The first month of the new year is almost behind us and the sports calendar is getting busier. We have some big events heading our way over the coming week, including the 2025 Six Nations Championship.q
The marquee rugby event features strongly in our best bets to make this week, while we’ve also got tips on boxing, MMA, cricket, and golf. Bookmaker William Hill has partnered with us this week to bring you the best sports betting deals across multiple disciplines.
Best Rugby Union Predictions This Week
The Six Nations Championship 2025 will get underway with its first round of fixtures this weekend. Here’s how our betting strategy is shaping up for the competition.
France to Win Outright @ 2.62
Ireland are on the brink of making history. They have won the last two editions of the tournament and if they can retain their crown once again, Ireland would be the first team in Six Nations history to win three titles in a row. The team will head into their first Six Nations challenge on the back of a three match winning run, but why don’t we feel optimistic of another successful Ireland title charge?
Team Ireland will not have their charismatic head coach Andy Farrell in the dugout as they prepare to lock horns with arch-rivals England for their Six Nations opener. Defence coach Simon Easterby will be stepping in, but there is no guarantee that he can bring the tactical acumen and flair of the British & Irish Lions boss. Last year, Ireland made do without their legendary fly half Johnny Sexton, but Farrell could be too big of a loss.
That brings us to France, a team that seems set to end their three-year wait for the Six Nations crown. Les Bleus finished five points behind Ireland in their last campaign to settle for second place. But this year, Lady Luck could be on their side.
The magnificent Antoine Dupont will be available from the first week, and Romain Ntamack is also in excellent form. There are some absentees, of course, but at this point, it seems unlikely that France boss Fabien Galthie would be losing sleep over any of them.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 29th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
What about the other teams? Having lost seven of their last 10 Tests, England don’t seem fit for title conversations at the moment. Although England head coach Steve Borthwick is under great pressure to improve the performance of his squad, an opening-day encounter with arch-rivals Ireland on enemy territory is far from perfect for igniting a rebirth. So, we don’t have high hopes for England.
Scotland come to the tournament with dark horse pedigree as always. They do have a good team on paper, but we would not put them ahead of the high-flying France. Wales will be taking the field hoping to avoid their 13th successive defeat, so they don’t seem championship material at the moment either.
Italy had a remarkable campaign last year, but they could only finish fifth. The Azzurri will consider another finish above the bottom place as success. Therefore, not even the most optimistic Italy fan can see their team lifting the trophy come mid-March.
For this reason, we’re backing bookmaker William Hill’s odds of 2.62 for France to win the Six Nations title.
Louise Bielle Bierry Top Try Scorer @ 5.00
With the former back to his best and the latter blazing whether at full-back or on the flank, Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey have wreaked havoc for Bordeaux Begles. Now the duo was set to bring their dynamism to the France national team at Six Nations.
But Penaud got ruled out of the opener against Wales, so his younger try-scoring partner should move up the pitch. Bielle-Biarrey can make life difficult for a struggling Wales defence with his blazing speed and have lots of scoring opportunities.
Having already crossed the whitewash ten times in just 14 appearances for France, Bielle-Biarrey has a team-high five tries in 2024. He is a deadly attacking threat with his incredible speed and deft ability to slice through defensive gaps.
Of the 415 players to have played for more than 80 minutes in a tier one international in 2024, Bielle-Biarrey led the way in line breaks per 80 minutes, averaging 2.3. With four of his five tries last year coming from kicks in behind, his pace is a horror for high-pressing defenders or those struggling in retreat.
France adopts one of the more spacious styles in the Six Nations under Fabien Galthie. For a finisher like Bielle-Biarrey, France’s offloading game, fast ruck speed, and fluid back-line movement offer the perfect conditions. He will get lots of quality ball in space with playmakers like Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack pulling the strings.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 29th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Bielle-Biarrey is not only a gifted winger; he is a player with years of potential to rule European rugby. He stood out for his confidence, grace, and performance on the largest platform. With the quality around him, the 21-year-old seems to be the perfect player to pick for the top try scorer market.
France to Cover 25.5 Spread Against Wales @ 1.80
With a Friday night clash in Paris, France and Wales start the 2025 Six Nations. Setting the tone for a title bid against two-time reigning champions Ireland, Les Bleus will be seeking a solid start to support their standing as tournament favourites.
France are desperate to take back the trophy they last won with their Grand Slam victory after finishing runners-up to Andy Farrell’s side in the past two seasons.
The return of Antoine Dupont, who missed last year’s Six Nations in order to pursue rugby sevens glory at the home Olympics—a dream he satisfied with gold—has given France’s title ambitions a big boost.
It’s a tough opening test for Wales, who endured a dreadful 2024—their worst year on record—and enter the Six Nations on a bruising run of 12 straight Test defeats. Though Warren Gatland is still in command for now, his future has been thrown into doubt following a poor run of form whereby Wales acquired their first Six Nations wooden spoon since 2003 last year.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 29th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
This is a clash between two teams who have had contrasting experiences on the pitch lately. Galthie’s team should believe that they can get a big win at home against a team that did not win a single Test since the 2023 World Cup.
France have picked up 20+ points victories against Wales in their last two meetings. The Dragons have suffered defeats by more than 30 points in their most recent pair of outings. So, we think France have an excellent chance of covering a -25.5 handicap in this tie.
Best Boxing Predictions This Week
We are about to enjoy another boxing-heavy weekend, so fights from both sides of the Atlantic have made it into our weekly betting predictions.
Adam Azim vs. Sergey Lipinets – Azim to Win by Decision @ 3.00
As undefeated Adam Azim confronts former IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Sergey Lipinets, the OVO Arena Wembley crowd are up for a 12-round junior welterweight treat. Azim’s last outing was in October, where he stopped Ohara Davies in the eighth round.
Lipinets, meanwhile, triumphed over Robbie Davies in May, securing a unanimous decision after dropping him in the fifth and twice in the eighth round of a thrilling contest. The contest is for the vacant IBO Junior Welterweight Belt.
Having a perfect 12-0 record with nine knockouts, Azim has a 75% knockout ratio. Although he stopped his last three opponents, the 22-year-old travelled the distance in his last two battles. Azim turned professional in 2020 and had an outstanding amateur career, ranking as the top welterweight young amateur worldwide and won ten national titles. His professional experience counts to 59 rounds.
Stopping Anthony Loffet in just 66 seconds, Azim captured the WBC Young Inter-Continental Super Lightweight Title in 2022. After putting Franck Petitjean down in the fifth round, he then went on to secure a 10th-round TKO over him in November 2023, therefore winning the European Crown. Azim will have another challenging test this weekend against Sergey Lipinets after stepping up in class against Ohara Davies on his last outing.
Sergey Lipinets won the vacant championship in November 2017 unanimously over Akihiro Kondo. The former IBF Super Lightweight Champion now holds a record of 18-3-1, with 13 knockouts.
Known for his strength, 72.2% of his victories come by stoppage. With a two-win, two-loss record over that run, he has stopped just one of his last five opponents though. After a strong amateur career, Lipinets went professional in 2014 and also has the WAKO Kickboxing Champions title in his cabinet.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 29th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Both Lipinets and Azim are strong punchers, but the Kazakhstani was also on the receiving end of one. Lipinets has significantly more experience versus top competition, but he is now 35 years old and has been nowhere near his best lately. Azim should win this fight, but since this is a significant step up for him, we expect him to win by decision.
Isaac Cruz vs. Angel Fierro – Cruz to Win by KO @ 2.00
Isaac Cruz and Angel Fierro will square off in an all-Mexican clash on the undercard of the exciting light heavyweight bout between David Benavidez and David Morrell at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on February 1.
Having lost to southpaw Jose Valenzuela on his last outing, Cruz returns to the ring with a 26-3-1 record. Having a 25-2-2 record, Fierro will be making just his third US visit during his career.
Following a loss of the WBA super lightweight title in his first defence back in August, Cruz hopes to once more be in world title contention. The Mexico City man put together a 19-1-1 record before stepping into the limelight of the global boxing scene.
His first high-profile win came against former world championship challenger Diego Magdaleno on the undercard of Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz in October 2020. He would then defeat the likes of Francisco Vargas and Yuriorkis Gamboa to set up a WBA super lightweight title fight against Rolando Romero “Rolly”.
Cruz claimed the title but lost it in his first defence, suffering a split decision defeat to Jose Valenzuela. Now he wants to turn around by beating Fierro.
Fierro is on the verge of breaking into the world stage, and a victory over Isaac Cruz will bring him much-needed attention. Known for his knockout power, Fierro enjoyed a successful 2023, stopping Eduardo Estela in March before securing a split decision victory over the dangerous Brayan Zamarripa six months later.
Fierro, an exciting and all-action fighter, is getting ready for the biggest challenge of his career against former world champion Cruz. A win would put him in reach of his own world title shot.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 29th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
This is a damage control mission for Cruz, while Fierro will feel he’s standing at the stepping stone to greater heights. This should be a high-octane slugfest, but experience should draw the line between the two fighters. We believe Cruz will knock out Fierro at some point of the bout.
Bookmaker William Hill is offering odds of 2.00 for a Cruz knockout win, which we believe is excellent value.
Brandon Figueroa vs. Stephen Fulton Jr. 2 – Figueroa to Win by KO @ 3.75
Three years after their first epic clash, Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton are scheduled to collide once more, this time for the WBC featherweight Green and Gold Belt at the T-Mobile Arena as well.
The two were considered a premium pairing when they fought in 2021. Fulton had the upper hand in their last fight, but the result was heavily debated by fans. The rematch offers a chance to right the score and let the winner assert dominance in the featherweight class.
Figueroa comes into the fight as the WBC Interim Featherweight Champion, meaning there’s a title at stake, which raises the stakes even further. Both boxers want to rule the division and finally unite the championships; a triumph in this bout will start that process.
Figueroa has built a reputation as one of the most relentless fighters in boxing, with a record of 25-1-1 and 19 knockouts. His work rate and unyielding pressure make him a fan favourite. Standing 5’9″ with a reach of 72.5 inches, he has the physical qualities required to excel in close quarters and overwhelms his opponent with a body shot assault and well-timed combo.
With a 22-1-0 record and eight knockouts, Fulton Jr. is a boxer that epitomises the craft. His strong points include counter-punching, footwork, and great ring IQ. He is almost 5’9″ and has a 70.5-inch reach, so he does not have the most imposing physique. But, he compensates for his physical limitations with precise timing and a flexible approach.
When the Philadelphian defeated Figueroa before, he demonstrated flawless accuracy, strong defence, and superb timing to counter pressure. Although his lack of knockout capability is sometimes considered as a drawback, his accuracy has driven him to 22 professional wins.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 29th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Fulton received quite a beating against Naoya Inoue in 2023. While Cool Boy Steph bounced back with a split decision victory against Carlos Castro last year, Figueroa would be a much stronger challenge. We think Figueroa has the potential to clinch a KO win in this bout.
Best MMA Predictions This Week
This Saturday the UFC is scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia, carrying with it the kind of stacked cards we have lately come to know from events in the Kingdom. Here are our top betting picks for the event:
Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Jamal Pogues – Abdelwahab to Win @ 1.91
Before Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov meet in the headline event of the night, Hamdy Abdelwahab and Jamal Pogues will share the Octagon for a three-round heavyweight battle.
Along with a stunning knockout punch, undefeated Egyptian powerhouse Abdelwahab adds his top Greco-Roman wrestling talents to the heavyweight class. With his constant forward pressure and explosive style, he is a great early-round threat and has stopped every opponent he has faced in the first round.
In his most recent bout, the Hammer faced Don’Tale Mayes, but the fight was ruled a no contest after Abdelwahab failed a drug test in round three. Mayes landed 54 out of 123 strikes, while Abdelwahab had a solid performance, landing 106 of 164 total strikes.
Pogues, a technical heavyweight with a strong all-around game, might not have Abdelwahab’s knockout force, but his fight IQ and durability are first-rate. He secures victories through precise striking and strong defensive grappling, and his experience against higher-level competition helps him stifle aggressive opponents. Jamal Pogues won his last Octagon outing against Thomas Petersen, claiming a unanimous decision victory in round three.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 29th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
With all of his victories coming in the first round, Abdelwahab has shown knockout ability and excels on aggressive pressure. His physical strengths—such as reach and explosiveness—will enable him to rapidly close the distance and involve Pogues in exchanges that suit his heavy-handed technique.
Abdelwahab might prove too much to handle for Pogues. We are expecting him to extend his unbeaten UFC run to six bouts and reward his backers with a 1.91x return at bookmaker William Hill.
Bogdan Grad vs. Lucas Alexander – Alexander to Win by Decision @ 3.75
The UFC 250 Fight Night card includes a featherweight clash between Bogdan Grad and Lucas Alexander. This bout is the second on the preliminary card, part of 11 total fights. Here’s a quick preview of what to expect and who might be the better bet.
Having competed in both Dana White’s Contender Series and Cage Fight Series, Grad now prepares to make his UFC debut. He scored seven victories in CFS, mostly via knockout. His most recent triumph came from a split decision over Michael Aswell in Contender Series 2024. Prior to that, he defeated Caiona Batista with a guillotine choke and Breno Marinho with a flying knee.
Grad lost a first-round TKO to Tom Nolan at the Contender Series. He had earlier defeated Renzo Mendez by majority decision and Tudor Dermenji. Ranked 106th in the MMA featherweight class right now, he also competed at Blood Fight League where he lost by unanimous decision against Andrei Caraus.
Alexander’s most recent outing ended in a loss to Jeka Saragih at UFC Fight Night. He has earned one win and two defeats since joining the organisation in 2022; his only UFC victory came by unanimous decision against Steven Peterson.
Previous losses for the Lion came from submission to Matheus Pereira and Rogelio Gonzalez and from rear-naked choke submission to Joanderson Brito. He started his pro career against Vicente Marquez in Portugal, then faced Erick Rocha at NCE 11.
Through knockout and decision, he compiled an outstanding five-fight winning run in 2019 against Jacob Kilburn, Ty Johnson, Reginald Mack II, Carlos Guerra, and Jeremias Fernandez.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 29th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
After two losses in the UFC, Alexander is keen to get back to winning ways, while newcomer Grad hopes to impress following his close win at Dana White’s Contender Series. Alexander has the height and reach advantage as well as UFC experience, which might equip him to offset Grad’s punch-heavy strategy with kick finishes.
We predict Alexander to win by decision in this one.
Best Cricket Prediction This Week
England are currently touring India for a T20I and an ODI series. Here’s our betting prediction for the fourth T20I of the series:
India vs. England Fourth T20I: Jos Buttler Top England Batter @ 3.10
India and England will lock horns in Pune for the fourth T20I of the bilateral series. The hosts could have bagged the series by winning the last match, but England responded remarkably after losing the first two matches.
Complementing a brilliant performance from Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and Jamie Overton claimed seven wickets between them to break India’s 10-match undefeated run in home conditions.
England was asked to bat for the third consecutive match; their score of 171 for 9 seemed somewhat low, particularly considering their good position at 83 for 1 in the ninth over.
But the total proved sufficient after the away bowlers managed to put the shackle on the home team’s batting lineup. After batting the full 20 overs, India limped to 145 runs, 27 runs short of the target.
Jos Buttler will expect another commanding performance from his team in Pune to keep the series alive. England can’t afford to lose any more matches in the series if they are to stay in contention, and Buttler’s batting will play a crucial role in keeping them in the race.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 29th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
The English captain has been in excellent form. He is the top scorer of the series with 137 runs to his name. Buttler played an incredible knock of 68 off 44 balls in the first T20, even though England could only manage 132 runs. We expect Buttler to deliver once again and finish the fourth T20I as the top-scoring English batsman.
Best Golf Prediction This Week
PGA Tour comes to one of its most iconic venues with the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2025 this week. Here’s who we think will win the tournament:
Justin Thomas to Win @ 15.00
Choosing an American to win at Pebble Beach is usually wise, and Scottie Scheffler would normally rank highest on that list. Still, it’s interesting to consider other strong competitors from the United States given the World No. 1 is returning from hand surgery following an odd Christmas dinner accident.
The betting market highlights three key contenders: Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, and Patrick Cantlay. With Thomas coming close twice in recent outings, we are backing him at 15.00 on bookmaker William Hill.
Having finished second at the ZOZO Championship in Japan and once more at The American Express this month, the Ryder Cup star has been in great form. Including sixth place at this particular tournament last year, the two-time major champion has scored four top-six results in his last five California outings.
So far in 2025, he has gained strokes with his putter in both tournaments he has entered. The last time he managed back-to-back gains with the flat stick was in July, during the Scottish Open and The Open Championship.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 29th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Form and conditions are in favour of a Thomas victory here. So, we can’t think of a better participant to back in this tournament this week.
The Best Bets to Make This Week
That’s it for this week, everyone! But before we go, let’s have a look at our betting picks once again:
- France to win Six Nations Championship 2025 @ 2.62
- Louise Bielle Bierry top try scorer @ 5.00
- France to cover 25.5 spread against Wales @ 1.80
- Adam Azim vs. Sergey Lipinets – Azim to win by decision @ 3.00
- Isaac Cruz vs. Angel Fierro – Cruz to win by KO @ 2.00
- Brandon Figueroa vs. Stephen Fulton Jr. 2 – Figueroa to win by KO @ 3.75
- Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Jamal Pogues – Abdelwahab to win @ 1.91
- Bogdan Grad vs. Lucas Alexander – Alexander to win by decision @ 3.75
- India vs. England fourth T20I: Jos Buttler top England batter @ 3.10
- Justin Thomas to win AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2025 @ 15.00
Betting on Justin Thomas lifting the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2025 trophy is the most lucrative prediction we suggest this week. Thomas comes into the competition in excellent form, so trusting him could prove incredibly rewarding.
