It’s another jam-packed week of betting action as the sporting calendar heads towards mid-March. This week, we’ve dug deep into UFC 313, the Six Nations, NRL and Premier League to determine the 10 best bets to make on sport this week. Whether it’s football or fighting, risky or conservative, we’ve got a wager for you over the next seven days.
With the sharpest odds from bookmaker bet365, here are the bets we recommend taking this week.
Best MMA Predictions This Week
UFC nights in Las Vegas are always special, with Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev headlining an exciting card for UFC 313 this Saturday. Here are the best betting picks for the night:
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev – Pereira to Win via KO/TKO/DQ @ 2.30
Pereira prepares for a severe trial as he is set to defend his UFC light heavyweight strap one more time. He has already fended off three challengers, but a long-denied Ankalaev could be his toughest test yet. Ankalaev has waited long to become the world champion and will be looking to make amends for his UFC 282 failure.
The Dagestani did not lose his previous title fight, but he could not win it either. He challenged Jan Blachowicz for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title, but only managed to secure a split draw against the Polish fighter. Safe to say it was not his best performance, as the crowd booed him off the arena in the end.
He is a remarkable fighter, nonetheless, with a win-less streak of 13 fights in the division. Ankalaev lost to Paul Craig in his UFC debut, but since then, he has won 11, drawn one, and ended a fight in no contest. His overall MMA record stands at 19-1-1, and in the UFC, it’s 11-1-1.
Ankalaev returns to world title contention two years after his first attempt. This time, he needs to beat the best of the division to claim the crown. Pereira has had the honour of holding world championship titles in two different UFC classes. The former kickboxer made his UFC debut in the middleweight division in 2021, and worked his way to a title fight within a year.
He beat Israel Adesanya in UFC 281 to snatch away the UFC middleweight championship. ‘The Last Stylebender’ avenged the defeat six months later, and after that demoralising loss, Pereira decided to try his luck elsewhere. The recently-axed middleweight champion faced Blachowicz in his first light heavyweight fight, three months after losing the middleweight belt.
‘Poatan’ has not looked back since. He beat Blachowicz and then won the vacant UFC light heavyweight belt by beating Jiri Prochazka. Pereira beat Prochazka again to defend the title and also denied Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 5th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Pereira has finished his last four fights inside the distance. Ankalaev may pose a challenge in the early rounds, but we expect the Brazilian to secure a knockout later on. Bookmaker bet365 is offering odds of 2.30 for a Pereira KO/TKO/DQ win, which is a great price.
Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev – Gaethje to Win via Decision/Technical Decision @ 4.00
A hand injury to Dan Hooker has forced UFC to call off its original UFC 313 co-main event plan. Now, Rafael Fiziev will replace Hooker and take on Justin Gaethje in a sudden rematch between the two lightweights. Fiziev returns to action for the first time since suffering a knee injury against Mateusz Gamrot in September 2023.
Before facing Gaethje, Fiziev had strung together an impressive six-fight win streak, including knockout victories over Renato Moicano, Brad Riddell, and Rafael dos Anjos. It seemed only a matter of time before he secured a title shot, but a majority decision loss to Gaethje threw a spanner in the works.
Fiziev will be desperate to avoid a third successive defeat and add one more win to his MMA record that currently stands at 12-3. He will also feel a drive of redemption as he prepares to trade blows with Gaethje once again. Last fight was a close one, so Fiziev can hope to get his hands raised after the fight this time.
Gaethje has lost five times in his 30-bout career, so he is not invincible. He’ll be eager to get back to winning ways after being knocked out by Max Holloway in his last fight. Since he has won against Fiziev before, the Arizona native will feel confident ahead of this encounter. He had lost to Charles Oliveira before his last fight against Fiziev, so perhaps he’ll see the Azerbaijani as his lucky charm.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 5th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Both fighters, however, will feel that they are under-prepared for this rematch. Fiziev agreed to the fight on short notice and Gaethje may not have prepared the same way he would have for Hooker, who presents a different challenge in terms of physique and power.
But, we believe Gaethje is better positioned to win this. Fiziev seems to need more work to return to his best and this rematch appears to have come too soon for him. This should be another decision win for ‘The Highlight’.
Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes – Turner to Win via KO @ 3.75
Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes is another lightweight match-up on the UFC 313 main card. Turner will seek to regain momentum after a harsh run of results, while Bahamondes will try to move up the ladder with a statement win.
Turner enters this fight following a loss to Renato Moicano at UFC 300, and has lost three of his last four bouts. While he did secure a quick finish against King Green, his recent record also includes close decision losses to Hooker and Gamrot.
Turner’s 14-8-0 record tells the story of a fighter who has gone through a roller-coaster ride throughout his career. He has shown the grit and determination to learn from his mistakes and go at it again. So, he will be looking to find some stability with a win and put an end to this rough patch.
Bahamondes arrives in Las Vegas riding a wave of momentum. The 2020 Dana White’s Contender Series graduate secured back-to-back first-round stoppages and consecutive Performance of the Night bonuses. His victory over Manuel Torres at UFC 306 improved his record to 16-5, with a strong 5-1 run in his last six UFC appearances.
Despite being relatively close in age—Turner, 29; Bahamondes, 27—the fight carries a veteran vs. prospect dynamic. Turner’s extensive experience against elite opponents makes this a significant test for the younger Chilean.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 5th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
The physical traits of these fighters are quite similar. That said, Turner’s southpaw stance and a two-inch reach advantage give him a strategic edge. ‘The Tarantula’ can inflict damage to Bahamondes before he moves out of range.
We like the chances of a Turner knockout victory here. He is the better striker between the two, and also has more experience. Knowing this, we will take up bookmaker bet365’s odds of 3.75 for a Turner KO win.
Best Rugby Union Predictions This Week
Six Nations 2025 is set for its penultimate week. Ireland and France will meet in a potential title decider at Aviva Stadium, while England will also be in action against Italy. Let’s see what bets we can consider from these ties.
Ireland vs. France – Ireland -1.0 @ 1.90
Bookmakers had France favourite to lift the Six Nations title this year ahead of a three-peat chasing Ireland. France had the best side on paper and Ireland had to make do without their coach Andy Farrell, who led them to back-to-back Six Nations titles. But, Ireland are now within touching distance of making history as we enter the final weeks of the 2025 Six Nations.
Caelan Doris and company will move a whole lot closer to retaining the title if they can beat Les Bleus on home turf. Ireland are the only team in the competition who are yet to taste defeat, and after seeing off England, Italy, and Wales, will be confident of getting the job done in Dublin.
Aviva Stadium has been a Six Nations fortress for Ireland. They are on an impressive 10-game winning run at the arena, but their recent encounters were close. England came within five points of the reigning premiers in the opening fixture. Before that, Ireland saw off Scotland by four points in front of the roaring Aviva crowd in 2024.
France recovered from their round two loss to England with a spectacular 73-24 triumph over Italy in Rome. It’s the largest win they have recorded in their Six Nations history. France now have a +91 points difference, which is the highest they’ve ever had after three rounds of a campaign.
The talismanic Antoine Dupont was in red-hot form against the Italians. France needed such a statement performance from their star player. He will be aiming to carry that form to Dublin as France head into the most crucial match of their Six Nations campaign.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 5th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
With the tournament’s two highest-ranked teams facing off, the destination of the trophy likely hinges on this result. Ireland have already claimed the Triple Crown and will be determined to secure both the Six Nations title and a potential Grand Slam. Despite the challenge of hosting a powerful French side, Ireland’s strength makes them favourites for victory.
We anticipate a tightly contested match, so backing Ireland to cover a -1 spread appears to be a solid bet. While the promise of a 1.9x return may not be particularly high, it offers good value given the lower risk involved.
England vs. Italy – Over 54.5 Points @ 1.90
England will have an eye on the proceedings at Aviva Stadium, but Steve Borthwick’s men must get the job done against Italy to keep their title hopes alive. A draw or a France win would be the best outcomes for England, but they will still be relevant in the permutations if Ireland win. So, the hosts will be eager to pick up a bonus point win in this one.
Italy, on the other hand, have a different motivation to do well in this match. The Azzurri had a great start to their campaign following a win and a commendable performance against Scotland. But a thrashing against France and a resurgent Wales have brought back the Wooden Spoon fears. So, Gonzalo Quesada’s men will be looking to bounce back with a strong performance at Twickenham.
England have won their last four home matches, but they have won each of their last three Tests by a single point. They will be hoping for a bigger win against Italy, however, since a bonus point might prove valuable in the final title equation.
England are strong favourites to win the clash on Sunday. The head-to-head record heavily favours the English, who have triumphed in every previous encounter between these two sides. Italy’s recent morale-sapping loss to France further boosts England’s chances of continuing their winning run.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 5th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
This is shaping up to be a high-scoring affair. The Italian defence struggled to cope with the dynamic French attack, and things won’t be much easier against England.
It was a closely fought contest last year, with England prevailing by three points. But the circumstances lead us to believe that England will win by a significantly larger margin this time around and the overall points tally should go over 54 points.
Best Rugby League Predictions This Week
The first round of the 2025 NRL season continues this weekend as the action returns down under. Here are the matches we are targeting for our weekly sports bets:
Sydney Roosters vs. Brisbane Broncos – Broncos -8.0 @ 2.10
The Roosters will attempt to prove their critics wrong as they kick off their season against a revamped Brisbane team. Trent Robinson’s squad has undergone a significant transformation, with the departure of key veterans like Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary.
The Roosters’ recent head-to-head record against the Broncos is compelling. They won five of their last six matches against their Brisbane rivals, including a double-digit double last year. They have not fallen to the Broncos since their 2023 trip to the Gabba.
Things, however, could be a bit different this year. With a new halves and centre combination to begin the year, the Roosters are likely to face challenges finding their rhythm. Nevertheless, Robinson’s track record of consistently delivering finals appearances suggests they remain a formidable contender in 2025.
Brisbane’s squad remains largely the same as in 2024, but they’ll feel like a stronger outfit in 2025, provided they can keep their players fit. The arrival of Ben Hunt and Michael Maguire is expected to bolster their chances of a finals return.
Brisbane boasts a formidable forward pack. They can create space for their backs and allow Reece Walsh to unleash his brilliance alongside the experienced halves pairing of Adam Reynolds and Hunt.
However, judging by their trial form, the Broncos may face a challenging season ahead, as the winner of the Pre-Season Challenge has struggled to make the top eight in recent years.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 5th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
The Roosters might experience some early season turbulence and the Broncos could take advantage of it. The visitors should be able to cover the -8.0 spread and get their campaign off to a winning start.
Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights – Knights to Win @ 2.25
The Wests Tigers’ 2025 season begins with a clash against the Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. There’s a sense of optimism for Tigers fans as they head into the new campaign, following a promising pre-season that included a narrow loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs and a 12-point victory over the Parramatta Eels.
Tigers fans will finally get to see their star acquisition Jarome Luai in action. The ex-Penrith Panthers halfback will wear the captain’s armband as first-choice skipper Api Koroisau serves a suspension. The Western Sydney side will be hoping Luai’s premiership experience can help them recover from a disastrous 2024 campaign, with a win against the Knights serving as a crucial first step towards that goal.
Meanwhile, the Knights are heading into the season with confidence, following a resounding eight-try triumph over the Roosters in their last preseason game. Adam O’Brien’s side seem to have found a gem in Fletcher Sharpe at No 6. Sharpe showed incredible agility and speed to clock more than 190 meters across the two pre-season games.
Newcastle’s 2024 campaign came to an abrupt halt at the hands of the North Queensland Cowboys in an away elimination final. The Knights are determined to make a deeper run this year and will aim to build momentum with a victory over last season’s wooden spoon holders.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 5th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
If we look at the stats, we must acknowledge that the Knights justify the favourites label. They are on a six-match winning streak against the Tigers. Also, the Tigers failed to win their opening round fixture over the last five years.
But, the Tigers did appear to be a revitalised side across the trial matches. The Knights barely made the top eight last year and did not turn heads in the finals. They failed to produce any resistance against the Eels in the pre-season, but bounced back with a dominant win against the Roosters.
We are not sure what to expect from the Knights at the moment, but the morale at the Tigers’ camp seems to be quite high right now. So, we will back an underdog win for the Tigers, which is sweetly priced at 2.25 at bookmaker bet365.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Redcliffe Dolphins – Dolphins -2.0 @ 2.00
The Dolphins were the original hosts of this match, but Cyclone Alfred forced a change of plans. The Redcliffe side must now travel south to lock horns with South Sydney Rabbitohs at CommBank Stadium.
Kristian Woolf aims to guide the Dolphins to their maiden finals appearance in the club’s brief three-year existence. The return of captain Tom Gilbert will be a significant boost for the team as he will play his first match since 2023. However, Woolf will be hoping for a stronger showing than his team’s last pre-season game, which saw his side suffer a heavy defeat to the Titans.
Woolf’s mentor Wayne Bennett is in charge of the Rabbitohs. The former Dolphins coach returns to South Sydney for a second stint as the club looks to improve on its 17th-place finish in 2024.
However, the NRL veteran can hardly claim that things have improved at the Rabbitohs camp. Bennett has already lost Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray to long-term injuries. They have also lost both of their pre-season games, making it hard to be optimistic about the Rabbitohs’ chances in this match.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 5th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Dolphins and Rabbitohs are both looking to have a better season than their last campaign. The Rabbitohs are yet to hit form and have already sustained some major injuries. All things considered, the Dolphins should win this match and cover the -2.0 spread comfortably to reward their backers with a 2x return.
Best Football Predictions This Week
We will finish off with two Premier League predictions. Here are the weekend football bets we recommend:
Brighton vs. Fulham – Brighton to Win and Both Teams to Score @ 3.60
Brighton will look to extend their winning run in the league to four matches as they welcome Fulham to the AMEX Stadium. The Seagulls brought their winning form to the FA Cup last week. They put a formidable Newcastle side to the sword in a 2-1 affair and set up a quarter-final meeting with fellow Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest.
The match seemed set to head to penalties, but former Manchester United and Arsenal man Danny Welbeck found the back of the net in the 114th minute to send his team through. Leading up to that match, including wins over AFC Bournemouth (2-1), a 4-0 thrashing of Southampton, and a double victory against Chelsea (3-0 in the Premier League, 2-1 in the FA Cup).
Fulham, meanwhile, hit the road again after overcoming a tense FA Cup fifth round clash at Old Trafford. The Cottagers knocked out Manchester United in a 4-3 penalty shootout, with Bernd Leno keeping out attempts from Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee.
Fulham’s recent run included 2-1 wins against Wolves and Nottingham Forest, separated by a 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace. They had also previously won 2-1 in an FA Cup tie against Wigan Athletic.
Both of these teams are in great form, so this could be a tough match to call. But one thing seems certain that there will be goals in this match.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 5th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Surprisingly, Fulham’s offensive output has been more effective away from Craven Cottage. Marco Silva’s side has generated 19.9 xG on the road, compared to just 18.1 at home. Brighton’s recent attacking form is also impressive, with 7.7 expected goals in their last three matches.
Brighton should be able to win this match in front of their home fans. But we expect Fulham to bag one or more consolation goals.
The pick here, therefore, is Brighton to win with both teams to score. Bookmaker bet365 offers healthy odds of 3.60 for this combination.
Crystal Palace vs. Ipswich Town – Mateta to Score @ 2.10
Crystal Palace will look to pick up another victory, at Ipswich Town’s expense, and keep their push for a European spot alive. Palace are seven points off seventh placed Bournemouth ahead of the clash. The Tractor Boys, on the other hand, are anchored in the relegation zone, sitting five points adrift of safety.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s 59th-minute goal was enough to give Crystal Palace a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road on December 3rd. The Eagles will look to bag all three points once again as Ipswich continues to struggle with the intensity of Premier League football.
Palace also had a struggling start to their Premier League campaign as well. They had only one win to show for their first 13 matches. Oliver Glasner, however, managed to inspire a turnaround as Palace managed to win eight of their last 14 Premier League matches.
Ipswich Town were eliminated from the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest on Monday night, following earlier victories over Coventry City (4-1) and Bristol Rovers (3-0). Their League Cup campaign was shorter as it ended with a penalty shootout defeat to AFC Wimbledon in the Second Round.
The early cup departures could be a silver lining, allowing Kieran McKenna’s side to commit their full focus on Premier League survival.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 5th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Mateta, who bagged the winner the last time these two teams met, could hit the target for the hosts once again. The Frenchman has scored 12 goals in the Premier League this season and has scored four times in the last five matches.
Backing Mateta to score against a relegation-threatened defence seems like a safe bet, especially with bookmaker bet365 offering a 2.10x return.
The Best Bets to Make This Week
Let’s revisit our weekly picks before saying our goodbyes. Here they are:
- Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev – Pereira to win via KO/TKO/DQ @ 2.30
- Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev – Gaethje to win via decision/technical decision @ 4.00
- Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes – Turner to win via KO @ 3.75
- Ireland vs. France – Ireland -1.0 @ 1.90
- England vs. Italy – over 54.5 points @ 1.90
- Sydney Roosters vs. Brisbane Broncos – Broncos -8.0 @ 2.10
- Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights – Knights to win @ 2.25
- South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Redcliffe Dolphins – Dolphins -2.0 @ 2.00
- Brighton vs. Fulham – Brighton to win and both teams to score @ 3.60
- Crystal Palace vs. Ipswich Town – Mateta to score @ 2.10
Brighton winning against Fulham with both teams scoring is our highlight pick of the week. Both teams are in great attacking form, but the Seagulls should be able to outscore the Londoners in a high-scoring affair.
