Tony Kelshaw 
Manchester City have been hit by a Covid outbreak ahead of their FA Cup trip to Swindon but it is still hard to envisage the Robins pulling off a shock result. Pep Guardiola will miss the visit to The County Ground, along with at least seven first-team players.
Toronto have consistently impressed since getting off to a shaky start this season and are eyeing a fourth straight win when hosting Edmonton. The Maple Leafs enjoyed a 5-1 road win over the Oilers prior to Christmas and are hard to oppose when renewing the rivalry on home ice.
New York Rangers are enjoying a really productive campaign and may have enough momentum to edge out Edmonton at Madison Square Garden. The Oilers prevailed 6-5 when these teams met in Canada in November but close encounters have been going against them of late.
The top two teams in the Central Division will come face to face in the cold of St Paul at Target Field when Minnesota entertain St Louis. The NHL Winter Classic is always a New Year’s Day showpiece at a baseball stadium and the Minnesota Twins play host this year.
Chelsea have been far from convincing over the festive period and may have to settle for a workmanlike win against Brighton at Stamford Bridge. Albion are enjoying a solid season and tend to be involved in tight tussles, with their 17 games this term producing just 33 goals.
We’re looking ahead with our tennis Grand Slam winners 2022 predictions and have a long-range set of selections for punters to consider. Bwin provides betting markets on all ATP Tour tournaments and WTA Tour events, but these are our early picks for the big four competitions.
We’re looking ahead to next year with our golf majors 2022 predictions and have a long-range set of selections for punters to consider. Bwin provides odds on all PGA Tour tournaments and DP World Tour events, but these are our early picks for the big four competitions.
Sports fans starved of action on Christmas Day will be looking forward to the Packers and the Browns doing battle at Lambeau Field. Green Bay have already wrapped up the NFC North division title at 11-3 but will be keen to clinch home advantage throughout the play-offs.
Seattle and Edmonton have shared the spoils in two previous meetings this season but we’re backing the Oilers to shade the series decider. They returned to form with a cracking triumph over Columbus on Thursday and have shown before this term how they tend to feed off success.
After Tommy Fury’s frustrating withdrawal through illness, Jake Paul will now have an intriguing rematch with Tyron Woodley in Florida. Paul won their first bout via a split decision but was troubled at times by the punching power of ex-UFC welterweight champion Woodley.
Artur Beterbiev is a hot favourite to successfully defend his IBF and WBC light-heavyweight titles against Marcus Browne in Montreal. Browne is a worthy challenger with a 24-1 record but Beterbiev is expected to extend his 100 per cent pro record with a 17th straight win.
Columbus have won their past four head-to-head meetings with Vancouver following last month’s 4-2 triumph at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets do not have a strong record on the road this season but have rarely been involved in blowouts of late, with six straight tight tussles.
Pittsburgh and Montreal shared a win apiece in last month’s two meetings but the Penguins now look in better shape for the series decider. They head into this contest on a four-match hot streak, whereas the Canadiens are without a victory in any of their last six games.
Calgary bashed Boston 4-0 on the road last month but most pundits will be expecting a closer contest when they meet again at Scotiabank Saddledome. Both of these teams have been involved in a number of tight tussles since that encounter and another is on the cards here.