Paris Saint-Germain still have ground to make up at the top of Ligue 1, but Lille’s defending has been questionable at times recently so take the champions to come out on top, given Lille have lost comfortably at Strasbourg and leaders Lens this term.

The hosts have the chance to move top of the table as they chase a fourth consecutive league victory. Brugge have won seven of their nine home matches this term, while they meet a La Louviere side who have scored in four of their five league defeats on the road. The visitors lost 2-1 at Antwerp in the cup in midweek, and they’ve lost six of their encounters with the top eight.

Castellon have won five straight home games, but they’ve conceded in four of those. They’ve only kept one home clean sheet this season, while Leganes have seen BTTS land across their last five away trips.

Sampdoria are at the wrong end of the Serie B standings, but they’ve won three straight home matches. Opponents Virtus Entella have lost seven of nine away games, conceding 18 times.

Both of these teams are out of sorts as Bremen are on a six-game run without a win, losing four of those fixtures, while Frankfurt have won just one of their last seven across all competitions. The visitors have at least been scoring and that could prove the difference. Die Adler drew 3-3 with Dortmund recently and slipped to a narrow 3-2 defeat to Stuttgart last time out, while Bremen have lost 3-0 and 4-0 respectively to those teams across their last three games. Bremen have also gone three games without scoring and Frankfurt rarely draw a blank, so the visitors should edge this.

Pisa have scored only one goal in their ten home matches this season and they look unlikely to penetrate the Atalanta defence who have won their last three games to nil. The hosts have lost their last four home games, while Atalanta have won five of their previous six league games.

The Thunder broke their hoodoo against the San Antonio Spurs last night, winning 119-98 after losing the first three meetings between the sides this season. The Rockets have lost three of their last four games, and they are backed to fall short against a Thunder side that have won four on the bounce.

The Jazz are dead last in the NBA in defensive rating over the last 10 games. With the team on the second night of a back-to-back do not expect better effort from them on that end. They are however 6th in points in the paint during that time and should bully an undersized Mavericks team that has 3 centers on their injury report. Both sides should be able to help carry this line over as a result.

The Warriors have won three of their last four games and they can continue that run when they meet a Knicks side that lost Jalen Brunson to injury last night. New York fell 112-101 to the Sacramento Kings without their star guard, so the hosts can add to a run of seven wins from nine at home.

The Hornets put up 109 points against a Clippers side who are far stronger defensively than the Lakers. The Lakers won 141-116 against the Hawks in their last game, and their offensive strength and lack of capable defenders has led to 62.5% of their games clearing the over this season.

The Jazz are dead last in the NBA in defensive rating over the last 10 games. With the team on the second night of a back-to-back do not expect better effort from them on that end. They are however 6th in points in the paint during that time and should bully an undersized Mavericks team that has 3 centers on their injury report. Both sides should be able to help carry this line over as a result.

The Hornets put up 109 points against a Clippers side who are far stronger defensively than the Lakers. The Lakers won 141-116 against the Hawks in their last game, and their offensive strength and lack of capable defenders has led to 62.5% of their games clearing the over this season.

The Warriors have won three of their last four games and they can continue that run when they meet a Knicks side that lost Jalen Brunson to injury last night. New York fell 112-101 to the Sacramento Kings without their star guard, so the hosts can add to a run of seven wins from nine at home.

The Jags got a lot of betting support against the Bills last week but ultimately fell to Josh Allen and company, as Buffalo grabbed its first road playoff win since 1992. Allen powered through injuries to post 306 total yards and 3 touchdowns as the Bills’ offense once again carried the load, but a middling defensive showing suggests Buffalo will keep leaning on Allen as they head into a much tougher spot at altitude in Denver. The Broncos bring a top-five defense, a conservative but timely offense, and home-field rest, setting up a likely one-possession game where the intangibles tilt slightly toward Denver, despite Buffalo’s star power.

San Francisco’s win over Philadelphia wasn’t shocking, as Brock Purdy has the 49ers’ offense humming and delivered in key moments despite 2 interceptions, though the Eagles’ stagnant offense also played a role in the result. The Niners’ momentum faces a serious test against a Seahawks team coming off extended rest, fresh from a Week 18 domination of this same 49ers team in which Seattle controlled the trenches, ran for 180 yards, and never let the game get competitive. With San Fran’s star tight end George Kittle lost for the season and the 49ers on a short week after a bruising playoff game, this rematch sets up as a tough spot for the road team and a potential Seattle blowout.

The Jags got a lot of betting support against the Bills last week but ultimately fell to Josh Allen and company, as Buffalo grabbed its first road playoff win since 1992. Allen powered through injuries to post 306 total yards and 3 touchdowns as the Bills’ offense once again carried the load, but a middling defensive showing suggests Buffalo will keep leaning on Allen as they head into a much tougher spot at altitude in Denver. The Broncos bring a top-five defense, a conservative but timely offense, and home-field rest, setting up a likely one-possession game where the intangibles tilt slightly toward Denver, despite Buffalo’s star power.

San Francisco’s win over Philadelphia wasn’t shocking, as Brock Purdy has the 49ers’ offense humming and delivered in key moments despite 2 interceptions, though the Eagles’ stagnant offense also played a role in the result. The Niners’ momentum faces a serious test against a Seahawks team coming off extended rest, fresh from a Week 18 domination of this same 49ers team in which Seattle controlled the trenches, ran for 180 yards, and never let the game get competitive. With San Fran’s star tight end George Kittle lost for the season and the 49ers on a short week after a bruising playoff game, this rematch sets up as a tough spot for the road team and a potential Seattle blowout.

Houston heads northeast again after a dominant 30-6 Wild Card win over Pittsburgh, cashing as favorites and now shifting to a short underdog against AFC East champs New England, which beat the Chargers 16-3. The matchup pits an elite Texans defense (NFL-best 277.2 yards allowed per game) against a Patriots team that’s been reliable at the window, winning 11 straight as a favorite and going 12-5 ATS in the regular season. Houston has thrived in the underdog role, winning and covering 4 straight, including last year’s 41-21 rout of New England. If CJ Stroud cleans up the turnovers, the Texans profile as a live underdog once again.

4 of 6 road teams won on Wild Card weekend, one of which being this Rams team that edged Carolina 34-31 in a matchup that was a heck of a lot closer than many expected. Matthew Stafford delivered a late TD pass tp secure the win in a wild fourth quarter. Chicago delivered the biggest shock, rallying from a 21-3 halftime deficit to beat Green Bay 31-27 behind a huge playoff debut from Caleb Williams, who threw for 361 yards and 2 scores as the Bears won their first postseason game since 2010. With the Rams laying points again and the Bears thriving as underdogs, LA’s strong ATS history as a road favorite makes them the pick to survive the cold at Soldier Field and move on.

Houston heads northeast again after a dominant 30-6 Wild Card win over Pittsburgh, cashing as favorites and now shifting to a short underdog against AFC East champs New England, which beat the Chargers 16-3. The matchup pits an elite Texans defense (NFL-best 277.2 yards allowed per game) against a Patriots team that’s been reliable at the window, winning 11 straight as a favorite and going 12-5 ATS in the regular season. Houston has thrived in the underdog role, winning and covering 4 straight, including last year’s 41-21 rout of New England. If CJ Stroud cleans up the turnovers, the Texans profile as a live underdog once again.

Houston heads northeast again after a dominant 30-6 Wild Card win over Pittsburgh, cashing as favorites and now shifting to a short underdog against AFC East champs New England, which beat the Chargers 16-3. The matchup pits an elite Texans defense (NFL-best 277.2 yards allowed per game) against a Patriots team that’s been reliable at the window, winning 11 straight as a favorite and going 12-5 ATS in the regular season. Houston has thrived in the underdog role, winning and covering 4 straight, including last year’s 41-21 rout of New England. If CJ Stroud cleans up the turnovers, the Texans profile as a live underdog once again.

4 of 6 road teams won on Wild Card weekend, one of which being this Rams team that edged Carolina 34-31 in a matchup that was a heck of a lot closer than many expected. Matthew Stafford delivered a late TD pass tp secure the win in a wild fourth quarter. Chicago delivered the biggest shock, rallying from a 21-3 halftime deficit to beat Green Bay 31-27 behind a huge playoff debut from Caleb Williams, who threw for 361 yards and 2 scores as the Bears won their first postseason game since 2010. With the Rams laying points again and the Bears thriving as underdogs, LA’s strong ATS history as a road favorite makes them the pick to survive the cold at Soldier Field and move 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.

Auckland have won four of their last six A-League games, while the visitors have won four of their last five away games. Melbourne City have suffered three defeats in seven home games and they’ve only won once across their last six matches.

Brisbane Roar are overperforming their xG this term thanks to some strong early results, but the visitors have lost four of their last five A-League matches. Perth Glory have won two of their last three matches, and they can secure another three points.

Auckland have won four of their last six A-League games, while the visitors have won four of their last five away games. Melbourne City have suffered three defeats in seven home games and they’ve only won once across their last six matches.

The hosts have the chance to move top of the table as they chase a fourth consecutive league victory. Brugge have won seven of their nine home matches this term, while they meet a La Louviere side who have scored in four of their five league defeats on the road. The visitors lost 2-1 at Antwerp in the cup in midweek, and they’ve lost six of their encounters with the top eight.

VVV have won their last three league games, but they’ve shipped 14 goals in 11 home matches. The hosts have won 10 and lost 11 of their 21 games, but they should come out on top against AZ Reserves, who have lost 14 of 22 matches overall. The visitors have lost five of their last six games, but BTTS has landed in their last six trips.

Castellon have won five straight home games, but they’ve conceded in four of those. They’ve only kept one home clean sheet this season, while Leganes have seen BTTS land across their last five away trips. However, the visitors’ good away record has been boosted by the fact that they’ve travelled to each of the bottom nine, so back Castellon to pick up an 11th win of the campaign.

Both of these teams are out of sorts as Bremen are on a six-game run without a win, losing four of those fixtures, while Frankfurt have won just one of their last seven across all competitions. The visitors have at least been scoring and that could prove the difference. Die Adler drew 3-3 with Dortmund recently and slipped to a narrow 3-2 defeat to Stuttgart last time out, while Bremen have lost 3-0 and 4-0 respectively to those teams across their last three games. Bremen have also gone three games without scoring and Frankfurt rarely draw a blank, so the visitors should edge this.

Girona should be confident of getting something from their trip to Espanyol after winning their last two away games and both teams tend to find the net at the RCDE Stadium.

West Brom have lost six of their last eight league games and despite new manager Eric Ramsey’s arrival, their issues may continue. Middlesbrough may have had a wobble recently but they bounced back with a 4-0 win over Southampton in their last league game and look a decent bet to win this too.

Sporting CP look well placed to deliver another high-scoring game when they welcome Casa Pia to Estádio José Alvalade in the Primeira Liga. Sporting have scored in every one of their 17 league games this season and no side has featured in more over-2.5-goal matches. Casa Pia’s away games also tend to open up, with six of their nine road trips producing at least three goals. Given Sporting’s attacking consistency and Casa Pia’s defensive issues, goals look inevitable.

Sporting CP look well placed to deliver another high-scoring game when they welcome Casa Pia to Estádio José Alvalade in the Primeira Liga. Sporting have scored in every one of their 17 league games this season and no side has featured in more over-2.5-goal matches. Casa Pia’s away games also tend to open up, with six of their nine road trips producing at least three goals. Given Sporting’s attacking consistency and Casa Pia’s defensive issues, goals look inevitable.

Paris Saint-Germain still have ground to make up at the top of Ligue 1, but Lille’s defending has been questionable at times recently so take the champions to come out on top, given Lille have lost comfortably at Strasbourg and leaders Lens this term.

Sampdoria are at the wrong end of the Serie B standings, but they’ve won three straight home matches. Opponents Virtus Entella have lost seven of nine away games, conceding 18 times.

Helmond Sport’s last three games have featured 15 goals, and they host a Vitesse side who have a high-scoring record behind them. Half of the visitors’ 10 trips this season have featured four or more goals, while they’ve shipped 1.8 goals per game on their travels. Vitesse won 3-1 when these two met earlier in the campaign, while all six fof Helmond Sport’s clashes with their fellow bottom seven sides have featured three or more goals.

Both of these teams are out of sorts as Bremen are on a six-game run without a win, losing four of those fixtures, while Frankfurt have won just one of their last seven across all competitions. The visitors have at least been scoring and that could prove the difference. Die Adler drew 3-3 with Dortmund recently and slipped to a narrow 3-2 defeat to Stuttgart last time out, while Bremen have lost 3-0 and 4-0 respectively to those teams across their last three games. Bremen have also gone three games without scoring and Frankfurt rarely draw a blank, so the visitors should edge this.

Ansgar Knauff looks a contender has five goals in 24 games across all competitions this season but has increased his shooting output across his last four games. Knauff has had 11 shots in total in that period – an average of 2.25 attempts per-game, which is significantly higher than his average of 1.4 per-game for the season – so the Frankfurt man may be able to add to his tally at Bremen.

Girona should be confident of getting something from their trip to Espanyol after winning their last two away games and both teams tend to find the net at the RCDE Stadium.

La Louviere scored in a loss at Antwerp in the cup this week, and the visitors can add to an impressive scoring streak on the road at second-placed Brugge. The hosts have conceded in five straight league games, while the visitors have scored in defeats in all three visits to the top six.

Castellon have won five straight home games, but they’ve conceded in four of those. They’ve only kept one home clean sheet this season, while Leganes have seen BTTS land across their last five away trips.

Both teams have scored in four of Sampdoria’s last five games, and the visitors have kept only two home clean sheets. Entella scored in four of their five home meetings with the sides below them, including a 3-1 victory over Sampdoria.

Middlesbrough have won six league games by a 2-1 scoreline this season, including when these two sides met at the Riverside, and another victory by the same scoreline appeals.

Sporting’s dominance in this fixture points strongly towards a comfortable home win. They have won seven straight meetings with Casa Pia and regularly score multiple goals against bottom-half sides. Casa Pia may still find a way onto the scoresheet, as Sporting are not always watertight and both teams scoring has been common in Casa Pia away games. However, Sporting’s firepower and control should tell over 90 minutes. A 3-1 home win fits the pattern of recent Sporting matches and Casa Pia’s tendency to lose by a clear margin on the road.

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.

Union have won the xG battle in each of their last six games, but five of those matches have also seen both teams find the net. Augsburg have suffered 10 defeats in 16 Bundesliga matches, including losing half of their home games. However, their home matches have seen plenty of chances, so back a high-scoring away win.

Both teams have scored in seven of Valencia’s last eight games and they have scored in 10 consecutive fixtures across all comps. La Liga 2 outfit Burgos should be able to find the back of the net, having scored seven goals across their last five games.

These two teams have drawn 14 of their combined 38 matches this season. Como are unbeaten at home and Milan have won just two of their last six across all comps (D3, L1) so the hosts should be able to claim at least a point.

Barcelona had won five games in a row by two or more goals prior to their 3-2 Super Cup triumph over Real Madrid. The Catalan giants should be able to win fairly comfortably against second tier opponents but Racing can at least grab a consolation effort. The hosts edged out La Liga side Villarreal in the previous round and are yet to draw a blank at home in any competition, scoring 25 goals at this venue in 11 league games.

Verona have lost ten of their 19 league games and look set for more misery when they take on Bologna, who have won three of the last four head-to-heads and are better than their recent record suggests.

Verona have lost ten of their 19 league games and look set for more misery when they take on Bologna, who have won three of the last four head-to-heads and are better than their recent record suggests.

These two teams have drawn 14 of their combined 38 matches this season and with Como unbeaten at home and Milan yet to lose on their travels, another stalemate could be on the cards for these European candidates.

Verona have lost ten of their 19 league games and look set for more misery when they take on Bologna, who have won three of the last four head-to-heads and are better than their recent record suggests.

Union have won the xG battle in each of their last six games, but five of those matches have also seen both teams find the net. Augsburg conceded four goals on Sunday as they suffered a 10th defeat on the campaign, but they’ve scored nine times in eight home matches this season.

Both teams have scored in seven of Valencia’s last eight games and they have scored in 10 consecutive fixtures across all comps. La Liga 2 outfit Burgos should be able to find the back of the net, having scored seven goals across their last five games.

Illic hasn’t scored this season, but he leads all Union players in terms of xG generated. The Serbian had 0.8 xG in their weekend clash with Mainz, while he scored a brace in this fixture last season as Union claimed a 2-1 win.

Union have won the xG battle in each of their last six games, but five of those matches have also seen both teams find the net. Augsburg have suffered 10 defeats in 16 Bundesliga matches, including losing half of their home games. However, their home matches have seen plenty of chances, so back a high-scoring away win.

Three of Union’s last four matches have featured at least four goals, and the visitors generated over 3.0 xG in their clash with Mainz on Saturday. Augsburg conceded four goals on Sunday as they suffered a 10th defeat on the campaign, but they’ve scored nine times in eight home matches this season. The stats suggest these sides can combine for at least four goals.

These two teams have drawn 14 of their combined 38 matches this season and with Como unbeaten at home and Milan yet to lose on their travels, so an ultra-competitive affair seems likely. Eight of Como’s nine home games this season have gone under 2.5 goals and goals could be at a premium here.

Three of Union’s last four matches have featured at least four goals, and the visitors generated over 3.0 xG in their clash with Mainz on Saturday. Augsburg conceded four goals on Sunday as they suffered a 10th defeat on the campaign, but they’ve scored nine times in eight home matches this season. We’re going with a 3-1 Union win. 

These two teams have drawn 14 of their combined 38 matches this season and with Como unbeaten at home and Milan yet to lose on their travels, another stalemate could be on the cards for these European candidates. Eight of Como’s nine home games this season have gone under 2.5 goals and they have drawn three of those 1-1. A repeat of that scoreline looks like a solid pick in what should be an ultra-competitive affair.

Union have won the xG battle in each of their last six games, but five of those matches have also seen both teams find the net. Augsburg have suffered 10 defeats in 16 Bundesliga matches, including losing half of their home games. However, their home matches have seen plenty of chances, so back a high-scoring away win.

Both teams have scored in seven of Valencia’s last eight games and they have scored in 10 consecutive fixtures across all comps. La Liga 2 outfit Burgos should be able to find the back of the net, having scored seven goals across their last five games.

These two teams have drawn 14 of their combined 38 matches this season. Como are unbeaten at home and Milan have won just two of their last six across all comps (D3, L1) so the hosts should be able to claim at least a point.

Barcelona had won five games in a row by two or more goals prior to their 3-2 Super Cup triumph over Real Madrid. The Catalan giants should be able to cover a -1 handicap against second tier opponents.