Free Expert Picks, Predictions, and Best Bets Today

Free picks on all games for Jan. 2, 2026

NFL Picks

Carolina Panthers logo CAR @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers logo TB Jan 03 | 4:30 PM ET
Spread
Carolina Panthers logo CAR +3.0 (-105)
Best Odds
Pick made: 3 days ago
C Jackson Cowart image
C Jackson Cowart
Senior Publishing Editor

The Panthers might be the road team here, but they just won this matchup two weeks ago and have been the better team over the second half of the season. We simply haven't seen the Buccaneers look right since injuries started piling up, and even with a mostly healthy cast, I'm taking the points with Carolina and expect an outright upset.

Spread
Carolina Panthers logo CAR +3.5 (-115)
Best Odds
Pick made: 3 days ago
Gary Pearson image
Gary Pearson
Publishing Editor

It's hard to get behind a Buccaneers team that is 1-7 in its last eight games, with a 1-3 mark at home and a 0-3 record versus NFC South opponents in that sample size.  

Seattle Seahawks logo SEA @ San Francisco 49ers logo SF Jan 03 | 8:00 PM ET
MoneyLine
San Francisco 49ers logo SF (+100)
Best Odds
Pick made: 2 days ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

San Francisco is 6-0 since Brock Purdy returned from injury, making it one of three undefeated teams since Week 11.

In that span, San Francisco ranks first in points per game (35.7) and third-down percentage (59%), second in red zone touchdown percentage (73%), and first in touchdown drive percentage (41%).

 

MoneyLine
San Francisco 49ers logo SF (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 3 days ago
Gary Pearson image
Gary Pearson
Publishing Editor

The 49ers are 6-0 since Brock Purdy's return to the lineup, scoring at least 37 points four times. While they'll have their work cut out against a Seattle team with the league's best defensive DVOA, the 49ers offense is in peak form.

NCAAF Picks

Rice Owls logo RICE @ Texas State Bobcats logo TXST Jan 02 | 1:00 PM ET
Score 2+ Touchdowns
BJ Brad Jackson Score 2+ Touchdowns (Yes: +250)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago
Rob Paul image
Rob Paul
Publishing Editor

Brad Jackson is one of the best dual-threat QBs in the country. He's run for 16 TDs this season, including multiple TDs in three straight games.

Spread
Texas State Bobcats logo TXST -15.5 (-115)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago
Rob Paul image
Rob Paul
Publishing Editor

Rice is down bad on offense, losing its top two QBs to the transfer portal. To make matters worse, the Owls' defense has been brutal this year and is taking on a Texas State offense ranked No. 15 by SP+.

Navy Midshipmen logo NAVY @ Cincinnati Bearcats logo CIN Jan 02 | 4:30 PM ET
Score 2+ Touchdowns
Blake Horvath logo Blake Horvath Score 2+ Touchdowns (Yes: +105)
Best Odds
Pick made: 5 hours ago
Rob Paul image
Rob Paul
Publishing Editor

Blake Horvath has 32 rushing touchdowns in the last two seasons. He has nine multi-TD games over that span, including in last year's bowl win over Oklahoma.

Spread
Navy Midshipmen logo NAVY -7.0 (-109)
Best Odds
Pick made: 5 hours ago
Rob Paul image
Rob Paul
Publishing Editor

Navy has one of the best offenses in the country thanks to Blake Horvath. The Midshipmen lead the nation in rushing yards per game (289.3). Meanwhile, Cincinnati is missing several key players, including QB Brenden Sorsby.

NBA Picks

Philadelphia 76ers logo PHI @ Dallas Mavericks logo DAL Jan 01 | 8:30 PM ET
Points Scored
VJ Edgecombe logo VJ Edgecombe o14.5 Points Scored (-106)
Best Odds
Pick made: 6 hours ago
Liam Fox image
Liam Fox
Publishing Editor

Edgecombe has gone Over this number in six of his last eight appearances, which includes three 25-plus-point outings.

Dallas has been susceptible to opposing shooting guards as well, ranking near the bottom of the league in points allowed to the position.

Rebounds and Assists
Cooper Flagg logo Cooper Flagg o10.5 Rebounds and Assists (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 6 hours ago
Liam Fox image
Liam Fox
Publishing Editor

Dallas knew it was getting the total package when it drafted Cooper Flagg first overall in 2025, and he's lived up to that expectation by consistently delivering strong rebounding and passing performances.

The NBA Rookie of the Year odds favorite has logged at least 11 rebounds + assists in seven of his last eight games.

Boston Celtics logo BOS @ Sacramento Kings logo SAC Jan 01 | 10:00 PM ET
Points Scored
Neemias Queta logo Neemias Queta o9.5 Points Scored (-115)
Best Odds
Pick made: 9 hours ago

NHL Picks

Nashville Predators logo NAS @ Seattle Kraken logo SEA Jan 01 | 10:00 PM ET
Goals Scored
Steven Stamkos logo Steven Stamkos o0.5 Goals Scored (+190)
Best Odds
Pick made: 9 hours ago
Liam Fox image
Liam Fox
Publishing Editor

Stamkos has been on fire for a Predators squad that's suddenly surging back into the playoff picture.

Fresh off joining the elite 600-goal club, the Predators right winger has 10 goals over his last 10 games. That includes at least one goal in five of his last six. He's my most confident goal scorer prediction for Thursday.

Goals Scored
Steven Stamkos logo Steven Stamkos o0.5 Goals Scored (+190)
Best Odds
Pick made: 13 hours ago
Gary Pearson image
Gary Pearson
Publishing Editor

NCAAB Picks

Our experts and prediction models are hard at work analyzing the data. Check back shortly for today’s picks.
Check our NCAAB coverage, NCAAB projections, NCAAB odds, and NCAAB Matchups

MLB Picks

The MLB is in the offseason. See the best odds on MLB futures and offseason news and analysis:

WNBA Picks

The WNBA is in the offseason. See the best odds on WNBA futures and offseason news and analysis:

CFL Picks

The CFL is in the offseason. See the best odds on CFL futures and offseason news and analysis:

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Best sports picks & bets today

Seven days a week, 365 days a year, Sportsbook Review’s betting experts offer their best predictions and picks on the top games across all major leagues, with more than 20 years of experience in the sports betting industry to back us up.

Our picks widget (above) shows you our experts’ top predictions on each of the best games today and this week, with the betting odds and lines from legal and regulated sportsbooks. See our best picks on your favorite teams, players, and games. You’ll find the best odds and the best place to make your bets today!

Each day at SBR, you’ll find confident predictions on point spreads, totals (Over/Unders), and moneylines, in addition to team and player props, and parlays (plus SGPs!). We strive to find value and profit opportunities on the players you want to bet and the games you’ll be watching every day.

SBR’s team of experts hunts for value in the odds and betting lines by using advanced statistics, analytics, and the lines themselves to derive the best and most confident predictions. We break down team and player performance, and how recent results and outputs can factor into specific matchups.

Come back to this page for daily betting picks and advice from our experts at Sportsbook Review.

What free picks do we offer?

Here are some of the major sports and betting events we cover throughout the year at Sportsbook Review. You’ll find daily (or weekly) picks on every in-season sport, in addition to our coverage of the futures odds for championship and player award markets.

  • NFL picks: We offer picks on the biggest NFL games each and every week while keeping a close eye on the latest and best Super Bowl odds; follow us throughout the season for our best bets against the spread, total, and moneyline, along with touchdown scorer predictions, props, and parlay picks.
  • NBA picks: Our daily NBA coverage throughout the season offers a picks to win along with the best picks against the spread or Over/Under, in addition to our top player props and parlay picks; stay up to date with the NBA championship odds and award futures.
  • MLB picks: Daily MLB coverage at Sportsbook Review focuses on the best home run predictions and NRFI bets, and we cover the top games and player props as well while keeping tabs on the World Series odds and futures markets.
  • NHL picks: We offer our best picks on NHL moneylines, puck lines, and totals, with goal-scorer and player prop bets for marquee games. We cover the Stanley Cup odds favorites and more from the hockey world.
  • College football picks: Stay on top of the latest in college football with our weekly coverage of the best games from Week 0 throughout the College Football Playoff and national championship. We break down the best ATS picks, totals, and player props on each game throughout bowl season.
  • College basketball picks: Our college basketball coverage begins well before March Madness, with picks to win, against-the-spread predictions, and player props. Of course, the March Madness odds are the marquee attraction, so you’ll want to be locked in when the NCAA Tournament comes around.
  • Golf picks: We cover much more than the majors with weekly PGA Tour tournament picks and predictions, beginning with the opening odds each week. We offer outright picks to win each tournament from January through December, along with top finishes and prop bets. We also cover major LPGA and LIV events.
  • UFC picks: For every major UFC card and title fight, our betting experts offer up their best predictions in the Octagon. We have picks to win, round Over/Unders, and method of victory prop bets.
  • Soccer picks: Interested in the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and international competitions? Our soccer coverage has you covered for futures as well as picks to win each major game with player and game props. And don’t worry, we’re also staying on top of the World Cup odds.
  • Racing picks: Our F1 and NASCAR betting experts cover each race throughout both seasons with winners, long shots, and prop bets such as fastest lap and top finishes.
  • Boxing picks: We cover every major boxing match and title fight, including those featuring Jake Paul. We look at outright winners, round betting, and the method of victory in each preview.
  • Novelty bets: Looking to bet on entertainment and niche markets? Our novelty betting experts have you covered for the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, CMAs, and so much more. We also cover the U.S. presidential election every four years.

Free moneyline picks

A moneyline pick is simply wagering on who will win a game - no point spreads involved. Odds show favorites with a minus (‑) and underdogs with a plus (+).

Imagine the Knicks are favorites and the Nets are underdogs:

TeamMoneyline Odds
Knicks–250
Nets+400
  • $100 on Knicks (‑250) → Profit = $100 × (100 / 250) = $40 (total payout $140)
  • $100 on Nets (+400) → Profit = $100 × 4 = $400 (total payout $500)

Free Over/Under picks

Over/Under betting doesn’t care who wins the game, just how many points, runs, or goals are scored, or how long a fight lasts.

  • Book sets a line → i.e., Over/Under 54.5 for a football game
  • You choose:
    • Over 54.5
    • Under 54.5
  • Odds are usually around –110, meaning you bet $110 to win $100 (and your $110 stake returns $210 total)
  • If the final score is:
    • 56–22 (total 78) → Over wins
    • 24–20 (total 44) → Under wins
  • Pushes are avoided thanks to the half-point; i.e., 54.5 guarantees Over or Under wins
    • If the total is set at 54 and that’s the exact final score, all bets on either side will be refunded (voided) as a tie

Free spread picks

Our expert picks typically focus on picks against the spread as one of the most popular bets in any team sport. Run lines and puck lines are used in baseball and hockey, respectively, but refer to the same thing.

  • The favorite is shown with a minus (–) and must win by more than the spread to cover
  • The underdog has a plus (+) and must either win outright or lose by fewer points than the spread
  • Spreads often include a .5 (i.e., 3.5) to avoid a tie or “push.” If the final margin equals the exact spread, bets are refunded as a tie

Free prop picks

Prop picks allow bettors to target specific players, teams, or game events. Player prop odds vary based on probability - i.e., a prop might offer –110 odds (bet $110 to win $100) for a likely result or +250 (bet $100 to win $250) for less likely ones. Prop markets often present value opportunities, especially when sportsbooks pay less attention to niche events compared to main markets, and there are typically far more prop bets to choose from in any given game.

How we make our picks & predictions

Our No. 1 focus at Sportsbook Review is always on price shopping, and finding you the best betting line and odds for each pick. Why should you pay more (bet shorter odds) when you can fetch a greater profit at a different sportsbook all while needing the exact same outcome on your bet?

This is the most important part of the process for any game picks, player props, and futures bets. To be a winning bettor over the long term, you simply can’t be leaving money on the table by betting shorter odds when better numbers are out there.

However, this step typically follows our experts' analysis of matchups using advanced statistics, as well as player and team performance, to determine their best bets in any given betting market. Certain matchups favor certain players or positions, and we always look to who’s best equipped for success in those matchups when starting our game picks and player props.

We caution against putting too much emphasis on injuries, weather, or any narrative or news-based factor. The sportsbooks are almost always ahead of this when it comes to setting and adjusting their lines. Bettors don’t have an edge just because Patrick Mahomes won’t be playing against the Broncos on Sunday. That’s already been baked into the lines.

It’s important to balance betting on favorites, underdogs, and long shots. Favorites come with shorter odds for a reason, but they don’t always win. It’s equally important to know that longer odds represent a lower probability of a winning bet. Diversify your betting portfolio, manage your bankroll, and track your results.

Why trust our experts?

Sportsbook Review has been around for more than 20 years, and is a trusted source of betting picks as well as honest reviews of our best sports betting sites.

We carefully match our betting experts to the sports and topics they’re most passionate about to recommend picks they’re betting themselves. Our 1-to-5-star confidence rating is based on the matchup, their research, and the implied probability of the odds. It’s rare to see a 5-star pick on home run and touchdown predictions, as well as futures bets, due to the inherent nature of those betting markets and the lower implied probability of the longer odds.

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