Super Bowl XLVI: New York Giants vs New England Patriots Odds and Betting Preview

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – At the end of an enthralling season, the NFC champion New York Giants and AFC champion New England Patriots square off this Sunday with the Vince Lombardi trophy on the line in Super Bowl XLVI.

The New England Patriots, looking to avenge their Super Bowl XLII defeat to the Giants, are the favourites for the contest at best price of 8/11 (bet £11 to make £8 profit) with Paddy Power. The Giants, looking for their second Super Bowl victory of the highly successful Tom Coughlin-Eli Manning era, are a 13/10 chance on the money line with Ladbrokes.

The New York Giants head into this Sunday’s big game full of confidence after stringing together five consecutive victories to lift themselves from a disappointing 7-7 record to an NFC East title and a Super Bowl appearance. The defense, ranked just 27th overall in the regular season, has been outstanding in the past two months with the formidable pass rush of Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Jason-Pierre Paul hounding opposition Quarterbacks into crucial errors. Meanwhile, Eli Manning is playing the best football of his career to prove his status as one of the game’s elite signal-callers after his Top 100 snub in the off season.

The G-Men are peaking at just the right time, with the key starters on both sides of the ball finally healthy and playing their best football of the year. The Big Blue have won their last two matches against New England, edging the Patriots 24-20 in week nine’s meeting between the two sides and famously ending the franchise’s hopes of an undefeated season in Super Bowl XLII.

The Patriots have won 10 straight since their week nine loss to the Giants to take the franchise to their fifth Super Bowl since 2001. Coach Bill Bellichick and quarterback Tom Brady have been at the helm for all four previous appearances, and the two future Hall of Famers will look to cement their status as arguably the greatest Quarterback-Head Coach tandem in the history of the game by claiming their fourth Championship this weekend in Indianapolis. 

The defense, a constant worry throughout the regular season (finishing 31st overall), has really improved in the post-season to give up only 30 points in the side’s two playoff games whilst the offense has been impressive throughout. Brady did however struggle against the Ravens in the AFC Championship game and All-Pro Tight-End Rob Gronkowski is questionable for the game with an ankle injury.

Several fascinating storylines surround this weekend’s contest with Eli Manning playing in 'The House that Peyton built' with the chance to surpass his older brother’s ring total, whilst Tom Brady can equal boyhood idol Joe Montana on four rings if he can lead his side to victory.

The Spread has been set at New England (-3), with Bet365 offering a best priced 21/20 on the Patriots covering the spread whilst New York are a 20/23 chance against spread with Ladbrokes. In the Total Points market, the over/under has been set at 53.5 with Bet365 going 10/11 either side of the line.

Rob Gronkowski, who scored a record-breaking 18 touchdowns in the regular season, heads the First Touchdown Scorer market at a best priced 13/2 with Bet365. New York receiver Victor Cruz, Eli Manning’s go-to guy throughout this season, is an 8/1 shot to grab the opening TD score with Bet Victor whilst Wes Welker is also an 8/1 chance at Betfred. Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who finally looks back on form and healthy after an injury-plagued campaign, is a 9/1 chance in the market with Boylesports whilst Aaron Hernandez is available at 10/1 with William Hill.

Tom Brady, winner of the Super Bowl MVP in 2002 and 2004, is the 6/5 favourite for the MVP award with William Hill. Eli Manning, winner of the award in Super Bowl XLII, is next in the market at 7/4 with Bet365 whilst Victor Cruz can be backed to cap off his remarkable breakout season with the prodigious award at 14/1 with Sky Bet.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1830 ET/2330 GMT with live coverage for UK-based punters on Sky Sports 1 and BBC 1.

New York Giants vs New England Patriots Money Line Betting
New York Giants vs New England Patriots Point Spread Betting
New York Giants vs New England Patriots Total Points Betting
New York Giants vs New England Patriots First Touchdown Scorer Betting
New York Giants vs New England Patriots Super Bowl MVP Betting