Pre-holiday excitement is in full swing, and the world of sports is adding an extra spark to the celebrations. Welcome to this week’s top betting picks as we break down the biggest sporting highlights. With the latest odds from bookmaker William Hill, our predictions are here to guide you through the action.
Best Boxing Predictions This Week
Liverpool is set to host some thrilling boxing fights this weekend as BOXXER’s ‘Collision Course’ card heads to the town. We’ve highlighted the three most talked-about bouts for our betting picks.
Stevie McKenna vs. Lee Cutler – Fight to End in Either Third or Fourth Round @ 6.00
Stevie McKenna will step inside the ring on Saturday night to keep his invincible run going. Lee Cutler will be challenging for his newly won WBC ‘International Silver’ super-welterweight strap, but the Bournemouth orthodox faces a daunting task ahead of him.
Cutler has lost only once in his 15-bout career and has been on a seven-fight winning streak. None of his previous opponents, however, can rival the profile of McKenna, widely regarded as one of the most promising boxers in the United Kingdom and seemingly destined for a world championship.
Cutler returns to action a year after his impressive win against Kingsley Egbunike. He survived a horror cut above his eyebrows, which had to be stitched up. But he managed to see out the fight and become the new English welterweight champion.
McKenna, meanwhile, notched his 14th knockout victory in 15 fights by defeating local favourite Joe Laws at Barnsley FC’s Oakwell ground in August.
McKenna’s powerful punches had Laws on the canvas early, but his attempt to close out the fight backfired when he was caught by a left hand from the Englishman, leading to the first knockdown of his career. After a tense few moments, McKenna recovered and secured a stoppage victory in the third round.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 11th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Unsurprisingly, McKenna is the favourite to win this bout. The Irishman has a knack for ending his fights early. Cutler is an excellent fighter, but has not been so active lately. Ring rust, therefore, makes it an even more uphill battle for him.
McKenna has needed more than three rounds to finish his opponent in only four of his fights to date. While Laws put up a solid effort early on, he ultimately succumbed before the third round concluded. With that in mind, we’re backing McKenna to secure a win within the third or fourth round, an outcome priced at 6.00 by bookmaker William Hill.
Natasha Jonas vs. Ivana Habazin – Jonas to Win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 4.00
Natasha Jonas steps back into the ring this weekend to face Ivana Habazin in what promises to be an action-packed showdown.
The 40-year-old last fought in the summer, narrowly defeating Mikaela Mayer, and she now sets her sights on unifying her IBF welterweight title. On the other side of the ring will be Ivana Habazin, the WBC champion at 147 pounds, who is just as determined to leave Liverpool with a pair of belts.
In addition to her IBF welterweight crown, Jonas holds the IBF, WBC and WBO belts at light middleweight. The Liverpool-born southpaw has an impressive career tally of 15 wins, one draw, and two defeats from 18 bouts.
After her loss to Katie Taylor in 2021, Jonas has been unstoppable. ‘Miss GB’ will be looking to pick up a seventh successive win when she fights Habazin. This year, she faced her toughest test in Mikaela Mayer, but she triumphed with a gritty split-decision victory.
Habazin, with a record of 23-5, enters this fight on the high of her WBC welterweight triumph. She claimed the belt with a unanimous decision win over Kinga Magyar in Zagreb.
As a two-time world champion in the welterweight class, Habazin has faced some of the sport’s most legendary figures. At the Liverpool Exhibition Centre, the Croatian fighter will have to fight in front of a crowd that will be firmly behind the local favourite, but she hopes her experience will help her rise above the adversity.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 11th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Habazin will become the first fighter to stop Jonas in her home turf if she manages to avoid defeat on Saturday. However, she has exposed her vulnerabilities in her latest fights. Even though she won a title in her last fight, she has also lost two of the last four times she laced up her gloves.
Habazin hadn’t lost before the final bell since her defeat to Mikaela Laurén seven years ago. However, she may be forced to exit the ring early once again, as Jonas can capitalise on her superb counter-punching. For this reason, we’re backing Jonas to win by KO or TKO, a bet currently priced at an attractive 4.00 with bookmaker William Hill.
Lauren Price vs. Bexcy Mateus – Fight to End in Either Seventh or Eighth Round @ 9.00
Lauren Price is also eyeing a unification bout, but first, the WBA, IBO and Ring Magazine welterweight world champion must get the better of Colombian sensation Bexcy Mateus, who is yet to taste defeat in her career.
Price herself has an unbeaten record to protect in Liverpool. The Tokyo Olympics gold medallist has recorded seven straight wins since turning professional in 2020. Price made history as Wales’ first female world champion boxer, securing the title with a wide points decision after an accidental head clash forced champion Jessica McCaskill to withdraw from the fight.
As the newly crowned WBA, IBO and Ring Magazine welterweight champion, Price could face exciting challenges ahead in a competitive division, with top names like Natasha Jonas, Sandy Ryan, and Mikaela Mayer now in her sights
However, her immediate focus will be on Mateus, who has also maintained a 100% record in her eight-bout career so far. That said, you can already imagine that Price is a significant step-up for the 29-year-old.
Mateus is somewhat of an unknown entity at this point of her career. This will be her first fight outside her hometown of Bogota. So, it remains to be seen how she performs outside her comfort zone.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 11th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
The Colombian is a powerful puncher, having won six of her eight fights by knockout. However, breaking through Price’s defense will be a tougher challenge than anything she has encountered so far in her career.
Price is known for her remarkable resilience, so while she may take some hard hits during the fight, we expect her to wear Mateus down and deliver a decisive blow in the later rounds. We believe the match could end by the seventh or eighth round.
Best MMA Predictions This Week
The UFC ends its 2024 campaign this Saturday with a much-anticipated return to Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Here are some excellent betting recommendations for the event.
Piera Rodriguez vs. Josefine Knutsson – Rodriguez to Win by Decision @ 3.50
The action kicks off on Saturday in the strawweight division, with Josefine Knutsson and Piera Rodriguez opening the card in what promises to be an exciting clash in the 115-pound division.
Knutsson, 28, remains unbeaten with an eight-nil record after back-to-back wins to start her UFC career, including decisions over Marnic Mann and Julia Polastri. Rodriguez, who impressed in her first two UFC appearances as a member of the DWCS Class of ’21, has suffered losses in her last two bouts and aims to finish 2024 strong with a win.
Knuttson showed her striking prowess against Polastri by landing 145 of 271 total strikes and 124 significant strikes, with a notable 87% of her successful significant strikes coming at distance.
The Swede’s ability to maintain pressure throughout the fight, while staying composed and efficient, allows her to wear down her opponents. Her defensive awareness is also notable, as she avoids unnecessary damage while continuing to land punches.
Piera Rodriguez enters this weekend’s fight with a determination to bounce back from a tough loss to Ariane Carnelossi. Despite the setback, Rodriguez displayed solid striking accuracy, landing 49% of her significant strikes and showcasing a strong ability to land shots to the head.
One of her strengths is her striking consistency, as she manages to land a high number of strikes throughout her bouts, as seen in her recent fight where she threw 102 strikes in total, landing 51 of them.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 11th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Knutsson is the bookies’ favourite, but we see a case for the underdog here. Rodriguez might consider herself unlucky to not get the judges by her side in her last bout, but her superior agility might get her a better result against Knutsson.
We believe she can effectively close down the distance and take away Knutsson’s ability to land clean shots from a distance. Her striking volume and ability to work in close quarters would also play a major role in wearing down Knutsson over the course of the fight. We are expecting Rodriguez to win by decision.
Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras – Grant to Win by Decision @ 3.00
As he approaches his 39th birthday, Davey Grant steps into the cage across the Atlantic to face Ramon Taveras from Florida in a bantamweight contest that’s expected to deliver plenty of action early on.
Grant’s career has been hampered by injuries, and he hasn’t competed since his controversial split decision defeat to Marcos in the summer of 2023. However, the British fighter still remains a dangerous, seasoned veteran in the bantamweight division.
Taveras, on the other hand, secured a split decision victory and a degree of revenge against Serhiy Sidey at UFC 297 and now looks to build on that thrilling debut as he faces a significant step up in competition.
Grant, standing at 5’8″ and with a 69″ reach, brings a wealth of experience to the Octagon. Despite his 38 years, Grant has shown he can still be a threat, landing an average of 4.77 significant strikes per minute with a 42% accuracy rate. Known for his resilience and ability to stay in the fight, Grant takes 3.82 significant strikes per minute and deflects 55% of incoming strikes, making him difficult to break down.
Taveras, at 30 years old, matches Grant’s height and weight but boasts a slightly longer reach at 70″. As a southpaw, he presents a different challenge for Grant. Taveras lands 4.63 significant strikes per minute at a 45% clip and has a solid defensive game, absorbing 5.41 strikes per minute but blocking 65% of his opponent’s attacks.
Taveras is still relatively new to the UFC, but after earning a hard-fought victory in his debut, he’ll look to prove his potential as he steps up against a seasoned opponent like Grant.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 11th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Grant has lost in three of his last five fights, but he still looked to be in excellent shape. Taveras is a good fighter, but he might struggle to get the better of a fighter with years of experience. We are backing a decision win for Davey Grant. Bookmaker William Hill offers a three-fold return for correctly predicting this outcome.
Miranda Maverick vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth – Maverick to Win by Submission @ 6.50
Miranda Maverick aims for her third victory of 2024, while Jamey-Lyn Horth seeks to capitalise on a short-notice chance in this exciting flyweight match-up on Saturday’s prelims.
Maverick has won three in a row, including a successful short-notice bout with Dione Barbosa in July when Tracy Cortez was pulled to fight Rose Namajunas instead. Horth, taking Cortez’s place here, grabbed a split decision victory over Ivana Petrovic in November and now looks to round off the year with a big win against her toughest challenge to date.
Maverick (16-5-0) steps into the Octagon with an impressive record and a well-rounded skill set. Her southpaw stance makes her tricky for opponents to deal with, as she is adept at creating angles and controlling distance, especially with her sharp, tactical approach to exchanges.
The Missouri native’s well-rounded game suggests she can mix in wrestling or clinch work when needed, though her striking remains the foundation of her strategy.
Horth, on the other hand, is an orthodox fighter with a more aggressive edge, landing 3.29 significant strikes per minute at a higher accuracy rate of 56%. Her striking is crisp, and she shows a knack for capitalizing on openings in her opponent’s defense. Horth’s 59% strike defense is comparable to Maverick’s, but she tends to absorb more strikes (2.91 per minute) due to her more forward-moving approach.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 11th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
In this fight, Maverick’s ability to stay composed and create distance will be key, as she’ll look to frustrate Horth with quick counters and precise striking. Horth, however, will need to close the distance, press the action, and make use of her higher accuracy to break through Maverick’s defense.
The match-up will likely see Maverick controlling the range, while Horth pushes forward in an attempt to land more impactful shots in close-quarters. It’s a battle of tactical patience versus aggressive pressure.
While Maverick is primarily known for her striking, her ground game is highly underrated. If she can use her striking to set up a take-down and get Horth to the canvas, she has a real chance to secure a submission win, which is priced at an enticing 6.50 by bookmaker William Hill.
Best Cricket Predictions This Week
Australia and India are set to lock horns at the Gabba for the third Test of the series on Saturday. England, meanwhile, will grace the greens on the same day, hoping to pick up a whitewash series win against New Zealand. We have handpicked the best bets from these matches for you.
Australia vs. India – Cummins Most Successful Australia Bowler in First Innings @ 2.50
With the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy looming, both India and Australia are eyeing crucial points in their battle for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. After a heavy defeat in the second Test, India will be determined to bounce back, while Australia aims to solidify their lead and secure the series.
India faces a crucial task of regrouping after their second-Test defeat. The onus will be on top-order batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to stand up to Australia’s pace attack. With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj leading the bowling attack, India’s focus will be on breaking Australia’s partnerships early.
Success at the Gabba will depend on adapting to the fast, bouncy pitch, and if early wickets fall, Shubman Gill and the middle-order must rise to the occasion.
Australia comes into the third Test as the clear favourite after their dominant performance in the previous match. Their pace attack, led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, will be perfectly suited to the challenging conditions at the Gabba.
With Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith in excellent form, Australia’s batting line-up is poised to build on its success. The team’s strength lies in its depth across both batting and bowling, providing a tactical advantage. Australia’s focus will be on early breakthroughs and maintaining solid, consistent batting to control the flow of the game.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 11th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Pitch curators have indicated that fast bowlers will reign supreme at the Gabba once again. This comes as great news for the hosts, who boast one of the most formidable pace attacks in the world.
We believe Pat Cummins will be the most successful Australian bowler in the first innings. The right-arm fast bowler boasts an exceptional record at the venue, having taken 40 wickets in seven matches, including three five-wicket hauls. With that in mind, we’re backing Cummins at 2.50 with bookmaker William Hill.
New Zealand vs. England – Matt Henry Most Successful New Zealand Bowler in First Innings @ 2.70
As 2024 draws to a close, England will be eager to finish their red ball adventures on a high, taking on New Zealand in the series decider at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
With the series already in the bag following commanding wins in the first two Tests, England will now target a clean sweep. Meanwhile, New Zealand will be determined to salvage pride with a resilient performance on home soil.
England, captained by Ben Stokes, remain committed to their bold ‘Bazball’ strategy. Their fearless batting and audacious game-play has proven quite successful against the Kiwis, so we are expecting to see the same level of aggression from the visitors in the final Test of the series.
Harry Brook, considered one of the finest players globally, has been a key figure in this approach. With Joe Root providing the steady hand and Zak Crawley adding flair in the batting lineup.
New Zealand has struggled to cope with England’s relentless aggression. Missing key players like Devon Conway only adds to their difficulties. With Will Young stepping in for Conway, the Kiwis’ batting depth will be tested once again.
Much of the responsibility will fall on Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell to steady the innings, while bowlers Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner will need to step up to challenge England’s gung-ho batting mindset.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 11th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
New Zealand captain Tom Latham will rely on Matt Henry as his most potent weapon to contain England’s batting lineup in Hamilton. Henry has been exceptional with the new ball recently and has firmly established himself as the most lethal force in New Zealand’s pace attack.
In 2024, Henry has been in sensational form, claiming 42 Test wickets at an average of 18.61, with three five-wicket hauls to his name. So, he was almost an automatic pick as our best New Zealand bowler in first innings choice.
Best Darts Prediction This Week
The 2025 PDC World Darts Championship will bring together 96 elite players at Alexandra Palace, all battling for the sport’s greatest prize from December 15th to January 3rd. Here’s our brief betting preview for the event.
Luke Humphries to Win PDC World Darts Championship @ 3.75
Following his remarkable debut last year, Luke Littler will aim to trade his 2024 runners-up medal for the ultimate prize in darts at Alexandra Palace. The current world number four has been in sensational form recently, and he’ll look to cap off a stellar year, which includes victories in the PDC Grand Slam, Premier League, and World Series, with a World Championship title.
With a 102.64 average in his last 200 legs, Littler has been unstoppable, breaking records throughout 2024. Despite this, his previous loss to Luke Humphries in the final means the Englishman could once again deny him the title of the youngest champion in World Championship history.
After winning the 2024 World Championship, Luke Humphries enters the tournament with a sense of confidence, having already beaten Littler in the previous final. With the draw creating a likely semi-final clash, only one of them can progress to the final.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 11th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Odds sourced from bookmaker William Hill shows that Littler leads the race with odds of 3.00. Humphries, the current champion, is nearby, with odds of 3.75. The rest of the chasing pack are far behind, as the odds suggest. Gary Anderson has had a resurgent year, but it seems unlikely that he will be able to snatch away the Sid Waddell Memorial Trophy from the two Lukes.
We have greater confidence in Humphries because of his incredible form and even more impressive head-to-head record against Littler. He has beaten ‘the Nuke’ in four of the last five matches, and should they meet in the semi-finals.
Best American Football Prediction This Week
The LA Rams and San Francisco 49ers will meet in a Thursday night NFL showdown. As the battle nears, here are our betting picks for the clash.
LA Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers – Rams to Cover +2.5 @ 1.85
Fresh off a shocking triumph over the Buffalo Bills, the Los Angeles Rams take on a San Francisco 49ers team battling to stay in the playoff race. As both teams vie for the coveted final NFC wildcard spot, this fiercely contested rivalry promises to deliver even more drama.
The Rams will look to complete a rare season sweep of the 49ers, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2018, following their 27-24 win in week three. Currently second in the NFC West at 7-6, Los Angeles enters this match-up fresh off a nail-biting 44-42 win against the Buffalo Bills.
The 49ers, at 6-7 and tied with Arizona for third in the division, secured a dominant 38-13 victory over the Bears in their last outing.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 11th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
In week 3, the Rams defeated the 49ers even without their dynamic duo, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Both receivers are set to feature this Thursday, giving Los Angeles a significant boost, while San Francisco faces the challenge of missing several key players who were available in their earlier match-up.
The spread for this match is tight, indicating a close contest, but we believe the Rams will ride their recent momentum and cover the +2.5 spread.
The Best Bets to Make This Week
Before we wrap things up, let’s take a moment to highlight the top sports betting deals of the week:
- Stevie McKenna vs. Lee Cutler – Fight to end in either third or fourth round @ 6.00
- Natasha Jonas vs. Ivana Habazin – Jonas to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 4.00
- Lauren Price vs. Bexcy Mateus – Fight to end in either seventh or eighth round @ 9.00
- Piera Rodriguez vs. Josefine Knutsson – Rodriguez to win by decision @ 3.50
- Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras – Grant to win by decision @ 3.00
- Miranda Maverick vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth – Maverick to win by submission @ 6.50
- Australia vs. India – Cummins most successful Australia bowler in first innings @ 2.50
- New Zealand vs. England – Matt Henry most successful New Zealand bowler in first innings @ 2.70
- Luke Humphries to win PDC World Darts Championship @ 3.75
- LA Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers – Rams to cover +2.5 @ 1.85
We’ve made some bold predictions this week, particularly in the boxing section. However, rest assured that each pick is backed by thorough analysis. Therefore, you won’t be taking a blind gamble by going for any of our recommended betting picks.
