Best Holiday Sports Bets For Christmas And New Year
For American sports fans, the holiday season offers an opportunity to spend some quality time at home with family. Oh yes, and also wager on their favorite sports. It’s the most wonderful time of the year indeed.
Looking across the sports betting menu between December 24th and January 2nd, there is no shortage of action. There are NCAA basketball holiday tournaments for men and women. It’s crunch time in the NFL. And of course college football bowl season moves into high gear as the top teams in the country take center stage.
If you are enjoying the festivities in your Lazy Boy with the big screen tuned to ESPN or FOX Sports, for many in legal betting states there is also the opportunity to reach for your mobile device and throw down some bets on your favorite betting app. If that’s your plan, let’s try and pick some winners to boost your online sports betting bankroll.
Happy Holidays, and here are a few picks worthy of your consideration.
NCAA College Basketball
The game we’re looking at is on December 28th between #9 Alabama Crimson Tide at #15 Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Tide’s only two losses have been against #2 UConn and #11 Gonzaga while securing a win over #3 Houston. We strongly believe Alabama has the better team. So look to take the tide at up to and including -4.
NBA Christmas Day Action
There are five NBA games on Christmas Day. The big matchup features the Boston Celtics (23-10) vs the Milwaukee Bucks (22-10). The Celtics are favored by 4.0 with the over/under set at 223.
Both teams have struggled of late, especially the Celtics who had lost three-in-a-row (at home) prior to a December 23rd home-game win versus the Minnesota T-Wolves.
Look for the Celtics to continue winning ways vs the Bucks in this nationally broadcast game. Take Boston -4.0
NFL Christmas Day Action
There are three NFL games on Christmas Day. The one we’re concentrating on is the Minnesota Vikings (11-3) vs the New York Giants (8-5-1). Minnesota is favored by 4.0 with the over/under set at 48.
After a hot start, the Giants have failed to live up to the hype in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the Vikings are looking to stay close to the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC playoffs home-field advantage.
Too many weapons in Minnesota. Take Minnesota -4.
NCAA College Football Bowl Action
The Orange Bowl (December 30th) – #6 Tennessee Volunteers vs #7 Clemson Tigers.
Clemson is favored by 5.5 with the over/under set at 63.5. Coming out of the very tough SEC, the feeling is the bookmakers have the wrong favorite. Take the Volunteers +5.5.
The Sugar Bowl (December 31st) – #5 Alabama Crimson Tide vs #9 Kansas State Wildcats.
Alabama is favored by 6.0 with the over/under set at 56. The Wildcats gave up an average of 29 PPG over their last three games. Both teams can score, so go with the over.
The Fiesta Bowl (December 31st) – NCAA FB playoff matchup pits #2 Michigan Wolverines vs #3 TCU Horned Frogs.
Michigan is favored by 7.5 with the over/under set at 58.5. With a chance at the title game on the line, look for both defenses to step up. Go with the under.
The Peach Bowl (December 31st) – NCAA FB playoff matchup pits #1 Georgia Bulldogs vs #4 Ohio State Buckeyes.
Georgia is favored by 6.5 with the over under set at 62.5. The best chance Ohio State has to win this game is by opening up the offense. Both teams have top 10 offenses. Go with the over.