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How to Bet on the Australian Open Finals 2025? Top prop bets, Live Betting & Research

At the Australian Open Finals Odds, we know the lineup for the women’s singles game. It looked like we might get a rarity on the women’s side – the 1-seed and the 2-seed squaring off for the trophy.

In the women’s game, the parity is such right now that top seeds regularly tumble. Aryna Sabalenka held up her end of the bargain, as the top seed stopped Paula Badosa in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.

The other semifinal, though, became the stuff of legend. Madison Keys had ridden the 19th seed all the way to the semifinal before losing the first set to 2-seed Iga Swiatek, 7-5.

Then Keys stormed back to win the second set, 6-1. The third set became a war that saw Keys prevail, 7-6 (10-8).

Swiatek was serving for the match at 6-5 and held match point, but Keys saved the point, broke Swiatek’s serve and then came back from being down 7-5 in the last tiebreaker to take the win.

If Sabalenka can win, she would become the first woman in 26 years to win three straight Australian Open singles titles, equaling the feat accomplished by Martina Hingis.

If Keys can win, she would finally collect her first Grand Slam at the age of 29. This is her first appearance in any Grand Slam final since 2017, when Sloane Stephens beat her at Flushing Meadows to win the U.S. Open.

 

How to Bet on the 2025 Australian Open Finals Odds?

 

The men’s semifinals are yet to come. One side of the bracket, 2-seed Alexander Zverev will meet 7-seed Novak Djokovic. On the other side, 1-seed Jannik Sinner will take on 21-seed Ben Shelton.

Read on to get some sports betting insights connected to the final of 2025’s first Grand Slam event.

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Why are the Australian Open Finals Odds such a betting opportunity?

 

WTA

The women’s final has the chance to provide an inspirational story line no matter who wins. If Keys wins, she finally cashes in on that potential she has always had to take home one of the sport’s great trophies. Injuries and inconsistency have kept her from breaking through so far, but now she is on the cusp of legend. If Sabalenka wins, she also attains a new level of lore within the sport. In women’s tennis, parity in the last generation has made it difficult for any one player to establish dominance, so winning Melbourne three years in a row would be a considerable achievement.

 

Betting Australian Open

As a sport, tennis has become increasingly popular, not just on television but in terms of betting volume. Online gambling and live, or in-game, betting, have made the money going to tennis wagering skyrocket each year. At times, wagering on tennis has climbed to second among all the sports, behind only football. The ways in which the dynamics of a match can change as time goes by make live betting particularly attractive. It’s a head-to-head sport with only two players involved. That makes for more variables in terms of outcomes than one gets with a larger team sport. If one player is just off that particular day, that can lead to big wins for those willing to track eht live betting and shift wagers as momentum shifts.

 

Indivudual, not Grupal

One factor that makes tennis betting even more convenient is that you don’t really need to watch a match to track tendencies – all you need is an individual point feed. As each point, game and set go by, it’s possible to jump on new props, hedge with bets that go the other way on the match from what you initially thought, if momentum is going the wrong way. For those who love the dopamine hits that betting can bring, following a tennis match through live betting can be a euphoric experience.

 

ATP

On the men’s side of the bracket, there are also some great stories to follow, no matter who advances. If Djokovic gets by Zverev, then he’d be a compelling betting choice to win the whole thing. Yes, Zverev is the 2-seed, but he’s still looking for that first Grand Slam title, and it’s hard to see him maintaining composure against the ageless Serb. On the other side, we have Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton.

So we will either see Sinner look to hold onto that #1 ranking, or we will see the 22-year-old Shelton crash even more of this party. No American man has won a major singles title since 2003, when Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open. Shelton got to the semifinals at Flushing Meadows and looks to push that momentum even further. Djokovic has already dispatched one rising star in this bracket by stopping Carlos Alcaraz, so he would be heavily favored to do the same thing against Shelton.

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Australian Open Finals Odds provided by Xbet

 

Bet types to consider / Top prop bets in the Australian Open

 

Aryna Sabalenka

The odds on the women’s final show Sabalenka at -330 and Keys at +250 on the moneyline. This doesn’t accurately reflect the drama that will go into the match, so I’m looking more at the game spread. Currently that sits at Sabalenka -4.5 games, with the moneyline for Sabalenka at +100 and -130 for Keys to cover +4.5. I like Keys to stay that close – in a best-of-three set format, Keys only needs to win eight games to stay within that range. I just don’t see Sabalenka blowing Keys out of the water two days after Keys was able to deliver a 6-1 whipping of Iga Swiatek in the middle set of their showdown.

 

Game Total

Another intriguing prop in the women’s final is the game total, which sits at 21.5. Even if the match ends after two sets, it would only take one tiebreaker, or even one set to end 7-5, for that over to hit. If the match goes to a third set, the game total would fly out the window. I see this as a close match between two players who are peaking, and so I would take the over and Keys to cover the game spread.

If you’re looking at game totals and spreads on the men’s side, remember that those matches are best-of-five sets. So the game totals will be higher as a result, with a minimum of 18 games to be played (ruling out the chance of an walkover or injury retirement) as opposed to 12 in a best-of-three situation.

 

Live Betting

What about some of the more granular live betting props? You can see serving percentages and speeds to help you decide if a player might face a break point somewhere along the line. First serve percentages that dwindle below a player’s average could suggest a lack of confidence or just a mechanical flaw in that player’s process. The same goes for changes in serve velocity. Any significant degradation in a player’s serve makes a break – and a break point – more likely. Players who both have dominant serves going are more likely to head to a tiebreaker because players switch serves each game.

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Australian Open Finals Odds: Research Analysis / Live Betting / Bankroll Management

In general, understanding how different players fare on different surfaces is an important part of research for tennis betting. Hardcourt surfaces lie in between clay and grass in terms of speed, but the surfaces in Melbourne have a reputation for being among the faster hardcourts in the sport. So players with big serves will tend to win here more easily than they would at a clay tournament, for example.

 

Key Factors

Understanding factors such as recent form, health, injuries, and head-to-head results is also helpful when planning tennis wagers. By the time players advance to the final, they have all made it through multiple rounds in a short time frame. Younger players will make it to the final with less wear and tear on their joints, but older players will have made it through the mental crucible of semifinal and finals pressure before.

 

Live betting on tennis generally covers the moneyline wagers that include

Who will win the match, who will win the current set, and who will win the upcoming game. There are also some more granular live betting props, such as whether a particular set will head to a tiebreaker or not; the total points in the next tie breaker; the final score of a game after two, three or four points have already been played; whether the next game will feature a break point; and other similar options. These choices will vary depending on the sportsbook that you choose.

 

Sportsbook Rules

One rule that is common across books requires you to get your bet in before the start of a point. Odds shift as each point goes by. So books will yank, or suspend, the lines after the point begins, and then once one player or the other has won the point, the odds will show up again with slight adjustment. If you try to add a wager to your slip to lock the odds in but don’t confirm before the beginning of the point, you will miss out on that bet.

It’s also important to know the rules for completion, which can vary by book. A lot of the wagers require that both participants finish the match. When injury, retirement or a walkover take place, a lot of the bets could end up voided. You’ll want to check the rules of your sportsbook to understand what will happen in those cases.

 

The Bankroll

Our last topic for this article has to do with managing your bankroll. New bettors frequently lose control of their bankrolls because they follow their emotions rather than logic. If they love a particular wager, they’ll bet more money. If they’re not into it as much, they’ll bet less, even if there’s a better value wager available. Once they start winning, they start doubling down thanks to the overconfidence. If they hit a cold streak, they start chasing wins, using unwisely large bets to try and win their losses back with one big outcome. This is a dangerous way to wager – and one of the fastest ways to run out of money and end up in the red.

 

Flat-betting approach

One way to avoid this problem is to take it. This refers to wagering the same amount with every play, putting between 1 and 5 percent of your bankroll out there per play. If your bankroll is $1000, for example, each bet should be around $30 (3%). Maintaining discipline and consistency with the wager size will help you deal with the wins and losses that sports betting brings. This will keep you from hitting rock bottom on a losing streak. While you’re winning, it will lead to a positive return on your investment. Flat betting doesn’t deliver a huge payday, but over the long haul, you will see your profits rise – if your research is solid as time goes by.

 

Tennis betting

Sports betting can be both profitable and exciting, no matter what the sport. It allows for a lot of adrenaline for the bettor – and a lot of convenience, as you don’t even have to be watching the match to follow the progress and adjust your live betting strategy on the fly. However, those bettors who can stay disciplined and follow a process are much more likely to make money over time. So if you’re betting to make money and not just to spend money on yet another hobby, take the time to do the research, and build a system that will keep you from losing all your cash with one wrong wager.

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EPL Matchday 23 Top Picks, Futures, Props, Betting Analysis & Predictions

It’s time for the EPL Matchday 23 Top Picks! It’s nothing but misery at Old Trafford this season, as Manchester United are in 13th in the English Premier League table after 22 matches.

They took an ugly 3-1 home loss against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, and manager Ruben Anorim says that this team might be the worst in the storied history of the club.

They sit 10 points clear of relegation at this point, but Anorim’s remarks might still be accurate. They’ve lost six of their first 12 home matches in EPL play, the most in the first 12 home dates since 1893-1894.

In 22 total EPL matches, they have 10 losses. The last time they only needed 22 matches to reach 10 losses was 1989-90. The side finished eighth in the EPL table last year, the worst finish ever – and now they’re stuck in 13th.

Anorim has said that he doesn’t plan to change his approach, but it seems clear that his approach and strategy are not working with the players on the field.

 

Soccer Betting: EPL Matchday 23 Top Picks, Futures and Props

 

Bournemouth +105 vs Nottingham Forest +250 (Draw +275)

EPL Prediction: Bournemouth to win
When: Saturday, January 25, 10:00 am ET

 

Bournemouth

Bournemouth will bring their high-powered offense back home after an away 4-1 shellacking of Newcastle United on Saturday. Justin Kluivert only needed six minutes to score for the visitors. Bruno Gulmaraes drew Newcastle level in the 25th minute, but Kluivert got the visitors back in front just before halftime. In injury time at the end of the second half, Bournemouth turned insult into injury as Kluivert completed his hat trick and Milos Kerkez slotted a ball home four minutes later. Nottingham Forest only possessed for 44% of the match but outshot the hosts, 19-13 (10-5 on target). The visitors were whistled for 18 fouls and shown six yellow cards in a show of physicality.

 

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest continue their winning ways, still in third place in the table. They hosted Southampton last week and won in an unnecessary nailbiter, 3-2. The hosts saw goals from Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odol and Chris Wood in the first half and went into the intermission with that comfortable 3-0 goal. Southampton came out after the break and got a goal from Jan Bednarek, but that 3-1 margin looked solid until Paul Onuachu scored in injury time, making the last few minutes fraught with worry. Nottingham Forest held on for the win.

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Manchester City -110 vs Chelsea +290 (Draw +300)

EPL Prediction: City to win
When: Saturday, January 25, 12:30 pm ET

 

Man City

City are right on the edge of Champions League qualification for next year, tied with Newcastle United for fourth but holding the edge in goal differential by three. They made a big statement in goal differential last week as they went to Ipswich Town and dealt out a 6-0 lesson. Goals came from Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland (the man with the 9 ½-year contract extension), James McAtee, and Phil Foden, who had a brace in the first half. City possessed for 68% of the match and outshot the hosts, 17-8 (9-4 on target).

 

Chelsea

Next up for City is a much tougher test, as sixth-place Chelsea come calling. Chelsea host Wolves on Monday before this Sunday fixture; their last action was a 2-2 home draw with Bournemouth on January 14. Chelsea opened the scoring with a 13th-minute tally from Cole Palmer. Bournemouth drew level in the 50th minute as Justin Kluivert converted from the spot and then moved ahead 18 minutes later with a goal from Antoine Semenyo. It looked like Chelsea might leave the pitch without a single point, but then Reece James scored in injury time to salvage the draw. The Blues are winless in their last five, and City are finally showing signs of waking up to their championship form.

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Fulham +130 vs Manchester United +205 (Draw +245)

EPL Prediction: Fulham to win
When: Sunday, January 26, 2:00 pm ET

 

Fulham

They went to Leicester City and beat the Foxes, 2-0. The first half was scoreless, but then Emile Smith Rowe broke through for Fulham in the 48th minute. Twenty minutes later, Adama Traore provided the insurance goal as Fulham out shot the hosts, 17-8, but made both of their on-target shots count. Fulham possessed for 61% of the match and completed 85% of their passes, but a lot of their shots were from distance or simply went wide before the simple edge in possession forced things in the visitors’ direction.

 

Brighton

The Seagulls only needed five minutes to find the back of the Manchester United net in Sunday’s matchup. The hosts got a goal from the spot courtesy of Bruno Fernandes, and matters went into halftime deadlocked at a goal apiece. Kaoru Mitoma scored in the 60th minute, and then Georginio Rutter salted away the win 16 minutes later. Man U outshot the visitors, 10-6, but Brighton got all three of their on-target shots home, while the hosts only managed one whot on frame despite possessing for 52% of the match. Given the doldrums in which Manchester United find themselves – and given their manager’s public willingness to acknowledge the size of the disconnect between his approach and his players – I don’t see this going well.

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EPL Matchday 23 Top Picks, Best Futures and Props for the Week

 

Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest OVER 3.5 goals

In Bournemouth’s last five matches, the teams have combined to beat this total four times. This has only happened once in Nottingham Forest’s last five games, but that occurrence came this past weekend. Bournemouth had a high-flying offense, and when problems occur, they come from holes opening in the back line because of that aggressive attack. Nottingham Forest have shown they can clamp down on opponents and win grinders, but I think Bournemouth can drive the rhythm here.

 

Fulham vs Manchester United – Raul Jimenez anytime goalscorer

In 10 of Fulham’s last 11 home EPL matches, both teams have scored. The same has been true for four of Man U’s last six away EPL matches. So expect there to be room for offense, and for Fulham, few scorers have been as hot at home as Jimenez, who has four goals combined over Fulham’s last three home EPL matches.

 

Which teams will round out the top four in the final table?

Even with a match in hand, Liverpool are six points clear of Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League table. After Arsenal and Nottingham Forest come Manchester City and Newcastle, level with 38 points each, and then come Chelsea and Bournemouth (37), Aston Villa (36) and Brighton (34). There’s still plenty of time for movement, with 16 matches left on the calendar. So which teams represent the best value for a futures wager?

Nottingham Forest (+175)

The Forest offers some intriguing value here. Relative newcomers to the top of the table, they have not yet earned the same betting respect that has seen Manchester City show up with a -225 moneyline on the same prop. Nottingham Forest have shown they can win tight defensive battles, but they have also shown they can win when the game speeds up.

Will the bright lights of EPL pressure start to wear on this team? Maybe, but they have shown confidence week after week and are starting to win the reverse fixtures with teams that historically have towered above them in English soccer. Bournemouth (+800) is another team that looks fascinating because of their ability to pour in the goals. If they can shore up some of their back-line issues, they won’t have to win as many barnburners, but the hope is that those adjustments won’t eat away at their attack.

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Eagles or Commanders? Discover the NFC Championship Odds & Analysis for the team that can Win the Super Bowl

Follow closely the NFC Championship Odds, thats because between Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XXXI, the NFC won all but one of those 16 Super Bowls, with the lone exception coming in Super Bowl XVIII when the then-Los Angeles Raiders rolled the Washington then-Redskins, 38-9.

Aside from the NFC’s dominance, the AFC prevailed earlier with the Dolphins and Steelers, and later through the Broncos, Patriots, and Chiefs, showcasing its strength across different eras.

While quarterbacks have always been one of the top choices for any roster, the NFL has moved in more recent years to a pass-friendly game. The rules have been adjusted to make it harder for defenders to stop the passing game.

So players like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady found it easier to set up shop in the pocket and find receivers down the field.

The emergence of mobile quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson fuels the growth of dual-threat quarterbacks, with talents like Bo Nix and C.J. Stroud.

In this year’s NFL playoff bracket, the NFC Championship will come down to the Philadelphia Eagles or the Washington Commanders as the two sides meet Sunday for a berth in Super Bowl LIX.

Let’s take a look at the NFC side of the postseason bracket as you plan your sports betting for the next couple of weeks.

 

NFC Championship Odds: Who’s the favorite to Win the Super Bowl LIX?

 

Betting Implications of an NFC Win

NFL Futures Winning Conference: AFC -133 / NFC +104

The Frankford Yellow Jackets and Boston Braves relocated to Washington in 1937, evolving into the Philadelphia Eagles and Redskins, respectively; they have faced each other 182 times since October 21, 1934.

It has been a very close rivalry, with Washington winning 90 times, Philadelphia winning 86 times, and six games ending in ties.

They have only met once before in the playoffs, though, a 1990 wild-card game that Washington won. As divisional rivals, these teams have met twice a year for just about as long as the NFL has held its current format, so they know each other well.

Whichever team emerges from this game to play in Super Bowl LVIII will be the underdog, though.

If Jayden Daniels excels, the Commanders could emerge as a thrilling contender, but may falter under Super Bowl pressure against the playoff experience of Buffalo or Kansas City.

If Jalen Hurts can lead his team to a gritty win, then the Eagles will enter as underdogs, likely because of the injuries plaguing the Eagles.

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NFC Championship Odds: Which NFC Team Will Win?

 

Washington Commanders

Washington will win because the Commanders excel in passing, while the Eagles rank 29th in passing yardage. Though Saquon Barkley lightens Jalen Hurts’ burden, Washington’s third-ranked pass defense aims to stifle Barkley, forcing Hurts to rely on his aerial game while playing from a disadvantageous position.

Dan Quinn

Washington is exhibiting a carefree style of football under new head coach Quinn, who remains composed unlike his previous tenure with the Falcons. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, a Heisman Trophy winner from LSU, demonstrates poise, avoiding typical struggles faced by past winners in the pros. The team’s relaxed and confident demeanor reflects an attitude of playing freely, truly embracing the feeling of having nothing to lose.

Jayden Daniels

Washington triumphed over Philadelphia in their second 2024 regular-season clash, led by Daniels who orchestrated a remarkable comeback as the Eagles offense faltered. With Hurts sidelined due to injury, his backup Kenny Pickett played through a painful rib issue. This allowed Washington’s defense to crowd the box, forcing the Eagles to struggle with deep plays, resulting in repeated punts.

Washington capitalized on the tired Philadelphia defense while showcasing their offense against Detroit, slicing through their injury-plagued unit effortlessly. The performances at Ford Field signal potential challenges ahead for defensive coordinators in Philadelphia, Buffalo, and Kansas City.

 

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia will win because… their defense makes opposing quarterbacks miserable. In their first two playoff games this season, they posted seven sacks. They also take the ball away frequently; they were sixth in the regular season in turnover differential and total turnovers. It’s true that Daniels has only taken one sack in two playoff games and has a three-game turnover-free streak. However, the Eagles have the personnel and the system to throw new wrinkles at Daniels.

Jalen Hurts

Hurts will have had a week to recover from the damage his knee took in the win over Los Angeles in the snow. He didn’t leave the game, but he was a lot less mobile. He took a safety that he wouldn’t have taken if he were 100%, and the Eagles’ play-calling was much more conservative with respect for his injury. That meant taking out the “Tush Push” near the goal line. Hurts stepped up with a huge completion to A.J. Brown on fourth-and-4, and Saquon Barkley was able to bang the ball into the end zone instead.

Jalen Carter

Carter showed that he can be a wrecking ball on defense. Against the Rams, he had a huge sack in the first half and then belted Kyren Williams in the fourth quarter, forcing a huge fumble. On his last two snaps, he sacked Matthew Stafford and then pressured him again on fourth down to hurry the incompletion. Carter needs to be ready to lead a big effort by the front seven again this week to keep Washington from running wild once again.

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NFC Championship Odds: Best Wins for NFC Teams

 

Super Bowl XLII: N.Y. Giants 17, New England Patriots 14

This was going to be the year when the Patriots ended the run of the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only perfect team in NFL history, but that all went for naught as Eli Manning led the Giants down the field for a late touchdown. On the way to that score, David Tyree made the famed “helmet” catch, trapping a heave from Manning against his helmet as he landed on the ground – the last catch that Tyree would make as a pro football player. This is one of two Super Bowl wins that would cement Manning’s place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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N.Y. Giants 20, Buffalo Bills 19: Super Bowl XXV

This was the “Scott Norwood” game – the “Wide Right” game. Buffalo would lose four straight Super Bowls, starting with this one, when they had a makeable field goal attempt to win the game, but Norwood pushed the kick to the right. The Giants played a unique defense, using two down linemen and five linebackers to keep the Bills’ offense from doing what they wanted. The Bills had quarterback Jim Kelly and tailback Thurman Thomas dominating defenses, but the Giants figured out how to tame the Buffalo attack, and then they got the luck of a missed field goal try.

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Super Bowl XXIII: San Francisco 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16

The Bill Walsh-coached San Francisco 49ers were one of the great dynasties of the NFL, with not one but two elite quarterbacks – Joe Montana and Steve Young. When the 49ers and the Bengals met for the second time, Montana made some elite plays, but what may have made the key difference was the injury to Cincinnati nose tackle Tim Krumrie. Once he broke his leg, the 49ers had room to run, and that opened the door for enough long drives to keep the ball out of the Bengals’ hands. John Taylor caught the game-winning touchdown pass in one of the great back-and-forth Super Bowls.

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Philadelphia Eagles 41, New England Patriots 33: Super Bowl LII

This was definitely one of the most exciting Super Bowls of all time. The defense basically took a back seat for both teams, except for Brandon Graham’s highlight-reel strip-sack. The Eagles won their first title since 1960, when they beat Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers at Franklin Field in a game that was shockingly blacked out in Philadelphia because it didn’t even sell out. This game was the end of Nick Foles’ Cinderella season, when he rose up from backup quarterback to Super Bowl MVP, partly on the back of his catch on the Philly Special touchdown that the Patriots tried to copy, only to have Tom Brady flailing at a ball out of his reach.

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Super Bowl XXXIV: St. Louis Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16

The Rams looked like they were running away with this game, but then Tennessee roared back from a 16-point deficit. Steve McNair was a monster in the fourth quarter, rolling out on play after play and just refusing to let opportunities die. The image of Kevin Dyson extending the ball out on the last play of the game, tackled just a few feet short of the touchdown that would have tied the game, is one of the iconic images in the history of this game.

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New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17: Super Bowl XLIV

The game ended with a 14-point margin, but that doesn’t tell the story of how close this game was. Sean Payton rolled the dice with an onside kick to open the second half that could easily have backfired, but it helped give the Saints momentum. Tracy Porter had a late interception when he jumped the route on a pass aimed at Reggie Wayne, and all of a sudden, the Crescent City had its first world championship.

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Super Bowl XLV: Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 25

This may be the only Super Bowl hosted by the Dallas Cowboys for the foreseeable future, as AT&T Stadium is unlikely to be replaced. The game’s poor execution led to lawsuits due to temporary seats that failed inspection. An ice storm crippled travel in the city and caused a fatal accident at the stadium. However, on the field, Aaron Rodgers delivered a standout performance, while Clay Matthews’ pivotal hit on Rashard Mendenhall helped secure the game-winning score.

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Look at the AFC Championship Odds & Analysis for the team that can Win the Super Bowl

In this Round, it’s important to consider the AFC Championship Odds. The Kansas City Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowls and have an excellent chance to make it three in a row as they prepare to host the AFC Championship.

However, the NFC still leads in total Super Bowl wins – 29 to 28. If the Chiefs achieve a threepeat, they would be the first in the Super Bowl era and the first in NFL history since the Packers’ three consecutive championships before the AFL, including the initial Super Bowls I and II.

Super Bowl LIX’s AFC representative will be the Bills or Chiefs; if the Bills defeat the Chiefs, it will signify a three-game playoff losing streak against them.

Let’s take a closer look at the AFC side of the NFL playoff bracket as you consider your sports betting for the upcoming weeks.

 

AFC Championship Odds: Who’s the favorite to Win the Super Bowl LIX?

 

Betting Implications of an AFC Win

NFL Futures Winning Conference: AFC -133 / NFC +104

Whether Buffalo or Kansas City wins the AFC Championship, this is the team that will likely be favored to win Super Bowl LIX. The NFC team will either be the Washington Commanders or the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

What about the NFC?

While the Commanders have pulled off a shocking run, beating the Buccaneers and the Lions on the road to get to the NFC title game, when they run into a team with an elite defense, they will find it much harder to get one of those amazing late victories.

In Week 18, they scored on a final drive against a struggling Dallas team. Then, against Tampa Bay, a late fumble by Baker Mayfield provided a critical opportunity for a touchdown in Buccaneers’ territory.

 

Against the Lions

In Detroit, they took advantage of a Lions defense with many injured players, narrowly defeating New Orleans by one and needing overtime to beat a rookie-led Atlanta in Week 17.

So yes, they shredded Detroit last week, but there are still a lot of questions for this Washington team, particularly on defense.

Philadelphia finished the season 14-3, but they have some questions. Jalen Hurts (knee) is still questionable after the Eagles stopped the Rams in the snow on Sunday.

 

Saquon Barkley

Barkley is an elite tailback who can pound the ball, but if the Eagles have to go with Kenny Pickett or Tanner McKee at quarterback, Washington should be able to roll to a win. Even if the Eagles win, Hurts’ health would be a question.

Despite the stout defense that the Eagles have played this season, they would likely enter as an underdog for the Super Bowl.

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Which AFC Team Will Win?

 

Buffalo Bills

The Bills will win because they’ve evolved from the 2020 team that lost 38-24 in the AFC Championship to gain experience under postseason pressure. Their past disappointments fuel their performance, backed by five consecutive AFC East titles. While they benefited from the decline of the Patriots, the Jets’ rebuilding efforts, and the Dolphins’ defensive struggles, the Bills have established themselves by playing consistently at a high level, showcasing their growth and resilience in the league.

Sean McDermott

Bills’ head coach McDermott has seven playoff wins but is 0-3 against Reid. The Chiefs are on an eight-game playoff winning streak and are heading to their seventh straight AFC Championship game. Tight end Dawson Knox notes there’s something unique about this team, despite knowing their work isn’t finished. Luck played a role, too, with Ravens’ Mark Andrews dropping a crucial pass that could have tied their game.

The Offensive

Buffalo’s offense has been run-focused this season, accumulating 357 rushing yards and four touchdowns in their two playoff victories. As they face the Chiefs—who previously allowed 149 rushing yards in a playoff win against Houston—the Bills will likely emphasize their ground game again. However, if the Chiefs contain this attack as they did in their November matchup, the Bills can still advance with effective passing. In that game, Buffalo triumphed 30-21, led by Josh Allen’s performance of 27 completions for 262 yards, including a critical 26-yard touchdown scramble. Allen will need to replicate such excellence.

 

Kansas City Chiefs

They believe they’ll win by stopping the Bills on third downs, a crucial area where Kansas City has struggled, allowing a 44% conversion rate, the league’s fourth worst. In their previous matchup, they successfully contained James Cook, and with Ray Davis sidelined for the Bills, they may have the advantage. However, Buffalo’s diverse offense can spread the field with multiple receivers capable of executing deep, short, and medium-range passes effectively.

Top Players

The Bills permit a 44% third-down conversion rate, suggesting the Chiefs can extend drives effectively. In their recent game against Houston, Patrick Mahomes managed only 177 passing yards, with an additional 50 rushing yards. Nonetheless, the Chiefs excelled in defense, special teams, and red zone performance. Travis Kelce shone with seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs are expected to be more aggressive against the Bills, utilizing Xavier Worthy’s speed and the strength of Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco.

Kansas are the top seed and have home field advantage, but they still look like underdogs. Last year they were the second seed and won the AFC Championship. This year, Buffalo, Philadelphia and Detroit are getting more media attention than the defending champs.

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AFC Championship Odds: Best Wins for AFC Teams

 

Super Bowl III: New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7

The AFC’s best win may have occurred before the AFC existed. The first four Super Bowls pitted NFL and AFL champions against each other, with the Packers winning the first two. There was talk that the AFL might disappear due to the lack of parity. In Super Bowl III, the Colts were favored.

Jets quarterback Joe Namath guaranteed victory, leading his team to a 16-7 win. This promise earned him broadcasting and advertising opportunities, as well as a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, despite his ordinary career stats. They haven’t returned to the Super Bowl since.

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Pittsburgh Steelers 35, Dallas Cowboys 31: Super Bowl XIII

The confrontations between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowls X and XIII were very close. In XIII, the offenses excelled, with quarterbacks Terry Bradshaw and Roger Staubach standing out with a decisive strip-sack.

There was a dreadful pass interference call against Dallas’ Benny Barnes that gave the Steelers a huge gain. There was a huge drop by Dallas tight end Jackie Smith in the end zone…a pass that literally hit him in the stomach, between his hands, and a drive that ended in a field goal instead of a touchdown. One of the best matchups was part of Pittsburgh’s dominant run of four Super Bowl wins in six seasons.

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Super Bowl XLIX: New England Patriots 28, Seattle Seahawks 24

The Seattle Seahawks were rolling down the field, preparing to score the touchdown that would give them back-to-back world championships. Seahawks tailback Marshawn Lynch was simply devouring the worn-out Patriots defense with gain after gain.

Darrell Bevell, Seattle’s OC, opted for a quick slant instead of a run at the goal line. Patriots’ Malcolm Butler intercepted the pass, securing a shocking win for New England. This pivotal moment altered the paths of both the Seahawks and Patriots.

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New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28: Super Bowl LI

This was the first Super Bowl that went to overtime, and it also featured an immense comeback. The Patriots were down 28-3 late in the third quarter, but they came all the way back to win in the extra time.

Dan Quinn’s team faltered defensively and offensively, becoming overly conservative to counter the Patriots’ comeback. Tom Brady gained confidence with each score, while Atlanta’s Matt Ryan grew increasingly hesitant as the game progressed.

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Super Bowl XIV: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Los Angeles Rams 19

The Steel Curtain made it four titles in six seasons with this win – against a Rams team that was the first wild-card team from either conference to get to the Super Bowl.

The Rams jumped out early, thanks to a halfback option pass from Lawrence McCutcheon – who famously licked the “stickum” off his hand so he could throw the ball more easily – but they had no answer for the Steelers’ offense in the second half.

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Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23: Super Bowl XLIII

It looked like the Arizona Cardinals were finally going to end one of the longest title droughts in sports history. The team actually started operations back in 1920, but they only won two NFL titles, in 1925 and 1947, when they were the Chicago Cardinals.

They are the oldest NFL franchise without a Super Bowl title – and they almost got one here. They led the Steelers late before Ben Roethlisberger found Santonio Holmes for a brilliant catch in the back corner of the end zone.

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Champions League Matchday 7 Bets, Expert Analysis & Picks – 2 Weeks Before Playoffs

Now that the calendar has turned to 2025, it’s time for the Champions League Matchday 7 Bets, for the last two weeks of league phase action in the UEFA Champions League.

Six of the eight matches are in the books, and there are some blue-bloods in the sport fighting for survival.

The top eight teams in the table will automatically move to the round of 16. Teams that finish in the 9–24 slots enter a playoff for the last eight places in the round of 16.

If you finish 25th or below, you’re done. If the phase were over, PSG would be on the outside looking in as they sit in 25th.

They welcome Manchester City (currently in 22nd place) on Wednesday in a game that PSG have to win if they want any sort of comfort about getting into the round of 16 playoffs.

Liverpool, the only team with six wins in six matches, welcome Lille, looking to hang on to their top-eight spot. Real Madrid, the defending UCL champions, are mired in 20th place ahead of their Wednesday matchup with RB Salzburg.

We have some sports betting picks and thoughts about futures and props for you to check out going into Matchday 7.

 

Expert Soccer Picks: Champions League Matchday 7 Bets, Futures and Props

 

Atlético Madrid +155 vs Bayer Leverkusen +200 (Draw +230)

When: Tuesday, January 21, 3:00 pm ET
Champions Pick: Leverkusen to win

Both of these teams come in playing hot soccer. Leverkusen are the defending Bundesliga champions and are in fourth place going into Tuesday’s game. They’re also doing well in domestic play, just four points behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga table. They lost to Liverpool, 4-0, on Matchday 4, but they have not lost since, running off 13 matches without a setback.

Furthermore, they’ve won 12 of those 13 games and have only permitted nine goals over that stretch, as they’ve fixed the problems that plagued their back line. Atlético has a 16-match unbeaten streak going, and they have climbed up to 11th place in the UCL table – and they’re just two points back of Real Madrid in La Liga. Both of these teams have stopped some big names during these runs. Leverkusen took down Inter Milan in UCL play, and Atlético beat Barcelona in late December. Given the success that Leverkusen has had in this stretch shutting down opposing offenses, I’m taking them with this value on the road.

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Liverpool -350 vs Lille +950 (Draw +500)

When: Tuesday, January 21, 3:00 pm ET
Champions Pick: Take the draw

Lille started off UCL play hot and look like a lock to move at least to the round of 16 playoffs, but they would love to hold onto that eighth-place slot. They visit unbeaten Liverpool, but given the fact that the Reds are almost assured to move on to the round of 16 without a playoff no mater what happens in this match, it will be interesting to see how interested Liverpool are in this match. The Reds have been taking on a bit of water as of late – although not that much water, because they’re still six points clear of Arsenal in the English Premier League.

Even so, they have only won twice in their last five matches, and one of those wins came against Accrington Stanley, a third-division English side, in FA Cup play. It’s possible that the fatigue of the marathon soccer season is wearing on Liverpool a bit, and Lille have a lot more on the line in this Matchday 7 showdown. I could easily see Lille sneaking through with the first goal of the game and then holding on for a draw…or even for a shocking road win. The win seems a bit much to ask as Liverpool have the offense to storm back and get the least an equalizer, but I’m definitely taking a flyer on this draw.

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Paris Saint-Germain +150 vs Manchester City +170 (Draw +275)

When: Wednesday, January 22, 3:00 pm ET
Champions Pick: PSG to win

City are only in the top 24 by a single point, and PSG are just a point out of advancing to the playoff. PSG have had a difficult UCL draw that has seen them take on Arsenal, Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich. That’s been a tough slog without Kylian Mbappé. They used the transfer window to bring in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli, and while he didn’t play in PSG’s win over Lens on Saturday, he could take the pitch against City.

He is one of the top attackers in Europe, but he only had tallied four times for Napoli in Serie A, so he’s looking for rejuvenation just as desperately as his new team are. City roll in with four wins in their last five matches across all competitions, but three of those game against sides in the English Premier League bottom seven, and the other was against Salford City, a third-division side, in FA Cup play. Taking on PSG will show City fans whether their team really have decided to revert to championship form or not.

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Best Futures and Props for the Week

 

PSG to win by 1.5 goals (+380)

PSG are nine points clear of Marseilles in Ligue 1 play this season. Yes, they’ve been hurting from the absence of Mbappé, but adding Kvaratskhelia should jump-start their offense, and while they did start UCL play slowly, getting a home date against a Manchester City team that are still clearly not firing on all cylinders against top competition presents a significant opportunity. A 2-0 or 3-1 result for PSG is not beyond the realm of possibility at all.

 

PSG vs Man City – Erling Haaland to score anytime (+455)

In 2024-25, Erling Haaland has 17 goals in 22 matches for City in EPL play. In UCL play, he has five goals in six matches. I think PSG will control much of the action, and I see them winning in 3-1 fashion, but if City are going to break through, it will be thanks to their star attacker who just earned a mammoth contract extension.

 

AC Milan to beat Girona by 1.5 goals (+128)

Girona are mired in 30th place in the UCL table, five points out of the top 24 and with a trip to AC Milan coming up next. The hosts are in 11th place and could use this win over a bottom-feeder to get closer to locking in a last-16 playoff spot. AC Milan have 12 points, five points clear of 25th place, but they should take advantage of Girona’s desperation by turning undisciplined attacks into runs at goal in the other direction.

 

AC Milan vs Girona – Christian Pulisic to score anytime (+500)

In Serie A play, Pulisic has contributed significantly to AC Milan’s offense, with five goals and four assists in 16 matches. However, in tournament play, he has upped his offense. In Supercoppa Italiana play, he has two goals in two matches, and he has three goals and an assist in five UCL matches to this point. Girona have conceded 10 goals in six UCL matches so far, so there should be some room for Pulisic to operate.

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Betting Australian Open 2025: How to Bet, Analysis & Everything you need to Know

Betting Australian Open: Learner Tien, a 19-year-old from Irvine, California, won the first two sets of his second-round match with fifth-seeded and former world #1 Daniil Medvedev.

The qualifier almost saw that lead turn into an epic collapse, as his 6-3, 7-6(4) performance in the first two sets was followed by a 6-7(8) loss in the third set and then a 1-6 debacle in the fourth.

Rather than fall off the table altogether, though, Tien gathered himself and prevailed in the fifth, 7-6(7), winning in four hours and 49 minutes – just before 3:00 am local time.

The lefty had a terrific junior career, getting to the boys’ singles finals at the U.S. Open and the Australian Open in 2023. In that final at Flushing Meadows, he lost to Joao Fonseca, who also beat him in the 2024 NextGen ATP Finals.

 

Betting Australian Open 2025: How to, Analysis & Top Players to Follow

 

In qualifying for the Australian Open, he won all three matches and then won his Grand Slam main-draw debut over Camilo Ugo Carabelli to get a chance at Medvedev.

After an injury-plagued 2024, Medvedev delayed the start of his 2025 campaign to welcome his second child, and his rust has been apparent in Melbourne.

In the first round, he was down two sets to one against Thai wild card Kasidit Samrej, and he also started slowly against Tien, dropping the first five games of the match.

Tien’s next opponent is Frenchman Corentin Moutet, who will look to stop an American qualifier for the second match in a row after he beat Mitchell Krueger in four sets.

If you plan to include the rest of the Australian Open in your sports betting, read on to get some pointers.

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What are the betting markets?

Just about every major sportsbook offers action on the Australian Open. As one of the four Grand Slam tournaments in professional tennis, this event will feature just about all of the signature players in the sport. You can make bets on money line odds for individual matches as well as futures props. Many sportsbooks also offer live betting for the Grand Slam events, which means as the match goes on, you can take advantage of shifting odds for one player or the other to win.

If you’d been following the Tien-Medvedev match, you would have seen the money line move significantly over the first two sets in Tien’s favor – and then switch back to Medvedev’s, particularly during the fourth set. Just like in other sports, live betting helps you enjoy the suspense of a back-and-forth match and leverage odds that move in a direction that may help you make even more money off a showdown – or hedge bets that don’t seem like they’re going to pay off as things progress.

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What are the most common wagers that bettors make?

You can wager on outcomes from individual matches, and you can also make futures wagers about the eventual winner of the tournament. Within individual matches, you can also make picks on such props as how many sets it will take a particular player to win a match. In some cases, you can bet against the spread. In tennis, this is known as “set betting” and is generally set at +/- 1.5 or 2.5 sets. You can get even more granular, betting on how many games a match will last or how many games each player will win, known as “game spread betting.” At the player level, there is a wide variety of available props. Which player in a match will have more aces? Which will have more double faults?

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How does set betting work?

At the Australian Open, women’s matches are best-of-three sets, and men’s matches are best-of-five. With most three-set matches, the line is +/-1.5 sets. So if the favorite is going to cover, they have to win in straight sets, while the underdog has to win at least one set for your bet to cover. With five-set matches, the line will either be +/- 1.5 or 2.5 sets, depending on how big of a spread is involved. With a +/- 2.5 set line, the favorite has to win in straight sets to cover while the underdog only needs to win one set to cover. Given the lack of parity that can show up in matches, set betting can help you take advantage of a clear mismatch and get slightly better wagering value.

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How does game spread betting work?

Let’s say that Carlos Alcaraz is playing Casper Ruud, and Alcaraz comes with a -3.5 spread on games betting. That means Alcaraz needs to win at least four more games than Ruud over the course of the match. If the match ends 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, then Alcaraz would have won 18 games while Ruud would have won just nine, and Alcaraz would cover easily. However, if the match goes 6-4, 7-6(6), 6-7(3), 1-6, 7-6(8), then Alcaraz would have won 27 games while Ruud won 29. So Alcaraz advances, but Ruud covers. So if you think you’re looking at a back-and-forth match, picking the underdog to cover can pay off.

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Key factors to consider when betting on the Australian Open

The Australian Open is a hardcourt tournament – just like the U.S. Open. One factor that makes tennis unique is that it is played on three fairly different surfaces – hardcourt, clay and grass. Some players dominate some surfaces more than others, so paying attention to which players tend to thrive with hardcourt tennis will be important. Hardcourt surfaces offer a happy medium between the speed of grass and the slow slog of clay.

 

The Rankings

Just looking at a player’s seeding or professional ranking can be misleading. It can take a while for poor results to bring a player’s ranking (and seeding) down, and different Grand Slam events use slightly different measures to determine their seeding. You’ll also want to look at how players have done recently and whether they’ve come back from injury.

For example, while Learner Tien’s win over Daniil Medvedev was a surprising upset, understanding that Medvedev was coming back from both an extended delay and from a year in which injuries had hampered him would have helped savvy bettors understand that an upset was likely brewing. The difficulties that Medvedev had in the first round would have provided a further clue. Research into the quality of Learner Tien’s play in 2023 and 2024, as well as a quick look at his run through qualifying and the first round, might well have indicated that taking Tien to win (or at least cover the set spread) was a smart bet.

 

Rivalries

You’ll also want to check how players have fared against one another in the past. The further you get into a bracket, if form holds, you should have seeded players squaring off, and as time goes by, the top players get more and more cracks at one another. In scenarios where you have an unseeded (or a low seed) against a high seed, take a look to see if they’ve played each other in the past few years.

A juniors result from, say, ten years ago won’t do much for you, but if they met in the same tournament last year and the underdog pushed the favorite to five sets, take a look at both players’ run through that tournament to see if there might be something to help you in your wagering choice. Sometimes there are just some tennis matchups that bedevil the favorite, time and time again.

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How to bet on futures and prop bets during the Australian Open

Just like with the other major sports, betting on the Australian Open involves logging into your sportsbook of choice, finding the wagers you want to pursue, and then locking them in after you’ve done your research. Here are some interesting bets to consider over the weekend.

 

Holger Rune (-1.5 sets) over Miomir Kecmanovic

Holger Rune could be looking at a breakthrough 2025. He has returned to the coach that brought him to some of the top moments in his early career. He did struggle to beat Zhizhen Zhang in the opening round, but Zhang is a tough player who has already picked up some solid wins. After that, Rune had a much better showing against Matteo Berrettini.

Holger Rune

There are still some times when Rune looks to rely on his talent as opposed to making sound decisions, but he is still just 21 years old and still growing. Rune wisely focused on targeting Berrettini’s Achilles heel – his backhand. He also did a solid job moving to get to Berrettini’s booming forehands. Rune really excelled in returning Berrettini’s big serves. In the past, he’s tried to get on top of serves and deliver forehand winners when he would have done better just to get the ball back and then use the ensuing rally to get the points. Understanding that lesson will help him significantly.

Miomir Kecmanovic

Given these improvements, it’s hard to see Kecmanovic pushing this match past four sets. Kecmanovic plays all over the court like Rune, and he doesn’t have any particularly strong weapons. He also has more of a defensive approach than Rune, so Rune should be able to drive the rhythm. Kecmanovic did show some power against Hubert Hurkacz in the second round, but his baseline shots aren’t big enough to overpower Rune. If we consider motivation, Rune has spent the last two years watching Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner develop from being his rivals to dominating the sport, and now Joao Fonseca looks poised to pass him by as well. I expect him to take advantage of the opportunity to use the Australian Open to make a statement, and if that’s going to happen, he needs to get by Kecmanovic and then deal with Sinner in the fourth round.

 

Lorenzo Musetti (+128) over Ben Shelton

Shelton rolled over Brandon Nakashima 7-6(3), 7-5, 7-5 in the first round, neutralizing Nakashima’s mammoth serve well enough to advance with just one tiebreaker. He then stopped Pablo Carreno Busta in four sets in the second round, and the only set that he lost went to a tiebreaker. Musetti needed four sets to get by Matteo Arnaldi in the first round, but then he beat Denis Shapovalov 7-6(3), 7-6(6), 6-2.

Both Musetti and Shelton have gotten to the third round by beating talented opposition. Musetti is the slight underdog here, but he played better in the biggest tournaments in 2024, particularly in the summer.

Ben Shelton

Shelton does have a booming serve and can also deliver heavy shots from the baseline. He also has the athleticism to move to balls all over the court, but Musetti beat him 6-4, 7-6(5) in Miami last year – another hardcourt tournament with fast surfaces like what we see in Melbourne. Musetti also takes a more varied approach from the baseline, mixing in slower shots with big blasts, keeping his opponent guessing. Shelton is still learning how to get the edge in big matches. This is going to be a close match, so I’m taking the value.

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NFC Divisional Round Picks & Predictions: Commanders vs Lions & Rams vs Eagles

Let’s win with the NFC Divisional Round Picks! On Sunday, the Washington Commanders picked up the franchise’s first win in almost 20 years, taking advantage of a late turnover to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.

The team finished 4-13 a year ago, but a new head coach (Dan Quinn) and a new quarterback (rookie Jayden Daniels) have led a rise in team culture that has the Commanders headed to Detroit full of optimism ahead of their divisional playoff matchup with the top-seeded Lions.

The combination of Quinn’s energy and Daniels’ determination, along with influence from free-agent veterans known for leadership qualities, has given the NFC East a second legitimate contender to go along with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The last time Washington had a 13-win season (including the postseason) was 1991.

Washington has won six in a row, and the last five have either come on the last play of the game or the last play from scrimmage. Can they go to Detroit and pull off the shocker?

That’s just one question we’ll answer as we take a closer look at your best sports betting picks from the two NFC divisional matchups.

 

NFC Divisional Round Picks – NFL Odds Today

 

Washington Commanders (+10) at Detroit Lions (O/U 55.5)

NFC Divisional Moneylines: Washington +400 / Detroit -575
NFC Prediction: Washington to cover.

 

David Montgomery

The Lions should get tailback Montgomery back after a knee injury that, at one point, looked like it would end his season. That brings a fresh pair of legs back to spell Jahmyr Gibbs, who has done a sensational job in Montgomery’s absence. Both of these tailbacks went over 1,000 yards for the season, so Gibbs is certainly no backup.

 

Kevin Zeitler & Terrion Arnold

However, having two quality backs able to take turns pounding the ball is definitely a nice luxury. The Lions also expect to have guard Zeitler and cornerback Arnold back on the field after injuries knocked them out of the Week 18 win over Minnesota.

However, the Lions are physical up front on both sides of the ball, which means they should be able to establish the running game. Pairing Gibbs and Montgomery will lead to long, sustained drives. When Washington loads the box to slow down the running attack, then the Lions will find Amon-Ra St. Brown out of the slot or Sam LaPorta in a hole in the zone defense.

 

Jayden Daniels

Washington will benefit from two different elements of Daniels’ playing style – his ability to hit deep shots down the field and his penchant for taking off outside with the ball.

The Lions should be able to bottle up the Commanders’ power running game, but the Commanders can leverage that strength of the Lions by attacking in other ways. Daniels is only the fourth rookie quarterback in the history of the NFL to start and win at least 13 games, including the playoffs. Expect Daniels to keep Washington close enough to sniff victory.

 

But what about the point spread?

If you like the Lions to cover, you think they can win by two scores, holding that lead against the onslaught of another late Washington comeback attempt. Detroit was able to turn a 10-9 third-quarter lead over Minnesota into a 31-9 laugher, but I don’t see Daniels faltering and ultimately breaking like Sam Darnold did. Darnold started panicking under pressure and sailing balls high – a trend that he kept going in the loss to the Rams last week.

Daniels has taken heat comparable to what Darnold saw the last two weeks, and while he might not to be delivering magical plays every time out, he has been able to hold more poise, exploit his mobility and deliver more accurate passes when harassed. I like Washington to cover, even as Detroit escapes Ford Field with a ticket to the NFC Championship.

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L.A. Rams (+6) at Philadelphia Eagles (O/U 44)

NFC Divisional Moneylines: Los Angeles +220 / Philadelphia -280
NFC Prediction: Philadelphia to win and cover.

 

The Rematch

This is a rematch of a Week 12 showdown that saw the Eagles push the Rams all over the field in prime time. Saquon Barkley set a Philadelphia franchise record with 255 rushing yards and scored a pair of touchdowns. The physicality of the Eagles just wore the Rams down, particularly after the intermission. Jalen Hurts found wide receiver A.J. Brown for six catches, 109 yards, and a score. The Eagles likely breathed a sigh of relief when Washington ended Tampa Bay’s season, as the Buccaneers have given the Eagles a hard time in their last few meetings.

The Eagles were the last team to beat the Rams in a competitive game, and as Philadelphia watched that Rams-Vikings film, they had to be impressed by the pressure the Rams were able to put on Sam Darnold and the way they were able to clamp down on Aaron Jones and the running game. Jalen Hurts is 3-0 straight up as a starter in home playoff games, and he has shown a restoration of the same leadership qualities that saw him take the Eagles to the pinnacle of the league in the first half of the 2023 campaign before the team fell off the table.

 

Los Angeles Offensive

The Rams do have a scary offense. Kyren Williams can pound the ball on the ground. Wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are dangerous. However, this game won’t be played indoors – it will be in Philadelphia, and the forecast has a mixture of snow, wind and rain. The Rams do pound the ball a lot on offense, and they play a physical brand of football. However, moving the game outside gives the Eagles even more of a home-field advantage that they already had.

It’s true that the Rams sacked Sam Darnold nine times last week, tying an NFL postseason record, and the defense is young and energetic for the Rams – perhaps less likely to feel the effects of blustery weather. However, Sean McVay has gone 10-2 straight up in their last 12 meaningful games (not counting Week 18, when the Rams left a lot of starters on the bench). Also, if we go back to that Week 12 game, yes, the Eagles won, 37-20, but if you look at third-down conversions, that was the only key metric as the Eagles went 9 of 15 while the Rams went 0 for 8.

 

Philadelphia Offensive

The Eagles’ rushing attack has Kenneth Gainwell and quarterback Jalen Hurts (the carrier in all those Tush Pushes in short yardage situations) along with Barkley. That’s a lot more intimidating than the duo of Aaron Jones and Cam Akers that the Vikings had going last week. The Rams’ rushing offense was just 22nd in EPA per rush (0.03) and 23rd in success rate (59.0%) during the regular season. Those numbers won’t move the ball against the Eagles. I like Philadelphia to win and cover as they get set to head to Detroit the following weekend for a berth in the Super Bowl.

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NCAAF National Championship Props: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Don’t miss the NCAAF National Championship Props! The first 12-team College Football Playoff bracket is down to the last two as the Ohio State Buckeyes will square off with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Monday, January 20.

Over the last three playoff games, the Buckeyes have routed Tennessee and Oregon before escaping the Cotton Bowl with a win over Texas.

The Irish stopped Indiana and Georgia before clamping down on the Penn State offense.

Now the two sides will meet in a rematch of last season’s showdown under the watchful eye of Touchdown Jesus.

Ohio State ended up winning on the last play of the game, but these two teams look significantly different a year later. Ohio State has a savvy D-line and a high-octane offense that has been scored in bunches over the first two rounds.

Texas slowed the Buckeyes down a bit in their semifinal, but a late score in the first half and a defensive touchdown late in the fourth quarter helped Ohio State end up doubling up the Longhorns.

Notre Dame likes to pound the ball on the ground and has gotten enough key plays on defense to stay in games.

With the game still four days away, take a look at some of our thoughts on the available sports betting props.

 

2025 NCAAF National Championship Props to Keep an Eye

Spread/Totals: Ohio State -8.5 / O/U 46
Moneylines: Notre Dame +285 / Ohio State -370

 

Q&A: What are the top NCAAF National Championship Props?

You won’t find some of the same props available for the CFP championship that you find, say, for the Super Bowl each year. The coin flip to start the game, the length of the national anthem, and other off-the-field props simply aren’t available. However, there are still plenty of wagering opportunities on this game.

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We have some top player and game prop suggestions later in this article

Two of the top props, though, include the point spread and the point total. The Irish come in as heavy underdogs for this game, which could motivate a lot of action from the Irish faithful betting with their emotions rather than with their logic. Given the serious problems and injuries that Notre Dame has on that side of the ball, they will have an extremely tough time scoring a lot of points against the Buckeyes.

If the Irish pull off the upset – either just against the spread or also straight up and haul that trophy back to South Bend – it will have a lot to do with Ohio State penalties, turnovers, and big plays on special teams. The point total is somewhat low for a college football game, but these two teams both have stout defenses. The degree to which Notre Dame can slow down the rhythm of the contest will dictate whether this game beats the point total.

 

Anytime Touchdown

This is a wager that a particular player will score a touchdown at any point in the game. Some of the most popular choices here include the two tailbacks for Ohio State – Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson – and Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard and tailback Jeremiyah Love. Of the four, I view Love as the least likely to get into the end zone, primarily because I don’t think Notre Dame will try to use him to pound the ball close to the end zone.

His nagging knee injury had him wearing a fairly stout brace against Penn State, and he was supposed to avoid hurdling players to save the knee – but he ended up doing a couple of hurdles anyway, taking off and landing on his healthy leg. While Leonard does like to carry the ball, it will be interesting to see if there are designed runs for him in the red zone because of the possibility that he also might get injured by a quick, physical front seven for Ohio State.

 

Offensive Player

Another popular player prop sets a yardage total or a carry/reception total for an offensive player, and then you decide whether you think that player will go over that number or not. This can require a bit of research, depending on the player. Both teams like to run the ball, but the Irish lean more heavily on that part of their offense to move the ball down the field.

The Buckeyes have more offensive balance and have receivers like Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate and Emeka Egbuka to consider. Given the fact that Notre Dame’s defense will have to choose which weapons to take away, taking these player props requires some study of Notre Dame’s earlier defensive trends.

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NCAAF National Championship Props: Rundown of Game Props

The Buckeyes are valued as the nation’s best team, with a sizable line going into this matchup against Notre Dame. The Irish covered against both Georgia and Penn State despite serious limitations on the offensive side of the ball. Left tackle Andrew Knapp (ankle) is out, and the starting right guard is questionable. That makes Charles Jagusah, the preseason starter, the left tackle. He missed the whole regular season with a torn pectoral muscle but was available against Penn State. Can he shake off the rust in time to provide protection against one of the best D-lines in the nation?

 

The Defense

It’s true that Notre Dame was able to make inroads against Penn State’s defensive line, particularly in the second half. However, Ohio State’s metrics are even better than the top-shelf unit that Penn State trotted out. The Buckeyes are fifth in the nation in yards permitted per carry and EPA/Rush during the regular season. Notre Dame has to run the ball to succeed, which should play into the Buckeyes’ hands.

 

Notre Dame

On defense, the Irish will have to stop an elite passing game for the first time. Yes, Indiana also had a terrific pass attack, but Ohio State’s ceiling is even higher. In the win over Georgia, Notre Dame had the good fortune to face a backup quarterback, and Penn State’s quarterback did not complete a pass to a wide receiver all game long. Ohio State has a downfield passing game that can complete out routes and find targets down the field, softening up the Irish defense for their tailback duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.

 

Ohio State

The Buckeye’s offense had a difficult time against Texas, but on the game they still picked up over six yards per play and averaged over eight yards per dropback. The Buckeyes should be able to clamp down on the Irish offense – Notre Dame did not crack the top 40 in EPA per pass, and if the Buckeyes can get an early lead, the Irish will have a hard time digging out of that hole. Ohio State to win and cover.

 

Point Total

This is interesting (45.5). The Buckeyes almost hit that total by themselves against Indiana in the regular season (38) and against Tennessee (42) and Oregon (41) in the first two rounds of the CFP. They only managed 28 against Texas, though. Notre Dame did score 49 in each of their last two regular-season wins, a home takedown of then-#19 Army and then the finale at USC.

Against Indiana, though, they only scored 27, and against Georgia, they managed 23 – seven coming on a kickoff return to the house to open the second half. They managed 27 against Penn State, thanks to a short field on a late pick by Drew Allar that helped the Irish avoid overtime. If you think Ohio State can run all over Notre Dame, then this should be a fairly easy total to eclipse. I’m not sure the game will break as wide open as some think, but I do think the offense will get going. Take the over.

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NCAAF National Championship Props: Rundown of Player Props

 

Riley Leonard OVER 13.5 carries

When Notre Dame’s offense is humming, it’s due to Riley Leonard gashing through defenses with the ball. When the Irish have faced short yardage situations, they have used Leonard with a blend of quarterback power to keep the chains moving. Against Penn State, he ran the ball 18 times. Against Georgia, he got it 14 times. That number was only 11 against Indiana, but the Irish had that game in hand fairly early.

Also, it’s important to remember that, in college football, sacks are considered rushing attempts. The Buckeyes were 15th in sacks during the regular season, and Notre Dame is already down one starting tackle on the O-line. So while sacks might not help the Irish cause, it could definitely help sports bettors hit this prop.

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Aneyas Williams OVER 21.5 receiving yards

The knee injury to Jeremiyah Love won’t keep the spectacular back out, but it will limit his touches. That makes room for Williams, who doesn’t get many carries, but does excel in pass protection and get big gains catching balls as a checkdown target. Against Penn State, he has five catches for 66 yards, including a 36-yard catch-and-run. Against Indiana, he was targeted four times and caught all four passes – but just picked up 15 yards.

He caught two passes on three targets for just five yards against Georgia. However, the fact that Love keeps putting more wear on that knee – and keeps getting attention from opposing defenses – should free up Williams to hit this number.

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Emeka Egbuka OVER 55.5 receiving yards

In Ohio State’s first two playoff games, Egbuka picked up a combined 153 receiving yards. Against Texas, he caught three passes on the first drive alone, ending up with five on the night – for just 51 yards. However, this total is still a bit low. He has 19 catches overall in the three playoff games coming mostly out of the slot. The Irish usually use Jordan Clark as the slot corner, and as a result the slot is a point of weakness in that Irish D.

Against USC, Clark got burned by Makhii Lemon for three catches for 37 yards. In that same game, Duce Robinson and Kyle Ford both ran out of the slot and caught passes for at least 20 yards. It would make sense for Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden to try and take Jeremiah Smith away, which should leave room for Egbuka to get yardage.

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TreVeyon Henderson Anytime Touchdown

The Ohio State tailback’s numbers have been terrific in three playoff games so far. Against the Volunteers, he picked up 134 scrimmage yards on 10 carries and four receptions, scoring a pair of touchdowns. Against Oregon, he had 114 scrimmage yards on eight carries and three catches, scoring two more times. The Longhorns held him to one touchdown, but he still had 117 yards on six carries and a 75-yard catch-and-run to the house.

That makes five trips into the end zone over the last three games, given gup 11 on the season. He won’t get the ball as often as Quinshon Judkins, but if you buy the Buckeyes as a big favorite, you see them getting to the end zone on multiple occasions. You can find Judkins on this same prop, but Henderson offers slightly better value. Both of them are likely to score, so you might as well get a slightly higher profit for your money.

If this were a more traditional rivalry game, it would make more sense to make picks for a closer game. While Notre Dame and Ohio State are both storied programs in college football – they have both fielded teams for almost 130 years – they’ve only met eight times. Ohio State has won the last six six – including both of the meetings in bowl games. They did meet in both 2022 and 2023, and Ohio State won both times. The last time the Irish beat Ohio State came back in 1936, a 7-2 slog of a game. Can the Irish end that long drought? We will see, but the odds are not in their favor.

   
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CFP Championship Analysis, History, Q&A, Rivalries & Details you Must Know

CFP Championship: College football is among the oldest sporting traditions in the United States, dating back to the first contest in 1869 between the College of New Jersey (today known as Princeton) and Rutgers University.

That game looked a lot different from what we know as American football today.

Each team put 25 players out on the field, and players could not pick up or throw the ball, following rules from the London Football Association.

It looked a lot more like rugby or soccer, as players tried to hit or kick the ball across their opponents’ goal line. Rutgers ended up winning, 6-4, in front of a crowd of about 100.

 

CFP Championship: Is an American Cultural Event?

 

It wasn’t until seven years later that representatives from Yale, Columbia, Harvard and Princeton gathered to draw up a set of rules for the sport.

While the Alabama Crimson Tide have won 16 national championships, they’re still not the team with the most titles.

That honor goes to…Yale, as the Bulldogs still lead with 18. The school with the most all-time victories is the University of Michigan, who have won 1,011 games since 1879, the program’s first season.

The award for the best player in the game, decided by the New York Downtown Athletic Club, is the Heisman Trophy, first given out in 1935.

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Q&A CFP Championship: Is this game a national celebration?

 

How long has there even been a game to determine the national champion?

Before 1999, when the first BCS National Championship Game was held, the national championship was awarded on the basis of polling. The National Championship Foundation (NCF) selected the national champion from 1869 until 1882, when the Helms Athletic Foundation (HAF) Beginning in 1936, the Associated Press (AP) began issuing rankings of the top 20 teams in the nation, and their polling was used to determine the national championship each year.

The AP still issues preseason rankings and rankings during the season, but those no longer determine a national champion. That lasted until 1950, when the United Press International (UPI) also started holding a poll and determining a national champion.

Then, in 1954, the Football Writers’ Association of America (FWAA) got into the spirit. Later they were joined by the USA Today/CNN poll, and with all of these different polls – and a desire to settle a national championship on television, to make money, the idea of a BCS game was held.

 

Did the college football playoff games become a national celebration?

The movement of college football championships from polling to settlement on the field has made an occasion of the title game, whether the BCS Championship or the CFP Championship. The 2006 Rose Bowl between Texas and USC still has the highest rating (21.7) and viewership (35.6 million) of any of the title games.

Coming in second was the first national championship under the four-team College Football Playoff system, when Ohio State met Oregon in 2015 (18.6 rating, 34.1 million viewers). The game with the lowest rating (8.7) and audience (17.22 million viewers) was the demolition of TCU by Georgia in 2023, a 65-7 embarrassment. When the ratings have slumped, the games haven’t been close.

With the advent of a championship game, the BCS and CFP title showdowns became must-watch television in the United States – not to the degree of the NFL’s Super Bowl, which remains the world’s most-watched sporting event. However, the Monday night celebrations of a national championship in football have drawn huge ratings, and people come together across the country to watch the contest.

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CFP Championship: What influence does the game have on regional rivalries?

Regional Rivalry Highlights

One that has seen its profile grow thanks to the College Football Playoff developed between the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama. Georgia, coached by Kirby Smart, attempted to come out of the shadow of Smart’s mentor, Nick Saban.

In 2021, Alabama defeated Georgia in the SEC Championship, but Georgia still earned a berth in the College Football Playoff and defeated Michigan in their semifinal before moving on to beat Alabama in the title game, losing the SEC to the Tide but taking the national championship away from them.

For Georgia, that avenged the debacle in early 2018 when Georgia had a sizable lead on Alabama at halftime, only to see the Tide switch quarterbacks from Jalen Hurts to freshman Tua Tagovailoa at the intermission, come back and win the game in overtime, taking the national championship.

 

Clemson and Alabama

In the earlier days of the CFP, they developed a rivalry despite playing in different conferences. The Tigers and Crimson Tide traded victories in the national championship game in 2017 and 2019. However, in the years since then, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney’s reluctance to use the transfer portal to bring in key skill player talent, preferring to take the time to develop his own starters in-house, has proven detrimental to his desire to keep his program at a nationally competitive level. Clemson did win the ACC in 2024, but they did not advance to the quarterfinals of the new 12-team bracket of the College Football Playoff.

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Pac-12

There are some who blamed the College Football Playoff for the collapse of the conference. After all, teams who cannot get enough “quality” wins in football can end up with terrific records but still end up on the outside looking in. Despite the presence of Oregon and Washington in the Pac-12, the presence of a lot of unranked programs in the conference meant that the teams with visions of a playoff presence felt a need to run the table.

The Pac-12 also failed to secure a media contract that was competitive with the other four power conferences (the Big Ten, the Big 12, the SEC and the ACC), and so four schools (Washington, Oregon, UCLA and USC) joined the Big Ten, while Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah joined the Big 12. Stanford and Cal entered the ACC, leaving Washington State and Oregon State with an untenable “Pac-2” – even now, they are still looking for new alignments for their athletic programs.

 

Rivalries of the Past

What this means is that a lot of the older traditional rivalries have given way to national rivalries as teams focus on making the 12-team bracket at the end of the season. Conference championships are a part of that formula, but with each of the Power 4 conferences, except for the SEC for now, extending from coast to coast, the idea of regional powers emerging has become a thing of the past.

Now we have matchups that include USC heading all the way to Rutgers for a football game, or Stanford heading from northern California all the way to upstate New York to take on the Syracuse Orange in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup. In the final analysis, football (and, to some degree, basketball) media deals are shaping the landscape in college athletics, and it seems like it’s only a matter of time until football separates from the NCAA and becomes its own entity.

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Commercialization and the Media on the CFP Championship

 

NCAAF on the Radio

College football first aired on the radio on October 8, 1921, as Pittsburgh radio station KDKA-AM broadcast Pitt’s showdown with West Virginia University, a rivalry that still draws plenty of interest today. Fordham University and Waynesburg University played in the first televised game, on September 30, 1939. NBC broadcast the game on W2XBS.

If these programs do not seem like flagship teams, it’s important to remember that, until the 1980s, the idea of making a lot of money off broadcasting sports on television was completely foreign. When the American Basketball Association (ABA) folded in the 1970s, four teams headed to the NBA, while seven teams shut their doors. Instead of taking a cash buyout like the other six teams did, the owners of the Spirits of St. Louis opted for 4/7 of the television revenue of the each regular NBA franchise in perpetuity.

Initially perceived as a risky move, the deal ultimately generated over $800 million as television revenues soared. The NBA reached a settlement with the Silna family, owners of the Spirits, totaling $500 million, hailed by Forbes as the “greatest sports deal of all time.”

With media revenues boosting conference funds, teams in power conferences will thrive. This motivated SMU to accept no media revenue from the ACC’s first seven years, anticipating future visibility benefits for the program.

 

The NIL framework

The advent of the transfer portal and the NIL framework have also added to the commercialization of football. There was a time when players who wanted to transfer from one school to another would lose a year of eligibility.

However, the ease with which coaches moved from one school to another, along with the willingness of players to leave college early (or even forego college and start playing professionally) placed college football in jeopardy. The transfer portal now allows players to move largely without loss of eligibility.

If we look at players like Dillon Gabriel, who used the portal to move from UCF to Oklahoma to Oregon, where he appeared in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal in the final game of his college career, we see that players can gain visibility for themselves as they advance in the sport, making college football seem a lot like professional sports in terms of the portability of players.

 

How does it Works?

The NIL provisions in college football have heightened commercialization, transforming athletes from amateurs reliant solely on scholarships to individuals eligible for financial compensation. Historically, schools ignored this rule, with SMU in the 1970s and 1980s serving as a prominent example of such disregard.

The school received the NCAA’s one and only death penalty for the 1987 season and lost the right to play home games in 1988. The school opted out of football for 1988 as well and returned in 1989, but it was not until the 2024 season that the school made it back into the top ten rankings in college football.

 

What’s the Benefit for Players?

Now, though, the NIL program allows players to control the use of their image, instead of the schools. There is a mishmash of school policies and state laws, with no national oversight of the situation.

This has led to a lot of confusion and frustration – but it has also led to greater parity in the sport, as Alabama, Georgia and Clemson are nowhere near a national title for the first time in what seems like years.

College athletes can now hire professionals to help with their business dealings, marketing and legal issues. Schools have built collectives, funded by deep-pocketed donors, that provide stipends for players in multiple sports.

In other cases, boosters create the collectives for the schools; the degree to which each school regulates the NIL activities associated with its players varies widely.

 

CFP championship

In conclusion, the CFP championship game holds significant cultural weight, akin to a second Super Bowl. While its players are younger, some earn more than their future NFL peers. This abundance of money in football suggests it may represent the quintessential American sport.

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EPL Matchday 21 Top Picks, Futures, Props, Betting Analysis & Predictions

Don’t miss our EPL Matchday 21 Top Picks! If you’re wondering what on earth Nottingham Forest are doing in third place in the English Premier League table this late in the season, their rise has everything to do with the work of new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Right now, this season feels like 2015-16, when Leicester City came out of nowhere to take the season title.

Nuno is all about hard work, prone to stay up all night watching film, and his dedication has led to a six-match winning streak in the first division, which ties a club record that dates back to the 1960s.

They prepare to welcome Liverpool, pitting themselves against the first-place Reds, and there are media requests from as far away as Brazil and China.

The Opta Supercomputer remains unimpressed, only giving Forest a 0.01% chance of winning the EPL title.

That’s twice as long as the odds the machine gave Leicester City nine seasons ago at this point, even though both sides had 40 points after 20 matches.

How far can Forest go? We’ll know more after this week’s showdown. Read on to get this week’s top sports betting picks from the Premier League, as well as some futures and props suggestions.

 

Soccer Betting: EPL Matchday 21 Top Picks, Futures and Props

 

Chelsea -177 vs Bournemouth +390 (Draw +340)

EPL Spread: O/U 3.5 goals (Over +110 / Under -146)
When: Tuesday, January 14, 2:30 pm ET

 

Chelsea

Fourth-place welcome seventh-place Bournemouth in this Tuesday night showdown (nighttime in England, that is). The Blues are 10-6-4, good for 36 points and fourth place, but they are only one point ahead of Newcastle United for that final slot into next year’s UEFA Champions League. They have a four-match winless streak going in EPL play, with two losses and two draws.

Their last two games have included a loss to 18th-place Ipswich Town (in danger of relegation) and a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. Chelsea rolls with Cole Palmer (13 goals, six assists). Nicolas Jackson (nine goals, three assists), Noni Madueke (five goals, three assists), and Enzo Fernández (three goals, four assists) have also contributed to the scoring. On defense, the Blues have only allowed 1.2 goals per game in EPL action; net minder Robert Sanchez should start and has stopped 62 of 84 shots this season, posting four clean sheets.

 

Bournemouth

The Cherries (9-6-5) have 33 points, three slots behind Chelsea but only three points out of fourth. They are unbeaten in their last eight EPL contest (five wins, three draws). Their last match was a 1-0 win over an Everton team desperately fighting off relegation; that match was their third clean sheet in the last four matches. Since the beginning of the 2015-16 campaign, the sides have met 18 times, with 12 wins going to Chelsea, four to Bournemouth and a pair of draws. Chelsea won at Bournemouth earlier this season, 1-0.

On the road, Bournemouth has scored in eight of ten matches, averaging 1.8 goals per match. Justin Kluivert is the top scorer (six goals, two assists), but five of his goals have come from the spot. Antoine Semenyo has five goals (all from play rather than the spot) and two assists. Evanilson also has five goals. The Cherries have allowed 1.80 goals per game on the road, but Kepa Arrizabalaga should start in net and has four clean sheets and 50 saves on 68 shots. Chelsea to win.

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Nottingham Forest +390 vs Liverpool -160 (Draw +300)

EPL Spread: O/U 2.5 goals (Over -158 / Under +118)
When: Tuesday, January 14, 3:00 pm ET

 

Liverpool

They head into the perilous woods with a 14-4-1 record, good for 46 points out of 19 matches. The Reds have not lost an EPL match since September, but in their last six games they have just three wins and three draws. Their last action came in the Carabao Cup, where they fell to Tottenham, 1-0. They have scored in every EPL game except their home loss to this same Nottingham Forest side. On the road, though, they have averaged three goals per game. Their attacking style can stack up goals in a hurry, and Nottingham will have to play that same hermetically tight defense this time around to get the win. Mohamed Salah leads Liverpool with 18 goals and 13 assists. Luis Diaz (eight goals, two assists) and Cody Gakpo (six goals, two assists) have also tallied frequently – Gakpo has specialized in coming off the bench to get late goals. The team has only permitted 19 goals in 19 EPL matches (11 goals in nine road fixtures).

 

Nottingham Forest

The team have a 12-4-4 record and 40 points, tied with Arsenal but 11 back in goal differential. Nottingham stopped Wolves 3-0 in their last match to get their sixth straight win and their fourth straight clean sheet. They have already beaten Liverpool on the road this year, taking a 1-0 decision.They have just 29 goals in 20 EPL games; at home, they have scored in eight of their nine contests. Chris Wood has been the top scorer, with 12 goals and an assist this season. Morgan Gibbs-White (four goals, three assists), Anthony Elanga (three goals, four assists), Callum Hudson-Odoi (two goals and an assist) and Nikola Milenkovic (two goals, one assist) have contributed as well. The defense has stood tall with just 19 goals conceded (0.95 per game). At home, they have only permitted 0.78 goals per match, with four clean sheets. Liverpool looked slow against Tottenham in their last action, failing to find the back of the net even with most of their top players on the pitch. Take the draw and the under.

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Odds to Win the 2024-25 EPL Title (Top 10 Teams)

  • Liverpool -526
  • Arsenal +350
  • Manchester City +1725
  • Nottingham Forest +3100
  • Chelsea +3900
  • Newcastle United +10000
  • Aston Villa +38000
  • Bournemouth +75000
  • Manchester United +100000
  • Tottenham +100000
 

Arsenal

The Club came through the holidays with a 12-match unbeaten streak, stopping Ipswich Town and Brentford in consecutive fixtures to get into second place. They are six points back of Liverpool (and the Reds have a match in hand), so they have some work to do. They’re definitely showing the form they need to zip into the UEFA Champions League as a top-four finisher, but they’ll definitely be watching the Nottingham Forest-Liverpool matchup with interest.

 

Liverpool

They have admittedly slipped in the past couple of weeks, but they also stomped Leicester City on the day after Christmas and then routed West Ham, 5-0. So this is definitely a team that can turn the offense back on at any moment.

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EPL Matchday 21 Top Picks: Who will be relegated?

Right now, Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton hold slots 18-20 in the EPL table – the three slots that would head down to the second division if the season ended today. They were the three to gain promotion into the first division after last season, and they entered 2024-25 as the favorites to drop back down. However, Wolves sit in 17th even with Ipswich Town on points and just a one-goal advantage in differential. Everton are just one point clear of relegation but have a match in hand.

There are a total of five teams within seven points of the relegation zone – including blue-blood Manchester United. Everton have dropped two in a row after three straight draws, and they have the greatest danger of falling into the bottom three of the safe teams for now. With Leicester City on an extended losing streak and with Southampton having dropped four of five and just posting one win and three draws along with 16 losses on the season, though, only Ipswich Town really seem to show signs of life.

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