ATP Finals Day 6 Tennis Picks 2025 (Friday 14th November)

Three of the four Semi Finalists in Turin have been confirmed after Alex De Minaur got the better of the odds to win his match in straight sets and then move through to the last four with just a single win under his belt.

He did need Carlos Alcaraz to beat home hope Lorenzo Musetti, and the Australian will feel like he is playing with 'house money' after losing his opening two matches and still finding a way through to the Semi Final.

Preparation will have begun to face Jannik Sinner, although the World Number 2 has to complete his Group commitments in the Day Session on Day 6 at the tournament.

One more Semi Final spot has yet to be confirmed and that will be fought out between Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Evening Session with the reward being a match against the World Number 1 on Saturday.

Jannik Sinner - 4.5 games v Ben Shelton: Two wins from two matches played means Jannik Sinner has topped this Group and this is a dead rubber for both the top Italian player and Ben Shelton, who has been eliminated after losing the second match in succession.

With that in mind, the organisers have scheduled the contest for the Day Session so Jannik Sinner is able to get plenty of rest before the Semi Final match to be played on Saturday. The chances are that he will be going on in the Evening Session in that Semi Final, especially if the match is against Carlos Alcaraz, and that should allow Jannik Sinner to invest plenty into this match.

He was far from his best in the win over Alexander Zverev, but was still able to come away with a relatively comfortable win on the scoreboard. The big points were played really well, especially on his own serve, although Sinner's opponent is going to have some regret about not being able to put in enough aggressive intensity when it mattered the most.

You can be certain that Ben Shelton is not going to take a backwards step in this match, but he has not really been able to compete with Jannik Sinner in their recent meetings and bridging that gap with nothing on the line will be difficult.

Ben Shelton has a big serve, which is always going to make him dangerous and make spreads like this one feel very wide.

However, the American has not really been playing his best tennis since withdrawing at the US Open and Shelton has faced 12 Break Points in his two defeats here in Turin. The performance was better overall against Felix Auger-Aliassime, but Ben Shelton will be well aware that he is facing one of the top return players on the Tour and one who has regularly been able to find a way into his service games.

It was Ben Shelton who won the first ever meeting between these players in Shanghai back in October 2023, but Jannik Sinner has clearly taken offence to that and has won all seventeen sets played against the World Number 5 since then.

This includes winning in straight sets at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon this season, while Jannik Sinner has broken in almost 1/4 return games played against Shelton on the hard courts.

Ben Shelton has thus been under immense pressure and that is only increased by the fact he has broken in 8% of return games played against Jannik Sinner on this surface.

He can come out with 'nothing to lose' but this has been a long season and the impending break may be something of a distraction for the lower Ranked player.

Jannik Sinner should still be locked in and he can clear this handicap mark much as he did when beating Shelton in straight sets at the Paris Masters at the end of October.

Alexander Zverev - 2.5 games v Felix Auger-Aliassime: Both men have beaten Ben Shelton and lost in straight sets against Jannik Sinner within this Group and that leaves Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime facing a 'winner takes all' contest against one another.

The Evening Session will be headlined by this Singles match as both players look for a strong end to the 2025 season and the narrow edge may have to be with Alexander Zverev.

He has had successes at the Tour Finals in the past and the conditions are very much to Zverev's liking, while he should be highly motivated to want to get one over on Felix Auger-Aliassime having lost to the Canadian in the Third Round at the US Open.

Alexander Zverev has a strong record against this opponent, but he has lost the two Grand Slam matches played against Felix Auger-Aliassime. This is another big setting in which the players are meeting and so that may be something that is on the Zverev mind, even if his overall level here in Turin has been higher than what the World Number 8 has been able produce.

Credit has to be given to Felix Auger-Aliassime for battling back to beat Ben Shelton a couple of days ago, while he has also shown plenty of strength to come through a calf injury suffered in the opening match and still be able to have an opportunity to reach the Semi Final here.

The pressure will be on Felix Auger-Aliassime to serve well and the head to head on the hard courts has seen Alexander Zverev earn a significant edge in that department. Even in the defeat in New York City in the last Grand Slam of the season, Alexander Zverev earned more Break Points than Auger-Aliassime and so there will be a confidence in the German's camp that their man can come through.

In the two matches both have played in this Group, Alexander Zverev has just been the more convincing and that may ultimately show up in this match, which is effectively a Quarter Final.

Felix Auger-Aliassime is dangerous and he is not likely to throw in the towel, but the fine edge in the biggest moments may be with Alexander Zverev and the latter can join Jannik Sinner in the Semi Final lineup.

MY PICKS: Jannik Sinner - 4.5 Games @ 1.83 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Alexander Zverev - 2.5 Games @ 1.95 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

ATP Finals: 7-2, + 3.28 Units (9 Units Staked, + 36.44% Yield)

ATP World Tour Finals Day 5 Tennis Picks 2024 (Thursday 14th November)

The ATP World Tour Finals look to be building towards a potentially special ending, but it has not been the best four days for the fans.

Very little drama has been seen within matches and we have yet to have one match go the distance in the Singles draw.

Big matches are coming up with places in the Semi Final still open to all eight players that have begun this event and that is perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the end of the Group Stage. Things could change very quickly as matches continue to be completed, but it should mean we have focused players heading onto the Turin courts with so much still to play for as the season winds down.

Taylor Fritz - 2.5 games v Alex De Minaur: The situation is pretty clear for Taylor Fritz with a single match left in the Group and that begins and end with winning this match.

He cannot secure passage into the Semi Final until the result from the other match in the Group is confirmed, but Fritz can put himself in a strong position if he is able to win this one in straight sets. The 'easier' the scoreboard win looks, the more likely he is to make it through to the Semi Final, which was the minimum ambition the American set for himself when the World Tour Finals began.

However, this is far from a foregone conclusion and that is because Taylor Fritz has had a tough time when facing up to Alex De Minaur.

The Australian has won their last couple of matches, both on the hard courts, and Alex De Minaur has not been eliminated from the tournament despite losing both matches in the Group in straight sets. His margin for error is much smaller than Taylor Fritz in the fact that Alex De Minaur needs to win this one in straight sets and hope Jannik Sinner is able to beat Daniil Medvedev in straight sets and even then it will come to percentage of games won.

The maths takes a bit of working out, but De Minaur's sole focus has to be winning in straight sets and you do have to wonder how he will be able to pick himself up if he is to drop either of the first two sets played. It is a sport in which the focus is on the court once a player is there, but you have to believe it is a potential factor that Alex De Minaur will perhaps fade if he is not able to progress.

His performances in Turin have been a little disappointing with Alex De Minaur really struggling to have much of an impact on the return, which is a key part of his tennis. Only ONE Break Point has been fashioned in two matches and De Minaur has won less than 21% of return points played, which is a problem when facing someone with the serving capability of Taylor Fritz.

In recent matches between the players, Alex De Minaur has been able to get enough back into play on the return to frustrate his opponent and extract errors from the Taylor Fritz side of the court. You have to think this will be the game plan again, but Alex De Minaur also needs to really pick up his level on the serve if he is going to upset the odds against the American again.

The head to head has to give anyone pause for thought.

However, Taylor Fritz has played the stronger tennis in Turin this week and he should have enough to work his way past this awkward opponent and move into a decent position to Qualify for the Semi Final on Saturday.

Jannik Sinner - 3.5 games v Daniil Medvedev: The big question on Thursday has to be 'which Daniil Medvedev is going to be heading out onto the court for this vital last Group match?'

He did not play badly against Taylor Fritz, but was pretty well beaten at the end and looked like he was not having any kind of fun on the court. A lingering injury had been bothering Daniil Medvedev and his behaviour suggested he might already have checked out of the World Tour Finals after a single Group match had been played.

Two days later, Daniil Medvedev dominated Alex De Minaur and was a very comfortable winner against the Australian, which has also reignited his push to make the Semi Final at this tournament.

Of course he is facing the World Number 1 and the home favourite in this final Group match and a player that has really dominated the head to head between these two in recent times.

Jannik Sinner has won both matches in straight sets, but surprisingly that has not been enough to confirm passage into the Semi Final. By the time this match is scheduled to be played, Sinner's place in the next Round may be secured and both of these players will have eyes on the other match in the Group played earlier in the day.

For Sinner the scenario is pretty clear- no matter what happens in the other match, winning one set in this final match would take him through and as Group Winner. Of course winning this match makes for the easiest scenario, while there is a chance that a heavy, straight sets defeat in this Group match would potentially eliminate Jannik Sinner if Taylor Fritz has crushed Alex De Minaur in straight sets earlier in the day.

Those game permutations are much more convoluted than the sets breakdown, but it may be something Daniil Medvedev is also working on. He can progress with a straight sets win as long as Taylor Fritz has not won in straight sets too, while a loss may still give Medvedev an opportunity if Alex De Minaur has beaten Taylor Fritz earlier in the day, although the World Number 4 will likely need to win a set.

It is all a little messy with each match in the Group won and lost in straight sets, but Jannik Sinner looks very focused this week and he can beat Daniil Medvedev in this last Group match, even if a Semi Final spot has been achieved.

Jannik Sinner has been serving at a very high level in this event and that will build pressure on Daniil Medvedev if the shoulder is still feeling a little sore. There has also been a definite edge with the World Number 1 when it comes to the return of serve, while the multiple wins racked up over Medvedev, including in very big settings, will only aid the confidence further.

He beat Daniil Medvedev in four sets at the US Open and since then Jannik Sinner has crushed the same opponent in Shanghai and in the exhibition tournament held in Saudi Arabia (exhibition in terms of being a Ranking event, the money on offer made it plenty serious).

In his current form, it is really hard to look past Jannik Sinner franking those hard court victories with another in front of the home crowd, even if a place in the Semi Final has been secured by the result from the other Group match.

Daniil Medvedev had a bit more focus in his win over Alex De Minaur, but that has been a better match up than facing the World Number 1 and we may see the Russian quickly lose hope in this one. He does become very motivated when the crowd get on his back, but there is every chance that Medvedev will fall away in this one and Jannik Sinner can secure a third straight win to really push his credentials as a potential Champion of the event this weekend.

MY PICKS: Taylor Fritz - 2.5 Games @ 1.66 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Jannik Sinner - 3.5 Games @ 1.66 Bet365 (1 Unit)

World Tour Finals Update: 5-3, + 0.92 Units (8 Units Staked, + 11.50% Yield)

ATP World Tour Finals Day 3 Tennis Picks 2023 (November 14th)

Two days are in the books at the tournament, and that means both Groups have had the first two matches of six completed.

Things will really begin to take shape as far as the Semi Final line up is concerned over the next couple of days with at least two of those places expected to be taken. An eight man line up could be down to just six players depending on the results and the pressures certainly ramp up from here with the World Tour Finals hitting the midway mark of the event.

Holger Rune - 1.5 games v Stefanos Tsitsipas: On most occasions the defeats suffered a couple of days ago would have meant Holger Rune and Stefanos Tsitsipas would have been leaving Turin. At the World Tour Finals, the two players do have another shot to recover from the losses on Sunday, although this time they will both know that another defeat is likely going to mean the end of their tournament.

The other match in the Group will determine what hopes the losing player will have on Tuesday, but both Holger Rune and Stefanos Tsitsipas have to be only focusing on trying to bounce back from their opening defeats.

Out of the two players, Holger Rune will be a little more disappointed that he was not quite able to get over the line in a very tight match against Novak Djokovic. You do have to wonder how much that match has taken out of the young Dane considering it lasted over three hours and there was plenty of emotional and physical effort expended on the day.

Stefanos Tsitsipas has a slightly different situation.

He was well beaten by Jannik Sinner, but spent less than an hour and a half on the court and Tsitsipas will feel he can only be better in this second Group match. While the move to Turin from London for the World Tour Finals has not been the best news for Stefanos Tsitsipas, he will feel he has been slightly more consistent on the hard courts compared with Holger Rune in 2023 and will be hoping that can show up in this match.

However, Stefanos Tsitsipas has really struggled when it comes to facing top 10 Ranked opponents on the surface and that was evident again on Sunday. Holger Rune has not been much better considering he has a 0-4 record against top 10 Ranked opponents on the hard courts this season, but the Dane has been a stronger return player than Stefanos Tsitsipas and that may make the difference in this important match.

Holger Rune will also have a mental edge over Stefanos Tsitsipas having beaten him in both previous matches, although the last of those came thirteen months ago. In those previous matches, the relatively weak return game produced by Tsitsipas has been shown up and Holger Rune can make sure that happens again, even in the early slot given to this match.

You have to respect the fact that Stefanos Tsitsipas can be a very strong server when playing his best tennis and that may give him the chance for the upset, but he has not enjoyed his time in the World Tour Finals since winning the tournament in 2021 and Holger Rune can do just enough to keep his hopes alive of progressing into the Semi Final.

Novak Djokovic-Jannik Sinner over 22.5 games: There would not be too many surprised faces if this is the first of two matches that Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner have to play against one another before we get to the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Both of these players have been in very good form since the end of the US Open and, in Novak Djokovic's case, even longer, and the victories earned on Sunday means both Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are favourites to reach the Semi Final. Following Carlos Alcaraz's defeat on Tuesday, if both Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are to reach the Semi Final, they are likely to be big favourites to make the Final and produce that potential rematch.

At this stage of the tournament it would be foolish to think too far ahead and both of these players will simply be focusing on securing a win that would likely take them through to the next Round.

Jannik Sinner was the more impressive winner on Sunday as he dominated behind serve and created the opportunities to break Stefanos Tsitsipas twice on his way to a comfortable straight sets win. For Novak Djokovic it was much tougher all around after needing three sets to beat Holger Rune in a match that lasted over three hours, although the confidence will remain high for the confirmed End of Year World Number 1 after continuing his winning streak that began after the Wimbledon Final in July.

During the run to the Wimbledon Final, Novak Djokovic beat Jannik Sinner in straight sets, although the match was incredibly more competitive than the scoreline would suggest.

It does mean Novak Djokovic has won all three previous meetings against Sinner, and it will be a challenge for the home player to find a way to close that gap. He will need to serve well to at least push Novak Djokovic back and perhaps build some scoreboard pressure, although Jannik Sinner will also feel the pressure of trying to beat arguably the best player of all time for the first time.

This is just the eighth match Novak Djokovic will have played since winning the US Open, but four of the previous seven have needed a deciding set.

In these conditions, you have to expect another tight, competitive match and this time Jannik Sinner may be able to do enough to at least win a set, even if he cannot quite manage the match.

A couple of days ago, the selection was for Novak Djokovic and Holger Rune to surpass the total games line and the feeling is that this one will go the same way. Both of these players have returned well enough on the hard courts, but there should be plenty of big-serving on display too and we should get to at least one tie-breaker, which should put the match in a position where they can play at least twenty-three games, even in a straight sets win for either player.

MY PICKS: Holger Rune - 1.5 Games @ 1.80 Bet365 (2 Units)

Novak Djokovic-Jannik Sinner Over 22.5 Games @ 1.80 Bet Victor (2 Units)

World Tour Finals Update: 3-1, + 2.78 Units (8 Units Staked, + 34.75% Yield)

Tennis Picks 2021- WTA Finals/ATP Tour Finals (November 14th)

The ATP Tour Finals are beginning on Sunday and it is a day when the first of the WTA Finals Groups are concluded.

You can read my Tennis Picks below from the tennis to come on Sunday.

Karolina Pliskova - 2.5 games v Barbora Krejcikova: After putting in a huge effort in the second Group match, Barbora Krejcikova could be forgiven for perhaps prioritising the Doubles tournament instead of the Singles one at the WTA Finals. Two losses makes progress from this Group look incredibly difficult for Barbora Krejcikova and playing every day cannot be good for her in the conditions in Guadalajara.

It is clear that Barbora Krejcikova is very happy with the season that took her to the WTA Finals in both the Singles and Doubles tournament, but the signs that is perhaps wearing down after a long season have been underlined here. She has not played badly, but Barbora Krejcikova has not really coped with the big points as well as she would have liked in her losses to Anett Kontaveit and Garbine Muguruza.

She will also be back out in the day conditions, which are much different to those for the players competing in the early evening slot. Barbora Krejcikova may be a little more used to the changes that occur between the two different sessions, but it was a change that really bothered Karolina Pliskova and she believes it was partly the reason for her heavy defeat to Anett Kontaveit.

The win over Garbine Muguruza means Karolina Pliskova is still in control of her own destiny and a straight sets win will be enough to secure passage through to the Semi Final. However, anything less will leave the door open for the Spaniard, while Barbora Krejcikova will need to win this match big and hope that Anett Kontaveit can do her a favour.

Karolina Pliskova admitted she didn't handle the early time slot as well as she may have done, but I also think there may have been a lingering effect from the tough, three set win over Muguruza in the evening session earlier in the week. She should be much stronger by now and the head to head over Barbora Krejcikova should give Pliskova confidence.

There is no doubt that she is going to have to serve better than she did in her last match, but I expect a much better effort all around from Karolina Pliskova. The return was a real weakness against Anett Kontaveit, but Barbora Krejcikova has not really played up to the level that the Estonian has displayed and it should make it a match that Karolina Pliskova can get into.

You do have to wonder how much Barbora Krejcikova will have left to invest in this match if she loses the first set- I think she put in a lot in her last match and came up short and I think that can have an impact on her level in this final Group match.

The favourite will be under some pressure too, but Karolina Pliskova should be capable of doing enough to win the match and perhaps even secure the Semi Final spot without worrying about the other match in the Group.

Anett Kontaveit - 2.5 games v Garbine Muguruza: A Semi Final spot has been confirmed, but tennis is not really a sport in which you can take to the court and not give your full effort. It is a rare occasion in which Anett Kontaveit will know a defeat will not prevent her from playing in the next Round, but the form and momentum is behind her and I am sure she will be targeting three wins out of three before the Semi Final to come.

There is a day of rest between this match and the Semi Final match and I think that will also mean we see a serious Anett Kontaveit take to the court. She has looked really strong in the tournament already and the Estonian has spoken about her confidence.

Fearing no one is a huge advantage for a player and Anett Kontaveit has really looked after her tennis in the conditions that are unfamiliar to so many. One difference between this match and the first two played is that Kontaveit has not played in the second slot in the day and that is where Garbine Muguruza has a big advantage with this being a third straight match in this slot.

The fans have been a bit louder in the evening and Garbine Muguruza has spoken about how important they have been for her to push through tough moments. The Spaniard is likely to receive plenty of support again, but it could be a tough match for Muguruza if the earlier match has not gone in her favour and I think it is much more difficult to try and rally if losing a set means that Muguruza is going to exit the tournament.

Anett Kontaveit has been considerably stronger on serve than Garbine Muguruza in the tournament and I think that can be a key to her winning this match too. It was also the reason that Kontaveit was able to crush Garbine Muguruza three weeks ago on a hard court in Moscow and it will give her the mental edge in the match.

I have to respect the way that Muguruza has battled in the tournament so far, but she has to improve on her serve and especially if her opponent is reaching the levels she has in the Group so far. Anett Kontaveit has won around 14% more points behind serve than Garbine Muguruza, but she also backed that up with big returning against Karolina Pliskova and my feeling is that Kontaveit can make a third win in succession.

The Estonian has not really spent much time on the court and considerably less time than Garbine Muguruza so I think a fresh, still motivated Anett Kontaveit can win this match.

MY PICKS: Karolina Pliskova - 2.5 Games @ 1.91 Bet Fred (2 Units)

Anett Kontaveit - 2.5 Games @ 1.80 Bet365 (2 Units)

Alexander Zverev - 2.5 Games @ 1.75 Bet Victor (2 Units)

WTA Finals Update: 5-3, + 2.90 Units (16 Units Staked, + 18.13% Yield)

NFL Week 10 Picks 2021 (November 11-15)

Things had been going smoothly for the NFL Picks, but three losing weeks in four is one issue.

The bigger one is how bad the last two weeks have been.

Some really poor Picks have frustrated, but I have also been bashed by the bounce of the ball going against me and it has been a disappointing run. One that I am not looking to keep going through another Week as we move past the halfway mark of the season.

I need to be better as much as needing better fortune, but hopefully that begins on Thursday Night Football and rolls through the entirety of Week 10.

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins Pick: Thursday Night Football is always a difficult time for teams with the short week meaning there is not enough preparation time, nor enough time for players to get healthier after battling a few days earlier. It has been particularly difficult for those teams that have played an Overtime game prior to Thursday Night Football, but that looks to be the most pressing concern for the Baltimore Ravens (6-2) who moved back to the top of the AFC North with a win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9.

It might be surprising to fans of the Ravens that their team is in this position having been blown out at home by the Cincinnati Bengals prior to the Week 8 Bye, but the Bungles, I mean Bengals, have lost back to back games. The Division is a very competitive one with all four teams holding a winning record as we head past the halfway mark of the season for most teams in the NFL.

That should mean the Ravens are focused even when playing a really bad Miami Dolphins (2-7) team who backed into a win over the Houston Texans in Week 9 to snap their seven game losing run. The Dolphins earned fewer yards than the Texans on the day and it was an ugly game featuring a host of turnovers, while most Miami fans will accept that they are going to need to score more than 17 points if they are going to win this one.

The Baltimore Ravens may not be the Defensive force they once were, but it is hard to trust the Miami Dolphins who have been held to 17 points or fewer in four of their last six games. The Dolphins own Defensive unit has been struggling as injuries have piled up and a team that has had a host of high Draft Picks in recent seasons have seemingly continued to make mistakes in their evaluations.

One of those players that looks to have an uncertain future with the Miami Dolphins is Tua Tagovailoa- he has struggled in the NFL when he has played, but it may be an even bigger concern that his injury issues from College have continued in the professional game and he actually missed the Week 9 win over the Texans. There are doubts about Tagovailoa with the short week and that means Jacoby Brissett will likely be Quarter Back again after a difficult performance in the win over the Houston Texans.

Tua Tagovailoa will be a game-time decision on Thursday Night Football, but I think it is going to be very tough for whoever Quarter Backs the Miami Dolphins. The play-calling is poor and the Offensive Line has really been having a hard time in both pass protection and run blocking. The Dolphins didn't do much on the ground in their win over the Texans and I am not sure they are going to have much more success against the Ravens Defensive Line, even after some of the holes we have seen up front.

I do think the Quarter Back may get a little more time than they have been used to, but Miami are being hit hard by injuries in the Receiving corps and they have not really shown they are capable of moving the ball with much consistency. Jacoby Brissett has struggled and a limited Tua Tagovailoa may have his own issues and putting that together suggests this will be another tough Offensive outing.

The Miami Defensive unit stepped up and made some big plays to secure the win over the Texans in Week 9, but stopping Tyrod Taylor off a long lay-off and the horrific Texans is a different test than trying to do the same with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Lamar Jackson has shown massive improvements again in 2021 and may be the leading contender for MVP alongside Tom Brady, and the Quarter Back is no longer a run-first player.

In recent weeks the Miami Defensive Line have just become a little tougher to run against, but that is going to be tested by Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. The Quarter Back carried 21 times in the win over the Minnesota Vikings, but veterans Devonta Freeman and Le'Veon Bell showed life at Running Back and between the three players I do think the Ravens can establish the run from which their success can be managed.

It would be foolish to ignore the improvements Lamar Jackson has made throwing the ball and I think he will expose the Miami Secondary even though Xavien Howard was back in the win over Houston. Lamar Jackson has some quality Receivers at his disposal and I think he will be able to extend plays and hit those down the field, even if the Baltimore Offensive Line has had difficulty when it comes to pass protection.

Baltimore are 1-5 against the spread in their last six as a favourite and they have struggled when favoured by more than 7 points so far this season. That is a little discouraging even if I think the Miami Dolphins are going to struggle with their own Offensive output in this game.

However, I do think the Ravens have to be respected for their 4-1-1 record against the spread in their last six Thursday Night Football games. They have also crushed the Miami Dolphins the last three times these teams have met, including a 49 point shellacking two years ago, while the Dolphins are 1-3-1 against the spread in their last five as the underdog.

The last three Ravens wins over Miami have come by an average of 40 points per game and I do think they can follow the Indianapolis Colts by beating an AFC East opponent on Thursday Night Football after winning in Overtime the game prior. Teams in that spot have struggled, but Indianapolis covered in that situation in Week 9 and I think this could be a rare opportunity for the Ravens to produce a big win on the road.

It is not easy to trust them having played so many close games this season, but I am not convinced Miami will be able to score enough points to stay with their visitors in what has been an underwhelming season for the Dolphins.

The spread could come down if Tua Tagovailoa is cleared to play and that would actually make Baltimore even more appealing, but the backup Jacoby Brissett may not be able to do enough himself and Lamar Jackson can underline MVP aspirations by leading his team to a good looking win here.

New Orleans Saints @ Tennessee Titans Pick: If the season was to finish now, both the Tennessee Titans (7-2) and the New Orleans Saints (5-3) would be involved in the PlayOffs. However, injuries have had an impact on both of these teams and it will be interesting to see which of them, if any, are able to deal with those best going forward.

The win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9 will have given the Titans belief that they will find a way to manage without Derrick Henry at Running Back. One of the top players at the position, Henry could return in the PlayOffs, but for now the Titans will be having to use a Committee at Running Back with veteran Adrian Peterson perhaps the premier Back and we will learn a lot about this team.

A win will be highly encouraging for the Tennessee Titans, but Mike Vrabel will know his team need to be better if they are going to hold onto the Number 1 Seed in the AFC. They do have wins over some of their biggest rivals and you can imagine the public have to be wondering why the layers are giving them such a gift of a spread with the Titans.

That is especially the case when you think of how the New Orleans Saints were beaten by the Atlanta Hawks in Week 9 without Jameis Winston, while they are also going to be without Alvin Kamara for this game. That means Trevor Siemian and Mark Ingram behind the Offensive Line and it is hard to trust the current Quarter Back considering what we have seen from him throughout his career.

Sean Payton is an Offensive minded Head Coach and he could bring in Taysom Hill to take some snaps at Quarter Back, but Trevor Siemian and the Saints are coming in off a defeat to the Atlanta Hawks and this is a team that has not looked their best on the Offensive side of the ball.

Even with that in mind, the New Orleans Saints have a chance in this game and that is because they seem to match up pretty well with the Tennessee Titans. The Offensive Line should be able to find some running room for Mark Ingram even without Alvin Kamara's skillset in the backfield, and they are able to give the Quarter Back some time to make some plays down the field.

As well as the Titans have played, they are a team who have recently given up plenty of yards on the ground. Trevor Siemian has to avoid the mistakes that cost the Los Angeles Rams last week and throwing into this Secondary can be dangerous, but he should be given all of the support from his Head Coach to keep the chains moving.

In recent years the New Orleans Saints have been known for their powerful Offensive unit, but it is the Defensive unit that has stepped up for them this season. The Saints Defensive Line has been able to clamp down on the run and they will feel they can restrict the Titans without Derrick Henry in the backfield and that will shift the pressure onto Ryan Tannehill.

The Quarter Back has some big time Receiving threats that could help him move the ball through the air, but Tennessee are reliant on the run and being able to clamp down at the line of scrimmage will be a huge win for the road team. It will allow New Orleans to unleash the pass rush, which has been effective, and they will be able to give the Titans Offensive Line some fits that can end up stalling drives and perhaps forcing Field Goals rather than Touchdowns.

New Orleans are 23-8 against the spread in their last thirty-one games as the road underdog and they are 4-1 against the spread in their last five following a loss.

I can only respect Mike Vrabel and the Titans who have not only been winning games, but they have covered in their last five in a row. However, I think they may not score enough points to cover here and the New Orleans Saints should be much better than Week 9 and can keep this close enough with the points behind them.

Cleveland Browns @ New England Patriots Pick: Three wins in a row have just pushed the New England Patriots (5-4) back above 0.500 for the season and the fans will be hoping that their team is on course for a return to the PlayOffs after missing out in 2020. There is work to do and the AFC looks like it will be closely fought when it comes to the Divisional Winners as well as the Wild Card places in the extended post-season.

Games like this may be non-Division, but it could have a huge impact on the Wild Card race as the Patriots get set to host the Cleveland Browns (5-4) who looked to be slipping away with three losses in four games before blowing out rivals the Cincinnati Bengals.

Baker Mayfield had arguably his best game of the season just days after Odell Beckham Jr was released by the Browns, but injuries have hit Cleveland hard in the Running Back area. Nick Chubb is expected to miss out, while Kareem Hunt is injured and that means the Browns are going to be down to D'Ernest Johnson at that position.

Obviously being without Nick Chubb would be a blow, but D'Ernest Johnson has played well in relief of the star Running Back already this season and the Browns have full belief in their Offensive Line to set the table. It should be the case in Week 10 when they face the New England Patriots who have a Defensive Line that has given up some big plays on the ground in recent games and I do think the Browns will be ahead of the chains Offensively.

Running the ball should open things up for Baker Mayfield, but he won't need to do a lot as long as Cleveland can control the clock and keep themselves in front of the chains. That opens up play-action and the Browns showed last week that they can find good balance Offensively, which should give the road underdog every chance of perhaps even earning the upset here.

Offensive struggles have held the Browns back in recent weeks, but the performances against the Cincinnati Bengals will be encouraging. And during that time, the Defensive unit have continued to play at a high level which has kept the Browns in games, even when they have fallen to a loss.

Controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball will give the Browns a real opportunity to win in Foxboro and they are capable of doing that. While they are without their top Running Back, the Browns are facing a New England team that could also be missing a couple of their players in that position and whose Offensive Line have not been as strong at opening running lanes as their counterparts on the other sideline.

Stopping the run, or containing it, is huge for teams in the NFL and this Cleveland Defense has played well enough to believe they can make it very difficult for Mac Jones at Quarter Back. The rookie has played really well this season, better than expected, and he will believe in his own ability.

However, it can be tough for a young Quarter Back to continue to try and move the chains from third and long and that could be a situation that New England are having to deal with on Sunday. Mac Jones will have some success, but he will have to be aware of the strong Cleveland pass rush which has helped a Browns Secondary turn the ball over.

I do like Cleveland in Week 10 and I think they can certainly keep this close by controlling the line of scrimmage. Losing Nick Chubb hurts, but D'Ernest Johnson has shown he can hit the holes hard behind this Cleveland Offensive Line. I expect he can do enough and Baker Mayfield will make the plays to try and secure the upset.

The Browns have a 5-1 record against the spread in their last six as the road underdog and I think they can use their strong Offensive Line to keep this one close.

Detroit Lions @ Pittsburgh Steelers Pick: They are still looking for a first win of the season, but the Detroit Lions (0-8) will be coming out of a Bye Week looking to change that fact. Having lost all eight games, it can be difficult to back them, even with the amount of points that Detroit are being given, but I do think the Lions are potentially dangerous.

Some may scoff at that and especially when you think they are playing the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) who have won four in a row to move above 0.500 and getting back in contention in the AFC North. Mike Tomlin has to be given a lot of credit for the way the Steelers are knuckling down and finding wins, but Ben Roethlisberger has admitted that they are still some way from their best.

Pittsburgh have won four in a row, but the last three wins have come by a combined 10 points and that should underline how inconsistent they have been. The Steelers are struggling on the Offensive side of the ball and I do think that makes it hard to believe they are going to blow out any team they face, even one that is searching for a first win.

I love the way that Najee Harris has been playing and how well he has taken to the professional game, but the Steelers have an inconsistent Offensive Line and they have not been racking up big yards on the ground. Instead it has been a methodical approach from the Steelers and I think Harris is going to have a decent game, if he starts, but the Lions have a Defensive Line that will feel they can make some plays up front.

The Lions may not be able to get a lot of pressure on Ben Roethlisberger, but the Quarter Back is not the player he once was and the deep shot has not been a big part of the Pittsburgh Offensive game-plan. Again, it should be a methodical approach from the Steelers which takes plenty of time off the clock and the Lions should be well prepared out of their Bye under Head Coach Dan Campbell which should see them play well enough on this side of the ball to keep this game within reach.

A major question for the Detroit Lions is whether they can find enough on the Offensive side of the ball to stay with the Steelers. Jared Goff is coming in off a really bad outing, but he should be given a little more support from the running game against a surprisingly open Pittsburgh Defensive Line.

It is all important for the Lions to try and keep the pressure off their Quarter Back and not have Jared Goff having to throw from third and long too often in this one. More importantly, Detroit's Offensive Line have not really been able to protect Jared Goff as the Quarter Back would have liked and they will want to keep the Steelers powerful pass rush from infiltrating the backfield by having short yardage situations to deal with.

That pass rush could be the key to the win for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Detroit Lions should be able to do enough to keep this relatively close.

The Steelers have not covered any of their last seven as the home favourite and that makes it hard to trust a team that is being asked to cover more than a Touchdown worth of points here. Detroit have extra preparation time and they are 14-6 against the spread in their last twenty off a blowout defeat at home and I do think the Lions can stay with their hosts in another competitive loss.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts Pick: Only the Tennessee Titans can boast having a winning record in the AFC South, but the Indianapolis Colts (4-5) will be looking to get back to 0.500 and at least becoming involved in the Wild Card race. The Colts won on Thursday Night Football in Week 9 and the extra time will do them well to just get a little healthier and prepare for a Divisional game.

The Colts will be focused as they are getting ready to host the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) who doubled their win total in 2021 when producing arguably the biggest upset of the season in a home win over the Buffalo Bills. Much of that was down to the strong Defensive effort produced by the Jaguars and they will need all of that in this one as they look to secure back to back wins and play spoiler for a Divisional rival.

A win is a win so you can't take anything away from Jacksonville from Week 9, but you also have to accept that they are going to need to produce a lot more Offense if they are going to win on the road. It would be a big help if James Robinson is back, but this is going to be a game-time decision for the Jaguars and I am not sure Carlos Hyde will be a big worry for the Indianapolis Colts Defensive Line to deal with.

James Robinson is a different kind of threat and one that has to be respected wherever he lines up on the field and when he leaks out of the backfield, but that is not really the case with the veteran Carlos Hyde. The Colts have been pretty stout up front as injuries have cleared up and I do think they can force the Jaguars to have to rely on Trevor Lawrence and the passing game to find any consistency in moving the chains.

Trevor Lawrence has been well protected, but the Jaguars have not had a consistent passing game, although there are some holes in the Indianapolis Secondary that can be exposed. It is a different story trying to do that from third and long, but the Jaguars can have some success when they are in front of the chains with the Offensive Line offering Lawrence some decent protection.

The Jaguars can have some success, but they have not exactly lit up the scoreboard in the last couple of games and that could be a real problem against an Indianapolis Colts team that have been much stronger Offensively since Carson Wentz has recovered to full health. The Quarter Back has been largely doing good enough, although he accepted the blame for the Colts loss to the Titans, and it helps Carson Wentz massively that the Indianapolis Offensive Line have opened up massive holes for Jonathan Taylor to power the run.

I love what Jonathan Taylor is doing and I expect him to get things going on the ground, which should make life all the easier for Carson Wentz. He is well protected by the Colts Offensive Line and I think Carson Wentz has the playmakers who can hurt the Jacksonville Secondary and help Indianapolis put up some big points once again.

The Colts have beaten the Jaguars by 20 points and 14 points in their last couple of home games against this rival and I do think they are capable of putting a big win together here. The Jaguars are off the emotional win over the Buffalo Bills and they may have a letdown, while I can't help but remember how they were blown out by the Geno Smith led Seattle Seahawks in their last road game.

Jacksonville are 1-4 against the spread in their last five after a win, so a letdown after the win over the Buffalo Bills can't be discounted even in a Divisional game.

The Colts have covered in their last four against a team with a losing record so they are doing what is expected of them when it is expected and I will look for the home team to earn a big win on the day.

Atlanta Falcons @ Dallas Cowboys Pick: A sub-par performance saw the Dallas Cowboys (6-2) blown out by the Denver Broncos in Week 9 and you just have to wonder whether that is a sign of things to come, or just a really bad spot for the team. They had won with a backup Quarter Back in Week 8 and having Dak Prescott back may have seen the team just lose a bit of focus against a non-Conference opponent.

There is another factor that could have served as a distraction- the Cowboys Defensive Co-Ordinator, Dan Quinn, has had a big impact with the team in 2021 and this is a revenge game for him as he faces a team he led to a Super Bowl place as Head Coach.

The Atlanta Falcons (4-4) upset the New Orleans Saints last time out and they are back at 0.500 for the season, but they have not really played with any real consistency this season. There has been a lot of positive talk about Dan Quinn, but you have to believe the Cowboys will benefit from his inside knowledge of the team they are facing this week and I do think they can have a big bounce back performance.

Dallas look the team to beat in the NFC East and even the defeat to the Broncos should not distract from the positives we have seen from them this season. The Offensive Line has not been as dominant as they would have liked in recent games, but I do think Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard will have a much bigger impact in this game compared with the one in Week 9 and they should be able to establish the run against a pretty average Atlanta Defensive Line.

These two players are key to everything the Cowboys want to do and moving the team in front of the chains should make things that much easier for Dak Prescott and the passing game. I expect Elliot and Pollard to have some nice numbers, but I also think the Quarter Back will be much healthier than he looked in the last game.

Dak Prescott will have time to make his throws and his Receiving corps is excellent, so it will be difficult for the Atlanta Secondary to stop the Dallas Cowboys.

It will be down to the Falcons Offense to try and keep up with the Cowboys and Matt Ryan has shown flashes of his best during the season. However, the Falcons have been really inconsistent and you can't always know what is coming from a team that is trying to back up an upset of Divisional rivals the New Orleans Saints.

Matt Ryan is not helped by an Offensive Line that has not really been opening many running lanes nor looked that comfortable in giving their Quarter Back a lot of time. The Falcons are likely to have some difficulty running the ball and any time they are in third and long spots, the Dallas Cowboys have shown they can generate a pass rush to get to the Quarter Back and force errors.

The Cowboys couldn't stop Teddy Bridgewater last week, but I expect much better execution all around from them in Week 10 and especially in trying to help Dan Quinn earn some revenge. Calvin Ridley is looking after his mental health so he won't be with the Falcons, and Matt Ryan may not have a lot of options when it comes to throwing the ball, while the Dallas Defense should be given the vulnerabilities of the Quarter Back from Quinn.

This is a big spread and Atlanta are 11-5 against the spread in their last sixteen on the road. However, the layers are only making Dallas a slightly bigger favourite than a Trevor Siemian led New Orleans in Week 9 and I think that is underestimating the Cowboys considerably.

The Falcons are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games following a win, while Dallas are 5-1 against the spread in their last six after a defeat.

Playing hard for their Defensive Co-Ordinator should mean Dallas are capable of avoiding the backdoor cover from Matty Ice and the Falcons and I will look for the Cowboys to secure a big home win to bounce back from the terrible performance in Week 9.

MY PICKS: Baltimore Ravens - 7.5 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (2 Units)

New Orleans Saints + 3 Points @ 1.83 Bet365 (2 Units)

Cleveland Browns + 2.5 Points @ 2.00 Sky Bet (2 Units)

Detroit Lions + 8.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Indianapolis Colts - 10.5 Points @ 1.95 Bet Victor (2 Units)

Dallas Cowboys - 8 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (2 Units)

Los Angeles Chargers - 3 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (2 Units)

Green Bay Packers - 3.5 Points @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units

Philadelphia Eagles + 2.5 Points @ 1.91 Sky Bet (2 Units)

Las Vegas Raiders + 2.5 Points @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Week 9: 2-5, - 6.28 Units (14 Units Staked, - 44.86% Yield)

Week 8: 1-6, - 10.18 Units (14 Units Staked, - 72.71% Yield)

Week 7: 2-1, + 1.64 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.33% Yield)

Week 6: 3-4, - 2.64 Units (14 Units Staked, - 18.86% Yield)

Week 5: 4-2-1, + 3.28 Units (14 Units Staked, + 23.43% Yield)

Week 4: 7-3, + 6.46 Units (20 Units Staked, + 32.30% Yield)

Week 3: 7-3, + 6.68 Units (20 Units Staked, + 33.40% Yield)

Week 2: 6-5, + 0.98 Units (22 Units Staked, + 4.45% Yield)

Week 1: 3-6, - - 6.46 Units (18 Units Staked, - 35.89% Yield)

Boxing Picks 2020- Terence Crawford vs Kell Brook (November 14th)

The lockdown continues in England and we will soon begin to hear whether it has had the intended hit on the spike of Coronavirus cases like the government would hope.

Perhaps then we can have a relatively normal Christmas, even if we won't be able to see our full families, while the positive news about the potential vaccine continues to offer some light at the end of the tunnel.

At least for the sporting fans in the country there is something to keep the mind interested with The Masters, the ATP World Tour Finals, and a couple of big Boxing cards to keep us entertained during what is usually a really boring international break.

Britain's Kell Brook is looking to show there is still plenty in the tank when he takes on a pound for pound Champion in Terence Crawford in the early hours of the morning, but before that Eddie Hearn has put together a card to showcase Women's Boxing.

Personally I do think the competitors would love to see the authorities change the rules so the World Titles can be fought out over Twelve Rounds, while there has been talk of wanting to extend the minutes per Round from two to three minutes. I do think that would make Women's Boxing more appealing to the masses, while the sport is slowly putting some depth together.

The three bouts scheduled for Saturday night look decent enough, but it is the Crawford-Brook card which is most appealing considering the chief support they are offering. It should be another late night for us in the United Kingdom, but one that I am looking forward to.

Thomas Whittaker Hart vs Jermaine Springer

He should have just been fighting at the Tokyo Olympics this past summer, but things have changed for many including Thomas Whittaker Hart.

Instead of waiting for the postponed Olympics to get underway next year, Thomas Whittaker Hart has decided to go Professional under the tutelage of Tony Bellew. Those connections have led to a long-term promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing and Whittaker Hart has been given a chance on the undercard of this bill at Wembley Arena.

The lack of fans is going to be a new experience for Whittaker Hart who is fighting for the first time in a little under a year, and that is where Jermaine Springer feels he has an advantage.

However it is a considerable step up for Springer who has a couple of Decision wins to his name since his sole defeat. Both of those wins for Jermaine Springer have come during a time in which Thomas Whittaker Hart has been out of the ring so the underdog has to take advantage of any potential rustiness that the 'bigger' name may enter the ring with.

In the sole defeat, Jermaine Springer was knocked down in the First Round and stopped in the Second and I do think Thomas Whittaker Hart is going to want to make a statement. He has won two of his four previous fights inside the distance and I do think it won't be too difficult for Whittaker Hart to find Springer in this one.

It feels like it might be something like a firefight and one that Thomas Whittaker Hart should get the better of in this one. Backing an early ending to this Eight Rounder looks the play.

John Docherty vs Jack Cullen

These two fighters were both scheduled to be on this card, but the original plan was that John Docherty and Jack Cullen were going to be in separate bouts.

Things change quickly during these pandemic times though and that meant Eddie Hearn instead has decided to throw these two in together in what should be a very good, entertaining watch.

John Docherty is unsurprisingly the favourite as the unbeaten Knock Out specialist. He is also the naturally bigger man.

Both were on the cards during Fight Camp in Eddie Hearn's back garden in the summer and Docherty continued his winning ways while Jack Cullen was perhaps fortunate to earn a Draw with Zak Chelli. That is the first fight Jack Cullen has had when moving up a weight and he did look to tire down the stretch and I do think that is a concern for him even in this Ten Rounder.

At Middleweight Jack Cullen has been stopped twice before in his defeats and I do think John Docherty is going to have too much punching power for him.

He might have to wear down Cullen as the Rounds progress and it did take Felix Cash Eight Rounds to finish off this opponent. I think it may be the same kind of time for John Docherty and backing him to come through with a stoppage in the second half of the bout is where I think this bout leads.

Terri Harper vs Katherina Thanderz

Two unbeaten fighters will look to be heading home with two belts at the end of this one and this is the main support to Katie Taylor's latest World Title defence.

Terri Harper and Katherina Thanderz feel much more closely matched than the layers believe and I do think the underdog will show some bite.

The Norwegian did hold the interim WBC Title last year, but Thanderz had to drop it and it has since been picked up by Terri Harper who was last seen earning a controversial draw with Nathasha Jonas. A rematch was touted, but that has been put on the back burner for now and the winner of this one may end up facing the Liverpudlian early in 2021 instead.

Terri Harper is the full WBC Champion going into this bout, and she does look to have the deeper resume, but Katherina Thanderz does hold a win over Rachel Ball.

She will come forward and look to unload some bombs, and Katherina Thanderz also has the reach advantage in this one so should be able to at least pop off on Terri Harper even when the younger fighter looks to fight long.

That was a mistake she made in her bout with Natasha Jonas as Harper was dragged into a battle, but I do think she will be looking to box more in this one. Maybe the faster hands and slipping in and out of reach is going to lead to a comfortable win for Terri Harper, but I do think Katherina Thanderz makes this one a closer and competitive bout than the layers may believe.

It will be very hard to take a Decision on the cards against the home fighter, but a small interest on Katherina Thanderz being able to drag Terri Harper into her kind of bout may see her sneak to a success here.

Katie Taylor vs Miriam Gutierrez

The main event on Saturday night in London sees Katie Taylor return to get one of her mandatories out of the way when she takes on unbeaten Miriam Gutierrez.

The last time we saw Katie Taylor she was winning a Decision against Delfine Persoon in a rematch from their barnstormer at Madison Square Garden in June 2019. This time Taylor was a lot more comfortable, and she is looking to move on to bigger fights in 2021.

It would be a huge surprise if Taylor was not able to win this one and I think most will be looking for a shut out on the cards. In her sixteen previous wins, only six have ended inside the distance and there is a feeling that Taylor puts together a lot of punches but maybe lacks some of the finishing power to get opponents out of there.

I do think she is hindered by the two minute Rounds and think an accumulation of punches would build up with those extra minutes that the men get.

However in this one I feel Miriam Gutierrez is taking a big step upwards and I am not sure she will have enough to last the distance. The 37 year old Spaniard doesn't have a resume that will intimidate Katie Taylor who has been operating at a much higher level and there has to be some concern that the underdog was Knocked Down the last time she was in the ring a little under twelve months ago.

My feeling is that Taylor is quickly going to assert her dominance in this one and much is going to depend on how durable the Spaniard is. The shorter Rounds will help, but you would think the accumulation and gradually one-sided nature of the bout will eventually force someone to make a decision here.

I can see Katie Taylor slowly building through the gears and wearing down Miriam Gutierrez and a small backing of a second half stoppage looks the play here. The referee may be forced to end things for the older fighter, and Taylor can move on to take on bigger names in the months ahead and hopefully coinciding with the fans returning to the Arenas.

Joshua Franco vs Andrew Moloney

The fight that may steal the show on Saturday evening comes on the undercard of the Terence Crawford-Kell Brook bill and it is a rematch from a really good one that took place back in June.

On that day the underdog Joshua Franco ripped the title away from Andrew Moloney, but the Australian looked for an immediate rematch. This time it is Franco who is the favourite and I think Moloney has to make some serious adjustments to get the better of the high volume puncher.

There is so much on the line with some huge fights to be made in this Division, while a win for Moloney would surely set up the trilogy especially as I am expecting another really good battle between these two.

Joshua Franco has the mental edge for me and he really begun to wear down on Andrew Moloney in the second half of the first fight. He managed to knock down a rugged opponent and had him seriously hurt down the stretch, and this time Franco has spoken about making sure the judges are not going to be needed.

Things started off well enough for Andrew Moloney, but he felt a little one-paced and I am not sure the immediate rematch was the best thing for him. His twin brother was stopped by Naoya Inoue last week and it has been a tough few months for the Moloney boys who are tough, rugged and game, but perhaps lacking some of the nuances to really become elite level fighters.

One element they will always offer is that they will be willing to stand and trade where they can and that will always make them appealing to American audiences and promoters. The problem for Andrew Moloney is that Joshua Franco seems to have a deeper engine and that could see him get on top and this time force a few more punches to end the fight before the final bell.

I am really looking forward to this one which should be eye-pleasing for as long as it lasts.

At the end I fancy repeat over revenge and this time with a much clearer victory for Joshua Franco by forcing an end to the contest before the cards are read out.

Terence Crawford vs Kell Brook

There looks to be some frustration coming out from Terence Crawford who feels his promotional banner has prevented him from taking on some of the biggest names in the 147 pound Division.

With a contract coming to an end over the next twelve months, Crawford has been struggling to find opponents of the level that a promoter like Al Haymon could offer him. It would not be a surprise to see the American pound for pound star move on to pastures new, but in the meantime he is looking to keep his unbeaten record intact and earn another strong win.

This is the second British fighter Terence Crawford will be taking on in the last eighteen months having stopped Amir Khan back in April 2019, and once again Crawford is a big favourite.

It isn't that long ago that Kell Brook would have been seen as a live underdog, but the feeling is that the British fighter has had his best days behind him and this is the opportunity for a last big payday. Changes to the training regime and the team do become a big concern at this stage of Kell Brook's career and his three wins in a row since back to back losses to Gennady Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr are not really going to be worrying anyone at the elite level.

Kell Brook has also come back down to 147 and, while he has looked really good at the weigh in, there is a feeling he is going to be drained and not the same fighter he once was.

In saying all that, I do think Kell Brook will give this a good go and early on he may tag Terence Crawford who can be a slow starter. Eventually the Champion does begin to work out what he is seeing and he can break down opponents gradually, but also quick enough to have won his last seven inside the distance.

Terence Crawford has spite in his punches and he is also a keen finisher and I do think that is something that we have seen happen to Kell Brook in both losses. He started well enough, but was broken down and had the spirit knocked out of him before the body gave up too and I think that is what we will see on Saturday evening.

Only two of the seven straight stoppages earned by Crawford have come in the first half of the fight which underlines his accumulative approach to breaking down opponents across the ring from him. That is the most likely way this latest defence of his WBO Welterweight Title goes and I will back the Nebraskan to find the punches to force a referee or corner to pull out Kell Brook at somewhere around the Championship Rounds.

MY PICKS: Thomas Whittaker Hart-Jermaine Springer Either Fighter to Win Between 1-4 @ 2.87 Sky Bet (2 Units)

John Docherty to Win Between 6-10 @ 2.37 Sky Bet (2 Units)

Katherina Thanderz to Win by Decision/Technical Decision @ 7.50 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Katie Taylor to Win Between 6-10 @ 5.00 Sky Bet (1 Unit)

Joshua Franco to Win Between 7-12 @ 6.50 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Terence Crawford to Win Between 7-12 @ 2.25 Sky Bet (2 Units)

College Football Week 11 Picks 2020 (November 14th)

I'll be honest and say where my NFL Picks have been largely working out pretty effectively, my College Football Picks have been terrible.

I do think the fact that this is not a pro sport is perhaps making things a little more funky in this pandemic times, while the start times of the various Conferences have also not helped matters.

Those are excuses and I need to be better going forward having felt like I have missed some good angles and overplayed others.

Let's hope Week 11 is considerably better.

Vanderbilt Commodores @ Kentucky Wildcats Pick: The SEC has lost a number of games in Week 11 as the Covid-19 virus rips through some of the schools, but the Kentucky Wildcats and the Vanderbilt Commodores will get to take the limelight in the early slot. Both teams have struggled in the 2020 season with the Wildcats at 2-4 and the Commodores at 0-5, but there might be more motivation in the Kentucky camp who will still be looking to earn enough wins to become Bowl eligible at the least.

That is already looking beyond Vanderbilt who have not really played spoiler either with some heavy losses to hand. They have challenged the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Week 10 before going down to a defeat, their best performance since the end of September in their first game, but Vanderbilt remain a big underdog going into Week 11.

On the face of things you do have to wonder what Kentucky have done to be such a favourite especially as they have scored a combined 13 points in their last two games which have both resulted in defeats. At least they have had a Bye Week to re-focus ahead of two big games against the Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida Gators, but Kentucky will need some momentum to take into those games against the favourites to compete in the SEC Championship Game assuming the regular season can be closed out despite the virus forcing some games to be re-scheduled and possibly cancelled.

It is the Offensive side of the ball that the Wildcats need to improve if they are going to be more than a road bump for the two top teams in the SEC. They do have a chance to showcase some of that in this one against the struggling Commodores Defensive unit, but the problem has been the Quarter Back position and there is no doubting how ineffective that can make any Offensive unit in American Football when you are not getting enough from that player.

Kentucky should be able to at least run the ball efficiently in this game having just struggled in their last three games for consistency. They are facing a Vanderbilt Defensive Line which has not coped with the ground game and the Wildcats will be very aware of the importance of establishing the run and at least giving Joey Gatewood, the expected starting Quarter Back, an opportunity to have a better game than he managed against the Georgia Bulldogs two weeks ago.

Joey Gatewood struggled to make plays for big yards in that game despite what looks like a good percentage of passes completed, but Kentucky know they need him to pick up the play so teams can't focus down on stopping the run. Running the ball will slow down the Vanderbilt pass rush, but Gatewood has to make plays against a Commodores Secondary which has not contained the passing game at all this season.

If he can do that, Kentucky will feel they can score enough points to produce a comfortable win with their Defensive unit picking up the slack even in the losing efforts of late. While the Offense has produced 13 points in the last two games, the Defensive unit has only allowed 34 points and that despite being put in short fields or having to protect from turnovers.

There have been one or two signs that the Vanderbilt Commodores have found an Offensive identity which has been working for them, but this is a step up when it comes to the level of Defensive opponent they are facing. Keyon Henry-Brooks has had two solid outings at Running Back, but the Vanderbilt Offensive Line will not find it easy to establish the run against this Wildcats Defensive Line and that will mean pressure on their young Quarter Back.

Ken Seals has helped the Commodores average over 275 passing yards per game across his last three starts, but again you have to credit the Kentucky Secondary for the way they have played even in losing efforts. The one negative for the Wildcats has been a lack of a real pass rush, but that has still not affected their ability to make plays and Seals has to be aware that this is a team who have turned the ball over through the air.

It is a huge spread and that has to be a concern when you think of the Kentucky Offensive struggles- it might mean leaning on the Defensive unit to come up and make some big plays, but they have managed that in wins over Mississippi State and Tennessee last month. Kentucky have also blown out Vanderbilt in two of their last three meetings, although games here have been much closer.

Vanderbilt are 4-10 against the spread in their last fourteen games as the underdog and did put in a huge effort to come up short in Week 10. The Wildcats are 6-2 against the spread in their last eight as the home favourite and I think there is just enough in the tank to see them cover this big number in Week 11.

Indiana Hoosiers @ Michigan State Spartans Pick: The late start to the Big Ten Conference in the 2020 College Football season may be accounting for some of the strange early results. In the Big Ten East the Michigan State Spartans, Michigan Wolverines and Penn State Nittany Lions have a combined 2-7 record, while the Indiana Hoosiers and Maryland Terrapins are in the top three with a combined 5-1 record.

The Hoosiers fans will point out that two of their wins have been over the Wolverines and the Nittany Lions and they will head to East Lansing with plenty of confidence behind them that they can beat the Spartans too. A blow out win over the Wolverines as a home underdog will only have underlined how well Indiana have been playing and this is a huge challenge for Michigan State who have been set as the home underdog in Week 11.

The Spartans also upset rivals Michigan, but their defeat to Rutgers and the blow out loss to Iowa suggests that the Wolverines are simply not that good. The same can be said for Michigan State and it is perhaps no surprise that the early season results have ended up with Vegas not wanting to disrespect Indiana and overrate Michigan State any more.

Pressure has been on Rocky Lombardi at the Quarter Back position for the Michigan State Spartans and much of that is down to the fact that the Offensive Line have not been able to open consistent holes for the running game. The Spartans are averaging an awful 2.2 yards per carry through their opening three games of the season, and Michigan State cannot expect to find a lot of success in this one which is going to mean leaning on a Quarter Back who has been inconsistent to say the least.

If you simply look at the passing yards you won't be too down on Rocky Lombardi who is close to averaging 300 passing yards per game, but that does not tell the whole story by any stretch of the imagination. Interceptions have been a real issue for Lombardi and he is now taking on an Indiana Secondary who have thrived on creating turnovers even if they do play 'bend, don't break' Defense at times.

You do have to believe the Spartans Offensive Line can give Lombardi some time to make plays, but he has not been able to take advantage. It is also very difficult to be consistent when teams know you have to throw as the running game is leaving the Spartans in third and long far too often and that is where Indiana will look to continue to make some big plays and remain on course in the Big Ten East.

The turnovers have been key for Indiana who have not really played as well on the Offensive side of the ball as they have Defensively. Like the Spartans, Indiana may struggle for balance when they have the ball as they have struggled to run the ball with consistency and Michigan State still roll out a Defensive Line which is capable of making big plays on the line of scrimmage.

Michael Penix Jr has simply been better than Rocky Lombardi when it comes to his Quarter Back play and he has improved to 8-1 as a starter for the Hoosiers. The one loss will need to be avenged on Saturday as it came against the Spartans in 2019, but Penix Jr has to worry about himself and making sure he continues to play smart football.

He has avoided the turnovers which have killed Michigan State and the Spartans Secondary has not made the same kind of plays as Indiana's have. Michael Penix Jr should have time with his Offensive Line protecting him well enough and the Quarter Back should be able to make some big throws against this Michigan State Secondary which has played better than their overall record may suggest.

Indiana do have a miserable record against this Divisional rival and that is a concern, but I do think the road underdog can do enough to cover this spread in a win. The Hoosiers are playing with confidence compared with Michigan State and their wins over Penn State and Michigan should stand them in good stead even if the scenario is different as a big favourite rather than an underdog.

I just believe Indiana's Defensive unit will set up a couple of short fields for Michael Penix Jr and their Offensive unit and that will be the key to helping maintain an unbeaten start to the 2020 season. The Hoosiers do have a miserable record against the spread as the road favourite, but Michigan State are 3-14 against the spread in their last seventeen at home.

The favourite has tended to do well in this Divisional series though and I do think Indiana are a much stronger team- I will look for them to cover thanks to a couple of late Interceptions which sees them head over this line.

TCU Horned Frogs @ West Virginia Mountaineers Pick: Both of these Big 12 teams are at 3-3 within the Conference which means the losing team in Week 11 will unlikely be in contention for the Championship Game. The winning team will only have a slim chance of becoming involved in the race for the Championship Game, but they will at least have some opportunity in a Conference which is led by teams who have already dropped a game.

The TCU Horned Frogs may have the momentum with back to back wins going into Week 11, while the West Virginia Mountaineers have dropped two of their last three.

It won't mean a lot in this game as the Mountaineers look to protect their unbeaten record at home in 2020 and the Horned Frogs look to keep the momentum going after those wins over Baylor and Texas Tech.

TCU have scored 33 and 34 points in those wins and they will be looking to establish the run against West Virginia in Week 11 from which their entire Offensive unit operates. In recent games there have been signs that the Mountaineers Defensive Line is beginning to wear down and that could be music to the ears of the Horned Frogs Quarter Back Max Duggan who had 154 yards on the ground in the win over Texas Tech last time out.

Max Duggan will appreciate how tough the Mountaineers can be when it comes to clamping down on the run having been held to 23 yards on the ground against this Conference rival in 2019. The TCU Offensive Line have paved the way for some big gains running the ball, but West Virginia have to be respected even if there has been a decline in their numbers over their last three games compared with the season as a whole.

It could be the make or break for the Horned Frogs Offensively on how well they are able to run the ball, because Duggan has not been as consistent throwing the ball as he would have liked. The Mountaineers Secondary have also played well and this is a team who can produce the turnovers to slow teams down when it comes to moving the ball against them and it is something the Horned Frogs can't really afford to do in what should be a competitive game.

Being back at home should be a huge boost for West Virginia who have been much stronger here than on the road in 2020. Their numbers reflect that and most notably with Leddie Brown as the Running Back is averaging a little under double the yards on the ground at home as he is on the road.

Leddie Brown is back in comfortable surroundings in Week 11, but the TCU Horned Frogs have long been a very stout Defensive Line and they are trotting out another one of those onto the field. In their last three games they have forced teams to average just 3.1 yards per carry on the ground and clamping down on Brown will at least give the team the chance to protect the Secondary.

That has been an area of weakness for TCU in 2020, although a part of the reason has been how strong they are on the line of scrimmage which forces teams to take to the air to try and move the ball. The Horned Frogs have allowed over 250 passing yards per game on average across their last three games and West Virginia have really been throwing the ball well enough to believe they can have success here even if Brown is limited on the ground.

The Horned Frogs have gotten their pass rush ramped up as they have shut down teams on the ground and that has to be a concern for West Virginia even if their Offensive Line have largely played well. Getting into the Quarter Back could force some mistakes throwing into this Secondary, although Jarret Doege has looked after the ball to make sure he gives the Mountaineers as much of a chance to win games as possible.

Having a full Field Goal with the road team looks very appealing here in what should be a very close game and I do think that is the best approach to this Week 11 outing in the Big 12. Both teams do have some strong trends as the road underdog/home favourite respectively, although the one concern has to be the fact that TCU have not covered in the last four of this Conference series.

The Mountaineers have blown out TCU the last two times they have hosted them, but I expect this one to be much closer with the Horned Frogs playing well at the moment. The underdog is 5-3 against the spread in the last eight in this rivalry and I will take the points here too.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Boston College Eagles Pick: The benefit of playing in a Conference is that you can sometimes overcome a single loss and still make your way into the College Football PlayOff picture. The defeat could always be avenged in the Championship Game, while Alabama have shown it is possible to earn a spot in the PlayOff even if you don't reach that Conference Championship Game but only have a single loss on the record.

Being invited into the ACC was seen as the chance for usually Independent Notre Dame Fighting Irish to show they can have the resume to make the PlayOff and the win over the Clemson Tigers in Week 10 is a huge boost towards that. They are now the only unbeaten team in this Conference, although that win as an Independent might have been good enough to earn a spot in the post-season and now they have to likely beat the Tigers again in the Championship Game later in the year.

Brian Kelly won't be worrying about that for now and instead the focus has to be on maintaining an unbeaten record through to the Championship Game. With that in mind they have to make sure they do not overlook the 5-3 Boston College Eagles who have already given the Clemson Tigers a scare in the regular season in 2020.

This is clearly not an ideal spot for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish having used so much emotion to beat the Tigers in Overtime last week. Next on deck is the North Carolina Tar Heels who have been playing well in 2020 too and so it could be easy to think Boston College are going to be an 'easy' opponent between those tough games.

In recent games the Boston College Defensive Line have improved their play considerably and that will be encouraging as they will try and make Notre Dame a little one-dimensional. Shutting down the run, or at least limiting it, will force Boston College to make Ian Book beat them although the Quarter Back is coming in off arguably his best ever College game.

Ian Book is capable of making some plays with his legs as well as his arm and he has largely been very careful with the ball to avoid turnovers and putting his team in a difficult position. He will have to be aware of the positive pass rush Boston College have been able to generate in recent games, but there are holes in the Secondary which Ian Book should be capable of exploiting and at least making sure Notre Dame are moving the ball even when they get behind the chains.

The care with which the Quarter Back has been throwing should mean Notre Dame have successful drives and that is going to put some pressure on Boston College even as a big home underdog in their search for an upset.

Boston College have been playing well, but they are not going to have it easy against this Notre Dame Defensive unit which has shown themselves as one of the top units in the nation. We may not have seen an awful lot of that in their win over Clemson in Week 10, but Boston College are not as strong Offensively as the Tigers although they do have a Quarter Back who should be heading into this game with a lot of motivation to have a very strong game.

It is unlikely that the Eagles are going to be ripping off too many big plays on the ground and so the pressure is going to shift to Phil Jurkovec who actually transferred from the Fighting Irish to the Eagles. He was not likely going to beat out Ian Book, but Jurkovec wanted playing time and he is going to want to show his former team what they may have had.

In all honesty Phil Jurkovec is not better than Ian Book, but you can't rule out the motivation he has to have a big performance. The Quarter Back has been well protected by his Offensive Line so he should have some time to make his plays, while the Notre Dame Secondary have given up one or two big plays that Jurkovec has to take advantage of.

You would be surprised if Phil Jurkovec can out-duel Ian Book for the entire sixty minutes, but the spot does look a good one for the Boston College Eagles to keep things close. They were blown out by Notre Dame last year, but the underdog is 9-4 against the spread in the last thirteen between these rivals and Boston College's 6 point defeat to Clemson can't be ignored.

While Notre Dame have been a solid enough road favourite to back at the window, Boston College have covered the spread in their last five as the home underdog. After an emotional win, I will look for Notre Dame to do enough to win this game but no blow out Boston College and so taking the points on offer looks appealing enough for me.

MY PICKS: Kentucky Wildcats - 17.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Indiana Hoosiers - 7.5 Points @ 1.95 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

TCU Horned Frogs + 3 Points @ 1.95 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Boston College Eagles + 11.5 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (1 Unit)

Houston Cougars - 13.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Florida Gators - 17 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (1 Unit)

Northwestern Wildcats - 3 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)