Since we’re halfway through December and the end of the year is fast approaching, I’m going to take a different twist on this week’s 5 Bets with an all futures bets edition.
There are several sports that have a winter break and some that are just getting going. We like looking into our crystal ball at who will be either an award winner or a champion of their league.
We take a look at who will be the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion and who we think will be the 2023 WNBA Champion. The PGA Tour’s first major championship is in April and we like a golfer to win a Green Jacket. We also weigh in on who we think will win the Super Bowl and the Stanley Cup. So grab your betslip and place some futures bets before you settle in for a long winter’s nap.
5 Bets to Make this Week
- Las Vegas Aces +200 to win WNBA Championship
- Christopher Bell +1000 to win NASCAR Cup Series
- Justin Thomas +1200 to win Masters
- Kansas City Chiefs +450 to win Super Bowl
- Boston Bruins +550 to win Stanley Cup
Aces Repeat as WNBA Champions
The odds aren’t great at +200 but the Las Vegas Aces are the no-brainer when it comes to winning the WNBA Championship in 2023.
The Aces bring back all five starters that won the championship this year. Becky Hammon, who should be considered for an NBA head coaching job, is back on the bench and has positioned herself as one of the best in the league.
This team is too talented and will once again be hard to stop. Look for the Aces to repeat as champions in 2023.
Prediction: Aces to be 2023 WNBA Champs (+200 at Caesars)
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Bell Rings True as NASCAR Champ
There seems to be a shifting of the guard in NASCAR. Some of the young guns like Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott flexed their way in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship this season.
Even though they didn’t win they certainly got noticed. Bell should make a return trip to the Championship 4. He had a great season in 2022, finishing first in three races, including at Martinsville to earn a spot in the Championship 4.
Bell should have enough experience next year to add more Top 10s and qualify for the playoffs. Don’t be surprised if he wins it all in 2023.
Prediction: Bell to win NASCAR Cup (+1000 at BetMGM) (link to our affiliate code)
Thomas’ Time Now for Masters
Justin Thomas has sniffed the first page of the leaderboard at the Masters, now it’s time for the 29-year-old to seize a Green Jacket.
Thomas has finished T8, 4, T12 in his last three appearances. His game is ready as evidenced by last year’s first-place in the PGA Championship and T5 at the Tour Championship.
I think Thomas is too good not to win at Augusta and with +1200 odds, now is the time to grab him before those odds tighten. Come April he could very well be even money.
Prediction: Thomas to win Masters (+1200 at BetRivers)
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Kansas City Chiefs Back on Top
It seems like there are only six decent teams in the NFL and of those six, three seem to have a realistic chance at winning the Super Bowl.
The Buffalo Bills are the favorite at +380 but quarterback Josh Allen has shown to be inconsistent and losing linebacker Von Miller for the season was a bigger blow than most people realize.
I think the Kansas City Chiefs will once again reign supreme in the biggest NFL game of the season. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes seems like he can score at will and the defense, which is ranked 15th in the league, should be able to control most opponents.
Look for Kansas City to win its second Super Bowl in four years.
Prediction: Kansas City to win Super Bowl (+450 at Unibet)
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Bruins Hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup
Even though the NHL is only a third of the way through its season, the Boston Bruins have been mighty impressive. They are currently first in goals, averaging 3.89 a game. They are also first in goals against average at 2.11 a game.
They have a power play conversion of 28.2%, good for third in the league, and they are first in save percentage at .928.
Starting goalie Linus Ullmark is averaging 1.78 goals allowed per game, best in the league and he also is tops in save percentage at .941.
Offensively, David Pasternak is currently sixth with 38 points. He is the only Bruin in the Top 50. Which makes what they are doing even more impressive.
This is the epitome of a championship team and I think that will pay off handsomely during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Look for them to win it all in June.
Prediction: Boston Bruins to win Stanley Cup (+550 at Golden Nugget)
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