Another thrilling week of sports events is here, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. From the Octagon to the pitch and the rugby field, intense action awaits sports fans.
In the spotlight this week is the UFC Fight Night 253 main event, where rising flyweight Asu Almabaev clashes with explosive striker Manel Kape in a battle of styles that speaks high voltage. Meanwhile, Serie A heats up as Bologna, the season’s Cinderella story, faces a stern test against European giants AC Milan in a match that could reshape the league’s top-four race. And to kick off the NRL season with a bang, the Canberra Raiders and New Zealand Warriors collide in a renewed rivalry, where raw physicality and redemption narratives take centre stage.
We’ve analysed these events and come up with the 10 best bets to make this week, using odds from bookmaker Pinnacle. Whether you’re here for the technical chess match in the UFC, the tactical drama of Italian football, or the bone-crunching intensity of rugby league, we’ve got something for everyone.
Best Boxing Predictions This Week
Let’s start with three betting picks for three exciting bouts on both sides of the Atlantic. Lewis Crocker vs. Paddy Donovan comes first.
Lewis Crocker vs. Paddy Donovan – Crocker to Win @ 1.943
Crocker and Donovan will headline the “Point of Pride” card at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Saturday night. Since this is an IBF welterweight title fight eliminator, this all-Irish clash is a major battle for both. A victory in this one will place the winner only a fight away from a world title.
British boxing fans adore Crocker as one of the biggest entertainers inside the ring. He currently has an invincible record of 20-0, with only one shy of a dozen KO wins. Pushing forward with a high guard, Crocker relentlessly seeks openings to inflict damage.
Despite being a crowd-pleaser, the 28-year-old has his weaknesses. His decision to stay in range led to a firefight with Conah Walker in June. While this approach helps him maintain pressure, it also gives opponents openings to land their own shots. This is a vulnerability Donovan will seek to exploit.
Donovan has a strong amateur background, the looks of a K-pop star, and the guidance of former world champion Andy Lee. This is quite an interesting mix, which prompted Top Rank to sign him up on a promotional contract.
Like his next opponent, Donovan is yet to taste defeat. He has stretched his winning streak to 14 fights, matching Crocker’s tally of knockout victories. However, the Limerick man may feel he should have progressed further by now if not for circumstances holding him back.
Donovan travels to Belfast fueled by a determination to leave his injury and pandemic-induced struggles behind.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: February 26th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Donovan has declared that he will knock out Crocker in front of his hometown fans. However, that won’t be an easy feat, considering the fight will take place at the Croc’s den. Donovan appears to be the more polished and technically superior boxer, but the outcome of a fight can be influenced by factors beyond pure skill.
If Crocker can deflect Donovan’s counters with his high guard and fire back with damaging punches, we predict he will pull off a huge victory on home soil.
Sandor Martin vs. Alberto Puello – Puello to Win @ 1.800
Sandor Martin and Alberto Puello go head to head in one of the three world title fights taking place on Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Puello will defend his WBC super lightweight strap against Puello before Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach face off in the main event.
Puello is eager to retain his title, but Martin, who has yet to push his career to the next level, will throw everything into disrupting his plans. On paper, this looks like a battle of equals.
The Barcelona-born Martin, starting his pro career in 2011, brings significantly more experience than his Dominican rival, who began in 2015. However, Puello’s 23-0 record speaks for itself. Martin, on the other hand, has a 42-3 record in his 45-fight career.
None of these fighters are quick finishers. Martin has a knockout rate of 36% in his large career. Puello’s knockout ratio is slightly higher at 44%, but it doesn’t put him on par with the division’s best punchers.
Puello also holds a slight physical edge over Martin. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, he has a two-inch height advantage over his opponent, who measures 5 feet 7 inches. The Dominican also enjoys a reach advantage, stretching 71 inches against Martin’s 69 inches.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: February 26th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Martin has a wealth of experience and he is still only 31 years old. That said, he has not been very active in recent years. The European super lightweight champion will be stepping inside the ring for the first time since beating Mohamed El Marcouchi in December 2023. He might have to overcome significant ring rust to challenge Puello.
Puello has been more active in recent times, and he has fought more high-profile fighters. He beat Batyr Akhmedov in 2022 to win the WBA super lightweight title. Two years later, he added the WBC belt to his haul with a win against Gary Antuanne Russell.
A win for Puello seems to be almost inevitable in this bout. Therefore, we like the price bookmaker Pinnacle is offering for a Puello victory.
Lamont Roach vs. Gervonta Davis – Under 8.5 Rounds @ 1.884
Roach and Davis will treat the Barclays Center crowd to a WBA lightweight title fight after an exciting undercard display.
Davis remains undefeated at 30-0, with an astonishing 28 knockouts. Davis has fought just 138 rounds since his 2013 professional debut, thanks to his exceptional power. Some of the scalps he has knocked out include Rolando Romero, Leo Santa Cruz, Ricardo Nunez, Jesus Cuellar, Hugo Ruiz, Jose Pedraza – certainly not fighters to sneeze at.
Holding a remarkable 93.3% knockout ratio, Davis has only seen the final bell twice as a pro—once against German Meraz in a six-round bout in 2014 and again versus Isaac Cruz in December 2021.
The Tank secured the vacant WBA lightweight Belt in December 2019 with a 12th-round stoppage of Yuriorkis Gamboa. He successfully defended it a year later with a sixth-round knockout of Leo Santa Cruz before moving up in weight to defeat Mario Barrios for the WBA super lightweight title.
With a record of 25-1-1 and 10 knockouts, Roach Jr. has fought 172 rounds since his professional debut in 2014. The 29-year-old has fought 34 rounds more than Davis, even though he started his professional career a year after the Baltimore native. He measures 5 feet 7 inches tall with a 68-inch reach, giving him a slight 1.5-inch height edge over Davis.
USA Boxing honoured Roach in 2013 as the most outstanding American boxer after he clinched the National Golden Gloves title in the 132lb division. His CV also features five Ringside World Championship titles, a National PAL Championship in 2011, and two Junior National Golden Gloves titles.
Since turning professional, he has picked up highlight wins over Rene Alvarado, Jonathan Oquendo, Alberto Mercado, Rey Perez, Luis Hinojosa, and Alejandro Valdez.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: February 26th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
We will bet on the under market in this fight for obvious reasons. Needless to say, this is going to be a boxing spectacle between two excellent fighters. But, Davis has a clear edge in power. Roach could make him work in the early rounds, but we don’t see this lasting beyond the seventh round.
Best MMA Predictions This Week
UFC Fight Night 253 heads to Las Vegas on Saturday night. Here are our three top picks for the event:
Luana Carolina vs. Montana De La Rosa – Carolina to Win @ 1.714
The UFC Fight Night 253 preliminaries have Montana De La Rosa and Luana Carolina scheduled for a women’s flyweight fight. With both fighters coming off victories, they’ll be determined to keep their momentum going—though only one will emerge with a streak intact.
La Rosa, heading into this weekend, has a 13-9-1 professional MMA record. She dropped three of her last four fights but won her most recent one against Andrea Lee. However, that victory has a large question mark hovering over it since Lee has struggled significantly in recent years, with eight losses in her last 10 UFC outings.
When La Rosa steps into the Octagon, there’s a strong chance the fight will go the distance. In seven of her past nine fights—including her June 2024 split decision victory against Lee—judges intervened. Although a drawn-out race might work for her, her recent difficulties call into doubt whether she can really maximise the later rounds.
Riding a three-fight winning run, Carolina is set to square off against La Rosa. Her most recent triumph, an easy decision against Lucie Pudilova, has lined her up for a possible fourth straight triumph, increasing her career-winning percentage to 80%.
Carolina is enjoying the best spell of her UFC career. Her recent form saw her bag five wins in seven matches. Now, she stands on the verge of cracking the top 15 in the flyweight rankings.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: February 26th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
As things stand, it’s hard to be optimistic for La Rosa in this fight. The flyweight veteran has struggled against quality opposition, and Carolina seems too hot for her to handle now. We will be surprised if the 31-year-old cannot continue her winning run.
So, we are taking up bookmaker Pinnacle’s offer of a potential 1.714x return on a Carolina win.
Julian Marquez vs. Cody Brundage – Marquez to Win @ 1.740
Julian Marquez and Cody Brundage are all set to co-main the UFC Fight Night 253 in the middleweight bout on March 2. Both fighters come into the face-off with a win-less 2024, so the stakes will be higher than ever for them.
Marquez, “The Cuban Missile Crisis”, enters this fight with a solid 9-5-0 professional MMA record. He has built a reputation as a high-pressure striker who relentlessly pushes forward, using a stand-up game to overwhelm his opponents.
His aggressive approach has won him accolades in regional promotions, but it also leaves him somewhat exposed to take-downs. As well as this, he has been going through tough times for the last few years where he has been knocked out in all three of his most recent fights.
Opposite him, Brundage, with a professional record of 10-6-0-1, has seen more action despite starting his UFC career years after Marquez. He relies on a well-rounded skill set anchored in collegiate wrestling and solid grappling.
Though his striking is still evolving, Brundage’s methodical approach, marked by smart clinch work and effective ground control, could disrupt Marquez’s rhythm. However, Brundage, too, has been struggling for the last few of his bouts, seeing only two wins in the last five. In his last bout, he was submitted by Bo Nickal, so he may not be fully confident about his strength, and his ground game.
Marquez will look to keep the fight on the feet and capitalise on his striking power. On the other hand, Brundage will aim to neutralise that offence with his grappling and take-down strategies.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: February 26th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
The outcome of the fight will likely hinge on whether Marquez’s offensive barrage can override Brundage’s calculated control on the ground. However, we predict that the former will prevail because of his striking superiority and experience of fighting against more capable fighters.
So, we are taking up bookmaker Pinnacle’s offer of a potential 1.740x return on a Marquez win.
Asu Almabaev vs. Manel Kape – Fight Over 4.5 Rounds @ 1.740
UFC Fight Night 253 has Asu Almabaev and Manel Kape slated to clash inside the Octagon on March 2 as the main event. Both fighters, rising stars of the flyweight division, will face off with distinctive styles and ambitions.
Almabaev enters the bout with a stellar record of 21-2-0, having a fighting style of technical striking and solid grappling. His game plan is a mix of controlling opponents on the ground and dominating with crisp stand-up skills. This has been evident in his record, winning all five of his last bouts. However, his tendency to rely on clinch work and ground exchanges could leave him exposed to a high-tempo striker.
Conversely, Kape, with a record of 20-7-0, has carved out a reputation as an explosive finisher, with his career punctuated by early knockouts and a lightning-quick stand-up game. His aggressive approach and rapid-fire combinations make him a dangerous opponent on the feet. He is now ranked sixth in his division, winning four of his last five encounters. That said, Kape’s focus on speed and striking power only might prove risky if he is forced into prolonged grappling exchanges.
As the fight unfolds, Almabaev will likely look to mix his grappling with technical strikes to dictate the pace. He will aim to neutralise Kape’s early aggression and take control on the ground. Meanwhile, Kape is expected to press forward, keeping the bout at a stand-up pace to capitalise on his speed and knockout power.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: February 26th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
There is a strong indication that Almabaev will take Kape to ground for grappling battles multiple times in the bout, which should mean that the match will get well past the initial rounds. Moreover, we all know that a good match-up of a strong ground game and explosive striking power only means a tight match.
This is why we are taking up bookmaker Pinnacle’s offer of a potential 1.740x return on the fight to be over 4.5 rounds.
Best Football Predictions This Week
Bologna vs. AC Milan – Milan to Win @ 2.640
AC Milan is preparing to visit Stadio Renato Dall’Ara to face Bologna in a classic Serie A encounter. The match set to take place on Friday will be a hard one to predict for any analyst, let alone a football fan.
AC Milan’s recent troubles continue to mount after a disastrous week that saw them exit Europe in humiliating fashion and then succumb to a 2-1 defeat at Torino. The Rossoneri’s calamity began in the Champions League playoffs against an injury-ravaged Feyenoord, where victory slipped away, only to be compounded by a clumsy performance in Serie A. Malick Thiaw scored two own goals in a single match, a rare and disconcerting blunder, while Christian Pulisic’s penalty fizzled after a series of impressive saves by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Their recent form is equally troubling away from home, having lost four of their last five matches across all competitions. These inconsistencies have cast a long shadow over their campaign and leave them vulnerable heading into a fixture against a Bologna side that has repeatedly made Stadio Renato Dall’Ara a fortress.
Bologna currently stands eighth in the league table, just behind AC Milan with equal 41 points. They are in flying form, with a single loss in their last six league encounters. Although a 2-0 loss to Parma briefly interrupted their unbeaten run, the Emilian outfit remains focused on climbing the standings to secure European football.
Milan, hampered further by injury concerns with key players like Loftus-Cheek and Kyle Walker sidelined, may resort to a makeshift back-line. With Bologna enjoying a more settled setup, pundits expect a tight, low-scoring affair.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: February 26th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Even with Milan’s current form, we cannot just ignore the fact that they have yet to lose a single match in their last 17 league meetings with Bologna. This speaks volumes. With Bologna losing their unbeaten streak to 17th-placed Parma, it’s more plausible than ever that AC Milan will come victorious against them.
As a result, we like the look of bookmaker Pinnacle’s offer of a potential 2.640x return on an AC Milan win.
RB Leipzig vs. Mainz 05 – Leipzig to Win @ 1.970
RB Leipzig is set to take on Mainz 05 in a Bundesliga encounter at their home venue on Saturday. The fifth and sixth place holders will look to win to get into the fourth place and ensure a European qualification with a win.
RB Leipzig is having a decent run for the last few games except for their 1-0 loss against SK Sturm Graz at the UCL. They have secured three victories and two draws out of their last six home matches in the Bundesliga. Goals from Sesko and Lois Openda provided a glimpse of their attacking potential In their last match against FC Heidenheim 1846. But their defensive lapses ought to be mentioned, which prevented a full victory.
Mainz has been performing well in their recent encounters, winning three out of their last six matches in the Bundesliga. They will be buoyed by their latest 2-0 home win over FC St. Pauli, where Paul Nebel and Lee Jae Sung each found the net. The 05ers have built a reputation for a resilient defensive setup, ranking second in the league in goals conceded with just 24 in 23 matches. Offensively, they average 1.6 goals per game and boast a superior +13 goal differential, the fourth-best in the league.
Sesko will be pivotal for Leipzig in the Mainz encounter, as he has been the key contributor for the team. He has till now provided 10 goals alongside three assists. Xavi Simons and Willi Orban will also add a further dimension to their forward play. For Mainz, Jonathan Burkardt is the primary catalyst, complemented by Lee Jae Sung’s six-goal, three-assist tally, and Nebel’s efficiency, recording six goals. Overall, the stats indicate a tough fight.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: February 26th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
The Leipzig and Mainz match-up definitely promises to be a tactical battle. Leipzig’s quest to improve their offensive strength and Mainz’s sturdy defensive form set the stage for a tight contest, road to the fourth place.
However, given the dominating stats of Leipzig against Mainz in their previous encounters and the fact that the game is taking place on their home ground, it’s safe to say that RB Leipzig will come out victorious. Take the odds of 1.970 at bookmaker Pinnacle on an RB Leipzig win.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Sevilla FC – Rayo Vallecano to Win @ 2.390
Sevilla FC is all set to visit the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas to face off against Rayo Vallecano in a Lalga encounter on Saturday, March 1st. With Rayo currently occupying sixth place and eyeing European qualification, and Sevilla struggling in the lower mid-table with continental hopes dwindling, this matchday 26 encounter promises high stakes.
Rayo Vallecano has been one of the season’s surprises, bagging till now 35 points from 25 matches. Under manager Iñigo Pérez Soto, they’ve developed an effective playing style characterised by defensive solidity and sharp counter-attacks. Their home record has been key to their ascent. However, their last two defeats have been a blow to their splendid consistency. A narrow 1-0 defeat to Villarreal and another expected 1-0 loss against Barcelona may have eroded their season-long confidence a bit.
Sevilla FC, on the other hand, has struggled to find a rhythm this season. Managed by Francisco Javier García Pimienta, the Andalusian outfit sits uncomfortably in 13th place after 24 matches. They have only seen a single win in their last five encounters in La Liga. Their away form has been particularly concerning, with only three wins during the whole season till now. Another alarming is their goal differential of minus five. Sevilla’s defensive vulnerabilities indicate that they remain exposed to counter-attacking play.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: February 26th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
If we consider head-to-head stats, the Rayo Vallecano vs. Sevilla FC outings have often been tightly contested. However, the current form tilts the balance in favour of the home side. Sevilla’s recent injury setbacks, including the loss of captain Nemanja Gudelj, may further hinder their performance.
In a tightly contested match, we can expect that Rayo Vallecano’s solid home defence should neutralise Sevilla FC’s inconsistent attack, leading to a narrow victory for the hosts. Take up bookmaker Pinnacle’s offer of a potential 2.390x return on a Rayo Vallecano win.
Best NRL Predictions This Week
Canberra Raiders vs. New Zealand Warriors – Over 41.5 @ 1.884
The new NRL season is ready to kick off with the Canberra Raiders facing the New Zealand Warriors at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. As pre-season forecasts have not favoured them as top-eight contenders, both teams will be looking forward to making a strong statement.
The Raiders’ lineup includes back-rowers Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies, who, despite recent off-field controversies, have been named to start. Coach Ricky Stuart has opted for Jamal Fogarty and Ethan Strange in the halves, while veteran prop Josh Papali’i begins on the bench. Notably absent is Albert Hopoate, who remains in Australia for personal reasons.
The Warriors, fresh from an impressive pre-season, are set to introduce key signings James Fisher-Harris and the returning Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Fisher-Harris, who played a major role in Penrith’s recent premiership successes, will strengthen the front row. Tuivasa-Sheck’s return will add depth to the Warriors’ backline. However, the team faces challenges with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak sidelined, due to a wrist injury. This has prompted a reshuffle that sees Taine Tuaupiki starting on the wing.
Last season, the Raiders and Warriors split their encounters, with the Raiders securing a narrow 20-18 victory in their most recent meeting. This time around, the match is expected to be close. Corey Horsburgh and Fisher-Harris will be the key positional battles to watch out for. Additionally, the contest between debutant Savelio Tamale and veteran Tuivasa-Sheck on the wing promises to be a treat to the eye.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: February 26th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
In the season’s tight opener, we can expect a high-scoring face-off, with a big possibility of the total points surpassing the 41.5 points margin. Historically speaking, 10 of their last encounters have seen an average of 44.2 total points, which indicates a trend toward offensive game-play.
This is why we are taking up bookmaker Pinnacle’s offer of a potential 1.884x return on total points over 41.5.
The Best Bets to Make This Week
Before placing your wagers, review our top picks across boxing, MMA, football, and NRL for maximum value and excitement:
- Lewis Crocker vs. Paddy Donovan – Crocker to win @ 1.943
- Sandor Martin vs. Alberto Puello – Puello to win @ 1.800
- Lamont Roach vs. Gervonta Davis – under 8.5 rounds @ 1.884
- Luana Carolina vs. Montana De La Rosa – Carolina to win @ 1.714
- Julian Marquez vs. Cody Brundage – Marquez to win @ 1.740
- Asu Almabaev vs. Manel Kape – fight over 4.5 rounds @ 1.740
- Bologna vs. AC Milan – Milan to win @ 2.640
- RB Leipzig vs. Mainz 05 – Leipzig to win @ 1.970
- Rayo Vallecano vs. Sevilla FC – Rayo Vallecano to win @ 2.390
- Canberra Raiders vs. New Zealand Warriors – total points over 41.5 @ 1.884
AC Milan and Rayo Vallecano capturing victories this weekend stand out as high-reward opportunities for those looking to make the best bets this week. Milan’s historical dominance over Bologna and Rayo’s home advantage against a struggling Sevilla make these picks both strategic and lucrative.
