The new Formula 1 season is right around the corner. As teams fine-tune their machines before the season opener, we’ve predicted the outcome of the season in our weekly betting preview.
If motor racing isn’t your thing, then we have a whole suite of other bets for you to consider, with punts on MMA, rugby league, and football picks this week. With odds from bookmaker Pinnacle, if you’re looking to bet on sports over the next seven days, then you’re in the right place.
Best F1 Predictions This Week
The 2025 Formula 1 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park this weekend. Bookmaker Pinnacle is accepting outright bets on the season winner until Friday, so here are our picks for the 2025 Drivers and Constructors Championships.
Will Ferrari Win Constructors Championship 2025? Yes @ 2.370
Despite falling short in their pursuit of a title to end a nearly 20-year drought, Ferrari had plenty of positives to take away from 2024. The SF-24, for much of the year, was the second-quickest car on the track, allowing Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to regularly compete for victories. It was a far cry from the 2023 season, where they were largely stuck in Red Bull’s shadow.
Leclerc led Ferrari through their mid-season dip in form, when procedural mistakes saw the Scuderia lose a significant number of points. His hard work paid off with remarkable victories at Monza and Austin and briefly sparked hopes of a last-ditch title push. Yet, the true highlight of his year came on home soil, where he broke his Monaco GP jinx to secure a win on the streets of his childhood.
Their five wins and four poles proved they could fight at the highest level, even though it wasn’t sufficient to grab the championship. Finishing just 14 points behind the leader was a well-earned reward for a team that appeared to be overcoming the nervousness that had prevented them from moving forward for so long.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 12th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Ferrari has gained significant ground in the title race under the leadership of Fred Vasseur. He made a statement by bringing in Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes.
Hamilton, eager to bounce back from his recent slump and secure a record eighth driver’s title, will team up with Leclerc, who is in the form of his life. Together, this partnership seems to be the perfect recipe for Ferrari to end their 17-year wait for a Constructors Championship.
Will Lando Norris Win Drivers Championship 2025? Yes @ 2.630
Lando Norris finished second in the standings last year, but we think the Briton can finally dethrone Max Verstappen this season and claim his first Drivers Championship crown. His car is the fastest on the grid, giving him a golden opportunity to take on Red Bull and Verstappen.
Norris shifted into attack mode as the season progressed last year while Verstappen found himself on the defensive, despite his significant lead. The Dutchman dug deep, using his experience to scrape over the line ahead of the McLaren ace.
The reigning world champion secured only two victories in his last 14 races—an extraordinary slump for a team and driver so used to success. Red Bull’s faded performance toward the end of the season cost them their constructors title.
With other teams catching up, it seems likely that Verstappen’s magical driving abilities might not be enough this season for him to defend his championship. In hindsight, Norris arguably should have claimed the drivers’ title last season, as McLaren’s mid-season upgrades in Miami transformed their campaign in spectacular fashion.
McLaren may remain tight-lipped about it, but it’s obvious that Norris is their main man. Sooner or later, Oscar Piastri will be instructed to take a back seat, clearing the path for Norris to mount a title challenge.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 12th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
According to odds, Ferrari’s Hamilton and Leclerc are Norris’ biggest threats to the title. If Hamilton can rediscover his form, he and Leclerc are likely to share multiple wins. While this bodes well for Ferrari’s Constructors Championship ambitions, it would hurt the individual title hopes of both drivers.
So, the stage seems set for a Lando Norris Drivers Championship win in 2025.
Best MMA Predictions This Week
The UFC concludes its three-week stint in Las Vegas on Saturday with a 13-fight card headlined by a middleweight rematch between Marvin Vettori and Roman Dolidze. Here’s a brief preview for the main event and the Chidi Njokuani vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos co-main event.
Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze 2 – Dolidze to Win @ 2.270
Vettori and Dolidze will run it back on Saturday at the UFC Apex, rekindling their rivalry two years after their first meeting. In their first fight, Vettori walked away with a unanimous decision victory. Dolidze could not overcome his opponent’s incredible work rate with his superior striking power. Are we about to see a similar narrative unfold in this fight?
Vettori returns to the Octagon for the first time since losing to top-10 mainstay Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision in June 2023. With a 9-5-1 record going into his sixth UFC main event, ‘The Italian Dream’ has been erratic in recent fights, splitting wins and losses over his last six contests.
The 31-year-old seemed destined to become the first Italian UFC champion at one point. A 7-2-1 record in his first 10 fights earned him a UFC middleweight title bout against Israel Adesanya in 2021. But he couldn’t beat Adesanya in the title match and since then, his career trajectory has gone downhill. He also suffered an injury last year, which kept him sidelined for months.
Dolidze, meanwhile, aims to follow in the footsteps of Ilia Topuria and Merab Dvalishvili to become the UFC’s next Georgian star. He made three appearances last year, starting his 2024 campaign with a majority decision loss to Nassourdine Imavov.
He bounced back with a dominant performance over Anthony Smith in a light heavyweight fight at UFC 303, before claiming a stoppage victory over Kevin Holland at UFC 307 in early October. With a 14-3 overall record and 6-2 in his last eight fights, one of Dolidze’s most recent wins came at the hands of Vettori.
Their first encounter at UFC 286 in London was a closely contested battle. One judge saw Vettori winning all three rounds, while the other two judges gave Dolidze the first and scored the second and third in favour of Vettori.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 12th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Bookmakers are showing strong faith in Vettori for this fight, but we feel Dolidze comes severely undervalued here. Vettori has been inconsistent lately and gone through a lengthy layoff. ‘The Caucasian’ should be able to pick up a redemption victory against a rusty Vettori and reward his backers handsomely.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Chidi Njokuani – Under 2.5 Rounds @ 1.847
Fans can expect a sensational striking contest when veteran welterweights Chidi Njokuani and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos meet in the Octagon for a co-main event clash on Saturday night.
Njokuani had a strong comeback year in 2024. He dropped down to the 170-pound division and snapped a three-fight losing streak with decision victories over Rhys McKee and Jared Gooden. While he’s yet to unleash the finishing skills that earned him his UFC contract and early wins over Marc-Andre Barriault and Dusko Todorovic, ‘Bang Bang’ continues to bring his relentless style whenever he steps into the cage.
The Dallas-native effortlessly beat Gooden in his latest fight, but he lost to Michal Oleksiejczuk before that. Njokuani shines at controlling distance, keeping opponents at bay while striking from range. His fighting style makes it difficult for the opposition to land strikes on him. But stats show that Njoukani lands 63% of his attempts on the opponent.
Dos Santos, on the other hand, had a mixed 2024 campaign. After suffering a unanimous decision loss to Randy Brown at UFC 302 before bouncing back with a first-round stoppage win over short-notice replacement Zach Scroggin in early November.
With a record of 25-8-1, Dos Santos is one of the most overlooked fighters in the division. He has been a mainstay in the welterweight ranks for nearly 10 years and has been always reliable in delivering solid performances.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 12th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Dos Santos is the favourite to win this fight, but we explored the total rounds market to find better value. If the 38-year-old wins this battle, as bookies are expecting him to, it’s likely going to be a submission win. He is an excellent grappler and should take advantage of Njokuani’s poor ground game.
If Njokuani wins, it’s likely to be by knockout or technical knockout, given his striking superiority. Either way, this doesn’t seem like a fight that will go the distance. Therefore, we’re taking up bookmaker Pinnacle’s offer of under 2.5 rounds at 1.847.
Best Rugby League Predictions
Week two of the 2025 NRL season begins on Thursday. Here are our betting picks for three key match-ups this week:
New Zealand Warriors vs. Manly Sea Eagles – Sea Eagles -8.5 @ 2.000
The Manly Sea Eagles will travel to Go Media Stadium on Friday evening for an NRL week two clash with New Zealand Warriors. The home team will look to secure the first victory of their season after a disappointing defeat to the Canberra Raiders in Las Vegas.
However, the next assignment for Andrew Webster’s men rarely gets any easier as they must take down a Manly team that ran riot against the North Queensland Cowboys in their season opener.
Daly Cherry-Evans proved age is just a number with a brilliant performance that propelled the Sea Eagles to a dominant victory. The 36-year-old halfback scored once and set up three more tries as Manly kicked off their campaign with a demolishing win.
It wasn’t just Cherry-Evans who shone for Manly; the team’s other key players were also at their destructive best.
Tom Trbojevic was in top form, slicing through opposition defences, setting up plays, and running for 234 metres. Haumole Olakau’atu was a constant threat, overpowering everyone in his line of sight, while Lehi Hopoate proved he’s on the rise as one of the most exciting young stars in the game.
Anthony Seibold would have been delighted to see his team firing on all cylinders. The tactician now set his sights on Auckland for the next tie, and pre-match stats suggest this could be another win for his team.
Manly have lost just once in their last six encounters with the Warriors. Having only won four of their past 10 games at Go Media Stadium, the Warriors’ current home record also gives their supporters very limited hope.
For most of the game, the Warriors’ halves Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita battled to breach the Raiders’ defence. Without Shaun Johnson’s leadership, New Zealand’s assault seemed disorganised, and it will be difficult for Webster to correct this against a strong Sea Eagles club.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 12th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
As it stands, the Warriors’ camp seems to be struggling with too many unanswered questions. In contrast, the Sea Eagles appear far more stable and have a strong record against the Kiwi side. For these reasons, we see great value in picking the Sea Eagles to cover a -8.5 spread at 2.000 odds with bookmaker Pinnacle.
Canberra Raiders vs. Brisbane Broncos – Broncos -11.00 @ 1.877
Brisbane will put their Premiership credentials to the test against the Raiders in the Australian capital this weekend. The hosts are back in action after a lengthy break following their impressive 30-8 victory against the Warriors in Las Vegas. Now they must face a Broncos team that dispatched the Roosters 50-14 in their first match.
Canberra will start as underdogs, and their task has only become more daunting with skipper Joe Tapine and prolific winger Xavier Savage suspended following the Vegas opener. Albert Hopoate, who missed the Stateside trip for the birth of his first child, steps in for Savage on the wing, while new recruit Matty Nicholson is set to make his club debut off the bench.
Nicholson comes with plenty of hype but will have to hit the ground running to stand up against Brisbane’s formidable forwards, Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan.
Brisbane has brought their strong pre-season form to their regular campaign, and are showing no signs of slowing down. Michael Maguire has decided to stick with the same team that thrashed the Roosters.
The Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds halves pairing is already proving to be an elite mix of experience and class. The duo has been playing as if they have been partners for years. Overall, the Broncos have an incredibly balanced side. But a young, fearless Canberra unit will be a solid test for them, regardless.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 12th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
No team in the NRL has a better front-row pairing than Brisbane. Haas and Carrigan lay an unstoppable foundation and give their halves the perfect launchpad to exploit opposition defences.
Canberra have an excellent front-row duo in Josh Papalii and Corey Horsburgh as well. But at this time, it seems evident that the Broncos will significantly outscore the Raiders. We believe they can easily cover the -11.0 spread.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Gold Coast Titans – Bulldogs -9.0 @ 2.010
The Titans are the only team yet to play their opening match in the NRL. Their wait ends on Sunday when they go to Belmore Sports Ground to lock horns with the Bulldogs. Cameron Ciraldo’s team displayed the same red flags as last season in their opener and will be hoping to avoid another disappointing performance.
The Bulldogs were in control with a 28-6 lead in the second half last week. But a lack of focus saw the Dragons score three unanswered tries, bringing the scoreline much closer—a scenario that Ciraldo will no doubt be unhappy with. The Bulldogs ultimately left the pitch with an eight-point win, but it could have been a far more comfortable match for them.
After a first-round bye, the Titans will be eager to kick start their season with stars like David Fifita and Preston Campbell in the squad. Their Pre-Season Challenge results were mixed, featuring a 50-12 loss to Brisbane and a 26-18 win over the Dolphins. However, the win came at a cost, as Kieran Foran suffered a bicep tear, sidelining him for three months.
This is a tricky match for both teams. The Titans have a dynamic and quick back-line, and with Fifita in top form and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui back from injury, they could very well start the season with a bang.
That said, Des Hasler’s side won’t look back fondly on their trip to Belmore last year. They were thrashed 32-0 by the Bulldogs in round three, and to make things worse, Fa’asuamaleaui suffered a knee injury that ended his season.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 12th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Gold Coast have a promising halves pairing in AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell, but they might take some time to find their footing. Though they are a strong and steady team, the Bulldogs must ensure they can keep up their performance level for the whole 80 minutes.
They should be able to do that in front of their home crowd. An on-song Bulldogs team should win this match by double digit points, so we’ll back them to cover a -9.0 spread at odds of 2.010 with bookmaker Pinnacle.
Best Football Predictions This Week
We usually preview the weekly Premier League football action in this section. But this time we’re looking further afield for value, and bringing three football betting picks from different parts of the world.
Las Palmas vs. Alaves – Draw @ 3.100
A vital relegation fight in La Liga on Friday night sees Alaves face off against Las Palmas in a high-stakes encounter. While 19th-placed Las Palmas needs a reaction following their 1-0 loss to Real Betis, Alaves, in 18th place, will be hoping to build on their surprise 1-0 victory against Villarreal.
For Las Palmas, who have not experienced success in La Liga since before the winter break, the turn of the year has only brought challenges. Diego Martínez’s men were in fine form to close out 2024, winning four of five matches. But a miserable run of eight defeats in 10 has dragged them into the relegation battle.
Los Amarillos arrive at this fixture on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis. It was their 15th loss in Spain’s top flight this term.
Alaves enjoyed an impressive 10th-place finish in La Liga last season, but the 2024-25 campaign has been far more challenging. They are a step above their Friday evening hosts in the standings, but that won’t be enough to escape relegation, if they remain in the same spot at the end of the season.
The Basque side come into this match following a remarkable 1-0 triumph over Villarreal, with an early goal from Manu Sanchez making the difference. The result was even more impressive considering the side had to play with nine men for the latter stages of the game.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 12th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Alaves will be eyeing a La Liga double over Las Palmas. They won the reverse fixture and enjoyed more success in recent head-to-head meetings. That said, it won’t be easy replicating that result outside the Mendizorrotza.
With both teams missing key players, this clash at the bottom of the table is set to be a compelling one. Alaves may have the edge heading into the match, but we think Las Palmas will secure a draw.
Cavalier vs. Inter Miami – Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.570
Inter Miami has the opportunity to reach the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Thursday by avoiding a big defeat to Cavalier at National Independence Park in Kingston. In the first leg, the Herons edged out the Jamaican Premier League champions 2-0. That means, Miami will go through if they win, draw, or don’t lose by more than a one goal margin in the second leg.
The first leg was far more competitive than many had predicted. Cavalier had only 31% of the ball throughout the match, but they made their possession count. They rattled the woodwork in the 33rd minute and threatened the hosts a few more times. But the sheer difference in quality mattered in the end, as Miami unlocked the resolute Cavalier defence in the second half.
The team’s cohesion and defensive discipline were commendable, but it will be an uphill battle for them to overturn a two-goal first leg deficit. They have managed to win by more than a two-goal margin only once this year, and it’s safe to say that breaking through Miami’s defence will be much tougher than against Molynes United.
Cavalier have failed to win any of their six home games in 2025. They scored one goal or less in four of these matches. In their last Champions Cup encounter at Independence Park, they were beaten 2-0 by FC Cincinnati, conceding goals late in both halves.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 12th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
There is little incentive for Miami boss Javier Mascherano to go for a gung-ho approach in this match. So, this should be a low-scoring game. We see great value in backing the under 2.5 goals market, available at odds of 2.570 on bookmaker Pinnacle.
Al-Nassr vs. Al Kholood – Both Teams to Score & Al-Nassr to Win @ 2.660
Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr welcome Al Kholood to their home ground on Friday night, looking to build on the confidence their recent AFC Champions League triumph brought about. The home team will start the match in fourth position. Their opponents, meanwhile, have climbed to 11th in the rankings, thanks to a recent surge in form.
Before confronting Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League, Stefano Pioli’s squad had just one win in their last six games. Al-Nassr recovered in front of their home audience with a commanding 3-0 victory, though, following a goalless draw in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter.
Pioli matched Jhon Duran with Cristiano Ronaldo in attack, and it worked. Both players found the back of the net within 27 minutes. Now, they will look to help improve Nassr’s poor form in the league and take their 2025 points tally to seven points in five outings.
Al Kholood, on the contrary, have been in good form lately. They have won three out of their last four matches. Over the long haul, Noureddine Zekri’s team has claimed eight wins from 13 matches. Considering they’ve gained promotion to the Saudi Arabian top flight this year, it’s an incredibly impressive feat.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 12th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Al-Nassr’s marquee attack can help them nick the full three points in this match. That’s why we will bet on Al-Nassr winning with both teams to score.
The Best Bets to Make This Week
We will look at our highlight picks of the week before saying our goodbyes. Here they are:
- Will Ferrari win Constructors Championship 2025? Yes @ 2.370
- Will Lando Norris win Drivers Championship 2025? Yes @ 2.630
- Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze 2 – Dolidze to win @ 2.270
- Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos vs. Chidi Njokuani – under 2.5 rounds @ 1.847
- New Zealand Warriors vs. Manly Sea Eagles – Sea Eagles -8.5 @ 2.000
- Canberra Raiders vs. Brisbane Broncos – Broncos -11.00 @ 1.877
- Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Gold Coast Titans – Bulldogs -9.0 @ 2.010
- Las Palmas vs. Alaves – draw @ 3.100
- Cavalier vs. Inter Miami – under 2.5 goals @ 2.570
- Al-Nassr vs. Al Kholood – both teams to score & Al-Nassr to win @ 2.660
La Liga relegation battlers Las Palmas and Alaves present the most enticing betting opportunity this week. Both teams will be desperate to avoid defeat in this match, so chances for a draw is quite high. Bookmaker Pinnacle is offering great prices for a draw in this match, which we feel is too good to refuse.
