Champions League Tips

Sheffield United could send out a second-string side to face Mansfield in the FA Cup third round, but they should do enough to come through the tie. The Blades have a deep squad and can register a high-scoring success over the in-form Stags, who are targeting a fourth win in a row.

Both teams have scored in each of Wolfsburg’s last seven Bundesliga matches, including a 4-3 loss to Freiburg in their final game of 2025. The visitors have lost all five clashes with the top six, but they have scored in their last five away trips and head to a Bayern side that have shipped five goals in their last three home league matches.

Both teams have scored in seven of Granada’s 10 home matches, including each of their previous three. The visitors have won six of their last seven matches heading into this one, and they’ve won all three visits to the bottom nine ahead of this clash with third-bottom Granada. However, clean sheets have been hard to come by for Castellon, so back them to concede in a victory.

Fiorentina’s form has improved, but they’ve lost six of seven clashes with the top seven this season, including a 2-1 loss at Milan. The hosts have scored in home defeats to Napoli, Roma, and Como, while the Rossoneri are 26 points better off than their hosts and look overpriced to record a sixth win in eight games.

Gareth: Malaga have gone 13 games without a clean sheet, however, and they’ve conceded in five successive home games (W3, D2). Ceuta have three defeats in their last five away and look set to leave empty-handed here. However, the visitors have scored in each of their last eight league assignments. 

Henry: Struggling West Ham should be opposed in front of their disgruntled home faithful, having failed to win any of their previous 10. QPR have enough quality to cause problems and they’re backed to see off the blunt hosts.

Tom: Dundee have won five games in a row, while they’ve picked up five wins from seven at home. Hearts have the best away record in the division, but they have only tasted success in two of their last six away from home, conceding seven goals in that stretch. 

James: Swansea have won five of their last eight matches and they can see off a West Brom side who haven’t won at the Swansea.com Stadium since 2018.

Aaron: Rangers have won six of their last seven league games, including a victory against Aberdeen on Tuesday. The Dons have lost four of their last five league games, while they’ve suffered 10 defeats in 13 clashes with sides above them, including losing all three clashes with the Old Firm.

Alex: Manchester United drew at Burnley in their first game following Ruben Amorim’s departure and they have only won one of their last six outings. Brighton’s only defeat in their last five matches came away to Arsenal, and they have only lost two of their last nine meetings with the Red Devils.

Indiana have an awful record this term, but they’ve tended to keep games competitive. They’ve got a 9-7 record as a home underdog this season, and they’ve covered their spread in half their games, which is impressive considering they are one of the biggest disappointments of the season. Miami is 8-8 as a favourite this season, and they’ve lost six of their last nine on the road.

The Clippers are showing signs of life, but it’s hard to trust them here when they’ve got a 5-17 record against sides who are over .500. The Pistons lead the East with a 28-9 record, while they’ve won 18 of 23 games against sides below .500. This is a low number for a strong Pistons side, with Detroit winning seven of their last eight at home.

Anthony Davis is out once again for the Mavericks, who have a 4-14 record without him in the side. Dallas has a 4-13 record away from home, and they’ve got a losing record against the Eastern Conference this season.

The Spurs are 11-3 against the Eastern Conference, and they’re 11-8 against teams above .500. The Spurs allow the fewest offensive rebounds per game, so they can take away the Celtics’ biggest strength and win in Boston.

The Hornets are favoured for this trip, but they’ve got a 6-13 away record, while the Jazz are 9-11 at home. The Hornets have an 8-10 record against sides who are below .500, while the Jazz are 8-7 in that regard. Utah is 12-6 as a home underdog this season, and they are capable of at least keeping this close.

The Clippers are showing signs of life, but it’s hard to trust them here when they’ve got a 5-17 record against sides who are over .500. The Pistons lead the East with a 28-9 record, while they’ve won 18 of 23 games against sides below .500. This is a low number for a strong Pistons side, with Detroit winning seven of their last eight at home.

The Hornets are favoured for this trip, but they’ve got a 6-13 away record, while the Jazz are 9-11 at home. The Hornets have an 8-10 record against sides who are below .500, while the Jazz are 8-7 in that regard. Utah is 12-6 as a home underdog this season, and they are capable of at least keeping this close.

The Clippers are showing signs of life, but it’s hard to trust them here when they’ve got a 5-17 record against sides who are over .500. The Pistons lead the East with a 28-9 record, while they’ve won 18 of 23 games against sides below .500. This is a low number for a strong Pistons side, with Detroit winning seven of their last eight at home.

Jacksonville has surged in the second half of the season under first-year head coach Liam Coen, with QB Trevor Lawrence playing ranking in the top six and the defense quietly becoming elite. However, the Jaguars’ postseason resume is still thin and that could make the difference. Buffalo counters with a massive edge in playoff experience, an elite and healthy offense led by Josh Allen, and a coaching staff that’s been through 13 postseason games together. While the Jaguars could keep it close, the Bills and Allen should have enough in their locker to pick up the road win.

The 49ers survived a rash of injuries, including quarterback Brock Purdy missing eight games, to secure a spot in the playoffs and only narrowly miss out on the NFC’s top seed. While a road date with the reigning Super Bowl champs is a tough assignment, the Niners were strong on the road (7-2) and already crushed Philadelphia 42-19 at Lincoln Financial Field last December. The Eagles were a shaky 4-4 ATS at home and have one of the weakest playoff offenses by yardage. Given Kyle Shanahan’s strong playoff track record and San Francisco’s success as an underdog, the 49ers should at least keep this one close.

The Patriots flipped the AFC East script under new coach Mike Vrabel, rebounding from a 4-13 season to go 14-3 as Drake Maye emerged as an MVP candidate, though skeptics point out that 12 of those wins came against non-playoff teams and New England oddly lost three times at home. The Chargers arrive at Gillette seeking Justin Herbert’s first playoff win after back-to-back 11–6 seasons, which included statement wins over Kansas City and Philadelphia this year. Home-field advantage could count a lot for New England in this one, and given the momentum the Patriots have been riding this season, they should be able to win and cover.

Pittsburgh’s season was saved by a missed field goal, but the Steelers still earned it, posting one of their best offensive games of the year behind Aaron Rodgers and Arthur Smith while once again proving head coach Mike Tomlin’s intangibles matter more than the metrics. Houston brings the biggest matchup edge with an elite, pressure-heavy defense and a battle-tested resume, but questions remain about whether their inconsistent offense can fully capitalize, even with CJ Stroud’s growth. With the spread sitting at a field goal in what profiles as a lower-scoring game, the Steelers look the right side to be on.

FEBRUARY –  The Texans’ suffocating defence has been the key to their eight-game winning run and with the AFC looking the less competitive conference this season after the demise of the Kansas City Chiefs, they have the talent to go a long way. Quarterback CJ Stroud is fully fit again and can look for an elite wide receiver in Nico Collins while former first-round picks Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. are just two of their many defensive stars.

JULY – Elena Rybakina looks a bet in her bid to repeat her 2022 triumph at the All England Club. The Kazakhstani has had a tough couple of years, due in the main to off-court issues, but she finished last year on a high with victory at the WTA Finals. She’s a superb grass-court player who is as good as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek when she’s on her game.

JULY – Alex Noren enjoyed a resurgence in his career in 2025, winning twice on the DP World Tour, and 2026 could finally be the year he ends his long wait for a maiden Major. The Swede has an affinity for links golf, evidenced by his victory at the 2016 Scottish Open and his two top-10 Open finishes, he could go all the way and land the Claret Jug in 2026.

DECEMBER – Mercedes may have botched the ground-effect era, but the Silver Arrows have a strong record of responding well to rule changes, and the sweeping regulation shift coming in 2026 should bring the title back into play. Their power unit has already come under, and been cleared, of scrutiny, suggesting it is likely to be among the strongest engines on the grid, and they have the driver lineup to win the consistent points necessary to land the constructor crown.

Carolina has home-field advantage in this clash with the Rams, but that’s their only real edge in this one. The Panthers did beat LA earlier in the season, but that win came during Matthew Stafford’s worst game of the year and an uncharacteristically poor defensive showing that’s unlikely to be repeated. With massive efficiency gaps, elite offensive metrics, Davante Adams’ return and strong revenge and experience angles, this sets up as a classic positive regression spot for the Rams, where they should control the game from the start and win big.

The Bears and Packers renew the NFL’s oldest rivalry in the playoffs for just the third time ever, with Chicago riding an 11-win surge and strong home form. Green Bay limps into Soldier Field off the back of four straight losses, and could be set to struggle against a Bears team that is full of confidence right now. Chicago posted an 11-5-1 spread record during the regular season, and as slight home underdogs, hold the value in this matchup.

Jacksonville has surged in the second half of the season under first-year head coach Liam Coen, with QB Trevor Lawrence playing ranking in the top six and the defense quietly becoming elite. However, the Jaguars’ postseason resume is still thin and that could make the difference. Buffalo counters with a massive edge in playoff experience, an elite and healthy offense led by Josh Allen, and a coaching staff that’s been through 13 postseason games together. While the Jaguars could keep it close, the Bills and Allen should have enough in their locker to pick up the road win.

The 49ers survived a rash of injuries, including quarterback Brock Purdy missing eight games, to secure a spot in the playoffs and only narrowly miss out on the NFC’s top seed. While a road date with the reigning Super Bowl champs is a tough assignment, the Niners were strong on the road (7-2) and already crushed Philadelphia 42-19 at Lincoln Financial Field last December. The Eagles were a shaky 4-4 ATS at home and have one of the weakest playoff offenses by yardage. Given Kyle Shanahan’s strong playoff track record and San Francisco’s success as an underdog, the 49ers should at least keep this one close.

The Patriots flipped the AFC East script under new coach Mike Vrabel, rebounding from a 4-13 season to go 14-3 as Drake Maye emerged as an MVP candidate, though skeptics point out that 12 of those wins came against non-playoff teams and New England oddly lost three times at home. The Chargers arrive at Gillette seeking Justin Herbert’s first playoff win after back-to-back 11–6 seasons, which included statement wins over Kansas City and Philadelphia this year. Home-field advantage could count a lot for New England in this one, and given the momentum the Patriots have been riding this season, they should be able to win and cover.

Pittsburgh’s season was saved by a missed field goal, but the Steelers still earned it, posting one of their best offensive games of the year behind Aaron Rodgers and Arthur Smith while once again proving head coach Mike Tomlin’s intangibles matter more than the metrics. Houston brings the biggest matchup edge with an elite, pressure-heavy defense and a battle-tested resume, but questions remain about whether their inconsistent offense can fully capitalize, even with CJ Stroud’s growth. With the spread sitting at a field goal in what profiles as a lower-scoring game, the Steelers look the right side to be on.

Carolina has home-field advantage in this clash with the Rams, but that’s their only real edge in this one. The Panthers did beat LA earlier in the season, but that win came during Matthew Stafford’s worst game of the year and an uncharacteristically poor defensive showing that’s unlikely to be repeated. With massive efficiency gaps, elite offensive metrics, Davante Adams’ return and strong revenge and experience angles, this sets up as a classic positive regression spot for the Rams, where they should control the game from the start and win big.

The Bears and Packers renew the NFL’s oldest rivalry in the playoffs for just the third time ever, with Chicago riding an 11-win surge and strong home form. Green Bay limps into Soldier Field off the back of four straight losses, and could be set to struggle against a Bears team that is full of confidence right now. Chicago posted an 11-5-1 spread record during the regular season, and as slight home underdogs, hold the value in this matchup.

Leeds have done a fine job dragging themselves away from the Premier League relegation zone over Christmas, but they have found wins hard to come by on the road and a trip to Championship Derby will not be easy.

West Ham suffered yet another defeat in midweek and head into this tie winless in ten matches. They have won just three times all season, and the play-off chasing QPR have only lost three of their last eight matches.

Manchester United drew at Burnley in their first game following Ruben Amorim’s departure and they have only won one of their last six outings. Brighton’s only defeat in their last five matches came away to Arsenal, and they have only lost two of their last nine meetings with the Red Devils.

Napoli are just four points behind league leaders Inter and have won four and drawn one of their last five matches. They are unbeaten in their last four meetings with the Nerazzurri, who have only won three of their last five home matches.

Leeds have done a fine job dragging themselves away from the Premier League relegation zone over Christmas, but they have found wins hard to come by on the road and a trip to Championship Derby will not be easy.

There should be goals at both ends in this one—the best bet is both teams to score. Both teams scored in Ajax’s last Eredivisie game last month and this has the making of an open fixture.

Fiorentina’s form has improved, but they’ve lost six of seven clashes with the top seven this season, including a 2-1 loss at Milan. The hosts have scored in home defeats to Napoli, Roma, and Como, while the Rossoneri are 26 points better off than their hosts and look overpriced to record a sixth win in eight games.

Monchengladbach are the best bet to beat Augsburg at home in the Bundesliga on Sunday. The visitors have struggled at the back this season and that could lead to an away defeat. Augsburg need to sharpen up going forward. They have failed to find a way to score in three of their last four Bundesliga games and have lost their last two road games without scoring.

There should be goals at both ends in this one—the best bet is both teams to score. Both teams scored in Ajax’s last Eredivisie game last month and this has the making of an open fixture.

There should be goals at both ends in this one — the best bet is both teams to score. Both teams to score has been a winner in Nacional’s last three Primeira Liga games.

There should be goals at both ends in this one — the best bet is both teams to score. Both teams to score has been a winner in Nacional’s last three Primeira Liga games.

Both teams have scored in seven of Granada’s 10 home matches, including each of their previous three. The visitors have won six of their last seven matches heading into this one, and they’ve won all three visits to the bottom nine ahead of this clash with third-bottom Granada. However, clean sheets have been hard to come by for Castellon, so back both teams to score.

Fiorentina have only failed to score once at home this term, while their form has picked up in recent weeks. The hosts are still poor defensively, shipping 30 goals in 19 games. AC Milan have scored in all but one of their away trips, but they’ve seen their defensive standards slip after a strong start.

Leao has scored in back-to-back Serie A matches, while he has netted in four of his last six league games. He struck twice in their home meeting with Fiorentina earlier this season and the winger can continue his good form against a Viola side who are in the relegation zone.

Guilherme Schettine netted in Moreirense’s win at AVS last time out, and the striker has nine goals in 14 starts this term. The striker has scored five times at home, and he’s primed to add to that against a Tondela side that leak a lot of goals on their travels.

Raphinha scored twice against Bilbao in the semi-finals and now has five goals in his last four games. The Barca forward looks a good candidate for an anytime goal on Sunday.

Promotion-chasing Hull are sat 13 points above struggling Blackburn in the Championship table and they can frank the formbook with an FA Cup win this weekend. The Tigers have won four of their last six games and should have more confidence and belief than Rovers, who are winless in four.

West Ham suffered yet another defeat in midweek and head into this tie winless in ten matches. They have won just three times all season, and the play-off chasing QPR have only lost three of their last eight matches.

West Brom took the tough decision to part ways with their former manager, Ryan Mason, but their struggles are set to continue with a loss to Swansea in south Wales. The Baggies have lost their last ten away games and look inferior to their hosts, who are chasing a fifth home win on the bounce.

Manchester United drew at Burnley in their first game following Ruben Amorim’s departure and they have only won one of their last six outings. Brighton’s only defeat in their last five matches came away to Arsenal, and they have only lost two of their last nine meetings with the Red Devils.

Bayern Munich have scored at least three times in six of their last eight Bundesliga matches and are top with thirteen wins and two draws from fifteen games. Wolfsburg are fourteenth and have struggled defensively. Six of Bayern’s last eight home league games have gone over 3.5 goals, and the visitors ended 2025 with a 4-3 loss to Freiburg.

Cueta have taken 14 points from the last 18 available, but they kept only one clean sheet in those six matches. The visitors have struggled on the road against decent to good teams, conceding twice or more in five of their six trips to teams outside the bottom eight. Ninth-placed Malaga average 1.9 goals per game at home, and BTTS has landed in nine of their last 10, with over 2.5 landing in seven of those.

There have been 31 goals scored across the last six meetings between these sides, while the pair have met four times in the Super Cup since 2022 and each game has featured at least four goals. Barca were 5-2 winners when they met a year ago in the final, and they beat Athletic Bilbao 5-0 in the semis earlier this week. 

Rangers have won six of their last seven league games, including a victory against Aberdeen on Tuesday. The Dons have lost four of their last five league games, while they’ve suffered 10 defeats in 13 clashes with sides above them, including losing all three clashes with the Old Firm. 

Rangers have won six of their last seven league games, including a victory against Aberdeen on Tuesday. The Dons have lost four of their last five league games, while they’ve suffered 10 defeats in 13 clashes with sides above them, including losing all three clashes with the Old Firm.

Moreirense have got four Primeira Liga home wins this season from seven home games and four of their seven Primeira Liga successes this season have been by two goals. Tondela have suffered five away defeats, four of which have come by at least two goals. 

Lazio have won five of their clashes with the bottom seven this term, and they meet a Verona side who have lost four of their previous six home matches. The visitors should prove too strong and they’re backed to secure all three points.

Both teams have scored in each of Wolfsburg’s last seven Bundesliga matches, including a 4-3 loss to Freiburg in their final game of 2025. The visitors have lost all five clashes with the top six, but they have scored in their last five away trips and head to a Bayern side who have shipped five goals in their last three home league matches.

There have been 31 goals scored across the last six meetings between these sides, while the pair have met four times in the Super Cup since 2022 and each game has featured at least four goals. Barca were 5-2 winners when they met a year ago in the final, and they beat Athletic Bilbao 5-0 in the semis earlier this week.

Lyon have won four of the last five meetings between these two sides, including an away win in Ligue 1 earlier this term. They travel to a Lille side who have lost four of six clashes with their fellow top seven sides in the league, while the visitors have won three of four trips to top-half teams.

Moreirense have got four Primeira Liga home wins this season from seven home games, with their two home defeats coming against the top three. Visitors Tondela have lost five of eight trips and they’re backed to fall to another defeat. 

Napoli are just four points behind league leaders Inter and have won four and drawn one of their last five matches. They are unbeaten in their last four meetings with the Nerazzurri, who have only won three of their last five home matches.

There have been 31 goals scored across the last six meetings between these sides, while the pair have met four times in the Super Cup since 2022 and each game has featured at least four goals. Barca were 5-2 winners when they met a year ago in the final, and they beat Athletic Bilbao 5-0 in the semis earlier this week. 

Three of the last four meetings between these sides have ended 1-1, including both encounters at the San Siro in this run. With both sides proving difficult to beat and Napoli playing out a draw last time out, back a 1-1 stalemate in Milan.

Each of the last four editions of this final have been decided by at least two-goal margins and Barca have picked up five consecutive wins by two or more goals ahead of Sunday’s showpiece. Real look capable of scoring even in Mbappe’s absence and a 3-1 win for the Catalans is the pick.

Liverpool look like the best value pick, with the Reds putting their struggles behind them with an eight-game unbeaten run. The Reds have the fourth-best Expected Goals record across the first six Champions League gameweeks, while they’ve recorded back-to-back 1-0 wins over Real Madrid and Inter Milan in Europe. Arne Slot’s side have a kind double-header in January, leaving them primed for a top-eight finish. With the Premier League coasting towards a fifth Champions League berth, the Reds should be in a good position to focus on European success in the spring.

Spain have some incredibly talented individuals, Lamine Yamal being the prime example, but are strong in all areas and don’t have any particular weaknesses. They won Euro 2024 with relative ease and they should be too good for their continental rivals at the World Cup. They also look a level above South American heavyweights Argentina and Brazil, suggesting they will be the team to beat at the World Cup this summer.

Keith Andrews has done a remarkable job since taking charge of Brentford and they look overpriced to reach a first-ever major cup final. They may need some luck with the draw, but they have the squad necessary to challenge any team on their day.

Arsenal have been the standout team in the country this season and, with the worst of their injury crisis behind them, now have the necessary squad depth to deal with fixture congestion. They have won 23 of their 29 competitive games this term and are the most successful side in FA Cup history.