Christmas isn’t only for spending time with loved ones, it’s also a wonderful time of year for sport, as demonstrated by our selection of the festive period’s top sports betting events…
Cricket – The Big Bash 8, from 20 December
Now in its eighth year, the Big Bash League is an Australian Twenty20 cricket league which produces nail-biting matches, big hitting and often a dash of controversy. This year’s edition gets underway on Wednesday and, at the outset, Perth Scorchers are the favourites to win the tournament. With classy players like Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Coulter-Nile in their line-up you can see why and, as Ed Hawkins explains in his team-by-team guide to the tournament, they have unrivalled pedigree. But will things go according to plan? Could the likes of Adelaide Strikers or Brisbane Heat surprise a few people? Make sure you get the latest coverage and best bets on our Big Bash blog.
Two British heavyweights go head to head on Saturday night and there is much riding on the contest. Dillian Whyte edged a split decision against Dereck Chisora when the pair met two years ago and there’s been an intense grudge between the pair ever since. On Saturday, it will be settled and bettors are in doubt that they fancy Whyte [1.34] to come out on top. Still, Betfair Ambassador David Haye will have something to say about that when he previews the fight for us later this week.
The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt race over three miles. It’s run at Kempton Park each year on Boxing Day and is one of the highlights of the season. This year, antepost favourite Might Bite is bidding to win the race for the second year in a row for trainer Nicky Henderson. But Betfair Ambassador Paul Nicholls is one of the rival trainers who will have other ideas, as his runner Politologue will be among the leading contenders in this large and impressive field. Make sure you read Paul Nicholls’ thoughts on the race, and the thoughts of our tipsters, on our racing blog.
It used to be said that titles were won and lost at Christmas. That’s unlikely to happen this year, as Liverpool and Manchester City look like they’ve got what it takes to juke this one out to the end, but the old adage that the team that’s top at Christmas wins the title might still apply. City are away to Leicester on Boxing Day, while Liverpool host Newcastle, but that’s just two of the day’s nine fixtures. Things hot up for Jurgen Klopp’s men when they go to Arsenal on Saturday 29. It should be a thrilling few days in the period, with squad rotation essential. Make sure you read our match previews, with betting angles and analysis of all the key matches.
The biggest darts tournament is under way at Alexandra Palace and will run to New Year’s Day. James Buttler is the man providing the oche betting angles, every day of the championship, so make sure you weigh up his advice before getting stuck into the action each day. Betting.Betfair is the place to be for daily PDC tips between now and what should be a thrilling conclusion on New Year’s Day, as pre-tournament favourite and defending champion Michael van Gerwen tries to win the title for the third time in his career.
The NFL’s popularity continues to grow among UK punters and you can see why, after an extraordinary week 15 saw the Steelers end their losing streak by beating the Patriots and the Chicago Bears makes the play-offs for the first time in eight years. Now things really reach fever pitch in the penultimate week of the regular season, as teams vie for play-off places in the march to the Super Bowl. Make sure you read our squad of NFL tipsters for the best betting insights.
No Christmas day cabin fever for basketball fans, as the NBA has a programme of five games on Christmas Day, including the 76ers v Celtics and Lakers v Warriors. Mark Kirwan is the man to read for NBA tips on Betting.Betfair so make sure you read his tipsheet for the games on Christmas Day and the rest of the festive period.
Source: BetFair Tips
