Last weekend’s parlay was another successful one, and we’ll look to repeat that success with this weekend’s huge slate of action across a variety of sports.
Some of the exciting events that we’ll explore in this weekend’s parlay are the XFL, the World Baseball Classic, English Premier League soccer, and UFC 286.
Not to be over-dramatic, but this is really shaping up to be one of the top sports weekends of the year. As always, feel free to kick back, follow these bets, and take in all of the action coming your way on Saturday and Sunday. All betting odds are courtesy of Bovada.
Parlay Picks Today
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
| Aston Villa | -140 |
| Kamaru Usman | -240 |
| DC Defenders -2 | -110 |
| USA | -130 |
Pick 1: Aston Villa over Bournemouth (-140)
Saturday, March 18th at 11AM EST
Just before the international break suspends English soccer action over the next couple of weeks, there are a few crucial clashes that will occur on Saturday. With the lowest nine teams in the Premier League table separated by just twelve points, the 2022-23 relegation battle is going to be intense.
A key game with big-time relegation implications will unfold Saturday as Aston Villa plays host to Bournemouth. This is a match that the home side will surely feel the need to emerge from with three points.
Though Villa started their season quite poor under manager Frank Lampard, veteran sideline boss Unai Emery has come in and offered a spark along with some added life to the Midlands.
Villa has looked organized and well-structured in the games since his appointment, continuing solid defensive play from Tyrone Mings, and timely scoring up top from Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Buendia. That’s a dangerous tandem and one that already connected on a goal just last week at West Ham.
Given the fact that Villa enters as generous -140 favorites at soccer betting sites, this is certainly a price to consider on the home side. They’re the more complete group, and enter in elite form at the moment. They are unbeaten across their previous three matches and, with Emery at the helm, their expected goal metrics have trended upwards.
Ollie Watkins on his West Ham goal 🗣️
“I was saying to Álex [Moreno], sometimes take a touch and look for me in the box early.”
“He’s done that and it’s nice to score again.
“It was an unbelievable ball from him.” 🎯 #avfc pic.twitter.com/gIecIKMPNW
— Total Villa (@Total_Villa) March 16, 2023
Bournemouth hasn’t been great this season, but continue to battle. This was evident last week when the Cherries scraped and clawed their way to a gritty 1-0 win on home soil over high-octane Liverpool. Bournemouth has been in decent form at home. Unfortunately, they have been anaemic away from Vitality Stadium.
They concede possessions easily, struggle to score, and have been among the worst sides in the Premier League at keeping the ball out of their net. Given Ollie Watkins’ torrid form, that’s a bad omen for the Bournemouth defenders.
While the Cherries snagged a 2-0 victory earlier this season, back in August, much has changed for both clubs. Villa is firmly pushing towards a mid-table side, rejuvenated by Emery on the touch-line, while the Cherries continue to flounder, devoid of much talent or hope.
The result against Liverpool notwithstanding, this Bournemouth club looks lost. I expect Villa to score in both halves and winning via shutout. Backing Villa at -140 on Saturday is a nice start to this weekend’s parlay.
Pick 2: Kamaru Usman (-240) over Leon Edwards
Saturday, March 18th at 7:15 PM EST
UFC 286 will be live from London, England, on Saturday evening with an earlier start time than usual to accommodate our friends overseas. Although Leon Edwards will have the home crowd cheering him on, expect a motivated and hungry Kamaru Usman to enter solely focused on taking back the UFC’s Welterweight belt.
Saturday evening’s highly anticipated clash will serve as a grudge match of sorts, as this will be the third time Usman and Edwards face-off in the octagon.
Each competitor has secured a victory to date, and though Edwards narrowly stole the belt off of Usman their last time out, expect the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ to bounce back in a big way.
Edwards has to still be feeling good about his unbelievable head kick that knocked out Usman. In my opinion, it was a fairly lucky blow, and one that went against the flow of the action.
Up until that point, Usman was controlling the bulk of the fight, out-striking Edwards 83-55, and securing takedowns at will. Edwards is 3-0 fighting in London’s O2 Arena, but Usman has been reeling since his last showing, and will be keen on delivering Edwards’ first loss in front of the London faithful.
EDWARDS vs USMAN! #UFC286 is LIVE SATURDAY on @ESPNPlus PPV! pic.twitter.com/Sv9JanmoOF
— danawhite (@danawhite) March 16, 2023
Usman is naturally bigger, and can win this fight in a variety of ways. With ten of Usman’s fifteen fights having gone the distance, expect a more conservation approach from the former champ in this contest.
He will be weary of any significant blows, play things safely by grinding Edwards down, and putting him on the mat with regularity.
Usman remains one of the best to ever step into the octagon, and a freak head kick shouldn’t change our perception of him. We are seeing Usman’s odds reduced because he hasn’t stepped into the cage since that event. It’s likely resulted in the sportsbooks and the public overrating Leon Edwards.
Look for a long, gruelling battle, with Usman ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory and getting his coveted belt back around his waist.
Two-Team Parlay Odds
If you prefer to just go with a two-team Saturday parlay card, Aston Villa (-140) and Kamaru Usman (-240) has parlay odds of +143. This means you would win $143 dollars for every $100 dollars wagered.
Pick 3: DC Defenders -2 (-110) over St. Louis Battlehawks
Saturday, March 18th at 7PM EST
The Defenders have been good to us with these parlay picks and single wagers at the top XFL betting sites. So, let’s go right back to the well for Week 5 of XFL North division action as the Defenders and Battlehawks meet for the second time in three weeks.
The Defenders remain undefeated with a stellar 4-0 record to date. The Defenders secured a tight victory over St. Louis back in Week 3, and followed it up with a crushing performance over the Vegas Vipers in Week 4. DC is producing quite the XFL powerhouse in the early goings of this season.
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.
DC should be able to carve up St. Louis, as they’ve been quite porous in defending opposing rushers. That was the key to victory back in Week 3, and expect DC to turn right back to that approach on Saturday.
The Defenders also proven to be quite difficult to gameplan for, as they have a knack of throwing a bunch of different looks at teams. They’ll likely go to their two-QB approach, with Jordan Ta’amu leading the entire XFL in passing and the talented D’Eriq King being a beast in short yardage situations.
XFL League leaders in RZ opportunities through Week 4:
De’Veon Smith – 13
Abam Smith – 13
Jordan Ta’amu – 11
D’Eriq King – 10
Josh Gordon – 8Side note: DC leads the league in total RZ opportunities (53), 11 more than Houston
— Cody Main (@cmain7) March 15, 2023
King leads the XFL in rushing touchdowns, and can be counted upon to throw the ball periodically as well. Their diverse offensive sets have proven to be headaches for any opposing defensive unit.
The Battlehawks are a good offensive crew and have been especially tough to put away. The have secured impressive come-from-behind victories in their wins. AJ McCarron has revived his career in the XFL, but the Defenders’ defense continues to be the real deal.
Back in Week 3, DC secured a 34-28 victory, and though McCarron found some holes, he threw two interceptions against this ball-hawking secondary. The Defenders remain first in pressure rate and have had great fortune thus far with regard to their turnover margin.
Gregg Williams is an experienced defensive coordinator, and he should be ready with a game-plan that takes away the arm of McCarron for the second time in three weeks.
DC has been exceptional this season both at home and on the road. It promises to be a rowdy St. Louis crowd of 40,000+ fans, but the Battlehawks defense won’t have answers for the power ground attack of the DC Defenders. Look for DC to continue their impressive unbeaten run.
Three-Team Parlay Odds
Taking the first three parlay bets of this weekend’s parlay card, with Aston Villa (-140), Kamaru Usman (-240), and the DC Defenders -2 (-110) returns juicy +364 parlay odds. This means you would win $364 dollars for every $100 dollars wagered.
Pick 4: USA (-130) over Venezuela
Saturday, March 18th at 7PM EST
The World Baseball Classic has produced some fascinating moments and quality baseball to date. Although the regular season of MLB has yet to get going, the playoff-like atmospheres have been a sight to behold.
That will be on full display Saturday night in Miami, as the USA takes on Venezuela in a highly anticipated match-up. The winner of this showdown will battle Cuba in the semi-final.
Team USA hasn’t been all that convincing in their group stage games and have seen their odds fluctuate at baseball betting sites. But you have to think this lineup can and will produce against Venezuela’s erratic starter, Martin Perez.
Mike Trout has been dominant for the stars and stripes, and with Mookie Betts leading off, along with their versatile power line-up, the Americans should be able to get to the lefty Perez early and often.
USA IS MOVING ON 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/t4vP6hv5TE
— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) March 16, 2023
The USA is fortunate to have the best bullpen in the tournament. They know that an early lead should lead to a victory, given all of their talent in relief.
A trio of Ryan Pressly, Devin Williams, and David Bednar are all fully rested for Saturday night, and they should be able to help in stifling a hot-hitting Venezuelan lineup, featuring Eugenio Suarez and Anthony Santander.
They have been a power duo for Venezuela, but if the US pitchers can effectively mix up pitches, change their velocities and give this lineup different looks, expect the USA to pick up the win.
Venezuela doesn’t have the same pitching depth. Going to Perez in a must-win game of this magnitude seems like a recipe for disaster. Although Venezuela’s pitchers have combined for 46 strikeouts across just 36 innings, the Americans boast a veteran line-up and won’t be overwhelmed by the stage or jumpy in their at-bats.
Many of these players are incredibly familiar with Martin Perez. Furthermore, his showings in spring training and at the tail-end of last season have to be worrisome. The Americans have power and versatility within their batting order, and should be able to get to Perez the first time through the order.
While some Americans might be worried about veteran Adam Wainwright on the bump, the crafty pitcher can keep the Venezuelan power bats off-balance with his off-speed looks and he’s protected by an elite bullpen. The US seems motivated for success at this year’s WBC, and look for this squad to pick up an impressive victory.
Four-Team Parlay Odds
And there you have it, folks! Four exciting wagers spanning the weekend to add a little excitement to your betting needs. If you do choose to wager on all four selections of this parlay card, you will receive parlay odds of +720. This means that you would win $720 dollars for every $100 dollars wagered.
