Narrow defeats have been the theme with our optimistic parlay predictions thus far in July. However, a loaded weekend slate offers up some excitement for what should produce a thrilling finale to the month.
This weekend’s parlay ticket will focus on the Canadian Football League, Major League Baseball, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and UFC 291: Gaethje vs Poirer 2.
As always, these picks are introduced by my level of confidence for each particular wager. All odds are courtesy of Bovada.
Weekend Parlay Picks
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
| France PK/Draw No Bet | -108 |
| Justin Gaethje | +125 |
| Saskatchewan Roughriders +10.5 | -110 |
| Los Angeles Angels | +121 |
Pick 1: France PK (-108) vs. Brazil
Saturday, July 29th at 6:00 AM ET
Despite the wonky start times to many of us in North America, the Women’s World Cup is roaring along, and there are countless betting opportunities for us to explore. For Saturday morning, be sure to set those alarm clocks as two of the Women’s World Cup betting sites’ favorites are set to face off in a huge group-stage clash.
France will take on Brazil in a matchup of two of the premier sides in women’s international soccer. It’s a game that carries a ton of intrigue, especially with the French being held scoreless in their opener against a pesky Jamaican side.
Brazil has never beaten France across all competitions, and given their current form, and the solid defensive form of the French, count on that trend continuing in this match. It was France who knocked Brazil out of the 2019 World Cup, and this French side has even more quality to bring a stunningly average Brazilian team back down to reality following their first-match thrashing of Panama.
France put 14 shots toward the goal in their opener vs. Jamaica, and maintained a 75% possession rate! They are as solid at the back as any team in the tournament, and their elite blend of skill and ball-winners in the midfield should prevent the Brazilian passing attack from gaining too much momentum come Saturday morning.
Brazil’s main player to watch will be the crafty forward, Debinha. She was dynamic in the opener against Panama, though France’s fast and physical defenders should be able to contain Brazil’s top threat.
Phenomenal Nike ad with Debinha ahead of the #FIFAWWC 👏🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/O0RxYH3UXE
— Jack Grimse (@JackGrimse) July 19, 2023
The French do enter this match with a key injury concern with their captain, as star defender Wendie Renard is currently battling a calf issue. This is a status worth monitoring, but it is worth noting that the French have excellent defensive depth.
The betting line for this match has shifted considerably over the past week or so, and it’s all because of market overreactions to opening matches that don’t really paint a full picture of these two teams.
France’s defensive positioning, structure, and organization under manager Herve Renard is simply too good to see them conceding a goal. Even with Wendie Renard a possible scratch, this French side possesses a ton of quality in attack, and their passing and creativity should trouble an unproven defense from the Brazilians.
With generous market prices at soccer betting sites, backing France on the PK or ‘Draw No Bet’ line is a solid value wager to open up this weekend’s parlay. This means that if the match is tied after full time, the bet is voided from the parlay, though if France defeats Brazil, the full stake counts toward the parlay.
Pick 2: Justin Gaethje (+125) vs. Dustin Poirier
Saturday, July 29 at 11:45 PM EDT
This weekend’s UFC 291 fight card from Salt Lake City is one you will not want to miss. It’s a loaded slate of bouts, many of which have thrilling potential.
One of those epic clashes will headline the evening, in what should produce a fight that could warrant ‘Fight of the Year’ discussion when all is said and done, as Dustin Poirier takes on Justin Gaethje in a rematch of their 2018 battle.
During that first bout, it was Poirier who prevailed. However, this time around, we envision a different scenario playing out, as we enter the weekend with a big edge on the underdog, Justin Gaethje.
Looking back on that fight from five years ago, Gaethje looked to be in complete control of that match entering the fourth of five rounds. He had battered Poirier with an onslaught of leg kicks, and his pace and activity while standing was certainly troubling him.
However, a fortunate connection on an overhand left temporarily left Gaethje stunned, and Poirier took full advantage in forcing the ref to stop the bout via knockout.
"One will be the baddest motherf—er in the game." – Mike Tyson
Poirier-Gaethje II is destined to be a classic 👊 #UFC291 pic.twitter.com/bxuS3Z4DyA
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 28, 2023
Since that moment, both fighters have undoubtedly progressed and improved, but the thinking here is that Gaethje has morphed into a better, more well-rounded combatant. His style is now less aggressive, and more patient and calculated – a strategy that will surely serve him well in this Saturday’s main event against Poirier.
Gaethje is coming off of a dominant showing against Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286, and another victory here over a formidable opponent in Poirier would firmly put the lightweight back in contention for a title bout. At age 34, this could be the last shot for the Arizona native.
Defeating Poirier won’t be easy, but this fight is quite simple to project. It’s going to be a standing war, and Gaethje’s defense, striking, and kicking has all exceeded the current level of what we have seen of late from Poirier.
In a fight that should be incredibly even, the market is off in their pricing of the pesky Justin Gaethje. We suggest that the wrong fighter is favored for the main event of UFC 291, and love the value of Gaethje to emerge victorious on Saturday night. At impressive +125 odds, currently listed at the top UFC betting sites, adding a fighter of his calibre to this parlay is certainly an exciting proposition!
Two-Team Parlay Odds
If you prefer to just go with a two-leg parlay card, France Draw No Bet (-108) and Justin Gaethje (+125), you will get +333 odds. This means you would win $333 dollars for every $100 dollars wagered.
Pick 3: Saskatchewan Roughriders +10.5 (-110) vs. Toronto Argonauts
Sat. July 29th at 4:00 PM ET
Saturday’s afternoon clash features one of the bigger mismatches on paper here in Week 8, as the 5-0 Toronto Argonauts play ‘host’ to the 3-3 Saskatchewan Roughriders. It is worth noting that though the Argos are technically listed as the home side for this game, it is taking place at a neutral venue of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Argos are undoubtedly a surprise unbeaten side, but to their credit, they’ve feasted on weak opposition. Chad Kelly has come into this league and very much taken it by storm, with his big arm and impressive running skills. They lead the CFL in total yards per game, putting up an impressive 411.2 through the first two months.
That said, the Argos have feasted on a putrid East division and a favorable rest schedule. They are a good squad, and likely the best in their division, but the West is much stronger. Current betting markets at football betting sites are overreacting to Saskatchewan losing quarterback Trevor Harris back in Week 6.
The Riders’ possess great depth at the QB position, as youngster Mason Fine has come in and been sharp in his absence. Despite limited protection from his offensive line, Fine has thrown for 300 yards in his past two outings, and should be able to throw on the weak spot of this Argos’ defense, their secondary.
#Riders quarterback Mason Fine on what this opportunity means for him with Trevor Harris out for possibly the season. #CFL pic.twitter.com/8mOHNNcWKT
— Britton Gray (@BrittonGray) July 18, 2023
It will also certainly help Saskatchewan and Fine that center Peter Godber is expected to return to action from injury here in Week 8. If the Riders’ improving offensive line can hold off a ferocious Toronto pass rush, we certainly like the chances of Saskatchewan being able to cover this massive spread.
Another factor pushing this game into potentially being a close one is the current forecast out east in Nova Scotia. Around gametime, it seems likely that it will be one plagued by rain, and that could lead to more of an opportunity for the Riders to keep pace with the Argos.
Saskatchewan has been quite average with their own run game this season, as Jamal Morrow has struggled to find holes for positive yardage and big gains. Though with Godber returning to the offensive line, combined with Toronto missing their usual starting middle linebacker in Jordan Williams, a rainy run-game boost for the Riders could be their ticket to success on Saturday afternoon.
Ultimately, this spread is far too high for a neutral site game, and would be seen as a ridiculous number just a few weeks prior. Toronto has taken advantage of opportune scenarios with a relatively easy scenario, and they’ve certainly been the most fortunate squad in the entire CFL.
The Argos are a candidate for regression during the second-half of the season, and expect Fine and a battle-tested Roughriders squad to make this a close encounter.
Three-Team Parlay Odds
Taking the first three legs of this weekend’s parlay card, France Draw No Bet (-108) and Justin Gaethje (+125), and Saskatchewan Roughriders +10.5 points (-110), will return you exciting +727 parlay odds. This means you would win $727 dollars for every $100 dollars wagered.
Pick 4: Los Angeles Angels (+121) at Toronto Blue Jays
Sat. July 29th at 3:07 PM ET
Our final selection of this weekend four-leg parlay will be on the diamond, where the Toronto Blue Jays look to continue their impressive run of form in an intriguing matchup against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. The Jays have just returned home from Los Angeles, after taking two of three games against the cross-town Dodgers.
Meanwhile, the Angels enter Toronto generating all sorts of headlines both on and off the field. The Angels have decided that they’ll be keeping the likely American League MVP Shohei Ohtani past the trade deadline, opting to push for the playoffs.
This game will be a matchup that pits Toronto’s struggling right-hander Alek Manoah against Los Angeles’ Reid Detmers. The Angels’ bats have been red-hot lately and, given the fact that Manoah has been absolutely horrible all season long, you have to like the Angels chances of getting to the big righty early and often on Saturday afternoon.
Manoah enters the weekend with a 6.10 ERA and a 6.27 FIP. At home within the Rogers Centre is where Manoah has been especially awful. He has allowed opponents to bat .336 off of him at home, and boasts a staggering 9.00 ERA across 31 dismal innings. Given the Angels’ current form at the dish, this hungry Los Angeles squad should be in line for a massive day at the dish.
Manoah threw 23 pitches in that inning with 2 strikes and couldn't get a whiff.
Making it as clear as day that he doesn't have putaway stuff right now. pic.twitter.com/QOlUawIcXT
— Nick Ashbourne (@NickAshbourne) July 18, 2023
Manoah’s pitching opponent, Reid Detmers, has not had that great of a season himself, but he has shown signs of turning the corner in recent outings. He was excellent in his last start, recording nine strikeouts across five innings, and has been especially tough on right-handed batters – holding them to a .221 average this season.
The Toronto lineup is loaded with powerful righties, but Detmers has confounded them throughout his career, holding the Jays’ hitters to a combined .209 batting average.
Toronto enters Saturday as the hottest team in the entire American League going back to June 1st, and have really improved their collective approaches at the dish.
However, they have been dreadful all season long when Manoah has pitched, and Detmers won’t be a pushover on the mound. With the struggles of Manoah persisting, it’s extremely favorable to back the LA Angels on Saturday afternoon at MLB betting sites. They look to close the gap on the Blue Jays in the standings, and make an exciting push for the final playoff spot.
Four-Team Parlay Odds
And there you have it, folks! Four exciting wagers spanning throughout a loaded final weekend of July. We did mention that we were feeling quite good about the betting options available, and we certainly did not disappoint with this weekend’s juicy parlay odds!
If you do choose to wager on all four selections of this parlay card, you will receive parlay odds of +1728. This means that you would win $1,728 dollars for every $100 dollars wagered!
