Well, hello there my fellow bettors. I hope you’re feeling as festive and jolly as I am today. For this grinch, Thanksgiving is by far the best holiday of the year because it’s a safe bet for two things: food and sports.
Now, while there is a finite amount to how much we can eat during these days, we (thankfully) cannot say the same for the latter. Since Thanksgiving -and for that matter the last month of the year- can get really hectic, the beautiful crew at Bookmakers Review asked this schmuck to help out curating the best of the BMR content for the weekend.
So, if the family gatherings run longer than expected and the tryptophan kicks in sooner than later, we got you covered with the links to the best betting previews and expert picks for Thursday through Sunday, so kick back and scroll as you see fit.
Thursday, November 25th
- NFL
Happy Thanksgiving! You know it’s the best Thursday Football of the year as the NFL delivers its only three-course meal of the season.
And it literally feels like that as we start off with the greens…that one dish that makes its way to the family dinner yet no one ever seems to enjoy. That’s what the Bears vs. Lions game feels like or as our very own Adam Walford said “doing menial tasks should be more entertaining than watching this game”, and that’s why I love his pick for this game.
The main course will be courtesy of “America’s Team” as the Raiders stop by Jerry Land to play the Cowboys and we got both sides of the story as two of our experts took opposite sides. Jason is rolling with Dallas and Shawn with the silver and black.
Last but not least, the dessert. Despite Alvin Kamara being ruled out, this game has a lot of appealing storylines. Will Sean Payton lose three in a row? Can the Bills afford another defeat?
- College Football
We got three games on the board but the Mississippi rivalry between Rebels and Bulldogs will probably steal all the headlines. Meanwhile, I am more interested in the Fresno State vs. San Jose State because as our own Allan James explained, this game will kick off shortly before the Bears-Lions snoozefest is over and should be ending shortly before the second NFL game.
- College Basketball
I don’t know if Jason will feature this game as part of his daily trifecta of NCAAB best bets, but I have a feeling there could be some value to be found in the Maryland vs. Richmond matchup.
- Soccer
After a healthy dose of Champions League on Tuesday and Wednesday, today we have a total of 15 Europa League fixtures. With so much going on, take a look at Dave Manyun’s best bets for Matchday 5.
Friday, November 26th
- College Football
Round two starts with an early batch of NCAAF games out of which one caught my eye. The San Diego State Aztecs have been one of those sneaky teams and if their head coach is as high on his starting QB as he is, then let me take a puff off that. To make things better, my man Shawn seems to agree with my feelings about the West Coast team so I’ll be glued to this one.
As for the nightcap, out of the three in-state rivalries on the card, give me some Tar Heels vs. NC State.
- NBA
After a full day without pro basketball, the NBA delivers a 12 game slate. I’m personally looking forward to the Bucks’ road trip in Denver, as the Nuggets have been a very sneaky side so far this season…just ask Chris Paul and company.
As a night owl, I always make time to watch the last West Coast game every chance I get. While I’m not fond of the Blazers’ current situation they should be a fun rival for a Warriors’ squad that’s looking like they can win the whole nine yards.
- NCAAB
One sentence, three words: Duke vs. Gonzaga. I rest my case.
- NHL
As winter rolls around, why not get in the mood with some early hockey? Since the afternoon and evening is pretty packed up, the NHL was nice enough to schedule an early game. Sign me up!
Saturday, November 26th
- College Football
Regardless of whether it’s the holidays or not, Saturdays belong to college football, but with a slate this good, all we can do is be thankful. Jokes aside, I would have to write an article just for the NCAAF games today so instead, I’ll give you my choice for the early, afternoon and night batch.
To kick off the day, the only right answer is Ohio State vs. Michigan. It’s another edition of this annual rivalry but this year the stakes are as high as ever.
The afternoon slate is far more tricky as there is no wrong answer but put me down for Wisconsin vs. Minnesota just one week after the Vikings beat my Packers.
For the night I would have gone with the Notre Dame game to parlay that with a screening of “Rudy” right after. But they played Georgia Tech last week so I’m not watching the same movie two weeks in a row. Instead, I’ll be tuning in to the Oklahoma rivalry between Sooners and Cowboys.
Speaking of the Yellow Jackets, my man Swinging featured their game against Georgia in his best bets article for Week 13 so check it out!
- Soccer
The weekend is always action-packed with soccer but two games are worth your while.
Over in Italy, Atalanta and Juventus square off so get in the mood for some Calcio with Tancredi Palmeri’s Matchday 14 breakdown. Meanwhile, in Spain, Villareal will host Barcelona so if you prefer tapas, I suggest you take a look at Eric Kelly’s La Liga Matchday 15 overview.
- NBA
Two teams that didn’t live up to the expectations in the Playoffs/Finals face off in Brooklyn as the Phoenix Suns visit the Nets. Some people still believe this should have been last year’s NBA Finals, let’s just hope those expectations don’t ruin this game as well.
- College Hoops
The UCLA Bruins have been a very sneaky side so far this season and after betting against them twice and losing, I’ll wait to see what Jason has to say on their matchup against UNLV.
- Boxing
Teofimo Lopez and George Kambosos will go “mano-a-mano” in one of the marquee venues of the world as the Madison Square Garden will be the scenario for this fight.
Sunday, November 27th
- NFL
Hungover? There’s nothing better than some hair of the dog so buckle up as we go back to some NFL. If you want the cheat sheet, our very own Swinging Johnson has picked every game against the spread. In the past two weeks he’s gone 22-9 ATS!
As for my suggestions, the early slate will be focused on the Bucs and Colts game to watch how Jonathan Taylor fares against Tampa Bay’s rush defense.
For the afternoon you know everyone and their grandmother will be watching the Rams and my Packers playing at Lambeau Field.
And what better way to end the day than an old-fashioned AFC North divisional matchup for Sunday Night Football as the Brownies head over to Baltimore. Hopefully, Lamar Jackson didn’t lose his Pepto-Bismol this week.
- Soccer
Why wait for the NFL when Chelsea and Manchester United are playing in the Premier League right before the early kick-offs? Need to catch up? Dave Manyun has you covered!
- NBA
An early tipoff between two west coast teams? I’d normally pass but Warriors vs. Clippers is too tasty of a matchup to miss out on.
- NCAAB
Jason delivers another great betting preview as he breaks down Villanova vs. La Salle. The best part, this game will fill that awful void between the NFL afternoon games and the SNF kickoff.
If you managed to scroll all the way down here, you truly are a soldier…or a sports junkie like myself so I hope this helps you navigate an action-packed holiday weekend. Happy Thanksgiving and don’t hog the cranberry sauce!
