Phil Naessens
Phil Naessens
18+ years experience 18+ years experience
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.
Sport to bet on: NFL
Sports movie: Remember the Titans
Sports snack: Ice cream
Covers feature: Scores & Matchups
Best Betting Memory
Worst Beat
Tigers vs Mariners Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s MLB Game
Tarik Skubal labored a bit through his first outing, but that's not entirely surprising as the Tigers lefty had to shake off the rust by immediately facing the Dodgers. He'll rack up the Ks tonight in a much softer landing spot vs. the Mariners.
MLB Home Run Props, Picks & Odds Today for 4-1: Keep on Tuckin'
Kyle Tucker has made his mark early in his Cubs tenure. He went deep last night in Sacramento, and we like him to follow that up with an encore against A's righty Luis Severino as part of our favorite MLB home run props.
UConn vs USC Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight’s Women’s March Madness Elite 8 Game
The Trojans were able to win in the Sweet 16 without their star player JuJu Watkins, but the UConn Huskies are entirely different beasts.
TCU vs Texas Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today’s Women’s March Madness Elite 8 Game
The Horned Frogs are crushing it on offense and will cause problems for a normally stingy Texas squad. The Longhorns can win, but it's far from a certainty, and the 7.5-point spread is much too high.
LSU vs UCLA Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s Women’s March Madness Elite 8 Game
The No. 3 LSU Tigers' defense won't be able to contain Lauren Betts, and that's the key to a No. 1 UCLA Bruins victory in this Spokane Regional Elite 8 game, per our women's March Madness betting picks.
Duke vs South Carolina Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s Women’s March Madness Elite 8 Game
No. 2 seed Duke lost to No. 1 seed South Carolina by 11 earlier in the season, and our women's March Madness betting picks expect a similar outcome in the rematch in this Birmingham Regional final.
March Madness Upset Predictions for the Elite 8
The Tennessee Volunteers have proven to be stingy as underdogs, and Phil Naessens expects the SEC runners-up to keep Houston on high alert Sunday.
Notre Dame vs TCU Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Saturday’s Women’s March Madness Sweet 16 Game
Although Hailey Van Lith & Co. enter this weekend's Sweet Sixteen matchup as 7.5-point underdogs, the Horned Frogs are well-positioned for a potential upset win over the Fighting Irish.
Mississippi vs UCLA Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s Women’s March Madness Sweet 16 Game
Find out why our women's college basketball betting picks believe Lauren Betts and the No. 1 UCLA Bruins are on their way to another easy victory over the No. 5 Mississippi Rebels in the Sweet 16 in Spokane.
March Madness Upset Predictions for the Sweet 16
Phil Naessens breaks down three Sweet 16 matchups and offers his best March Madness upset predictions.
Mississippi State vs USC Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s Women’s March Madness Game
Naessens' prediction: USC comes away with the win but neither side looks particularly potent on offense, leading to the Under.
Florida State vs LSU Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s Women’s March Madness Game
Our Florida State vs. LSU predictions expect the Lady Tigers to win and their defense to be the difference.
Celtics vs Trail Blazers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game
No one can deny the scoring ability of Jayson Tatum, but with the Celtics not needing him to win tonight, take the Under on his lofty point total.
March Madness Upset Predictions for the Second Round
Phil Naessens breaks down the second round of March Madness and offers his best March Madness upset predictions for Sunday, March 23.
March Madness Upset Predictions for the Second Round
Phil Naessens breaks down the second round of March Madness and offers his best March Madness upset predictions for Saturday, March 22.
March Madness Upset Predictions for the First Round
The Akron Zips possess the shooting ability to send the Wildcats back to Arizona.
March Madness Upset Predictions for the First Round
Phil Naessens breaks down the first round of March Madness and offers his best March Madness upset predictions for Thursday, March 20.
Furman vs North Texas Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s NIT Game
Furman relies too much on the long ball, and once North Texas takes away the perimeter, points will come at a premium.
North Alabama vs Bradley Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s NIT Game
Bradley will miss the strong two-way play of Zak Montgomery, and his departure will open the door for North Alabama to pull off the upset.
UC Riverside vs Santa Clara Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NIT Game
Our college basketball betting picks believe tonight's NIT nightcap will be much closer than oddsmakers expect when the road warrior UC Riverside Highlanders visit the Santa Clara Broncos.
