Underdog Bets of the Day for Wednesday, December 18

Finding value in underdogs is key to profitable betting, and today’s slate offers intriguing opportunities across college basketball and the NHL. Whether it’s a sharp line movement in the NCAAB matchup between Virginia and Memphis, or overlooked value in the NHL featuring the Flyers and Maple Leafs, these picks highlight live underdogs with strong potential for a payout. Let’s dive into the analysis and reasoning behind today’s best underdog bets.

NCAAB - Virginia (6-4) ML vs. Memphis (8-2): +160, BetMGM

We have a decent college basketball slate today, and some bets that I have already made, so let’s see if we can identify some live dogs to cash out on. The first one I want to talk about is Virginia tonight, who is up against Memphis. The Tigers are ranked No. 21 in the country and are sitting pretty with an 8-2 record right now, while also coming off a big win against a ranked Clemson team. They have already beaten teams like UConn, Michigan State, and Louisiana Tech as well, building an impressive resume.

Meanwhile, Virginia is just 6-4 and unranked to start the year. They have lost two of their last three games, including blowout losses to Florida and SMU. They are lined as just a small +4 underdog at some books right now, and the line has moved down from +5 despite a majority of bets and money flowing into the Tigers as the ranked team with a better record. As I always preach, you have to look for lines that seem obvious, and bet what isn’t obvious. It won’t always cash, like UNC yesterday, but it does a majority of the time to keep us in the profits.

I took the Cavs +5, but I would not be shocked in the slightest if they won the game outright, so a small sprinkle on +160 odds is warranted.

NCAAB - Virginia (6-4) ML vs. Memphis (8-2): +160, BetMGM

We have a decent college basketball slate today, and some bets that I have already made, so let’s see if we can identify some live dogs to cash out on. The first one I want to talk about is Virginia tonight, who is up against Memphis. The Tigers are ranked No. 21 in the country and are sitting pretty with an 8-2 record right now, while also coming off a big win against a ranked Clemson team. They have already beaten teams like UConn, Michigan State, and Louisiana Tech as well, building an impressive resume.

Meanwhile, Virginia is just 6-4 and unranked to start the year. They have lost two of their last three games, including blowout losses to Florida and SMU. They are lined as just a small +4 underdog at some books right now, and the line has moved down from +5 despite a majority of bets and money flowing into the Tigers as the ranked team with a better record. As I always preach, you have to look for lines that seem obvious, and bet what isn’t obvious. It won’t always cash, like UNC yesterday, but it does a majority of the time to keep us in the profits.

I took the Cavs +5, but I would not be shocked in the slightest if they won the game outright, so a small sprinkle on +160 odds is warranted.

NHL - Flyers (14-13-4) ML at Red Wings (12-14-4): -103, BetRivers

This game is basically lined as a pick ‘em, but technically the Flyers are very small underdogs, so I can include them here. The line was +106 yesterday when it opened and has been bet closer to what the number is now, so some sharp action clearly coming in on Philly. A majority of bets and money is on the home team Wings, so it is telling to see the price get better for them despite that.

Simply put, at least for me, there is no chance I can bet on the Red Wings as a favorite. This is a bad hockey team with a poor offense and average defense, and while they are coming off a 4-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, that just makes me want to fade them more after a big win. Philly beat them 4-1 earlier this season, and while the Flyers haven’t been anything to write home about so far this year, I still think they are the better overall team. They have a far better defense, and a slightly better offense as well. Their goaltending is always worrisome and has been dreadful to this point, but Detroit’s offense has been so bad that I am not as concerned.

Sure, it could go either way and it is never easy to win on the road in the NHL, but I just can’t make the Flyers an underdog here.

NHL - Maple Leafs (19-10-2) ML at Stars (19-11): +116, BetMGM

I have been saying this same thing for a while now, whether it be in this article or my NHL picks article, but this is when you want to bet on the Maple Leafs. It is very rare when I want to back Toronto as a favorite, as they seem to have issues with choking when they are supposed to win. However, as an underdog, they have been very profitable when the pressure is off of them. They are a small dog here tonight in Dallas against a Stars team that has won two straight, and that means there is value for me.

The Leafs are a good hockey team, and while most people think of them as an offensive team with Auston Matthews and William Nylander, they have been much better on defense this year. They have a solid defense that is allowing 29 shots per game, and they have gotten fantastic goaltending from Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz. I view the Stars as a very similar team, with an average offense and great defense with excellent netminding. Jake Oettinger is one of the best in the NHL between the pipes.

As I mentioned, this is when you want to back Toronto, when the pressure is off. I think at +116, they are worth a wager tonight.

Bet up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets at BetMGM! All you need to do is CLICK HERE, sign up for a new account, make your first deposit and bet! Don’t miss out!