College Football Week 9 Picks 2026 (Saturday 31st October)

Some big decisions are going to have to be made by the Playoff Committee when it comes to putting together the bracket for the post-season and things could get very awkward for the decision-makers if we continue to see upset after upset.

The SEC does not have a single unbeaten team, but it is also a very competitive Conference which has been supplying multiple Playoff teams over the last couple of years.

However, this season there are more and more teams trending towards three losses and it would be harder to make the case for the involvement of those teams without winning a SEC Championship.

Other Conferences may not be given the same kind of respect and so we close into November with a lot of high pressured games to be played.

Michigan Wolverines @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights Pick: They lost just three games in the final three seasons under Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and that run concluded with the Michigan Wolverines (4-3) winning the National Championship as an unbeaten team in 2023.

Jim Harbaugh decided to head back into the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers and the Michigan Wolverines are onto their second permanent Head Coach since that departure. The last two seasons have seen the Wolverines lose seven games and they have already suffered three defeats this season with all of those coming in the Big Ten where the team are 1-3.

Head Coach Kyle Whittingham will be given time, but he is well aware that his team needs an Offensive spark if they are going to try and finish this season with some momentum. The hopes of returning to the Playoffs look to have ended after that third Big Ten defeat last week against the Indiana Hoosiers, but there is still plenty for Michigan to play for and that is especially the case for Quarter Back Tommy Carr who has shown more than the opening starter Bryce Underwood.

Giving Tommy Carr the rest of the season may help in the development and have the Wolverines challenging much higher in the Big Ten in twelve months time and he is reportedly going to have the chance to play on the road for the first time.

It is the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-5) who will host and they also have a 1-3 record in the Big Ten, but some of the Defensive problems that have been evident all season will give Michigan plenty of encouragement.

In the four Big Ten games played, Rutgers have allowed opponents to score at least 30 points, but that number becomes at least 42 points when only focusing on the three defeats.

The question is whether the Michigan Wolverines can exploit the problems in the same way as so many of the Conference rivals have been able to do and that all begins on the Line of Scrimmage. The Scarlet Knights have been bullied on this side of the ball, but Michigan's Offensive Line have not been very productive all season, which has put additional pressure on the Quarter Back regardless of who has been standing behind Center.

Assuming Tommy Carr will be given the opportunity, he will note that this Rutgers Secondary have struggled to make plays in recent games, while the lack of a pass rush should mean there is more time to go through his reads. This should be a benefit for the Wolverines as they look to show they can play with some confidence on this side of the ball.

However, the main reason the Wolverines have been competitive in games is the Defensive unit and they will be looking to aid the Offense by finding some turnovers or dominate the field position.

As the Scarlet Knights have moved into the Conference play, the Offensive output has diminished and they cannot expect to have a lot of change from this Wolverines team. The Michigan Defensive Line will make Rutgers have to scratch and claw for every yard gained, and that can wear down teams, while the Wolverines Secondary have only allowed an average of 161 passing yards per game even during a run of games where they have finished 1-2.

It is a Secondary that have found turnovers and that does not bode well for the Rutgers passing game that will be run by a backup Quarter Back after Dylan Lonergan was ruled out.

The last time Michigan and Rutgers met one another on the football field was back in 2023 and it was the Wolverines who won easily, while the year before they blew out the Scarlet Knights on the road.

This is a big spread when you think of the Wolverines Offensive woes, but the match up is about as good as Michigan could hope for and you can expect this Defensive unit to step up and make enough plays to give the team a chance of covering.

Arizona State Sun Devils @ BYU Cougars Pick: There are some Conferences where the Playoff Committee will overlook a loss, or perhaps two, but the Big 12 has not been one of those in the last couple of years, even as the Playoff field has been expanded to twelve teams.

Last season the blowout loss to the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Big 12 Championship Game prevented the BYU Cougars (6-1) from taking part in the Playoffs, but the team have looked capable of going one better this time around. However, the Cougars are under pressure to bounce back from a very disappointing road loss to the UCF Knights in Week 8, which came just after BYU had upset the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Two seasons ago the Arizona State Sun Devils (4-3) won the Big 12 Championship and played in the Quarter Final of the Playoffs where they were eventually beaten in Second Overtime. They look unlikely to repeat the feat in 2026 as the Sun Devils are already 2-2 in Big 12 play, but they did beat the Kansas State Wildcats last week and that snapped a run of consecutive defeats in the Conference where Arizona State had been struggling massively as a Defensive unit.

It is something the Cougars will be looking to exploit as they bid to bounce back from an upset loss and BYU should find plenty of balance on this side of the ball to keep the Sun Devils guessing.

The BYU Offensive Line should be able to help the home team establish the run and good things happen from there- the Sun Devils have struggled to stop the run for much of the season and that is likely going to be the same in Week 9, which will keep Bear Bachmeier in positive Down and distance from where the Quarter Back should be able to get something rolling.

Bear Bachmeier has been well protected and giving him time from third and manageable spots should mean an opening of the playbook and the Cougars should be able to keep the chains moving consistently. There are holes in the Arizona State Secondary and this is a team that have not been able to create too many turnovers in recent weeks, which should mean BYU are having another strong Offensive day.

It makes the Cougars favourites, but covering this big spread will depend on the performance of the Defensive unit who have had some mixed outings in the last couple of weeks.

Arizona State may not be able to expose any vulnerabilities as UCF managed to do with this game being on the road, but they will look to at least establish the run and give the team a chance to keep the chains moving. However, pounding the rock with the kind of consistency needed to give the team the confidence to earn the upset is perhaps going to be lacking and it will be up to Mikey Keene and the committee used at Quarter Back to try and keep the Arizona State Offensive unit on the field.

The Sun Devils will take encouragement from some of the successes that recent BYU opponents have had when it comes to throwing the ball against them, but the Offensive Line will be under a bit of pressure to make sure whoever is playing at Quarter Back is given some time in the pocket. The Cougars have not really found a fierce pass rush, but they could have more success against this Arizona State Offensive Line and that gives the home team the chance to stall drives.

Games between these teams have been competitive since both moved into the Big 12, but the Sun Devils have been beaten by 36 points by Baylor and 28 points by Texas Tech and an angry BYU team can secure a big win as well.

Florida Gators vs Georgia Bulldogs Pick: As we enter Week 9 of the 2026 season, not many would have predicted the Kentucky Wildcats would be leading the SEC with a 5-1 record.

The only other SEC team that have lost fewer than two games is the Georgia Bulldogs (6-1) and it should be noted that only two teams have been beaten three times and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff. That may change in 2026, but there is a lot of pressure on a bunch of SEC teams and the Georgia Bulldogs are hoping the Bye Week will have given them the time to recover from the shock of losing to the Auburn Tigers.

Everything looked to be going as planned early in that game in Athens, but poor decisions and sloppy play proved to be costly and the Bulldogs will have taken a serious look in the mirror.

Having to prepare for the 'World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party' will have given the players plenty of motivation, although the game is being played in Atlanta rather than Jacksonville this season.

The Florida Gators (5-2) are also coming out of a Bye Week after beating the Texas Longhorns on the road and that has improved the record to 3-2 within the SEC. However, as mentioned, it does mean there is little room for error if the Gators are going to upset the odds and force their way into the College Football Playoff in Head Coach Jon Sumrall's first season after the team finished 4-8 in 2025.

Prior to the upset in Austin, Florida had lost back to back SEC games in blowout fashion, but they did play the Bulldogs close last season in this rivalry game.

Despite the win, the Gators are giving nothing away when it comes to naming a starting Quarter Back having seen both Tramell Jones Jr and Aaron Philo having plenty of opportunities to lead the team before the Bye Week.

No matter who is going to start, they will hope the Bye Week has given the Florida Offensive Line a chance to work out how they can help establish the run with more consistency than they have been in recent weeks. Running the ball against any SEC Defensive Line is hugely challenging, but the Gators went into the Bye having averaged less than 3 yards per carry as the competition has ramped up and they are not expected to have a lot of room against the Georgie Defensive Line.

Of course an inability to run the ball with any consistency places the Quarter Back under immense pressure and the Gators Offensive Line have not been very good when it comes to offering up solid pass protection. When they are in third and long sports, the Georgia pass rush could have Jones Jr or Philo rushing to make their throws and it will be hard to convert Third Downs over and over again.

Stalling drives and winning the field position will help the Georgia Bulldogs, but the two weeks between games would have been important to get Gunner Stockton to reset at Quarter Back.

Gunner Stockton had two Touchdown passes in the loss to the Auburn Tigers, but he was guilty of throwing a couple of Interceptions and losing a Fumble and that followed an outing against the Alabama Crimson Tide when the Quarter Back had both a single Touchdown and Interception.

He should be supported by the Bulldogs Offensive Line who are expected to be able to run the ball with some efficiency and that should make life that much more comfortable for Gunner Stockton.

The Bulldogs Offensive Line have offered up decent protection for the Quarter Back and Gunner Stockton should be able to exploit the Florida Secondary as Lanoris Sellers and Austin Simmons have done in the SEC this season. Those two Quarter Backs combined for 620 passing yards with six Touchdown passes and no Interceptions when helping Missouri and South Carolina to big wins over the Gators and Gunner Stockton can show how much the Bye Week has been able to allow him to reset by having a strong game.

Rivalry games are usually very competitive and Georgia did only win by 4 points when facing Florida last season.

However, the previous four games all ended in Bulldogs wins by 22, 23, 14 and 13 point margins and Georgia can make a statement by winning and winning well enough to cover.

Virginia Cavaliers @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons Pick: If they had won the ACC Championship Game, the Virginia Cavaliers (4-4) may have had a serious case of earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. The defeat to the Duke Blue Devils meant finishing with a 10-3 record and that allowed the Miami Hurricanes to move past both Duke and the Cavaliers to earn the place in the College Football Playoff Bracket.

It would have been hard to make a case for Virginia after losing the Championship Game, but there will be plenty of people associated with the team who will blame the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-1).

The Cavaliers were Ranked in the top 15 when they faced the Demon Deacons, but the upset loss knocked them back and Virginia were not able to recover.

We have yet to see the College Football Playoff Rankings, but this year the Virginia Cavaliers are 2-3 within the Conference and unlikely to be concerned about those, although motivation for revenge will be high. That only increases when noting that the Wake Forest Demon Deacons have begun with a 4-1 record in the Conference and are only behind the Miami Hurricanes and Louisville Cardinals in the current standings.

A 9-4 record in the 2025 in Head Coach Jake Dickert's first season is impressive, although the Demon Deacons were just 4-4 in the ACC. They have already matched that number of Conference wins, but Wake Forest want more and the four game winning run will have given the players a lot of belief.

Coming out of the Bye Week should mean Wake Forest are well prepared, and they will note that this Cavaliers team are still playing hard and they are still confident enough to believe they can produce back to back winning seasons under Head Coach Tony Elliot.

Moving back above 0.500 will depend on whether the Cavaliers can find a way to slow down a Wake Forest Offensive unit that entered the Bye Week with some strong numbers on the board. Quarter Back Gio Lopez has really found his groove and is 53 yards away from already having 2000 passing yards, while Lopez has 17 Touchdown passes and a single Interception on the season.

The Demon Deacons will lean on the Offensive Line, who can help establish the run, and putting Gio Lopez in third and manageable spots will be a big win for Wake Forest. As the competition has ramped up within the Conference, the Cavaliers Secondary have allowed some big passing yards and Lopez should be able to return from the Bye Week and pick up from where he and the Demon Deacons left off.

It is no surprise that most will focus on the Offensive numbers being produced by Wake Forest, but the Defensive unit has to be given a lot of credit for the current position that this team find themselves in. The Demon Deacons have allowed just 24 points across the last three Conference games played and the success has begun at the Line of Scrimmage where they have been able to shut down the run and force opponents to become one-dimensional.

Virginia will not shy away from pounding the rock, but they have been inefficient with the team averaging 4 yards per carry in recent games and they are not expected to have a lot of success against this Defensive Line in front of them.

Beau Pribula is the Quarter Back and he is experienced, but some have suggested the Cavaliers should be thinking to make a change with the poor passing numbers being produced. The experience means Pribula has avoided big mistakes, but he is averaging 138 passing yards per game in the last three played and it is going to be tough to make plays from third and long spots like he may see in Week 9.

If the Demon Deacons can push Virginia behind the chains, they will feel the pass rush can force Beau Pribula to throw under pressure and that should lead to errant passes and potential mistakes, which gives Wake Forest the advantage.

The last two seasons has seen both teams beat the other in tight, competitive games, but the Wake Forest Demon Deacons had won five in a row in this rivalry prior to 2024. Some of those wins had been by wide margins and the 2026 Demon Deacons look capable of both sides of the ball to return from the Bye Week and produce a dominant win.

Utah Utes @ Cincinnati Bearcats Pick: They have just knocked off the defending Big 12 Champions and the Cincinnati Bearcats (5-2) have been able to improve to 2-2 within the Conference, but another big test awaits. Hosting is a big boost for Cincinnati having won both Big 12 games played at Nippert Stadium, but being blown out on the road twice, and the Bearcats will have taken a lot of confidence by taking the unbeaten record away from the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Only one unbeaten team remains in the Big 12 and that is the visitor in Week 9.

The Utah Utes (7-0) have a perfect 4-0 record in the Conference and this record is more remarkable when you think they are being led by someone other than Kyle Whittingham for the first time since 2004. Morgan Scalley is the Head Coach and he may not have been given this opportunity if it had come up a couple of years ago after historic texts had been released, but he took over for the Bowl Game last year and that does mean Utah are unbeaten in eight games under a Head Coach that has spent his entire career with the Utes both as player and Coach.

Eighteen of the twenty-one years under Kyle Whittingham ended with a winning record and the Utes finished 11-2 in 2025, but some expected them to take a step backwards without a long-term leader.

Instead the Utes have benefited from having a number of players return from last season and Quarter Back Devon Dampier is very experienced.

A third year full time starter, Devon Dampier has 15 Touchdown passes and 6 Interceptions this season and has benefited from the balance that the Utah Utes have found on the Offensive side of the ball. Everything has begun at the Line of Scrimmage where the Utes have been able to pound the rock with real success and make sure that Dampier is throwing from third and manageable spots and Utah are going to be confident in establishing the run against the Cincinnati Defensive Line.

Respect has to be given to the Bearcats Secondary for playing better at home than they have on the road, but over the last three Conference games, Cincinnati have allowed Quarter Backs to have their way with them.

They will take encouragement from the fact Devon Dampier has thrown five of the six Interceptions in the last three games and the Cincinnati Bearcats may feel that is going to be the best way to slow down the Utah Utes. However, the Utes will want to make sure the Quarter Back is in the best position possible and that means avoiding third and long spots, which is where the Offensive Line can set up the Big 12 leaders to have successes.

Fans will be expecting Utah to have Offensive successes and will note that Cincinnati have given up at least 24 points in all four Big 12 games played this season.

However, the Bearcats should take a huge amount of confidence from the 37 points scored against the Red Raiders in Week 8 and the key to this game is going to be at the Line of Scrimmage when they have the ball.

The Cincinnati Offensive Line have paved the way for some big holes to be exploited, but they are facing a Utah Defensive Line that has prided itself in being able to stop the run.

Encouragement will come from the fact the Utah Defensive Line have not been as comfortable stopping the run on the road as they have been at home and that is where the Bearcats will feel they can have successes. It is important to do so and keep JC French IV in front of the chains, despite the 4 Touchdown passes he threw last week against the Red Raiders.

A couple of Interceptions were added to those Touchdown passes and the Utes have a Secondary that have made up for some of the passing yards allowed by making sure they have been able to create turnovers.

Those extra possessions are likely going to be all important to the final outcome of this Week 9 Big 12 game and it is expected to be one in which both teams play with confidence and belief.

Knocking off the Bearcats on the road is not going to be easy, but the Utah Utes may feel they have the Defensive unit that can make the difference at key moments and that may allow them to escape with an unbeaten record against a Cincinnati Bearcats team who have to try and maintain the intensity that was needed to beat the defending Conference Champions last week.

MY PICKS: Michigan Wolverines - 16.5 Points @ 1.89 Bet365 (1 Unit)

BYU Cougars - 16.5 Points @ 1.88 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Georgia Bulldogs - 11.5 Points @ 1.87 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Wake Forest Demon Deacons - 12.5 Points @ 1.85 William Hill (1 Unit)

Utah Utes - 7 Points @ 1.83 Bet365 (1 Unit)

NC State Wolfpack - 8.5 Points @ 1.87 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Illinois Fighting Illini - 2.5 Points @ 1.85 William Hill (1 Unit)

Louisville Cardinals - 22.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Nebraska Cornhuskers - 7.5 Points @ 1.88 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Week 8: 2-3, - 1.20 Units (5 Units Staked, - 24% Yield)

Week 7: 3-3, - 0.63 Units (6 Units Staked, - 10.5% Yield)

Week 6: 2-4, - 2.16 Units (6 Units Staked, - 36% Yield)

Week 5: 3-3, - 0.14 Units (6 Units Staked, - 2.33% Yield)

Week 4: 4-3, + 0.49 Units (7 Units Staked, + 7% Yield)

Week 3: 1-4, - 3.17 Units (5 Units Staked, - 63.40% Yield)

Week 2: 2-3, - 1.28 Units (5 Units Staked, - 25.60% Yield)

Week 0: 0-3, - 3 Units (3 Units Staked, - 100% Yield)

English Football Premier League Picks Game Week 9 2026/27 (Saturday 31st October 2026-Monday 2nd November 2026)

After the thumping in Como and the comments from Captain Bruno Fernandes, it was perhaps no surprise that he was dropped by Michael Carrick for the visit of Bournemouth.

 

The comments just a few days after Lisandro Martinez had also been pretty vocal about upper management suggested a fractured dressing room and Manchester United's performance against Bournemouth and the eventual 0-3 defeat infuriated the Stretford End.

Michael Carrick has largely been absolved of blame, but that is because most fans will feel that he is doing his best and the support around him has seemingly been non-existent. He was not backed as hoped in the last transfer window, while the players are apparently ready to throw the towel in and to the likes of Jason Wilcox, the owners, and then the players had it made clear what the match-going Manchester United fans thought of them.

And then we all waited.

After Michael Carrick's walk around the pitch and the body language on display, an announcement that he had been Sacked as manager felt inevitable.

That it did not come on Sunday was not much of a surprise, but Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada heading into Carrington on Monday morning and about to embark on a meeting with the owners suggested something would be released later in the day.

The manager came to watch an Under-21 game being played behind closed doors, but Carrick left and there was still no action taken.

Ultimately it sounds like the board and those in upper management are unsure as to what to do with Michael Carrick and less so because they have faith in the current manager, but more because there is no agreement as to who should be appointed next.

Eddie Howe's name was bandied about in the press, but that is one that has not gone down very well with the supporters.

He has a strong supporter in Jason Wilcox, which is ironic seeing as Wilcox is only in the role because everyone in a position of power disagreed with Dan Ashworth who suggested Howe two years ago after Erik ten Hag had been dismissed.

Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte are other available names, while Manchester United have to accept it will be almost impossible to prise away Unai Emery or Fabian Hurzeler from Premier League clubs.

And that leaves Michael Carrick in a tough position after being given a stay of execution and now relying on a group of players who simply could not find enough to avoid heavy defeats against Como and Bournemouth and who have won none of the last eight games played in all competitions.

The lack of decisions made this past week highlights the lack of conviction in anything INEOS have done at the club over the last three years (aside from all being on the same page to make life difficult for supporters) and 'best in class' suggests the likes of Berrada and Wilcox should be removed from current roles if Carrick is to be dismissed.

All eyes will turn to Stamford Bridge for the opening Premier League game of the weekend to see how Manchester United respond, but it is also a critical week in the Champions League and then hosting Aston Villa before the next international break. Results are needed if Michael Carrick is going to be taking charge of United when they visit Anfield in three weeks time, but it is all a big mess at Old Trafford and the biggest hurt of the whole situation is that it is not a surprise that we are here just after the turn of the clocks.

Chelsea vs Manchester United: Both of these clubs were beaten at home without scoring a goal last weekend, while Chelsea also suffered a League Cup exit at Anfield on Wednesday.

Xabi Alonso has stated that Joao Pedro is ruled out and that does hurt Chelsea without a focal point, although the tactical decision to leave Danny Welbeck on the bench against Tottenham Hotspur felt like a mistake.

Danny Welbeck has enjoyed playing Manchester United since leaving the club, while Cole Palmer is well rested.

Injuries in defensive areas will give the away team encouragement, but Manchester United's players have to show they are willing to dig in and fight for the team. We have seen little of that in the last couple of games and Michael Carrick's position is uncertain, to say the least, but you have to believe some pride will kick in and a reaction can be produced.

They rode their luck to win at Stamford Bridge in April, but Manchester United have to find a real balance in their play if they are going to do that here.

Encouragement can be taken from the fact that Chelsea have been inconsistent under Xabi Alonso, but Manchester United have to start faster than they did in Madrid and Como. Chelsea are one of the fastest starting teams in the Premier League in both halves so that is something Manchester United have to prepare for, but getting through the opening 10/15 minutes has seen other teams give Chelsea problems.

Both teams are struggling for consistency and that may end up producing a tighter game than some expect with both teams combining for less than 28 shots over the ninety minutes.

Chelsea have had fewer than 13 shots in five of the last six games, while Manchester United have not had more than 13 shots in any of the last three away games.

Recent results may suggest these teams have been letting opponents dictate the shots, but Chelsea have allowed more than 14 in one of the last six, while Manchester United have not allowed more than 12 shots in any of the last three away games.

Fantasy: If there is some respect and pride in the Manchester United dressing room, perhaps Bruno Fernandes returns with a big effort to inspire his team to a successful outing at Stamford Bridge.

Both Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers will be leading the way for Chelsea, but Pedro Neto was perhaps offering the most threat in the home loss to Tottenham Hotspur and had a big day against Everton two weeks ago.

Bournemouth vs Leeds United: The recent form shown by Marco Rose's Bournemouth makes them solid favourites to beat Leeds United and you have to favour them with the firepower that has been displayed.

It has been particularly evident at the Vitality Stadium and Bournemouth may have enough to earn the three points.

Nothing has come easy against Leeds United and Daniel Farke's team have had a full week to prepare for this game, which will help.

They do not concede a lot of goals, but Leeds United need more in the final third and the defensive performances at Brighton and Arsenal need to be improved if they are going to earn a positive result on the South Coast.

Fantasy: Everyone is focusing on the Bournemouth assets with a good looking fixture list coming up.

Evanilson continues to lead the line, but he is not the most convincing of goalscorers.

He is a replacement for those looking to move Joao Pedro, but those with a bit more freedom to choose may want to go against the grain and focus on Rayan or Antonio Silva in defensive or midfield positions.

Brentford vs Nottingham Forest Pick: You have to believe that there is going to be an opponent who takes a real thumping from Nottingham Forest sooner rather than later.

They have created some huge chances, especially away from home, and Nottingham Forest have been wasteful or lacking a bit of fortune when those opportunities have been presented to them.

Nottingham Forest will feel they can create chances at the Gtech Community Stadium having won on the previous two visits and this Brentford team have just lost a bit of momentum over the last past few weeks.

Losing at Sunderland in the League Cup Fourth Round is a real blow, while Brentford have been guilty of a few too many draws in the Premier League, including last weekend at Hull City.

Keith Andrews will know his team have been better at home, but they could be tested by Nottingham Forest and the visiting team are good enough to earn a positive result that could drag them out of the bottom three.

Fantasy: A lot of the Nottingham Forest attack goes through Morgan Gibbs-White, but you have to think Liam Delap will be able to take advantage of some of the chances that have been coming his way.

Coventry City vs Sunderland Pick: These two teams are sitting in the bottom three of the Premier League table after failing to score in home games last weekend and there is a little bit of pressure building on Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris.

Patience is going to be shown with Frank Lampard considering the successes he has had as manager of Coventry City, but the experience of Lampard means he knows improvements need to be made at both ends of the field.

Coventry City did not defend too poorly against Fulham last weekend, but the latter showed that Premier League experience and quality when an opportunity came their way.

The home team are unlikely going to leave too many spaces for Sunderland, but The Black Cats can also call upon that Premier League experience to make the difference in this fixture.

Either way, you have to believe the first goal is going to be absolutely crucial in determining the final outcome and the match may be one with limited goalmouth action.

Fantasy: Defenders may come out on top in this one, but Coventry City could be without Bobby Thomas, which would be a blow.

It is a tough game to really want to back any player to take the lead on the day, but any of the defenders could end up being the star performer.

Hull City vs Ipswich Town Pick: Both of these teams were promoted together at the end of last season, but it was Ipswich Town who got the better of Hull City in both League fixtures played in the Championship.

The two both earned 1-1 draws in Game Week 8 to keep the positive points ticking over and this is another fixture in which Hull City and Ipswich Town will be targeting three points, but also very keen on avoiding a damaging defeat.

It could lead to a tight, competitive outing in the Premier League and this is another fixture in which goals may not be free-flowing with another 1-1 scoreline looking a real runner.

Fantasy: Just like the Coventry City vs Sunderland fixture, this is perhaps not the Premier League fixture in which someone would be targeting major Fantasy assets.

Manchester City vs Brighton Pick: These two teams met in the League Cup Fourth Round on Wednesday and it was Manchester City who came through on Penalties.

However, that does mean Brighton are unbeaten in 3 visits to the Etihad Stadium, including twice in the Premier League, and so Manchester City look a little short and a potential acca-buster.

Erling Haaland was not involved on Wednesday, but he will be restored to the starting lineup and has loved playing Brighton.

Not only has he scored in the last four matches against this opponent, but Erling Haaland has opened the scoring in all of those and he may be the player who gets the scoring going in what has the potential to be a high-scoring fixture.

Last weekend Alexander Isak scored against Brighton and Erling Haaland looks like he could open things up on Saturday.

Fantasy: The Norwegian striker remains the standout Fantasy option for Manchester City, but Brighton can play a positive role here too.

Others in the home team are also likely to be influential in what has the potential to be another high-scoring game and it is Jeremy Doku who stands out behind Erling Haaland.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace Pick: Back to back Premier League wins has given Tottenham Hotspur a huge boost, but they have not won consecutive League games at home in two years.

They are facing a struggling opponent in Crystal Palace who have a manager that remains under real pressure, despite a League Cup Fourth Round win at Fulham on Wednesday.

Crystal Palace have simply not found the right balance between attack and defence under Pierre Sage and they have struggled in a lot of aspects of their football.

This is a fixture that will be taking part in a Stadium that does get a little nervy, but Tottenham Hotspur have to have picked up confidence from consecutive wins and James Maddison has seemingly been passed fit. He has been a big influence in the last couple of wins that Spurs have produced and it has been a positive month for the team.

Roberto De Zerbi will be happy with the performances and results and his team may be able to come through with another home win in a game where they can continue to showcase the improvements on the defensive side of the field.

Fantasy: You could make a case for someone like Mohammed Kudus, who has been in positive form since returning from an injury.

However, it is James Maddison who has been the biggest influence in recent Spurs improvements, and he can be the key to any success this weekend.

Aston Villa vs Fulham Pick: Unai Emery has admitted the Premier League is the priority for Aston Villa this season and the League Cup loss at Bournemouth is just another example of an early exit from that competition under the Spaniard.

Key players were rested and that should see Aston Villa pick up from where they left off in the 2-1 win over Manchester City at Villa Park last Saturday.

Three home wins in a row has given Aston Villa real momentum and they will be feeling a little more confident than Alvaro Arbeloa's Fulham.

Wins over Hull City and Coventry City have given Fulham some confidence, but a strong team was beaten by Crystal Palace on Wednesday and there is still some real room for improvement if they are going to continue the climb up the League table.

A poor record at Villa Park suggests it will be difficult to do that on Saturday and Aston Villa's firepower can make the difference.

Fantasy: It sounds like the whole world may be ready to back Nicolas Jackson, especially after scoring twice last weekend and Joao Pedro needing to be replaced.

He looks a leading contender, but it is those operating around the focal point of the attack that have hurt Fulham of late and that means Johan Manzambi or John McGinn having big impacts on the final score.

Liverpool vs Arsenal Pick: The last two English Champions face off in a big Premier League game on Sunday and it could be a tight, competitive contest.

Injuries in attacking areas limits the Arsenal threat, although they are always going to be dangerous from set pieces.

Mikel Arteta's hand may be forced with the injuries, which could mean having a bigger focus on the defensive effort- Arsenal excel there and only conceded to a magical free kick when visiting Anfield last season.

The Gunners will look to make things tough for Liverpool, who have improved, but who also have more room for improvement.

Andoni Iraola will be happy with some of the defensive work, but Liverpool have lacked a bit of consistency in the final third and this suggests another low-scoring fixture to be played out between these two teams.

A single goal was scored in two Premier League games last season and this may be a fixture in which the opening goal could be decisive.

Fantasy: This is a tough game to call, but you have to lean towards Liverpool being the more likely winners with the depth of options available in attacking areas.

If Arsenal are to secure a positive result, Gabriel could be key at both ends of the pitch.

Newcastle United vs Everton Pick: These two teams may be sick of one another after Monday Night Football is concluded and it was a tetchy ending to the League Cup Fourth Round tie at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday.

Everton came through, but Newcastle United had plenty of chances and The Magpies have been better at home and so will be confident they can overturn that result.

Keeping clean sheets has been more challenging for Newcastle United and so this has the makings of another fixture with at least three goals shared out when these two face one another.

The last three fixtures have ended up with 14 goals combined and there is enough from the attacking players to exploit the problems that Everton and Newcastle United have had at the back.

An early goal could spark the game again and that looks the likelihood in front of the television cameras to conclude this game week.

Fantasy: The standout options look to be Harvey Barnes and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall at either end of the pitch.

Models are speaking about Thierno Barry, but he is a little inconsistent and those two players mentioned have the qualities to get into the point scoring from more angles than the Everton striker.

MY PICKS: Chelsea-Manchester United Under 27.5 Match Shots @ 1.83 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Bournemouth @ 2.15 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Nottingham Forest + 0.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.80 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Coventry City-Sunderland Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Hull City-Ipswich Town Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.00 Sky Bet (1 Unit)

Erling Haaland First Goalscorer @ 4.00 Paddy Power (0.5 Units)

Tottenham Hotspur to Win & Under 4 Total Goals @ 2.50 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Aston Villa @ 2.00 Sky Bet (1 Unit)

Liverpool-Arsenal Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.95 William Hill (1 Unit)

Newcastle United-Everton Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.72 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Premier League 26/27: 17-29-1, - 7.68 Units (45.50 Units Staked, - 16.88% Yield)

2026 World Cup: 57-45-1, + 8.63 Units (103 Units Staked, + 8.38% Yield)

NFL Week 8 Picks 2026 (Thursday 29th October-Monday 2nd November)

The trade deadline is approaching, but unlike sports like Baseball and Basketball, the NFL has tended to be a sport in which the bigger moves are made way in advance of the deadline.

It sounds like the Chicago Bears are all in on 2026 after bringing in Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans and this is a team that looks very capable of having a big impact as long as they can stay healthy. The Bears are playing in a really competitive Division and you have to expect three of the NFC North to head to the post-season, but this could create a domino effect and it may spark a number of other teams to step up their calls and mould the roster to be ready for January and February.

The North Division is the dominant one early in the AFC as well, at least from one through four positions with all holding winning records.

Things will change in both the AFC North and NFC North when the Divisional games ramp up, but we are approaching the halfway mark of the season when the contenders and pretenders begin to find separation.

Week 7 proved to be the best of the season so far for the NFL Picks, but there is significant work to do to turn things around get the numbers into a position we will all appreciated.

Thursday Night Football is the opening selection and others will be added to this thread.

Carolina Panthers @ Green Bay Packers Pick: Both of these teams suffered disappointing losses in Week 7, although in very different circumstances, and both will be looking to bounce back on a short week and get back on track in the 2026 season.

The Green Bay Packers (4-3) proved to be the only team in the NFC North to suffer a loss in Week 7 and that has dropped them into the basement of the Division, although it should be noted they still have a winning record overall and that keeps them in a position to fight for Wild Card spots later in the year.

Green Bay suffered a tight loss to the Detroit Lions thanks to some problems for the Field Goal team and that will have really hurt.

This week they are hosting the Carolina Panthers (3-3) who were blown out at home by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, although remain the NFC South leaders. All of the other teams in that Division have a losing record, but the Panthers have not taken control following the defeat to the Buccaneers, which has dropped them to 1-1 in the NFC South and with the players all looking for a proper reaction to the awful overall performance on Sunday.

An early Bye Week means the Panthers have to find a way to bounce back very quickly if they are to regain some momentum, while the Defensive unit clearly have to improve at the Line of Scrimmage to make things easier.

Tampa Bay ran all over the Panthers in Week 7, but the Green Bay Packers have not been able to run the ball with any consistency this season and that is the battle that could be a big factor in the final outcome. If the Carolina Defensive Line can win, they will be very confident in their ability to earn the upset on the road at Lambeau Field for the second season in a row, but the script flips significantly if the Green Bay Packers can get something going on the ground.

Josh Jacobs was back in action for the Packers, but he only picked up a little over 3 yards per carry and was a bigger threat catching the ball out of the backfield. He did drop a pass that would have given the Packers a Touchdown lead late in the Fourth Quarter, but Jacobs and the Green Bay Offensive Line will be looking to find a way to at least exploit some of the holes that the Panthers have been leaving up front.

Getting anything going on the ground would certainly help Jordan Love and company and just make things that much easier to plan.

In recent games, Jordan Love has definitely stepped up his level and he should be given the time to hit Receivers down the field and put the Green Bay Packers in a position to win this game. Avoiding becoming one-dimensional Offensively is the key for Green Bay and would also mean Jordan Love can perhaps make a few more clearer decisions in the passing game and limit the turnovers that have been thrown.

The Packers are going to believe they can bounce back Offensively from the last defeat and the same can be said for the Carolina Panthers after an overall disappointing display against a Divisional rival.

Bryce Young will have noted how well Jared Goff played against the Packers Secondary and will be looking to pick up from the Lions left off, while the performance of Jahmyr Gibbs means Carolina can attempt to stay balanced when they have the ball in hands.

In recent games, the Packers Defensive unit had shown encouraging improvements, but that game against the Lions is a reminder there is still work to do and Carolina can have successes.

The key to the Packers is getting enough pass rush pressure to try and force mistakes from the Quarter Back and the Secondary has been able to step in front of passes when that pressure has been applied. Bryce Young has not been protected as well as he would have liked in recent outings and that is where the Packers can have some success, while the Defensive Line has something to prove having been pretty tough up front before the game against the Lions.

Motivation from the home defeat suffered to the Panthers in November 2025 should also get the Packers focused and ready for this game and they may do enough to edge what could be a high-scoring game.

Green Bay have won the last couple of home games in very good fashion against the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys and they may be able to stall a couple of drives and/or force a turnover or two to push the momentum in their own favour. That is key for the Packers and the home crowd will certainly help as Green Bay earn revenge against the Carolina Panthers and secure a win by around a Touchdown mark.

MY PICKS: Green Bay Packers - 3.5 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (1 Unit)

Week 7: 4-1, + 2.73 Units (5 Units Staked, + 54.60% Yield)

Week 6: 2-4, - 1.95 Units (6 Units Staked, - 32.50% Yield)

Week 5: 2-2, - 0.14 Units (4 Units Staked, - 3.50% Yield)

Week 4: 4-4, - 0.52 Units (8 Units Staked, - 6.50% Yield)

Week 3: 2-5, - 3.09 Units (7 Units Staked, - 44.14% Yield)

Week 2: 3-4, - 1.31 Units (7 Units Staked, - 18.71% Yield)

Week 1: 2-4-1, - 2.23 Units (7 Units Staked, - 31.86% Yield)

European Championship Darts Day 4 Picks 2026 (Sunday 25th October)

There were some high level performances produced by players who have moved into the European Championship Quarter Finals, but the defending Champion is out of the tournament and players like Nathan Aspinall will be disappointed that an average above 105 was not enough to give him a place in the last eight.

Luke Littler got the better of Nathan Aspinall and he is looking to pick up the one Ranking title that eluded him last year and the draw looks like it has opened up for the World Number 1.

You have to believe Jonny Clayton will have something to say about that, but he will have to beat a home favourite to reach the Quarter Final and this is going to be a busy day for whoever is able to pick up the title at the end of the evening.

All four Quarter Final matches are to be played in the Day Session before the Semi Final and Final are played in the Evening Session.

Any selections from those matches in the Evening Session will be added to this thread, but the focus is firstly on the Quarter Final matches that have been scheduled to be played.

Ross Smith-Luke Woodhouse over 11.5 180s: Both of these players were hitting their marks very effectively in the Second Round on Saturday and Ross Smith and Luke Woodhouse had six maximums each in winning efforts.

Calling a winner is difficult on current form with the slight edge perhaps being with Luke Woodhouse in the form shown over the last couple of days.

However, Ross Smith is the Number 1 Seed for a reason and will be desperate to make it through the day and perhaps pick up this Ranking title to enhance his bid to join the Premier League.

Assuming this is a match that will go at least sixteen Legs, there are enough chances for these power scoring players to combine for at least twelve maximums. There is every chance more Legs will be needed and both Ross Smith and Luke Woodhouse are capable of combining for enough maximums to cover this total line set.

Gerwyn Price to win & over 4.5 180s v Stephen Bunting: There is a lot of familiarity between Gerwyn Price and Stephen Bunting having both competed in the Premier League this season.

Gerwyn Price won three of the four matches in the Premier League and has looked in good form again this weekend.

He will respect Stephen Bunting and what The Bullet is capable of producing at his best, but Price will also know that his current level is going to make it very difficult for anyone to beat him.

If he is going to win the title, The Iceman is going to have to win three matches in a single day in a long format and that may end up being beyond him. However, Gerwyn Price can force his way into the Semi Final later in the day and behind a performance in which he adds at least five maximums.

Luke Littler to win & over 6.5 180s v Krzysztof Ratajski: The odds are heavily skewed in favour of Luke Littler, which is not a surprise in normal circumstances, but this is especially the case on the form shown this weekend.

Luke Littler has been hammering the treble 20 bed and he is clearly motivated to win the European Championship.

Even the German crowd have not been able to bother Luke Littler and it is hard to make a case for Krzysztof Ratajski.

The Polish Eagle has his qualities, but matching the power scoring of the World Number 1 looks to be beyond him and Luke Littler should be able to secure both sides of this selection.

MY PICKS: Ross Smith-Luke Woodhouse Over 11.5 180s @ 2.00 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Gerwyn Price to Win & Over 4.5 180s @ 2.00 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Luke Littler to Win & Over 6.5 180s @ 1.86 Bet365 (1 Unit)

SEMI FINAL PICKS: Ross Smith-Gerwyn Price Over 11.5 180s & 2+ 100+ Checkouts @ 2.25 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Martin Schindler to Win & Over 3.5 180s @ 2.25 Bet365 (1 Unit)

European Championship Update: 7-3, + 4.31 Units (10 Units Staked, + 43.10% Yield)

NFL Week 7 Picks 2026 (Thursday 22nd October-Monday 26th October)

The NFL continues surging towards the halfway mark of the 2026 season and that means we are firmly into the Bye portion of the season.

It also means there is beginning to be a separation between the contenders and those already looking forward to the NFL Draft and the 2027 season.

Divisional games are coming up thick and fast and there is also another International Series game in Week 7, although this time the NFL will be playing in Paris for the first time.

New Orleans Saints vs Pittsburgh Steelers Pick: The latest International Series game from the NFL is played at a new venue with the League hosting a game in Paris for the first time, even in the midst of some huge riots taking place in the French capital as well as the rest of the country. There were some suggestions this game could be moved, but the New Orleans Saints (2-4) and Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) have arrived in Europe and will be looking to give those in attendance something to enjoy.

There are likely going to be outside factors that have an impact, but the Steelers and Saints are looking to build on Week 6 wins.

New Orleans play in a weak Division and they are still firmly in contention even with a losing record, while the Pittsburgh Steelers are well aware of how tough the AFC North can be with three teams sharing the same 4-2 record. Two wins in a row have given Pittsburgh some momentum and they do look to be playing well enough on both sides of the ball to believe they can win this game before returning home with the momentum needed when facing the Cleveland Browns in Week 8.

The focus has to be on this game for now having arrived later in the week, while the Saints flew over to Paris after the Week 6 win over the New York Giants. As the 'host', there are more responsibilities for the Saints to be over in Paris and help fans see their presence, but New Orleans need a good game plan if they are going upset the Steelers.

Running the ball has been really challenging for New Orleans and it is very difficult to imagine they have a lot of consistent success pounding the rock against this Steelers Defensive Line. It may not be as strong as some of those that Pittsburgh have run out in the past, but the Steelers have been stout up front early in the season and will be looking to force Tyler Shough to beat them through the air from third and long spots.

The Quarter Back has been given some protection when he has dropped back to throw, but Shough has been inconsistent in recent weeks.

Since the blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Tyler Shough has just thrown 240 yards in the last two games and his 3 Touchdown passes and 2 Interceptions in that time highlights the issues. He did have a clean game against the New York Giants last week, but Tyler Shough is going to have a tough time finding much room against this Pittsburgh Defensive unit and will need his own Defense to step up to help.

A problem for the New Orleans Saints is that they have lost some balance Defensively in recent games and they are now facing Aaron Rodgers looking more like his old self at Quarter Back.

Things have been made easier by the fact that this Steelers Offensive Line have been run blocking very well and they are expected to open up some serious holes for Jaylen Warren and company to keep the team in third and manageable spots. In recent games, the Saints Defensive Line have allowed some big runs to get through and Aaron Rodgers is a much different player when throwing out of third and manageable spots with his ability to release the ball very quickly keeping Defensive Backs guessing.

Aaron Rodgers has not been protected as well as he may have liked, although that may be partly down to an older Quarter Back not having the same scrambling skills as previously, but that has not stopped him from throwing 8 Touchdown passes with 3 Interceptions in the last three games. This should be a more comfortable match up than most and Rodgers is set to have a big outing on the international stage to lead his team to an important third win in a row.

A big game is on deck for the Steelers, but they will know they cannot afford to drop winnable games like this one as it will come back to haunt them in a tough Division. It is a non-Conference outing, but the Steelers won on the road against a team from the NFC South last week and they can win this 'road' game in Week 7 of the season.

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets Pick: The Miami Dolphins (0-5) return from a Bye Week and will be hoping the two week gap between games has given them a chance to just reset.

They have suffered a couple of competitive losses before the Bye Week, but the Dolphins are lacking a bit of depth and injuries to the best players left on the roster and they are likely going to be the underdog in every game they play this season.

This is the case when returning to face the New York Jets (2-4), a Divisional rival hoping that they have been able to get healthier over the last week to try and build up some momentum. The next two weeks feel very important for the Jets who will then be facing the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills and getting back up to 0.500 for the season is the ambition.

Breece Hall could be returning this week, while Adonai Mitchell has been cleared and that will give the Jets a boost, but Geno Smith and company need to find some consistency on this side of the ball.

For all of the issues that Miami have had this season, the Dolphins Defensive Line have been pretty stout at the Line of Scrimmage and make teams work for everything they earn on the ground. The Dolphins will certainly feel they have a unit that can make things difficult for the New York Offensive Line, even with a potentially returning Hall, and that will give Miami a chance to try and stall drives.

One of the big issues that will need to have been resolved is generating a pass rush to back up the strong work at the Line of Scrimmage.

They are up against a Jets Offensive Line that has struggled to keep Geno Smith upright, although the veteran has been smart with his decision making and that has meant keeping Interceptions to a minimum in recent games. He did throw one last week, but Smith has been taking Sacks rather than throwing under pressure, and this may be a week in which he has a bit more time to try and attack this Dolphins Secondary.

Having Mitchell back should open up the passing game, but the Miami Dolphins may feel they can at least prevent the Jets from overpowering them on this side of the ball and that may set them up to have opportunities to earn the upset.

Much will depend on the Offensive unit, which has been led by Malik Willis who has struggled as the starting Quarter Back.

However, this is a game in which the Dolphins can lean on the Offensive Line who have opened up some strong running lanes, even in the absence of De'Von Achane. The likes of Ollie Gordon have made use of the opportunities handed to him and Willis is more capable moving the chains with his legs rather than his arm.

Both players should help the Dolphins establish the run as long as Miami are competitive in the contest and they can extend drives to control the clock. It will also be important to put Malik Willis in a position to make some short throws to the Receivers and see if the Dolphins can get into a position to earn an upset on the road.

Miami have won six of the last seven games in this Divisional rivalry, but that may be a run that is not extended this week.

Winning outright may not happen, but the Dolphins look to be receiving plenty of points in this one and the Bye Week work may see the road team make this a competitive loss at the very worst in Week 7 of the 2026 season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers Pick: In recent seasons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5) had dominated the NFC South, but the Carolina Panthers (3-2) broke their hold on the Division in 2025. Once again it is Carolina leading the way through the early part of the 2026 season, but it has been a really disappointing opening for Tampa Bay who need this win to just give themselves a realistic hope of getting back into the mix.

This is the first Divisional game of the season for the Buccaneers, but they would not want to fall five games below 0.500 with over a third of the regular season schedule completed. They will also be aware that the Panthers are already 1-0 in NFC South games in 2026 and so the return of Baker Mayfield could not have come at a better time for the road team.

Baker Mayfield has missed three games in a row and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need a spark on the Offensive side of the ball, but this may not be as comfortable a match up as it may have felt before his injury.

Over the last three games, the Carolina Defensive unit have toughened up and that has all begun at the Line of Scrimmage where they have looked to make things more difficult for teams trying to run the ball against them. This has been a problem for the Panthers earlier in the season, but they will feel they can at least slow down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Bucky Irving and that will give the Panthers some real belief if they are able to do that.

Tampa Bay's Offensive Line have been strong when it comes to the run blocking, but they have not been as comfortable keeping a Quarter Back upright, even though Jalon Daniels has been able to use his legs to move the pocket around. The Buccaneers may feel the experience of Baker Mayfield is key though and he is going to be throwing into a Secondary that has given up some big plays, although injuries in the Receiving corps will make things that much more difficult.

The Buccaneers and Mayfield struggled in a road loss here last season and they are facing a Carolina Panthers team that have looked more confident in 2026 having played in the post-season at the end of 2025.

Everything has come down to the development of Bryce Young who is now an established starter at Quarter Back and who can pick up from where he left off in the win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6.

Carolina will want to stay balanced and run the ball, although they are facing a Buccaneers Defensive Line that has been pretty strong at the Line of Scrimmage. That will not see the Panthers change the plan and Bryce Young is capable of tucking the ball and running for First Down markers himself, and it is important to give the Quarter Back the open playbook to attack this Tampa Bay Secondary.

If the Panthers can at least keep Tampa Bay thinking about the run, Bryce Young and company should be able to make some big plays against this Secondary and that should give them the edge in this contest. There has been some problems for Tampa Bay against the pass in recent weeks and Carolina should be able to exploit that in their bid to beat this Divisional rival.

Bryce Young may get a little longer in the pocket than he has been used to in recent outings, and that should allow the Panthers to move the ball with some consistency.

A returning Baker Mayfield will give the Buccaneers a boost, but they may also struggle to lift themselves after some recent disappointments and the Carolina Panthers are good enough to win and cover.

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions Pick: These two teams may be sitting in third and fourth place in the NFC North, but the Green Bay Packers (4-2) have won three in a row, while the Detroit Lions (3-2) are playing after a Bye Week as they moved above 0.500 for the season in Week 5.

This is looking like being another hugely competitive season in this Division and it would not be a surprise if at least three of the four teams playing in the NFC North are able to secure Playoff spots at the end of the season. Both the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears have already produced five wins this season and so games between the Divisional rivals all have added meaning attached to them.

The Packers are 1-1 in the NFC North, while the Detroit Lions have yet to face one of those rivals within this Division.

Being at home after a Bye Week is an advantage, but the Lions will have had things to work on, especially on the Defensive side of the ball. They will have noted how well the Green Bay Packers have been playing and so this is going to be a test for Detroit inside the dome.

There have been areas in which the Lions will be feeling confident in what they can achieve and those are at the Line of Scrimmage on this side of the ball- the Detroit Defensive Line has been pretty stout up front and Green Bay have struggled to push the ball on the ground all season.

However, the Packers will be really pleased with the upturn in form produced by Jordan Love at Quarter Back and he will be throwing against a Detroit Secondary that have allowed huge amounts of passing yards... And that is despite the strength they have shown at the Line of Scrimmage.

There has been a consistent pass rush pressure produced by the Lions, but the Green Bay Offensive Line has been better at giving Jordan Love time to throw down the field and there are some big gaps to exploit. Green Bay will have a lot of belief in the Wide Receivers and their ability to get open to help the Quarter Back and the Packers can produce a big game on this side of the ball.

It has been a big reason for the Packers putting a three game winning run together, but the Defensive unit have also stepped up their level and they will feel they can give this Detroit Lions team some questions to answer.

Everything begins at the Line of Scrimmage and the Packers Defensive Line will be looking to win up front and force Jared Goff to have to beat them with his arm, although the Quarter Back is more than capable in doing that.

Jared Goff will be throwing into a Secondary that has allowed fewer than 185 passing yards per game in the last three wins, although the Lions have found confidence in the passing game and will be enjoying playing in the indoor conditions.

Turnovers could be key to the final outcome and credit has to be given to Jared Goff for avoiding big mistakes in the passing game, although that still does not necessarily mean the Lions can cover.

Having the hook over the key number 3 is important here and the Packers are capable of securing a backdoor cover at the very least. They are throwing the ball with enough authority to give the Defensive unit an opportunity to carry the team over the line and Green Bay can keep this close on the scoreboard, if not secure the outright upset.

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles Pick: Monday Night Football would have felt very different if the Philadelphia Eagles (2-4) had not been hit with the kind of injuries they have suffered, which in turn has led to four losses in a row. The injuries are significant and that means the Eagles are home underdogs against the Dallas Cowboys (2-4) who have lost two in a row and have put themselves under significant pressure to begin turning things around.

The NFC East was once seen as the top Division in the NFL, but those days are gone now and it says something that that even a Washington Commanders team with a 1-4-1 record are going to feel they are in contention.

The winner of this one will hope to begin to chase down the New York Giants, who are surprisingly leading the Division despite losing the starting Quarter Back to a serious injury.

Dallas had scored at least 31 points in three straight games, but the consecutive losses are largely down to the Offensive ineptitude of the last two weeks. This is clearly something the team have discussed and the Cowboys know they need a lot more on this side of the ball if they are going to force their way to the top of the NFC East.

A big problem for the Cowboys is that they have been pretty predictable on this side of the ball and that is because the Offensive Line have struggled to help the team establish the run. This is something that is unlikely to change against the Philadelphia Defensive Line, who remain strong in that part of the unit, but Dak Prescott and company may be able to exploit the big holes that have been evident in the Eagles Secondary.

It has been particularly the case during the four game skid and the Eagles have struggled to get a lot of pressure onto Quarter Backs, which has enabled the signal caller to find the time and patience to hurt them down the field. Interceptions had been lacking, but the Eagles found a way to bait Bryce Young into some bad throws last week and they will note that Dak Prescott is seemingly never that far away from turning the ball over too.

However, it is going to be a test for the Eagles Defensive Backs to stop the Cowboys from having their successes in the passing game and that puts pressure on the home team when they do have the ball in hand.

After the Offensive Line were hit hard by an unexpected immediate retirement and the decision to trade away another important piece, the Eagles lost star Running Back Saquon Barkley to an injury. He is getting closer to a return, but Week 7 may be too early, and the Eagles have since lost Jalen Hurts as starting Quarter Back for the entirety of the season.

Tanner McKee had some good moments last week in his stead, but this is a Quarter Back learning on the job and the Eagles need him to pick things up quickly.

It really does not help that key Receivers have been missing, while the new look Offensive Line have not been able to help the Eagles from picking up significant yards on the ground. That has placed an extra burden on the Quarter Back and Tanner McKee's lack of experience is going to be a factor that likely works against the Eagles.

Having said that, McKee cannot have asked for too many better opponents than a Dallas Secondary that have not been very effective at stopping the pass, while the Cowboys Defensive Line have been pushed around at times. This may allow the Philadelphia Eagles to get something going Offensively as they look to protect a four game winning run at home against this Divisional rival.

You can always rely on Dak Prescott to perhaps put in an underwhelming display in a big spot, but all of the edges are still with the Cowboys and he should be able to outplay Tanner McKee with the support players on the Dallas roster.

Winning on the road is never easy, and especially not in a Divisional game, but the Cowboys have the edges to produce a big win on Monday Night Football as the road favourite.

MY PICKS: Pittsburgh Steelers - 3 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Miami Dolphins + 4.5 Points @ 2.00 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Carolina Panthers - 2.5 Points @ 1.83 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Green Bay Packers + 3.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Dallas Cowboys - 4.5 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (1 Unit)

Week 6: 2-4, - 1.95 Units (6 Units Staked, - 32.50% Yield)

Week 5: 2-2, - 0.14 Units (4 Units Staked, - 3.50% Yield)

Week 4: 4-4, - 0.52 Units (8 Units Staked, - 6.50% Yield)

Week 3: 2-5, - 3.09 Units (7 Units Staked, - 44.14% Yield)

Week 2: 3-4, - 1.31 Units (7 Units Staked, - 18.71% Yield)

Week 1: 2-4-1, - 2.23 Units (7 Units Staked, - 31.86% Yield)