Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea. Despite their efforts, they’ve only managed to build a slender two-point gap from the relegation zone, leaving little room for comfort.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 1st, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Goals are likely to be scarce in this encounter, with Everton’s solid defence playing a key role. They’ve conceded just three goals in their last five matches, despite coming up against three Big Six teams. Bournemouth have scored eight goals in their recent fixtures, but their home form has been less inspiring, with just one goal at the Vitality Stadium during this period.
Everton’s struggles in front of goal are also telling. The Merseysiders have scored 15 goals this season, which is the second worst in the league. All things considered, backing under 2.5 goals seems a safe bet for this match. Bookmaker Pinnacle offers more than 2x return for this particular outcome.
Aston Villa vs. Leicester City – Both Teams to Score & Villa to Win @ 3.040
Villa Park hosts the Midlands Derby between Aston Villa and Leicester on Saturday afternoon. Both are keen to recover from unsatisfactory ends to 2024. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Foxes head to Villa Park on the back of a four-match losing run, while Villa, despite their Champions League campaign, are finding it tough to keep up with the top four this season.
Aston Villa have claimed just one win in their last four matches, after a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton in their most recent outing. Despite sitting in ninth place, they are only three points adrift of fifth-placed Newcastle. Unai Emery’s side have had their fair share of inconsistencies, but a victory here could see them move ahead of several teams.
Leicester will be expecting a positive outcome so that it may approach safety. The Foxes have struggled under new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, failing to win any of their last five games—four of which have been straight losses. Now, Leicester are the second-bottom team in the standings with two points behind 17th placed Wolves.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 1st, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last five matches in front of their home crowd. This should be an easy win for Villa, but we believe both teams will score since none of them have clean-sheets in their last five matches.
The Best Bets to Make This Week
As always, we will have a brief look at our betting picks again before saying our goodbyes. Here they are:
- Byeong Hun An to win The PGA Sentry @ 38.090
- Duke vs. Mississippi – under 51 @ 1.934
- North Texas vs. Texas State – North Texas to cover +13.5 spread @ 1.917
- Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech – Minnesota to cover -9.0 spread @ 1.917
- Perth Scorchers vs. Sydney Thunder – Thunder to win @ 2.160
- South Africa vs. Pakistan second Test – Pakistan to win @ 3.030
- Australia vs. India fifth Test – draw @ 4.530
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United – total over 3.75 goals @ 2.080
- Bournemouth vs. Everton – total under 2.5 goals @ 2.020
- Aston Villa vs. Leicester City – both teams to score & Villa to win @ 3.040
Byeong Hun An is our most audacious pick of the week. The South Korean golfer has shown great performance on his past trips to Hawaii, hence we think bookmaker Pinnacle has tabled an irresistible opportunity here. If you are looking for a large payday this week, we advise supporting An to take home the PGA Sentry trophy this weekend.
