Sports Handicapper Tom Macrina's Picks & Predictions

NHL Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings (December 28, 2025)
Recommended Play: Detroit Red Wings Moneyline (up to -160)
Public money is pouring in on the Red Wings, causing the line to move. Shop around for the best number—avoid anything steeper than -160, as value diminishes quickly beyond that.
Key Reasoning:

Head-to-Head Dominance This Season: Detroit has already defeated Toronto twice in 2025-26, including a convincing 6-3 home win in October. While early-season results aren't everything, the Red Wings have consistently outperformed the Leafs in direct matchups.
Overall Team Form: The Red Wings enter with a strong 22-13-3 record (.618 points percentage), sitting comfortably in playoff position. In contrast, Toronto is hovering around .500 at 16-15-5, showing inconsistency throughout the campaign.
Home/Road Splits: Detroit thrives at Little Caesars Arena, feeding off the energy in front of their home crowd. The Maple Leafs have struggled away from Scotiabank Arena all season, often failing to generate consistent offense or defend effectively on the road.
Back-to-Back Situation: Both teams are on the second night of a back-to-back. Fatigue impacts everyone equally here, but the home-ice advantage tips the scales toward the Red Wings, who can lean on crowd support and familiar surroundings to push through.

In a divisional rivalry where home teams often prevail in these spots, we'll ride with Detroit as the superior side right now.
Play: Detroit Red Wings ML -136 

As I write this on December 27, 2025, the Bears' Week 17 matchup against the 49ers is still ahead, but Chicago could already be celebrating an NFC North title by the time you read this—depending on how the Packers-Ravens game shakes out tonight.
Even if Green Bay pulls off the upset and keeps the division race alive, I still see the Bears facing a tough road in Santa Clara. Chicago has been masterful at winning close games this season, racking up several dramatic comebacks and overtime thrillers (like their recent walk-off OT win over Green Bay). Their resilience is real, but it's also a red flag: they've often needed heroics to escape with victories.
Meanwhile, the 49ers are hitting their stride at the perfect time. San Francisco has won their last five games—all by double digits—while getting healthier and more explosive on offense. Brock Purdy and company have been unstoppable lately, putting up massive points against lesser defenses and going without a single punt in their last two outings. The Bears' defense has been turnover-hungry all year, but facing this revamped, healthy 49ers attack at Levi's Stadium feels like a different beast.
This is a heavyweight clash between two 11-4 teams with the NFC's No. 1 seed in play, but the momentum, home-field edge, and recent dominance favor San Francisco.
We'll back the home team here—take the 49ers -3

New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans – Week 17 Betting Preview
The New Orleans Saints (5-10) head to Nashville as slim -2.5 point road favorites against the Tennessee Titans (3-12) in a matchup of two teams playing out the string. The total sits at 39.5, reflecting two struggling offenses but with recent signs of life on both sides.
While the Saints have won three straight – including blowouts over division rivals and a dominant 29-6 victory over the Jets – I'm not convinced they're a field goal better than this Titans squad on the road. The line opened around Saints -3 but has ticked down slightly, suggesting some sharp money on the home underdog.
New Orleans win streak looks solid on paper, but two of those victories came against NFC South opponents, and the third was against a Jets team that's among the league's worst. Their run game remains nonexistent (bottom-10 in rushing yards per game this season), forcing rookie QB Tyler Shough to carry the offense through the air. That one-dimensional approach could play right into the hands of a Titans defense that's shown improvement in disrupting passing attacks lately.
On the flip side, Tennessee's offense has found a spark in recent weeks behind rookie QB Cam Ward. Over the last three games, Ward has thrown multiple touchdowns each time out, looking increasingly comfortable as a pro-level passer while leaning on a strong ground attack led by Tony Pollard. The Titans just dominated the Chiefs 26-9 at home, controlling the game with balanced play and efficient quarterbacking.
I do lean toward the under here given both defenses' ability to limit big plays and the low total, but the real value is on the home dog. The Titans are a live underdog in a spot where they can keep it close – or even pull the upset – by pounding the rock and protecting Ward.
Play: Tennessee Titans +2.5
Sprinkle: Titans moneyline for added value as a true live dog.

AC Milan vs Hellas Verona – Serie A Preview and Betting Recommendation
AC Milan, currently second in the Serie A standings, host relegation-threatened Hellas Verona at the San Siro on December 28, 2025. The Rossoneri are heavy favorites in a fixture they have completely dominated in recent years.
Milan have shown strong domestic form this season, remaining unbeaten in their last 14 league matches heading into this round. While recent results across all competitions have been mixed—including a Supercoppa Italiana exit—they have been particularly solid at home and against lower-table sides. Verona, sitting 18th and just two points from safety, have finally found some momentum with back-to-back wins (including against Atalanta and Fiorentina), ending a long winless streak. Their attack has started to click, but defensive vulnerabilities remain a major concern, especially on the road.
The head-to-head record heavily favors Milan: the Rossoneri have won the last nine encounters across all competitions, with Verona's most recent victory coming in December 2017 (a 3-0 home win). Remarkably, Verona have not won at the San Siro against Milan since 1922, an astonishing drought spanning over a century.
While Verona's improved form could make them competitive and potentially contribute to goals, Milan's superior quality, home advantage, and historical dominance point to a comfortable victory for the hosts.
Recommended Bet: AC Milan -1.25 Asian Handicap (-114)
This line offers value— a one-goal win returns half the stake, while a victory by two or more goals yields a full payout. Expect Milan to capitalize on their favored matchup and secure a convincing result.

Sunderland vs Leeds United – Premier League Match Analysis (December 28, 2025)
Sunderland, currently sitting comfortably in 6th place with 27 points, have been one of the standout stories of the Premier League season following their promotion. They've maintained an unbeaten record at the Stadium of Light, picking up 18 points from 8 home games ( 5 wins and 3 draws). Their defensive solidity at home has been key, with recent performances including a hard-fought 0-0 draw away at Brighton despite significant disruptions.
The major concern for Régis Le Bris' side is the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which has depleted the squad of several key players. These absences impact both defense and attack, yet Sunderland have shown resilience, keeping clean sheets in recent outings.
In contrast, Leeds United occupy 16th place with 19 points, six clear of the relegation zone after a recent surge in form. Daniel Farke's team is unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches, highlighted by an impressive 4-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace – their third game in four where they've scored three or more goals. This run has pulled them away from immediate danger.
However, Leeds' vulnerability remains evident on the road: they've secured just one win in eight away Premier League games this season, with frequent draws or defeats.
Head-to-head context: The most recent meeting (in the Championship last season) saw Leeds edge a 2-1 victory at Elland Road. Prior encounters have been competitive, with Leeds unbeaten in the last three against Sunderland, though historical meetings often feature draws or tight scorelines.
Leeds' attack has been revitalized by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is in red-hot form – becoming the first Leeds player in over two decades to score in five consecutive Premier League games. His physical presence and clinical finishing make him a standout threat, and he's excellent value in player prop markets like anytime goalscorer (I bet him to score a goal @ 2/1).
Despite Sunderland's AFCON-hit squad potentially blunting both ends of the pitch, their impeccable home record provides a strong foundation. Leeds carry momentum and firepower, but their poor away form suggests they may struggle to break down a resolute Sunderland defense.
A draw remains a realistic outcome given the balance of strengths, offering valuable insurance on a straight away win play.
Recommended Bet: Leeds +0 (Asian Handicap) @ around -105
(This covers a Leeds win for full payout or a draw for stake refund – ideal given the potential for a stalemate while backing Leeds' current confidence.)