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While the New Jersey Devils watch the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs from home, one of their most ardent supporters still has something to play for.

Josh Langer, Devils season-ticket holder and the voice behind one of the largest Devils fan accounts on Instagram, @devils.fanpage, placed second out of more than 616,000 entries in the NHL’s official ‘Bracket Challenge.’

He has correctly predicted the outcome of all 12 playoff series so far – and determined the exact number of games for every series except three.

has the potential to He Okay up to this point? About one in 200,000.

UPDATE!! Now through two rounds a perfect bracket!!

I’m now ranked second in the world out of 616,147 in the NHL’s Bracket Challenge

Oh my 🤯🤯🤯 https://t.co/srUltFqhBj pic.twitter.com/Bvz5L1GIAt

– Josh (@joshlangerr) 19 May 2026

All that remains for completion is the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes meeting in the Stanley Cup Finals, with the Avs winning it all. According to NHL.com, both of these teams are “overwhelming favorites” to advance in their respective series.

The first place bracket belonging to user “galastorn” predicted the same finals result. But the total number of goals scored in the final could become a potential tiebreaker; Langer predicted 35, while Galstorna predicted 33.

If Langer is able to leap into the first place bracket and win it all, he will win an all-expenses-paid trip to any NHL event as well as a limited edition Norken watch valued at over $10,000. not bad.

Even if he is unable to do so, he will still have a pile of rewards from the individual groups he is involved in, of which Langer says he is “absolutely guaranteed to win at this rate.”

It took him only five minutes to make the bracket.

“I’m a big hockey fan and follow enough regular season action to make my own picks from the dome when looking at the bracket for the first time,” Langer explained. “And from there I think I have a good chance right from the start.”

One call he’s particularly proud of? Picking the Anaheim Ducks to upset the Edmonton Oilers in the first round:

He said, “It feels like Edmonton’s window is slowly closing without proper goaltending, meanwhile Anaheim’s window is opening with young star talent.” “The only way I could have gone different was based on playoff experience, but I still went with Anaheim.”

Many of her more than 51,600 followers on Instagram have supported her bid for first place.

“With the way the internet is these days, you’d probably expect some trash talk to accompany anything I post,” he laughs, “but I’m not sure I’ve seen much, if any, under my bracket success posts, it’s been mainly fun, positive words and most importantly shocking.”

The Devils’ two most recent playoff sweeps have come at the hands of the Hurricanes. Naturally, he’s eating her out.

“I’ve been a Devils fan since birth,” Josh told me. “I was 8 days old when they won their third title in 2003, so I was instantly obsessed with my father and that’s been in my life forever.”

However, the Hurricanes’ success against the Jersey side hasn’t stopped them from being objective when it matters. In fact, he says the opposite is true.

“When filling out a bracket my Devils fandom is put aside. All biases are put aside and I make my picks based on how that team performed that season in my mind… Picking Carolina to go to the Finals this year, I wouldn’t do it if my Devils fandom got in the way.”

Langer has filled out an NHL bracket every year since 2018 or 2019 — it’s a tradition he, his family and his friends look forward to like many during March Madness.

Of course, as a Devils fan, it will be a bit strange for him to watch the Eastern Conference Finals.

He said, “I won’t be rooting for Carolina, but I won’t be as upset if they win the ECF this year compared to the year I didn’t have the right bracket.” “If Montreal wins, great. I won’t be upset because I would love to see them in the finals. If Carolina wins, great too, because it’s good news for my class.”

What if it all comes together and he wins the entire challenge?

“Yeah, I mean it would be great, right?” Josh said with a big smile.

For a man who has been going to games since childhood and now runs one of the largest Devils communities online, a national bracket title would be the final ray of hope after a disappointing Devils season.

Daniel is the New Jersey Devils beat reporter for SportsNut. He graduated from Montclair State University in 2025… More about Daniel Amoia

The San Antonio Spurs are three wins away from the NBA Finals. But standing in their way are the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

If you’re planning to watch Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night, take a look at everything you need to know, as well as the current odds for the Thunder vs. Spurs.

san antonio spurs next game

What channel is the Spurs game on tonight?

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Spurs and Thunder will air exclusively on NBC and Peacock.

What time does the Spurs game start tonight?

Tip-off time for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals will be 8:30 PM ET.

Spurs vs Thunder Game 1 Betting Odds

Heading into Game 2 of the West Finals, the defending champion Thunder are -238 favorites after losing in Game 1. The Spurs have +195 odds on Wednesday night.

San Antonio Spurs Western Conference Finals full schedule

Below, you can take a complete look at the 2026 Western Conference Finals schedule.

The Best Spurs Playoff Watch Parties in San Antonio

There will be plenty of watch parties around San Antonio for the Spurs series against the Thunder. The Rock at La Cantera is the official destination of the team’s watch party. However, during road games, watch parties will take place inside the Frost Bank Center.

Plucker’s Wing Bar and McIntyre’s Southtown are other popular venues that host Spurs watch parties.

How to watch a Spurs game live stream on your phone

NBC has exclusive rights to the NBA Western Conference Finals. So if you plan to watch it on your phone, you’ll need a Peacock subscription.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The New York Knicks are four wins away from the NBA Finals. But standing in their way are Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

If you’re planning to watch Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night, below you can find everything you need to know, along with the schedule for the upcoming NBA playoff series.

When will the Knicks play next?

What channel is the Knicks game on tonight?

The entire Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and Cavaliers will air exclusively on ESPN and the ESPN app.

What time does the Knicks game start tonight?

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals begins at 8:00 PM ET.

Knicks vs Game 1 Betting Odds

The Knicks are -265 favorites in Game 1 of the East Finals. The Cavaliers are currently a +215 underdog.

NY Knicks Eastern Conference Finals Schedule 2026

Below you can find the upcoming schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals.

Can I watch Knicks games on Peacock or Amazon Prime?

No, Knicks games in the Eastern Conference Finals will not be available on Peacock or Amazon Prime. All seven games will be exclusive to ESPN and the ESPN app.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The San Antonio Spurs are four wins away from the NBA Finals. But standing in their way are the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

If you’re planning to watch Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday night, below you’ll find everything you need to know, as well as the upcoming schedule of their NBA playoff series.

san antonio spurs next game

What channel is the Spurs game on tonight?

Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Spurs and Thunder will air exclusively on NBC and Peacock.

What time does the Spurs game start tonight?

Tip-off time for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals will be 8:30 PM ET.

Spurs vs Thunder Game 1 Betting Odds

Heading into Game 1 of the West Finals, the defending champion Thunder are -265 favorites. The Spurs have +215 odds on Monday night.

San Antonio Spurs Western Conference Finals full schedule

Below, you can take a complete look at the 2026 Western Conference Finals schedule.

The Best Spurs Playoff Watch Parties in San Antonio

There will be plenty of watch parties around San Antonio for the Spurs series against the Thunder. The Rock at La Cantera is the official destination of the team’s watch party. However, during road games, watch parties will take place inside the Frost Bank Center.

Plucker’s Wing Bar and McIntyre’s Southtown are other popular venues that host Spurs watch parties.

How to watch a Spurs game live stream on your phone

NBC has exclusive rights to the NBA Western Conference Finals. So if you plan to watch it on your phone, you’ll need a Peacock subscription.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

It’s Sunny Mehta day in New Jersey. The New Jersey Devils are set to introduce their new general manager today at the Prudential Center at 3 p.m.

This is the beginning of a new era for the red and black.

Mehta still has a lot of work to do. One of those tasks will be figuring out what to do with their first-round pick. He’ll likely make that decision after the Devils find out their luck in the draft lottery. So, what are the chances that they could move forward? More on that in the link.

Additionally, Mehta outlined other top priorities via the Devil’s Rink Report.

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: The NHL released its 2026 NHL Draft lottery odds over the weekend. Here are the Devils’ chances to win it, and how far they could realistically move up in the draft order.

📺 devil’s rink report: So, what priorities will Sunny Mehta face as she steps into her new role as general manager in New Jersey? We break it down in the latest Devils Rink report.

Full episode here 👇🏼

Please like and subscribe our Youtube channel And turn on those notifications when we go live every Friday!

For podcast listeners, we have officially launched on multiple platforms. Listen to Devil’s Rink Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

Too! Devil’s Rink Report is now on TikTok – follow us here.

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NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

Forever Blueshirts: Alex Tuch has been linked to the New York Rangers after trade rumors surfaced regarding the Buffalo Sabers forward. How realistic is his trade target for the Blueshirts this summer?

Athletic ($): Here’s where every player is in the playoffs without a Stanley Cup, and which player is most deserving of winning it.

Philly hockey now: The Philadelphia Flyers didn’t expect to be here. He also did not expect that some of his players would be further along in their development. That’s why Porter Marton was created for the moment it’s in now.

San Jose Hockey Now: Could Maclin Celebrini be the next captain of the San Jose Sharks? Here’s what the phenom forward said about potentially wearing the ‘C’.

Florida hockey now: We all know that the Florida Panthers do not belong in the category of teams that are out of playoff form. Still, they are. And they are in the running for the top draft pick in the upcoming draft.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on Sportsnaut and … More about James Nicholls

The Denver Nuggets have lost twice in their last four games and will look to regain momentum when they take on the 35-36 Portland Trail Blazers at home. Portland is on a three-game winning streak that has pushed them into play-in territory.

They are currently in 9th place in the East and are tied 1-1 with Denver in the season series. However, the Nuggets defeated them 157-103 in their last meeting and are the clear favorites to pick up another win on paper.

They are trailing several teams and are currently in 5th place in the Western Conference with a 43-28 record. The following predictions are based on odds by DraftKings.

Blazers vs. Nuggets Odds

Trail Blazers: +8.5 (-110)

Nuggets: -8.5 (-110)

Over: 241.5 (-110)

Under: 241.5 (-110)

Blazers vs. Nuggets Major Injuries

Portland remains shorthanded in key areas. Damian Lillard is out for the season, while Shaddon Sharp is also sidelined. Jerami Grant and Witt Krejci are both listed as day-to-day and their availability will be a gametime decision.

In comparison, Denver is almost completely healthy. With only Peyton Watson listed as questionable, their entire list of stars are fit and active for it.

Blazers vs. Nuggets Betting Trends

Denver is not having his most impressive season yet. However, they have been strong at home and fans can expect another win based on the following trends:

• The Nuggets are 4-1 in their last five home games.
• Denver averages 120.7 points per game (No. 1 in the NBA).
• The Nuggets lead the league in three-point percentage (39.2%).

The Trail Blazers, on the other hand, have their work cut out for them, and may face a mountain to climb in Denver.

• The Trail Blazers are 9-11 ATS as road underdogs.
• Portland’s average scoring margin in those games is -11.3.
• The Blazers rank 23rd in offensive rating this season.

Their most recent match ended in a massive 54-point victory for the Nuggets. However, with the series tied at 1-1 and recent momentum, the Trail Blazers will be hoping to pull off an upset, although their injury outlook is also worrisome.

Keys to the Blazers vs. Nuggets matchup

The Nuggets have one of the most efficient offenses in the league. Led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Denver has the highest-scoring offense in the NBA (120.7 ppg).

Jokic averaged 28.1 points on 57.4% shooting and scored 32 points in less than 30 minutes during the blowout win. The Blazers rank 17th in opponent points in the paint, which plays directly into Jokic’s strengths as both a scorer and facilitator.

On the periphery, the difference is even more pronounced. Denver is leading at 39.2% from three (No. 1 in the NBA), while Portland is 29th at 33.8%. So, Denver not only has in-form stars, but they also have a more productive system. Despite the recent momentum, especially in the absence of Lillard and Sharp, the Trail Blazers have struggled to generate points.

Blazers vs. Nuggets Predictions and Picks

The Nuggets will try to dictate proceedings from the beginning. Jok can be expected to take charge once again. However, even if Portland manages to knock him out, Denver’s shooting talent and ability to slow down turnovers is bound to cause problems.

Murray scored 31 points in the last game and the Nuggets have more than enough shooters to cause problems all night long. However, the Trail Blazers will try to cause problems of their own.

Denny Advija, Donovan Clingan and Jerami Grant have all scored while Scooter Henderson and Jrue Holiday will also contribute. The Trail Blazers may need to shoot better than in recent games, leaving Jokic and company to go the distance.

Final Blazers-Nuggets predictions and picks: Denver Nuggets -8.5 (-110); Under 241.5 (-110)

The punchless Memphis Grizzlies have gotten to the point in one losing season where NBA Draft prospects matter more than pride. With a 23-43 record and no realistic path to the postseason, the focus has shifted entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery. Fortunately for the front office, the remainder of the schedule assures about a dozen other odds-boosting losses, according to bookmakers. However, it is the battles against the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, and Milwaukee Bucks that matter most.

Tuomas Isalo may be looking to pick up some positive culture-building wins over the next few weeks, but the stakes are huge in those games against other lottery-bound Even-Rans. Sitting eighth-worst in the league, Memphis currently has a 6% chance at the top spot and a 7.2% chance at a top-four spot. As things stand, falling to the 10th pick is a realistic possibility.

The Grizzlies have a path to reach the fifth-worst record, which would increase those odds significantly. EVP Zach Kleiman will go to the ping-pong party with a 10.5% shot at one of the top four spots. Finishing below the Jazz in the standings will ensure a top-8 selection. Sweeping the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans, two teams that are consistently trying to win games, gives Memphis a 9% chance of landing Cam Boozer, Darius Acuff, AJ DiBantsa, or Kingston Flemings.

Dealing for Caleb Wilson or Nate Ament is a far better outcome than giving up either Mikel Brown Jr. or Brayden Burries. Nothing against Brown Jr. or Burroughs, it’s just that the Grizzlies are hoping to acquire a franchise cornerstone in a one-year reset, not take a chance on another late-lottery role player.

Grizzlies are sour on jazz notes

Chicago is still looking for respect and has enough talent to consistently win competitive games. That trip to the Windy City on March 16 marks the beginning of the injury-plagued team’s last stretch. Isalo’s shorthanded team will take on the Bulls again on March 28 at FedEx Forum. This game will also be the sixth game in nine days for Memphis. Tired legs led to the defeat at the end of the season, so fans should not be too disappointed about the results.

Memphis will also have to spend Easter Sunday away from family. The Grizzlies will take on the Bucks on April 5 while everyone else will be talking about the Final Four. There will be some hiatus before flying back to Beale Street for one last home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers (April 6). Those last three games, starting on a high in Denver before facing the Jazz and Houston Rockets, will likely sap the last bit of energy from all the players still standing.

There is very little margin for error on the downs, and these four games will ultimately decide how high the Grizzlies can climb when lottery balls come out. In a season defined by heartbreaking defeats, the most important is still to come.

The Montreal Canadiens have 20 games left to play in the 2025-26 season, giving us a great opportunity to look at the team’s playoff odds again.

We’ll also evaluate the changes in the odds of the various Eastern Conference teams competing with the Habs for a playoff spot.

Updated Montreal Canadiens Playoff Odds

With 78 points in the bank after 62 games, the Canadiens are on solid pace to qualify for the playoffs.

According to Money Puck, his chances are currently 81.8%.

If they maintain this pace, they will finish the year with 103 points, which is significantly more than their results last season.

The Habs finished 2024-25 with 91 points, thus, their pace in 2025-26 represents a 13% increase in points per game.

The standings in the Eastern Conference are relatively opposite.

The Canadiens are just five points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the wild card race, however, it should be noted that they are only six points behind the Buffalo Sabers for the top spot in the Atlantic Division with two games remaining.

As always, the Eastern Conference is offering a very tortuous, chaotic playoff race.

With that in mind, we must remember that it is very difficult to close a gap of five or six points in the standings with only 20 games left on the schedule, especially since there are overtime and shootout points in the games.

Although the points paint a somewhat worrisome picture, the prospects reflect the fact that scoring a half-dozen points with very few games left to play is a tall mountain to climb for any NHL club.

Changes in Eastern Conference playoff odds

Two months ago, Montreal’s playoff chances were less than 70%.

Within a month, they increased slightly, but not to the point where anyone would feel comfortable suggesting any signs of relaxation.

With the Olympic break behind us, the Canadiens have not only strengthened their position, but they have increased their chances by more than 12%.

While the Canadiens slowly but surely improved their odds, some teams, such as the Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs, fell out of the playoff race, paying homage to Thelma and Louise.

On the other side of the coin, the New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings significantly improved their chances of qualifying for the 2025-26 playoffs.

remaining montreal canadiens games

Opponents: Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders (x2), Carolina Hurricanes (x2), Columbus Blue Jackets (x2), Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning (x2), New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils (2), Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers.

With 20 games left on the docket, the Habs will face 17 Eastern Conference teams that will certainly have a major impact on their playoff race. They will play organizations in the Atlantic Division on seven occasions, while facing teams currently in a playoff spot nine times.

In other words, while Montreal’s playoff prospects are relatively healthy, there are enough games left in the season that there could be quite a swing when we consider that most of their rivals are also competing for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks

All things considered, the Canadiens have a very high chance of reaching the playoffs, an accomplishment that should be celebrated.

Just four years ago, they were the worst team in the league, and they were given the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Expectations may have risen to unreasonable levels since then, but there’s no doubt that the Habs have done a great job in their rebuild.

This is one of the cleanest, most streamlined rebuilds in modern NHL history, as reflected by their strong bid to qualify for the playoffs in consecutive seasons.

All Montreal Canadiens and NHL playoff odds via Money Puck.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

After winning their last game against the Houston Rockets, the Golden State Warriors traveled to Oklahoma City to face the defending champions. However, they have several major injury concerns and face a Thunder team that has won each of its last four games.

Oklahoma City entered Saturday night with a 49-15 record, already knocking on the door of its 50th win of the season, while Golden State is 32-30 and in eighth place in the West.
Mark Daigneault’s side have also won eight of their last 10 games, and have held opponents to 106.5 points per game during that span. Golden State, meanwhile, has struggled for consistency, going 4-6 in its last 10 contests while allowing 116.3 points per game.

These teams have met three times already this season, and the last meeting was a lopsided 131-94 win for the Thunder, fueled by a 30-point performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The following prospects are based on DraftKings’ coverage.

Warriors vs Thunder Odds

Warriors: +9.5

Thunder: -9.5

Overs: 228.5

Under: 228.5

Warriors vs Thunder Major Injuries

Golden State is entering this matchup heavily shorthanded. Stephen Curry is out with a knee injury. Jimmy Butler (ACL) is out for the season while Moses Moody (wrist) and Seth Curry (back) are also sidelined.

Gary Payton II is questionable with an ankle problem. However, the potential return of Kristaps Porzingis gives them some reason for optimism.

The Thunder are relatively healthy. Jalen Williams is out with a hamstring injury, while Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) and Alex Caruso (hip) are both listed as day-to-day. Thomas Sorber is out for the season with a knee injury.

Warriors vs Thunder Betting Trends

Oklahoma City has a 34–9 record against Western Conference opponents. Recent head-to-head results also favor Oklahoma City. The Thunder have taken Golden State to task already this season, including a blowout 37-point victory in January.

With Shai-Gilgeous Alexander fit and effective, this seems pretty straightforward on paper. However, with the stellar Draymond Green leading the way and Porzingis expected to play, the Warriors can always surprise.

Keys to Warriors vs. Thunder matchup

The biggest challenge for Golden State will be finding enough offensive firepower without Stephen Curry. The Warriors have relied heavily on Brandin Podziemski, who is averaging 16.7 points over the last 10 games.

The Thunder averaged 118.9 points per game, while also limiting opponents to 43.6% shooting from the field.
Warriors vs Thunder Predictions and Selections

Golden State’s system still produces efficient offense through ball movement and spacing, but without Curry, the Warriors lack the consistent scoring punch needed to keep up with Oklahoma City’s attack. Given the Warriors’ injuries and this huge blow to the reigning NBA champions, we expect a low-scoring game.

spread pick:Thunder -9.5

Total Selection: under 228.5

The Denver Nuggets have lost two of their last three games and will now host the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver. Minnesota comes into this game off of two consecutive wins, the latest win being away from home against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Both teams are 37-23 on the season, leading to a head-to-head tie for the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference. Denver enters the Draft as a slight home favorite on DraftKings to move on from Friday’s loss against Oklahoma City, which was a repeat of last year’s conference semifinals.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Odds

• Minnesota Timberwolves: +2.5 (-110)
• Denver Nuggets: -2.5 (-110)
• Above: 237.5 (-110)
• Under: 237.5 (-110)

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Major Injuries

Denver Nuggets The Nuggets’ depth will once again be tested with several high-profile absentees. Anthony Gordon is set to be out along with Peyton Watson, who are both dealing with hamstring issues. Tamar Bates is a long-term absence while Spencer Jones is questionable and Cameron Johnson is probable.

The Timberwolves are relatively healthy and their injury situation is nearly clear. They have listed Julius Randle as questionable due to lower back spasms.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Betting Trends

Denver has won the last three head-to-head meetings against Minnesota, including a 142-138 overtime thriller in their last matchup. The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in four consecutive games.

Conversely, Denver is a perfect 3-0 ATS in its last three games against Minnesota. Denver has seen the over hit in 38 of its 60 games this season (63.3%). The Nuggets have been excellent in coverage on the road (21-12), but have struggled a bit in ball arenas, posting a 13-14 ATS home record.

Keys to the Timberwolves vs. Nuggets matchup

The outcome of this game depends on Denver’s ability to work around Nikola Jokic’s traditional talent. The Nuggets have performed well as a unit and have averaged 120.5 points per game on overall shooting on 49% from the field.

Much will depend on the infighting between Rudy Gobert and Jokic, with Jamal Murray also coming into form recently, giving the Nuggets another significant scoring threat. However, the Timberwolves will hope Anthony Edwards can take over.

The All-Star has been poor throughout the campaign, averaging 29.6 points on the season. Minnesota will be determined to use the Nuggets’ thin rotation to dominate important stretches of the game.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Predictions and Selections

While the Timberwolves are headed on the road, it’s hard to ignore Denver’s historic lead in this specific matchup. The Nuggets have won the last three times between these teams, and Jokic usually finds a way to neutralize Gobert’s rim protection by staying away from the paint, especially in the presence of Murray.

ATS Selection: Nuggets-2.5 Select O/U: under 237.5

The Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to travel to Chase Center to play the in-form Golden State Warriors, having lost three of their last four games. The Warriors come into this game in better form, having won two of their last three games, including the latest, which was a 133-112 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Lakers have been given a big boost given the confirmation of Stephen Curry out in addition to Jimmy Butler. Their own injury report is almost clear, and they will once again look to Luka Doncic to provide offensive boost. The overall injury scenario has also transformed into odds, with DraftKings giving favorable odds to the visitors.

Lakers vs Warriors Odds

Lakers: -4.5

Warrior: +4.5

Above: 229.5

Under: 229.5

Lakers vs. Warriors Major Injuries

Stephen Curry has been officially ruled out with a knee injury. The Warriors will also be without Jimmy Butler III, Seth Curry and LJ Cryer. Forward Draymond Green is listed as probable, while big man Kristaps Porzingis is questionable to suit up.

The Lakers enter the contest relatively healthy, with Rui Hachimura questionable and two absent, including Bronny James, due to G League assignment.

Lakers vs Warriors Betting Trends

The Lakers are 21-13 against the spread (ATS) as a favorite this season, including a sharp mark of 10-6 ATS as a road favorite. Los Angeles has been extremely profitable in tight lines, going 7-2 ATS when favored by between two and five points. They are also 4-2 ATS in their last six meetings with Golden State.

Golden State has struggled to cover recently, posting a 3-7 ATS record in their last 10 games. They are 5-8 ATS this season entering as underdogs by 4.5 points or more.

Overs have been a major trend in this rivalry, with eight of the last 10 head-to-head contests between the Lakers and Warriors being overmatched. The over has been hit in 57.6% of Golden State’s games this season, including five of their last six contests.

Keys to Lakers vs. Warriors matchup

The Lakers (34-24) arrived at Chase Center desperate to stop a three-game losing streak, which included a 22-point loss against the Celtics and a close 113-110 loss at Phoenix. They have all three of their Big-3 fit and firing, although that has been the case in recent defeats. Still, the Lakers know they face a lineup without their best players and they have enough firepower to pull out a dominant win.

Golden State will need Draymond Green to orchestrate the offense while solidifying the defense, while they will continue to rely on Brandin Podziemski (12.3 ppg) and Moses Moody (12.0 ppg) for scoring.

Lakers vs Warriors Predictions and Selections

The Lakers have a stellar 18-12 record on the road and are looking much better on the injury report. Without Curry, the Warriors are always vulnerable and may struggle to hold up against the stack attack.

Additionally, LA continues to show weakness inside the paint and has actually gotten worse with their best players on the court. Still, this should prove straightforward for Luka Doncic and company.

Spread Pick: Lakers -4.5

Over/Under Pick: more than 229.5

An oddsmaker site has revealed who is most likely to be in the mystery box to be opened at WWE Elimination Chamber this Saturday. However, they also have some interesting and extremely bizarre betting options.

We’re just days away from the 2026 Elimination Chamber. An event that will be the final stop on the road to WrestleMania 42. This Saturday’s event will, of course, include men’s and women’s chamber matches. The winners of those matches will face WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill at a two-night event in April.

The card also features a pair of title matches that will see AJ Lee make her first singles match in over a decade when she takes on rival Becky Lynch. And CM Punk put the heavyweight belt on the line against Finn Balor at Judgment Day.

However, there is another unique feature of Elimination Chamber that many other wrestling fans have been waiting for. What’s in the box? On last week’s edition of Monday Night Raw, a mysterious box appeared backstage that said it would not be opened until 2-28-2006. This weekend’s Elimination Chamber date.

Since its arrival, there has been much speculation as to who or what is in the box. Well, this week MyBookie.ag revealed their odds for what will be revealed on Saturday, and they had some interesting options.

Danhausen is the betting favorite to go into the Elimination Chamber Mystery Box

The man with the best odds, and one who has become a popular choice among wrestling fans, is AEW veteran Dannhausen with -200 odds. She was followed by Chris Jericho, who has been linked to a return to WWE for several months (-150), and multiple-time Women’s Champion Bianca Belair (+250). She has been out of the game for almost a year due to a finger injury.

Some of the other interesting and strange choices to bet on were music mega-star Bad Bunny (+700), former IWGP Champion and new free agent David Finlay (+1500). Logan Paul’s brother Jake Paul (+1800) and even WWE board member The Rock (+2800). You can find full details of the options below.

• Danhausen (-200)
• Chris Jericho (-150)
• Bianca Belair (+250)
• Pat McCaffrey (+400)
• Saraya “Paige” (+600)
• bad bunny (+700)
• Seth Rollins (+800)
• Brock Lesnar (+900)
• Royce Keys (+1000)
• Omos (+1400)
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• Shane McMahon (+5000)

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

With under half of the season to go, two teams look destined for Premier League relegation, but the battle to avoid finishing alongside them in the bottom three is heating up.

Wolves’ eight-year stay in the top flight looks as though it’ll be coming to an end very soon as they’re still in the single figures in terms of points. Burnley, similarly, don’t look as though they’ll be able to break out of their recent yo-yo’ing pattern and are likely to be relegated in all three of their most recent Premier League campaigns.

This season should buck the recent trend of seeing all three promoted clubs going straight back down. Sunderland have been outstanding so far and have been in the top half for most of the season. Leeds have also competed well, and are currently above the bottom three.

With fifteen games to go, here is our analysis of the current Premier League relegation odds and the sides involved.

⬇️ Latest Premier League relegation odds

Here are the odds from our recommended football bookies:

*Odds are subject to change (Updated on 30th January)

⬇️ Teams looking doomed for Premier League relegation

According to the bookies, and the league table at time of writing, Wolves and Burnley can start preparing for life in the Championship. Both have an mountain to climb just to catch the back of the pack.

Wolves have been cut adrift all season and it took them 20 games to finally record a win. Despite an improved run of results, in which they’ve picked up three draws as well as that win, they’re stuck on a mere eight points for the season. They’ll need four more to avoid becoming the worst ever Premier League side – that was Derby County back in 2007/08, who finished with just 11 points.

Burnley had put three wins on the board by the end of October, but haven’t won since, and now find themselves ten points away from safety. Therefore, they’d have to at least double their win tally just to catch up to Nottingham Forest. They are, however, also showing signs of improvement in recent games – taking points off of Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham.

⬇️ Teams in danger of Premier League relegation

With two of the three relegation spots seemingly sorted, the main battle within the relegation battle is to simply avoid being on the wrong side of the dotted line come the end of May.

We’ve broken down the teams in the thick of that fight here:

😟 West Ham United – 4/9

Things looked bleak for West Ham and manager Nuno Espírito Santo after the Hammers kicked off 2026 with disastrous defeats to Wolves and Forest – the former giving the Black Country side their one and only league win of the season to date, the latter being the dictionary definition of a six-pointer.

Back-to-back wins at Tottenham and at home to Sunderland have, however, given them a fighting chance of hauling themselves out of the mire. They’ll need to keep it going as that loss to Forest is still haunting them – five points separates the two. West Ham would, of course, be one point ahead had they held on to their lead in that game.

They now face back-to-back away trips to Chelsea and Burnley – the latter will be a must-win. Looking ahead to their run-in, they finish at home to Leeds, which could be massive if the Yorkshire side aren’t mathematically safe by then.

⬇️ Take up odds of 4/9 on West Ham going down with William Hill ⬇️

😟 Nottingham Forest – 7/1

Nottingham Forest are already on their third manager of the season after Ange Postecoglu failed to get a so-called “new manager bounce” following his appointment. The Aussie lasted just 39 days, having replaced Nuno Espírito Santo – who had a rather public falling out with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Experienced firefighter Sean Dyche has now been in charge for 15 Premier League games, plus several more in cup competitions, and has helped the team rediscover some of the defensive solidity that carried them to the European places last season – they’ve kept clean sheets in both of their most recent two league outings.

Under Dyche, Forest have picked up 20 points – an average of well over a point a game, which is usually more than enough to survive if extrapolated over a whole season.

It is worth noting, however, that they are still involved in the Europa League, having secured a playoff place. Keeping themselves fresh for domestic affairs will be the priority, but punters should keep an eye on the number of extra games Forest may need to play in the coming months compared to their closest rivals.

⬇️ Tip the tricky trees to be chopped down this season at 7/1 with Betway ⬇️

😟 Leeds United – 7/1

Before a ball had even been kicked, speculation was mounting that Leeds might part ways with manager Daniel Farke due to the German’s poor top flight record. Those rumours resurfaced after the Yorkshire club struggled throughout October and November.

A midweek win over Chelsea, however, kickstarted a seven-game unbeaten run through December and early January. With a better squad, and more money to spend than at previous club Norwich, Farkeball is looking better-suited and more durable in the Premier League.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been a godsend since arriving on a free from Everton in the summer. He’s scored nine times in total, including a run of having netted at least once in each of the last six games of 2025.

Their next two games, both at home, could reveal plenty as to whether Leeds will be able to keep West Ham and others at arm’s length. They face league leaders Arsenal and then Forest in a pivotal Friday Night Football matchup.

As mentioned earlier, their final game is at West Ham’s London Stadium. They won’t want that to become a final day showdown!

⬇️ Go for Leeds to be relegated at 7/1 with Sky Bet ⬇️

😟 Crystal Palace – 7/1

Crystal Palace are a team in free-fall having gone eight without a win in the Premier League and 11 without a win in all competitions – a run which includes being on the wrong end of debatably the biggest FA Cup shock of all time against Macclesfield.

Manager Oliver Glasner recently revealed he’ll be leaving at the end of the season, following the high-profile departures of Eberechi Eze in the summer and now Marc Guéhi in the January window. Striker Jean-Philippe Mateta could also leave before the deadline.

They head to the City Ground, Nottingham, this weekend before facing Brighton in their local derby, and then Burnley and Wolves come to Selhurst Park. It’s a crucial month for the Eagles, who surely must arrest their slide soon.

⬇️ Tip Crystal Palace to fall through the Premier League trap door at 7/1 with sport BET ⬇️

My Premier League relegation betting tips

Here are three Premier League relegation-themed betting tips to consider for the remainder of the campaign.

⬇️ Wolves to finish bottom – 1/3

Wolves have been in a sorry state for most of the season and despite finally putting a win on the board, they’ll need to suddenly string several together to catch up to Burnley in 19th. They’re also the lowest scorers in the league with just fifteen goals.

Rob Edwards’ team have looked well short of quality and confidence and are already only a few weeks away from being confirmed as relegated.

⬇️ Tip Wolves to finish bottom at 1/3 with Sky Bet ⬇️

⚽ Wolves/Burnley/West Ham relegation treble – 8/13

There are numerous potential outcomes in the relegation treble market, but Wolves-Burnley-West Ham is the odds-on combination. Wolves are gone and Burnley are also looking doomed.

West Ham, despite their recent victories, have looked like the third worst side this season and still have a sizeable deficit to recover. Forest and Leeds have been achieving big, important results more regularly too.

⚽ Choose Burnley, West Ham and Wolves to go down at 8/13 with sport BET ⚽

☝️ Sunderland to finish in the bottom half – 4/9 with William Hill

While not a relegation market per se, the “to stay up” market isn’t offering great value at the moment with eveyone above the danger zone having at least a five-point cushion.

Looking elsewhere, I can see Sunderland dropping slightly from their lofty position and finishing 11th or lower. The Black Cats have actually only scored 24 goals in 23 games – fewer than everyone bar Wolves, Forest and Palace.

Their back line has been superb for a newly-promoted side – only the top three and Chelsea have conceded fewer goals. In a league with so much world class talent, however, they will likely find it tough to keep shutting teams out so regularly. It’s much easier to suddenly start conceding more goals than to suddenly start scoring more too!

⚽ Tip Sunderland to finish in the bottom half at 4/9 with William Hill ⚽

Play Sky Bet’s Super6 game for free, every week of the Premier League season to win the jackpot!

⚽ Who suffered relegation from the Premier League last season?

For the second season in a row, the three promoted clubs were relegated back to the Championship in 2024/25.

Southampton – play-off winners the previous year – struggled from start to finish. Their tally of 12 points was just enough for them to avoid becoming the worst team in Premier League history, but that was the only positive they could take from a dismal campaign. A lack of pragmatism was a major issue under Russell Martin, but Southampton were poor after his sacking too.

Leicester City were dour but competitive under Steve Cooper, but the former Nottingham Forest boss never won over the club’s fans. His successor Ruud van Nistelrooy was a disaster, with Leicester going nine consecutive home games without even scoring a goal. They never really looked like surviving after Christmas.

Ipswich Town were the most competitive member of the trio, but it was always going to take a monumental effort for Kieran McKenna to keep them up. Ipswich were playing in League One two seasons earlier, so a lack of quality at the very highest level was forgivable. The Tractor Boys are looking to bounce back in 2025/26.

⚽ How previous Premier League relegation battles have played out

Even today, Premier League managers routinely reference “40 points” as their principal target at the beginning of a season. Traditionally that was seen as the amount of points required to stay in the division – the safety threshold, if you will – but, in recent years, numerous teams have survived without accumulating that many.

In each of the last nine campaigns, 35 points would have been sufficient. In three of those seasons, a mere 30 points would have seen a team finish above the dreaded dotted line. Meanwhile, 40 points was what 14th-placed West Ham got in 2022/23.

Being bottom at Christmas is usually fatal for a team’s survival ambitions. In 28 out of the 32 Premier League seasons, the side propping up the table on December 25 has gone on to finish in the drop zone. No one wants to be bottom of the standings when the turkey is served.

😮 The greatest escapes in Premier League history

While no one wants their team to be in the bottom three in March or April, history shows that it pays to keep fighting until relegation is mathematically confirmed. Down the years, several Premier League sides have pulled off escape acts that would have impressed Harry Houdini.

In 2004/05, West Bromwich Albion were the first team in Premier League history to avoid relegation having been bottom at Christmas. After winning just one of their first 23 matches, and only two of their first 27, optimism was in short supply at The Hawthorns. But Bryan Robson’s men rallied late on, taking a respectable 16 points from the last 33 on offer to keep their heads above water.

Sunderland fans had a sinking feeling for much of the 2013/14 season. A dismal start saw Paolo Di Canio fired in September, and it looked like Gus Poyet would take the team down to the Championship. But Sunderland upset the relegation odds Premier League late on, drawing 2-2 with Manchester City and then winning four games in a row (including one against José Mourinho’s Chelsea) to overturn a seven-point deficit.

Leicester City stunned the football world when they won the title in 2015/16, but they were very nearly relegated the year before. Nigel Pearson’s team found themselves six points adrift of safety at the start of April, but a thrilling run of seven wins in their final nine fixtures saw them finish all the way up in 14th.

⏬ Which teams in this year’s Premier League have been relegated most often?

Norwich City hold the unwanted record of being the most relegated team in Premier League history, having gone down six times since 1992/93. They are followed by West Brom and Leicester on five demotions apiece.

None of that trio are in the top flight this season, though, which means Burnley and Sunderland (four each) have suffered the most relegations of the current top 20. A glance at the Premier League relegation betting odds shows that the bookmakers would not be surprised if both clubs joined West Brom and Leicester on five relegations in 2025/26.

Crystal Palace and Fulham comfortably finished in mid-table last time out but, with three relegations to their name, neither London side is immune to the drop. Nottingham Forest, European qualifiers in 2024/25, have also dropped out of the Premier League on three occasions.

Elsewhere, Leeds, Manchester City, Newcastle United, West Ham and Wolves have all been relegated twice in the past 32 years. Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford have never been relegated from the Premier League, with the first six of those teams the only ever-presents.

🙋‍♂️ FAQs about the 2025/26 Premier League season

1. What will be the key fixtures to look out for in this season’s relegation battle?

The biggest games down the bottom in the next month will see West Ham head to Burnley, and they simply can’t afford another defeat to a fellow struggler.

Leeds host Forest in early February, a week after Forest have faced Palace at the City Ground. These three are the trio West Ham are looking to catch, so they’ll be paying close attention to the way in which these play out.

Palace, as mentioned earlier, have several winnable games in February but for a team who haven’t won in two months, none of them are a ‘given’. They head down to Sussex to face Brighton after their trip to Forest, then they welcome Burnley and Wolves to Selhurst Park.

Looking ahead to the end of the season – you’d have to circle that West Ham v Leeds game on the final day as a potential ‘cup final’ for survival.

2. How often do struggling teams benefit from a “new manager bounce”?

It is common for struggling Premier League sides to change their manager in a bid to turn things around. A positive upturn in form following the appointment of a new boss is often called the “new manager bounce”. But the evidence on its success as a strategy is mixed.

There have certainly been occasions when employing a new head coach has brought about a turnaround in fortunes. It did not take long for Roy Hodgson to work his magic at West Brom in 2010/11. Paul Clement rescued Swansea City after being appointed midway through the 2016/17 campaign. Just last season, David Moyes had a near-instant impact after replacing Sean Dyche at Everton.

Yet it does not always work. Last season also saw Leicester go backwards under Ruud van Nistelrooy following the dismissal of Steve Cooper. Having got rid of Mick McCarthy, Wolves got worse under Terry Connor in 2011/12. Sunderland experienced the same misfortune in 2002/03, when neither Howard Wilkinson nor McCarthy could improve results sufficiently to keep them up. 

Sometimes, sticking with a manager pays dividends. Leicester kept faith in Nigel Pearson in 2014/15 and were rewarded with a remarkable late rally which saw them snatch survival from the jaws of relegation. On other occasions, relegation-threatened clubs have been mistaken to back a struggling manager – think Avram Grant at West Ham in 2009/10.

In conclusion, there is no hard-and-fast rule on whether or not it is beneficial to change your manager in a relegation battle.

3. How quickly can a team be drawn into the relegation battle?

Very quickly, if they are not careful. It does not take much for a Premier League team to slide down the standings and suddenly find themselves embroiled in a fight for their top-tier status.

Promoted from the Championship via the play-offs, Hull City carried that momentum into the Premier League in 2008/09. Their performance in the early part of the season was superb and they sat sixth in the middle of December, but their form completely collapsed thereafter. With just one win in their last 22 matches, Phil Brown’s team survived by the skin of their teeth.

Leicester were not so lucky in 2022/23. They beat Tottenham 4-1 in February to move into 13th place with the top half in their sights. But Leicester went on to lose eight of their next nine games to plummet down the table and, despite beating West Ham 2-1 on the final day, they were relegated.

It is never advisable to celebrate survival before it is 100 percent guaranteed. After beating Ipswich 3-1 on 1st May 1993, Crystal Palace players did a lap of honour at Selhurst Park having moved eight points clear of trouble. But the Eagles went on to lose their last two games, and an extraordinary sequence of three wins in seven days saw Oldham Athletic overtake them to send Palace down.

4. How much of an impact can injuries and suspensions have in terms of shaking up the relegation battle?

Luck is a big factor in every sport and football is no exception. Injuries and suspensions can be the difference between survival and relegation, particularly for smaller clubs in the division who tend to have less strength in depth.

When they went down in 2021/22, Leeds had to make do without top scorer Patrick Bamford, midfield talisman Kalvin Phillips and defensive leader Liam Cooper for a large chunk of the campaign. Those absences contributed massively to their failure to stay up.

Had they kept more players fit, Reading might have survived in 2007/08. Unfortunately for the 18th-placed Royals, their players missed a cumulative 400 days more to injury than Fulham, who finished 17th.

However, a busy treatment room does not necessarily condemn a struggling side to relegation. Charles N’Zogbia, Christian Benteke, Fabian Delph and Jores Okore were all sidelined for significant periods in 2013/14, but Aston Villa still did enough to retain their Premier League place.

📖 Read more about the 2025/26 football season

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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The 2026 Royal Rumble odds are drawing plenty of attention from UK bettors as WWE’s first “Big Five” Premium Live Event outside North America draws closer at the end of January.

WWE has had an ongoing relationship with Saudi Arabia for many years now, but this is the first time that an event as big as the Royal Rumble will be taking place outside of the US and Canada.

Men’s Royal Rumble top contenders

Women’s Royal Rumble top contenders

With it being in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it means that we can look at some ‘other’ names who might have an outside chance to grab a WrestleMania main event, especially if they’re a fan favourite over in the Middle East. Interest is really high in who might emerge victorious and earn a coveted WrestleMania world title shot this April.

As is the case for most years, punters are focusing on a mix of proven stars and underdog value, with several bookmakers posting competitive odds across outright winner markets for both the men’s and women’s matches.

In this guide, we’ll be breaking those markets down clearly so you can bet with confidence ahead of the 30-woman and 30-man matches.

Men’s Royal Rumble odds: The top contenders

To set the scene before we can take look at the key contenders, punters in the UK have a range of Royal Rumble odds currently available that reflect both established stars and longer‑priced options with some genuine upside:

The Favourite

Roman Reigns remains the clear favourite in the men’s Royal Rumble odds across major UK bookies, with the Original Tribal Chief favoured to outlast 29 opponents and emerge the winner. 

Reigns has been a central figure in WWE’s storylines for years, and his place as favourite reflects both his standing and the likelihood that WWE will use his victory to build toward a big-time WrestleMania main event against the likes of CM Punk or Drew McIntyre. His odds suggest strong confidence from bookmakers that he will outlast the field.

🤼 Bet on Roman Reigns to win at 10/11 with Paddy Power 🤼

The “Local” Hero (Sami Zayn)

Sami Zayn offers a compelling alternative in the Royal Rumble odds. While he is currently not the top favourite, Zayn’s odds show he is very much in the conversation.

Zayn has become somewhat of a “local” hero to fans in Saudi, with Sami originally not being allowed into the country due to his Syrian descent. The Kingdom had strained relations with Syria prior to 2023, and this meant that the former NXT Champion would not travel with the company to events like Crown Jewel and the Greatest Royal Rumble.

Zayn was welcomed like a hero when he was finally able to appear in May 2023, and a feel-good win here for him would make a ton of sense as WWE builds towards WrestleMania in April.

🤼 Bet on Sami Zayn to make an upset at 7/1 with Sky Bet 🤼

Longshots & value

Bron Breakker and Gunther represent two of the better value options on current UK boards.

Breakker’s shorter price reflects his recent push and high position on the card after Seth Rollins was injured earlier in the year. Breakker is someone who could realistically stretch deep into the match and even win. 

Meanwhile, Gunther’s position as a longer shot provides clear value for punters who think a dominant in‑ring performer might surprise and capitalise on his huge win over John Cena back in December.

These prices mean smaller stakes could still land strong returns if either man breaks through as WWE starts building towards their big WrestleMania main events.

🤼 Bet on Bron Breakker for the value bet at 7/4 with Paddy Power 🤼

Wildcard

A true wildcard like Oba Femi gives you a more speculative angle in Royal Rumble betting.

Femi comes from WWE’s NXT developmental ranks and is priced attractively because a win would be a narrative shock, but considering how highly the company thinks of him and the momentum he could have going straight into a WrestleMania main event, you can’t completely rule it out.

🤼 Bet on Oba Femi to beat the odds at 12/1 with Betfred 🤼

British/Irish interest

You have to go way, way down in the odds to find someone with British/Irish affiliation when it comes to the 2026 Rumble. Drew McIntyre is showing mediocre odds, but as he is already the WWE Champion it is pretty unlikely that he will even appear in the 30-man battle royale.

If Drew does lose the Championship before the event, then his odds may get better, but beyond that, you’ve got British TNA star Leon Slater, and IShowSpeed at shorter odds than Drew, so that shows you how wildly unlikely that is!

🤼 Stay true to Drew at 50/1 with Betfred 🤼

Women’s Royal Rumble odds: The top contenders

Before we take a look at the individual picks, the women’s Royal Rumble odds show a slightly more competitive field than the men’s, with favourites and exciting outsiders that could deliver potentially decent returns.

According to UK betting boards, two names head the markets with shorter odds, while several others still offer intriguing value.

The Favourite

Bianca Belair is firmly installed as the odds-on favourite to win the women’s Royal Rumble in Riyadh.

Bookmakers have her significantly ahead of the rest of the field, reflecting the market confidence that she will secure the Rumble victory and go on to a marquee WrestleMania title match, most likely against Jade Cargill, as that is where the feud has been heading in the past year or so.

Belair’s established star status and previous big‑match experience make her a logical pick for those prioritising the shortest prices in the outright market.

🤼 Bet on Bianca Belair at 10/11 with Sky Bet 🤼

The Queen (Charlotte Flair)

Charlotte Flair is one of the most decorated women in Rumble history. Despite Flair coming in well behind a lot of the favourites, you can never really rule her out when it comes to these big WWE gimmick matches.

Despite Bianca Belair vs Jade Cargill being the likely ‘Mania main event, the opportunity to see Flair vs Cargill or Flair vs Stephanie Vaquer is still pretty decent.

Flair is considered by many as a ‘legacy’ pick for Triple H (Chief Creative Officer of WWE), so the chances of him going back to a favoured pick shouldn’t be disregarded completely.

🤼 Take a chance on Flair at 20/1 with Sky Bet 🤼

Longshots & Value

Rhea Ripley and Roxanne Perez are two of the more credible value selections. Ripley’s proven stardom and experience at the top means she could easily go deep into the elimination chaos, and her odds capture that balance of relevance and potential return.

Perez, still rising through the ranks, is priced attractively thanks to her build over the last year with Judgment Day. However, it’s probably more likely that we’ll see Perez vs someone like Liv Morgan at WrestleMania in April, so Ripley is the better pick here.

🤼 Bet on Rhea Ripley at 15/2 or Roxanne Perez at 12/1 with Paddy Power 🤼

Wildcard

Tiffany Stratton sits in true wildcard territory. Her odds are generous compared with the core favourites, and they reflect the fact that she has been out of action since early November and there’s no clear path for her to ‘Mania right now.

This type of pick works well for speculative stakes when you want exposure to a narrative surprise rather than the expected outcome of Belair, because she is expected to be making her long awaited comeback in Riyadh.

🤼 Back the Stratton wildcard at 4/1 with Paddy Power 🤼

British/Irish interest

Lyra Valkyria is a strong British/Irish interest pick when it comes to the women’s Rumble. Her inclusion in the outright winner markets offers UK punters a (somewhat) national angle at reasonable odds.

However, she’s not expected to win the match and will probably be facing Bayley at the event in some sort of gimmick match.

🤼 Bet on Valkyria at 22/1 with Sky Bet 🤼

Other top bookmakers in the UK also offer odds for the Riyadh Royal Rumble, for winner and alternate markets.

UK WWE betting markets

Now that we’ve covered the key Royal Rumble odds for both men and women, it’s worth exploring some of the most popular UK WWE betting markets you can use to build your bets and manage risk around the event.

UK bookies offer a range of options beyond simply picking a winner, and understanding these markets helps you choose smarter wagers.

Outright winner

This is the most straightforward market, as you’ll be backing who you think will win the Royal Rumble match outright. Odds for this market are offered for each entrant in both the men’s and women’s matches on most UK books like Paddy Power, Sky Bet, Betfair and Betfred.

It is often the most liquid market with the tightest odds on favourites such as Bianca Belair in the women’s match and Roman Reigns in the men’s for 2026.

Most eliminations

This market allows you to bet on who will score the most eliminations during the Royal Rumble. It rewards wrestlers who stay in the match for a long time and dominate the action.

Odds for most eliminations often differ significantly from outright winner markets and can offer better value on physically dominant performers like Bron Breakker or Brock Lesnar.

Final Four placement

Betting on final four placement means backing a wrestler to be one of the last four remaining in the Royal Rumble. This market is a good alternative if you like a competitor’s chances to go deep but do not expect them to actually win the match.

Royal Rumble historical trends

• The most common winners come from the later entry numbers. Historically, about 56% of winners have come from entries #21-#30 in men’s Royal Rumbles.
• Certain individual entry numbers have stood out. #27 has produced four winners, making it one of the most successful spots historically. Other numbers like #30, #24 and ironically #1 have also produced multiple winners over the years.
• The average winning entry number across all Royal Rumbles is around #19, suggesting typical winners emerge from the second half of the match rather than the early positions.
• Only a few wrestlers have won from the very first position, underlining how statistically rare it is to endure the entire match. Even so, stars like Shawn Michaels have managed it.
• Stone Cold Steve Austin holds the record for most Royal Rumble wins with three victories (1997, 1998, 2001), an important trend for fans watching to see if anyone could potentially beat the record at some point.
• From a British perspective, The British Bulldog nearly won the 1995 Royal Rumble when he was one of the final two competitors before being eliminated by Shawn Michaels. That near‑win remains one of the most memorable performances by a British star in Rumble history, just behind Drew McIntyre, who won the match in 2020 just before the COVID-19 pandemic forced lockdowns across the globe.

Royal Rumble 2026 final verdict & betting tip

When you’re weighing up your bets for Royal Rumble 2026, there are genuinely sensible options for both cautious punters and those chasing stronger returns. For a safe bet, the markets clearly favour Bianca Belair to win the Women’s Royal Rumble.

Her odds‑on status in UK books reflects strong confidence from bookmakers that she could emerge victorious and earn a WrestleMania title shot against, more than likely, Jade Cargill. 

On the men’s side, Roman Reigns remains a leading favourite, often priced short in outright winner markets, supported by his historic main‑event role and the potential narrative of him facing CM Punk in the main event of WrestleMania this year.

For those looking for smart value, consider contenders like Bron Breakker or Sami Zayn in the men’s market, whose prices are longer but realistic given their recent momentum and current positioning on the card. A deeper run from either could be rewarded well if you back them as an acca.

Similarly, in the women’s match Rhea Ripley offers enhanced value at bigger odds if you think WWE may spotlight a different championship contender, but she is expected to be in a Women’s Tag Title match at ‘Mania, so you’re best looking at the men’s match for the potential outside winner!

🏆 Place your bets now for Belair and Breakker to win at 17/4 with Sky Bet 🏆

📺 How to watch Royal Rumble 2026

• Date/Time: Saturday, January 31, 2026; 7:00 PM GMT (Main Show) / 6:00 PM GMT (Kick-off)
• Location: King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• TV/Streaming: Netflix, TNT Sports Box Office

We are into the second half of the season and Erling Haaland is very much in pole position to be this year’s Premier League top scorer.

The top flight of English football is home to some of the best attacking players in the world, but Man City’s big Norwegian is once again in a class of his own this season.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and several other teams spent heavily on new strikers in the summer and all of them have taken some time to find their feet. It has also been a poor season for last season’s Golden Boot winner, Mo Salah.

Instead, it is Brentford’s Igor Thiago and Haaland’s new teammate Antoine Semenyo (who reached double figures for Bournemouth before his January switch) who are the closest to catching Pep Guardiola’s goal machine.

⚽ Latest Premier League top scorers & odds

As we can see from these latest odds taken in January, everyone bar Haaland is priced at 10/1 or greater – with only Thiago having scored more than ten times. Barring a long-term injury, no one is catching him.

With this in mind, sport BET (and others) have set up a new market – Premier League top scorer without Haaland. This is looking slightly more difficult to call, as several sharpshooters are on similar tallies at time of writing. We’ve broken down some of the contenders here.

⚽ Latest Premier League top scorer WITHOUT Haaland odds

*Goal tallies and odds last updated on 23rd January. Odds are subject to change.

⚽ Premier League top scorer WITHOUT Haaland odds – frontrunners

Below are the main candidates to finish second behind Haaland, assuming he stays fit and continues firing.

Remember this market will also pay out in the event that someone remarkably surges ahead and wins the Golden Boot. As long as your chosen player finishes immediately after Haaland in the scoring charts, you’re a winner!

🥇 Igor Thiago – 1/5

• Goals: 16
• xG: 12.51
• Starts (sub appearances): 21 (1)
• Minutes per goal: 115.06
• Total shots: 52

No Premier League team will have lost more goals over the summer than Brentford, with Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa both moving on. A lot of responsibility was therefore placed on Brazilian Igor Thiago, who joined from Club Brugge in the summer of 2024 but made just eight Premier League appearances while the French-born pair were combining for nearly 40 goals.

This season, he is the main man, and has been a godsend for rookie manager Keith Andrews – outscoring everyone else in the league so far apart from Erling Haaland. The Bees had been tipped to struggle this season given all the departures, but are currently pushing for Europe.

It would be fair to say Thiago has been streaky – he scored five goals in three days as Brentford beat Everton and Sunderland in early January and also managed another five in three games in November.

⚽ Back Igor Thiago to continue scoring and finish second only to Haaland in the scoring charts at 1/5 with sport BET ⚽

🥈 Antoine Semenyo – 12/1

• Goals: 10
• xG: 7.08
• Starts (sub appearances): 21 (0)
• Minutes per goal: 188.8
• Total shots: 50

Antoine Semenyo’s ten goals for Bournemouth convinced Man City to stump up £65m to secure his services in January. The Ghana international shone on opening night, scoring an excellent brace at Anfield, before bagging four more in the following six games.

Unlike most Africans playing in the Premier League, Semenyo wasn’t involved in the African Cup of Nations at the turn of year – as Ghana failed to qualify. This has enabled Guardiola to integrate him into the lineup very quickly and he has already made his first starts at the Etihad.

Being at a huge club surrounded by world class talent may now count against Semenyo in this market, as he may find himself in a rotation of attacking players – rather than being the main man.

⚽ Tip Antoine Semenyo to finish immediately after Erling Haaland in the scoring charts at 12/1 with bet365 ⚽

⚽ Premier League top scorer WITHOUT Haaland – outsiders

With more than two-thirds of the season still to play, there’s plenty of time for someone to hit a ‘purple patch’ and catch up to Erling Haaland and the others named above. Here are three more players who’ve had a good season thus far and could be potential dark horses in this market.

🏅 Hugo Ekitike – 16/1

• Goals: 8
• xG: 6.48
• Starts (sub appearances): 14 (5)
• Minutes per goal: 152.75
• Total shots: 45

Hugo Ekitike took little time to settle in at Anfield, having arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for around £79m. The Frenchman scored on his Premier League debut against Bournemouth and has been Liverpool’s most consistent goal-getter with the even-more-expensive Alexander Isak struggling prior to his injury, and with Mo Salah seemingly on his way out of Anfield.

Five of Ekitike’s eight league goals game in a three-game purple patch in December – with braces against Leeds and Brighton, and the eventual winner at Tottenham.

⚽ Tip Hugo Ekitike to finish as the Premier League’s top scorer WITHOUT Haaland at 16/1 with William Hill ⚽

🏅 Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 33/1

• Goals: 9
• xG: 8.01
• Starts (sub appearances): 15 (5)
• Minutes per goal: 155.66
• Total shots: 41

No striker in the top flight, however, has offered quite the same return on investment as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who didn’t cost Leeds a penny! DCL was available on a free in the summer and has eventually won the battle to become their starting number nine.

He’s bagged nine goals in 15 starts, with seven of these coming in the last six games of the year. If he can keep it going into 2026, he could match his best-ever Premier League tally of 16 back in the 2020/21 season. He will also be hard for England manager Thomas Tuchel to ignore when it comes to selecting his World Cup squad!

⚽ Go for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to continue his fine form and finish as top scorer behind Haaland at 33/1 with William Hill ⚽

🏅 Nick Woltemade – 33/1

• Goals: 7
• xG: 6.24
• Starts (sub appearances): 17 (2)
• Minutes per goal: 189.29
• Total shots: 29

Having missed out on other transfer targets in the striking department, Newcastle eventually stumped up a club record fee for 6ft 6in Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart. The German arrived to relatively little fanfare amid the protracted Alexander Isak saga, but he quickly won the locals over – scoring three times in his first four Premier League games, plus one in the Champions League.

Eyebrows were raised at the fee, which was reportedly in the £70-75m region, given the 23-year-old had only recently emerged as a Bundesliga regular – scoring 12 of his 14 goals in the German top flight last season.

Early signs suggest, however, that he is a really good fit in Eddie Howe’s team having been given plenty of service so far. His tally now stands at seven, which includes a brace against Chelsea just before Christmas.

⚽ Tip Nick Woltemade to continue scoring and finish next in the charts after Haaland at 33/1 with sport BET ⚽

🏅 Phil Foden – 33/1

• Goals: 7
• xG: 4.65
• Starts (sub appearances): 19 (1)
• Minutes per goal: 230.29
• Total shots: 44

Much like Manchester City in general, 2024/25 was a ‘down’ season for Phil Foden, who scored just seven times in 28 league outings – this, following his Premier League player of the season in which he scored 19 goals (and contributed eight assists).

Foden has bounced back this time around, matching his seven-goal tally of last season by mid-January. Those backing him to finish near Haaland in terms of goals, however, should note that Foden – as one of the Norwegian’s main suppliers – will also be setting up a chunk of his goals too!

⚽ Back Phil Foden to join his teammate Haaland at the top of the scoring charts at 33/1 with bet365 ⚽

Which players have scored the most Premier League goals over the last three seasons?

Erling Haaland has been the most consistent goal-getter in the last three seasons, netting a total of 85 strikes in that time. He enjoyed a record-breaking campaign in 2022/23, beating opposition goalkeepers on 36 occasions for Manchester City. He tends to hit the ground running: in each of the last three years, Haaland has scored at least eight goals in his first six appearances.

Mohamed Salah is second in the standings over a three-year period with 66 goals. Twenty-nine of those efforts came in 2024/25, when the Liverpool legend enjoyed a purple patch in winter: between the start of December and early January, he scored eight goals in seven matches to move clear of the competition. 

Third place in this particular category is claimed by Alexander Isak, who has found the back of the net 54 times since 2022/23. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa is fourth with 50 goals in the last three campaigns. 

Premier League top scorers from the last three seasons

2022/23	2023/24	2024/25
1. Erling Haaland (36 goals)	1. Erling Haaland (27 goals)	1. Mohamed Salah (29 goals)
2. Harry Kane (30 goals)	2. Cole Palmer (22 goals)	2. Alexander Isak (23 goals)
3. Ivan Toney (20 goals)	3. Alexander Isak (21 goals)	3. Erling Haaland (22 goals)
4. Mohamed Salah (19 goals)	4. Phil Foden / Dominic Solanke / Ollie Watkins (19 goals)	4. Bryan Mbeumo / Chris Wood (20 goals)
5. Callum Wilson (18 goals)	5. Mohamed Salah (18 goals)	5. Yoane Wissa (19 goals)

Play Sky Bet’s Super6 game for free, every week of the Premier League season to win the jackpot!

🙋 FAQs about the 2025/26 Premier League top scorer race

1. Which teams are expected to compete for the Premier League title?

Arsenal are the favourites to win the Premier League title this season after opening up a seven-point lead in the early weeks of 2026.

The Gunners will be hoping this is finally their year after three consecutive seasons as runners-up. They are once again the toughest team to score against, having only conceded 14 in 22 games, and have no shortage of attacking options – with Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres joining in the summer to boost their depth.

Manchester City will aim to keep the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side after seeing their streak of four straight titles ended last season. While they do have the league’s most deadly striker, Pep Guardiola’s team still aren’t quite as consistent as their previous juggernaut teams.

2. Which teams are expected to compete for the Champions League places in the Premier League?

Aside from Arsenal, the bookies expect Manchester City, Liverpool and – following their surge up the table – Aston Villa to be in next season’s Champions League. Chelsea and Manchester United have both recently changed managers but are also within striking distance of the top four.

Newcastle are in UEFA’s top competition for a second time in three seasons, and could secure a top eight finish in the league phase. They’ve had an inconsistent domestic season but are also in the race after a good start to the new year.

3. Which teams are expected to be fighting against relegation from the Premier League this season?

In both of the last two seasons, the three promoted clubs have gone straight back down to the Championship but that won’t be happening this time around. Sunderland have had an excellent season and are in the top half at the time of writing. Leeds have also given themselves a great chance of surviving after picking up 25 points in their first 22 games.

Currently, Wolves, Burnley and West Ham are the three who look like they’ll be dropping down to the Championship. All three are cut adrift and Wolves are still in the single digits points-wise.

4. How can injuries, suspensions and managers rotating their teams affect the top scorer race?

Injuries, suspensions and rotation can have a huge effect on the outcome of a top scorer race. Their uncertain impact means every pre-season prediction is partly a guessing game.

Just last season, Erling Haaland’s bid for the award was derailed when he picked up an injury in April which kept him out for several weeks. Harry Kane was in the mix for the top scorer prize in 2018/19, only to suffer an ankle problem in April which allowed others to overtake him.

Eric Cantona was on course to challenge for the Golden Boot in 1994/95. In January of that season, he was sent off for kung-fu kicking a Crystal Palace supporter which saw him banned for the rest of the campaign, thus ruling him out of the race.

On the other hand, Luis Suárez missed six games of the 2013/14 campaign through suspension but still finished as top scorer, finding the back of the net 31 times for Liverpool.

Rotation can also make things more difficult for a player aiming to finish as top scorer. It is much better to belong to a team where you are virtually guaranteed 38 starts if fit, rather than playing for a club which has alternative options in attack.

📖 Read more about the 2025/26 football season

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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Handicap betting is a way to make uneven games more competitive for punters and add real value to markets where one team is expected to dominate.

Imagine a typical Premier League Saturday where Liverpool are hosting a much weaker club. Backing Liverpool to win on a standard Match Result might only offer odds like 1/10, which rarely makes it worth a wager because the potential return is so low.

That scenario is common in UK football, and it can feel like you are just betting for the inevitable rather than really finding value.

This is where handicap betting comes in. A bookmaker applies a virtual spread to the game to balance the playing field, giving the underdog a theoretical advantage and the favourite a handicap to overcome.

With this adjustment, the bet is not simply about who wins the match on the final score, but who wins after the handicap has been applied.

The result is a market that offers more attractive odds and better engagement for bettors, especially when there is a clear quality gap between teams.

🧠 Handicap betting explained

A handicap is a virtual deficit (negative) or head start (positive) assigned to a team before a match begins. These betting terms give one side a theoretical advantage or disadvantage so that bets become more competitive, even when one team is significantly stronger than the other.

It is similar to a horse race where a better horse carries extra weight in its saddle to give every runner a fair chance of winning. 

The handicap affects only the selection on your bet slip and not the actual league points or real-world score.

After the game ends, the handicap is mathematically added to or deducted from the team’s score to determine whether your prediction wins or loses. This adjustment makes it possible to find value and more appealing odds in matches where there are “uneven” teams.

🧮 How handicap betting odds are calculated

Handicap odds change because the risk of a specific outcome shifts when a handicap is applied.

For example, Manchester City might be priced at around 1.10 to win a match straight up with a sportsbook, but if you back them at a -2.5 handicap (meaning they must win by three or more goals), the odds could rise to around 2.10 or higher.

This happens because the possibility of covering a larger margin is lower, so the profit on a winning bet increases accordingly. 

Here’s a simple if/then breakdown for a -1.5 goal handicap:

• If the team wins by 2 goals or more: the bet wins.
• If the team wins by 1, draws, or loses: the bet loses.

As the handicap line moves further from scratch (zero), so does the potential payout, as the odds reflect increased difficulty in meeting that line. That’s why stronger favourites often carry larger handicaps with correspondingly higher odds.

🎯 How to win with handicaps

Using handicap markets strategically can boost your chances of finding value and making informed betting decisions in sports where standard odds often look unbalanced.

Choosing the right sport for handicaps

In a potentially low‑scoring game like football, a +0.5 handicap is powerful because it covers two possible outcomes: a win or a draw for the underdog.

That gives your wager more flexibility and removes the loss risk if the match ends level, making it a smart strategy when the odds on a straight win are short.

By contrast, sports like basketball or rugby tend to be high‑scoring, so a 1.5 point spread does little to affect the outcome. In these games, it often pays to use more substantial handicaps to find value on underdogs; large spreads can highlight scenarios where favourites have to outperform expectations by significant margins to win the bet.

Handicaps as a better “Draw no bet”

An Asian Handicap 0.0 behaves essentially the same as a Draw No Bet selection. If your chosen team wins, your bet is successful, and if it draws, your stake is refunded. This reduces the downside risk compared to a traditional win‑draw‑loss market.

Asian handicaps often have lower bookmaker margins than standard 1X2 markets because the draw outcome is removed, and books can balance wagers more efficiently. That can lead to slightly better payouts for the punter over time, particularly when you compare similar markets across operators.

Handicap success: how to beat the closing line

One respected metric among bettors is closing line value (CLV). CLV measures how the odds you got compare with the final line at kickoff. If you take a line early, say Team A at -3.5, and by kickoff it has shifted to -5.5, then you have “beaten the closing line” by securing better odds than the consensus market price.

Consistently beating the closing line is widely seen as one of the best indicators of long‑term success and profit in sports betting. It suggests your analysis was better than the market’s eventual prediction and that you’re placing bets with positive expected value over time.

📋 Common types of handicap markets

Below is a brief overview of how different handicap markets work and how they vary in structure and outcomes for bettors.

Asian vs. European handicaps

European handicaps use whole numbers and allow three outcomes: win, draw, or loss after the handicap is applied. A draw (after handicap) still counts as a draw market result.

Asian handicaps are typically in half or quarter increments and remove the draw option, making the market binary. Stake returns are possible if a whole number handicap results in a tie after adjustment. 

The primary difference is that European markets keep the draw as a possible outcome, while Asian markets aim to eliminate it, often lowering bookmaker margins and simplifying settlement.

Split handicaps

A Split Handicap is a “two‑in‑one” bet where your stake is split into two separate wagers at slightly different handicap lines (e.g., ‑0.75 is split into ‑0.5 and ‑1.0). You are effectively backing both outcomes at the same time, which can soften the blow if the match is tighter than expected. 

With a one‑goal victory, this structure can lead to a “half‑win,” where half of your stake wins and the other half is refunded or loses, depending on the exact lines. This gives bettors a unique advantage in risk management, particularly when matches are forecasted to be close.

Handicap league betting

Handicap league betting is a season‑long wager that covers an entire Premier League campaign rather than a single match. In this market, each team starts with a virtual head start or handicap based on how strong or weak they are perceived to be. 

The favourite might start at scratch (0), while a bottom‑table side could begin with a significant positive handicap, such as +40.

At the end of the season, each team’s real points total is combined with their handicap, and the team with the highest adjusted total is declared the winner of the market.

This format lets bettors find value across the full season and rewards strategic forecasting of overall performance.

🇬🇧 Handicap betting in other UK sports

Handicap markets appear in a wide range of sports beyond football, adjusting the playing field using a relevant metric such as points or goals so that the outcome of a game feels fairer and more engaging for bettors. Most of the best betting sites should have the following:

Rugby

In rugby union and league, handicap bets apply to total points scored by each team. Because rugby games are usually high scoring, it is common to see large handicaps such as ‑18.5, which require the favourite to win by a significant margin for the bet to be successful. 

Conversely, backing the underdog with a positive handicap means they can still “win” your bet even if they lose the match by fewer than the handicap points.

Many punters also use alternative handicaps, which let them select specific point differentials that balance risk and payout more effectively depending on team form and expected margin of victory.

Tennis

In tennis, handicap markets can apply to sets or games. A set handicap (e.g., ‑1.5 sets) means a player must win by at least two sets for the bet to win, while a game handicap focuses on the total games won by each player in the match. 

A unique scenario is possible in game handicap betting: a player can lose the match but still win the handicap bet if they accumulate enough games compared with the opponent after the handicap is applied.

This means your bet result depends on the adjusted score rather than the official match outcome, giving extra strategic depth to tennis handicap markets.

Darts

In darts handicap betting, the stronger player starts with a negative line in legs or sets, meaning they must win by a margin greater than the handicap for the bet to succeed. For example, if someone like Luke Littler is -2.5 legs, he must win by three or more legs for your handicap bet on him to pay out. 

The opponent gets the corresponding positive handicap and can still “win” the bet even if they lose the match but keep the score within the adjusted spread. This makes handicaps useful where one player is a clear favourite.

Snooker

In snooker handicap betting, a favourite may start with a frame deficit such as -3.5, meaning they need to win by at least four frames for your handicap bet to win. This type of handicap adjusts the frame score before settlement, so a close result might not be enough to cover the handicap even if the favourite wins the match. 

These markets are common in major tournaments where one player is significantly stronger than the other and provides alternative ways to find value.

Horse racing

In UK horse racing, handicaps work differently from other sports. Each horse is assigned a specific weight to carry in its saddle based on its Official Rating, which reflects ability and recent form.

Higher‑rated horses carry more weight, while lower‑rated ones carry less, with the aim of giving every runner a fair chance to win. The system tries to equalise competition so better horses are slowed down slightly and less‑accomplished ones are boosted by lighter loads.

The result is a deeper and more competitive field where form and assessment matter greatly to bettors and handicap punters alike.

🏁 Conclusion

Handicap betting is a method used by bookmakers to balance uneven contests and create fairer, more engaging odds across many sports. By giving one team a virtual advantage or deficit, handicap markets turn predictable matches into opportunities for better value and strategic wagering. 

These markets are widely available in football, rugby, tennis, darts, and more. Understanding handicaps helps you find value beyond standard match result bets and can improve your betting strategy, so keep checking back to this page if you need a recap!

❓ FAQ – Handicap betting

1. What is handicap betting?

Handicap betting is a type of wager where a bookmaker gives one team a deficit or advantage before a match starts to balance the market. You are still betting on which team “wins,” but the result is decided after the handicap is applied to the score.

It lets bettors find better odds when there is a clear favourite in matches, and you’ll even be able to find handicap betting at new betting sites.

2. What does +1.5 handicap mean?

A +1.5 handicap gives the underdog a head start of 1.5 goals or points before the match begins. Your handicap bet wins if your team wins, draws, or loses by one goal/point after the handicap is added. A loss by two or more goals/points usually means the bet loses.

3. Is handicap betting more profitable than standard bets?

Handicap betting can offer better value than backing the outright winner, especially when a favourite has very short odds.

Because the handicap adjusts the margin needed to win, handicap odds often carry more balanced risk and potential profit than simple win/draw/win bets. Profitability depends on the margin and your ability to find value.

4. What does a positive and negative handicap mean?

A positive handicap gives an underdog an artificial advantage, helping them in the betting market. A negative handicap places a larger challenge on a favourite by requiring a bigger margin of victory for the bet to win.

Both adjust how the match result is calculated for betting purposes.

5. What does goal handicap mean?

A goal handicap is a handicap betting type where a specific number of goals is added to or subtracted from a side’s final score. In football, this means the bookmaker adjusts the match score by the handicap to balance quality differences, which can improve odds and make markets more engaging for bettors.

About the author

Dean Etheridge

Dean Etheridge is an experienced freelance sports betting writer who specialises in football, cricket, and darts, with a keen focus on the Premier League and Champions League, as well as in-depth coverage of Premier League Darts and major tournaments. He can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game and beyond, delivering expert analysis across a range of sports. He predominantly covers the Premier League and Champions League but can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game. You can follow Dean on LinkedIn (@deanetheridge)

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to sport. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.