Champions League Tips

This one should be straightforward. The Warriors are a sub .500 team without Curry and Butler, while the Nuggets have the luxury of a healthy Nikola Jokic. They just put up 157 points on the Trail Blazers the other day, without Steph the Warriors are just 6-11 SU in 17 games this season. Pick the Nuggets here.

It’s hard to look past Jaylen Brown and the Celtics after their masterful performance at Golden State the other day. They’ve been dominant over their last 8 games, losing only once and Brown is a top 4 MVP candidate. They’ve won 4 of 5 road games as well coming into Sunday’s clash. They’re 5-2 SU in 7 meetings against the Lakers. LA has looked good with Doncic, LeBron and Reaves finally playing together, but against an elite team like the Celtics, they should be overwhelmed defensively. 

The Timberwolves are rolling right now with wins in 8 of their last 11 games, including wins in each of their last 3. Meanwhile, the 76ers are trending in the wrong direction and have dropped 4 consecutive games, all by double digits. Paul George still has over a month left in his 25-game suspension and Joel Embiid is listed as a game-time decision, having not played since February 7. Back Minnesota to win and cover.

The Bulls have lost eight straight games, and their smallest margin of defeat in that run is eight points. They’ve fallen by double digits in six of those eight, as their trade deadline sell-off has hit them hard. The Knicks have a clear size and scoring advantage, so take them to clear this line against a Bulls side who have lost by 16 or more in six of their last eight.

The Suns have been the league’s standout performers against the spread this season, but they’re in a difficult spot here. Star Devin Booker remains out, and Dillon Brooks has now been ruled out for the season. The Suns went to triple overtime last night, so the Trail Blazers should profit from that.

Orlando just played a gruelling double OT game at Phoenix last night, with 3 starters logging 40+ minutes. They could struggle to compete with the Clippers who are one of the better home teams over the past couple of months, clearing the spread in 11 of their last 14 home games. 

The Timberwolves are rolling right now with wins in 8 of their last 11 games, including wins in each of their last 3. Meanwhile, the 76ers are trending in the wrong direction and have dropped 4 consecutive games, all by double digits. Paul George still has over a month left in his 25-game suspension and Joel Embiid is listed as a game-time decision, having not played since February 7. Back Minnesota to win and cover.

The Bulls have lost eight straight games, and their smallest margin of defeat in that run is eight points. They’ve fallen by double digits in six of those eight, as their trade deadline sell-off has hit them hard. The Knicks have a clear size and scoring advantage, so take them to clear this line against a Bulls side who have lost by 16 or more in six of their last eight.

The Suns have been the league’s standout performers against the spread this season, but they’re in a difficult spot here. Star Devin Booker remains out, and Dillon Brooks has now been ruled out for the season. The Suns went to triple overtime last night, so the Trail Blazers should profit from that.

Orlando just played a gruelling double OT game at Phoenix last night, with 3 starters logging 40+ minutes. They could struggle to compete with the Clippers who are one of the better home teams over the past couple of months, clearing the spread in 11 of their last 14 home games. 

The Bulls have lost eight straight games, and their smallest margin of defeat in that run is eight points. They’ve fallen by double digits in six of those eight, as their trade deadline sell-off has hit them hard. The Knicks have a clear size and scoring advantage, so take them to clear this line against a Bulls side who have lost by 16 or more in six of their last eight.

The Bulls have lost eight straight games, and their smallest margin of defeat in that run is eight points. They’ve fallen by double digits in six of those eight, as their trade deadline sell-off has hit them hard. The Knicks have a clear size and scoring advantage, so take them to clear this line against a Bulls side who have lost by 16 or more in six of their last eight.

The Suns have been the league’s standout performers against the spread this season, but they’re in a difficult spot here. Star Devin Booker remains out, and Dillon Brooks has now been ruled out for the season. The Suns went to triple overtime last night, so the Trail Blazers should profit from that.

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.

Roma have scored two goals or more in their last two games against Cremonese and there should be no reply on this occasion. The visitors have failed to score in five of their last six away matches in Serie A.

Lyon have kept three consecutive clean sheets and their last three league games have gone under the goals line. Strasbourg have failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 of their last 15 matches, and with Lyon in strong form, a controlled 2-0 away win appeals.

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.

Sheffield United have scored in each of their last five Championship matches and six of their 15 home games have featured at least four goals. With 12 of United’s 32 matches going over 3.5 goals and both sides conceding heavily – Wednesday shipping a league-high 64 – goals look the standout play.

Barcelona have scored at least three goals in each of their last three Primera Liga matches and five of their 11 home games have produced over 3.5 goals. With Levante conceding a league-high 40 goals in 23 matches and involved in four-goal games in three of 12 away fixtures, goals stand out.

Over 2.5 goals has landed in each of Gil Vicente’s last five games, while they hed to an Estoril side who shipped three goals to bottom club AVS in their last game. There have been at least four goals in six of the hosts’ previous seven, while they’ve netted over two goals per game at home this term.

Albacete have shipped two or more goals in six of their eight visits to sides above them. Hosts Malaga have found the net at least twice in their last four home games, and their impressive record at their own ground has seen them score 26 times in 13 matches.

Both teams have scored in eight of Fulham’s last 10 games and also in eight of Sunderland’s 14 home games this season.

Hibernian have scored two goals or more in 15 of their 27 Premiership games this season, while Martin O’Neill’s side have scored in 18 of their last 20 league games, so both teams to score looks the play in this encounter.

Eight of the hosts’ last ten league games and each of Rangers’ last three have seen both teams score. Both teams have netted in the last two meetings between the pair in this fixture, with both of those encounters coming this season.

Both teams have scored in six of the last seven Spurs home games and also in seven of Arsenal’s last eight road trips. The last two north London derbies have seen goals at both ends too.

Domini Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s standout player this term and he should backed to get on the scoresheet once more following a recent hot streak. The Hungarian midfielder has scored some stunning goals this term and his threat from free-kicks and long-range shots make him a solid anytime goalscorer candidate. Szoboszlai has bagged ten goals this season, including five in his last eight outings and he could make his mark once more on the banks of the Trent.

Palace have scored in seven straight matches but only one of those fixtures has seen them score more than once, and goals are proving hard to come by for the Eagles who have scored two or more goals in only one of their last 13 matches. Ismaila Sarr remains a constant goal threat for Palace but it may pay to back Jorgen Strand Larsen to notch against his former side. The Norwegian striker opened his account for his new club with a brace against Burnley recently and will be fired up when facing his old pals following his January switch.

Kevin has scored three goals in his last seven appearances for Fulham  – from only three starts. The Brazilian may have to settle for a bench role again on Sunday but tends to make an impact against tired legs.

Dominic Solanke bagged a brace against Manchester City earlier this month and looks set to start up front in a new Spurs formation under Igor Tudor.

Aaron: Fulham have lost four of their last five league games, while their three away wins have all come at bottom-five teams. Marco Silva’s side have lost all seven visits to the sides above them, while Sunderland have won seven of nine home meetings with sides outside the top six.

Alex: Cremonese have failed to score in five of their last six matches on the road in Serie A, while they are winless in 11 outings. Roma are undefeated in their last five league matches on home soil and they could boost their Champions League qualification hopes with a routine win over Cremonese.

Henry: Liverpool cruised past Brighton 3-0 in the FA Cup last weekend and the Merseyside men had previously impressed in Premier League victories over Sunderland and Newcastle. Slot’s men appear to be finding their stride in the final third of the campaign and Liverpool rate an excellent bet to win at the City Ground.

Enda: Lyon are going for a club record-equalling 14th straight victory across all competitions. They come into this game having gone more than 380 minutes without conceding and facing a Strasbourg side whose only clean sheet in nine came against minnows Avranches in the Coupe de France.

Joe: Rangers gave their chances of winning the Scottish Premiership a big boost with a 4-2 win over table-toppers Hearts last weekend. The hosts may have held Dundee to a 2-2 draw last time out but they are staring down the barrel of relegation and look likely to be outclassed by a Light Blues side who have scored 18 goals in their last four games.

Feyenoord have claimed back-to-back wins as they aim to strengthen their grip on second place. They host second-bottom Telstar on Sunday, and the visitors have seen BTTS land in five of their last six matches. The visitors have scored in their last five away trips, but hosts Feyenoord have won all seven home meetings with bottom-half sides.

Villarreal aren’t quite as effective as they were earlier in the campaign but they remain third in La Liga and should still be too strong for struggling Valencia on Sunday. The Yellow Submarine have won just two of their last eight matches but only Real Madrid and Barcelona have been to good for them at La Ceramica this season and Valencia are nowhere near that level. Los Che moved out of the relegation zone following last week’s crucial win over second-bottom, Levante, to snap a three-game losing streak and they have won just two of their 12 La Liga away games this term.

Rangers have gone three games without a clean sheet in the top flight, but the Gers should have too much quality for their hosts. Eight of the hosts’ last ten league games and each of Rangers’ last three have seen both teams score, but the bottom side should fall short as Rangers continue their title chase.

Heidenheim have won just one of their last eight Bundesliga home games and are without a win in their last four on home turf. Stuttgart are in good form, having won five of their last seven Bundesliga matches and three of their last four away games.

Seventh-placed Celta Vigo sit 11 places and ten points above Mallorca and have won three of their last four home Primera Liga games. Mallorca are winless in seven away matches, losing five of their last seven on the road, and have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine straight league fixtures.

Villarreal aren’t quite as effective as they were earlier in the campaign but they remain third in La Liga and should still be too strong for struggling Valencia on Sunday. The Yellow Submarine have won just two of their last eight matches but only Real Madrid and Barcelona have been to good for them at La Ceramica this season and Valencia are nowhere near that level. Los Che moved out of the relegation zone following last week’s crucial win over second-bottom, Levante, to snap a three-game losing streak and they have won just two of their 12 La Liga away games this term.

Albacete have shipped two or more goals in six of their eight visits to sides above them. Hosts Malaga have found the net at least twice in their last four home games, and their impressive record at their own ground has seen them score 26 times in 13 matches.

Both teams have scored in six of the last seven Spurs home games and also in seven of Arsenal’s last eight road trips. The last two north London derbies have seen goals at both ends too.

Lyon are third in Ligue 1, 14 points above Strasbourg, and have won eight of their last nine matches. They are on a run of three straight away victories and have lost only one of their last seven on the road. Strasbourg are winless in three and have struggled defensively.

Feyenoord have claimed back-to-back wins as they aim to strengthen their grip on second place. They host second-bottom Telstar on Sunday, and the visitors have seen BTTS land in five of their last six matches. The visitors have scored in their last five away trips, but hosts Feyenoord have won all seven home meetings with bottom-half sides.

Albacete have shipped two or more goals in six of their eight visits to sides above them. Hosts Malaga have found the net at least twice in their last four home games, and their impressive record at their own ground has seen them score 26 times in 13 matches. 

Lyon are third in Ligue 1, 14 points above Strasbourg, and have won eight of their last nine matches. They are on a run of three straight away victories and have lost only one of their last seven on the road. Strasbourg are winless in three and have struggled defensively.

Rio Ave have suffered five straight defeats, and four of those losses have been to nil. Porto have conceded only three goals at home in the league this term, so back the leaders to secure another routine win.