Big Week in Betting as NFL Heads to Playoffs

The first week of the New Year is traditionally a big one for sports betting, and this time it's no different as the National Football League heads into the playoff round and important fixtures take place in European soccer leagues.

The NFL title is now officially a race between 12 contenders as the countdown to Super Bowl XLV begins. The playoffs begin on Sunday with the wildcard matches, highlighted by a rematch of last year's AFC Championship game the New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts.

Also in American Football, some major season-ending NCAA action will take place with the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl.

Across the pond, the busy English Premier League schedule continues with all 20 teams in action on Tuesday and Wednesday. Arsenal starts favourite against Manchester City in a match-up between two of the five teams in the running for the premiership.

Here are some of the odds from a few of the different bookmakers, with times in GMT:

• NFL title (Titan Bet): New England Patriots 2.75, Pittsburgh Steelers 6.50, Atlanta Falcons 7.00, New Orleans Saints 9.50, Chicago Bears 10.00, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles 12.00, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts 13.00, all others 21.00 and over.
• NCAA (William Hill): Orange Bowl, Tuesday 1:30 A.M. - Stanford Cardinal 20/33, Virginia Tech Hokies 29/20; Sugar Bowl, Wednesday 1:30 A.M. - Ohio State Buckeyes 20/31, Arkansas Razorbacks 27/20.
• English Premier League title (888): Manchester United 10/11, Arsenal 10/3, Chelsea 9/2, Manchester City 13/2, Tottenham 22/1.

Bet at William Hill on any of these sports and more this month can take advantage of British bookmaker's January sale. Offers include the January accumulator bet, which gives you the chance to get up to 30% extra on your winnings.