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Phil Naessens

Phil Naessens - Betting Analyst at Covers.com

Phil Naessens

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Betting Analyst Years of Experience Icon17+ years experience
Betting Analyst
Years of Experience Icon17+ years experience Covers Email Icon Twitter Icon

Prior to joining Covers in 2022, Phil Naessens spent 38 years as a resident tennis pro in Las Vegas, Mykonos, and Corfu Greece. He’s the past host of the Phil Naessens Show (Armed Forces Radio), and currently hosts the tennis betting podcast, This Week in Tennis.

Phil is the author of the Betting 101 series (MLB, NFL, NCAAF, and Tennis) and has written for numerous publications including SB Nation, FanSided and Lenny Melnick Fantasy Sports. Phil curates the Chip and Charge Tennis Newsletter and pens a weekly tennis column called “10 Things About the ATP Tour," for Passing Shot Productions. 

His favorite sports to bet on are tennis, MLB, WNBA, Euro men’s and women’s hoops, NCAA sports, NFL, and the NBA. Phil has numerous betting accounts in the US and Europe and his best advice is to line shop for the best value possible.

Favorites
Team: New York Rangers
Sport to bet on: NFL
Sports movie: Remember the Titans
Sports snack: Ice cream
Covers feature: Scores & Matchups
I hit a 23-1 long shot betting on a horse while waiting to pick up my grandmother from bingo at the Showboat in Vegas. What makes it memorable is I wanted to bet just 10, but mistakenly handed the ticket writer $100. Pride made me roll with it and needless to say, I paid for supper that night. Horse name: No Commitment, first race, Santa Anita, October 18, 1992.
Best Betting Memory Icon Best Betting Memory
2013 Wimbledon First Round. I was the resident pro at the Corfu Holiday Palace in Corfu, Greece, it was raining, so I stopped in the bar for a beverage. The bartender starts asking me about tennis matches, and little did I know he was filling out a parlay ticket. We hit 16 out of 17 and our only loss was when Rafael Nadal was upset in the first round by Steve Darcis. UGH
Best Betting Memory Icon Worst Beat

Ohio vs Toledo Predictions, Picks, Odds for College Football Week 13

Nov 20, 2024 • 3:46 PM ET

Weather will make throwing the ball a real gamble for both sides on Wednesday, and stout run defenses will make scoring hard to come by.

Houston vs Arizona Predictions, Picks, and Best Bets for College Football Week 12

Nov 15, 2024 • 6:45 PM ET

Noah Fifita draws a favorable matchup with a Houston defense lacking an effective pass rush. Look for him to clear his passing yardage prop as the Wildcats win one at home.

North Texas vs UTSA Predictions, Picks, and Best Bets for College Football Week 12

Nov 15, 2024 • 4:47 PM ET

The aerial show in the Alamodome promises to be spectacular on Friday night, and Phil Naessens expects Owen McCown and the Roadrunners to get the best of their conference rivals.

Florida vs Florida State Prediction, Picks, and Odds for Tonight’s College Basketball Game

Nov 15, 2024 • 9:17 AM ET

The Florida Gators have much more in the way of continuity going for them right now than the Florida State Seminoles do. Expect the backcourt tandem of Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Howard to win the day for Florida.

Akron vs Northern Illinois Predictions, Picks, and Best Bets for College Football Week 12

Nov 13, 2024 • 4:02 PM ET

The Huskies are better than Akron, but the gap isn't big enough to warrant 15.5 points.

Central Michigan vs Toledo Prediction and Picks: Chipped Away

Nov 11, 2024 • 9:11 AM ET

After losing QB Joe Labas, Central Michigan's offense has truly fallen apart. If healthy, that would have been the preferred plan of attack vs. Toledo. Now, the Rockets should have their way with the Chippewas.

Mavericks vs Nuggets Prediction, Picks, and Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

Nov 10, 2024 • 9:14 AM ET

While there's no denying Luka Doncic's ability to get points in bunches, Phil Naessens believes there are several paths for Doncic to stay under his point total vs. the Nuggets. Read on to find out why.

Michigan vs Wake Forest Prediction, Picks, and Odds for Today's College Basketball Game

Nov 10, 2024 • 9:00 AM ET

A backcourt like Hunter Sallis and Cameron Hildreth is difficult to deal with for any team, especially one that's still trying to gel together like Michigan. Look for Wake Forest to win this one at home.

Nevada vs Boise State Predictions, Picks, and Best Bets: Lewis Helps Run Up the Score

Nov 9, 2024 • 5:01 PM ET

See why our college football betting picks are calling for a Saturday night barnburner in the Mountain West when Nevada visits Boise State.

Southern Miss vs UAB Prediction, Picks, and Odds for Tonight’s College Basketball Game

Nov 7, 2024 • 9:33 AM ET

Our Southern Miss vs. UAB predictions expect a ton of points as the Blazers look to bounce back from their season-opening loss.

Bowling Green vs Central Michigan Predictions, Picks, and Best Bets: Points Aplenty

Nov 5, 2024 • 4:16 PM ET

Bowling Green and Connor Bazelak should keep right on rolling vs. Central Michigan's suspect defense, but the Chippewas should be able to keep up on the other side of the ball.

Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan Player Props & Best Bets: Buckley Breaks Free

Nov 5, 2024 • 8:52 AM ET

Find out why our prop picks for NIU vs. WMU are calling for a big day from Jalen Buckley and a letdown for both Blake Bosma and Jaden Nixon.

Hawks vs Pelicans Prediction, Picks, and Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

Nov 3, 2024 • 9:26 AM ET

It's been tough sledding for Trae Young beyond the arc this season, but that can change in an instant against a defense as bad as the Pelicans. Read more in our NBA picks below.

Pittsburgh vs SMU Predictions, Picks, and Best Bets: Take the Points With the Panthers

Nov 2, 2024 • 4:48 PM ET

Pittsburgh brings an undefeated record into Dallas on Saturday night, yet SMU is a considerable betting favorite. Our college football betting picks will gladly grab the points in this spot.

South Florida vs Florida Atlantic Predictions, Picks, and Best Bets: Points Galore in Boca Raton

Nov 1, 2024 • 4:31 PM ET

The return of Byrum Brown will give South Florida a boost on offense, and the Owls will score plenty of points on their own. Over all the way!

Louisiana Tech vs Sam Houston Predictions, Picks, and Best Bets: Stop Units Stand Pat

Oct 29, 2024 • 5:37 PM ET

Even with Hunter Watson expected to return for Sam Houston, our college football expert picks are calling for a low-scoring C-USA tilt when Louisiana Tech pays a visit to Huntsville.

76ers vs Pacers Prediction, Picks, & Odds for Today's NBA Game

Oct 27, 2024 • 9:18 AM ET

Tyrese Maxey has been struggling mightily without the assistance of Joel Embiid and Paul George, and our NBA picks expect more of the same in Indiana tonight.

LSU vs Texas A&M Player Props & Best Bets: Nussmeier Lets It Fly in College Station

Oct 25, 2024 • 4:55 PM ET

A battle between top SEC programs goes down on Saturday, and Phil Naessens has you covered with his favorite prop picks for the highly-anticipated matchup at Kyle Field.

Louisville vs Boston College NCAAF Picks, Predictions, and Best Bets: Eagles Prove To Be Shough Stoppers

Oct 25, 2024 • 4:49 PM ET

The Louisville offense relies on quarterback Tyler Shough, but our college football betting picks believe Boston College can keep him in check as the Eagles give the Cardinals at least a scare if not an outright loss.

Sam Houston vs Florida International Predictions, Picks, and Best Bets: Bear + Kat = Winning Combo

Oct 22, 2024 • 4:55 PM ET

The Sam Houston Bearkats have found a groove against FBS opponents and match up well against a Florida International side that won't be able to stop the ground game.

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