Contributing Writer

FIFA Club World Cup prop picks June 16: Back Nicolas Jackson for Chelsea, Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis

The FIFA Club World Cup continues on Monday with six more teams in action.

The latest: Chelsea starts its tournament against Los Angeles FC in a match where the London club is heavily favoured. Later on, Benfica and Boca Juniors clash to close out the first round of Group C games.

Check out the best FIFA Club World Cup prop picks for Monday’s group-stage matches.

FIFA Club World Cup prop picks

Best bet: Nicolas Jackson to score or give an assist (-106)

Chelsea had a pretty good season, finishing fourth in the Premier League.

To open the FIFA CWC, the English side will take a step down in competition to face Los Angeles FC.

The fifth-place team in the MLS Western Conference has been lacklustre this season with seven wins, five losses and four draws.

That’s not the ideal form to be in when welcoming a top EPL side. I expect Chelsea to dominate, and a standard starting 11 should be deployed.

That means Jackson should be up front.

The 23-year-old started 28 games in the EPL this season and scored 10 goals while adding six assists.

In Chelsea’s last match on May 28 in the UEFA Conference League, Jackson scored a goal in a 4-1 win.

That result was over Real Betis, who by all accounts should’ve been a tougher opponent than Los Angeles FC will prove to be.

That’s due to the fact that Real Betis plays in La Liga in Spain, one of the top leagues in the world.

But from top to bottom, the Premier League remains the best, and this is another opportunity for Chelsea to prove that.

Key stat: LAFC is conceding 1.4 goals per match in the MLS through 16 games.

Full FIFA Club World Cup betting markets

Boca Juniors vs. Benfica best bet

Vangelis Pavlidis to score or give an assist (+105): Benfica isn’t on the same level as Chelsea, but the Portuguese side is a staple in the Champions League.

Greek attacker Pavlidis leads the way and is the target man of every attack Benfica puts forward.

The 26-year-old scored 29 goals and added 12 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions this season.

That includes seven goals and three assists in 13 Champions League matches.

Benfica’s first opponent at the FIFA CWC, Boca Juniors, is a good squad for the Argentinian Primera Division (currently second place). But it is definitely far behind in terms of talent.

The Portuguese side is -132 to score over 1.5 goals, and I’d be a fool not to assume Pavlidis will be involved, especially if Benfica scores multiple times.

FIFA Club World Cup prop picks made at 2:45 p.m. on 06/15/2025.

Canada vs. Honduras Gold Cup men’s soccer odds and best bet: Back Les Rouges to win comfortably

The Canadian men’s national team starts its run at the Gold Cup against Honduras on Tuesday.

The pregame narrative: Canada won the inaugural Canadian Shield earlier in June and the nation looks to win its first Gold Cup since 2000. Les Rouges have the talent to make a run at this tournament and hold the third shortest odds (+600).

Check out our Canada vs. Honduras odds and my predictions for the men’s soccer match on June 17.

Canada vs. Honduras odds

Go to full Canada vs. Honduras betting markets

Click linked odds to add selection to your betslip.

Canada vs. Honduras markets	Betting odds
Canada to win	-240
Draw	+370
Honduras to win	+700
Canada draw no bet	-835
Honduras draw no bet	+410
Over 2.5 goals	-130
Under 2.5 goals	+104

Canada vs. Honduras odds as of 3:30 p.m. ET on 06/15/2024.

Best bet

Canada halftime/fulltime (+107): For those who may be unaware, Canada would need to be leading at halftime and after 90 minutes of play for this pick to cash.

And I think that is well within the range of possibilities for this squad.

The attack, consisting of Jonathan David and Promise David, looks even more threatening than when Cyle Larin was in the starting 11.

Promise, a 23-year-old who plays in the Belgian Pro League, turned heads this season. He scored 24 goals in 41 matches across all competitions.

In the Canadian Shield, Les Rouges used their best available 11 and went up 3-0 over Ukraine and half and held on for a 4-2 win.

Both attackers, Jonathan and Promise, scored in the first half.

For reference, Ukraine sits 25th in FIFA’s rankings, while Honduras is much further down at 75.

Canada is currently ranked No. 30 and continues to rise by outperforming the nation’s standard.

Key stat: When Canada and Honduras last met in March 2023, Les Rouges jumped out to a 2-0 lead before half and ended up winning 4-1.

Canada vs. Honduras predictions made at 1:45 p.m. on 06/15/25.

Pacers vs. Thunder NBA Finals prop picks Game 5: Target Chet Holmgren, Pascal Siakam

The NBA Finals shift back to Oklahoma City with the Thunder and Indiana Pacers tied at two games apiece.

The pregame narrative: Not many predicted a competitive Finals, but that’s what fans got, and it’s outlived expectations so far. One of these teams will take an all-important 3-2 lead in this series after Game 5 on Monday.

I’m targeting Chet Holmgren and Pascal Siakam in my Pacers vs. Thunder prop picks for June 16.

Pacers vs. Thunder prop picks

Best bet: Holmgren over 25.5 points/rebounds (-108)

The Thunder have finally realized that Indiana doesn’t have the personnel required to guard Holmgren down low.

After logging under 30 minutes and failing to cash this wager in both Games 1 and 2, OKC unleashed its 7-foot-1 big man.

Game 3: 34 mins, 20 points, 10 rebounds
Game 4: 37 mins, 14 points, 15 rebounds

When he plays important starter minutes, the points/rebounds have piled up. It’s also encouraging that he breezed past this line without hitting a 3 in those games (0-for-7).

If he continues to be on the court as much as he should be, he’s going to have a lot of opportunities to score and collect rebounds.

Key stat: The Pacers gave up the second-most PR to power forwards in the regular season (35.37), per Fantasy Pros. Holmgren started at PF in Game 4 beside Isaiah Hartenstein at centre.

Game 5 prop prediction

Siakam over 10.5 rebounds/assists (-130): Siakam has found other ways to contribute besides scoring against the NBA’s best defensive team.

He is averaging 7.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in the Finals (3-1 against this line).

Siakam finished with 10 rebounds/assists in the outlier.

The former Toronto Raptor has been showing off his ability as a playmaker, recording at least three assists in every game.

Siakam’s also grabbed six or more rebounds in all four games so far, showing off a solid floor as a stat stuffer.

I’m going to keep riding his momentum at a good price.

Pacers vs. Thunder prop picks made at 9:52 a.m. ET 06/15/2025.

Giants vs. Dodgers Sunday Night Baseball prop bets: Bet on a red-hot Teoscar Hernandez

The San Francisco Giants visit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday Night for an important NL West matchup.

The pregame narrative: The Giants are riding an 8-2 record over their last 10 games and have the chance to steal this series against the Dodgers, who sit one game ahead of them in the division. Dustin May (4.46 ERA) takes the mound for L.A. while San Fran counters with Kyle Harrison (4.56 ERA).

Check out my Giants vs. Dodgers prop bets, featuring Teoscar Hernandez and Mike Yastrzemski.

Giants vs. Dodgers prop bets

Best Bet: Hernandez over 0.5 RBI (+130)

Hernandez went through a bit of a cold spell recently, recording two RBI over a 13-game stretch between May 27th and June 10th.

But he’s heating up again.

He has a home run in three straight games.

Hernandez recorded six RBI over that time.

If the 32-year-old slugger is hitting well, he’s always in a prime position to drive in runs.

That’s because Hernandez hits behind Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman daily.

When the Dodgers faced Harrison early last season, Hernandez recorded one RBI on two hits. Ohtani scored two runs, and the Giants’ lefty gave up four earned runs in 5.0 innings pitched.

Unfortunately, that is the latest data we have for this matchup, but Harrison isn’t a starter to shy away from.

He has a 24th-percentile xERA (4.58), and he gives up a ton of power, shown by his 2nd-percentile average exit velocity (92.8 mph), per Baseball Savant.

Key stat: Hernandez ranks ninth in MLB in RBI (50), and he’s only played 56 games.

Best MLB picks

Yastrzemski over 0.5 hits (-130): This is the widest price out on a hits prop, and I believe the Giants outfielder is currently playing above his standard.

His .242 average isn’t bad, but he walks a lot (.340 OBP), which doesn’t help this pick and probably explains the line.

But he’s been swinging the stick well lately.

Yastrzemski is on a five-game hit streak.

He is slashing .400/.474/.600 during that time.

That 1.074 OPS is much better than his season-long .719 OPS, so I want to take advantage of a streaking hitter.

Plus, Dodgers starter May walks batters at a below-average rate (9.1%). Yastrzemski is 2-for-7 against the righty in his career with no walks.

Giants vs. Dodgers prop bets made at 12:40 p.m. ET on 06/15/2025.

Giants vs. Dodgers Sunday Night Baseball prop bets: Bet on a red-hot Teoscar Hernandez

The San Francisco Giants visit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday Night for an important NL West matchup.

The pregame narrative: The Giants are riding an 8-2 record over their last 10 games and have the chance to steal this series against the Dodgers, who sit one game ahead of them in the division. Dustin May (4.46 ERA) takes the mound for L.A. while San Fran counters with Kyle Harrison (4.56 ERA).

Check out my Giants vs. Dodgers prop bets, featuring Teoscar Hernandez and Mike Yastrzemski.

Giants vs. Dodgers prop bets

Best Bet: Hernandez over 0.5 RBI (+135)

Hernandez went through a bit of a cold spell recently, recording two RBI over a 13-game stretch between May 27th and June 10th.

But he’s heating up again.

He has a home run in three straight games.

Hernandez recorded six RBI over that time.

If the 32-year-old slugger is hitting well, he’s always in a prime position to drive in runs.

That’s because Hernandez hits behind Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman daily.

When the Dodgers faced Harrison early last season, Hernandez recorded one RBI on two hits. Ohtani scored two runs, and the Giants’ lefty gave up four earned runs in 5.0 innings pitched.

Unfortunately, that is the latest data we have for this matchup, but Harrison isn’t a starter to shy away from.

He has a 24th-percentile xERA (4.58), and he gives up a ton of power, shown by his 2nd-percentile average exit velocity (92.8 mph), per Baseball Savant.

Key stat: Hernandez ranks ninth in MLB in RBI (50), and he’s only played 56 games.

Embed: #114843

Best MLB picks

Yastrzemski over 0.5 hits (-120): This is the widest price out on a hits prop, and I believe the Giants outfielder is currently playing above his standard.

His .242 average isn’t bad, but he walks a lot (.340 OBP), which doesn’t help this pick and probably explains the line.

But he’s been swinging the stick well lately.

Yastrzemski is on a five-game hit streak.

He is slashing .400/.474/.600 during that time.

That 1.074 OPS is much better than his season-long .719 OPS, so I want to take advantage of a streaking hitter.

Plus, Dodgers starter May walks batters at a below-average rate (9.1%). Yastrzemski is 2-for-7 against the righty in his career with no walks.

Giants vs. Dodgers prop bets made at 11:26 a.m. ET on 06/15/2025.

Pacers vs. Thunder NBA Finals prop picks Game 5: Target Chet Holmgren, Pascal Siakam

The NBA Finals shift back to Oklahoma City with the Thunder and Indiana Pacers tied at two games apiece.

The pregame narrative: Not many predicted a competitive Finals, but that’s what fans got, and it’s outlived expectations so far. One of these teams will take an all-important 3-2 lead in this series after Game 5 on Monday.

I’m targeting Chet Holmgren and Pascal Siakam in my Pacers vs. Thunder prop picks for June 16.

Pacers vs. Thunder prop picks

Best bet: Holmgren over 24.5 points/rebounds (-114)

The Thunder have finally realized that Indiana doesn’t have the personnel required to guard Holmgren down low.

After logging under 30 minutes and failing to cash this wager in both Games 1 and 2, OKC unleashed its 7-foot-1 big man.

Game 3: 34 mins, 20 points, 10 rebounds
Game 4: 37 mins, 14 points, 15 rebounds

When he plays important starter minutes, the points/rebounds have piled up. It’s also encouraging that he breezed past this line without hitting a 3 in those games (0-for-7).

If he continues to be on the court as much as he should be, he’s going to have a lot of opportunities to score and collect rebounds.

Key stat: The Pacers gave up the second-most PR to power forwards in the regular season (35.37), per Fantasy Pros. Holmgren started at PF in Game 4 beside Isaiah Hartenstein at centre.

Embed: #114831

Game 5 prop prediction

Siakam over 10.5 rebounds/assists (-112): Siakam has found other ways to contribute besides scoring against the NBA’s best defensive team.

He is averaging 7.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in the Finals (3-1 against this line).

Siakam finished with 10 rebounds/assists in the outlier.

The former Toronto Raptor has been showing off his ability as a playmaker, recording at least three assists in every game.

Siakam’s also grabbed six or more rebounds in all four games so far, showing off a solid floor as a stat stuffer.

I’m going to keep riding his momentum at a good price.

Pacers vs. Thunder prop picks made at 9:52 a.m. ET 06/15/2025.

Betting odds to win the Conn Smythe Trophy: Sam Bennett is the odds-on favourite

The Florida Panthers are one win away from repeating as Stanley Cup champions, and their top scorer is the frontrunner for the Conn Smythe Trophy.

The latest: Sam Bennett has scored a ton of big goals in the playoffs and hasn’t looked back since overtaking Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid in this awards market after Game 3. In fact, McDavid now sits tied for third behind Brad Marchand.

Let’s take a look at the current 2025 Conn Smythe odds ahead of Game 5 on June 14.

Conn Smythe odds

The favourite: Sam Bennett (-215)

Bennett leads the Stanley Cup playoffs in goals (15) while scoring five times so far through five Stanley Cup Final games. And an incredible 13 of those goals have come on the road.

With a blend of scoring touch and grit, Bennett is making an impact on both ends of the ice.

He’s second among all playoff performers in scoring chances (79) and hits (103).

Bennett’s 22.7% shooting percentage would almost certainly be unsustainable over a full season, but he’s cashing in on his chances when it matters most.

And it’s not like he’s been completely lucky. He ranks second in expected goals (9.72), per Natural Stat Trick.

The 15-goal total is the obvious headliner for Bennett’s Conn Smythe case, but his overall generation of offence — plus his peskiness on defence — make him a well-rounded candidate.

Does McDavid have value?

Last year, McDavid finished with 42 points in postseason play — 10 more than the next closest skater. That included 11 points in the Cup Final against the Panthers.

That was why he won the Conn Smythe despite being on the losing team, something that hadn’t happened since 2003.

Looking at his advanced stats in the 2025 postseason, McDavid’s dominance is made even clearer:

1st in individual expected goals (11.89)
1st in individual scoring chances (95)
T-1st in points (33)

McDavid scored his first goal of the Stanley Cup Final in Game 5 but that was just his second point in the last three games.

His teammate, Leon Draisaitl, is tied on the odds board and ranks second in playoff goals (11), four of which have come in overtime.

Embed: #114305

Go to full Stanley Cup Final betting markets

Conn Smythe notes

Marchand has been aging like a fine wine. He has 10 playoff goals, and became the second player in the last 50 years to score five goals in two different Stanley Cup finals, joining Mario Lemieux. If Florida wins, he will go down as one of the greatest deadline acquisitions of all time.

FIFA Club World Cup predictions June 15: Best bets for PSG vs. Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise

Eight clubs are in action for the first full matchday of the FIFA Club World Cup on June 15.

The latest: Bayern Munich and Auckland City FC will kick things off with the side from New Zealand sitting as a 14-to-1 underdog to defeat the European powerhouse. Later on, PSG and Atletico Madrid face off in a crucial match for early stakes in Group B.

Check out the best FIFA Club World Cup predictions for Sunday’s group-stage matches.

FIFA Club World Cup predictions

Best bet: PSG/Atletico Madrid over 2.5 goals (-130)

PSG is fresh off its first-ever Champions League trophy, and the side should continue rolling in the FIFA CWC.

Dating back to the first leg of the UCL quarterfinal vs. Aston Villa, 10 of PSG’s 12 matches have gone over this total.

PSG averaged 2.3 goals per match during that time.

The French side led the Champions League in xG (36.4) and was tied for second in scoring (2.2 goals/game), according to FotMob.

PSG is more than capable of covering this line by itself, but if it needs help, Atletico Madrid can provide offence of its own.

Atletico finished third in La Liga and has solidified itself as a third Spanish giant in European competitions.

In the Champions League, it was one of the clubs that tied with PSG with 2.2 goals scored per match.

Los Colchoneros can score and are even on upset watch to steal Group B from their counterpart. They’ve scored a goal in 21 of their last 25 matches.

Key stat: These two clubs met in November in the UCL league phase, and Atletico Madrid beat PSG, 2-1.

Full FIFA Club World Cup betting markets

Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City best bet

Michael Olise to record an assist (+130): Auckland City is +14,000 to defeat Bayern on Sunday, and the over is set at a whopping 5.5 total goals.

Bayern Munich is expected to score plenty. So this pick is about finding value. For example, Harry Kane is -385 to score anytime.

That brings me to Olise, who is a great playmaker alongside Kane on the front line.

Olise is the starting winger for the German club. He uses his quickness and flair to create a lot of goals.

He scored 17 goals and added 18 assists in 50 games for Bayern across all competitions this season.

I was tempted by his -106 price tag to score, but I believe he carries a ton of value as a playmaker in this matchup.

Munich won’t need to hold possession and can push a high pace on Auckland’s inferior back line.

Olise should lead the charge out wide on any counter-attack, and I could see him finding Kane or another Bayern player in the box for an easy goal.

FIFA Club World Cup predictions made at 3:22 p.m. on 06/13/2025.

Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final best bets Game 5: Target Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on Sunday night

The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are even at two games apiece with the Stanley Cup Final heading back north of the border.

The pregame narrative: The Oilers looked out of Game 4 and potentially the series after going down 3-0 in the first period. Edmonton bounced back and stunned Florida, 5-4, on another Leon Draisaitl overtime winner to regain home-ice advantage.

Check out my Panthers vs. Oilers best bets for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, featuring Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Panthers vs. Oilers best bets

Best Bet: Nugent-Hopkins to score 1+ points (-143)

I keep coming back to this pick when the price is right.

Nugent-Hopkins is tied for seventh in the postseason with 20 points in as many games.

He went pointless in three games to start the SCF but came alive in Game 4, scoring a goal and adding an assist.

Nugent-Hopkins should continue to have great offensive opportunities while playing on the first line alongside Connor McDavid.

Plus, the Oilers have scored three or more goals in all nine home playoff games this year.

The 32-year-old averages just under 20 minutes of ice time and close to four minutes per game on the power play. He’s arguably the third most important Oiler, and he’s always stepped up his game in the postseason.

Key stat: Nugent-Hopkins has 81 points in 94 career playoff games.

Stanley Cup Final Game 5 picks

Over 6.5 goals (+100): As mentioned before, the Oilers’ offence knows how to score in Edmonton.

They are averaging 4.9 goals per game on home ice in the playoffs.

The first two SCF games in Edmonton had an average of 8.0 total goals.

As good as the Oilers have been at home, the Panthers have been good everywhere.

They scored three-plus goals in each of Games 1-4 (4.5 goals per game). Florida also ranks second in goals per 60 in the playoffs (3.26), per Money Puck.

Everything points to this being another slugfest as the series shifts back to Edmonton.

Panthers vs. Oilers best bets made at 4:00 p.m. ET 06/13/2025.

CFL Week 2 parlay picks: Back the Stampeders, Roughriders in +310 wager

There are three more games on the CFL schedule for Week 2.

The latest: The action begins on Friday with the Montreal Alouettes visiting the Ottawa Redblacks. That will be followed up by a doubleheader on Saturday with the Toronto Argonauts looking for their first win over the Calgary Stampeders.

Check out this CFL Week 2 parlay for the games on June 13-14, featuring a pick on the Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

CFL Week 2 parlay picks

Parlay: Alouettes ML | Stampeders ML | Roughriders ML (+310)

Alouettes ML (-275): Montreal made a statement in Week 1, beating the Argonauts 28-10, led by a strong rushing attack that ran for 6.27 yards per carry.

Davis Alexander was decent at quarterback (19 of 26, 205 yards), but Toronto has a good defence, so that performance should be taken with a grain of salt.

Sean Thomas Erlington rushed for 86 yards on 17 carries (5.1 YPC) and looks primed to be a bell cow for Montreal this season.

Playing primarily as a backup, the 32-year-old has averaged 5.9 YPC on 247 career carries.

Ottawa fought hard against the Roughriders but ended up allowing 31 points in its Week 1 loss. The Redblacks allowed Saskatchewan’s halfbacks to combine for 78 yards on 17 carries (4.59 YPC).

The team did score 26 points, but that was behind a huge performance from Dru Brown (34 of 41, 413 yards, two TDs). Unfortunately, Brown has been ruled out for Week 2, leaving a hole at QB.

Additionally, Montreal went 3-0 vs. Ottawa in 2024.

Full CFL betting markets

Other parlay picks

Stampeders ML (-110): Calgary won its Week 1 matchup as an underdog and looks for a repeat performance over the Argonauts.

Chad Kelly remains out for Toronto, leaving Nick Arbuckle as the starter for Week 2.

Arbuckle struggled last week, throwing for 273 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

The Argo’s backup QB has thrown 28 TDs and 34 INTs in his CFL career.

When Kelly comes back, I expect Toronto to look like a true contender. But until then, I can’t get behind this Argonauts offence.

On top of that, the Stampeders are 1-0 off the back of some great offseason acquisitions.

Vernon Adams Jr. is an established CFL starter. Plus, they added receivers like former All-CFL wideout Dominique Rhymes and former NFL receiver Tevin Jones.

I like Calgary as a dark-horse contender in 2025. So, I’ll back them to put up another win against an Argos squad dealing with injuries.

Bet on the CFL now

Roughriders ML (-167): The Roughriders handled the Redblacks in Week 1 and will now face the Tiger-Cats, who had the worst scoring defence last season (30.9 PPG).

Trevor Harris is coming off his best season as a CFL QB, and receiver Samuel Emilus looks on track for a third straight 1,000-yard season.

Harris connected with Emilus on all eight of his targets for 133 yards and a TD in Week 1.

Mix in Thomas Bertrand-Hudon and A.J. Ouellette as a two-headed monster in the backfield, and it’s easy to see why the Riders should be one of the best offences in the CFL.

They should keep rolling against the Ti-Cats, who allowed 38 points to Calgary last week.

CFL Week 2 parlay picks made at 3:57 a.m. on 06/13/2025.