The 2025 sporting calendar hasn’t fully ramped up yet, but still, there is a lot of action to enjoy and, of course, bet on. The NFL playoffs will decide the Super Bowl contenders this week and the Premier League will continue its mid-season fixtures.
We also have some brilliant boxing matches to enjoy in the coming days, featuring some top-tier fighters. There is a lot of cricket on the telly as well, so we have made sure to bring you some exciting cricket picks as well. Bookmaker Pinnacle has partnered with us once again to bring you the best sports bets of the week.
Best Boxing Predictions This Week
We will begin this week’s predictions with a great selection of boxing tips. Find out which fights made the cut in our preview.
Conah Walker vs. Harry Scarff – Walker to Win @ 2.150
Looking to ensure a victorious first defence after dethroning Ekow Essuman back in November 2013, Harry Scarff is ready to put his British and Commonwealth welterweight belts on the line. Scarff will meet Conah Walker in Nottingham on Saturday night to fend off the first challenger to his crown.
Scarff brings a 13-3 record to the ring and a pair of straps, but he does not come unscathed to this fight. After beating Essuman, he earned himself the 12-round badge for the first time in his career.
The next battle for “The Horrible” came in Germany for an IBF final eliminator against Karen Chukhadzhian. Though he performed respectfully, Scarff found the Ukrainian to be a more intelligent opponent than he had encountered in the UK. Scarff had to abandon his international title ambitions for now, but the Chukhadzhian fight should help him become an even better fighter.
The issue for Scarff against Conah Walker is that he’ll be facing an opponent who thrives on the very tactics and attributes Scarff brings to the ring. Walker enjoys the rough-and-tough tumble of a hard-fought bout and won’t hold back when delivering blows in close quarters.
Walker has a 14-3-1 record, but it’s his performance in the last four bouts, in particular, that has brought him this title opportunity. The Wolverhampton boxer drew attention in August 2023 with his dominant victory over Cyrus Pattinson.
Walker’s ability to recover and shine under the spotlight of a TV broadcast was shown by a close loss to Irish competitor Lewis Crocker wedged between victories over Lloyd Germain and Lewis Ritson.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 22nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Walker’s star has been on the rise, and we believe the upcoming clash with Scarff would be another demonstration of his incredible potential. Although Scarff is a good boxer with a calm, precise approach, the Derby fighter has shown susceptibility under continuous pressure.
Walker excels in close quarters fighting and might throw Scarff off by cutting off the ring and driving him into rhythms that throw off. Walker has the edge in a tough, fast-paced match because of his capacity for efficient pocket fighting.
We are, therefore, backing Walker for an amazing underdog triumph at 2.150 offered by bookmaker Pinnacle.
Walid Ouizza vs. Dalton Smith – Under 7.5 @ 2.050
Dalton Smith, Sheffield’s undefeated junior welterweight, is getting ready to fight France’s Walid Ouizza in Nottingham on Saturday, January 25th. The 12-round fight will determine the vacant European title and test Ouizza’s WBC Silver belt credentials.
After a remarkable amateur career, 33-year-old Ouizza has boxed 115 rounds since going professional in 2016 with a 19-2 record and eight KOs. Claiming the vacant French Junior Welterweight Title with a second-round stoppage of Jean Moraiti in 2021, he made a statement in the local welterweight scene.
Two years later, he went on to win the vacant European belt in 2023 with a tough split decision win over Alejandro Moya. Later that year, he defeated Charlemagne Metonyekpon to grab the vacant European Silver Junior Welterweight championship.
Having a perfect 16-0 record including 12 KOs, Smith comes into the ring having boxed 98 rounds since his professional start in 2019. Stopping Lee Appleyard in six rounds, the 27-year-old won the vacant British Junior Welterweight Title in 2021 and later on added the vacant WBA Inter-Continental Junior Welterweight Belt by a majority decision over Brian Pelaez.
Smith stopped Ray Moylette in the 10th round in 2022 to win the vacant WBC International Silver Junior Welterweight Belt, then reclaimed the vacant British Title with a sixth-round win over Sam O’Maison.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 22nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
When it comes to power, however, he far surpasses Ouizza, with 75% of his victories coming by stoppage. Still, he has been taken to the distance in two of his last four bouts. Despite being a solid professional with impressive skills and power, Smith took a significant step up in class last year when he faced Jose Zepeda, his first highly-ranked contender.
Ouizza has fought outside of France just once, whereas Smith will have a major home advantage at Nottingham Arena. This is the same venue where he successfully defended the British title by outscoring Billy Allington over 12 rounds in 2023.
It could be an overwhelming experience for the Frenchman, so we believe Smith can end the fight before the seventh round.
Steven Nelson vs. Diego Pacheco – Under 10.5 @ 2.750
On January 25, at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, two unbeaten forces will square off in the ring. Diego Pacheco, with his flawless 22-0 record and 18 knockouts, will face Steven Nelson, who also arrives with an unblemished record of 20 wins and 16 knockouts. The winner is likely to earn a shot at a title eliminator or an interim title opportunity later in the year.
Pacheco fought twice last year, but it was his sixth-round demolition of Maciej Sulecki that stood out. On paper, it was a tough test against an opponent who had never been stopped, yet Pacheco displayed both poise and patience, thrilling the fans at Dignity Sports & Health Park. He is now standing on the brink of a title shot and headlining a Las Vegas card.
As for his opponent Nelson, his career has taken a path later in life than most fighters these days. The 36-year-old remains unbeaten and has earned his shot against Pacheco this Saturday. Nelson made an impression at the BMO Stadium in August, where he stopped Marcos Rodriguez in the fifth round.
With an outstanding 81.8% knockout ratio, Pacheco has frightening knockout power. Until Shawn McCalman drove him over 10 rounds last April, he was on a nine-fight stoppage run. Nelson, too, is a power puncher, with 80% of his wins coming by stoppage, including six of his last seven. He won the vacant WBO NABO Super Middleweight Title in 2020 with an eighth-round stoppage of Cem Kilic.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 22nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
With the size of a heavyweight and immense power in his fists, Pacheco is a promising super middleweight, as long as he can maintain the weight. Nelson is a seasoned, unbeaten professional who also carries considerable power but is 13 years Pacheco’s senior and gives away considerable height and reach. With these dynamics in play, we believe a stoppage before the 10th round is a real possibility.
Best Cricket Predictions This Week
T20 cricket is in full swing globally, and this week we’ll preview two matches from opposite sides of the world.
Durban’s Super Giants vs. Paarl Royals – Royals to Win @ 1.833
A struggling Durban’s Super Giants side will hope to keep their dimming SA20 2025 playoff ambitions alive with a statement victory against the current table toppers, Paarl Royals. The Super Giants were able to avoid defeat in the last match, after rain interfered and brought them a valuable point against MI Cape Town. The Paarl Royals defeated the Joburg Super Kings at the same time, so they will want to capitalise on that momentum.
The Durban’s Super Giants have had a challenging season so far, with just one win from six matches and a lack of consistent form. They face a tough task in this must-win game. On the other hand, the Paarl Royals have been impressive, winning four of their last five games, and are full of confidence. It will be fascinating to see whether the Super Giants can turn things around and keep their post-season aspirations alive.
As Keshav Maharaj and his colleagues approach this pivotal game, they will be under pressure. Their last performance against MI Cape Town showed promise, but as weather stopped play they had to settle for sharing the spoils. This is a do-or-die match, so Maharaj will hope to see his team bringing their A game to the table.
For the Super Giants, run scoring has been a real challenge. They were bowled out for just 107 and 115 runs in their two games against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. After choosing to bat first, Kane Williamson was the only player in the second game to play a respectable innings—44 runs—while none of the other top or lower-order batters achieved more than 10.
The Paarl Royals have made an impressive start to the 2025 SA20 season. With four wins from five games, they currently sit at the top of the table halfway through the campaign. One of the key positives for the Royals is the number of players stepping up in each match.
David Miller also found his form in the recent two matches. Six wickets let the Royals defeat the Joburg Super Kings in their most recent game. Pretorius smashed 27 from 14 balls while chasing 150; nevertheless, it was Miller’s undefeated 40 that led them to win with five balls remaining.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 22nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
The form is entirely on Paarl Royals side, so even though the Super Giants will enjoy home ground advantage at Kingsmead, we find no justification not to support the away side to win this game.
Dubai Capitals vs. Gulf Giants – Capitals to Win @ 1.961
In the International League T20’s 16th game, the Dubai Capitals will take on the Gulf Giants at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Giants find themselves at the bottom of the table having just one win from four games. In comparison, the Capitals have won two of their five matches, with three losses, and are presently fourth in the standings.
In their last match, Dubai Capitals picked up a six-wicket win against the Desert Vipers. The Capitals allowed the Vipers a meagre 139 runs in a batting-friendly wicket. Gulbadin Naib’s amazing 78 from 51 balls single-handedly guided the Capitals to victory during the chase.
Conversely, the Gulf Giants lost their last encounter against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 37 runs. The Knight Riders set a target of 176, and the Giants could only manage 139 in response. Having a bad season thus far, they are now at the bottom of the table and will want to bounce back in their upcoming game.
The Giants have won only once in the tournament so far, but interestingly, the Dubai Capitals are the only team they have managed to beat. Can James Vince’s men manage to produce another stellar performance against the 2024 runner-ups?
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 22nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
The paths taken by both Dubai and Gulf this season have been quite similar, with both teams struggling to showcase their best performances. The Giants rank lowest on the points table; while the Capitals sit two steps higher. The victory over league leaders Desert Vipers in their last game ought to give the Capitals a much-needed confidence boost.
Dubai’s bowling lineup seems quite intimidating at the moment, and they should make life difficult for a struggling Giants’ batting lineup. Overall, the 2023 champions look to be in better shape ahead of this crunch clash, so we will back the Capitals to beat the Giants.
Best American Football Predictions This Week
A pair of NFL playoff battles are scheduled to take place this weekend. Here are the best betting picks from them.
Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Commanders to Win @ 3.370
The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders clashed twice during the 2024 NFL regular season. Now, with a spot in Super Bowl 59 at stake, they will cross paths once more in the 2025 NFL playoffs.
It’s a surprise that Philadelphia and Washington are meeting in the NFC Championship game. Heading into week 18, the two teams were expected to face off in a first-round match-up, which would have seen the number two seed Eagles hosting the game.
While the Commanders have surprised many, the Eagles have merely endured and advanced. They came close to disaster in their divisional-round encounter with the Los Angeles Rams, despite possessing a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Still, Saquon Barkley and the team’s relentless defence was enough to guarantee Philadelphia’s spot in the conference final for a second time in three years.
The Eagles and Commanders have met 180 times in their franchise histories. Washington boast a slight edge with a record of 90-85-5 in this historically tight match-up. Philadelphia have been dominant recently, though, winning 12 of the last 16 games since the 2017 NFL season started.
Each of the Eagles and Commanders claimed one victory throughout this season. Philadelphia triumphed in the first encounter on Thursday Night Football in week 11, while Washington secured a dramatic comeback win over the Eagles in week 16.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 22nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
We couldn’t ignore the temptation to back the Commanders in this match. Washington is riding a seven-game winning run, and Jayden Daniels is playing at a level maybe unparalleled by any rookie quarterback we have seen, so it makes sense.
The Eagles haven’t exactly impressed in the postseason so far. They nearly blew a 13-point lead in the final five minutes of their divisional round match-up with the Rams, and kicker Jake Elliott has had trouble with consistency, though the conditions have been less than ideal.
Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs – Chiefs to Cover -1.5 Spread @ 1.934
The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills have clashed often in the postseason during the reigns of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. They will square off again in the 2025 NFL playoffs, with a coveted place in Super Bowl 59 awaiting the winner.
The Chiefs and Bills both secured their places in the AFC Championship game, setting up another chapter in their ongoing rivalry. Buffalo are seeking their first postseason win over Kansas City since the 1990s, with Josh Allen keen to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in his seven-year NFL career.
The Chiefs also have the goal of an unmatched third consecutive Super Bowl haul in mind at the same time. Having eight straight postseason victories, which equal the record of the New England Patriots from 2001 to 2005, they will be eager to keep their supremacy over the Bills.
Buffalo claimed a 30-21 victory when the Bills and Chiefs got together in the 2024 regular season. Three running touchdowns combined by Allen and James Cook dealt Kansas City their lone loss of the season thus far.
The Bills and Chiefs will meet for the fourth time in the postseason over the last five years. Kansas City has won all three of their prior match-ups, with the most recent two being determined by a single score.
Buffalo’s last playoff victory over Kansas City came during the 1993 NFL playoffs, played in 1994. Leading the Bills to a 30-13 AFC Championship Game victory, Thurman Thomas ran for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 22nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Despite a number of close calls during the 2024 NFL season, the Chiefs have only one loss on their record. Their defence remains one of the toughest to breach in the league, and, as always, Mahomes has developed an increasingly strong rapport with his receiving corps as the season has progressed.
This could be another tightly fought contest, but we feel confident enough to take up bookmaker Pinnacle’s offer of 1.934 odds for the Chiefs to cover a -1.5 spread.
Best Football Predictions This Week
We will look at some of the weekend’s Premier League matches to find the best value football bets of the week.
Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Everton – Under 1 Goal in First Half @ 2.000
David Moyes takes charge of his first away match since returning as Everton manager, as his side travels to Brighton & Hove Albion. While the hosts are still hopeful of securing a European spot, survival remains the primary concern for the visitors.
Reaping the rewards of their savvy recruitment policy, Brighton & Hove Albion are enjoying another great Premier League campaign. Currently ninth in the table with 34 points from 22 matches, they have the most draws in the league. Though they will need other results to go their way, with just three points separating them from AFC Bournemouth, who occupy the last European slot, a win may put them into seventh place.
Everton’s season has been fraught with turmoil both on and off the pitch, with results under former manager Sean Dyche plunging the Toffees into a possible relegation scrap. Though they have turned to a familiar face in David Moyes to help the club into their new stadium next season, the club is now under new ownership, indicating a fresh start.
Everton, in 16th place in the Premier League, will stay in that spot regardless of what happens against the Seagulls, against whom they had lost 3-0 at Goodison Park earlier this season.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 15th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Everton earned a vital win over Tottenham Hotspur in their last game, but David Moyes is most likely to suffer his first away loss in his new tenure this weekend.
Recently, Brighton & Hove Albion have been in exceptional form, having registered three successive victories including an amazing 3-1 triumph at Manchester United and remained undefeated in their previous seven games.
But, we expect the Toffees to start the match cautiously and in the first half they should be able to keep the home side from scoring. So, we will bet on under one goal to be scored in the first half, offering an attractive two-fold return with bookmaker Pinnacle.
Southampton vs. Newcastle United – Newcastle to Cover -2.0 Spread @ 2.940
Southampton showed flashes of resolve in their recent losses to Nottingham Forest (3-2) and Manchester United (3-1). However, they are likely going to struggle against Newcastle United, who will be resolved to respond positively following their loss to AFC Bournemouth.
Southampton are on track to possibly set a new low for the fewest points in Premier League history and their problems this season show no signs of going away. To equal Derby County’s terrible record from the 2007/08 campaign, they just need five points from now until the end of the season.
Ivan Juric was hired mid-season to replace Russell Martin, but the Croatian manager is still looking for his first league triumph. Southampton did, nevertheless, triumph 3-0 over Swansea City in the FA Cup. But, Juric and his team know that the Toons will pose a much tougher challenge than the Swans.
Newcastle United have been outstanding this season, establishing themselves as serious contenders for a UEFA Champions League spot by capitalising on the struggles of clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
Eddie Howe’s club had an amazing festive season, rising to fifth in the league — a place that might guarantee Champions League qualifying depending on UEFA’s coefficient rating. Having won their first leg of their semi-final against Arsenal 2-0, the Magpies also stand close to a Carabao Cup final spot.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 15th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
In the last meeting between the two sides, Newcastle had won 1-0 at St. James Park. The Tynesiders have scored 27 goals in their last 10 matches across all appearances. We expect them to rediscover their rhythm against the weakest defence in the Premier League. So, we are backing Newcastle to cover a two goal spread in this match.
Bournemouth vs. Nottingham Forest – Draw @ 3.670
AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest, two surprise packages of this Premier League season, are set to battle at Dean Court on Saturday.
The home team will look to carry on the momentum from their 4-1 dismantling of Newcastle, while the visitors arrive on the back of a hard-fought 3-2 triumph against Southampton.
Both sides seem like genuine contenders for European football next season. Bournemouth are currently seventh after 22 games. If they can hold on to that spot at the end of the season, they should be able to play in the Conference League next season. For Forest, the prospect is even more lucrative.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are fourth in the table, meaning they can play in the Champions League, should they manage to retain that position at the end of the season.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 15th, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Bournemouth are currently on a 11-match unbeaten run across all competitions. Forest are also unbeaten in their last nine matches, so we can’t see this match ending one way or the other. As a result, a draw seems to be the safest pick.
The Best Bets to Make This Week
Thanks for staying with us till the end. Let’s revisit the picks we made this week before we say our goodbyes:
- Conah Walker vs. Harry Scarff – Walker to win @ 2.150
- Walid Ouizza vs. Dalton Smith – under 7.5 @ 2.050
- Steven Nelson vs. Diego Pacheco – under 10.5 @ 2.750
- Durban’s Super Giants vs. Paarl Royals – Royals to win @ 1.833
- Dubai Capitals vs. Gulf Giants – Capitals to win @ 1.961
- Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Commanders to win @ 3.370
- Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs – Chiefs to cover -1.5 spread @ 1.934
- Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Everton – under one goal in first half @ 2.000
- Southampton vs. Newcastle United – Newcastle to cover -2.0 spread @ 2.940
- Bournemouth vs. Nottingham Forest – draw @ 3.670
Rooting for a Commanders’ win in the NFL playoffs is our boldest prediction of the week. However, the Washington outfit has been in scintillating form, and we don’t see their journey ending before the Super Bowl.
