After a thrilling foray into last week’s exciting XFL action, we are back for all of your weekend betting needs! And, let me tell you, the first weekend of March should be quite the spectacle.
We have XFL betting in store, some English Premier League soccer on deck, Jon Jones’ highly anticipated return to the UFC, full NHL and NBA slates, and Formula 1 kicking its season off in Bahrain.
In this weekend’s parlay picks, we’ll do our best to deliver you with a valuable parlay payout to further enjoy this exciting weekend action! These parlay bets will be introduced by my level of confidence in each particular wager. Betting odds are courtesy of Bovada.
Parlay Picks Today
- Chelsea over Leeds United (-155)
- Jon Jones (-185) over Cyril Gane
- DC Defenders -3 (-110) over St. Louis Battlehawks
- Toronto Maple Leafs (-200) over Vancouver Canucks
Pick 1: Chelsea over Leeds United (-155)
Saturday, March 4th at 10AM EST
Let’s be clear from the outset, the Blues of Chelsea are struggling. Ever since manager Graham Potter left Brighton to oversee the Chelsea touch-line, this has not been an effective group.
Big transfer splashes throughout much of January have yet to find their footing and, as a result, a team once thought of as a group that could top the EPL table, is no longer even contending for Europe.
But there’s enough fight and talent in this side to rise above the scrutiny on Saturday morning. Stamford Bridge can be vocal and hostile, most often for the opposition. This weekend, if Chelsea again delivers an underwhelming showing, you have to think their rabid fanbase is going to turn in a hurry.
With all of their skill, expect Chelsea’s talent to really shine through against a plodding Leeds United crew that looks destined for relegation.
Leeds also made some winter season splashes in the transfer market, but they simply haven’t panned out. US-international Weston McKennie remains a stalwart in the midfield, but a lack of goal-scoring support up top, and a highly questionable back-line will be exploited by Chelsea’s pace.
Chelsea boasts some exceptional wingers. Their skill and dynamic crossing ability should really stretch the Leeds United’ defenders.
While it may be a tad worrisome to back Chelsea at the top of this weekend’s parlay given their six-game winless run, the talent disparity is too large to not take the Blues at a reasonable price on home soil.
Leeds desperately needs to find their footing, and though they’ve moved on from Jesse Marsch to Javi Gracia, the results have yet to follow. Part of that is due to Leeds’ current run of injuries.
Being without the likes of Rodrigo, Stuart Dallas, and Pascal Struijk have left them thin in key positions – and Chelsea has the depth and skill to wear them down. Chelsea needs wins now to contend for European spots, and don’t let recent results get in the way of good value. Back coach Potter to have his Blues firing in a must-win spot on Saturday morning.
ITS OFFICIAL.
Jon Jones (248 LBs) vs Ciryl Gane (247.5 LBs) for the HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD. pic.twitter.com/VAjIpoteZ1
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) March 3, 2023
Pick 2: Jon Jones (-185) over Cyril Gane
Saturday, March 4th at 10PM EST
UFC 285 will be live from Las Vegas on Saturday night, and it should be quite the spectacle as UFC legend Jon Jones returns to the octagon and goes up to the heavyweight division. Cyril Gane is a worthy competitor, but Jones enters as the rightful favorite despite such a lengthy layoff.
Gane looked to be the next big thing just a few months ago, but a decisive loss to Francis Ngannou derailed the French fighter. Even though Gane recently rebounded by defeating Tai Tuivasa, it simply wasn’t convincing enough to make the betting public feel he’s on the level of Jon Jones.
Even though Jones hasn’t been seen in three years, his style is incredibly tough to prepare for and he enters in excellent shape. Jones is routinely on cruise control within the octagon, and truly hasn’t faced a worthy competitor in some time.
He’s actually had three other year-plus layoffs in the UFC, completely dominating in his returns every single moment. Jones enters Saturday night with a controlling reach advantage, and those 84 inches of extension should help him control the fight while standing against Gane.
Even on the ground, Jones remains an exceptional wrestler. He’s long and crafty, and he’s so quick with his takedowns that he should be able to control how to take the fight to Cyril Gane.
Gane looked shook and slow in his main event fight against Ngannou, and this big stage at UFC 285 might overwhelm the heavyweight Frenchman.
“Bones” Jones is likely one of the best to ever do it, and despite the layoff, doubting him seems to be an act of futility. He is simply too proud of a fighter and cares too deeply about his storied legacy to come back if he wasn’t ready to battle.
I believe that Jones is ready and he can beat Gane whichever way he chooses. This is a very good price on backing one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Two-Team Parlay Odds
If you prefer to just go with a two-team Saturday parlay card, combining Chelsea (-155) and Jon Jones (-185) has parlay odds of +153. This means you would win $153 dollars for every $100 dollars wagered.
THE CROWD GOES WILD #ShieldsUp #DCDefenders pic.twitter.com/timvZSeN2y
— Dubya Design (@DubyaGFX) February 20, 2023
Pick 3: DC Defenders -3 (-110) over St. Louis Battlehawks
Sun. March 5th at 1:00 PM EST
The Defenders have been good to us so far with these parlay picks, so let’s go right back to the well for Week 3 of XFL action.
It’ll be a battle of undefeated squads as St. Louis heads to DC to take on a pesky Defenders side. They’ve been getting it done with a power approach, a tough and organized defensive unit, and a real impressive running game.
In fact, entering this clash, the Defenders lead the entire XFL in team rushing yards with 313 on the ground, and should be able to carve up St. Louis as they’ve been quite porous in defending opposing rushers.
The Battlehawks are a good offensive crew and have been especially tough to put away. They secured impressive come-from-behind victories in their two wins. AJ McCarron has revived his career thus far in the XFL, but this week he’ll face a stiff test.
The Defenders are first in pressure rate and have real ball-hawks within their secondary. Gregg Williams is an experienced defensive coordinator, and he should be ready with a game-plan that takes away the arm of McCarron.
DC has been exceptional at home this year, and playing in front of the rowdiest fans in all of the XFL should certainly help. Look for DC to pull away in the fourth. This will be a game where the Battlehawks can’t battle back in!
Three-Team Parlay Odds
Taking the first three parlay bets of this weekend cross-sport parlay card, with Chelsea (-155), Jones Jones (-185), and adding in the DC Defenders -3 (-110) returns juicy +384 parlay odds. This means you would win $384 dollars for every $100 dollars wagered.
MITCH MARNER 🚨
ALL. BY. HIM. SELF. pic.twitter.com/iKAnOvJLjM
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 3, 2023
Pick 4: Maple Leafs over Canucks (-200)
Sat. March 4th at 7:00 PM EST
The Leafs were active before the NHL’s trading deadline, and have instantly become harder to play against. Key additions of Noel Acciari, Sam Lafferty, Luke Schenn, Jake McCabe, and Ryan O’Reilly have this group poised for a deep playoff run, and there is still a lot on the line for this talented crew.
The Leafs are battling hard and fighting to secure home-ice advantage in round one of the Playoffs. It’ll likely mean a repeat of last year’s battle vs. Tampa Bay again, and the Leafs will look to secure every leg-up that they can muster against the battle-tested Bolts.
All that to say, don’t expect Toronto to take a night off on Saturday evening in Vancouver, especially with half of the arena likely cheering for the blue and white.
The Canucks were oddly quiet at the deadline and haven’t fared well in recent weeks. They are banged-up on defense and their offense is going to struggle to sustain pressure against Toronto’s top-notch shot suppressors.
Up front, the Leafs’ offense comes in waves against the opposition as seen Thursday night vs. Calgary. Anytime a team can throw John Tavares over the board, followed by Auston Matthews, and then Ryan O’Reilly all down the middle, they’re going to pose problems for opposing defenses.
The Leafs are one of the Top 5v5 teams this season, and do well to generate all kinds of quality scoring chances and high-danger opportunities.
By contrast, Vancouver has been decent on special teams, but are going to get caved in by the speed and depth of Toronto’s attack at even-strength. And while this is admittedly a steep road price, Toronto should really roll over Vancouver with all that’s on the line come Saturday night.
Four-Team Parlay Odds
And there you have it, folks! Four exciting wagers spanning Saturday and Sunday to add a little excitement to your betting needs this weekend.
If you do choose to wager on all four selections of this parlay card, you will receive parlay odds of +653. This means that you would win $653 dollars for every $100 dollars wagered.
