Spring is in the air and the sporting landscape begins to shift across the globe.
Of course, there are still multis to build and calls to make and we will be continuing our certainties series with Friday locks to get you through the weekend.
Nothing is ever certain, but we will try our best.
Here are our Spring Certainties for this weekend!
NRL Grand Final
- Penrith H2H
- Stephen Crichton anytime try-scorer
The Penrith Panthers are hot favorites to claim back-to-back premierships as they meet Parramatta at Accor Stadium on Sunday night.
While the Eels have won two of the last three against the Panthers, the men from the foot of the mountains have been near unstoppable across the last three seasons.
They’ll probably need 16+ points to get the job done here, and so on SEN’s Joel Caine says, the center to five-eighth on Jarome Luai’s left are always a chance to cross over.
That man should be Stephen Crichton on Sunday, and given that he’s scored in Penrith’s last two Grand Finals, he’d hope to make it three from three.
Lachlan Geleit
Bengals @ Dolphins
- Bengals -4.5
- Raheem Mostert rushing yards (under 37.5)
- Joe Burrow over (268.5) passing yards (optional)
The Miami Dolphins are coming off a short week and incredibly hot conditions in last week’s win over Buffalo.
There is no way they are at full strength or have the run in their legs to go the distance in this one. Couple that with the doubts over Tua’s health and the Bengals should win comfortably.
The game script will go against Raheem Mostert, who probably won’t receive many opportunities to carry the ball anyway.
Joe Burrow hasn’t had the best start to the season, but he should start to find his stride from here. You can leave this leg out if you want to play it safe.
Nic Negrepontis
NFL Monday morning slate
- New York Giants -3.5
- Carolina Panthers -1.5
- Atlanta Falcons -1.5
The Chicago Bears’ 2-1 record feels very false. They are one of the weaker teams in the NFL and the New York Giants should cover 3.5 points at home.
The Falcons should beat the Browns outright, while the Panthers have a very good recent record against Arizona.
Nic Negrepontis
Saturday MLB action
New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves
- Alternate total runs under (7.5)
- Jacob DeGrom 6+ strikeouts
- Max Fried 4+ strikeouts
With these two NL East juggernauts battling for playoff position as we head into the final week of the MLB regular season, it’s only fitting that they each brought out the big guns for the first game in their pivotal two-game series.
Arguably the most dominant pitcher in the entire league, Jacob DeGrom has made his name by embarrassing hitters every time he steps on the mound, averaging a touch over nine strikeouts per appearance this season.
The ace of the Braves’ rotation Max Fried is no slouch either, with the crafty lefty earning an All-Star spot in one of the best years of his career.
With these two facing off, expect a low scoring pitcher’s duel that features plenty of strikeouts.
Jack Makeham
Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix
- Max Verstappen won
- Charles Leclerc podium
- Lando Norris top six finish
The Singapore Grand Prix returns for the first time since 2019 as COVID restrictions in the city-state are loosened.
Billed as one of the highlights on the Grand Prix calendar, the traditional night race should see title leader Max Verstappen win again at a track that favors speed.
Look out for Leclerc to finish on the podium, as long as Ferrari nails their in-race strategy. Lando Norris finished seventh in Monza, but this track should suit him slightly better.
Laurence Rosen
AFLW Round 6
- Melbourne -25.5
- North Melbourne -47.5
- Adelaide H2H
Melbourne should continue their dominant AFLW season and have a strong recent record against Fremantle. They should comfortably cover the -25.5 line in this one.
North Melbourne similarly should be way too strong for a Sydney team that will struggle to score against a quality line-up.
Drop in Adelaide head to head to boost things up a little. They are locked in the first Showdown.
Nic Negrepontis
Horse racing
– Artzino to run a place (Flemington, Race 9)
– Buenos Noches to run a place (Flemington, Race 5)
– Mazu to run a place (Randwick, Race 7)
Promising gelding Artzino is the second favorite for the Victoria Derby and is bred to get that trip (2500m), meaning 1800m at Flemington shouldn’t be a problem. Damien Oliver rides and he should be at least running top three in the last at headquarters.
Talented sprinter Buenos Noches is heading towards the Coolmore Stud Stakes and is expected to run well on the way there. He won here at Flemington on protest three weeks ago and Spacewalk, who beat him over the line, has been scratched from this. Favorite Giga Kick should win, but Buenos Noches should be running a drum.
Mazu is primed to run top three in the Premier Stakes at Randwick. Was solid when fifth in behind Nature Strip last start and now gets a nice setup second-up. Loves a heavy track and should get that with rain forecast in Sydney. Lost And Running is the rightful favourite, but Mazu is expected to lob in the placings.
Andrew Slevison
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