Let's face it sports betting is only as good as the players you bet on. Unless you're betting the Over, I'd avoid Citadel when playing Nick Saban and Alabama.
Saban is universally known as the greatest college coach, which is great for Alabama but also a fitting segue into our list of the best players to put your money behind when betting on sports. Without further ado, here are the best players to bet on in sports.
MORE: What are the Best Teams to Bet on?
1. Patrick Mahomes
You can't do NFL betting without involving Patrick Mahomes somehow! The half-billion dollar man has been on an incredible run since his first start with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Mahomes’ record as a starter is super impressive, and includes both the NFL regular season and postseason. If you had placed a
moneyline bet
on Mahomes and the Chiefs across his career, your win rate would be over 80% (as at NFL Week 1 2021).
Mahomes may be short odds but he is good value for a MVP futures bet. The Chiefs to win another AFC Championship would be another bet almost too good to refuse.
Best Bet: Mahomes to Win 2021/2022 MVP
MORE:
The List of Super Bowl MVP Winners
2. Aaron Rodgers
A-Rod’s Packers may have fallen short during the playoffs in the last two seasons but his greatness cannot be called into question.
Rodgers is notoriously difficult to beat at Lambeau Field, unless you’re Eli Manning or Tom Brady.
Aaron Rodgers Record As a Packer (pre 2021 Season):
Overall Record: 129-67-1 (65% win rate)
Home Record: 78-19-1 (79.5% win rate)
Road Record: 51-48 (51.5% win rate)
Rodgers and the Packers on the road certainly aren’t your best option, but when it comes to Green Bay at home at the moneyline, you’re almost always a good chance to win.
Best Bet: Rodgers and Green Bay to Make 2021/2022 NFC Championship Game
MORE:
Celebrities who love to bet on Sports
3. Tom Brady
Bill Belichick bet against Tom Brady and that hasn’t worked too well for the GOAT of coaching so far.
Brady led the Bucs to the promised land in a COVID year with the midseason addition of Antonio Brown, contended with an underdone Rob Gronkowski and a lack of cohesion with his lineman and receivers.
Just imagine what he could do with an offseason of work down south, now familiar with Bruce Arians’ system and a young, thriving defense a year wiser.
Without Drew Brees, Brady faces an easier path to the NFC South title and won’t likely have to go on the road three times to reach his 11th Super Bowl.
Best NFL Bet: Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Win the 2021/2022 NFC Championship
4. LeBron James
Thought of by many as the GOAT, LeBron continues to defy Father Time.
In the last decade, LeBron has reached nine Finals and was closing in on Bill Russell’s all-time record of 12 Finals appearances.
With Anthony Davis by his side and the lure of the Los Angeles Lakers at his back, King James could build a dynasty at Staples Center.
Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden look the likeliest challengers to LeBron but the mixture of personalities and lack of chemistry could mean it's too soon for this season. For those betting on these matchups, it's advisable you use the
best NBA betting strategies
which can help you make smarter picks by focusing on team strengths and also individual performances.
Best Bet: LeBron and the Lakers to Run It Back and Win the 2021/2022 NBA Championship
5. Kevin Durant
The Slim Reaper has come back with a vengeance after his terrible achilles injury during the 2019 NBA Finals. Brooklyn now has the star piece capable of taking them to the promised land.
With former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate James Harden joining KD and Kyrie, Durant now has another Big Three. Although this time, Durant is the head of the snake and will look to make his time his own.
Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers will provide a massive challenge to the Eastern Conference crown and are one of the best home teams to bet on in the NBA.
In the same vein, if you're looking to bet on golf, knowing the
best betting strategies for golf
can also help you make smarter bets based on player form and conditions.
Best Bet: Nets to Win 2021/22 Eastern Conference
6. Mohamed Salah
Mo Salah and Liverpool may not be at the levels of the past few seasons, but the Egyptian cannot stop scoring since his arrival on Merseyside and is always a good EPL bet.
Salah has already won two Premier League Golden Boot titles — the league’s top scorer in a season.
The Egyptian King looks odds-on to win another Golden Boot, ahead of Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, Jamie Vardy and company.
Best Bet: Salah to Win PL Golden Boot
MORE:
Best EPL Soccer Betting Strategies
7. Lionel Messi
How can you ever bet against the greatest soccer player to grace earth?
Leo is still arguably the best player in world soccer and his form is right up there again this season. His best friend Luis Suarez is battling with him for player and top scorer of the campaign, but you’d be hard pressed to bet against Messi.
Atletico Madrid — Suarez’s new club — are heavy favorites to win the La Liga title and Suarez is rightly considered the biggest threat to Messi’s fifth-straight Pichichi — top scorer title.
Ironically, Suarez was the last player not named Lionel Messi to win the scoring title when they were teammates in Barcelona. However, just as in the
best betting strategies for UFC, where focusing on proven winners and form can guide your bets, we can’t go past the GOAT though.
Best La Liga Bet: Messi to Win La Liga Top Scorer
These are the best athletes in the world and the reason they’re considered as such? Well, all they do is win. Which is what we’re hoping you can achieve. Whether you’re making a bet on a high-stake game or looking for the
top 10 sports events to bet on, staying informed is key.
If you keep an eye on Dimers for our daily best picks and analytics-driven probability calculator you’re a better chance than ever.
However, don’t forget that no pick is ever going to give you a sure chance of winning. So check this
responsible gambling page
to see how you can bet safely on sports.
If you’re looking for a sportsbook before placing a wager — smart thinking — here’s our pick of the best
sports betting websites
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