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NASCAR Cup Series HighPoint.com 400

Posted on by Ryan Knuppel

While the NASCAR Cup Series has tackled a new street circuit, technical Grand Prix tracks, and a variety of series-defining ovals, the Drivers have another familiar challenge to face: the tri-oval at Pocono. With the NASCAR playoff cutoff six races away, there are still many points to put on the board and for Drivers on the bubble to make their cases for a playoff spot.

However, Martin Truex Jr. has already booked his ticket to the playoffs and likely enter as the betting favorite to win the 2023 Cup Series Championship, especially after cruising to a win in New Hampshire. BangtheBook goes inside the stats at Pocono, NASCAR odds, and recent performances to find the best bets for the HighPoint.com 400.

Toyota’s Pocono Dominance to Continue?

Depending on your sportsbook’s selection of NASCAR prop bet odds, you may be able to find a betting line for the winning manufacturer. If so, you’ll need to consider Toyota as your pick, considering Toyota has won six of the previous eight races at Pocono.

Moreover, Toyota would have won seven of the previous eight races had Denny Hamlin not been disqualified after finishing first in 2022. Hamlin is one of a few Toyota Drivers with past success at Pocono or is having great seasons sitting atop the HightPoint.com 400 betting favorites.

Toyota Betting Favorites

There are three Toyota Drivers atop the NASCAR standings and Highpoint.com 400 odds who could win this weekend in Pocono.

Martin Truex Jr. (+550) – the current Drivers’ standings leader – is among the betting favorites and has been on a run of form since Bristol. Truex Jr. has won two of the previous five races while having three top-two finishes in the last five. On the season, Truex Jr. has three race wins, seven top-five, and eleven top-ten finishes while having three top-ten finishes in the last five races at Pocono.

Denny Hamlin (+550) can surpass Bill Elliott as the winningest Driver at Pocono, currently sitting at four Cup Series wins on the tri-oval (2006, 2009, 2019, 2020). Hamlin has three top-five finishes in the last five races at Pocono, with one race win and eight top-ten finishes this season.

The third Toyota driver BangtheBook is favoring is Christopher Bell (+1600). Bell has two top-five finishes in the last five races at Pocono, one race win, and ten top-ten finishes this season. However, Bell only has two top-ten finishes in the last six races.

Hendrick Motorsports Leading the Chevrolet Charge

While Toyota has been very successful at Pocono recently, Chevrolet and Chase Elliott (+1400) were awarded the race win at Pocono in 2022.

Elliott’s charge toward the final NASCAR playoff spot continues, having missed six races earlier this season.  Elliott has two top-five finishes in the last five races at Pocono, having seven top-ten finishes in thirteen races this season.

Kyle Larson (+800) has two top-five finishes in the last three races and a win on the Xfinity Series at Pocono, scoring his tenth top-ten finish of the season at New Hampshire.

William Byron (+1000) has two top-ten finishes in the last five races at Pocono while having four race wins and eleven top-ten finishes this season.

Previous Winner and Perennial Betting Favorite, Kyle Busch

Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch (+550) is always a contender to score top-ten finishes and has won at Pocono three times (2017, 2018, 2021). Busch’s streak of seven consecutive top-ten finishes ended at New Hampshire, but he has two race wins and twelve top-ten finishes in total this season.

BangtheBook’s Highpoint.com 400 Betting Pick

Busch and Hamlin had won the previous five races at Pocono, while had Hamlin’s win stood last year, that streak would’ve been extended to six. 

We’re taking Denny Hamlin to win, Busch and Hamlin for top-ten and top-five finishes at Pocono, alongside Truex Jr. and Byron to finish in the top ten.

UFC London Event Preview

Posted on by Ryan Knuppel

UFC London is back and stacked yet again with great fights showcasing some of the UK and Europe’s best talent. Every fight, from the opening prelim to the main event, has a chance to be the fight of the night and put on a great performance for both the fans in attendance and the folks watching at home.

Before you place bets on this weekend’s event, let’s take a look at what fights stick out and how you can capitalize on betting lines to win big on this London event. There is a trend starting to form that shows London events really like knockouts and submissions, and it’s like a home game for the UK fighters.

Breaking down these fights both analytically and technically is the key to winning wagers and ending the weekend in the green area at your local sportsbook. What picks are the lock of the night? What are the sleeper picks to make to really bang the book this weekend?

Check out UFC odds on BetUS

Main Event – Aspinall vs. Tybura

The fight that his card is built around. The return of UK’s future UFC heavyweight champ, Tom Aspinall, is upon us and will happen finally a year after his terrible knee injury in the same arena. 

Aspinall will be taking on the #10 ranked heavyweight Marcin Tybura and that will be no easy task. Tybura is a tough, durable, and experienced fighter that has 7 wins against ranked opponents in his last 8 fights. This is also his chance to make a statement and earn a title eliminator fight in his next appearance.

But there is no way you can pick against Aspinall here. Since his money line is all the way at -450, think about taking him to win in round 1 at +100. These are great odds, and you can cash out big with this pick. Aspinall is so talented and dangerous, it’s going to be hard for anyone to make it out of the first round against him.

Other Key Fights

It’s tough to make picks on this card because the matchmaking is actually very well done this time around. It’s the perfect mix of favoring the UK fighters, but also making a great clash of styles and evenly matched fights from top to bottom. 

Going down the main card, Molly McCann is making her long-awaited return as well after a tough performance against Erin Blanchfield last November at Madison Square Garden. She matches up really well against Stoliarenko and will most likely get a KO victory inside the distance.

Nathaniel Wood, another UK fighter, will have his work cut out for him against Andre Fili this weekend. But Wood is another one of those fighters where you just can’t bet against him right now. He is so good and on a rocket ship up to the top of the featherweight division. 

One last fight to look at to make a pick on is Davey Grant vs. Daniel Marcos. This is a tough matchup for both guys, as Grant has been in the octagon with some of the best, and Marcos is a very talented upcoming prospect. 

You have to go with a pick in Grant’s favor here, as he is the underdog, and those odds are perfect to score on. He is most likely going to take this undefeated prospect into deep water and get a finish in the third round. It’s also Grant’s first time competing in the UK since 2016, and he will be buzzing off that energy all night.

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NFL PRESEASON ODDS: A Look at Super Bowl Odds

Posted on by Ryan Knuppel

The 2023 NFL season is set to start in September, and that’s a date that is approaching very quickly. Odds for Week 1 and Week 2 games have already been set, but that’s not the only option when it comes to betting on the most popular league in the United States. 

Now is a perfect time to start looking at the NFL futures odds, and there are plenty of great betting options to explore. One that always tends to attract plenty of betting action is making a wager on which team is going to win the Super Bowl. 

Here is a look at the odds heading into the 2023 season, but remember that these odds can also shift at any time throughout the year. 

Check out NFL odds on BetUS

Four Betting Favorites

The first place to start when looking at the future odds to win the Super Bowl is trying to identify the betting favorites. This league does tend to be one with plenty of parity, but there are always some teams that stand out among the rest as well. 

Heading into the 2023 NFL season, it appears that there are four teams expected to stand out from the rest of the pack. Here are those four teams and the odds that you are going to see if you want to make this bet:

  • Kansas City Chiefs +650
  • Philadelphia Eagles +700
  • Cincinnati Bengals +850
  • San Francisco 49ers +850

It’s no surprise that the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are the two betting favorites to win the Super Bowl as that was the matchup last season in the big game. Kansas City got the better of Philadelphia, and the Chiefs are loaded with talent yet again. 

Cincinnati has been a top challenger of Kansas City over the past two years, and the odds set for them suggest that they are ready to break through. San Francisco had a miserable 2023 season, but they should be a great team in the NFC. 

Serious Contenders

While you can make a case that all four of the betting favorites are going to be tough to beat in 2023, this is also a league in which some big surprises do happen. If you are going to be looking to get some more value with this bet then there are a few serious contenders to keep your eye on. 

Here is a look at some of the odds for the top contenders that you are going to want to keep an eye on this season:

  • Buffalo Bills +1200
  • New York Jets +1400
  • Dallas Cowboys +1600
  • Miami Dolphins +1800

The Buffalo Bills have actually been Super Bowl betting favorites over the last few years, but they just continue to struggle to get it done in the playoffs. It’s a bit of a surprise to see the New York Jets at +1400, but having Aaron Rodgers at quarterback should make that team much better. 

Longshots to Watch

One of the best reasons to make a futures bet on any sport is that there is a chance at securing a really big payout with this type of wager. With that in mind, taking a look at some long shots that appear to have a decent shot at winning the Super Bowl is a great strategy.

The Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers both have odds set at +2500 heading into the 2023 season, and those teams are loaded with talent. Baltimore has had some recent playoff success, and they have what it takes to contend. 

The New England Patriots have odds set at +5000 to win the Super Bowl this season, and you won’t usually see odds like that for a team coached by Bill Belichick. A lot would have to go right for the Patriots to win the Super Bowl, but this franchise can get it done.

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The Open Championship Betting Preview

Posted on by Ryan Knuppel

The 151st Open Championship is here, with the world’s best golfers descending on Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England for the final major of the 2023 calendar. Royal Liverpool is hosting the major event for the 13th time in history and the first since 2014. Tournament play kicks off on Thursday, July 20th, with the opening round, and a champion is crowned following four days of play on Sunday, July 23rd.

Australia’s Cameron Smith is the defending champion after capturing his first major title last year at St. Andrews. Smith made a late charge on Sunday to win the Claret Jug, shooting a four-day score of 268 (20-under). Smith defeated Cameron Young by one shot and 56-hole leader Rory McIlroy by two.

Check out Golf odds on BetUS

Royal Liverpool Golf Club

The golf course was founded in 1869 and was originally designed by Robert Chambers and George Morris. Harry Colt took care of the first redesign in the early 20th century, and the property has been tweaked periodically since to adjust for the advancements in equipment. After a 39-year hiatus, the venue hosted the Open Championship again in 2006, with Tiger Woods taking home his third Open trophy. 

There have been dozens of changes made to the course since it last hosted the 2014 championship. The par-71 layout stretches approximately 7,313 yards from the back tees. Notable changes include a new par-3 17th, replacing a par 4, and the tenth hole now playing as a par 4 versus a par 5.

The Field

The field of 156 players is set following the conclusion of last week’s Scottish Open and Barbasol Championship in the States. Players in the field have gained entry through various forms, including regional and final qualifying as well as exemptions based on official world golf rankings. Amateurs in the field include the winners of the Amateur Championship and U.S. Amateur.

Players who earned their way into the field through the Open Qualifying Series included Kurt Kitayama, Trey Mullinax, Harris English, Davis Riley, and Ben Griffin. Royal Liverpool member Matthew Jordan made it through Final Qualifying in West Lancashire to earn a spot in the Open, playing his home course.

Betting Favorites

The top of the pre-tournament odds board is littered with the top golfers in the world. Rory McIlroy (+800), winner of last week’s Scottish Open, headlines the list of favorites heading into Thursday’s first round.

McIlroy’s Scottish Open win was the 24th of his career as gears up for a run at the final major of the season. A win at Royal Liverpool would be McIlroy’s first major title since 2014.

The no. 1 and no. 2 players in the world, Scottie Scheffler (+900) and Jon Rahm (+900), trail closely behind McIlroy. Scheffler had another solid week in Scotland, settling for a T3 finish. The finish was the seventh consecutive result inside the top five for the 27-year-old. Rahm hasn’t been in action since early June and has played just four times since a solo second at the Mexico Open at the end of April.

2023 PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka (+1200) and last year’s Open champion Smith (+1800) round out the top five betting favorites. Koepka can add his first Claret Jug and sixth major victory to his resume with a victory. Smith hopes to be the first golfer since Tiger in ‘05 and ‘06 to win back-t0-back Open titles.

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NASCAR Cup Series Crayon 301

Posted on by Ryan Knuppel

The NASCAR Cup Series moves from a larger speedway to the one-mile oval at New Hampshire for the Crayon 301 this weekend, with the Cup Series playoffs rapidly approaching. While William Byron won his fourth race of the season, two drivers earned their first top-three finishes this season in Atlanta. However, New Hampshire has been dominated by Ford and Toyota recently, and our betting preview is filled with their drivers.

BangtheBook reviews the field, recent performances, and the current odds to find the best bets in our NASCAR Cup Series Crayon 301 betting preview.

Check out Nascar Cup Series odds on BetUS

Toyota versus Ford

While not all sportsbooks have betting lines for winning manufacturers, New Hampshire has been dominated by two teams recently: Toyota and Ford. Ford had won four consecutive races (2018-2021) before Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell won last season’s race.

Toyota (2013, 2015-2017, 2022) and Ford (2014, 2018-2021) have won the last ten races in New Hampshire, with each manufacturer having won five races.

Joe Gibbs Racing

Joe Gibbs Racing was the team responsible for the last four Toyota wins in New Hampshire and has three drivers among the betting favorites and must be considered for any top-ten betting line picks.

Christopher Bell (+600) has had a drop in their finishing results recently, having six sub-11th place finishes in the last seven races. However, Bell is among the betting favorites, having won in New Hampshire last season and having one race win and ten top-ten finishes this season.

Martin Truex Jr. (+600) is the second contender from Joe Gibbs Racing and has two top-five finishes in his last three trips to New Hampshire. Turex Jr. has two sub-29th finishes in his last two races but has two race wins and nine top-ten finishes this season.

Denny Hamlin (+800) has three top-ten finishes in the last three races in New Hampshire Hamlin has one race win and seven top-ten finishes this season.

The Ford’s in Contention

There are three Fords in contention for the race win, with two drivers having previous wins in New Hampshire.

Stewart-Haas’ Kevin Harvick (+1200) won back-to-back races in New Hampshire in 2018 and 2019 and has three top-three finishes in the last three races in New Hampshire. Harvick has finished 24th or lower in the last three races and has seven top-ten finishes this season.

Team Penske has two drivers in contention: Ryan Blaney (+1400) and 2009 race winner Joey Logano (+1600), and neither has been in outstanding form recently. Blaney has three sub-30th finishes in his last four races but has one race win and nine top-ten finishes this season, while Logano has two sub-17th place finishes in his previous three races but holds one race win and nine top-ten finishes, including three in the last five races. 

Hendrick Motorsports-Chevrolet’s Crayon 301 Contenders

If Chevrolet is going to win for the first time in New Hampshire since 2012, look no further than current Drivers’ Championship leader William Byron (+1000). Byron is coming off a win in Atlanta, his fourth of the season, and has 11 top-ten finishes this season and could be a real contender to win the Cup Series Championship.

No NASCAR betting odds or previews are free from Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott.

Elliott has two top-ten finishes at New Hampshire in the last three races and has seven top-ten finishes in the 12 races he’s competed in.

Larson has two race wins and nine top-ten finishes this season but only has one top-ten finish at New Hampshire since February 2020. Larson was riding a four-race streak of top-ten finishes before finishing 26th last week in Atlanta.

BangtheBook’s Crayon 301 Betting Pick

While we have numerous picks for top-five and top-ten finishes, BangtheBook is picking Christopher Bell to score back-to-back wins this season and at New Hampshire.

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NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Preview

Posted on by Ryan Knuppel

The NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400, presented by Walmart race is gearing up to be a thrilling and adrenaline-pumping event that is set to take place on July 9, 2023. NASCAR enthusiasts and motorsport fans alike are eagerly awaiting the green flag at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. 

Check out Nascar Cup Series odds on BetUS

Intense Competition

As one of the premier races in the NASCAR Cup Series, the Quaker State 400 will showcase the talents of some of the best drivers in the world. The track’s unique 1.5-mile layout presents challenges that test the skill and nerves of the competitors. Drivers will navigate the 400.4 miles of high-banked turns and strive to find the perfect racing line to gain a competitive advantage over their rivals. 

Although Atlanta Motor Speedway falls short of Daytona’s 2.5-mile length, the upcoming race introduces a visually impressive transformation to its 1.5-mile circuit. This significant redesign from 2022 not only creates the illusion of a colossal speedway but also presents an unforeseen shape, marking a challenge for drivers and sports bettors.

Top Contenders

The Quaker State 400 is likely to feature a star-studded lineup of drivers, including past champions and rising talents. Veterans such as Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., and Kevin Harvick will be looking to add another victory to their illustrious careers. 

Meanwhile, younger talents like Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Kyle Larson are eager to make their mark and secure a win in this prestigious event. With a mix of experience and youth, the race is bound to be a clash of skill and determination.

Busch On Top

Busch emerged as the frontrunner, despite his lack of success in Atlanta’s new racing format, which has eluded him thus far, despite two victories in his 27 previous appearances. The former Quaker State 400 champion, Elliott, trails closely behind as the second favorite. 

Meanwhile, Joey Logano, who triumphed this spring, had endured a rather tumultuous run in Atlanta, finishing 23rd, 10th, 15th, 19th, ninth, and 26th, respectively, in his last six starts before his victorious reign in March. In his recent racing season, Logano showcased his skills by securing a diverse range of placements, including second, first, and 30th positions on the track. 

Blaney To Watch

Ryan Blaney, on the other hand, exhibited his prowess by clinching the fourth spot in 2020, triumphing in the race held in 2021, and settling for fifth place in the July 2021 race. Furthermore, Blaney attained 17th and 5th positions in two separate races at Atlanta during the previous year, while securing a respectable seventh position during this spring.

Blaney possesses exceptional prowess when it comes to superspeedways, making him a formidable contender in races akin to Daytona or Talladega. Should this race follow suit with the aforementioned tracks, Blaney’s performance will leave you pleasantly satisfied. Notably, he has secured three top-8 finishes in all of his attempts on this course throughout the current season. 

Don’t Rule Out Chastain

On the other hand, Chastain achieved an admirable second-place finish in both races held in Atlanta during the year 2022. It is also worth mentioning that Chastain emerged victorious on the renowned Talladega track last spring. Beware of his Sunday performance, as his recent victory that broke his losing streak could be a sign of what’s to come.

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UFC 290 Event Preview

Posted on by Ryan Knuppel

International Fight Week is already here as we mark the halfway point of the 2023 UFC schedule. UFC 290 is taking place in Las Vegas this weekend to headline the festivities with a card full of unreal fights.

The headlining bout is a featherweight title fight between P4P great Alexander Volkanovski and interim title holder Yair Rodriguez. The world-class skill that Volkanovski has in all aspects of MMA, going up against the dynamic striking and submission ability of Rodriguez, makes for a great fight to watch.

The rest of the card is filled with great fights. The co-main event is the flyweight world title fight between champion Brandon Moreno and his familiar foe Alexandre Pantoja. Along with that, we get to watch the great Robert Whittaker take on exciting rising contender Dricus Du Plessis. 

With many more fights filling out the card from top to bottom, let’s see what the best bets are for this weekend to really bang the book.

Check out UFC 290 odds on BetUS

Main Event – Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez

Starting at this amazing main event bout, Volkanovksi is arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world right now and he is defending his featherweight bout against the interim title holder Yair Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is a Mexican martial artist that has transformed the sport of MMA in Mexican culture. With the help of current UFC champs Brandon Moreno and Alexa Grasso, they have paved a path for the Mexican youth to pursue MMA.

The slight edge goes to Volkanovski in this one because of his all-around game and fight IQ. The fighting system that he uses is second to none, and he trains with such an incredible and supportive team both in Australia and when he visits New Zealand and City Kickboxing. 

Our prediction for this one has to stay in Volkanovski’s corner. He is too good to bet against right now in his career. If Rodriguez gets the job done, it will most likely be an incredible KO that catches Volk.

Other Key Fights

UFC 290 almost has too many fights to keep track of and get to all of them. But one of the most interesting is the featured prelim bout between future UFC hall of famer Robbie Lawler and fan-favorite Nikko Price. 

These two never turn in a boring performance, and this one will most definitely be a bloody 15 minutes.

Another great matchup on the UFC 290 prelims is the Jimmy Crute vs. Alonzo Menifield rematch. Their first fight was decided by a DRAW, and this one will be a barn burner as well. Sit back and enjoy this one, as this is too close to bet on.

The sleeper pick of the night has to be Dan Hooker beating Jalin Turner. This main card lightweight bout is amazing and it’s confusing how other fights are overshadowing them. Any other event would probably have this on the poster. 

Hooker is believed to be out of his fighting prime by many, but he’s got a new and improved mindset and has taken his career to the next level, according to people close to him. When Hooker is at his best, he can truly beat anybody in the world, and this is a great underdog pick. 

If you really want to bang the book, put a parlay together with guys like Tatsuro Taira, Jack Della Maddalena, Bo Nickal, and Robert Whittaker winning. These are all very skilled fighters with very favorable matchups this weekend. A parlay with all of them winning turns into pretty good odds and a nice payout when they all hit. 

BetOnline has Bo Nickal as the most favored fighter in UFC history at -2500 odds. This is a historic night for him and the UFC, and he should get the job done with the chance to showcase his skills for the world to see.

Bet this event at Bookmaker!

British Grand Prix Betting Preview

Posted on by Ryan Knuppel

No driver has ever had the dominating points gap to second place in the Drivers Standings and lost the World Championship that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen currently holds. After a weekend where Max took home the maximum points possible, it’s a countdown to which race he will claim his third-consecutive Drivers’ World Championship in. 

However, underneath Verstappen’s sublime magnificence in the RB-19, there are battles to be best of the rest, and betting wins to collect, especially in head-to-head betting lines. BangtheBook is searching for winning bets and is giving you quite the slipstream toward winning Formula 1 betting, beyond the Verstappen to win everything possible betting pick we all take every Grand Prix weekend.

Check out British Grand Prix odds on BetUS

Max Verstappen Versus the World – Chapter Ten: Time for a First?

Has Max Verstappen stood atop the podium at the legendary heart and soul of Formula 1, Silverstone? Yes, Max has won a race at Silverstone: the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix in 2020.

However, Verstappen has never won a race at Silverstone properly labeled the “British Grand Prix.” Is this the weekend when Verstappen finally achieves a first in his career?

Again, the answer is yes. Verstappen has won five consecutive races and seven races total – not including Sprint Races – finishing second to teammate Sergio Pérez twice on street circuits where Checo is the provisional King.

With that said, let’s load up on Verstappen versus the World picks, shall we? Where and when available, take Red Bull as the winning constructor and Verstappen as the outright race winner. BetOnline has Verstappen listed at -300 over the field (+240) and -600 over Pérez (+400) in the Grand Prix. Verstappen’s odds remain at -600 to outpace Checo in qualifying, which is a lock, considering Verstappen has only been out-qualified twice for a Grand Prix by Pérez, both times with issues compromising Verstappen’s ability to complete a flying lap. 

The Best British Grand Prix Qualifying Head-To-Head Betting Options

A McLaren Shock?

In the McLaren inter-team battle, Lando Norris (-600) has an 8-1 head-to-head qualifying advantage over rookie teammate Oscar Piastri (+400). However, if you are looking for a potential upset, pay attention to Piastri in practice, as he receives the upgrades Norris received last weekend. While not our pick, a good Friday from Piastri could make him our pick for a Saturday shock.

Albon = Free Money

Alex Albon is doing as he should and has out-qualified rookie teammate Logan Sargeant in every race this season. That’s why Albon at -900 is guaranteed money to add a win to your bank roll.

Hülk Smash Quali

Nico Hülkenberg has smashed quali with outstanding one-lap pace in a Haas that fades throughout the race. We’re taking Hülkenberg, who has made Q3 in the last three races and a 7-2 qualifying edge,  at -180 over Kevin Magnussen, who has made Q3 once this season.

The Best British Grand Prix Head-To-Head Betting Option

Ferrari versus Aston Martin

Ferrari and Aston Martin have brought upgrades over recent races, with the Ferrari looking to move in a positive direction. Charles Leclerc (-120) has had an uncharacteristically flat start to the season with a few spikes, while Fernando Alonso (-110) has been consistently excellent in the vastly improved AMR-23.

Leclerc’s second-place finish at Austria was his best finish of the season since having a usual great weekend in Azerbaijan. However, those two race weekends are the only times Leclerc has finished higher than Alonso. Alsonso holds a 7-2 head-to-head advantage and a 6-2 advantage in podiums scored.

While in equal machinery, we’d take Leclerc over the field in a one-lap shoot-out, the AMR-23 in Alonso’s hands should be very fast at Silverstone, which is more reason for us to take Alonso as the slight underdog.

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Austrian Grand Prix Betting Preview

Posted on by Ryan Knuppel

Until defeated in a straight fight, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will be the betting favorite and pick to win every weekend. Moreover, unless Verstappen is injured and unable to compete, he is a lock to win a third consecutive Drivers’ World Championship, as no driver has ever lost the World Championship with the 69-point lead Verstappen has over struggling teammate Sergio Pérez.

However, weather and the current Sprint Race format are among the factors in play that could jeopardize the seemingly inevitable Verstappen-Red Bull win. This combination could open the door for Fernando Alonso or Charles Leclerc to end Red Bulls’ eight-race winning streak and domination of Formula 1 in 2023 at their home Grand Prix. As always, Bangthebook is searching for winning wagers and has selected our favored lines for the Austrian Grand Prix and qualifying. However, as the available odds are somewhat limited for the F1 Sprint Saturday, we’re limiting our picks to Friday’s qualifying and Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Check out the Austrian Grand Prix odds on BetUS

Red Bull Versus the World – Chapter Nine

Think back to Sprint Race weekends like São Paulo 2022 or Azerbaijan 2023, and you’ll likely remember a Red Bull team that struggled to get their dominant machinery in the perfect set-up window, even in Verstappen’s hands. While Sergio Pérez won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, that might have been more Pérez being the King of the Streets on the circuit where he’s had his greatest success, with a side of Verstappen being thoroughly unhappy with his ride.

BetOnline has Max Verstappen (-300) favored to defeat the field (+240) in the Austrian Grand Prix, while Sergio Pérez’s recent struggles since his pole position in Miami and historic lack of success in Austria have him listed as the underdog (+1000) against the field (-2500) in the Grand Prix. This is despite Red Bull’s Honda-powered turbo charger being excellent at altitude and the Red Bull Ring’s long straights and fast corners, which should play to the RB-19’s strengths.

Chapter nine of Red Bull vs the World has the combination of weather and only one practice session before qualifying to add a little chaos into the equation. But until Verstappen is beaten in a Grand Prix via a straight fight, BangtheBook is taking Verstappen over the field to win his fourth Austrian Grand Prix and his fifth consecutive Grand Prix while taking Red Bull as the winning constructor if the betting lines are available.

Friday Qualifying

With F1 Sprint Saturday throwing away the normal F1 weekend schedule, Qualifying is moved from its traditional Saturday spot, taking place Friday, with the cars going into Parc Fermé after only one hour of running. With rain in the forecast, we could see another mixed-up grid and a potential shock pole position like Haas’ Kevin Magnussen’s pole position at the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix.

Verstappen has claimed three-straight pole positions and five of the eight pole positions this season. Despite being in the same RB-19, we don’t like Pérez’ss chances in qualifying on a circuit he’s never had success at and potentially in conditions not conducive to his peak pace. So, while we’re taking Verstappen to take pole position, those live odds are not available, and there are no Red Bull inclusive qualifying betting lines as of publication.

However, there are numerous head-to-head betting lines available for the Grand Prix and qualifying.

The Best Austrian Grand Prix Head-To-Head Betting Options

Here are Bangthebook’s favored head-to-head betting lines for the Austrian Grand Prix and Qualifying.

We’re looking for wins, and we start with lowly Williams, where Alex Albon (-800) has out-qualified rookie teammate Logan Sargeant (+500) in all eight qualifying sessions this season. We’re also taking Albon (-500) to defeat Sargeant (+350) in the Austrian Grand Prix, as Albon has out-finished Sargeant in five straight races and all six races that Albon has finished.

McLaren is bringing a mega update to Speilberg, and while they’ll be fighting with the Alpine drivers and Aston Martin and Ferriari’s second drivers for the final points positions. We’re favoring Lando Norris (-550) – who has an excellent one-lap pace even in poor conditions – to out-qualify Oscar Piastri (+375) for the eighth time this season.

We’re also taking Fernando Alonso (-500 GP, -700 Qualifying) to win both inner-Aston Martin battles with Lance Stroll (-700, +450 qualifying), as Alonso has out-qualified and finished higher than Stroll seven times.

Speaking of second drivers, our final featured head-to-head betting line is a Mercedes vs Ferrari Grand Prix shootout. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz (+105) and Mercedes’ George Russell (-125) are tied 4-4 in head-to-head Grand Prix competition. However, Russell has two DNF/retirements on his record, including last weekend in Montréal. The Ferrari looked quick in Montreál, while Mercedes are still bringing upgrades and optimizing the package it introduced at Monaco.

However, Russell was on a three-race winning streak and on the way to a fourth consecutive win over Sainz in Montreal before kissing the wall and causing terminal damage to the W-14. We’ve liked what we’ve seen from Russell and Mercedes recently and think Ferrari’s fast weekend in Montréal may have been more track-specific than Ferrari turning a corner. That’s why we’re taking Russell to out-finish Sainz in the Austrian Grand Prix.

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Rocket Mortgage Classic Betting Preview

Posted on by Ryan Knuppel

The PGA Tour heads to Detroit, Michigan, this week for the fifth edition of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Country Club. When the first tournament was held in 2019, it marked the first time a PGA Tour event was played within the city limits of the city. Tournament play begins on Thursday, June 29th and ends on Sunday, July 2nd.

Tony Finau will tee it up this week, looking to defend his title. Finau blitzed the course in 2022, setting the tournament record with a four-day total score of 262 (16-under par). The victory was Finau’s second in as many weeks after winning the 3M Open a week earlier. Finau’s five-shot win was the largest margin of his career, besting runner-ups Patrick Cantlay, Taylor Pendrith, and Cameron Young.

Check out the Rocket Mortgage classic odds on BetUS

Big Names Teeing it Up

After a major tournament and elevated event back-to-back, most of the best players on the PGA are taking a breather this week. Even with many names out, the field remains strong with a handful of top players electing to play.

Four of the top 20 players in the world are in the field, led by Max Homa, who comes in at no. 9. Adding to the list is Finau who is joined by multiple major winners, Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa. Fan favorite and Rocket Mortgage ambassador Rickie Fowler looks to keep his solid play going as the calendar turns to July.

Three of the past four winner’s of the tournament are back in Detroit; the only past champion not playing this week is Bryson DeChambeau (2020). Nate Lashley (2019) and Cameron Davis (2021) picked up their first and only PGA Tour wins at DCC.

Finau and Fowler Headline Favorites

Finau and Fowler are the pre-tournament favorites at +1400 apiece. Fowler is looking to get back into the winner’s circle for the first time since 2019 and has a great opportunity after four-straight starts of T13 or better. Finau has been quiet since picking up his second win of the season at the Mexico Open but can turn it on quickly.

Morikawa (+1600) comes in right behind the favorites. The two-time major winner aims for his first victory since hoisting the Claret Jug in 2021. Morikawa is coming off a missed cut at last week’s Travelers Championship.

Rounding out the Top 5 betting favorites are Justin Thomas and Hideki Matsuyama at +1800. Thomas has had a rough season, coming in ranked 66th in the FedEx Cup Standings and missing two of three cuts at major tournaments. The two-time PGA Championship winner comes to Detroit after a T9 finish at the Travelers last week, his best finish since a solo 4th at the WM Phoenix Open in February. 

Other notables just below the top five are Max Homa, Sungjae Im, and Tom Kim, all with odds of +2200. Homa has a pair of wins this year and has finished just inside the T25 in two appearances at this event. Kim tries to improve on his solo seventh last season, while Im has made the cut here in both tries, his best finish a T8 in 2021.

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