Premier League betting tips: Florian Wirtz to score against Man City, Leeds to win and more Gameweek 25 betting tips
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from this weekend’s Premier League TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including Sunday, February 8’s big one between Liverpool and Manchester City.
ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Newbury and Warwick on Saturday, February 7
Sport News Blitz’s horse racing tipster Jeff Mexico can’t remember much of the 2000s, so he was relieved when his name didn’t appear in Jeffrey Epstein’s unsealed court documents that were released this week.
He also can’t remember a six-month fling with actress Cameron Diaz in 2007, which he understandably regrets on a daily basis.
Fortunately for us, his racing betting knowledge is still tip top and this Saturday he plunges into the murky depths of ITV’s eight-race offering from Newbury and Warwick.
UFC Fight Night: Preview and suggested bets for Mario Bautista vs Vinicius Oliveira and more
After a jam-packed few weeks in the UFC, with two headline events on back-to-back weekends, fight night is returning to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas for the first time in 2026.
And despite smaller names rounding out the event, fight fans will still want to keep a keen eye on this one as a few potential contenders are making an appearance, writes Sports News Blitz’s Finn Littlewood.
How NHL Rule Changes Could Affect Future Odds and Betting Markets
In the NHL there has been a huge number of changes since the sport first became popular, for example, the curvature of sticks was limited in rules introduced in the 1970s, as the previous designs with excessive curves provided less control and were ultimately more dangerous. This rule change resulted in improved shot accuracy but rather than causing an increase in goals, shots became more predictable for goaltenders.
Another major change from the earlier days of ice hockey was the improvements in goalie safety padding, with larger pads and chest protectors increasing the amount of space taken up the goalie. This led to a reduction in goals from around the late 1990s, so rule changes can often have a significant impact on the game and as a consequence, betting markets.
Arsenal and Man City book Wembley date in Carabao Cup final
Arsenal and Manchester City have booked their places in the 2026 Carabao Cup final after dramatic wins in their two-leg semi-final ties.
The two English giants will now meet at Wembley Stadium on March 22 for a chance to lift silverware in one of England’s major cup competitions.
Padel news: Pure Padel, Property+Padel host sellout networking event at flagship Manchester club
Property+Padel – the world’s leading corporate networking-meets-padel community – held its first event of 2026 for over 120 real estate and corporate professionals at the flagship Manchester venue of rapidly growing UK operator Pure Padel.
In what was the community’s sixth outing since the launch 18 months ago, the event marked Property+Padel’s first trip to the north of England, with the country’s most vibrant padel city, Manchester, playing host.
Horse racing news: Dan Skelton’s Let It Rain set to cost bookies big in William Hill Hurdle at Newbury
William Hill have revealed that Let It Rain, the very popular 11/4 favourite for the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury, is set to be a big loser should she oblige on Saturday.
The Skeltons’ mare has been an extremely popular pick for punters since betting was opened on the feature contest from William Hill Super Saturday.
The 8/1 that was available in January was quickly hoovered up and her price has continued to plummet, with her now sitting as the hot 11/4 favourite.
Padel news: R3 Sport signs British No.3 Tia Norton, strengthening commitment to women’s padel
R3 Sport has signed British No.3 Tia Norton, marking the next step in the professional career of one of the UK’s leading female padel players and reinforcing R3’s commitment to supporting women’s padel at the highest level.
Norton, who has been competing professionally since 2021, joins R3 as she continues her push on the international circuit, with the long-term ambition of breaking into the world’s top 100.
The partnership will see R3 provide enhanced support across Norton’s professional journey, including athlete management, tournament and travel support, commercial guidance, and increased media and content opportunities.
Lewis Hamilton feels ‘winning mentality’ at Ferrari ahead of new F1 season
Lewis Hamilton says he can feel a strong winning mentality at Ferrari as the team builds towards the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The seven-time world champion was speaking after a positive week of running at the Barcelona Shakedown, where Ferrari worked through its programme with few problems.
Travel sickness costing Newcastle Champions League qualification
Newcastle United’s away form has been a concern this season, with only three victories on the road, and it looks unlikely they’ll qualify for the Champions League.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu takes a look at the Magpies' struggles away from home.
MMA analysis: Top-heavy, no depth - The quiet decline of the UFC’s heavyweight division
Sports News Blitz writer Ollie Hughes explores the decline of the UFC’s heavyweight division and how its fall off can be explained.
Premier League Darts 2026: Who to look out for
With the first ranking major of the season coming to a close at the weekend, with Luke Littler picking up his maiden World Masters Title over reigning champ Luke Humphries, all eyes turn to Newcastle as the Premier League of Darts returns for 2026.
Once more, the Premier League line-up drew up plenty of controversy within the darting sphere, as many debated who they believed should make the cut for the 17-week roadshow that all culminates in the thrilling play-offs.
Of course, the top four in the order of merit automatically qualify for the prestigious event, while the rest of the field is selected based on who the PDC view as the most deserving over the last 12 months.
In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Charlie Fawcett looks at the eight players selected for this year’s edition.
Tennis profile: Who is Moïse Kouamé, the rising star of French tennis?
Tennis fans of the non-diehard variety may not necessarily be aware of the French teenager who has, in recent weeks, transitioned from mere prospect status to someone occupying a place in wider consciousness, writes Sports News Blitz’s AJ Becker.
Having already claimed his first ITF titles in his home country last month, 16-year-old Moïse Kouamé has now qualified for his maiden ATP event in Montpellier - getting the better of Elias Ymer and countryman Clément Chidekh (ranked 392 and 349 places above him, respectively).
Starting the year in position #876, his swift ranking elevation to #551 was caused by that pair of ITF titles, and he looks set to rise further when the new rankings are published on Monday, February 9.
Rugby union analysis: Is Henry Pollock a future England legend, or a loud-mouthed flash in the pan?
With the 2026 Six Nations starting on Thursday, February 5, now could be an amazing time for the sport to grow and gain new fans.
This growth starts with the players, and there is one player above all who has caught the attention of the fans and press in recent times.
Henry Pollock is quickly becoming famous, but is it for all the wrong reasons?
Sports News Blitz writer Cameron Cleugh discusses how Pollock is bringing more attention to the sport - and why he is an overall net positive despite what some fans say.
Basketball news: Five names to watch ahead of the NBA trade deadline
With just over 48 hours remaining until the NBA trade deadline, the futures of stars across the league remain unclear as rumours continue to circulate.
Four-time All-Star Trae Young getting moved to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum remains the biggest deal so far. However, a certain Greek superstar continues to make headlines.
Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Powell looks at five of the biggest names on the trade market ahead of the Thursday, February 5, deadline.
What elite rugby reveals about leadership under pressure
Charlie Hodgson built his career in one of the most demanding performance environments in professional sport.
In this exclusive interview with the High-Performance Speakers Agency, Charlie shares his perspective on building high-performing teams, developing resilience through failure, and why mindset remains the defining factor between those who thrive under pressure and those who fall away.
What Cheltenham Festival clues have been uncovered from 2026’s Dublin Racing Festival?
After a pulsating renewal of the Dublin Racing Festival, full of twists, turns and shocks, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh examines the impact the two-day event will have on the upcoming Cheltenham Festival.
Liverpool analysis: How Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike are becoming Liverpool’s star men
Sports News Blitz writer Ruben Picardo Ashworth takes a look at how Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike are leading the way in Liverpool’s revival hopes to finish the 2025/26 campaign strongly.
How Cryptocurrency Payments Are Changing the Way Sports Betting Markets Operate in 2026
Matchdays in 2026 move fast. Team news drops late, prices shift by the minute, and fans expect platforms to keep up. Behind the scenes, the way money moves has become a quiet but decisive factor in how sports betting markets behave.
Historic Australian Open win elevates Carlos Alcaraz into all-time great debate
Carlos Alcaraz has already put himself in the mix to be considered one of the greatest tennis players of all-time after his historic win at the Australian Open, and what comes might not amuse Novak Djokovic fans.