Each week, our “What’s on Tap” series previews the week ahead in the world of sports betting. Come here for a summary of upcoming financial happenings, legislative and regulatory meetings, industry conferences, top games scheduled for the week, and much more. Also, check out our weekly review “Get a Grip” for a look back at last week’s notable news.
Monday, November 14
FIFA to announce World Cup rosters
As of Monday morning, 31 of 32 nations had announced rosters for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with Ecuador the lone straggler ahead of the 1 p.m. ET deadline.
With star midfielder Jesus “Tecatito” Corona already ruled out due to injury, Mexico fans let out a collective sigh of relief on Monday when Raul Jimenez was named to the roster. Jimenez has been out since August with knee and groin injuries. At PointsBet, Mexico has odds of +450 to win Group C, far behind group favorite Argentina (-250). Led by star striker Robert Lewandowski, Poland is the third choice to win the group at +500.
Congratulations to Raul Jimenez on being called up to Mexico's 2022 World Cup squad.
He joined us after the last World Cup, we hope he can rejoin us reinvigorated after the upcoming one. Vamos Mexico 🐺 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/7DRFQR7p3d
— Wolves Fancast (@wolvesfancast) November 14, 2022
Wednesday, November 16
Sportradar reports Q3 earnings
After two weeks of quarterly earnings releases across the sports betting industry, the 2022 third-quarter earnings announcement period is drawing to a close. When Sportradar releases third-quarter earnings on Wednesday, the prominent sports betting data provider will be one of the last industry names to report. Last week, Genius Sports, Radar’s main rival, beat revenue estimates while posting a more narrow loss on a year-over-year basis. Sportradar is expected to report earnings per share of 3 cents for the quarter, up from a net loss of 3 cents in the year-ago period.
Saturday, November 19
Trojans favored over Bruins in key Pac-12 showdown
A potential Top 10 matchup between USC and UCLA lost some of its luster when then-No. 9 UCLA fell to 8-2 with an upset loss to Arizona. Still, there is much on the line in a Week 12 matchup between the Los Angeles rivals on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl. While both teams can still win the Pac-12 title, No. 7 USC also has an outside shot at earning a spot in the College Football Playoff national semifinals. USC opened as a 3-point favorite at Caesars Sportsbook; the total is 73.5 points.
In other action, No. 1 Georgia hits the road to face Kentucky in Lexington. The Bulldogs remained undefeated with a win over Mississippi State, but Kentucky fell out of the Top 25 with an upset loss to Vanderbilt. Georgia opened as a 22.5-point favorite; the total is 49.5. Georgia has already clinched a spot in the SEC Championship game.
Three others — No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Michigan, and No. 4 TCU — will also look to stay unbeaten. The Horned Frogs need two more wins to end the regular season with an unblemished record. After a 17-10 win over Texas, TCU will face another tough road matchup on Saturday against Baylor. TCU (10-0) opened as a 3-point favorite; the total is 56.5 points. While Baylor opened the season in the Top 10, the Bears already have four defeats, including a resounding 31-3 loss to Kansas State on Saturday.
Sunday, November 20
World Cup begins in Qatar
The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off Sunday when host nation Qatar takes on Ecuador. This marks the first time that the world’s most popular sporting event will be held in an Arab nation. Ranked 50th in the current FIFA world rankings, Qatar enters the tournament as a massive longshot. Qatar has odds of 10/1 at DraftKings to win Group A, along with odds of +350 to advance past the group stage — the worst of the four teams in the group. On Sunday, Qatar is a +235 dog against Ecuador (+130), with odds of +215 on a draw.
The Qatar-Ecuador matchup is the lone game on Sunday’s schedule. Action will pick up next week when the U.S. takes on Wales in its World Cup opener. DraftKings has installed Brazil (+400) as the favorite to win the World Cup, ahead of Argentina and France at odds of +500 and +700, respectively. While Qatar has odds of 300/1 to win the tournament, five other teams have even steeper odds.
I'm not optimistic for Asian teams. No AFC team looks in strong position to advance in Qatar. It will be interesting to see whether any Asian side can defy the odds.
— Samy Kiani (@SamyKiani) September 11, 2022
Blue Bombers favored to win Grey Cup in frigid Regina
From the outset of the CFL season, Winnipeg (15-3) has dominated the competition. In its quest for three consecutive Grey Cup titles, the Blue Bombers raced out to a 9-0 record. On Sunday, Winnipeg earned a spot in the Grey Cup with a 28-20 victory over the BC Lions. The Blue Bombers will face the Toronto Argonauts, a 34-27 winner over Montreal in the semis.
The teams will encounter frigid conditions in Regina for the 109th Grey Cup, with temperatures projected to be around -15 Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit). The Blue Bombers are 4.5-point favorites at bet365; the total is 48 points. Winnipeg edged Toronto 23-22 in Week 4, the only meeting between the teams this season.
Toronto has opened at +4.5, but Winnipeg QB Zach Collaros is questionable after injuring his angle.
It should be interesting to see where this game ends up, but I’m guessing Winnipeg -2.5 if Collaros is out and -3.5 if he is in. https://t.co/yP8djpMZu5
— Kevin Davis (@BoogieDownPicks) November 14, 2022
Djokovic seeks record-tying sixth ATP Finals championship
When Novak Djokovic won the ATP Tour Finals in 2015, he captured the tour’s marquee year-end event for a fourth consecutive year. The win gave Djokovic five career ATP Finals titles, one shy of Roger Federer’s all-time record. But Djokovic has not won the singles title since; in fact, he hasn’t been back to the finals since 2018.
Djokovic can tie Federer’s mark with a victory in Sunday’s final in Turin. At BetMGM, Djokovic is the clear favorite to win the tournament with odds of +140. Should Rafael Nadal (+750) win in Italy, he will secure the year-end No. 1 ranking in the world. Stefanos Tsitsipas can also end the season as the world’s No. 1 singles player. If Tsitsipas wins the championship in Turin, he will make history as the first Greek player to capture that No. 1 ranking.
Vikings seek first 9-1 start since 2009
Trailing 27-23 to the Bills on Sunday, the Vikings converted a 4th-and-18 on a catch by Justin Jefferson sure to be replayed for years. But moments later, the Bills appeared to secure the win with a fourth-and-goal stop of Kirk Cousins. On the next play, however, conjuring images of the iconic Joe Pisarcik fumble in 1978, Josh Allen fumbled a snap in the end zone, leading to a Vikings touchdown. The Vikings went on to win 33-30 in overtime, sealing the win with a Patrick Peterson interception.
Minnesota can improve to 9-1 with a victory over the Cowboys in Week 11. To the surprise of some, the Vikings are 2-point home dogs against Dallas at FanDuel. The Vikings’ Super Bowl odds have steadily shortened throughout the season. A 40/1 longshot to win Super Bowl LVII in the preseason, Minnesota is now the co-fifth choice at FanDuel with odds of 13/1. The Bills, still the Super Bowl favorites at every major sportsbook, have fallen to the No. 6 seed, for now, in the AFC. Buffalo still has odds of +380 at FanDuel to capture the Super Bowl.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON CATCH OF THE CENTURY. pic.twitter.com/Cos6v0yPIC
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 13, 2022
Key injuries and lineup changes heading into Week 11 of the NFL season:
- Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp left Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. Following the game, coach Sean McVay did not have an update, but told reporters that it “didn’t look good.” Starting quarterback Matthew Stafford missed the game due to the league’s concussion protocols. The defending Super Bowl champion Rams (3-6) have lost five of six. At SuperBook Sports, the Rams are 3-point road underdogs at New Orleans.
- The Cardinals lost Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz to a knee injury in the win over the Rams. Ertz is expected to miss multiple weeks with the injury, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. Cardinals starting quarterback Kyler Murray missed the game with a hamstring injury. Murray’s status for Monday night’s matchup against the 49ers in Mexico is still unknown. The 49ers are 7.5-point favorites at BetRivers; the total is 43.5 points.
- Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy left Sunday’s loss to the Titans with an ankle injury. Following the game, Denver coach Nathaniel Hackett told reporters that the Broncos are hopeful they “dodged a bullet” with the severity of Jeudy’s injury. The Broncos are 3-point home favorites over the Raiders at Circa Sports.
