CHRISTMAS is a time for miracles.
At SafeBookies, when it comes to miracles, we love the sporting kind. So, we’ve compiled our top five Christmas and New Year sporting upsets.
Everyone enjoys an upset, especially punters who managed to make some money out of it. Included in our list are three major upsets which rocked the punting world. We’ve also included two upcoming games which could decide the fate of four world famous teams in american professional sports.
We kick it off with the Darts World Championships, which runs before and after Christmas. Darts has become a global phenomenon and is increasing steadily as a feature sport for punters. In 2013, the best darts player of all time faced a relative unknown youngster who caused the biggest upset in darts history.
#5 Michael Smith vs. Phil Taylor (2013)
16-time World Champion Phil Taylor breezed into the second round and many people thought he would continue his run into yet another World Championship final.
His opponent was Michael “Bully Boy” Smith who was certainly no slouch, but a massive outsider to beat Phil Taylor at Alexandra Palace. One punter was so confident in a Taylor win they put 100,000 pounds on Taylor to advance to the third round.
With mentor, and now World Champion himself, Gary Anderson watching on, Smith pulled off the biggest upset in darting history by beating Taylor with a classic 128 checkout on the bull.
That catapulted Smith onto the world stage and he has since performed very well against the best players in the world. Phil Taylor has yet to win another World Championship, but punters can get $5 at Sportsbet.com.au for The Power later this month.
Michael Smith is currently a $51 chance as he looks to take the scalp of other big-name players.
#4 1990 Liberty Bowl – Air Force vs. Ohio State
There is no better time for American Football punters than bowl season. The amount of games played over Christmas and New Years is incredible and it gives the everyday punter something to watch when there’s not many viewing options around.
Turning the clock back to 1990 it was the famed Ohio State Buckeyes (7-3-1) vs. the Air Force Falcons (6-5) which weren’t expected to compete with Ohio State.
The Buckeyes came into the Liberty Bowl ranked the 24th best team in the country and Air Force were unranked after finishing sixth out of nine teams in their division. In the past, military teams such as Air Force, Army and Navy have struggled to beat the football-orientated sides like Ohio State.
Coming into the game Ohio State has beaten the #6 ranked Iowa and the only noted teams Air Force had beaten were their military counterparts in Navy and Army.
It was sloppy going for the Buckeyes which committed plenty of turnovers and Air Force were able to capitalise on their mistakes, winning the game 23-11 with Falcons quarterback Rob Perez winning the game MVP despite completing only one pass from three attempts.
Perez set a Liberty Bowl record for least amount of completions and he threw for only 11 yards and committed one interception, but he rushed for a massive 93 yards and two touchdowns, completing their biggest upset in bowl history.
Bet on all the bowl games this festive season with Bet365.com.au.
#3 Bangladesh vs. India
Boxing Day, 2004 was the highlight of the Bangladesh Cricket team which toppled cricket powerhouse India in Dhaka.
Bangladesh were struggling at the bottom of the cricket world, having never won a game at home and suffering defeats to minnows Canada and Kenya at the 2003 World Cup, but someone forgot to tell them that.
Thanks to a solid batting effort from Aftab Ahmed who scored a quick 67 and a superb bowling display from Mashrafe Mortaza who destroyed the Indian top order, Bangladesh were able to hold off the Indians after a late charge from the men in baby blue.
India were bowled out for only 214 runs and it was easily one of their most embarrassing losses of all time. We’ll call it Christmas miracle for the Bangladeshis who have since made good headway in the cricketing ranks.
#2 Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles – December 24, 2015
This classic NFC East game between two rivals could well decide which team makes it into the NFL playoffs and it all goes down on December 24 at Lincoln Field in Philadelphia.
Washington and Phili are currently tied at the top in the NFC East on five wins apiece and the loser could all but lose their chance at playing finals football.
Washington started their season poorly, but regained some momentum midway through the season. They did suffer a gut-wrenching loss to the Cowboys in Week 13, but they still remain in first place.
The Eagles have had a tumultuous season which has sparked rumours about coach Chip Kelly being fired, but a win over the New England Patriots has given them a new found glory. The Eagles are no longer heading in reverse and they will be looking forward to hosting the Redskins for some Christmas cheer.
Markets for Week 16 games will be posted from December 17.
#1 Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – December 25, 2015
This NBA Christmas Day clash couldn’t get any bigger when the defending champions the Golden State Warriors host LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
At the time of writing, the Warriors are unbeaten on 23-0 and despite ripping through teams like they don’t even exist, the winner of this matchup will hold a big advantage come playoff time.
These two sides met in the 2014/2015 NBA Championship where the Warriors proved too classy, and that makes LeBron mad. He wants revenge, especially with a healthy team behind him and a win on Christmas Day would be step one to redemption.
If the season continues the way it’s going, we’re expecting the Warriors to enter Cleveland as the favourites with bookmakers, but a fully fit Cavs’ side will be a stern test for MVP Stephen Curry and the Warriors.
