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    • CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals Odds, Betting Predictions and Preview for the Leg 1

    Let’s take a look at the CONCACAF Champions Cup odds, quarterfinal schedule, as well as each team’s chances to win the whole thing, as you plan for your soccer sports betting this week.

    We’ve had a couple of weeks since the round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, but now that the international break is over, it’s time for the quarterfinals. MLS has four teams left, the same number as Liga MX.

     

    CONCACAF Champions Cup Odds, Betting Quarterfinals, Leg 1 Schedule with Predictions

    The quarterfinals consist of two legs, and now that we’re down to the last eight, the Cinderella teams have all been sent home.

    All eight remaining teams have made deep runs in this tournament before, and each of them would love to add this cup to their trophy racks.

     

    Club America (+113) vs Cruz Azul (+232) (Draw +244)

    When: Tuesday, April 1, 9:15 pm ET
    Champions Cup Pick: Take the draw

    These teams also squared off in the semifinals of Liga MX’s Apertura playoffs in December. Club America picked up a 4-3 nailbiter on aggregate. They also look like a smart pick in the 2025 Clausura season after rolling over Tigres UANL, 3-0, on Saturday. They have a six-match unbeaten streak in Liga MX play (4 wins, 2 draws) since they lost to Club Necaxa, 3-2, in February. Club America already sent one Liga MX side home in the round of 16 after stopping Guadalajara, 4-1, on aggregate.

    Cruz Azul have their offense rolling in the knockout rounds. In the round of 32, they routed Haitian side Real Hope, 7-0, and then they stopped the Seattle Sounders, 4-1, on aggregate in the round of 16. They beat Guadalajara, 1-0, in Liga MX play on Saturday and are in fifth in the Clausura table – but just five points back of first-place Club America. A win here would make a significant statement. Club America have just lost once in their last eight home matches, with five wins and two draws. However, Cruz Azul have just lost once in their last 15 matches, home and away, across all competitions, with 10 wins and four draws.

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    LA Galaxy (+165) vs Tigres UANL (+155) (Draw +244)

    When: Tuesday, April 1, 11:15 pm ET
    Champions Cup Pick: Tigres UANL to win

    LA Galaxy’s struggles in 2025 continue. In MLS, they have yet to win a match in six tries (two draws and four losses). They lost to Orlando City SC on Sunday, 2-1, and now they have permitted 12 goals while scoring just five. In the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16, they took on Costa Rican side Herediano and advanced, 4-2, on aggregate.

    Tigres UANL look to bounce back from that 3-0 whipping they took from Club America on Saturday. That ended a three-match winning streak in Liga MX play in which they scored six goals while posting two clean sheets. They narrowly beat Real Esteli in the round of 32 and then sent MLS team FC Cincinnati home in the round of 16, winning, 4-2 on aggregate. Given the struggles that LA Galaxy have shown when playing quality opposition, this is frankly a surprising moneyline.

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    Vancouver Whitecaps (-103) vs Pumas UNAM (+265) (Draw +260)

    When: Wednesday, April 2, 9:30 pm ET
    Champions Cup Pick: Vancouver to win

    Vancouver is the unlikely leaders in the MLS Western Conference table after posting 13 points in six games. They show an intrepid defense, solid chemistry, and real finishing ability. They beat Monterrey away, tied them at home, and advanced on the strength of away goals. With Ryan Gauld on the shelf, the offense is starting to take on water, but Brian White has stepped in, with three goals in four matches.

    Pumas are one of the storied teams in Liga MX, with seven league titles and a roster filled with talent. However, they are just in 10th place in the Clausura table, taking 17 points out of 13 games. They did stop LD Alajuelense, 3-1, on aggregate in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16, and they did stop third-place Leon in Liga MX play this weekend. Those are signs that Pumas could be rounding back into form, but Vancouver has earned respect in this home fixture.

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    LAFC (+149) vs Inter Miami (+171) (Draw +246)

    When: Wednesday, April 2, 11:30 pm ET
    Champions Cup Pick: Take the draw

    Inter Miami decisively defeated Jamaican side Cavalier 4-0 on aggregate in the round of 16, clinching both matches 2-0 without Lionel Messi. In March, they enjoyed a perfect record, winning all six competitive fixtures and earning points in eight of their last nine games, with the only blemish being a 2-2 draw against New York City FC. Last year, they exited the quarterfinals to Monterrey but have never lost a CONCACAF Champions Cup tie against MLS teams, having also eliminated Sporting Kansas City and Nashville SC.

    LAFC sent Columbus Crew home in the round of 16, winning 4-2 on aggregate. That was particularly satisfying as the Crew sent LAFC home from the last Leagues Cup and kept them from winning their second straight MLS Cup in 2023. However, in MLS play, LAFC have dropped four of five, including a 3-2 home loss to San Diego FC on Saturday. They have yet to lose at home in CONCACAF Champions Cup play. They have a 2-1 all-time record against Inter Miami, although they haven’t beaten them at home since 2020.

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    Quarterfinals Power Rankings

     

    8. LA Galaxy

    In 2025, the LA Galaxy became the first reigning MLS Cup champion to start a season with six winless matches. Lacking roster strength, chemistry, and health, the team’s chances for success seem bleak, raising doubts about their dignity in the quarterfinals.

     

    7. LAFC

    The Black and Gold come in the wake of a 3-2 loss to MLS expansion team San Diego FC. Because of injuries to Olivier Giroud and Jeremy Ebobisse, they had to move attacker Denis Bouanga to the center instead of out on the wing, which took away from his usual offensive contributions. Getting a tie with Inter Miami brings MLS’ top team right now in at the wrong time.

     

    6. Pumas UNAM

    This is a team that has coasted through a favorable draw in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Beating Canadian Premier League team Cavalry in the round of 32 and Costa Rican side LD Alajuelense was expected, but now they head to Vancouver to take on a team that is playing with house money, on the rise in MLS.

     

    5. Vancouver Whitecaps

    The Whitecaps began their MLS season by winning four straight games. Although they have slowed their pace, they eliminated Monterrey in the round of 16 with an alternate team. Midfielder Ryan Gauld is injured, but is expected to return. If they advance to the semifinals, they could spring a surprise.

     

    4. Tigres UANL

    Juan Brunetta has six goals in 13 games in Liga MX Clausura play. Tigres will also benefit from having a lot of their own fans when they play at Dignity Health Sports Park. LA Galaxy shouldn’t be a problem for Tigres to get by – but what will happen when they see Club America or Cruz Azul in the semis?

     

    3. Cruz Azul

    The quarterfinal tilt with Club America is a significant test. But Cruz Azul have been hot since the calendar turned to 2025. If they can get through, they’d have to be a solid co-favorite to win the whole thing.

     

    2. Club America

    This side lead the Clausura standings with 30 points in 13 standings. Victor Davila, Alejandro Zendejas and Alvaro Fidalgo have led the team with five goals, and Luis Angel Malagon has been a brick wall in goal. Club America have seven CONCACAF Champions Cup titles and have the experience and roster to win an eighth.

     

    1. Inter Miami

    The Herons beat the only other elite Eastern Conference team in MLS when they stopped Philadelphia, 2-1, this past weekend. Lionel Messi will be back for this trip with his team, although given Inter’s likelihood of stopping LAFC, he may not play. Just having him on the bench will boost his team.

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    Florida vs Texas Tech Odds, March Madness Predictions & NCAA Elite Eight betting

    NCAA Elite Eight betting: The first ticket to the 2025 Final Four will be punched in San Francisco on Saturday evening, as the Florida Gators will square off with the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the home arena of the Golden State Warriors.

    Florida has waited 11 years since their last Final Four visit but looks like a solid candidate after taking down 4-seed Maryland, 87-71.

    The Red Raiders have only been to the Final Four one other time – back in 2019 – but that year they made it all the way to the national championship game, where they fell to Virginia.

    They were down 16 to 10-seed Arkansas in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night but roared back to win in overtime.

    The last time these teams met was in 2018, when Texas Tech beat Florida in the second round of the Big Dance.

    Which team should you pick if you add this matchup to your sports betting? Read on to get our prediction before you lock in your wagers.  

    Florida vs Texas Tech Odds, NCAA Elite Eight betting

    When: Saturday, March 29, 2025, 6:09 pm ET

    Where: Chase Center, San Francisco TV: TBS / TruTV Radio: No National Broadcast Live Stream: Sling TV March Madness Odds: Florida -6.5 / O/U 157 ^  

    Why should you bet on the Gators?

    The most impressive part of the Gators’ win over Maryland was their domination of the boards. The Terrapins had one of the best rebounding teams in the Big Ten this season, led by future NBA player Derik Queen and Julian Reese, but the Gators outworked the Terrapins, getting 42 boards to just 20 for Maryland. That gap played a significant role in Florida’s 16-point win. Ball security was a problem for the Gators, but they still dropped 87 on Maryland, led by 15 points from Will Richard.

    Richard is one of the best in a group of wing scorers that key the Florida offense. He has nailed 76 three-balls and averages 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Walter Clayton Jr is the team’s best outside shooter and made First Team All-SEC after nailing 108 three-pointers (38.6%) and scoring 17.7 points per game. He only had 13 against Maryland, but he had 23 points in each of the first two rounds of the tournament.

    Alijah Martin puts up 14.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game as a guard. Their top inside player is Alex Condon, an All-SEC forward who chips in 10.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. He did roll his ankle against Maryland but came back to complete the game. KenPom has Florida ranked second overall, including second in offensive efficiency and ninth in defensive efficiency.

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    Why should you put your money on the Red Raiders?

    With 10 minutes left in the Red Raiders’ Sweet 16 game against the Arkansas Razorbacks, it looked like the 10-seed Hogs would push their Cinderella story on to the next weekend. Texas Tech trailed, 61-45, but then John Calipari’s Arkansas side just fell apart. The Red Raiders came all the way back to force overtime and then get a two-point win. They had three players score for over 20 points, including J.T. Toppin, who had nine boards to go along with his 20 points. He was the Big 12 Player of the Year as Texas Tech finished as Big 12 runners-up behind Houston. He led the team with 18.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore forward. He had a 25-12 night in the Red Raiders’ first-round win over Drake.

    Another key contributor was Darrion Williams, who also dropped 20 on the Razorbacks. The junior forward averages 14.8 points, 5.5 boards and 3.7 assists per game. Against Drake, he had 28 points. The top scorer against Arkansas was freshman guard Christian Anderson, who had 22 on the night after averaging just 10.8 points per game on the season.

    He leads the team with 71 makes from behind the arc. KenPom has Texas Tech ranked ninth overall, including fifth in offensive efficiency and 39th in defensive efficiency. They will need to hit the boards against Florida if they want to have a shot at another upset.

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    Final Score and Prediction Florida vs Texas Tech: NCAA Elite Eight betting

    Florida was able to win and cover against Maryland, but we don’t know how Alex Condon’s ankle will respond two days after that injury. The Gators will have to deal with Toppin on the boards.

    They were able to handle the Maryland rebounders, but with Condon more limited, Toppin could have room to feast. Florida turned the ball over 17 times against the Terrapins, and the Red Raiders will make them pay for that kind of ball security. I think the Gators can pull it out, but this spread is too large. Florida 78, Texas Tech 75.

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    Moreno vs Erceg Odds, Betting UFC Fight Night Prediction for Main and some Prelims

    UFC heads south of the border this Saturday night as Arena CDMX in Mexico City will host UFC on ESPN 64 Moreno vs Erceg Odds. This is the seventh trip UFC has made to Mexico City and the first since February 2024.

    The headliner is a bout between two-time former UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno and former challenger Steve Erceg. The co-headliner pits Manuel Torres against Drew Dober in a lightweight tilt.

    Let’s take a look at the full fight card, as well as our sports betting predictions on some of the card’s more intriguing showdowns.

     

    Betting UFC Fight Night Main Card: Moreno vs Erceg Odds, Prediction

     

    Main Card (ESPN2 / ESPN+)

    • Brandon Moreno vs Steve Erceg (Flyweight)
    • Manuel Torres vs Drew Dober (Lightweight)
    • Kelvin Gastelum vs Joe Pyfer (Middleweight)
    • Raul Rosas Jr vs Vince Morales (Bantamweight)
    • David Martinez vs Saimon Oliveira (Bantamweight)
    • Ronaldo Rodriguez vs Kevin Borjas (Flyweight)
     

    Preliminary Card (ESPN2 / ESPN+)

    • Edgar Chairez vs C.J Vergara (Flyweight)
    • Jose Daniel Medina vs Ateba Abega Gautier (Middleweight)
    • Christian Rodriguez vs Melquizael Costa (Featherweight)
    • Loopy Godinez vs Julia Polastri (Women’s Strawweight)
    • Rafa Garcia vs Vinc Pichel (Lightweight)
    • Jamall Emmers vs Gabriel Miranda (Featherweight)
    • MarQuel Mederos vs Austin Hubbard (Lightweight)
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    Brandon Moreno (22-8-2, 10-5-2 UFC, -238) vs Steve Erceg (12-3, 3-2 UFC, +195)

    This is a main event designed to showcase one of the big names in Mexican MMA. Moreno took a while to emerge as a top UFC fighter – his early success was interrupted by two tough losses just as UFC was thinking about getting rid of the flyweight division altogether.

    Brandon Moreno’s journey included a title fight against Deiveson Figueiredo that ended in a draw, followed by an upset win in the rematch. After losing to Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval, he took a mental break. Returning after eight months, he defeated Amir Albazi but aims for another title shot.

    Erceg joined the UFC from Australia in 2023, showcasing a unique grappling style and surprising striking skills. After three impressive wins, he quickly earned a title shot against Pantoja due to a challenger shortage, making his rapid rise from debut to contender in just 12 months.

    In the fifth round of a close fight, a takedown attempt was unsuccessful for Erceg, who has faced tough matchups, including a knockout from Kai Kara-France. His technical skills and reach pose a challenge for Moreno, but the former champ is expected to win by submission.

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    Manuel Torres (15-3, 3-1 UFC, -125) vs Drew Dober (27-14, 13-10 UFC, +105)

    Dober, a dramatic UFC fighter, evolved from a volume striker to showcase power in 2019. Notably, he suffered an unexpected knockout loss to Matt Frevola in May 2023 and has lost two of three recent fights, facing significant punishment.

    Torres plans to test Dober’s chin, leveraging his aggressive style. After three KOs and a loss to Bahamondes, Torres must improve defense, while Dober’s resilience will influence the fight. Dober to win via knockout.

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    Joe Pyfer (13-3, 4-1 UFC, -310) vs Kelvin Gastelum (19-9, 13-9 UFC, +250)

    This is Pyfer’s first shot at reversing an unpleasant 2024. Way back in 2020, he went on Dana White’s Contender Series but ended up with an unsettling compound fracture of his arm, which led to a shutdown of over a year. When he came back in 2022, he won the Contender Series to get a UFC contract.

    He then spent about a year and a half working his way up the middleweight ladder. In 2024, he got a main event with Jack Hermansson in which he started well but just couldn’t come up with enough new ideas. He stayed tough as the fatigue set in. He did run over Marc-Andre Barriault in his next tilt.

    In 2013, Gastelum claimed victory in “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 17 as an underdog, showcasing his toughness and aggression, hinting at a potential welterweight title run. However, struggles with weight led him to middleweight, where he benefited from facing declining former champions.

    He performed well against Israel Adesanya in a 2019 interim title match, but later faced a tough stretch, losing four out of five fights. After a brief return to welterweight, he was easily outmatched by Sean Brady and opted to return to middleweight, though signs of wear are evident. Pyfer to win via submission.

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    Want an interesting prelim?

     
    Edgar Chairez (11-6, 1-2 UFC, -278) vs C.J. Vergara (12-6-1, 3-4 UFC, +225)

    These guys are both gatekeepers in the flyweight division, at least for now. Chairez came into UFC in 2023 despite a loss on the 2022 edition of Dana White’s Contender Series. He’s a tougher fighter than his record indicates; he has a lot of size for this division and uses it well.

    He sends single shots from range that can cause problems; when opponents try to get close enough to neutralize that punch, he can grapple well. Furthermore, he beat Daniel Lacerda and fought Tatsuro Taira and Joshua Van hard in losing efforts.

    Vergara entered UFC and started to build out a spot as a prospect-tester. He doesn’t have a lot of explosive athleticism, but instead likes to bring pressure and use his durability, hoping that the former will lead to an early finish and the latter will help him stack up points all the way to the end.

    I see Chairez hanging back and doing damage to Vergara at range. Chairez to win via decision.

     

    One more prelim

     
    Loopy Godinez (12-5, 7-5 UFC, -238) vs Julia Polastri (13-4, 1-1 UFC, +195)

    Godinez should seize this opportunity to pursue a title shot. Her striking prowess can be a valuable asset for her wrestling, often leaving opponents at a disadvantage. However, if she fails to gain an early advantage, her performance suffers.

    Though competent on her feet, she tends to become hesitant. This was evident in losses to taller opponents like Jessica Penne and Luana Carolina. In 2024, she didn’t secure a victory but faced elite fighters like Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba.

    Polastri began her career at atomweight, considering herself a bully who likes to maintain pressure on opponents. Despite a loss in her UFC debut to Josefine Lindgren Knutsson, she rebounded with a win against Cory McKenna. However, Godinez is still favored to win. Godinez to win via decision.

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    Who will dominate the Sweet 16? Let’s see the March Madness Betting Lines on this Bracket full of Challenge

    If Sweet 16 is part of your March Madness betting, then you’ve already seen plenty of turmoil in this year’s bracket.

    Thursday night marked the first half of the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA men’s basketball championship bracket, and while 1-seed Florida and 2-seed Alabama rolled over their competition easily, there was plenty of intrigue in the last two games.

    Duke, also a 1-seed, led Arizona by double digits most of the night before Caleb Love put the Wildcats on his back and forced the Blue Devils to double down to get the win.

    Love finished with 35 points, while Duke’s Cooper Flagg dropped 30 points, seven assists, six boards and three blockers on Arizona.

    Texas Tech, a 3-seed, came back from a 16-point deficit to knock off 10-seed Arkansass in an 85-83 overtime blockbuster.

     

    March Madness betting: Sweet 16 Friday Preview

    Let’s look to Friday night’s contests ahead of the Elite Eight games set for Saturday and Sunday.

     

    Ole Miss (+8.5) vs Michigan State (O/U 134.5)

    March Madness Prediction: Michigan State to win and cover

    Michigan State makes its 23rd Sweet 16 appearance, while Ole Miss reaches this stage for only the second time, last doing so in 2001. The Spartans secured victories over 15-seed Bryant (87-62) and 10-seed New Mexico (71-63). Known for their strong offensive efficiency and top-ranked defense, Michigan State’s guards, including Jaden Atkins, Tre Holloman, and Jase Richardson, excel in quick transitions, passing, shooting, and perimeter defense.

    Ole Miss defeated 11-seed North Carolina by seven and upset 3-seed Iowa State by 13, advancing in the tournament. Guard Sean Padulla, the Rebels’ leading scorer, has consistently scored 20 points in both games. However, Ole Miss struggles with size, ranking 226th in defensive rebounding percentage and 313th in offensive rebounding percentage. If Michigan State can effectively box out and apply pressure on Padulla, they are likely to secure a victory against Ole Miss.

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    Kentucky (+4.5) vs Tennessee (O/U 144.5)

    March Madness Prediction: Tennessee to cover

    This season marks the third clash between Tennessee and Kentucky in the SEC, with Tennessee advancing past Wofford and UCLA, despite Kentucky winning both regular-season games against them.

    Kentucky began their tournament by defeating 14-seed Troy, 76-57, followed by a solid win over 6-seed Illinois, 84-75, despite the absence of second-leading scorer Jaxson Robinson, who was lost for the season in February. The Wildcats also bested Tennessee twice, winning by five on the road with Kobe Brea scoring 18 points. At home, they triumphed by 11, led by Ansley Almonor and Otega Oweh, who both contributed 13 points each.

    Robinson did not play in the game. The Wildcats have excelled in three-point defense, limiting Tennessee to 22% shooting from beyond the arc, significantly lower than their average of 34.5%. Tennessee’s leading scorer, Chaz Lanier, averages 18.1 points per game but struggles against Kentucky, scoring only 12.5 points per game with 29.6% shooting. The Volunteers need a resurgence from Lanier, raising questions about the Wildcats’ ability to dominate again.

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    Michigan (+9) vs Auburn (O/U 154.5)

    March Madness Prediction: Auburn to win and cover

    Auburn, the tournament’s top seed, continues its winning streak, having decisively defeated 16-seed Alabama State 83-63 and 9-seed Creighton 82-70. Johni Broome, Auburn’s standout player, averages 18.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, making him a contender for National Player of the Year. Although facing strong Michigan big men, Auburn’s performance against larger teams suggests they can successfully meet this challenge.

    Michigan defeated 12-seed UC-San Diego in the first round and then secured a notable 12-point victory over 4-seed Texas A&M, relying on their strong frontcourt of Vlad Goldin (7’1″, 16.8 PPG) and Danny Wolf (7′, 9.8 RPG). If they can excel while containing Broome, Michigan stands a chance, though their backcourt lacks the speed to match Auburn’s.

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    Purdue (+8.5) vs Houston (O/U 134)

    March Madness Prediction: Purdue to cover

    The Houston Cougars lead the nation in defensive efficiency and rank 10th offensively, per KenPom, with a 15-game winning streak since February 1. Fifth-year senior guard L.J. Cryer is their standout, averaging 15.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, including a 30-point performance against Gonzaga. He shoots nearly 43% from three-point range and excels defensively. Houston can exploit Purdue’s weak interior defense, permitting the 341st lowest two-point shooting percentage, while their strong ball control minimizes turnovers, placing them in the nation’s top 25 for turnover rate.

    Purdue reached the national championship game last year, losing to UConn. Their offense ranks seventh in efficiency, while their defense is at #55. Junior guard Braden Smith leads with 16.0 points, 8.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game, shooting 38% from three-point range. With Houston’s strong defense, the question remains if Houston can cover the spread after the line opened at Houston -8.5.

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    Underdogs to Watch: Teams that Could Pull Off Upsets in the Sweet 16

    The likeliest teams to pull off upsets on Friday night are Purdue and Kentucky. As we pointed out earlier, it’s odd that Tennessee is a 4 ½-point favorite after losing to Kentucky both at home and on the road earlier this season. The fact that Kentucky was able to beat Tennessee after losing their second-leading scorer for the season tells you about the competitive balance here. I think Kentucky could not only cover this spread but could also send the Volunteers home early from the Big Dance.

    The other upset I see looming will come between Purdue and Houston. Both of these teams are elite programs, with top coaching and offensive firepower. The Cougars have a significantly better defense than Purdue does, but if the Boilermakers can get things going on the inside, the Cougars could struggle. I think Kentucky is more likely to pull off the straight-up upset than Purdue is, but I do think the Boilermakers could cover this spread very easily.

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    Expert Analysis: Insight from March Madness betting Experts on Sweet 16 Matchups

    Joe Lunardi, the pioneer of Bracketology, favors Michigan State in this matchup due to their experience and high expectations. Their guard trio poses significant challenges defensively and offensively. While Ole Miss showcases perimeter speed and talent, they lack in rim defense and rebounding. As pressure escalates and misses occur, the team that excels in securing rebounds will capitalize on second-chance opportunities and potentially exhaust their opponents.

    ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum doubts Kentucky can defeat Tennessee for a third time, citing the Volunteers’ talent and Lanier’s prowess. While he finds the Volunteers deserving favorites, he questions the 4 ½-point spread, considering it excessively high.

     

    Joe Lunardi

    Lunardi commented on the Auburn-Michigan game, noting Auburn’s backcourt advantages leading to turnovers and fast-break points, which big men struggle to counter. He also highlighted Auburn’s effective outside shooting, capable of mitigating any interior advantages.

     

    Paul Finebaum

    Finebaum considers Houston the most vulnerable 1-seed. They convincingly defeated SIU-Edwardsville, allowing only 40 points and showcasing strong rebounding and turnover advantages. In a narrow second-round match against Gonzaga, Houston led by just one point late, ultimately winning 81-76. This close call raises doubts about their capability against a strong opponent like Purdue.

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    Consensus Picks: What Are the Most Common Predictions for the Sweet 16?

    The consensus favors Michigan State over Ole Miss, as the Spartans, led by Tom Izzo, have a strong track record. Ole Miss’s 10-8 SEC record doesn’t reflect their potential, making the 3.5-point line seem minimal.

     

    Kentucky-Tennessee

    Some experts note that the Wildcats shot 50% from downtown in both of their wins over Tennessee, a number that will be tough to accomplish during a third game.

    However, these are SEC rivals who know each other well. So there really isn’t a consensus here. The point spread gives Kentucky more value in what should be an intense rivalry game.

     

    Auburn-Michigan

    Experts note Auburn’s lackluster performance before the Big Dance, losing three of four games, struggling against Alabama State, and trailing Creighton at halftime. Although they improved after the break, opinions are split in the sports betting community about their chances.

    For Houston-Purdue, the Cougars are basically playing a road game as their date with the Boilermakers is set for Indianapolis. They also had to take on an unusually tough 8-seed last weekend in Gonzaga (unless you think that Gonzaga is a bit overhyped this season). As we mentioned earlier, this line has already dropped a point since it opened.

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    Racebook Betting for the Top Stakes Races for the Weekeend

    We’re less than six weeks until May 3, when the Kentucky Derby will get underway for the 151st time at Louisville’s Churchill Downs, and we are ready with our Racebook Betting.

    We are currently in the elite qualifying races for the 20 Kentucky Derby slots. The Championship Series features 16 races that award the highest points, with recent 100-point qualifiers being the Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks.

    The top five finishers earn points towards Derby qualification: 100, 50, 25, 15, and 10. Tiztastic, winning the Louisiana Derby with Joel Rosario, leads qualifiers with 119 points, following a 2 ¼ length victory over Chunk of Gold.

    Chunk of Gold ranks third with 75 points on the leaderboard, while Instant Replay (24th) is below the cut line. John Hancock (fourth) is 15th, and Built (fifth) is 13th. Final Gambit, winning the Jeff Ruby Steaks, now has 100 points and sits second, beating Flying Mohawk by 3 ½ lengths, who earned 50 points.

    Maximum Promise (third) now has 33 points, which is good for 16th, and Poster came in fourth and sits in 18th on the leaderboard. This weekend, the Curlin Florida Derby (Grade I) and the Arkansas Derby (Grade I) will provide more opportunities for points.

     

    Racebook Betting: Top Stakes Races for the Week

    Let’s look at your best sports betting options for those races.

     

    Racebook Betting: Curlin Florida Derby

    Saturday, March 29, 6:42 pm ET, CNBC

    • 1 | Neoequos: Edgard Zayas Odds-10/1
    • 2 | Cool Intentions: Javier Castellano Odds-20/1
    • 3 | Smoken Boy: Edgar Perez Odds-30/1
    • 4 | Disruptor: Irad Ortiz Jr Odds-4/1
    • 5 | Indecisiveness: Jorge Ruiz Odds-30/1
    • 6 | Jimmy’s Daily: Joel Rosario Odds-12/1
    • 7 | Enterdadragon: Dylan Davis Odds-30/1
    • 8 | Madaket Road: Tyler Gaffalione Odds-7/2
    • 9 | Tappan Street: Luis Saez Odds-5/1
    • 10 | Sovereignty: Manny Franco Odds-8/5
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    Smart Picks and Longshots

     
    Sovereignty

    It is the son of Gun Runner and won the Grade III Street Sense as a two-year old and then won at the Fountain of Youth, picking up 60 Derby points, charging up late to take the lead and win in both races. His regular jockey, Junior Alvarado, has a shoulder injury, so Manny Franco is filling in. Even though he’s under a different rider this week, he’s still the favorite for a reason.

     
    Disruptor

    This horse had his debut at Gulfstream in January, but despite entering as a heavy favorite and setting the pace to start, he ended up in third place. On March 1, he was again the heavy favorite and won by more than nine lengths. This will be his first two-turn race, but he’s also a smart pick.

     
    Neoequos

    After dumped his rider in his Gulfstream debut, he broke his maiden just one start later. Since then, he’s finished in the top three in every race. He finished his juvenile season by coming in second in two Florida Stallion Series stakes. He opened this year with an allowance score against horses bred in Florida. Likewise, he came in third at the Grade II Fountain of Youth, picking up 15 Deby points. He’s an interesting pick but might be a better choice lower down the exacta or trifecta.

     
    Looking for a sleeper?

    Take a look at Jimmy’s Daily. Irad Ortiz had been his rider, but he decided to switch to Disruptor, so Joel Rosario will step in. He only needed three starts to break his maiden, which was Disruptor’s debut. He went two turns in February in an allowance and came in second behind Indecisiveness.

     
    Tappan Street

    This is another potential sleeper. He hasn’t raced as much as some of his competitors, but he did win his debut near the end of last year in Gulfstream, a seven-furlong sprint. He also raced well in the Holy Bull Stakes five weeks later. He came back from sixth to take the lead while out wide on the far turn, clinging to that lead until the last 1/16 of a mile, when Burnham Square, with much more race experience, chased him down and then zipped to a 9 ¼-length win, but Tappan Street held onto second.

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    Arkansas Derby

    Saturday, March 29, 7:48 pm ET, FS1, CNBC

    • 1 | Brereton’s Baytown: Marshall Mendez Odds-30/1
    • 2 | First Division: Brian Hernandez Jr Odds-20/1
    • 3 | Publisher: Flavien Prat Odds-6/1
    • 4 | Bestfriend Rocket: Nik Juarez Odds-20/1
    • 5 | Speed King: Rafael Bejarano Odds-15/1
    • 6 | Sandman: Jose Ortiz Odds-3/1
    • 7 | Monet’s Magic: Luan Machado Odds-20/1
    • 8 | Coal Battle: Juan Vargas Odds-7/2
    • 9 | Cornucopian: John Velazquez Odds-7/5
     

    Smart Picks and Longshots

     
    Cornucopian

    It has the best odds on the list. He’s in Bob Baffert’s training stable, and historically his name has been associated with winners. He’s only started one race (at Oaklawn), and he ran away from the rest of the field, winning by almost six lengths over six furlongs in a field of ten horses. He’s a smart pick, but is he the best pick? Furthermore, he hasn’t raced through two turns yet, so let’s look at a horse that has won on that type of course already…

     
    Coal Battle

    This one has won four stakes in a row, and the last three were part of the Kentucky Derby prep series. When he was two years old, he won the Springboard Mile and now already has 70 points after winning the Smarty Jones and the Rebel, so he’s pretty much a lock to get to Churchill Downs. He generally starts slowly and then comes on strong at the end, but he has also taken the lead from start to finish. He offers slightly more value than Cornucopian, and he’s stacked up a better list of wins.

     
    Sandman

    It has fairly short odds as well. He had his debut in June at Churchill and picked up his first victory at Saratoga. After that he hopped on the Kentucky Derby qualification train and came in fifth at the Iroquois (Grade III), third in the Street Sense (Grade III), second in the Southwest and third in the Rebel. He has 29 Derby points and needs some more. He won for a second time in an allowance at Oaklawn between the Derby prep races. I like him in a trifecta or superfecta, but I’m not sure if he will finish higher than that.

     
    Speed King

    As far as sleepers go, let’s look at it. He broke his maiden at Churchill Downs in a 12-horse field, paying on 22/1 odds. Then he started chasing a spot in the Derby and entered the Springboard Mile, where he got out to the early lead before settling for second behind Coal Battle. He won the Southwest but then fell off the table at the Rebel, coming in 10th. He has 25 Derby points. Based on that Southwest win and that early start at the Springboard, he’s an interesting value pick here.

     
    But what about Publisher?

    Those odds aren’t particularly long, but he’s still a maiden after entering four maiden special weights and two Kentucky Derby qualification races. He came in sixth at Southwest (Grade III) and fourth in the Rebel (Grade II), and he now has 10 Derby points. Given the fact that he’s still looking for that first win and hasn’t been that close in Derby qualifiers so far, I’d pass on this one.

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    Bet On the Best Basketball Game today with Xbet: Warriors vs Heat NBA Betting Odds

    Read on to get our NBA betting odds and insights on this showdown. For the first time since the Miami Heat traded disgruntled Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors on February 6, the two teams will square off in front of the Miami faithful.

    The Warriors shipped Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a protected top-ten first-round pick in the 2025 draft for Butler, and Davion Mitchell also came south from Toronto as part of a three-team trade.

    That ended a period of turmoil between the team and Butler, who had requested a trade.

    The team had suspended Butler three times (seven games, then two games, and finally five games) for various violations (including for walking out of practice before the third suspension) before trading him.

    Butler won’t stay at the team hotel during the Warriors’ four-day sojourn down to South Beach so that he can see his three young children, an arrangement that caused friction between Butler and teammates when he was with the Heat.

    What kind of drama will ensue on Tuesday night? The Heat have dropped nine out of ten and sit at 30-41, but they still lead Toronto by 5 ½ games for the tenth seed in the East – and a spot in the play-in tournament.

    The Warriors, by contrast, have won eight of ten and now sit in sixth in the West, which would guarantee them that seed in the playoffs if the season ended today.

     

    Betting Warriors vs Heat NBA Betting Odds, Spread and Totals

    NBA Odds: Golden State -5.5 / O/U 216.5
    When: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 7:30 pm ET
    Where: Kaseya Center, Miami
    TV: TNT
    Radio: No National Broadcast
    Live Stream: Max

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    Why should you bet on the Warriors?

     

    Steph Curry

    Curry is listed as questionable for this game with a pelvic contusion, but the Warriors could use him back in the lineup as soon as possible so they can hold on to that sixth spot in the West and avoid the dangers of a play-in tournament. The Warriors lost on Saturday to Atlanta, 124-115, despite entering as a 2 ½-point favorite. Even with that loss, though, they remain a half-game ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the West and seven games ahead of Dallas to stay at least in the play-in field.

     

    Halftime

    Against Atlanta, they were down 17 after the first period and never could come all the way back. They got the deficit down to six shortly after halftime, but they couldn’t get any closer. The Warriors shot 46.4% from the field and went 16 of 38 from behind the arc, but the Hawks shot 57% on the night. The top scorer for the Warriors was Butler, who had 25 points as well as eight assists.

    The Golden State offense has been average this season as they rank 18th with 113.4 points per game. Their rebounding (45.6 per game) and assists (29.1 per game) both rank fourth in the NBA. Their scoring defense is above average, ranking eighth, as they permit 110.9 points per game. Butler has moved into the second-leading scorer role, putting up 17.3 points, 5.6 boards and 5.5 assists per game.

    Curry leads the team with 24.2 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game, while Draymond Green averages 6.2 rebounds. Other notable scorers include Hield (11.2), Podziemski (10.5), Looney (10.0), and Moody (10.0). The team shoots 45.0% overall and ranks fourth in three-pointers made.

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    Why should you put your money on the Heat?

     

    Game Review

    The Heat snapped a 10-game home losing streak with a 122-105 victory over Charlotte, covering a 7½-point spread. Despite trailing by six after the first quarter and by as much as twelve before halftime, they surged with a 22-2 run to lead by ten at halftime. They maintained control, finishing with 57.3% shooting and forcing 19 turnovers.

    Andrew Wiggins dropped 42 points and five assists on Charlotte in the win. The Heat won the first matchup with the Warriors this season, 114-98 out in the Bay Area, but Jimmy Butler was wearing a Miami uniform back in January when they met.

    On the season, the Heat is struggling to score, putting up just 109.2 points per game, which ranks 26th. Their rebounding ranks 24th (42.9 per game). Their scoring defense is fairly solid, limiting opponents to 110.6 points per game, which ranks seventh. The top scorer is Tyler Herro (23.5 points per game), and he also puts up 5.6 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game.

     

    Top Players

    The top rebounder is Adebayo (9.7), and the other double-digit scorers are Wiggins (18.4), Terry Rozier (11.2), Duncan Robinson (11.0), and Nikola Jokić (10.7). They rank 19th in field goal shooting (46.0%) and 17th in three-point shooting (35.9%). They make 13.5 three-points per game, which ranks 12th. The biggest name on the injury list for the Heat is Robinson (back), but he’s a game-time decision (to consider in the NBA betting odds).

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    Final Score and Prediction

    Since Butler went west, Golden State has gone 16-4 – and the Heat have gone 5-17, falling all the way down from first place in the Southeast Division to the last spot in the play-in tournament.

    Curry is still questionable, but the Warriors have a ton of depth. Yes, the Heat just ended a 10-game skid, but Charlotte is one of the league’s worst teams, and Miami fell behind by a dozen before waking up. At home, Miami is just 16-19. Golden State to win and cover.

    ^
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    Check out our Soccer betting Tips for this Weekend! Liga MX Betting Odds Matchday 13

    Let’s look the Liga MX betting odds for some of the top matches of the week, as well as some sports betting thoughts about which team will end up winning the Clausura half of the season.

    Cruz Azul midfielder Erik Azul has become a fan favorite and a regular in the XI. He’s also contributed mightily for El Tri in international competitions

    However, he’s also drawn interest from such European first-division sides as AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands and Sporting Braga of Portugal.

     

    Liga MX Betting Odds: Top Games to Win in the Matchday 13

    He has also said that, after 128 matches played with Cruz Azul, he wants to bring home a tenth star for his Liga MX team before he considers a move to Europe.

    This week, Cruz Azul visit Guadalajara as part of Matchday 13 of the 2024-25 Clausura campaign.

     

    Toluca (-127) vs Pachuca (+295) (Draw +290)

    Liga MX Prediction: Take the draw
    When: Saturday, March 29, 7:00 pm ET

    Fourth-place Toluca welcome seventh-place Pachuca in this matchup. Pachuca needs to climb into sixth place to have a better shot at making it into the playoffs after Matchday 17, and they got all over bottom-feeders Club Tijuana on Sunday. Santiago Homenchenko opened the scoring for the hosts in the 26th minute, and then John Kennedy made it a 2-0 lead justs seven minutes later.

    Ten minutes after the intermission, Salomon Rondon made it 3-0. Jose Raul Zuniga Murillo ended the clean sheet for Club Tijuana with just a minute remaining in regulation, but then Juan Alexander Sigala Garcia restored the three-goal lead in injury time, leading to a 4-1 final. Pachuca controlled possession (57%) and outshot the visitors 20-5 (5-2 on target) while forcing nine corners to just four for Club Tijuana.

    Toluca also had a big last weekend, going to Puebla and dealing out a 3-0 lesson. Jesus Gallardo tallied first for the visitors in the 15th minute. Paulinho doubled Toluca’s lead in the 57th minute, and then Alexis Vega finished the scoring from the spot five minutes later. Puebla actually outshot Toluca, 12-9, but Toluca had more on target (7-6) and dominated possession, holding the ball for two-thirds of the match. This will be an interesting matchup as both teams have plenty of offense to keep things moving. Pachuca need these points more than Toluca, but Toluca have what it takes to keep Pachuca on their heels.

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    Club America (-124) vs Tigres UANL (+330) (Draw +250)

    Liga MX Prediction: Club America to win
    When: Saturday, March 29, 9:05 pm ET

    Club America lead the Clausura table and kept the pressure on the rest of the field last week as they rolled over Atlas, 3-1, on the road. Rodrigo Aguirre got Club America on the board just two minutes after the intermission, breaking a scoreless tie, and Cristian Calderon made it 2-0 just three minutes later.

    Uros Durdevic brought the hosts within a goal in the 65th minute, but then Aguirre finished his brace in the 74th minute, the same time that Atlas player Jose Hernandez was shown a red card. Atlas actually outshot Club America 22-19 (8-6 on target), but the visitors had a slight edge (54%) in possession. The game featured 32 fouls, five yellow cards and that red, so it was a physical matchup.

    Tigres also put up three goals in a win last week, taking down Santos Laguna at home, 3-0, on Saturday. The first half didn’t feature any scoring, and then Tigres benefited from an own goal in the 49th minute. Juan Brunetta followed that up with a Tigres tally ten minutes later, and then Santos Laguna provided another own goal in the 71st minute. So even though Tigres outshot Santos Laguna 21-7 (7-1 on target), Santos Laguna actually made more goals for Tigres than Tigres did for themselves. Tigres dominated possession (68% of the match) and forced nine corners to zero for the visitors. While Tigres were able to dominate Santos Laguna, though, Club America are good enough to get this win at home.

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    Guadalajara (+206) vs Cruz Azul (+131) (Draw +222)

    Liga MX Prediction: Cruz Azul to win
    When: Saturday, March 29, 11:05 pm ET

    Guadalajara had a disappointing 1-1 tie at Juarez on Saturday. The hosts went up early as Angel Zaldivar netted a goal for Juarez in just the sixth minute, but then Miguel Alejandro Gomez Ortiz brought the visitors level in the 80th minute and held on for the draw. Juarez outshot Guadalajara 10-6 (4-2 on target) despite the fact that Guadalajara possessed for 66% of the match.

    Cruz Azul rolled over San Luis at home on Saturday, 3-0. Angel Sepulveda only needed 13 minutes to post a brace, and then Andres Montano added the insurance goal just two minutes before full-time. Cruz Azul possessed for 53% of the match but turned that into a statistical domination, outshooting San Luis, 21-10 (10-2 on target) and forcing 11 corners to just 8 for the visitors. Cruz Azul must now go on the road to face Guadalajara, but they look a lot more like they know what they want on the pitch right now.

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    Liga MX Betting Odds to win the Clausura Title

    • Club America +176
    • Toluca +560
    • Tigres UANL +600
    • Cruz Azul +660
    • Pachuca +900
    • Monterrey +1000
    • Leon +1175
    • Guadalajara +2500
    • Necaxa +2600
    • Juarez +3300
    • Pumas UNAM +4400
    • Atlas +15000
    • Mazatlan FC +46000
    • Queretaro +50000
    • Puebla +70000
    • Santos Laguna +90000
    • Atletico San Luis +90000
    • Tijuana +90000
     

    How it Works Mexican Soccer

    Unlike European soccer, Liga MX doesn’t award its season title to the winner after the regular season. Instead, the top ten teams in the standings advance to a knockout tournament, called the Liguilla. The top six go right to the quarterfinals, while the seventh through tenth place teams enter a play-in round to figure out the seventh and eighth seeds. From that point on, each round takes place as a two-leg tie, and the winner on aggregate goal total advances. The final consists of one winner-take-all game.

     

    Club Leon

    They won seven of their first nine matches and moved into the early lead over Club America, but then they started to take on some water, and Club America moved into the lead in the Clausura table. Club Necaxa also got off to a hot start, as striker Diber Cambindo scored nine goals in the first nine games of the Clausura – more than he scored in the entire Apertura in the fall of 2024.

     

    Play-in Tournament

    After 12 matches, only four points separate first-place Club America from fourth-place Toluca, so plenty of movement in the seeding is still possible. The four play-in teams right now would be Pachuca, Monterrey, Juarez and Guadalajara, but tenth-place Guadalajara is only five points out of sixth place with five matches left on the schedule.

     

    Top 5 Analysis

    Third-place Tigres UANL have the longest current winning streak in Liga MX, at three games. Club America and Cruz Azul (fifth place) are the only teams without a defeat in their last five games. Toluca lead Liga MX with 30 goals scored, but they’ve also permitted 15 – almost twice as many as the eight that Club America have allowed. With the playoffs coming up, that means that defensive performances will tend to become more valuable as the quality on the field improves.

    I would tend to prioritize teams that have allowed fewer goals and that remain hot down the stretch. Club Leon, an interesting value pick as they are just in second place, but they’ve dropped two in a row and have a reputation for flailing in the playoffs. Cruz Azul also represents decent value here and may start to see those odds shorten as they continue to pick up points each week.

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    Betting World Cup Qualifying: CONMEBOL Games Picks & Standings for Matchday 14

    Betting World Cup Qualifying CONMEBOL is the confederation of the South American national soccer teams that will compete for qualification in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    The confederation has 10 teams, and the top six will advance directly to the World Cup. The seventh-place team will go into an inter-confederation two-leg playoff to advance.

    CONMEBOL has one of the longer qualification processes; with 18 matches to play over a matter of over two years, it is truly a gauntlet.

    After 13 of the 18 matches, Argentina leads the table with 28 points out of a possible 39, with nine wins, a draw and three losses.

    If qualification ended today, Bolivia would head to an inter-confederation playoff, and Venezuela, Peru and Chile would be on the outside looking in.

     

    Betting World Cup Qualifying Round 14 & Current Standings

    Read on to get the full table as well as top sports betting picks for Matchday 14 and our thoughts on which teams will end up advancing.

     

    CONMEBOL Qualifying Table (after 13 matches)

    RK Team GP W L D PTS GF GA DIFF
    1 Argentina 13 9 3 1 28 22 7 +15 – –
    2 Ecuador 13 7 2 4 22 13 5 +8 – –
    3 Brazil 13 6 4 3 21 19 12 +7 – –
    4 Uruguay 13 5 3 5 20 17 10 +7 – –
    5 Paraguay 13 5 3 5 20 9 7 +2 – –
    6 Colombia 13 5 4 4 19 16 12 +4 – –
    7 Bolivia 13 4 8 1 13 14 30 -16 – –
    8 Venezuela 13 2 5 6 12 12 17 -5 – –
    9 Peru 13 2 7 4 10 6 16 -10 – –
    10 Chile 13 2 8 3 9 9 21 -12 – –

    *-would advance to CONMEBOL inter-confederation playoff

    *-would be eliminated from the World Cup

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    Bolivia (+129) vs Uruguay (+220) (Draw +222)

    World Cup Qualifying Pick: Bolivia to win
    When: Tuesday, March 25, 4:00 pm ET

    Uruguay face a significant away disadvantage this week as they head to the high altitudes of Bolivia. Uruguay have not done well since the fall in the qualification process, but they should have enough of an edge to get through. Bolivia are glad to return home after taking a 3-1 beating in Peru last week – a Peru team that had been in the basement of the qualification table and had just managed three goals in their first 12 qualifying matches.

    They did win in Chile back in September, ending a 67-game away losing streak in World Cup qualifiers. They’ve lost ag Argentina, Ecuador and Peru since that win, and they also failed to beat Paraguay in their last home qualifier, so their chances of getting to a World Cup final for the first time since 1994 are getting slimmer. The last time Uruguay came to Bolivia, they lost, 3-0, back in 2021.

    Uruguay are taking on water, with just one win in their last seven qualifiers. Their November was outstanding as they defeated Colombia and got a draw at Brazil. It’s likely that they could get locked into the top six with one more win, but if they can’t beat Bolivia, they would only lead La Verde by four points.

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    Colombia (-172) vs Paraguay (+520) (Draw +275)

    World Cup Qualifying Pick: Take the draw
    When: Tuesday, March 25, 8:00 pm ET

    The fifth- and sixth-place teams in the qualification table meet in Bogota. Colombia lost, 2-1, at Brazil in their last qualifier, while La Albirroja shut out Chile, 1-0. That allowed Paraguay to move up past Colombia into fifth. Colombia have not made a World Cup final since 2018, but they have a solid chance here – even though they have lost three qualifiers in a row after getting at least one point out of each of their first eight matches.

    They still lead Bolivia by six points for the last direct qualifying spot in the table. Interestingly, they have dropped five points in qualifiers when they have scored first, but they’ve scooped up four points in matches when their opponents tallied first. They have 19 points with 13 coming at home. In their last six dates with Paraguay, they are undefeated.

    Just as Colombia’s qualification momentum has stalled, Paraguay’s has taken off, with a seven-match unbeaten streak going in qualifiers. They brought in Gustavo Alfaro as manager after crashing out of the group stage in Copa America last year, and this streak has them looking at their first World Cup finals since 2010. Their defense is their strength as they have permitted the second-fewest goals in the qualification matches to this point. They also are tied for the second-fewest goals scored, so their defense has had to stand tall. They drew Colombia on the road in 2021 and won here in 2017.

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    Argentina (+125) vs Brazil (+244) (Draw +210)

    World Cup Qualifying Pick: Take the draw
    When: Tuesday, March 25, 8:00 pm ET

    A win for Argentina would lock them into a spot in the World Cup finals. They lead the table with 28 points, seven ahead of Brazil as the Selecao are in third place. Argentina beat Uruguay on Friday despite missing Lionel Messi due to injury. Brazil have never failed to make a World Cup final, although this qualification campaign started slowly, as they lost four of their first six matches, getting just a win and a draw in the other two. Since then, they have a five-game unbeaten streak that includes wins over Chile and Peru back in October.

    However, they only picked up draws against Venezuela and Uruguay in November before picking up a mammoth home win over Colombia on Thursday. The match was tied at 1-1 until Vinicius Jr nailed a goal from distance in the 99th minute to get Brazil’s latest game-winning goal in a match since 2021, when Casemiro ended Colombia’s hopes as well in the 2021 Copa America. Brazil have only won once in their last road qualifiers, along with a draw and three losses, and they haven’t beaten Argentina anywhere since 2019, when they took them down in 2-0 fashion in the Copa America semi-finals.

     

    Lionel Messi

    Messi injured an adductor with Inter Miami, which left him on the shelf against Colombia. Paulo Dybala (AS Roma) and Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) are also on the shelf for this match, and Nico Gonzalez will have to serve a one-game ban after he took a straight red card near the end of the win over Uruguay.

    However, Rodrigo De Paul got to rest against Uruguay and could be available this time around, a move which would send Leandro Paredes down to the bench. Brazil will not have goalkeeper Ederson or forward Neymar because of injuries. Bento will start in Alisson Becker’s absence. Because of Argentina’s greater attrition due to injuries, as well as Brazil’s comparative need for a win, I’m not sure Argentina can prevail here, even at home.

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    Who will qualify for CONMEBOL’s World Cup slots?

    Some separation has definitely developed between the top six and the rest of the table. That six-point gap between sixth-place Colombia and seventh-place Bolivia is not insurmountable, but there are only five matches left, and Bolivia has lost three and drawn one over their last four. Without a win this time around, their chances of escaping an inter-confederation playoff will just get longer and longer.

     

    Can Venezuela catch and pass Bolivia?

    They’re only a point behind them in eighth. While they have only scored 12 goals, they’ve only given up 17. Bolivia have scored 14 goals – but given up a table-worst 30. The next highest total for goals conceded is 21, and that dismal number belongs to last-place Chile.

    So if anyone’s defense is ripe for an upset, it’s going to be Bolivia’s. Of course, with just 12 goals in 13 qualification matches, it’s not like Venezuela is going to explode on anyone, either.

    Colombia have struggled lately, but it would take a fairly major collapse at this point to send them down past either Bolivia or Venezuela. Uruguay are also sliding, but their early wins make them seem safe.

    If you’re wondering why Ecuador only have 22 points when they should have 25 (seven wins, four draws), they took a penalty for having an ineligible player in their last qualification cycle. Either way, they’re safely ensconced in second place in the table.

    ^
     
     
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    How to Bet the NBA Championship Series in Xbet?

    Bet NBA Championship Series! The New York Knicks got some good news this week as star guard Jalen Brunson is out of his boot and could get some games in before the playoffs.

    He sprained his right ankle a couple of weeks ago in a loss to the L.A. Lakers. While he’s not expected to appear in a game before the end of March or early April, he’s doing light shooting.

    He currently ranks seventh in the NBA in scoring (26.3 points per game) and eighth in assists (7.4).

    The Knicks’ chances of making a deep playoff run will improve significantly if Brunson is back at 100%.

     

    How to Bet NBA Championship Series in Xbet

    As the NBA playoffs get closer, let’s talk about how the bracket works and how you can make this event a successful part of your sports betting.

    • Oklahoma City Thunder +175
    • Boston Celtics +200
    • Cleveland Cavaliers +525
    • L.A. Lakers +525
    • Denver Nuggets +1500
    • Golden State Warriors +1600
    • N.Y. Knicks +3000
    • Milwaukee Bucks +5000
    • Memphis Grizzlies +6000
    • Minnesota Timberwolves +7500
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    How does the NBA Championship format work?

    The NBA playoff format consists of four rounds, played in a best-of-seven format. The top-ranked team has home-court advantage, including in the NBA Finals, where the team with the better record hosts its rival.

     

    Teams Without Postseason

    They have a history of “tanking,” where they intentionally underperform to improve their draft position. In 1985, the NBA introduced a lottery system to determine the draft order for non-playoff teams. This system is weighted, giving teams with worse records better odds for the first pick; initially, the worst team’s odds were only 16.7%. In 2018, this was increased to 25%, yet since the rule change, the team with the worst record has never received the first overall pick.

    The league implemented a play-in tournament to discourage tanking and increase fan interest. At the end of the regular season, the seventh through tenth place teams compete for the last two playoff spots.

    • 7th place hosts 8th place – winner gets the 7th seed
    • 9th place hosts 10th place – winner visits the 7-8 loser to play for the 8th seed

    Once all eight seeds are determined for both conferences, then bracket play begins – so if a team is going to win the NBA Championship, they’ll need to win 16 games along the way.

    ^  

    In what way do player matchups affect the NBA Championship Series?

    During the 82-game regular season, NBA teams play each team in their division four times, four times against six teams from their conference, three times against the other four and twice against the other conference. In the playoffs, they may face each other up to seven consecutive times.

    The playoffs show that teams with major flaws generally do not advance. However, the relative weakness of the Eastern Conference has allowed some underperforming teams to sneak in that would not have qualified in the Western Conference.

     

    NBA Today

    Teams often require two or three superstars to succeed in the playoffs, but matchups play a crucial role as well. The Dallas Mavericks, who reached the West Finals three years ago, avoided facing a dominant center like the Denver Nuggets; without a strong rim presence, they would have struggled. Although they improved their interior game by adding centers last season, they faced the Boston Celtics, who boasted three elite scorers – Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Jayson Tatum – compared to the Mavericks’ two, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, leading to the Celtics’ easy series victory.

    The NBA playoffs feature iconic rivalries, most notably between Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics and Magic Johnson of the L.A. Lakers, which began in the 1979 NCAA finals. Their fierce competition continued in the NBA, where they faced off three times in the Finals, each supported by strong teams, embodying an era of star-driven matchups.

    In today’s NBA playoff sports betting, focus on NET rating and efficiency metrics, as well as which teams have their scorers performing well. Tim Hardaway Jr. of Dallas set a franchise record with five threes in Game 4 of the Finals last year, but his playoff performance largely consisted of missed shots and limited playtime. The Mavericks famously won a Finals game by over 50 points yet failed to clinch the series, largely due to inconsistent scoring from Hardaway and other secondary players like P.J. Washington.

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    How do defensive and offensive efficiency affect the NBA Championship Series?

    In the playoffs, offensive efficiency decreases, as does the number of possessions a team will have per game. Defensive efficiency increases.

     

    Why do these changes happen?

    The intensity of games increases during the postseason, resulting in key players resting less compared to the regular season’s 82-game stretch, where “load management” is common. Defensive effort tends to be stronger in the playoffs, partly due to mental focus and the caliber of the opponent; for instance, the Boston Celtics may not exert as much defensive effort against the Washington Wizards as they would against the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading to potentially higher offensive scores to secure wins.

    In the playoffs, possessions become crucial, leading to fewer turnovers as teams with better ball security face off. This results in less fast-break chances and longer possessions that consume the shot clock. Consequently, teams with higher offensive and defensive efficiencies tend to excel under increased pressure.

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    What are the best betting strategies for the NBA Championship Series?

    One interesting strategy is to bet on teams that have been blown out in a playoff game. In the NBA, it is observed that when a team feels they can’t win, their bench comes in early, and things get out of hand. In the next game, the team that got crushed tries harder. In 27 seasons, there were 26 games where a team lost by 30 or more points.

    Bet on the team to win the next game against the spread yielded success 15 times (57.7%). Teams losing by 29 or 30 points covered the spread in seven out of nine instances in subsequent games. It’s crucial to consider other factors, especially if teams are evenly matched. Monitoring games for early concessions can indicate a higher likelihood of covering in the following matchup.

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    Bet NBA Championship Series: Can I bet on the series winner?

    This will feature a set of odds to advance. In the first round, you might see odds like this: hypothetical 1-seed Boston might have -300 odds (or even shorter) to advance against hypothetical 8-seed Atlanta, who might have +500 odds to advance. You’d put down $300 to win $100 on Boston, while you’d only put down $100 to win $500 on Atlanta.

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    How can I wager on series prop bets?

    Most series prop bets focus on predicting the exact number of games in a playoff series. NBA postseason series can last from four to seven games, depending on which team wins four games first. For the Boston-Atlanta series, the odds favor Boston winning in five games. Since Games 3 and 4 will be in Atlanta, the Hawks may leverage their pride and home advantage to secure a win. Each possible outcome, including various game counts for both teams, will have distinct moneylines.

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    How do I analyze player performance in the NBA Championship Series?

    Examine metrics like plus/minus to evaluate player contributions in scoring, distribution, and defense over 48 minutes. Assess shooting performance for cold streaks that signal a breakout or slump. Analyzing game film and player body language is crucial for understanding non-statistical influences in playoffs.

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    Which methods do I use to analyze and predict game-to-game adjustments?

    Coaches’ post-game statements reveal much about team dynamics. If a coach criticizes player effort, it can signal the end of the series for that team. Conversely, optimistic remarks usually boost team confidence.

    Some coaches excel at in-series adjustments; for example, Doc Rivers, despite winning an NBA title in 2006, often struggles with this. In contrast, Erik Spoelstra is well-regarded for his adjustments, even if his teams haven’t secured recent championships.

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    How do I use expert analysis and predictions for the NBA Championship Series?

    Remember that there are different levels of “expert analysis.” It’s hard to say just how much preparation Stephen A. Smith does before going on rants on ESPN. ESPN’s Zach Lowe, though, does a lot of solid work and brings in deep dives into the stats at times.

    He also knows a lot about factors involving individual players. Monica McNutt, JJ Redick, and Ben Taylor are also experts whose work you should consult as part of your betting research.

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    Texas Longhorns Schedule 2025: Dates, TV & Picks to Win the Next Season

    The Texas Longhorns saw their 2024 season come to an end in the Cotton Bowl, losing in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff to the Ohio State Buckeyes, who would go on to win the national championship.

    Starting quarterback Quinn Ewers has left Austin to enter the NFL Draft, but Arch Manning is ready to step in and take over right where Ewers left off.

    According to Andy Staples of On3 Sports, the Longhorns will win the national championship next January.

    However, he also has the Longhorns earning the top seed – and none of the top four seeds won in the quarterfinal round last year.

    Even so, he’s not the only one who thinks Texas Football have greatness ahead of them in their second season in the SEC.

     

    Texas Longhorns 2025 Football – What to Expect in Every Game

     

    Read on to get our thoughts about the Longhorns’ 2025 campaign and how you can take advantage of it with your sports betting decisions.

     

    The Longhorns Football Schedule

    • at Ohio State, Saturday, August 30
    • vs San Jose State, Saturday, September 6
    • vs. UTEP, Saturday, September 13
    • vs Sam Houston State, Saturday, September 20
    • at Florida*, Saturday, October 4
    • vs Oklahoma*, (in Dallas) Saturday, October 11
    • at Kentucky*, Saturday, October 18
    • at Mississippi State*, Saturday, October 25
    • vs Vanderbilt, Saturday, November 1
    • at Georgia*, Saturday, November 15
    • vs Arkansas*, Saturday, November 22
    • vs Texas A&M*, Saturday, November 29
    • Saturday, December 6 SEC Championship

    * SEC game

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    When does Texas Football play?

    All of Texas’ kickoff times remain to be announced. That opener at Ohio State could be at noon Eastern time, but it’s more likely to take place in prime time.

    Big Ten broadcasting contracts do put a lot of those games in the early time slot, but this is a rematch of the national championship game, so prime time wouldn’t surprise me at all.

    The only other early time slot I would anticipate is the Texas-Oklahoma game, which also usually comes in that early window. However, with both teams in the SEC now, that could move to 3:30 Eastern time. That’s where I would expect most of their conference games to fall.

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    What are the current Texas football betting odds? What are their odds to win the national championship?

    At this writing, the Ohio State Buckeyes are the favorites to repeat, and most books have them somewhere between +480 and +600 to take the title.

    After them come the Texas Longhorns (+500 to +650), the Georgia Bulldogs (+600 to +700) and then the Oregon Ducks (+650 to +750).

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    What are the betting trends for the Longhorns?

    Right now, Texas is the favorite to win the SEC (+200), with Georgia (+400), Tennessee (+700) and Alabama (+750) rounding out the top four. Georgia seems a bit overvalued after losing quarterback Carson Beck to Miami in the offseason.

    Alabama is less of a known quantity after the retirement of Nick Saban, and the addition of Texas Football has made the SEC even more of a gauntlet.

    Most books have Texas’ win total at 10 for the regular season, meaning they can only lose one and cover the “over.” Playoff games are not part of that prop.

    The transfer portal largely preserved Texas Longhorns’ offense, though the draft impacted them.

     

    NFL Draft

    Ewers entered the draft, prompting the addition of C.J. Rogers. Tailback Jaydon Blue also left, but five scholarship tailbacks, including Quintrevion Wisner, return.

    C.J. Baxter and Christian Clark return from injuries, while Rickey Stewart and James Simon are new recruits. Johntay Cook transferred and Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden entered the NFL draft.

    The Longhorns pursued Eric Singleton Jr, who chose Auburn. Nick Townsend and Emaree Winston are the top recruits.

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    Let’s break down the Longhorns’ schedule and make some projections

     
    at Ohio State: Game 1

    The Buckeyes are favored by approximately 4 ½ points. Both Ohio State and Texas Longhorns lost their starting quarterbacks to the NFL. Despite losing talent, Ohio State has more returning offensive skill players and fewer defensive losses to address. Ohio State to win.

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    vs San Jose State: Game 2

    In their last meeting in 2017, the Longhorns defeated the Spartans 56-0. Last season, the Spartans finished 7-6. Expect the Longhorns to dominate the first half, then rest their starters after halftime in this matchup. Texas to win.

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    vs UTEP: Game 3

    The game could be easier for the Longhorns, as the Miners had a 3-9 record (3-5 C-USA). Their approach is to run, which could work for a while, but Texas has the speed and defensive talent to stop them, plus they have a speedy offense. Texas to win.

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    vs Sam Houston State: Game 4

    The cupcake parade in Austin ends here, but the Bearkats will be a tougher out than the Miners were. Sam Houston went 10-3 (6-2 C-USA) but only beat Georgia Southern by five in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The fact that the Bearkats allowed Georgia Southern to put up 26 points suggests that the Longhorns should be able to score as much as they would like to. Texas to win.

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    at Florida: Game 5

    Expectations are on the rise in Gainesville, and nothing would make coach Billy Napier happier than shutting down Texas at home. Quarterback D.J. Lagway was on pace to throw about 20 touchdowns in his first season. He was the Gasparilla Bowl MVP, but he said in his post-game press conference that he wanted to accomplish even more this time around. They hung right with Tennessee and Georgia last year, losing on a late fumble on the goal line and an injury to Lagway, respectively. But do they have enough to stop Texas at home? Texas to win.

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    vs Oklahoma: Game 6

    Oklahoma enjoys a bye week before facing Kent State, while Texas comes off a game with Florida. Last year, Texas crushed Oklahoma 34-3 at the State Fair and is favored again. If Texas falters against Florida, the matchup could become intriguing, but Oklahoma still trails behind Texas under Brett Venables. Texas to win.

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    at Kentucky: Game 7

    The Longhorns go into each road game with a giant target on their backs. Kentucky’s defense should be better than it was in 2024, and the Wildcats’ home crowd is one of the more raucous ones in the SEC. Texas is seasoned enough to find their way through that noise, though. Texas to win.

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    at Mississippi State: Game 8

    The Bulldogs play four CFP teams from a year ago – Tennessee, Texas and Georgia in SEC Play, and Arizona State in a non-conference home game. That would help their chances of getting into the CFP on the basis of strength of schedule, but the Bulldogs don’t have the talent to stop the Longhorns, even at home. Texas to win.

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    vs Vanderbilt: Game 9

    The Longhorns finally get back in front of their home fans for the first time since the Sam Houston game (the Oklahoma game is at a neutral site, the original Cotton Bowl in Dallas). The Commodores are not going to be an easy out – remember, last year, they beat Alabama at home. Having the Commodores come to Austin is definitely a better option for Texas, but this is a potential trap game with Georgia looming the next week. Texas to win.

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    at Georgia: Game 10

    Georgia beat Texas in the SEC Championship last year – but just barely. Both teams come in with new quarterbacks and new skill players. Can the Longhorns reverse the whip and take this win on the road? I think they will have the momentum to do it – and Steve Sarkisian may just show us that Kirby Smart isn’t quite as much of a genius as he thinks he is. Texas to win.

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    vs Arkansas: Game 11

    The Razorbacks don’t see Alabama, Florida, or Georgia in their SEC slate this year. However, they can’t get by a trip to Austin. This is a team that can hang out around the .500 mark in SEC play, but they’ll need an upset or two just to get to eight wins. I don’t see that upset coming in Austin. Texas to win.

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    vs Texas A&M: Game 12

    The Aggies pushed the Longhorns to the limit a year ago in College Station, but the Longhorns came out of that crucible with a win. Arch Manning is not a dropoff from Quinn Ewers in any aspect of his game, and I see him guiding the Longhorns to a home win in this bitter rivalry. Texas to win.

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