With another big weekend of sport coming up, it’s only right we once again take a look at some of our best bets for the weekend’s slate. As we’ve done for the past few weeks, plenty of this will be Northern Hemisphere-based, because that’s where it’s all happening right now.
However, some Blackcaps and NPC action should also provide us with some local games to keep an eye on over the weekend.
So, stay locked in with me as we dive into our top five bets of the weekend now.
The Magic were a big stock-up side this offseason after what was a successful 2024/25 campaign, where Paolo Banchero became one of the best players in the league, and the likes of Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs are starting to live up to what everyone expected them to become. Throw in the fact that they went all in by trading for Grizzlies star Desmond Bane, which after his debut against the Heat, is already seemingly paying dividends, with his 20+ point showing.
The Hawks, on the other hand, got punched in the mouth early in their first game and seemingly had no response to a Raptors side that I thought might battle coming into the year.
So, with the Hawks making the trip to Orlando, Florida, for the second game of the season, I think they may struggle. From a matchup standpoint, the Magic have a lot more talent on their roster and a team that should physically dominate the Hawks in the paint. Which is why the Magic covering the spread in this one makes the most sense to me.
What a ripper of an NPC final we have on deck, with comfortably the two best outfits suiting up this weekend in Christchurch. The continued dominance of Canterbury will look to roar on as they face somewhat of the new blood that make up a remarkable Otago side, who no doubt are becoming the hottest ticket in town.
Both sides are coming off dominant semifinal wins, where they managed to post 40+ points each, showing that even in the highest stakes, they aren’t afraid to fire a shot.
In regards to this one, I think many will lean on the experience and winning trait that Canterbury seem to have in New Zealand rugby. But if they are to pull this one off, I think it will be by a closer margin. So, give me Otago +6.5, led by their game drivers Christian Lio-Willie and Dylan Pledger.
After slipping in the opening game of the season, the Tide are indeed rolling, having won 6 on the bounce and taken down multiple big SEC programs along the way. They have also, in the process, turned their first-year starting quarterback into the Heisman favourite and likely have the best wide receiver corps in the country.
South Carolina, on the other hand, has been a shell of what people expected preseason, with 20 of their starters not being at the level required in the SEC. Meanwhile, LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart are left to play Superman every weekend just for them to have a chance at winning.
Even with this game being at home for South Carolina in the famous Willy B Stadium, which will have Sandstorm blasting, I think Ty Simpson and his Crimson Tide teammates make the trip to South Carolina and dominate. This is why I expect him to add another feather to his cap for his Heisman campaign, all while covering the spread in this one.
After a rain-disrupted T20 series, England and the Blackcaps will begin the ODI portion of the tour this Sunday. While I think this format might suit the Blackcaps a bit better than the shortest form of the game, I still think they could struggle as a bowling unit to cause problems for what is becoming one of the most prolific run-scoring teams in the world.
For this bet, I am looking towards what is likely the most devastating player of the lot in middle-order bat Harry Brook. The 26-year-old, while only averaging 34 in ODIs in recent years, has become maybe the player that bowlers fear the most. He proved this in Christchurch the other night, blasting 78 off just 35 balls and leading his side to a record-setting 236 runs.
For me, I expect Brook to once again be a major thorn in the Blackcaps’ bowling attack, which is why him going over his runs total would not surprise me at all.
The Colts are rolling right now and look to be the best team in the NFL on form through the early half of the season. Plenty of that has to do with their elite offence, led by running back Jonathan Taylor and their new signal-caller, Danny Dimes, who Shane Steichen seemingly picked up off the scrap heap and has turned into what looks like a $40 million quarterback. Now, will that continue through the season? We’ll have to see, but right now, they are nothing short of a wagon.
This weekend, they are taking on a Titans side who, at best, are the 31st team in the league and have already fired their head coach. I think this game is set up for the Colts’ playmakers to have a field day come Monday morning. Which is why my best bet leans into Jonathan Taylor and rookie tight end Tyler Warren combining for two touchdowns on the day. Them doing this would just be clockwork, as combined over the last three games, they have found the end zone 10 times.
