A huge MLB playoff match, EPL heavyweights and an intriguing NBL clash headline our Best Bets of the day.
Jaymz Clements, Alex Donnelly, Liam McAllion
October 18, 2022 – 9:51AM
Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates a home run against the Atlanta Braves. Picture: Patrick Smith/Getty Images/AFP
MLB – PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES @ SAN DIEGO PADRES
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JAYMZ CLEMENTS
Who doesn’t love an underdog? MLB’s National League has given us a playoff thrill ride so far: the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies – two massive long shots – beat the 2020 (LA Dodgers) and 2021 champs (Atlanta Braves), respectively, in four games each to face off in the National League Championship Series.
They now go head-to-head to win through to the World Series: Bryce Harper vs. Manny Machado makes for a wildly entertaining batter matchup, while their pitching staffs are evenly matched and the crowds in both cities are awesome.
The Padres are slight favourites, but the Phillies are peaking at exactly the right time.
— Philadelphia Phillies – to win: $2.10 (via Bet365)
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores against Manchester City. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
EPL – LIVERPOOL v WEST HAM
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ALEX DONNELLY
Liverpool got back on track over the weekend with a big win over Manchester City which will look to spark their season alight. That also came after they taught Rangers a lesson in the Champions League midweek (7-1).
With manager Jurgen Klopp in the stands following his red card over the weekend (yes, managers can get red cards), Liverpool will need to go about their business without the maniacal German in their ears all game.
Liverpool have won their past eight games against West Ham when they have won at their previous league game (there’s your obscure yet awesome stat for the day!).
Mo Salah hit the scoreboard with the decisive goal on Monday morning and would be licking his lips coming into Thursday morning, as he has scored a goal in four of the last five EPL matches at Anfield against West Ham.
Liverpool begin the surge up the table now and sound the warning to the rest of the league that they are coming.
— Liverpool – to win: $1.41 (via TopSport)
Xavier Rathan-Mayes of Melbourne United shoots the ball. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
NBL – MELBOURNE UNITED V CAIRNS TAIPANS
LIAM MCALLION
Melbourne United have been one of the most dominant modern clubs in the NBL who always seem to be in the top few teams. The Cairns Taipans, meanwhile, have finished in the bottom two in the last two seasons.
New pickup Xavier Rathan-Mayes has been perfect for United this season, averaging 18.5 points per game, his speed will be too much for the Taipans big lineup to handle.
Melbourne also has an amazing record at John Caine Arena winning 70% of their games in their history there.
The Taipans? Well, they have the worst record in history at the Arena winning just 22% of their games: maybe they can’t handle the hostile Melbourne crowd?
Chris Goulding is another for United that could go big in this game scoring over 16 points already three times out of four games this season and his leadership and ability to hit big shots will be critical in this one.
United look like a great bet at the handicap line of -3.5 ($1.91) as they have beaten the Taipans in their last nine meetings and won by a huge 12 point average margin.
— Melbourne United -3.5: $1.91 (via Bet365)
Antony of Manchester United takes a shot against Newcastle. Picture: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
BIZARRE BET
EPL – MANCHESTER UNITED v TOTTENHAM
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ALEX DONNELLY
Manchester United host Tottenham on Thursday morning in the EPL and we are expecting goals galore in this game given the way both teams like to play. Plus the last six games between the two teams at Old Trafford having gone over 2.5 total match goals each time.
Antony has been a big spark for United since coming across in a big money deal from Ajax and has scored in three of his four games that he has started for United.
In those four games he has taken 14 shots so far at an average of 3.5 per game. The line that we are betting on here with bet365 2.5 shots.
Given the numbers and the game style that we expect to be played between the two teams, over 2.5 is the bet for us on Thursday morning.
— Antony – Over 2.5 shots on goal: $2.25 (via bet365)
[all adds as of October 18]
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The MLB playoffs, group deciding matchup in the Champions League and an intriguing Premier League battle are all a part of today’s Best Bets.
After a crazy Wild Card series, MLB head into the ALDS and NLDS playoff series: who do the odds like?
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For top odds & more markets on your sports and race betting
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